Summer is easily the best season of them all: sun-filled days, balmy nights, hanging outdoors, going to festivals and relaxing by a body of water — it's all so good. Now, if you're feeling a little down about the sun-soaked season having just said goodbye, hold the tears; Pimm's has decided to keep those summertime vibes alive for just a little bit longer. Pimm's is keeping the dream alive at Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel with $22 jugs and $10 single serves until the end of April — meaning we've just scored two extra months of summer. And to celebrate this summer extension, we're giving away a Pimm's long lunch for four. Should you be the lucky winner, you and your mates will get $300 worth of food to sink your teeth into and $100 of Pimm's to wash it all down with. Think beach bites from the likes of soft shell crab sliders, tuna crostini, applewood smoked chicken and chilli prawn linguine. And of course, a big ol' bucket of the Australian tiger prawns with cocktail sauce. To go in the running, enter your details below. [competition]710979[/competition]
The last month of summer may have come and gone but mark our words, the tropical vibes are showing no signs of slowing down at Carbòn — especially when half-priced margaritas are involved. The hacienda-inspired Mexican restaurant in Bondi is joining forces with Tequila Ocho to keep the summer dream alive for another month by slashing the cost of every single margarita on its menu. With boutique Tequila Ocho as the boozy base, you can take your pick between a classic drop, Tommy's margarita, a jalapeño version or even a frozen watermelon one — and not one will cost you more than a tenner. This cheeky deal is available between 5–7pm, every day throughout March. Whether you stop by on the after-work wind-down or head there for a solid weekend session, we suggest pairing these affordable beverages with some of Carbòn's wood-fired Mexican fare — from grilled corn to build-your-own tacos with chargrilled octopus, confit pork or roasted lamb shoulder. So, to get in on this margarita-fuelled madness, grab your mates and reserve a table online here.
Get your dancing shoes and party outfits ready — Taqiza is throwing a massive two-day fiesta to celebrate its second anniversary. Make tracks to the vibrant Mexican restaurant at Bondi Beach across Saturday, April 27 and Sunday, April 28 and tacos, tequila and all the live music your hips can boogie to will be waiting. Line your stomach and spoil your taste buds with special Al Pastor birthday tacos made with pulled pork and pineapple — you can nab three for a cheeky tenner. Then, jump on board the free Mezcal tasting train, conducted by Vanguard's agave expert Kass Hill. From 3–6pm each day, Hill will guide you through tastings of rare varieties of Del Maguey Mezcal and Derrumbes Mezcal. If those leave you wanting more agave goodness, Taqiza will also be serving mezcal flights for $20 between 12–9pm on both days, featuring tasting shots of wild agave, tobala, arroqueño and madrecuixe. Plus, Taqiza will be slinging half-priced margaritas made with the boutique tequila Ocho over the entire fiesta. Round it all off with a good ol' jive as Colombian-born, Sydney-based DJ Señor Bolivar hits the decks on Saturday from 6.30–9.30pm, while Andro Martinez and Buddy Siolo from Gang of Brothers take the music reins on Sunday evening. Taqiza's Second Anniversary Fiesta is free to attend, but bookings are strongly recommended. To nab a spot, visit the website.
If you’ve spent any time in London over the past six years, you might have spent at least one drunken night at Club NME in Camden. I remember when I was first seduced by the London indie scene in 2004 . . . every night was spent trawling pubs and nightclubs filled with indie girls in floral dresses and indie boys in jeans so tight they stopped circulation. I drank two-quid 'cider and black' (Strongbow mixed with blackcurrant cordial), saw a new band every night of the week, frequently spotted Jarvis Cocker sneakily hiding up the back of gigs and thoroughly destroyed my liver. This picture isn’t so out of place in Sydney these days, but nevertheless Club NME are touring Australia with a little slice of the London indie club scene. To kick it off they’ve rounded up a selection of homegrown indie talent including Philadelphia Grand Jury, Yacht Club DJs, and Purple Sneakers DJs — and just to put a British stamp on it, Andy Rourke of the Smiths is also taking to the decks. Image by Tom Sheehan.
