Fuzzy is bringing the party to the people with Listen Out, which will be coming to Sydney's Centennial Park on Saturday, September 30 for its fifth year after dates in Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane. Some highlights on this year's lineup include US rappers Mac Miller and Future, New York-based electronic producer Jai Wolf and UK artists Duke Dumont and Little Simz. Aussie acts get a look-in via Safia, Perth avant-electronic bedroom producer KUCKA and dance duo Pnau. Kicking off at 1pm and running through till 10pm, Centennial Park's open greenery layout and pond views offer the perfect backdrop for the Sydney part of the tour. Tickets are now on sale — so be sure to grab them while you still can. See the full lineup below. LISTEN OUT 2017 LINEUP Bryson Tiller Duke Dumont Future Getter Green Velvet Jai Wolf Kucka Little Simz Mac Miller Malaa Mallrat Pnau Safia Touch Sensitive Vallis Alps What So Not Alice Ivy Annie Bass (in Sydney only) Cc Disco (in Melbourne only) Muto (in Melbourne only) Ninajirachi Nyxen + more Images: Mitch Lowe.
Aussie supermarket giant Woolworths has gotten a little bit creative with its latest waste minimisation efforts, transforming unsold loaves of bread into beer. A hefty haul of over 350 kilograms of unwanted, leftover bread has been rescued and used to create a new limited-edition pale ale it has fittingly dubbed Loafer. As well as helping to cut down on a big chunk of bread going to landfill, the beer is also helping to raise funds for Aussies in need. You can pick up a six-pack of the new brew from BWS and Dan Murphy's stores, with a portion of profits heading to support the Feed Australia Appeal. Funds will be used to lend a helping hand to Aussies impacted by food insecurity, through a variety of local food relief programs. Pitched as the company's first "circular economy craft beer", Loafer was brewed by Goulburn's Tribe Breweries. Apparently, the bread-infused base gives the easy-drinking brew "the aroma of fresh toast", which mingles with bright, hoppy pear and pineapple accents. Grab a few Loafers for your fridge and, for once, you can kick back feeling pretty good about your beer drinking. Each six-pack sold raises 50 cents or the equivalent of one meal through Feed Appeal, while a carton donates $2 which is enough to feed a family of four. Last year, Woolworths joined fellow supermarket group Coles in another high-profile move in the war on waste, ditching single-use plastic bags from its stores. This latest limited-run initiative won't have quite the same widespread impact, though we're sure it'll do a whole lot better at quenching your thirst. Loafer pale ale is available from BWS and Dan Murphy's stores across Australia. A six-pack will set you back $25 and a carton $73.
For a lot of us, 2020 so far has involved a whole heap less travel than we'd usually like. With devastating bushfires raging across the country, many had to forego our annual summer trips and stay at home. Then, COVID-19 hit Australia, resulting in nationwide restrictions on travel. To say we have a bit of wanderlust would be an understatement. Last week, on. Friday, May 8, the Australian Government announced its three-step roadmap out of COVID-19 lockdown, with talks of interstate and possibly trans-Tasman travel happening before the end of July. Finally, we can start thinking about leaving our four walls and dreaming of our next trip away. While we can't jet off to Europe or make our way through Southeast Asia yet, we'll soon be able to explore our own backyard — from its pristine coastline, lush bushland, snowy mountains and expansive plains. And, to help inspire your post-iso plans, Tourism Australia is launching an online program of virtual travel experiences and entertainment. Best of all, it's completely free. Dubbed Live from Aus, the program will run from Saturday, May 16 to Sunday, May 17 via its YouTube channel and Facebook page. It'll feature everything from Phillip Island's penguins to underwater reef tours at the Great Barrier Reef, music by First Nations artists with Uluru as its backdrop, Mona's Spectra light show, an Australian wine tour with Adelaide Hills' Unico Zelo, a cheesemaking session with Jo Barrett and Matt Stone, and sunrise yoga at Byron Bay. All up, expect a taste for Australia's natural beauty, food, music, wildlife and culture. [caption id="attachment_769947" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sunrise Yoga with Elements of Byron Bay, courtesy of Tourism Australia[/caption] Other highlights include a disco party with The Wiggles, an exploration of Indigenous Australian ingredients with famed chef and MasterChef Australia judge Jock Zonfrillo, tours of Australia's greatest golf greens, pub trivia, a coffee making tutorial with Ona Coffee, a tour of Kangaroo Island, a night at the Opera House and Dreamtime stories with Darren 'Capes' Capewell. You can check out the full program and times here. Live from Aus will kick off at 7am AEST on Saturday, May 16 till Sunday, May 17. You can tune in for free via Facebook or its website. Images: Underwater Reef Tour at the Great Barrier Reef, Uluru Sunset Session with First Nations music curated by Sounds Australia, Penguin Parade Bedtime Stories from Phillip Island and Kangaroo Island Tour with Craig Wickham — all courtesy of Tourism Australia.
There are some truly incredible buildings in the world, but unless you have amazingly hi-res Google Street View or a platinum Amex there's just no way you can see them all. That's where architectural photography comes in. Bringing us images of the craziest buildings and landscapes around the world, these photographers constantly fill up our magazines, Tumblrs and Pinterests with pics from where we'd rather be. Now, they've been judged against one another. Each year the Arciad Awards pick the year's best work in architectural photography. There are thousands of dollars in prize money and the winners are bestowed with countless likes, shares and reblogs from all of the internet — and with good reason. The pictures picking up recognition at this year's awards documented Dubai's twister Cayan Tower (pictured above), the space-age Heydar Aliyev Center in Azerbaijan, and a sunken flea market in Barcelona. However the grandeur of the structure wasn't a prerequisite to photographic success. Other noted offerings included a tiny metropolitan roof space in South Korea, a cow shed in the Netherlands and a lone boxy home next to a creek in Ohio. The outright winner was a photograph (pictured below) that showed the aforementioned Azerbaijani architecture with jaw-dropping surrealism. Get ready to take a trip — these images will leave you with a serious case of wanderlust. All images via Arciad.
Currently showing at The Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW) is Australian Symbolism: The art of dreams, the first major exhibition devoted to exploring the impact that the Symbolists had on Australian art in the closing decades of the 19th century. Symbolism was an art movement that took the mystical and mythological as its content: from the figure of the femme fatale, as in Bertram Mackennal’s brilliant bronze Circe (1892-3), to the iconic nymphs of Sydney Long’s dusk dances, in Pan (1898) and Spirit of the Plains (1897). This small collection of paintings, sculpture and ceramics is an accessible entry into the period and as such is perfect for the lunch-time drop in. All the usual suspects are present – Charles Conder, Arthur Streeton, Rupert Bunny, Tom Roberts - although it is interesting to sight works by these artists (generally considered to be Impressionists) during their brief affairs with Symbolism. Streeton’s The Flight of Summer (c1890) is of particular interest as a stark departure from what we understand of Streeton’s work: a cigarette lies in the grass, the smoke leading our eyes to an emerging or departing female figure at the top centre of the board. Vibrant red berries are scattered across the panel - in content and colour this is a work nothing like Streeton’s realist landscapes. The Flight of Summer is an important work though, not so much for its aesthetic, but more so for the history its holds. The painting was only recently discovered and unravelled the incredible strands of a love affair between Streeton and a woman called Florry. Here, symbolism was an important tool for Streeton as the mythological and ethereal nature of the painting allowed Streeton to disguise his emotional turmoil. An act he could not easily carry out under the limitations of realist landscape painting. Australian Symbolism is a gateway to a number of stories like Streeton's and, if only for this, the exhibition provides us with a rare view of some of the lesser known works of our most known artists.
Set in Renaissance Venice, Howard Barker’s Scenes from an Execution is a staged argument between art and power. Anna Galactica (Lucy Miller) has been commissioned to paint a public work depicting the Battle of Lepanto (1571) when the southern European Catholics defeated the Ottoman Empire. Galactica is compelled to show the blood and guts and “meat sliced” that is the reality of war, whereas the Doge (Mark Lee), representing the state’s interests, would prefer something more celebratory. Barker’s Renaissance setting makes the argument between artist and state too grandiose to translate directly to today, given the impossibility of achieving dissident status in a Western democracy. People may not have loved Patricia Piccinini's Skywhale, for instance, but she was was never going to go to jail for it. But the play does speak to the topical problem of artistic integrity in the face of commercial pressures through the character of Carpeta (Jeremy Waters), who is happy to compromise his integrity for money. Director Richard Hilliar (Wittenberg) has opted for a straight up and down interpretation of the play, which works for the most part, but I have a hunch that Barker’s portrayal of the baddie politicians versus the pure-of-heart artist is more self-aware and comic than the sincerity we see presented here. Costume designer Christie Bennett has done an impressive job of sourcing puffed sleeves, men’s tights and velvet galore on an indie budget and sound designer Nate Edmondson successfully transports us to the 16th century with his compositions, though some of his more literal effects — such as a curtain being drawn or a crowd applauding — are superfluous. To the bloody great cast. Lucy Miller seems to relish the challenge of bringing the sensual, whip-smart Galactica to life, switching from seductress to master painter to mother and philosopher without batting an eyelid. Matching her in quick-wittedness are Jeremy Waters as Carpeta and Mark Lee as the Doge. Lee is remarkable to watch, fast paced and agile, moving through the scenes at the sort of cracking pace necessary for a play this long.
Four exhibitions have just opened at Gaffa, collecting four different surveys of the world. Erica Molesworth's Pinpoint is a study in mapping, water-divining and what changes when you see land as something to be used. Two hazy white prints of satellite photography are overlaid with so much deliberate noise that you need to stand halfway across the room to see them properly, which works well. The rest of her exhibition includes photos of rusty, brown outback landscapes, and a dam laid sideways in its frame with its slipway dribbling out water like a waterfall. Sanaz Hoseinabadi's Platonic Divide exhibition collects her wonderful, white 3-D sculptures made from 2-D cardboard — their shapes are the abstract made solid. Uncollapsed fragments from Flatland, accreted lens flares, errant sound waves and white arabesques. Jess Calley wonders if Facebook is just yet another way to hide away the inner self. Her Status Update satirises the social side of the site, including photographs of her 'like' stickers stuck on real-world real graffiti, shops and galleried art around Melbourne and San Francisco. The other drawings and collages are sat against real Facebook status updates, with an almost cubist bottle of VB for This Essay is Killing Me and a disembodied Mac keyboard for Happiness. Gaffa's Lauren Hill isn't that Lauren Hill, but the title of Everything is Horrible plays on her namesake. The show plays a collection of unmanipulated and retouched images off against each other, never making clear which is which. Some digital changes are obvious, like the cryptically titled Couch/Tree, but others are harder to pick apart. This is part of the point of her collection, which includes images like the lopsided Six Feet High and Rising and vengeful Untitled cake nestled on a tray of sandwiches. Gaffa is closed Sundays. Image from Pinpoint by Erica Molesworth.
With Mother's Day rolling around this coming Sunday, May 11, it can be hard to find the gift that says 'I love you, mum, and thanks again for that whole life thing you gave me'. It's not that we're judging the Kikki K notebook or apron-and-tea towel set you just bought, but we're willing to bet a little creativity and some quality time will make mum smile considerably wider this year. And the best part? We've taken all the effort out of it. Here's our list of five fun things you should be doing with mum this weekend. Enjoy, and say hi to your mum for us. GET A FERRY TO COCKATOO ISLAND AND CHECK OUT THE BIENNALE For a day of creative stimulation and industrial splendour, head to Cockatoo Island to check out the 19th Biennale of Sydney. The mixed-media installations and interactive sculptures are all loosely arranged around the Biennale's defining principle, 'you imagine what you desire'. The artworks range from intense psychological pieces like Ignas Krunglevicius’ video work Interrogation to fun and interactive physical sculptures like Bush Power. If you want to spend more than just one day spoiling mum, opt for a spot of 'glamping'. The island's charming tent village overlooks the sparkling Parramatta River to the leafy shores of Woolwich. The 19th Biennale of Sydney is on until June 9, 2014. To book your trip and check out all the glamping options, visit the Cockatoo Island website. DO THE BONDI TO BRONTE WALK + HAVE LUNCH AT THREE BLUE DUCKS The Bondi to Bronte coastal walk never fails to send us hurtling head over heels in love all over again with the enchanting city we call home. The 4km walk can for the most part be taken as a leisurely stroll, allowing you and mum to take in the dramatic clifftop views and watch the surfers do their thing out on the Pacific. Arrive in Bronte early enough to be near the front of the queue for Three Blue Ducks (they don't take reservations for breakfast or lunch). Embrace the wait as an opportunity for a perfect coffee and some quality time with mum, and treat her to the cafe's gorgeous farm-fresh produce once you've nabbed your table. If you're up for more walking after lunch, explore the lesser known but equally breathtaking Bronte to Maroubra path, stopping for a brisk ocean dip or to explore the honeycomb sandstone caves along the way. CATCH SOME LAUGHS AT THE SYDNEY COMEDY FESTIVAL In its tenth year, the Sydney Comedy Festival offers more side-splitting good times than ever to share with mum. In a scheduling success or failure (depending on how you look at it), the 6th Annual 'Yo Mama' Battle will not coincide with Mother's Day, but you can give mum the laughs she well deserves with the autobiographical hilarity of 'comedy ninja' and word goddess Alice Fraser ($19.90-$24.90) or the lyrical antics of global musical comedy sensation Axis of Awesome ($30-$35), among a raft of uproarious offerings included in the lineup this year. KAYAK AROUND SYDNEY HARBOUR + HAVE A PICNIC ON A HIDDEN BEACH To experience the harbour from an entirely new angle, rent out a double kayak and get exploring with mum. Start off in Manly and paddle the pristine waters of North Harbour, weaving in and out of the gorgeous coves and inlets, gazing up at the dramatic sandstone headlands and trying not to drop your camera in the water. Pull into Store Beach, accessible only by water, for a picnic on the sand (either bring your own or let the pros do it), a spot of snorkelling and, if you're lucky, a visit from some of the local fairy penguins. For more information on kayak hire go to www.manlykayakcentre.com.au DO HIGH COFFEE AT THE INTERCONTINENTAL If treats are more your mum's language, you can't go past 'High Coffee' at the Intercontinental, a seriously indulgent love letter to the bean created by celebrated chef and coffee connoisseur Stefano Manfredi. The experience begins with a knockout espresso martini built with house-spiced syrup and vanilla-infused vodka and served with a selection of cute finger sandwiches, followed by a creamy cafe freddo with three tiers of tasty bites in both sweet and savoury varieties. To finish, choose an espresso, doppio, ristretto, macchiato or grappa-laced coffee shot served with a matching dessert. You'll be buzzing for hours and when the high does finally start to fade, mum might let you amp back up with one of the perfect handmade chocolates from the gift box she'll get to take home. For more information on High Coffee ($85 on Mother's Day with a gift box of handmade chocolates, $65 on other days) and to make a reservation, go to the Intercontinental website or contact restaurant.reservations@interconsydney.com or + 61 2 9240 1396. Want to take your mum out for brunch, dinner or something sweet? Check out our list of the best places to treat your mum on Mother's Day (or any day).
Over the past five weeks, Sydney's CBD has been activated with art and entertainment across York, Clarence and Kent Street as part of the YCK Laneways Block Party. The blockbuster autumn event was created to help launch these three city streets as a new cultural precinct that encompasses some of Sydney's most beloved venues. While the six-week party had to endure restrictions on singing and dancing, it has seen everything from antipasto burlesque and poetry readings; to live music and fire twirling pop-up around the CBD. Now, just as restrictions have been eased, the block party will celebrate its final week with a pop-up street party featuring live music and cocktails. The mid-week concert will take over Barrack Street on Wednesday, May 19 with live sets from indie-pop crooner Jarryd James, much-buzzed NSW up-and-comer Budjerah and Melbourne singer-songwriter D'Arcy Spiller. DJ Levins of Heaps Decent and Halfway Crooks will be on DJ duty from 5pm before the live sets kick off at 7pm. A pop-up bar from Fever Tree will be on hand to liven up Barrack Street with Patron tequila and Bombay gin cocktails. Attendees can also continue the party next time they're in the YCK precinct, with all ticketholders receiving 50 percent off their first cocktail at participating YCK venues including Since I Left You, Prince of York, Sammy Junior, Burrow Bar and Papa Gede's.
UPDATE, June 1, 2024: Godzilla Minus One is available to stream via Netflix. Since 1954, there have been few pieces of movie music as meaningful, magnificent and momentous as Akira Ifukube's Godzilla theme. It's a tune of urgency and spirit, and of foreboding and triumph alike. The OG feature that brought Japan's towering kaiju to the screen isn't a masterpiece simply due to its score, but the picture's main song contributes as forcefully as Zilly's big bite. Memorable film music doesn't solely make an impact when it is echoing, though. When Ifukube's all-timer fades away in a Godzilla flick can impart as much as when it resounds. Godzilla Minus One knows this expertly, because the first Japanese live-action entry in the franchise since 2016's exceptional Shin Godzilla is a movie about living in the silent shadow and aftermath of devastation in addition to being about its namesake making an appearance in post-World War II Tokyo. A film that deploys its theme so artfully, precisely and potently is a film that knows how to thoughtfully ponder more deeply than a gash from pop culture's ultimate giant lizard. That's evident from Godzilla Minus One's name as well, which references the desolated state that Japan was in at the 20th century's midpoint, plus the magnified ruin that comes with Godzilla being Godzilla. Writer and director Takashi Yamazaki (Lupin III: The First, Ghost Book) tackles everything in his entry to the creature-feature saga with that kind of care and insight, and the picture that results isn't just better for it — it's one of the best Godzilla efforts yet. Electrifyingly moving and heartfelt, it's the Godzilla movie equivalent of the blazing blue spikes that its chief critter now sports. It dazzles and stands out, including at a time when the kaiju is everywhere, with the American Monsterverse fresh from 2014's Godzilla, 2019's Godzilla: King of the Monsters and 2021's Godzilla vs Kong, plus Monarch: Legacy of Monsters on streaming, and with 2024's Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire on the way. Yamazaki doesn't just go back to Godzilla's beginnings. He ventures further into the past, albeit still to Odo Island. As the Second World War is almost at an end, the land mass is being used as an aviation hub. Kamikaze pilot Kōichi Shikishima (Ryunokuke Kamiki, Suzume) arrives to escape having to donate his life to the war effort, only for Godzilla to emerge. The same situation awaits, and the same outcome. Kōichi survives alongside mechanic Sosaku Tachibana (Munetaka Aoki, Fence); however, this won't be anyone's last encounter with the mutated, ferocious, radiation-breathing dinosaur-like being that was initially conjured up as a metaphor for the trauma inflicted in that war, and by atomic weaponry. While Godzilla still represents the fallout from and anxiety sparked by going nuclear, and due to combat in general, Godzilla Minus One stamps its way among the series' greats by being delicately and affectingly attuned to the human toll. The fact that he still lives while others fell victim to Godzilla haunts Kōichi as Yamazaki's film tracks him in subsequent months and years. Movies about the monster who has multiple Tokyo statues dedicated to it can also turn their commentary inwards, towards Japan — so, after Shin Godzilla leaned on bureaucratic bungling to nod to the Fukushima meltdown, Godzilla Minus One tears into the military concept that a single life is expendable. Being wracked with survivor's guilt and dismay over abandoning his kamikaze mission drives Kōichi to seek redemption once Godzilla returns, and disrupts the makeshift family that he forms with Noriko (Minami Hamabe, Shin Kamen Rider) and a baby orphaned in the Japanese capital's bombing. Lingering over the narrative, though, is the truth that every person and their time alive matters, and that people banding together can take on colossal problems — yes, that means Godzilla. Kōichi's first post-war job: ridding the sea of mines, another gig where his existence is treated as expendable. Jaws sinks its teeth in as inspiration as the ragtag cleanup crew take to their task — and, of course, as a formidable figure from the deep surfaces to wreak havoc. Yamazaki matches the blockbuster thrills of Steven Spielberg's game-changer, masterfully crafting tense ocean-set sequences that are a spectacle to behold. In the air, the Top Gun flicks get a run for their money. When Zilly tramples through Ginza, complete with train carnage that tops Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One, it's another stunning moment. When you have a background in special effects, as Godzilla Minus One's guiding force does — including on Shin Godzilla — gifting the screen one of its best visual renderings of Godzilla yet isn't a given, but Yamazaki repeatedly delivers with the craggy-skinned, plate-clad critter and the damage it causes. Viewers can see it all clearly, too; there's no hiding shoddy CGI in dim night scenes here. Also as plain as not just day, but as a skyscraper-sized beast: that the people dwarfed by Godzilla Minus One's eponymous presence are suffering and grieving both individually and en masse. Although performances aren't reliably among the highlights when the king of the monsters is in the frame, film or genre, Kamiki, Hamabe, Aoki, Sakura Ando (Shoplifters) and Hidetaka Yoshioka (Dr Coto's Clinic) — the latter pair as one of Kōichi and Noriko's neighbours, and a big-thinking scientist, respectively — are all terrific. The weight and toll, stakes and pain, and fears and horrors that Godzilla is wrapped up in as a symbol are resonantly conveyed in their portrayals, which also enjoy a similar role as Ifukube's always-rousing theme song. Words, sounds and tunes can say much, and do, yet the emptiness when they're hushed can also speak volumes. Godzilla Minus One understands the importance of both, and how to balance the two. Now 37 live-action entries in, Godzilla is the longest-running film franchise ever, a feat befitting an on-screen titan in multiple senses of the word. Over the saga's 69 years to-date, almost everything that can happen in a Godzilla movie has, for better and worse — "an internet" being the saviour in the awful 1998 first American flick proving a prime case of the series' direst of developments — but Godzilla Minus One shows that the finest instances won't ever stop thundering with surprises. When a Godzilla feature is as substantial as this one, spawning seven more decades of films feels warranted. The possibilities continue to be endless. So far, no one has made a mashup movie starring the two hugely popular creatures both linked to Bikini Atoll, aka Godzilla and SpongeBob SquarePants, for example. Nothing beats Zilly blasting into the world that created it, however — back in 1954 when Ifukube's music first delighted and, with composer Naoki Satô's (Kazama Kimichika: Kyojo Zero) score assisting, also now.
Anything humans can eat, dogs think they can munch on as well. But as every responsible pet parent knows, that isn't actually the case. So, we've all weathered those adorable, yearning, pleading looks from our beloved pooches as we've tucked into something they'd like to taste as well. And, we've all felt the heartbreak at letting our cute critters down — even though it's for their health. Does your doggo get a twinkle in their eye whenever there's a doughnut around? It wouldn't be the first — and, for the next fortnight, it's in luck. In the lead up to International Dog Day on Thursday, August 26, Krispy Kreme has announced the release of a limited-edition range of 'doggie doughnuts'. They're doughnut-inspired dog biscuits, actually, but they sure do look like the real thing. The eye-catching bikkies are a collaboration with Coolum-based pet treats business Huds and Toke, and they come in six different varieties. If you love Krispy Kreme's original glazed doughnuts, perhaps your pupper will adore the dog biscuit version as well. Or, you could let then go barking mad over choc iced, choc cookie, choc cheesecake, choc sprinkles and strawberry sprinkles varieties. The biscuits aren't made from doughnuts or from chocolate, of course; instead, they use a hard-baked cookie base, as well as frosting made from ingredients like carob and yoghurt that's been designed specifically for dog jaws. The bikkies are also meant to be good for chewing and for dental cleaning — and they're designed to last longer than your usual dog treat. If these round delights will get your four-legged friend's tail wagging, you can buy them in six-packs (for $14.95) between now and Thursday, August 26 at Krispy Kreme stores — including via drive-thru and click-and-collect. And, they are just for pets — so just like how Fido or Rover can't have your doughnut, you can't have their version either. Krispy Kreme's doggie doughnuts are now available from the chain's stores — including via drive-thru and click-and-collect — until Thursday, August 26.
The champagne brunches at Ananas have been pretty next-level of late, with every ambitious theme from Mad Hatter to Willy Wonka to Halloween. So what's the opulent aim for their last roaming-style brunch of the year? Think copious amounts of Maine lobster. Yes, those huge, expensive crustaceans you usually only see on TV shows set in The Hamptons. They'll be the star of the show at Ananas's upcoming lobster and champagne brunch. Expect dishes like mini lobster rolls, lobster hash benedict and agnolotti with lobster. It's a steal at $99 per person for the amount of seafood on offer. Guests can upgrade their experience with a two-hour bottomless Marc champagne package for an extra $55 or the Veuve Clicquot Rose champagne package for $75. If the sound of lobster mac and cheese with a flute of bubbly doesn't bring out your inner hedonist, nothing will. It's time to dig out your stretchiest Sunday best; this is the mother of all brunches for Sydney seafood lovers. Bookings are essential, because lobster waits for no one.