If you love a night out with a sweet deal, then we have the scoop for you. The Hollywood Quarter is partnering with Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey for the month of October to launch Sweet Nights, with great food, drinks and live performances. Jack Daniel's Honey is a blend of Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey and its own honey liqueur. The resulting drop is as smooth as only Jack can be, with a touch of honey sweetness. It's perfect on its own, with ice and, of course, in cocktails. Five venues in the Hollywood Quarter are serving up buzzworthy cocktails with Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey and delicious bites that'll satisfy your sweet tooth. Whether you're sipping on a Jack Daniel's Honey cocktail or catching some live tunes, here's what's happening in the Hollywood Quarter this October. Butter The popular fried chicken spot in Surry Hills is serving up The Issaceatsalot Fried Chicken Irish "Spice Bag" with a zingy Jack Daniel's Honey Lemon Melon Fizz. Located on Hunt Street, Butter gets its vibe from New York City's hip hop culture. Think fried chicken with punk names — I'll have a hot AF 3PAC — served in a totally packed club-like environment. Doubting its street cred? Don't. This place is the real deal. Chicken is the name of the game at Butter. They are ramping up the good times with their Issaceatsalot Fried Chicken Irish "Spice Bag." It's a spin on the viral Irish-Chinese delicacy. Butter's version features crispy fried chicken pieces, chilli and Chinese five-spice mix, stir-fried onions and capsicum, green shallots and Irish-Chinese curry sauce — ask any Irish person; this stuff is legendary. Butter is serving this tempting snack with a Jack Daniel's Honey Lemon Melon Fizz, a bespoke cocktail made with Jack Daniel's Honey, Midori, watermelon and lemonade. The pairing is available all day, every day in October. Follow what's happening on its Instagram. Poly Poly is the Ester team's still very elegant take on a casual restaurant and wine bar. It's elevating its Apolytivo Hour — get it, aperitivo hour? — with a lush Honey Highball paired with a fried potato stack. The Honey Highball is a floral and fruity number made with Jack Daniel's Honey, Unico Pomelo vermouth — this is a wine bar, after all — bergamot soda and garnished with fresh honeycomb. The fried potato stack makes for a great accompaniment, offering a delightful crunch and rich taste that the drink cuts through. Apolytivo Hour is available every weekday, Monday to Friday — the cocktail will also be available on the weekends. Stay up to date on what's happening on its Instagram. Golden Age Cinema & Bar This revamped screening room and small bar are bringing a little old-school charm to a night at the movies. Head down during October to sip on a sweet cocktail made with Jack Daniel's Honey for Hollywood Quarter's Sweet Nights. The drop was inspired by Dig! XX (2024), a documentary on The Dandy Warhols and Brian Jonestown Massacre. It's a classic blend of lemon, peach and ginger iced tea with Jack Daniel's Honey and notes of nectar. During Sweet Nights, the cinemas and bar will screen a series of documentary and narrative films on Monday nights, like the Strokes' Meet Me in the Bathroom and Prince's cult classic Purple Rain — tying in with Jack Daniels' long-standing connection to live music. The team are also curating a lively music playlist for the bar to keep the vibes strong and to launch its new 'Hospo Nights'. The cocktail will be available all month long. Check out what's happening on its Instagram. Hotel Hollywood Nestled among Surry Hills' deco-era buildings, Hotel Hollywood exudes old Hollywood charm with its curved bar, friendly staff, and simple menu, but be sure to arrive early as it fills up fast. The spot is serving up a classic cocktail with a modern twist: its take on an old fashioned. Blending Jack Daniel's Honey, Domaine Ginger Liqueur, orange bitters and an acacia smoke infusion for a touch of complexity. Available all month long. Keep tabs on all its happenings on its Instagram. Soda Factory Venture beyond the 50s-themed Bobby's storefront to find this hidden bar bringing a real slice of New York City to Surry