Sydney's drinking scene is replete with luxe cocktail lounges, chic rooftop bars and Gatsby-coded speakeasies. Dive bars, on the other hand, are more of a rarity in the Harbour City. Before its closure to make way for the Sydney Metro's City & Southwest line, Frankie's Pizza set the gold standard for this genre of no-frills all-thrills watering hole. Now, a newcomer from a bartending dream team is filling that Frankie's-shaped void. Ironically, the minds behind Little Cooler — a pop-up dive bar at the Chinatown end of Clarence Street in the CBD — are best known for their sophistication and polish. The team from the multi-award-winning Maybe Sammy has partnered with low-waste pioneer Matt Whiley, whose innovative sustainable cocktail bar Re– closed earlier this year. Taking their cues from Whiley's eco-minded practice, the venue's designers, from Steel & Stitch, have used reclaimed materials to create a quintessential dive aesthetic with retro punk-rock vibes. "We've intentionally used materials reclaimed from past projects, capturing the DNA of years of venues in this new space," the Steel & Stitch team explains. "From the bar tops to the seating and down to the smallest details, everything carries the soul of projects past to create a space that feels alive with the experiences of places that have come before it." While the space sets a raw, grungy, 90s tone, the drinks list is every bit as elevated as you'd expect from a bar team as revered and lauded as this Little Cooler's, offering complex yet unpretentious mingles. These include the Naked & Almost Famous, a margarita-esque mix of fermented rhubarb wine, lime and mezcal, and the subtly titled Screaming Orgasm, featuring milk punch with coffee, vanilla, whisky and almonds. With space for only 60 punters at a time, this small and scrappy venture is about embracing the crowd, rather than seeking out quiet corners. "We're capturing that raw, rebellious spirit you'd find in legendary venues like CBGB, where the post-punk movement started, and where Madonna performed in her early days," Maybe Sammy co-founder Stefano Catino shares. "It's not just the music—it's the energy, the vibe. We're mixing rock and old-school hip-hop, creating a space where it feels like you can leave everything at the door, enjoy great tunes, and let loose with some incredible drinks." As it stands currently, Little Cooler, which has taken over a space in a building due to be demolished in 2026, will only remain open for the next 18 months or so. Unless, of course, popular demand steps in. "We're creating a destination where people will come for the atmosphere, the music, and the drinks," Maybe Sammy co-founder Vincenzo Lombardo says. "We're excited to see how the city embraces it." Find Little Cooler at 275 Clarence Street, Sydney, open Wednesday Saturday, 5pm–2am.
What do board shorts, obnoxiously colourful Hawaiian shirts, Reg Mombassa (of Mental As Anything fame) and surrealist art all have in common? They have all participated in the evolution of Mambo, one of Australia's iconic clothing brands. Famed for injecting humour and artistic expression into a surfing apparel industry more preoccupied with the branding of products than creating memorable designs. This year marks the 30th year of the Australian surf brand, which was dreamt up by Dare Jennings by the pool of a Redfern motel, over a slab of beer and some Jatz crackers. Not limited to clothing, Mambo has slapped their designs onto surfboards, posters and ads. Over the years the brand has churned out some pretty iconic designs. From the contentious Aussie Jesus at the football, to the oddly enduring farting dog – the designs have continued to shock and delight Aussie audiences throughout time. Dancing on the line between political incorrectness and social awareness, Mambo frequently used their designs to grapple with issues such as religious intolerance, racism and commercialism. In 1995, they protested French nuclear weapon testing in the Pacific with the 'Chirac' t-shirt, donating $40,000 of the profits to Greenpeace. In 1998, they released the 'redneck' design, to protest the racist tenets of the One Nation Party — with proceeds going to National Aboriginal and Islander State Development Association, an organisation that would have been threatened by a victorious One Nation Party. Celebrating this is the Mambo: 30 years of shelf-indulgence exhibition. Curated by T-shirt devotee Eddie Zammit, original art director Wayne Golding and the current owner of the brand, Angus Kingsmill, the exhibition will feature the largest collection of Mambo works to date, incorporating all the unique Australianisms that defines the brand.
There are many ways to celebrate February 14 with someone special, including tried-and-tested date ideas and more creative options. For those who like Italian food, wine and opera — and enjoying all of the above in a brewery, too — you might want to make plans to head to Yulli's Brews' Italian night. For $110 per person, the Alexandria spot is serving up a six-course degustation. Each round of food will be paired with a matching Italian wine, and there'll also be a guided wine-tasting, too. Given the location, you'll start with a beer upon arrival, though. (It just wouldn't be the same without at least one brew.) To add some entertainment to the evening, live opera performances are also on the agenda — on the brewery floor, between the tanks. So, as well as sharing a top-notch meal, some beer and some vino with your date, you're guaranteed to take them to something they haven't seen before.
Concealed in an obscure corner in the basement of the Kings Cross Carpark lies Alaska Projects, a truly underground art gallery and one which is making innovative use of an unusual and unused space. Commandeering an empty office, the surrounding parking spaces and stairwell, the gallery has been running since October. Now showing works by Sydney-based, Newfoundland Canada native, Nick Collerson, this is the gallery's third exhibition. Paintings, ranging from sweeping landscapes reminiscent of Constable or John Singer-Sargeant, to emotive more minimalist pieces, which seem to want to escape the edges enclosing them hang in the office area. This is accompanied rather intriguingly by a wooden step-ladder, hand built by the artist himself. When he is not painting, Collerson turns his hand to framing and canvas stretching — in fact he is also a purveyor of specialist canvas and frames in any shape and size. In the coming months Alaska Projects will be putting on solo and group shows, performance and film screenings. Image: Nick Collerson, Untitled Romantic Landscape, 2011
Buzzing at the heart of Blue Beetle are two contrasting notions: fitting in and standing out. Jaime Reyes (Xolo Maridueña, Cobra Kai) wants to feel at home not just in his own slice of El Paso-esque Texan spot Palmera City, but beyond his neighbourhood. When he assists his sister Milagro (Belissa Escobedo, Hocus Pocus 2) working at the well-to-do's houses, he searches for opportunities, especially given that he's in need of a steady job to help his family save their home as gentrification swoops in. Thanks to a run-in with Kord Industries, its warmongering CEO Victoria Kord (Susan Sarandon, Maybe I Do) and an ancient artefact known as the scarab, however, the recent Gotham Law University graduate will soon be his hometown's most distinctive resident. Getting covered in blue armour, being able to fly — wings and other bug appendages come with the suit — and hearing a robotic voice (Becky G, Power Rangers) chatting in your head will do that, as will having a multinational company try to swat you down because it wants to deploy the technology RoboCop-style. So scampers the latest entry in the DC Extended Universe — a movie that grapples with the same concepts as the ever-earnest Jaime beyond its storyline. It slots into its franchise while providing something new 14 entries in, before the DCEU comes to an end with the upcoming Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (under fresh DC leadership, a different silver-screen saga is coming, which might still link in with Blue Beetle). Directed by Ángel Manuel Soto (Charm City Kings), this is the superhero genre's first live-action flick with a Latino lead, be it from DC or Marvel. It's a family drama as much a caped-crusader affair. It's a story about immigrants striving to thrive and retain their own culture. And, it revels in an 80s sheen and sound. Blue Beetle battles enthusiastically to claim its own space, then, as almost constantly seen and felt. Alas, that doesn't stop it from getting generic as well, as much save-the-world fare is. When it soars in its own direction, Blue Beetle does indeed make an impression. When it marches dutifully in the standard superhero line, it can play like another by-the-numbers movie about great powers and great responsibilities in an ever-sprawling on-screen realm. Mostly, the former outweighs the latter — and Blue Beetle's charms go a long way. Accordingly, this initially made-for-streaming picture serves up a case of taking the struggles with the highlights, which is another of its messages. And there are highlights, particularly whenever Soto's feature feels like it's in a world away from Shazam! Fury of the Gods, The Flash (just to name 2023's other DC movies so far) and the like. That approach worked for Joker and The Batman, two DC films that aren't in the DCEU or new DC Universe, and are each scoring sequels. Jaime's journey to becoming Blue Beetle is instantly familiar: Marvel's also insect-focused Spider-Man and Ant-Man flicks have spun similar origin stories. Here, alien biotech-slash-treasure sparks his big change, as given to him for safekeeping by Victoria's niece Jenny (Bruna Marquezine, God Save the King) because she disagrees with her aunt's combat-for-profit ways. Thanks to Blue Beetle's dedicated, warmhearted embrace of cultural specificity, Jaime's family are always along for the ride, adding a Spy Kids vibe to Soto's film. His mother Rocio (Elpidia Carrillo, Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities), father Alberto (Damián Alcázar, Acapulco), Nana (Adriana Barraza, Penny Dreadful: City of Angels) and uncle Rudy (George Lopez, Lopez vs Lopez), an inventor with a firm individualist streak, are swiftly immersed in the chaos — and Milagro, too — as Victoria keeps valuing the scarab, suit and cash she thinks they'll inspire over any human fallout. Although Blue Beetle has an 84-year history on the page, the eponymous figure's solo live-action cinema debut is as much for newcomers as devotees. Soto's love letter to inclusion isn't only about shining a spotlight on Latinx characters and their experiences, or putting the full Reyes crew at its core — or delivering a clash between the one percent and everyone else, blending the eat-the-rich trend with caped crusaders. It's about accessibility as well; at a time where big film franchises have become so serialised that they're akin to ongoing TV shows on the big screen (and with bigger budgets), and so laden with fan service that the off-screen cheers are virtually choreographed, Blue Beetle doesn't require hours and hours of viewing homework or years and years of devotion to jump in. Again and again, it's plain to see how Soto and screenwriter Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer (Miss Bala) clearly want their feature to stand apart, even when it leans into the superhero template. Also easy to spot: how Blue Beetle would've stuck much closer to the usual mould without such warmth showered upon its characters and its committed performances. Affection goes two ways here, raining down from Soto and Dunnet-Alcocer, then beaming back up from Maridueña and his co-stars. Jaime and his relatives could've stepped into Blue Beetle from a heartfelt TV series that charts the ins and outs of their lives as a loving and hardworking migrant family in a place brimming with prejudice and corruption. They could take the opposite route now instead and it'd feel just as fitting. It's hardly surprising that Sarandon is cartoonish by their side — but, other than giving the plot a threat while personifying corporate and American evil, plus the lust for power and wealth at any cost, she's not being asked to do much else. The respect, detail and authenticity that's evident in Blue Beetle's cultural homage, family focus and casting help give Blue Beetle its gleam. It still becomes a sea of smashed-together pixels late in the piece, though, just with well-portrayed characters that the audience cares about, and also ample splashes of neon and synth like this is Tron with superheroes. What does a twentysomething who's undergone a Peter Parker/Miles Morales-esque life shift with a Venom-meets-Iron Man technology end up physically fighting? Something comparable and visually bland, even if said nemesis gets a backstory rife with suffering at Victoria's hands. Blue Beetle isn't without aesthetic flair beyond its nostalgic riffs, with one scene that's shot to resemble an immigration department raid both grabbing attention and making a statement. It also doesn't lack heart anywhere. And, it's fun with something meaningful to say, neither of which are givens in this genre. That said, finding the balance between being oneself and having another force and its influence flittering around isn't only an issue for Blue Beetle's likeable protagonist.
Sydney movie lovers, prepare to be spoiled for choice when it comes to getting your next big-screen fix. With the city out of lockdown, cinemas are being inundated with high-profile features — and, with film festivals showing them. One such event getting the projectors whirring is the annual British Film Festival, which'll bring its 31-movie lineup of Brit flicks to Palace Norton, Palace Verona, Palace Central and Chauvel Cinema between Wednesday, November 3–Wednesday, December 1. Gracing the fest's titles is a who's who of UK acting talent, so if you're a fan of The Crown's Olivia Colman, Claire Foy and Josh O'Connor — or of everyone from Jamie Dornan, Colin Firth, Judi Dench and Benedict Cumberbatch to Helen Mirren, Michael Caine, Joanna Lumley and Peter Capaldi — you'll be spying plenty of familiar faces. The festival will open with true tale The Duke, starring Mirren and Jim Broadbent, with the latter playing a 60-year-old taxi driver who stole a portrait of the Duke of Wellington from the National Gallery in London. From there, highlights include the Kenneth Branagh-directed Belfast, about growing up in 1960s Northern Ireland; Last Night in Soho, Edgar Wright's new thriller featuring Anya Taylor-Joy and Thomasin McKenzie; romantic period drama Mothering Sunday, with Colman, Firth and O'Connor; and Best Sellers, a literary comedy with Michael Caine and Aubrey Plaza. Or, there's also Stardust, a biopic about the one and only David Bowie — and The Electrical Life of Louis Wan, about the eponymous artist, with Cumberbatch and Foy leading the cast. Opera singing in the Scottish highlands drives the Lumley-starring Falling for Figaro, which also features Australian Patti Cake$ actor Danielle Macdonald; Benediction marks the return of filmmaker Terence Davies (Sunset Song), this time focusing on English poet and soldier Siegfried Sassoon; and Firth pops up again in World War II-set drama Operation Mincemeat with Succession's Matthew Macfadyen. Plus, To Olivia dramatises Roald Dahl's marriage to Oscar-winning actress Patricia Neal, Stephen Fry explores bubbly booze in documentary Sparkling: The Story of Champagne, and novelist Jackie Collins also gets the doco treatment. And, as part of the British Film Festival's retrospective lineup, Stanley Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange and Barry Lyndon will grace the big screen — the former in a 4K restoration to celebrate its 50th anniversary.