Hills. Simply pull on the handle of the Coke machine, and you're inside the Soda Factory. Take a seat in one of the inviting booths or comfy mid-century sofas and order up its cocktail special for Sweet Nights. Sweet meets heat with this highball JD Hot Honey. It's a blend of Jack Daniel's Honey, spicy Ancho Reye, bright, fruity notes from passionfruit, raspberry, citrus, and a touch of sugar. It's served in a highball and garnished with a passionfruit "bowl" dipped in sugar with raspberry and absinthe. A complex drop for a cool setting. Cocktail of the month is available every night for $14. Follow the good times on its Instagram. Sweet Nights is happening at The Hollywood Quarter from October 3–31. For more information, check out the website. Please Drink Responsibly Images: Supplied
Whether you're a Melburnian making a regular date with the city's major art gallery, or you're eager to head to the Victorian capital for a getaway, visiting the NGV International over summer is always recommended. That's when the St Kilda Road site plays host to its annual Architecture Commission — including a pink car-wash inspired playground back in 2016, an openair maze in 2017, a timber amphitheatre in 2018 and a dramatic tower in 2019. In 2021, the NGV is set to get watery — and pink, again. The gallery has just revealed its latest Architecture Commission, which'll include two parts: a pink pond that's meant to nod to Victoria's inland salt lakes, and a body of Indigenous plants. The entire installation is called Pond[er], and hails from Melbourne-based architecture firm Taylor Knights in collaboration with artist James Carey. Emerging victorious from this year's submissions, it will join the NGV's Grollo Equiset Garden from November 2021–April 2022. Exact dates are yet to be announced, but entry will be free. And yes, to answer the question that has instantly popped into your head, you'll be able to wade through the pond. When visiting Pond[er], NGV patrons will wander through a series of interconnected walkways and accessible platforms, which will become part of the venue's garden rather than sit separate from it. You'll then be able to step into the water as you're moving about, with giving NGV visitors somewhere to cool off during the summer one of the piece's main purposes. Also driving the installation: reflecting upon the environment, which Pond[er] aims to evoke in a number of ways. By filling the pond with pink-coloured water, the piece is designed to get people thinking about its scarcity and importance. By using Victorian wildflowers among its plants — which will bloom at different times throughout the installation — it also endeavours to inspire folks to contemplate just how fleeting and precarious our natural environment can be. Pond[er] will display at the NGV International, St Kilda Road, Melbourne from November 2021–April 2022, with exact dates to be announced. Images: courtesy of Taylor Knights and James Carey.
When you're Tasmanian brewery Moo Brew — which, if you didn't know, is owned by enterprising MONA mastermind David Walsh — you don't simply launch your new line of beer cans the same way everyone else does. Instead, you enlist the team at production company FINCH to help design and build the world's first Russian roulette-style beer can vending machine to showcase those shiny new tins. And so Moo Brew's latest creation was born, which is set to make its public debut at The Newtown Hotel this Thursday, September 21. The unique idea comes courtesy of Moo Brew's head brewer, Dave Macgill. "We have six core beer styles, so thought we'd invent a vending machine that encouraged you to try a different one each time," he explains. "Basically, you pull the handle and the machine decides which one you get." Of course, it wouldn't be a game of roulette without a bit of risk and so, after tapping your card and pulling the machine's lever, there's a one-in-seven chance you'll lose out and score a tinny that's not Moo Brew. After its time in Sydney, Moo Brew Roulette will venture south for a stint at Melbourne's Garden State Hotel during Melbourne Festival, before heading back home to Hobart for the brewery's 12th birthday and eventually settling in at MONA from mid-November.