2024 will be a year of many things, including the year that hitting the skies Down Under means travelling on the three safest airlines in the world. As it does every January, safety and rating website AirlineRatings.com has released its latest ranking of the best carriers to fly with. Coming out on top: Air New Zealand, closely followed by Qantas and Virgin Australia. Air NZ returned to first place after also doing the honours in 2022, taking over from 2023 winner Qantas. The latter has a long history of topping the list, doing so for eight years in a row from 2014–21. Virgin Australia has also proven a mainstay on the full rundowns each year, with the top 25 carriers named in 2024. "Our top 25 safest airlines are all standouts in the industry and are at the forefront of safety, innovation and launching of new aircraft. In fact, the safety margins between these top 25 airlines are very small," said AirlineRatings.com Editor-in-Chief Geoffrey Thomas. "Between Air New Zealand and Qantas there is only 1.5 points. It's incredibly close." Wondering how Air NZ topped the list, then? The website called out the airline's "firm focus on safety", while also advising that it "has excelled across a broad safety spectrum right down to the smallest detail, and its pilots operate in some very challenging environments". The highly sought-after accolade chose its safest airlines for 2024 from a pool of 385 carriers from around the world. Factors that influence a carrier's placement on the list include crash and incident records, safety initiatives, fleet age, profitability, training assessments for expert pilots, and audits by aviation governing bodies, industry bodies and governments. Bird strikes and turbulence injuries aren't take into consideration, however, and neither are weather diversions and lightning strikes, given that airlines have no control over these issues. If you're a budget-conscious flyer, the website also outlines the 20 safest low-cost airlines. The winner this year also came from Down Under, with Jetstar emerging victorious. TOP 25 SAFEST AIRLINES FOR 2024: Air New Zealand Qantas Virgin Australia Etihad Airways Qatar Airways Emirates All Nippon Airways Finnair Cathay Pacific Airways Alaska Airlines SAS Korean Air Singapore Airlines EVA Air British Airways Turkish Airlines TAP Air Portugal Lufthansa/Swiss Group KLM Japan Airlines Hawaiian Airlines American Airlines Air France Air Canada Group United Airlines TOP 20 SAFEST LOW-COST AIRLINES FOR 2024: Jetstar easyJet Ryanair Wizz Norwegian Frontier Vueling Vietjet Southwest Volaris flyduba AirAsia Group (AirAsia, AirAsia X, AirAsia Thailand, AirAsia Philippines and AirAsia India) Cebu Pacific Sun Country Spirit Westjet JetBlue Air Arabia Indigo Eurowings For the full AirlineRatings.com list, visit the airline safety and product rating review outfit's website.
When Hollywood isn't bringing back beloved television series such as Daria and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, or spinning off huge hits like Game of Thrones, it's taking successful films to the small screen — with Lord of the Rings the next set to make the leap from the page to the cinema to your TV. As first announced late last year, a television version of J.R.R. Tolkien's novels is in the works courtesy of Amazon Studios, the Tolkien Estate and Trust, publisher HarperCollins and Warner Bros. Entertainment's New Line Cinema. After acquiring the global rights to turn the franchise into a TV series in November, the group will now move ahead, with JD Payne and Patrick McKay (writers with credits on the upcoming Star Trek 4 and Jungle Cruise) chosen to develop the series. The announcement was made at the Television Critics Association's summer press tour, which is currently underway in the US. According to The Hollywood Reporter, new head of Amazon Studios Jennifer Salke revealed that the series will be in production in the next two years, targeting an airdate of 2021. "We feel like Frodo, setting out from the Shire, with a great responsibility in our care — it is the beginning of the adventure of a lifetime," said lifelong friends Payne and McKay in a statement. Five seasons are apparently planned — while leaving room for a spinoff, of course — with the new reportedly show set in Middle-earth but exploring stories set before The Fellowship of the Ring. And as for casting, it's way too early for even rumours about who'll be eating second breakfasts, but expect them to start ramping up soon. Via The Hollywood Reporter.
After years of performing complex procedures, Dutch surgeon Lex Van Stekelenburg was suffering from enough neck, shoulder and back pain to compete with Quasimodo. But rather than retire to a bell-tower, Stekelenburg decided to take to cycling. The only problem is that, over a long period, conventional bicycles tend to exacerbate upper body problems, rather than alleviate them. Figuring out that it's natural to want to move our arms in harmony with our legs, Stekelenburg decided to design a bicycle that mobilises all four of our limbs. A patented mechanism on the handle bar enables both pedalling and steering, placing the rider in the position that a quadruped might adopt. Our shoulders and pelvis are better aligned, plus we gain speed and strength from increased power. The 4 Strike Bike requires the use of 78 muscle groups, as opposed to the 50 set in motion by a regular two-wheeler. Stekelenburg, who has spent five years experimenting with various prototypes, is convinced of the efficacy of his final model. He says it's 'healthier for heart, better for aerating the lungs and prevents undercooling of the upper body in rain and cold. You'll have more fun on this revolutionary new bike.' [Via Inhabitat]
Our team of explorers has created an exclusive Queenstown travel experience for Concrete Playground Trips – and for this one we have well and truly pulled out all the stops. The lineup includes a world-first scenic flight, gin tastings at New Zealand's leading distilleries, a world-renowned Onsen experience with views like no other, and a stay at one of Queenstown's leading boutique hotels by Lake Wakatipu. This Concrete Playground Trips package gives you VIP access to some of Queenstown's very best offerings without the hassle of organising it all yourselves. All you and your mates need to do is book your flights there and back — we've got the rest sorted. Scroll down to get the details before you book here. HELI GIN TOUR Forget touring around wine regions by bus — been there, done that. Instead, fly from gin distillery to gin distillery by helicopter, all while taking in the insanely beautiful sites of New Zealand's Crown Range. This is a world-first experience that you have to try. Once you touch down, the tour guide-meets-gin aficionado will take you to a unique cellar door and distillery serving up some of New Zealand's finest gin. You'll hit three seperate gin spots during this tour, tasting a variety of gins and learning more about how this nectar of the gods is made. You'll also feed on a smorgasbord of seasonal bites throughout your six-hour expedition so there's no need for BYO snacks. ONSEN POOL EXPERIENCE After a big day of gin tasting and flying around Queenstown, you'll need to spend another day dedicated to relaxation. Cue this luxury spa experience. You'll be picked up from your hotel and taken to the world-renowned Onsen retreat. Plunge into your private cedar-lined hot pool overlooking the surrounding mountain ranges and let the rest of the world drift away. It's the pure escapism that you deserve. THE ACCOMMODATION The Concrete Playground Trips package includes three nights at the five-star QT Queenstown hotel in the plush Alpine King Room. QT hotels are known for their high-end finishes as well as their focus on art and design. And this Queenstown version lives up to the hype. Each room is full of artwork (paintings, sculptures and more), alongside simple but bold furnishings. Everything is just that bit extra. You're also located close to town — you can easily explore the rest of Queenstown in between the pre-planned experiences. A daily full breakfast for two is also included at the hotel, so you're all fuelled up for a day of exploring. Book tickets now by visiting Concrete Playground Trips.
UPDATE, May 7, 2021: Us is available to stream via Netflix, Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. With his Oscar-winning directorial debut Get Out, Jordan Peele gave the world a powerful metaphor for everyday, engrained oppression. In the sunken place, the film's black characters are sent falling down an endless rabbit hole while their lives are controlled by wealthy white folks. African Americans are forced to watch from a cavernous expanse of darkness, all as someone else pulls their strings. Robbed of agency, they become passengers in their own journey, rather than drivers of their fate. The movie's brilliant blend of scares and social satire gives more flesh to the scenario, but the mechanics are straightforward: one race is sent plummeting; the other climbs higher through their subjugation. Peele's concept isn't a one-time idea, as his sophomore film shows. Us doesn't feel like Get Out redux for even a split second, but it does give another clever and chilling dimension to the notion of flailing versus prospering — and another example of who's doing both. This time, the writer-director puts class under his magnifying glass, while still training his gaze firmly at his country. It's not by accident that the movie's title can be read as U.S., aka the United States. That's not supposed to escape anyone's attention. Perhaps the greatest trick that Peele pulls, however, is slicing into the horror of just peering in the mirror and thoroughly detesting what's looking back. After a quick glimpse at an ad for 80s charity campaign Hands Across America, Us' 1986-set prologue sends a young girl (Madison Curry) into an actual house of mirrors. "Find yourself" the funhouse at the Santa Cruz beachside amusement park promises. She does, although not in the usual way — and as flashbacks remembered by the adult Adelaide Wilson (Lupita Nyong'o) reveal, she's left forever shaken by the process. In the present day, Adelaide returns to the Californian spot with her husband Gabe (Winston Duke) and children Zora (Shahadi Wright Joseph) and Jason (Evan Alex). She's wary and worried as her family pals around on the beach with their better-off friends, the Tylers (Elisabeth Moss, Tim Heidecker, Cali Sheldon and Noelle Sheldon). Later, Adelaide tries to explain her visible unease to Gabe, confessing that she has always felt as if her other self was coming for her. With the arrival of the Wilsons' doppelgängers on their driveway that night, her words are proven accurate. Decked out in matching red jumpsuits, wearing lone tan gloves and clutching golden scissors, the sinister doubles call themselves 'the tethered' — and they're here to cut that name to ribbons. What begins as a tense, terrifically staged home invasion soon becomes much more, as Adelaide and her loved ones face off against their murderous counterparts. The terror that follows boasts more angles than the reflective maze that starts this unnerving story. It also contains more twists and turns than the abandoned and unused tunnels buried beneath the U.S., as pointedly referenced in the film's opening title card. Finally, it features more meticulously deployed pop culture references and nods than might be expected in a movie that remains so thoughtfully distinctive. Us is a creeper in multiple senses of the word. It's disquieting from the outset (even more so when it spends its opening credits staring at caged rabbits), but Peele knows how to let that unease fester and grow. While the 'master of suspense' label was bestowed decades ago, the comedian-turned-filmmaker is just as devastating at cultivating distress as Hitchcock or any other iconic horror or thriller director. He's similarly adept at using every tool in his arsenal. After giving It Follows such a disconcerting look, cinematographer Mike Gioulakis does so again here, especially while shooting in domestic spaces. Aided by a few choice song selections that range from NWA to the Beach Boys, Get Out composer Michael Abels conjures up another needling score designed to set viewers on edge. But it's the way that Us' agitated, anxious mood refuses to dissipate that marks the movie as something special. The narrative and its ideas are undeniably creepy and, even when some aspects initially seem a tad too obvious, the film resonates long after viewing. Us' tone, images and sounds reach further, however, truly and deeply creeping under the audience's skin. The simple sight of four shadowy figures looming over a house in the dark of night instantly demonstrates how effective Us is in a visual sense. Choreographed movements of the balletic, stilted and frantic kind do as well. They also highlight Us' other key element, because central to the malaise is Peele's cast. Their characters might battle themselves, but the actors never do the same, always making their dual roles feel like individual creations. If Daniel Kaluuya can earn an Academy Award nomination for Get Out, there's no reason that Nyong'o can't achieve the feat for her twin parts as both a fraught, complex victim and a calm, unrelenting aggressor. Her performance as Red, Adelaide's mirror image, is as delightfully disconcerting and affecting as the doppelgänger's gravelly, haunted voice. From Duke's transformation from goofy dad to non-verbal brute, to Joseph's expressiveness as both a too-cool teen and a psychopathic killer, to a particularly flighty then unhinged turn from Moss, Nyong'o is also in great company. Of course, that's one of the movie's mischievous tricks: as it delves into the divide between 'us' and 'them', it puts everyone in the same unsettling situation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bavqDA_3vIo
Follow is a new design concept store huddled in the warmth of a heritage-listed former pharmacy at 380 Cleveland Street, Surry Hills that has just opened its doors to the world. The store is the work of the same duo who produced the Finders Keepers Market, who we are very much a fan of, through which they have been supporting emerging design since they began back in 2007. At the moment, shop doors will be open Wednesday to Saturday from 11am – 6pm, and Sundays from 11am-4pm. Follow showcases a carefully curated selection of over 40 independent designers from all over Australia, featuring products from art prints, contemporary jewellery, clothing, textiles and homewares. The designs and limited edition products will be continually rotated, so you're sure to always find something new and exciting, particularly if their amazing work with Finders Keepers in anything to go by. ‘But,’ you are saying, ‘this place is all the way over in Surry Hills and that’s an entire bus ride away and not only is it raining outside but I have had three colds in two months and every time I get on a bus I get sneezed on by someone who clearly hasn’t learnt sneezing etiquette.’ (This may or may not be a projection of my state of mind on to you). However, allay your concerns - they are also working on an online store. And you know how I feel when I hear things like that? Unconditional love and a fierce impulse to accept the bank's offer of an increase on my credit card limit. Check them out below.
In the long and lucrative tradition of bringing artists together with merriment and free flowing alcohol, Tiger Beer is hosting the seventh Tiger Translate this week. Specifically designed to encourage up-and-coming artists, Tiger Translate is a global initiative that runs in places as various as New York, Mongolia, Dubai, Berlin and Beijing, giving local artists an opportunity to have their work exhibited on a global platform. This year's central theme is 'Growth', and Brisbane-based artist Matt Stewart took out the award for showcase artists with the work featured above. He and another seven artists who made the finals will all be featured in the global Tiger Translate showcase, which kicks off with a bang on Wednesday in Sydney. The celebration will be soundtracked by live music from Dark Horse and DJ Bambalam, and live art collaborations will be going down featuring Beastman, Numskull, Creepy, Phibs and Matt Stewart, this year's showcase artist. Moreover, given that the event is sponsored by Tiger, the chances that there will be a proliferation of beer in easy access of your mouth are extremely good. The party is going down on Wednesday, November 23 from 7pm at Sun Studios in Alexandria, and happily enough, we have ten double passes on our hands to give away. So if you fancy a night of art and music, just make sure you're subscribed and then hit us up at hello@concreteplayground.com.au.
Sightseeing and fine dining have been combined in a joint project between the Swedish appliance corporation Electrolux and the Italian architects of Park Associati to create what has to be one of the most surreal restaurant experiences ever to be had. They've developed 'The Cube', a pop-up portable restaurant made with laser-cut aluminum for easy assembly and take-down. Like the Greenhouse, which will soon leave Australian shores for a European tour, a pair of the pop-up 'cubes' will travel around Europe and sit atop historical monuments, famous buildings or breathtaking landscapes, beginning its journey at the Parc du Cinquantenaire in Brussels on April 1. The dynamic duo will then make appearances in unexpected locations in Italy, Russia, Switzerland and Sweden. There are even rumours that one of the intended destinations has the restaurants plopped in the middle of a lake. The Cubes are equipped with eco-friendly Electrolux appliances for international chefs to whip up delectable delicacies, a single-table dining room that seats 18, which can be raised to the ceiling after dinner to create a lounge space and a 538-square foot terrace that ensures picturesque views of the surroundings. Destination dining just took on a whole new meaning.
UPDATE: 4PM, JANUARY 20, 2017 After posting on Facebook earlier today that the NSW Police Commissioner was attempting to prohibit this weekend's rally in the Supreme Court, Keep Sydney Open have announced that the rally scheduled for tomorrow night — Saturday, January 21 — has been cancelled. Speaking in a live video on the group's Facebook page, KSO director Tyson Koh said that the Supreme Court has ruled the rally illegal, and as such, they will not be proceeding with the event. Koh said that he wanted to maintain KSO's peaceful and cooperative reputation with the police, and urged individuals — however frustrated and upset — to do the same. Sydney's nightlife lovers might have earned a 30-minute extension, following the Liquor Law Review, but it's certainly far from a repeal of the lockout laws. Consequently, Keep Sydney Open is teaming up with Sydney's ARIA-winning duo Flight Facilities for another rally, to be held in Kings Cross on the evening of Saturday, January 21 from 9pm. As fans would know, Flight Facilities has been continually outspoken in their opposition to the lockouts. After all, the duo played some of its first gigs after 3am at now-closed Kings Cross venues, including Hugo's, Soho, Tank Room and the Piano Room. "Having met in Kings Cross nearly nine years ago, the place holds a special place in our hearts," said Flight Facilities' Jimmy Lyell and Hugo Gruzman. "We, personally, realise the importance of nightlife as a breeding ground for ideas and talent. To stand by and watch the continual erosion of a vital stone in the path to our success would be a disservice to Sydney, its music lovers and other potential musicians." Flight Facilities were included in a group of artists commemorated recently in a KSO project, which paid tribute to closed Sydney venues and the artists who cut their teeth there. Flight Facilities have long been associated with Kings Cross's now-closed Piano Room, where Jimmy and Hugo met. Keep Sydney Open does not see the 30-minute extension as a solution. Instead, the organisation wants to work with the NSW Government to implement a seven-point plan, as follows: Developing best-practice policing strategies; Investing in 24/7 public transport; Implementing integrated urban planning reform; Encouraging diversification of after-dark activities; Establishing anti-violence education and intervention campaigns; Incentivising well-run venues; and Appointing a Night Mayor or office charged with managing Sydneyʼs night-time economy. "A 30-minute extension will not be enough to reverse the damage being done to the cultural areas and small businesses that make Sydney an exciting place to be," said Tyson Koh, director of Keep Sydney Open. "Itʼs barely enough time to line up for the bathroom or get a kebab. "For too long the debate about our city and how we live our lives has been dominated by misinformation and fear-mongering. We call on the lobby groups who support the lockout laws to enter the conversation about smart solutions, instead of clearing people off the streets." The rally will be Keep Sydney Open's third. To keep up to date with developments, follow the event page over here.
Bayswater Road has a new edition in the form of Turkish fine diner Izgara. From the team behind Above Par and Malika Bakehouse, the sleek Potts Point eatery arrived in late June with share plates and grilled meat at the heart of its menu. The restaurant is the handy work of co-owners Efe Topuzlu and Ozgur Sefkatli of Wondrous Entertainment. The pair wanted to emulate the ocakbasi restaurants of Istanbul, where Topuzlu's family ran a similar eatery during his teenage years. Ocakbasi restaurants refer to venues where chefs cook in front of the diners — an intimacy that Izgara has created by placing the kitchen in the centre of the dining room. Topuzlu and Sefkatli have been working on Izagara over the last year, investing over $1 million into the fit-out for the elegant eatery. With just 35 seats in the venue, diners are provided with an intimate dining experience, elevated by the restaurant's spacious booths, muted tones, red curtains and marble tabletops. Izgara means grill in Turkish, a fitting name for a venue where the grill is always firing. Meat-lovers can opt for reserved mains like 250-gram scotch fillet or shaved lamb backstrap served in iskender, a regional west-Turkish dish in which the lamb is placed on top of fried pita bites with butter and yoghurt; or let loose with 800 grams of mb3+ rib-eye on the bone for a cool $160. The real highlights of the menu, however, are found on the Wild, Snacks and Oven Baked sections of the menu. The best way to tackle the meal is to order a selection of plates to share. Once you kick the meal off with oysters or kingfish, top picks from the starters include a creamy smoked eggplant, maras pepper and garlic yoghurt dip; fried zucchini flowers stuffed with harissa ricotta and aged kasar cheese; and the Yamba tiger prawns which are lit up by a flavourful spiced prawn butter. Plus, the fresh gavurdagi salad combining olives, walnuts, tomato and pomegranate is a mush-try addition. The drinks list is also impressive. Cocktails are short but sweet, with just four options on the menu including a tasty dried apricot sour. The wine list on the other hand, is expansive — reaching from around the country and all over Europe including Turkey. If you're reaching for a bottle to share with the table, it's hard to go past the Doluca from Ankara, Turkey. It's easy to spot Topuzlu and Sefkatli's addition to Bayswater Road thanks to its bright neon-red sign. The diner adds to the ever-growing list of exciting venues in the once-bustling Potts Point/Kings Cross area. While you won't find the packed streets and booming nightclubs of old, the area has emerged as a hotspot for food and drink. Alongside classics like Ezra and Cho Cho San, Izgara joins Bones Ramen, Parlar, Diana and the revamped Piccolo as new additions to the area. Izgara is located at Shop 2, 9-15 Bayswater Road, Potts Point. It's open Tuesday–Saturday, 5.30–10pm. Images: Scott Ehler
New South Wales residents, it's holiday time. After a year largely spent staring at your own four walls, you probably don't need much motivation to head absolutely anywhere else, but the State Government is giving you some anyway. In an effort to encourage everyone to take a staycation, it's handing out $100 vouchers for accommodation in the Sydney CBD — to the tune of $20 million all up. The idea has two obvious aims: enticing folks in NSW to go venturing throughout the city, and helping support local businesses. Following similar moves in Victoria and Queensland over the past few months, the plan was announced today, Thursday, March 25, by Premier Gladys Berejiklian, as part of a broader tourism and events support package. A hefty 200,000 vouchers will be available, all worth $100 — and all to be used in Sydney's inner city. They'll be put up for grabs on a first come, first served basis, which is expected to happen around June (when things are usually a bit quieter, tourism-wise, and also when Sydney's new winter festival is slated to happen). Details are scarce for now otherwise, though. The government has revealed that you'll only be able to use the vouchers at registered accommodation providers, with a callout due to be put out to businesses in the coming weeks. That's when folks keen on a night in a hotel — and taking advantage of the state's soon-to-kick-in eased restrictions while spending time in the city — will learn how they can get their hands on the $100 vouchers, and exactly when they'll become available as well. "With international, interstate and business travellers virtually non-existent for the past year, the CBD, and in particular the accommodation industry, has done it tough," the Premier said. "This new program will be in addition to our other stimulus measures such as the Dine & Discover scheme, and will provide a boost to accommodation providers in what is a traditionally very quiet period." Premier Berejiklian also announced a number of measures to help the tourism, live music and events sectors — again, in broad strokes, with the minutiae set to be revealed at a later date. $24 million has been earmarked for tourism agency Destination NSW to administer a live music support package with Create NSW and the Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner, $5.5 million is going to a business events industry support package to help businesses in Greater Sydney and across NSW, and $2 million will be put into a tourism industry marketing support package through the Love NSW campaign. For more information about the $100 accommodation vouchers and the NSW Government's new tourism, live music and events support measures, head to the government's website. We'll update you with further dates and details when they're announced.
If you've always wanted to audition for Australian Idol but never worked up the courage, you can now let your show-stopping singing voice ring out over Potts Point. Diana, a Korean-Chinese restaurant, has added its name to the growing list of new Potts Point venues, opening on Macleay Street with late-night open mic karaoke every weekend. Diana is the brainchild of owner Sammy Jeon and is based on his cult-favourite regional karaoke bar, Mr Lim. Located in Orange, Mr Lim is one of four venues Jeon owns in regional NSW. After moving from a small Korean island to Griffith to pick apples, Jeon met winemakers Phillip and Diana Shaw. His time spent with the Shaw family sparked his love of food and wine, and has inspired the name of this new restaurant. "When I moved to Orange, I worked in the vineyard at Philip Shaw wines and had dinner cooked by the family most days for two and a half years," Jeon said. "The time spent with the Shaw family, and in particular Diana, was a very memorable experience and inspired the name for Diana Potts Point. Diana even came to visit me in Korea once, and although wasn't keen on the cuisine at first (she just wanted chips!), I managed to covert her through my cooking." Jeon is now bringing the homely atmosphere of his regional outposts to the heart of Sydney, with Diana opening in the former digs of Kylie Kwong's Billy Kwong. On Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, you can head to Diana for its combination of Korean and Chinese cuisine, sans karaoke. Throughout the week, you'll find standout dishes on the menu such as a sashimi salad that combines salmon, tuna, kingfish and abalone with a crisp collection of fresh vegetables; or twice-cooked spicy Korean fried chicken, seasoned with Korean chilli paste, spring onion and almonds. As you continue down the menu, you'll come across house-made kimchi, served solo, wrapped in pork dumplings or fired and placed atop a big bowl of rice. Come 9.30pm on Friday and Saturday nights, the bar comes alive as diners take to the mic and sing to their hearts' desire. Unlike local-favourite karaoke bars like Goros or Ding Dong Dang (RIP), Diana doesn't have secluded rooms for you to book out with your friends, rather, the microphone and a karaoke system sits right in front of the dining area where visitors can take turns jumping up and busting out their favourite tunes. If you need some liquid courage in order to perform 'Purple Rain' to a restaurant full of people, Diana luckily has an extensive wine list with plenty of choice selections from Jeon's time in regional NSW. "It's jam-packed full of wines from Orange to remind me of my Australian hometown and to repay all the support that I have received during the years from the community," Jeon says. Diana is located at 1/28 Macleay Street, Potts Point and is open 5.30pm–9.30pm Wednesday and Thursday, plus 12pm–3pm and 5.30pm-9.30pm Friday–Sunday. Karaoke begins at 9.30pm every Friday and Saturday.