When it comes to Black Books stars bringing their stand-up shows Down Under, do Bill Bailey and Dylan Moran alternate years on purpose? Do they share a little book of calendars to plot out who'll be getting Australians giggling when? Bailey last toured here in 2022, then Moran took to the stage in 2023 — so yes, that means that it's Bailey's turn in 2024. Fancy seeing out spring by chucking at the British favourite who's known not just for starring in Black Books opposite Moran, but for everything from Have I Got News for You and QI to Spaced, Hot Fuzz and Skins as well? Then you'll want to make a date with Bailey's just-announced Thoughtifer shows. He's locked in 16 gigs in 15 cities — Sydney gets two — across October and November 2024 to have Aussies in stitches again. [caption id="attachment_812863" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Andy Hollingworth[/caption] Bailey will be celebrating humanity's flaws in his latest sets, on what's been dubbed "a magical, musical mystery tour of the human mind". And if you're wondering what that might cover, whales, biophilia (aka the tendency of humans to connect with nature and other forms of life) and unrequited love have all been mentioned. Some of this musing will be set to music, because that's also Bailey's style. It isn't a Bill Bailey show if he isn't showing off his talents with a type of musical instrument or several — be it a guitar, a theremin or anything in-between. [caption id="attachment_956497" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brian Marks via Wikimedia Commons.[/caption] Bailey will be playing Canberra, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, but he doesn't just stick to capital cities. So, Geelong, Wollongong, Bunbury, Mandurah, Launceston, Newcastle, Toowoomba and the Gold Coast also have a chance to see him onstage. And regarding alternating years with Moran, pre-pandemic Moran toured Australia in 2019, while Bailey did the same in 2018. Neither headed this way in 2017, but Bailey did the honours in 2016 and Moran in 2015. Bailey also came this way in 2014 — and while both sat 2013 out, Bailey did 2012 and Moran 2011. Bill Bailey Thoughtifer Australian Tour 2024: Thursday, October 24 — Costa Hall, Geelong Saturday, October 26 — WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong Sunday, October 27 — Royal Theatre, Canberra Wednesday, October 30 — Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre Thursday, October 31 — Mandurah Performing Arts Centre Saturday, November 2 — Riverside Theatre, Perth Wednesday, November 6 — AEC Theatre, Adelaide Saturday, November 9 — Princess Theatre, Launceston Sunday, November 10 — Wrest Point Entertainment Centre, Hobart Wednesday, November 13 — John Cain Arena, Melbourne Saturday, November 16 — ICC Sydney Theatre, Sydney Sunday, November 17 — Coliseum Theatre, Sydney Tuesday, November 19 — Newcastle Entertainment Centre Thursday, November 21 — Empire Theatre, Toowoomba Friday, November 22 — Star Theatre, Gold Coast Saturday, November 23 — Brisbane Convention Centre Bill Bailey's Thoughtifer tour will make its way around Australia in October–November 2024. For further information and tickets — with presales until 5pm on Monday, May 20 and general sales from 9am on Tuesday, May 21 — head to the tour website. Top image: Brian Marks via Wikimedia Commons.
Is it dramatically poetic or just ironic that one of the few productions that has left me gaping like a fish is titled Babel, meaning words? This giant undertaking throws together 18 performers from across the globe (speaking almost as many languages and working across many modes of performance), choreographers Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and Damien Jalet, and visual artist Antony Gormley. Babel is the third in a trilogy that began in 2003 with Cherkaoui and Gormley's collaboration on Foi, yet it is imposing enough to stand on its own. Taking as its starting point the Biblical story of the Tower of Babel, the production explores notions of language, communication (and miscommunication) and ongoing efforts towards cross-cultural empathy. With a work primarily composed of movement, which also utilises music, visual representation and a multiplicity of languages, it's inevitable that you will feel a tad lost at times. Think twists and turns, rather than questions and answers. The work manages to be starkly realist and profoundly inspiring in the same breath, punctuated by comedic hooks that ensure you're kept in the loop. From the first to the last moments of the work, Gormley's cube-like structures loom before us, as endeavours, obstacles, cages and shelters. Manipulated by the performers, they structure the home, the city, the nation, while transporting us to a world far removed from our own. The music and songs woven throughout echo this theme of unity and difference, blending Renaissance choirs with traditional Turkish melodies, alienating while at the same time comforting. The deep, resonant bass drum seems to throb even during moments of