Darlinghurst's iced-dairy darling, Rivareno Gelato, is turning six — and to celebrate, it's collaborating with four local restaurants to create a range of limited-edition flavours. Local celebrity chef Kylie Kwong of Pott's Point's soon-to-close Billy Kwong is on board, alongside Sri Lankan hopper eatery Lankan Filling Station, Rosebery's Da Mario and upscale Turkish restaurant Anason. Running from Monday, April 29 through to Sunday, May 5, Rivareno's birthday scoops will be available from both Darlinghurst and Barangaroo stores. Kwong and Lankan Filling Station's creations will be available across the first week, with Da Mario and Anason bringing more Mediterranean flavours over the second week. Kwong, a long-time fan of Rivareno, has developed a gelato of coconut and native finger lime, ringing true to her ethos of using native Australian ingredients in her Chinese-Australian fare. You'll also find Lankan Filling Station's Spiced Jaggery flavour made with Sri Lankan palm sugar and an abundance of spices, including cardamom, nutmeg and cinnamon. [caption id="attachment_717517" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Coconut and native finger lime gelato.[/caption] The following week, Da Mario will be offering up its cheeky spin on an Italian classic with its tiramisu-in-a-cup gelato. Made from mascarpone gelato, Sicilian marsala from the Pellegrino wine cellars and coffee-soaked Savoiardi biscuits, topped with Arabica coffee and dark chocolate chips, it's a big step-up from your regular coffee-flavoured gelato. Plus, Anason's creamy yoghurt and turmeric gelato laced with saffron will also be available. Rivareno Gelato's collaborative limited-edition flavours will be available for two weeks from Monday, April 29–Sunday, May 5 at its Darlinghurst and Barangaroo outposts.
Tucked away from the bustle of Hall Street is this excellent local butcher. The guys from Field to Fork love to chat about all things meat — whether it's about what you're going to be cooking up at home, or about the meat in the fridges, much of which is grass-fed, cage-free and raised without hormones. Alongside its selection of raw meat and poultry, are hot, cooked meals like sticky lamb ribs and slow-braised lamb shanks. The butchers is also known for its South African-style dried meats — the biltong is legendary, spicy and moreish, while the droëwors (a traditional dried coriander-seed spiced boerewors sausage) is meaty, tender and addictive. [caption id="attachment_776595" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Images: Yael Stempler[/caption]
Plank Pilates Studio offers personalised sessions depending on your level and needs, with the aim to improve your quality of life. The classes can either be private or semi private — where you'll be guided in a small group. As well as being a safe, fun and dynamic way to work out, the pilates classes can also be designed for rehabilitation purposes and if you have any injuries. The team at Plank Pilates Studio are friendly, highly qualified, and extremely passionate about pilates and the positive impact it can have on people's lives. The goal is to teach quality movement so you can incorporate pilates into your daily life and experience the positive benefits.
In Stay of the Week, we explore some of the world's best and most unique accommodations — giving you a little inspiration for your next trip. In this instalment, we go to Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne, the spot we're putting up guests who book one of our exclusive For The Love VIP packages. WHAT'S SO SPECIAL? This central Melbourne hotel is all about luxury — from the heated pool looking out over the cityscape to the spacious rooms and glorious pan-Asian restaurant. Did somebody say it's time for a city staycation? THE ROOMS You get a king bed! You get a king bed! And you get a king bed! Everyone gets a king bed! Yup, all rooms and suites have large comfy king beds — the prime spot for stretching out and taking up all the space you'd like (whether you're sleeping alone or with someone else). But, that's not all: these luxe rooms have a bunch of other features too. Expect rain-showers, free wifi, blockout curtains, a 55-inch television and views across Melbourne's skyline. Plus, if you go for one of the suites, you're in for an even more glam stay, courtesy of ready-to-go coffee machine and fully stocked mini bar. FOOD AND DRINK Miss Mi is Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne's very own restaurant and bar, serving up pan-Asian food and drinks — that are set to take you from Bangkok to Borneo. Sit up at the benches overlooking the kitchen to watch the chefs at work or sink into one of the plush banquettes for a more intimate affair. At the bar, you'll uncover Asian-inspired cocktails that pair top-quality spirits with traditional Asian spices, fresh herbs and housemade syrups. You can opt for classic cocktails, but we recommend trying one of their own creations. [caption id="attachment_882225" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Paul Macallan (Unsplash)[/caption] THE LOCAL AREA You're in the thick of it here. From the Spencer Street location, you can head west to Docklands for shopping and waterside dining or go east into the CBD to find some of Melbourne's best restaurants and entertainment venues. You're also within the free tram zone, so there's no need to do much walking. Take the free journey to sites like Queen Victoria Market, Federation Square and Melbourne's famous arts precinct. All of Melbourne is at your doorstep. THE EXTRAS One of the most fun and unique things to do at this luxury hotel is partake in their daily chocolate hour. From 4.30–5.30pm, the chefs transform the lobby into a chocaholic's paradise. All kinds of chocolatey creations are made just for you — it's always different so be sure to go each day of your stay. Mentioning Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne's gorgeous heated pool (with views over Spencer Street) is a necessity. Head to the water for a swim and sauna, escaping life and all its stresses for a few hours. You don't even need to swim — simply grab some fluffy slippers and a robe from your closet and sit on one of the poolside lounges reading a book for the day. Feeling inspired to book a truly unique getaway? Head to Concrete Playground Trips to explore a range of holidays curated by our editorial team. We've teamed up with all the best providers of flights, stays and experiences to bring you a series of unforgettable trips in destinations all over the world.
Just over an hour's drive south of Sydney, Wollongong thrums with an element of city bustle. But all that drains aways once you enter the grounds of the Wollongong Botanic Garden. The peaceful rainforest-like oasis has semi-arid succulents and delicate rose gardens that have been carefully cultivated for 50 years. Horticultural enthusiasts can spend hours exploring the flora — some local to the Illawara and with many more from as far as Japan, Africa and North America. It all sits at the foot of the escarpment under the watchful gaze of Mount Keira. You can head to the summit lookout for views across the city and Wollongong's glistening coastline, too. Image: Wollongong Botanic Garden
Restrictions and lockdowns have meant many Melbourne art galleries have spent more time closed than open in 2020. But it seems the culture gods have smiled down and cut us a little slack when it comes to one of the biggest, most anticipated art events to hit the city in three years. The NGV Triennial is set to return for its blockbuster second iteration this summer, taking over NGV International from Saturday, December 19. Breaking Melbourne's art drought with a free large-scale exhibition of international contemporary art, design and architecture, it'll showcase 86 projects by more than 100 artists, designers and collectives. Held every three years, the Triennial made its huge debut in 2017, pulling a hefty 1.23 million visitors and remaining the NGV's most visited exhibition even today. Triennial 2020 looks set to follow suit, as artists from over 30 different countries share a diverse spread of works reflecting on a truly unique time in our world's history. Here, they're diving deep into the themes of illumination, reflection, conservation and speculation. Expect to see US artist Jeff Koons pay homage to the goddess of love Venus with a towering mirror-finished sculptural piece, while renowned interior designer Faye Toogood reimagines a series of gallery spaces with commissioned furniture, tapestries, lighting, sculpture and scenography. She'll nod to the NGV's 17th- and 18th-century collections, while playing with the concepts of daylight, candlelight and moonlight. [caption id="attachment_785399" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cerith Wyn Evans, The Illuminating Gas at Pirelli HangerBiocca, Milan, 2019. Photo by Agostino Osio.[/caption] Turkey's Refik Anadol has put together a video work, capturing digitised memories of nature with help from artificial intelligence and machine learning. Meanwhile, a showcase by Yolngu woman Dhambit Mununggurr is replete with her trademark blue hues, including a set of 15 large-scale bark paintings. Lauded Japanese architect Kengo Kuma joins forces with Melbourne-based artist Geoffrey Nees, using timber from trees that died during the Millennium Drought at Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens to construct a pavilion. The structure will then feature as part of a multi-sensory walkway delivering audiences to a new piece by South Korean artist Lee Ufan. British artist Alice Potts uses flowers and food waste to create a set of bioplastic face masks, Spanish-born designer and architect Patricia Urquiola crafts giant-sized socks from upcycled textile furnishings, and South Africa's Porky Hefer sheds some light on ocean pollution with his large-scale dystopian under-the-sea scenes. If ever there was an exhibition worthy of your post-lockdown gallery-hopping debut, it's this. The NGV Triennial 2020 will be on show at NGV International from Saturday, December 19 until Sunday, April 18, 2021. For more info and to see the full program, visit the NGV website. Top images: 1. Kengo Kuma & Associates, Tokyo and Paris, Kengo Kuma and Geoff Nees. Botanical pavilion 2020 (render), commissioned by the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne. Purchased with funds donated by Connie Kimberley OAM. Copyright and courtesy of the artists. 2. Refik Anadol, render of Quantum memories 2020, commissioned by the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne. Purchased with funds donated by Loti & Victor Smorgon Fund and Barry Janes and Paul Cross 2020.
The ultimate all-inclusive (but queer-centred and -celebrating) music festival, Summer Camp Festival, is hitting Sydney's Centennial Park this November. And, before they head to the big stages, the team behind the event is hosting a series of takeovers at the Ace Hotel in Surry Hills. Every Friday night in October (from 6pm), the Summer Camp crew is setting up shop in the Lobby Bar, transforming it into an all-inclusive safe space and party venue. They've already packed out the Ace a couple times this month, but there are two more to go. They've curated a bunch of DJs for each night, including Sidd and Florian on October 21 and Flower Boy and Hyfe on October 28. Use these Friday eves as a warmup before the festival kicks off for its inaugural hit-out on Saturday, November 5. Thankfully, the absolutely stacked bill of performers include a jaw-dropping lineup of queer icons and experiences. The one and only Sophie Ellis-Bexter will be joined by The Veronicas and Olly Years at Summer Camp Festival this year, so there's a definite chance that "Murder on the Dancefloor" and "Untouched" be played at the Ace Hotel on Fridays as a precursor to the big event. Entry to each of the Summer Camp residencies at the Ace Hotel is free, and punters can dig into both cocktails and bar snacks throughout the party. Find more info on the Ace Hotel's website.
Sydney's sunny season is in full swing — and, if you like celebrating warm weather, adorable animation and mini golf all at once, the part-tee is taking over Darling Harbour. Everyone's favourite Pixar characters are popping up in Sydney at a putt-putt course inspired by the Disney-owned studio's loveable films. Yes, Pixar Putt is returning, with the kidult-friendly course heading to the Pier St Underpass from Friday, December 15–Sunday, February 4. Designed to challenge both eight-year olds and adults, Pixar Putt features nine- and 18-hole courses that take you past childhood heroes like Buzz Lightyear, Sheriff Woody and Elastigirl. Flicks such as Monsters Inc, Onward, Finding Nemo, Up, A Bug's Life, Wall-E, Inside Out, Soul, Turning Red and Lightyear all get some putting love, too. Clearly, there's no need for a trip to Disneyland — and this year's course features a new holes inspired by Pixar's recent Elemental. So, if you don't think you'll beat your cousin at backyard cricket over the summer, challenge them to a match here. All you need is your hat and A-game (and no pressure if you remain defeated, there's always the nineteenth hole nearby). Pixar Putt is also open for after-dark sessions every Thursday–Saturday night — and they're only for adults. Operating from 7–10pm, the late-night putt-putt hours are perfect for those date nights when you want to do more than just have dinner and see a movie. Otherwise, head along from 10am–8pm Sunday–Wednesday — and from 10am on Thursdays as well — and be prepared to have littlies for company.
This Sunday night in Los Angeles, Hollywood's top tier will come together, pat each other on the back, and go home with little gold men and $150,000 gift baskets. That’s right, the Oscars are finally upon us, set to launch their 87th ceremony on Sunday, February 22 at the Dolby Theatre (or Monday, February 23 for us). Get ready for red carpet specials, awkward presenter gaffes and all the bitter celebrity reaction shots your heart could possibly desire. This year, we’ll be rooting for underdogs like Whiplash and Wes Anderson, while keeping our fingers crossed that American Sniper wins absolutely nothing at all. We’ll also be partaking in our annual Oscars drinking game, ensuring that when our favourite film inevitably gets snubbed for Best Picture, we won’t actually remember it happened. Here are our predictions for who’ll take home the gold, as well as our own winner picks — who really should win. BEST PICTURE This year’s main list featured eight nominees, because apparently they just couldn’t get to ten. In reality, it just comes down to two: Richard Linklater’s 12-year indie epic Boyhood and Alejandro Gonzalez Innaritu’s one-take showbiz satire Birdman. Both films are formally ambitious and have won their fair share of industry gongs already. We’re leaning towards Birdman based on subject matter — two of the past three Best Picture winners (The Artist and Argo) have been about the film business, so why buck the trend now? WHAT WILL WIN: Birdman WHAT WE'D LIKE TO WIN: The Grand Budapest Hotel BEST DIRECTOR Take what we wrote about the Best Picture contest and copy-paste it here. This comes down to two very different directing styles, both of which push technical boundaries in a way we rarely get to see. Again, we’re giving Innaritu a slight edge, although don’t be surprised if there’s a split between Picture and Director. WHO WILL WIN: Alejandro Gonzalez Innaritu, Birdman WHO WE'D LIKE TO WIN: Wes Anderson, The Grand Budapest Hotel BEST ACTRESS Of all the awards, this one’s probably the easiest to pick. It’s been quite a good year for female performances, and we’re particularly fond of Rosamund Pike in Gone Girl and Marion Cotillard in Two Days, One Night. That being said, Julianne Moore looks to have it all locked up, for her brilliant performance as an Alzheimer’s patient in indie drama Still Alice. WHO WILL WIN: Julianne Moore, Still Alice WHO WE'D LIKE TO WIN: Marion Cotillard, Two Days, One Night BEST ACTOR While the Best Actress race appears to have already been run, the men’s competition is still wide open. Birdman’s Michael Keaton appeared to be an early favourite, but has been losing steam to Eddie Redmayne as Steven Hawking in The Theory of Everything. Then there’s the matter of Bradley Cooper in controversial dark horse American Sniper. In the end, we suspect it’ll go to Redmayne. The Academy loves inspiring true stories, especially when they involve disability. WHO WILL WIN: Eddie Redmayne, The Theory of Everything WHO WE'D LIKE TO WIN: Michael Keaton, Birdman BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS Whether or not Boyhood takes home the top prize, they can take some consolation in Patricia Arquette’s likely win for Best Supporting Actress. This category is a relatively weak one, particularly when you take away the obligatory Meryl Streep nomination — although admittedly she’s one of the few good things about Into the Woods. WHO WILL WIN: Patricia Arquette, Boyhood WHO WE'D LIKE TO WIN: Patricia Arquette, Boyhood BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR This is another easy pick, and one that’s hard to argue with. 60-year-old J.K. Simmons has been a jobbing character actor for decades, popping up everywhere from Spiderman to Juno to HBO’s Oz. It’s always great when someone like Simmons gets the mainstream attention they deserve. His performance as a dictatorial jazz conductor in Damien Chazelle’s Whiplash is undoubtedly one of the best performances of the year. WHO WILL WIN: J.K. Simmons, Whiplash WHO WE'D LIKE TO WIN: J.K. Simmons, Whiplash BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY Birdman and Boyhood will both make a decent showing here, but we’re predicting this is the category where Wes Anderson gets some well deserved love. The American indie darling has previously scored writing nominations for The Royal Tenenbaums and Moonrise Kingdom, and seems like a decent chance to finally take home a win with The Grand Budapest Hotel. Note that if either Birdman or Boyhood do manage to nab it, it’ll bode very well for their chances later in the night. WHAT WILL WIN: The Grand Budapest Hotel WHAT WE'D LIKE TO WIN: The Grand Budapest Hotel BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY Maybe the hardest of the major categories to pick, the only certainly is that Paul Thomas Anderson’s baffling stoner detective film Inherent Vice has zero chance of winning (even though it’s awesome). Whiplash ended up in this category because it’s technically based on a short film by the same director, and it may have a slight edge over other nominees The Imitation Game, The Theory of Everything and American Sniper. When it doubt, we say give it to the indie movie. WHAT WILL WIN: Whiplash WHAT WE'D LIKE TO WIN: Inherent Vice or Whiplash. Watch the 87th Academy Awards this Monday, February 23. The live broadcast itself begins at 12.30pm and will be replayed in primetime at 8.30pm on GEM.
After a two-year COVID-related hiatus, the Eden Whale Festival is back with three huge days of animal conservation talks, educational workshops, delicious eats and live music. Festivities will kick off on Friday, October 7, with a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony, before guests hear from two speakers. First off is Lyn Hughes, author of the novel Mr Carver's Whale. Then wildlife scientist Dr Vanessa Pirotta will discuss her work — she's a whale enthusiast well-known for her research using drones to collect whale snot (because, yes that's apparently a thing). Complimentary afternoon tea is provided before some abalone tasting begins. Locally harvested blacklip abalone will be served in eight different ways during the appropriately named 'A Taste of Abalone', prepared by renowned local chef David Ahren. Grand Matriarch Distilling, a local Sapphire Coast micro-distillery will be operating the bar for the evening, while live music is provided by local crooner Lochie Marson. This abalone tasting event is ticketed, costing $99 per person. Day two is a little different. They'll have a seafood paella demonstration by celebrity chef Miguel Maestre, as well as plenty of market stalls where you will find a great mix of food vendors, local artisans and local produce. Entertainment comes in the form of a chainsaw wood carver, fire throwers and sky-high kite displays. Wildlife stalls will be scattered about the space for those wanting to learn a little bit, too. And a series of musicians will be playing live music throughout the day. The final day of the festival, on Sunday, October 9, will be offering a whole lot of educational fun: you can attend an ORRCA Whale Rescue Training Workshop, the Wolf Peak Community Sand Sculpture Workshop, SKIFF boat trials and a Cultural Whale Experience. And don't miss the art exhibition, held in the new creative space connected to the Eden Library. You can check out photography, woodwork and mixed media from artists around the community. If you can't make it in during the festival, no worries — the works will remain on display during library opening hours until 5pm on Thursday, October 13.
Muttonbird Island is a spectacular spot for whale watching and a must-visit if you're in the Coffs Harbour area. Known as Giidany Miirlarl (or 'moon sacred place') by local Gumbaynggirr people, the site is very significant and should be treated with great respect. Protected as a nature reserve and home to thousands of muttonbirds, you can reach the island via a breakwater that connects to the International Marina. Follow the 500-metre pathway to the far end of the island where you'll catch the best whale watching spots. Image: Andrea Schaffer via Flickr
Lightning Ridge might be best known for its enduring opal mining history, but the community's collection of bizarre museums is definitely a close second. Bottle House Museum is one such structure, constructed from 5800 bottles and featuring a wide variety of curiosities for sale inside. A short drive away, the Astronomers Monument is another kooky landmark dedicated to scientists like Copernicus, while the colourful Beer Can House does what it says on the proverbial tinnie. If you love off-the-wall antiques and unusual souvenirs, don't miss the Kangaroo Hill Complex. Perhaps the most emblematic of the town's unusual art spaces is Amigo's Castle. This 15-metre-tall structure, based on Italian ruins, was hand-built with ironstone boulders in the 1980s, and is home to a small gallery, underground cellars, a corner turret and no roof, while the grounds surrounding the castle contain all sorts of tongue-in-cheek oddities. Image: John, Flickr
Sydney's FBi Radio are about to throw down a whole lot of beats, with their brand new digital station FBi Click set to launch on June 25. Showcasing the sweatiest, fuzziest and catchiest new dance and electronic music, the brand new offshoot station will broadcast beats, drops and build-ups 24 hours a day. "Dance music has always been an integral part of the FBi sound, and we’re stoked to be bringing together the scenes and communities we’ve been collaborating with for 10 years," say the FBi team. The digital sidearm was hinted at earlier this year, as the pet project of longtime legend and General Manager of Music, Dan Zilber. On the menu for FBi Click are ten new flagship programs hosted by some of Australia's favourite dance connoisseurs. Shows from the likes of Astral People, THUMP (by Vice), Good God Small Club, Sweat It Out, Purple Sneakers, Picnic, Halfway Crooks, Motorik, Body Promise (Mealo & Amelia Jenner), Sequence (Stuart Buchanan), Lazy Radio (Tony Chill) and Bare Necessities (Klue) will form the program schedule for the new FBi branch. Fans of FBi Radio's nightly Sunsets program will appreciate the beloved independent Sydney station's savvy with electronic music. FBi Click will see exclusive mixes from the existing roster of DJs and presenters including Simon Caldwell, Stolen Records with Shantan Wantan Ichiban and Mike Who, Kato & Bad Ezzy, Low Motion with Max Gosford, James Taylor & Murat Kilic and Future Classic DJs and more. If you've got a digital radio, FBi Click wil replace the current simulcast of FBi 94.5 on DAB+. Otherwise you can listen online at fbiradio.com/click from Wednesday June 25. For more information on the individual shows on FBi Click and for details on the official launch party at Good God Small Club, head to FBi's website over here. Party on dudes. Via FBi Radio. Image by Erik Bergan.
For a couple of months between mid-May and early August, around Melbourne's multiple lockdowns, the Australian Centre for the Moving Image became one of the happiest places in Australia. Hosting a huge Disney exhibition will do that, with the venue unleashing Disney: The Magic of Animation — complete with more than 500 original artworks, including paintings, sketches, drawings and concept art from the Mouse House's beloved catalogue of movies. In great news for Melburnians, and for Australians still keen to immerse themselves in a big dose of animated magic, Disney: The Magic of Animation will reopen again on Saturday, October 30. In even better news, it's hanging around for an extended season, and will now run until Sunday, January 23. So, whether you've always been a fan of Mickey Mouse, you can remember how it felt when you first watched Bambi, you're able to sing all of Genie's lyrics in Aladdin or you fell head over heels for Moana more recently, you'll find plenty worth looking at among ACMI's halls and walls. And in its doors, too, actually — because walking beneath mouse ear-shaped openings to move from one area to the next is all part of the experience. Of course it is. Disney: The Magic of Animation also explores everything from 1928's Steamboat Willie — the first talkie to feature Mickey Mouse — through to this year's Raya and the Last Dragon. Obviously, a wealth of other titles get the nod between those two bookending flicks. Fantasia, Alice in Wonderland, Lady and the Tramp, The Jungle Book and The Lion King also feature, as do Mulan, Frozen, Big Hero 6 and Zootopia. And yes, many of these movies have been remade in live-action or photo-realistic CGI; however, ACMI's showcase is only about the animated films. The big drawcard: art from the Mouse House's hefty back catalogue of titles, and heaps of it. The entire lineup has been specially selected by the Walt Disney Animation Research Library, and will let you get a glimpse at just how the movie magic comes to life, how some of Disney's famous stories were developed, and which animation techniques brought them to the big screen. Get ready to peer at hand-drawn dalmatians (which is timely, given that Cruella released this year), stare closely at Mickey Mouse's evolution, examine Wreck-It Ralph models and pose next to Snow White. Wall-sized artworks pay tribute to a number of movies, too — The Little Mermaid piece is particularly eye-catching — and feeling like you're stepping into a Disney movie is an unsurprising side effect. The extended season will also feature screenings, including sing-along sessions of The Little Mermaid, Moana, Frozen and Frozen 2 — plus a viewing of Disney's upcoming release Encanto. Disney: The Magic of Animation is actually ACMI's first big exhibition since it originally reopened back in February this year following its $40 million transformation. It's also an Aussie exclusive, so you won't be able to be its guest or ponder its tales as old as time anywhere else. Given that Melbourne just came out of lockdown mere days ago, these kind of announcements are popping up with frequency at the moment, after Patricia Piccinini's latest exhibition just extended its run — and Moulin Rouge! The Musical locked in its delayed dates as well. So, Melburnians and Melbourne visitors alike, you're about to have quite jam-packed calendar. Disney: The Magic of Animation will reopen on Saturday, October 30 at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Federation Square, Melbourne — and will now display until Sunday, January 23. For more information or to buy tickets, head to the ACMI website. Images: Phoebe Powell.
Unlike the often slow-moving Skybus, plans for Melbourne's long-awaited airport rail link seem to be speeding ahead. Last year, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced that construction would start within ten years; however that timeline has been updated. Work is now set to get underway within the next four years if the state's current Labor government is re-elected. As revealed today by the Premier, 2022 is the new commencement date for the rail link — and the service also now has a proposed route. The government's preferred plan is to connect the CBD to Tullamarine via an expanded transport hub at Sunshine station, as well as using the existing Albion East rail reserve plus sections of tunnel to connect from there to the airport. Facilitating links to regional and metro train lines including the Melbourne Metro, it's known as the Sunshine alignment, and it's the frontrunner among the four routes under consideration. https://twitter.com/DanielAndrewsMP/status/1020813444327485440?s=19 The news comes as part of a broader funding announcement, with the government set to pledge $5 billion to the project. That sum matches the amount committed by the Federal Government back in April, with a total cost of up to $13 billion anticipated. The rest of the funds will be raised from private sector contributions. "This project has been talked about for too long, it's time to get on and build it and that's exactly what we'll do," said Premier Andrews in a statement. The proposed rail line is expected to help ease congestion, speed up travel times and create a stack of new jobs in the process — and finally give Melbourne a services that plenty of other state capitals already have, with Sydney and Brisbane's airport rail links long-established, and Perth currently in the process of building its own. Melbourne's airport rail link will commence construction as the state's other major train infrastructure project nears completion, with the $11 billion Melbourne Metro slated to be up and running through stations in Parkville, North Melbourne, CBD North, CBD South and the Domain by 2025. Image: Global Panorama via Flickr.