silence, the pulsing heartbeat that is part of the raw, almost primal nature of the production. Even when in unison, each dancer appears as their own being: a flick of the wrist or a nod of the head betraying their own particular mode. Rather than compromising the work, this frayed-at-the-edges feel only contributes to the energy of the performance as a whole. Energy and strength are very literally foregrounded in the choreography, prompting the audience that I was a part of to oscillate between gasps, tears and thick bursts of applause. Babel appears as a whirlwind, a storm that comes from nowhere and seems to depart only moments after it begins, leaving everything changed in its wake. It is an impressively multifaceted meditation on reality and possibility, otherworldly while utterly at pace with our times. https://youtube.com/watch?v=7TmlXlQqmM4
Depending on your tastes, the horror subgenre of torture porn (Saw, Hostel and Wolf Creek are three well-known examples) sits somewhere between the poles of either a gratuitous abomination or an artistic lens into humanity's darker proclivities. While we live in a world filled with humans inventing new ways of inflicting terrible physical and emotional pain upon one another, there is always the question of whether such things need to be recreated in fiction. One straightforward answer is: well, if it's part of the human condition, then it's suitable for art. Enter The Woman, the latest indie horror creation from American director Lucky McKee, based on the novel by Jack Ketchum. The premise is simple enough: pillar-of-the-community Chris Cleek (Deadwood's Sean Bridgers) and his nuclear family become the guardians of a wild woman (Pollyanna McIntosh) that Chris captured out in the woods one day, and he is adamant that the woman must be civilised for the good of the town. The Cleeks are no Henry Higgins, however, and the film quickly reveals the disturbing home truths hidden behind their docile demeanours. The Woman is definitely a card-carrying member of the torture porn subgenre, and anyone who is not a fan of graphic violence and complete disregard for human decency should stay away from this film. Having said that, The Woman is also playing into dangerous territory because of its key subject matter: the imprisonment and abuse of women. When The Woman screened at the Sundance Festival earlier this year, one audience member hurled insults at the film's creators until security hauled him out, and whether or not you think the film is misogynistic, its male leads certainly are. Gore and controversy aside, The Woman does make for an interesting lesson in non-conventional horror film-making. The cheap shock scares used in mainstream horror films are non-existent, and instead McKee uses grinding sound design (similar to that of Gaspar Noe's Irreversible), acid-trip cross-fading and spinning cameras (again, Irreversible) to activate a different sense of terror within his audience. Does it work? Not always, sadly, and all three of these techniques overstay their welcome by the end of the film. Another good choice is that all of the performances are understated, with some characters (rightly) coming across as almost shell-shocked, while Bridgers' relaxed attitude to brutality registers as real-world chilling. But it doesn't always work, and The Woman is marred by some shocking performances, such as a do-gooder high school teacher (Carlee Baker), who never seems to care about what she's saying. The often clunky dialogue also doesn't help the actors. Overall, this film is going to turn most people off. However, if you do like your horror served extra rare, The Woman is definitely worth hunting down. https://youtube.com/watch?v=o3lUAZLB4JY Image by Chelsea Boothe
North Sydney is set to score a grand new steakhouse with a 120-seat restaurant, 40-person bar and four sunny outdoor terraces. Opening on Friday, September 1, Poetica comes from Etymon Projects, the hospitality team behind fellow North Shore standout Loulou Bistro, Boulangerie & Traiteur, as well as the CBD's The Charles Grand Brasserie and Bar and Tiva. At the heart of Poetica will be a firing charcoal oven, a custom wood-burning hearth, and an impressive 700-bottle wine wall. Head Chef Connor Hartley-Simpson (who also helms The Charles) has created a menu that fervently leans into these fiery forms of preparing produce — all of which can then be paired with the perfect drop from Head Sommelier Michael Block and Director of wine, Paolo Saccone. "In the kitchen, we're focusing on using incredible local produce, dry-ageing in-house, cooking with either charcoal or wood where it works, pickling and fermenting to play around with flavours, and really letting the produce be the hero," says Hartley-Simpson. As expected, your sirloins, t-bones and 90-day aged tomahawks all grace the sharing-based menu, but there are plenty of exciting dishes to look forward to if you're not so steak-obsessed. For starters, you can kick things off with Sydney rock oysters done differently. At