April Fools Day. It's been a week now and still there are stories circulating the internet which are, in actual fact, hoaxes and jokeses. Have the amazing leaps forward in technology of late turned us all into gullible fools? Personally, I think it's nice there are so many people out there who still believe that almost anything is possible. Here's Concrete Playground's top 3 picks of "technological innovation" suspiciously released on April 1: The Typescreen Oh, but the author in me wishes this was true! It's a typewriting mechanism that integrates with Apple's iPad and it's ever so trendy. Perfect for those who live for the clacking of keys when composing prose. But it's easy to see through it all when you read the fine print of the press release: "Every generation creates a few items that change the way we live forever and help us reinterpret who we are as a society. We are proud of the new Spinning Hat Typescreen™ and are excited to watch its trajectory towards greatness. You're welcome world!" Digital Film Cartridge for Analog Cameras If you're a lover of Leica but craving to go digital, these fake film canisters released by design company Rogge & Pott could be the solution. Purporting to incorporate a pull-out sensor that records images in the cartridge's built-in memory, it connects to your computer via USB to allow for image transfer and charging. The site where you'll find all the details now features an April Fools disclaimer. Turns out heaps of peeps believed the gimmick and are now disappointed that the product doesn't actually exist. The company did discover, however, that with such a widespread interest in the product it might be worth researching the possibility of actually developing it. Henny Rogge says "...there is a gigantic community of photographers with analog equipment out there that is desperately waiting for a product like this to come along." https://youtube.com/watch?v=Bu927_ul_X0 Gmail Motion Try to keep a straight face when watching the model demonstrate gmailing by body movements. In Gmail Motion, the equivalent of pressing "Send" is to make a movement inspired by licking a stamp and whacking it on your knee. It claims easy to learn, simple and intuitive gestures. Plus the opinions of seemingly knowledgeable persons are added into the video for good measure. Amazingly, though, development of technology similar to Gmail Motion is underway at the University of Southern California. Using some of the gestures suggested by Gmail Motion, one of the students demonstrates how it works. In my mind, April Fools Day isn't just for a bit of a laugh. Like science fiction, it inspires inventors to get cracking on the next big thing, which could very well "reinterpret who we are as a society."
Ever since cartography was first used in Ancient Babylonia in 2300BC, humans have relied on cartography to navigate, utilise, conceptualise and define geographical space. Modern digital technology allows us to produce and manipulate visual representations of geography in astounding ways, no longer limited to just geography. Benjamin Hennig at the University of Sheffield has created a series of innovative cartograms which illustrate new ways of seeing the planet, transforming our preconceptions of space and human impact. The population distribution of the globe, with the more densely populated areas such as Central Asia appearing much larger in comparison to the insignificant size of Australia. The world's major nuclear forces. The world's poorest health systems. The world's biodiversity hotspots. Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) and Cluster Submunition Casualties in 2010. Immigration to countries around the world (which really puts the debate in Australia into perspective).
This article is sponsored by our partner lastminute.com.au. You've seen the big ball drop in Times Square on the telly every New Year's Eve. Cue the snow, earmuffs and shots of rosy-nosed couples pashing as the clock strikes midnight, a stark contrast to our summery celebrations. If you and your mate/significant other have ever dreamt of experiencing NYE in NYC style but can't seem to scrape up enough cash to make it a reality, this could be your chance. lastminute.com.au is giving away an awesome prize package to two lucky people for an adventure in the Concrete Jungle this December. The package includes two return tickets to New York City, four nights' accommodation in midtown Manhattan's Affinia 50 hotel, two tickets to an NYE celebration in Times Square, and an elite styling session and $1000 wardrobe, courtesy of THE ICONIC. Sounds like a pretty sweet deal to us. So enter now to win NYE in NYC and share the hell out of it on Facebook, Twitter or Google+, because every friend referral earns you another entry to boost your chances of winning. Now is the time to be that annoying friend who is incessantly posting about competitions. https://youtube.com/watch?v=rxO05nQXFY8
When your friends start talking furiously about how The Wire is the best TV show ever made, do you go quiet, trying not to let them know that you haven't watched it? The moment that the final season of Game of Thrones ended, did you instantly feel the urge to start all over again, because you just weren't ready to say goodbye yet? Whether there's a big gap in your pop culture knowledge or you're eager to revisit one of your favourite shows, that's where binging comes in. Serious binging — not just sitting on the couch and watching whatever your streaming platform of choice's algorithm happens to suggest. Serious binging involves committing time and effort to a show, working your way through it from start to finish and finding yourself obsessed with every last detail. It also means that you become that person who tells all their friends to watch or rewatch something. Yes, we've all been there. Finding time to hop into serious binging mode hasn't really been a problem in recent months, but if you're wondering what to watch next, we're here to help. Australia now has more streaming platforms than ever, and one of them is probably playing a TV series you desperately want to devote a big chunk of time to. Here are ten television standouts that you can currently watch from their very first seconds until they ultimately fade to black. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faRl5Bea-Go THE SOPRANOS The gangster genre has been part of popular culture since cinema's early days, but on TV, nothing is an essential and influential as The Sopranos. If you've watched any mob-related show or movie since 1999, it'll owe as much of a debt to David Chase's New Jersey-set crime drama as it does to the filmography of Martin Scorsese. Across six exquisitely written seasons, James Gandolfini and Edie Falco led the way — with Tony Soprano's work life, leading a local branch of the mob, intertwined with his home life with his wife Carmela and their kids Meadow (Jamie Lynn-Sigler) and AJ (Robert Iller). In fact, when the show starts, all of the above is giving Tony panic attacks, inspiring a visit to psychiatrist Dr Jennifer Melfi (Lorraine Bracco). Also featuring everyone from Steve Buscemi and Joe Pantoliano to Janeane Garofalo and Ben Kingsley, The Sopranos was simply the best thing on TV until it wrapped up in 2007. All six seasons of The Sopranos are available to stream via Binge and Foxtel Now. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9rKY8MLWTU THE KNICK Over the past few months, almost everyone has rewatched Contagion, with Steven Soderbergh's prophetic outbreak thriller hitting rather close to home during the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2011 film is just one of the highlights on his busy resume, though — and if you're eager to watch the best thing he's ever made, then hit up medical series The Knick. Set at the turn of the 20th century, it follows the staff of a New York hospital as they endeavour to navigate everyday illnesses without the aid of modern advancements, pioneer experimental (and dangerous) surgical techniques, and try to stop their patients from dying. Also in career-best form is Clive Owen, who plays opium-addicted chief surgeon Dr John Thackery, while Moonlight's Andre Holland is similarly excellent as his new assistant chief surgeon. And, because that's the way he approaches most things he works on, Soderbergh directed, shot and edited every tense and thrilling episode. All of The Knick's two-season run is available to stream via Binge and Foxtel Now. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIhUsfhXBJM GREAT NEWS You've seen 30 Rock, the brilliantly funny Tina Fey-created sitcom set within the TV industry. But if you haven't watched Great News, which she executive produced, then you're missing out on one of the other ace television-focused comedies of the past decade. This time around, it all takes place within a TV news program. Katie Wendelson (Briga Heelan) works on The Breakdown as a segment producer, but she wishes her boss Greg (Adam Campbell) would let her handle the show's top stories. There's plenty of workplace hijinks stemming from that premise alone, as well as from the overinflated ego of newsman and host Chuck Pierce (John Michael Higgins), and the celebrity antics of his co-anchor Portia Scott-Griffith (Nicole Richie). Complicating matters, though, is the arrival of Katie's overprotective mother Carol (Andrea Martin) as the show's new intern — and the results are equally smart and silly, as well as highly topical. All of Great News' two-season run is available to stream via Netflix. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNHsA4WIFvc TWIN PEAKS It's the mind-bending small-town mystery-drama that comes with its own menu — and with plenty of thrills, laughs and weirdness. Whether you're watching Twin Peaks for the first or 31st time, you'll want to do so with plenty of damn fine coffee, fresh-made cherry pie and cinnamon-covered doughnuts to fuel your journey to this place most wonderful and strange. And, of course, David Lynch and Mark Frost's seminal TV series doesn't just serve up 90s-era oddness centred around the tragic murder of popular high-schooler Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee), but returned for a mesmerising third season back in 2017 as well. There's simply never been anything on television like Twin Peaks, because no one can make movies and TV shows like Lynch. No one can play a kind and quirky FBI boss like Lynch either, or a dedicated agent like Kyle MacLachlan as Dale Cooper. All three seasons of Twin Peaks are available to stream via Stan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUeOCo0HeJo THE WIRE There are many things that are phenomenal about The Wire, from the complexity that seethes through every episode and season, to the fantastic cast centred around Dominic West, Wendell Pierce, Lance Reddick, Sonja Sohn, Michael K Williams and Andre Royo. It's the show that helped make stars out of Idris Elba and a very young Michael B Jordan, and it's absolutely unflinching in its exploration of law and order — and cops versus crime — in Baltimore. That said, as based loosely on the experiences of former homicide detective Ed Burns, and created and primarily written by ex-police reporter David Simon, the best thing about The Wire is how far and wide it ranges in exploring the Maryland city's relationship to law enforcement across its five seasons. Drugs, ports, the government, the school system and the media all fall into the series' remit, contributing to a show that feels as urgent now as when it first aired between 2002–08. All five seasons of The Wire are available to stream via Binge and Foxtel Now. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1v_q6TWAL4 BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER Back in 1992, big-screen horror-comedy Buffy the Vampire Slayer introduced the world to a plucky California cheerleader who just happened to be fated to slay the undead. That's not the version of Buffy that everyone adores, obsesses over and has watched and rewatched for decades, however, with that honour belonging to Sarah Michelle Gellar in Joss Whedon's 1997–2003 TV series. And, from the show's witty sense of humour to its willingness to put its viewers through the emotional wringer, it's easy to see why television's Buffy the Vampire Slayer is the Buffy of record. A new slayer might be born into every generation, as the series taught us, but only one will always have our hearts — while grappling with trying to be a normal person, killing vamps and sometimes even falling for them, of course. All seven seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer are available to stream via Stan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjuXTD0m9Lc ROUND THE TWIST Sometimes, you want to spend your time binging your way through serious dramas or clever comedies. And sometimes, feeling nostalgic by revisiting the local TV show every Aussie kid watched is on the agenda. For two seasons between 1990–93, then another two from 2000–01, Round the Twist adapted Paul Jennings' popular books into an offbeat fantasy series — and, if you were the right age, it was must-see TV. It's the source of plenty of lighthouse obsessions, given that's where the Twist family lived, and it's also a show that knew how to balance humour, strangeness and scares. And yes, the latter two seasons aren't as great, but we're betting they're still baked into your childhood memories anyway. All four seasons of Round the Twist are available to stream via Amazon Prime Video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUHlMgJxF30 MAD MEN If The Sopranos was the show that defined the 2000s, and it definitely was, then Mad Men did the same in the 2010s. Matthew Weiner's 60s-set advertising agency drama made a splash from the moment it started in 2007, but Mad Men is the epitome of a slow burn — with the series' charms apparent at the outset, but its full power accumulating and growing over time. That applies to the complicated Don Draper (Jon Hamm), Sterling Cooper's creative director and the show's point of focus, and to everyone in his orbit. Indeed, while Mad Men always tells Don's story, the depth and richness afforded not just fellow major characters such as Roger Sterling (John Slattery), Peggy Olson (Elisabeth Moss) and Joan Holloway (Christina Hendricks), but the series' huge range of supporting players, is one of the show's biggest strengths. That, and its meticulous period look, obviously. All seven seasons of Mad Men are available to stream via Netflix. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4zBo6El-ok ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS Forget Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie, the 2016 film that really isn't funny and definitely didn't need to be made. Completely erase it from your memory, and just focus on the British comedy's five TV seasons and numerous television specials instead. No one plays booze-swilling, trend-chasing, self-obsessed pals like Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley — and on the small screen, at least, their performances as PR agent Edina Monsoon and her magazine fashion editor bestie Patsy Stone are never less than hilarious. There's no scenario too outlandish for this pair, as Eddie's long-suffering mother (June Whitfield), daughter (Julia Sawalha) and assistant (Jane Horrocks) all endure in every episode. And, amidst all the laughs, over-the-top antics and satire, few shows have so astutely explored what it means to be growing older while refusing to let go of your younger years. All five seasons of Absolutely Fabulous are available to stream via Stan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlR4PJn8b8I GAME OF THRONES Maybe you adored every second of Game of Thrones, including how it ended. Perhaps you'd rather pretend that the last season didn't happen. Or, you could be looking for something to pass the time until George RR Martin finally releases a new book in his A Song of Fire and Ice series — aka the novels that HBO's big fantasy blockbuster is based on. Whichever category you fall into, the eight-season TV show unravels quite the story. Even if you're just in it for the dragons, the endless (and often literal) backstabbing, the soap opera-like relationships, Peter Dinklage's wonderful performance, the inevitable fate that awaits Sean Bean and the chance to say "you know nothing, Jon Snow" a few more times, that's completely understandable as well. All eight seasons of Game of Thrones are available to stream via Binge and Foxtel Now.