Poetica, these salty delicacies can be enhanced with hot beef fat melted on top in a technique called 'flambadou' then topped with nduja and Guindilla peppers. Elsewhere, the braised leak, nori and eel starter is drizzled with oil made from charring leek tops; a chilli yuzu scallop will lead the raw section of the menu; and seafood lovers can opt for the swordfish steak, dry-aged on the bone for seven days and assembled table side with a buttery roasted fish sauce. The oven and hearth will be located within a 15-metre-long open kitchen in the dining room. Across from the kitchen will be floor-to-ceiling glass windows leading to the al fresco dining areas, calling out to host a catch-up between friends. Etymon's culinary director Sebastien Lutaud promises the restaurant will be "a welcoming vibe that works as well for entertaining clients over lunch as a dinner with friends or a drink after work." Opening on the mezzanine level of 1 Denison Street, Poetica is the latest addition to a bustling North Sydney hospitality scene — following on from another multi-space dining room RAFI which opened late last year, and a pair of new takeaway spots in Greenwood Plaza from charity-driven hospitality group Plate It Forward (Colombo Social, Coyocan Social, Kabul Social). Poetica will open at 1 Denison Street, North Sydney on Friday, September 1. The restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner Tuesday–Saturday, and the bar will be open from 12pm–late Tuesday–Saturday. Images: Steven Woodburn
When the Australian Government announced its 2020–21 Federal Budget in October last year — later than usual due to the pandemic — it looked more than a little bare for half of the population. But in the newly arrived 2021–22 Budget (which was announced last night, on Tuesday, May 11), $3.4 billion has been committed to supporting women. This time around, Aussie ladies aren't being told that they can just take advantage of new roads and infrastructure. The new Budget does obviously include funding for roads, rail and infrastructure projects — $15.2 billion, in fact — but the money allocated to women's health, safety and financial security isn't insignificant. And, it's being directed towards key areas, including cervical and breast cancer screening programs, endometriosis support, services for women and children who are experiencing violence, and childcare. In the health and wellbeing space, $351.6 million will be spent on maternal, sexual and reproductive health, as well as ageing, chronic conditions, preventative health and mental health. Of that, $100 million will go to cervical and breast cancer screening programs, and $47 million to perinatal and postnatal anxiety and depression services. Endometriosis, which effects at least one in nine Aussie women, will be covered as part of a four-year $5 million package for education and pain management programs targeting the condition. Women's safety is also a big, important and well-deserving focus, with $1.1 billion allocated to initiatives to support victims of domestic violence, and to tackle workplace harassment and online abuse. That includes general support for women and children leaving violent situations, emergency accommodation, and legal assistance services. $20.5 million has been committed to preventing and addressing address sexual harassment in the workplace, $6 million to boost the Workplace Gender Equality Agency, and $26.2 million to online safety — the latter of which covers awareness campaigns, support for children being bullied online, and software that will investigate intimate images that are shared without consent. And, because women in the workplace and childcare are interconnected topics, an extra $1.7 billion will be put towards the latter. It'll cover an increase childcare subsidies for families with more than one child, to become effective from July 2022. Obviously, childcare really shouldn't be badged as just a women's issue — it's a matter for all parents, regardless of gender — but the aim of the funding is to increase women's participation in the workforce. For more information about the 2021–22 Federal Budget, head to the government's website.
Sat on the middle floor of Coogee Pavilion, Mimi's is the eastern suburbs mainstay's modern Mediterranean and seafood restaurant. While the beachside spot is currently closed, it's offering Coogee locals a bit of Mimi's for their weekends with a pop-up bake sale at the Coogee Pav this weekend. Mimi Loves to Bake is the pavilion's first bake sale, and will include baked goods from Mimi's — as well as from Uma Mas, and a few heartier savoury selections. On offer you'll find the likes of ham and gruyere pies, sourdough loaves, pork belly rolls and chicken wraps from Jimmy's Falafel. If you're more of a sweet tooth, you can nab chocolate eclairs, Basque cheesecakes, and rhubarb and custard danishes. You'll find the bake sale inside the Coogee Pavilion on Saturday from 9.30am—1pm. Head down and enter via the ramp up to Mimi's. And yes, this'll definitely help your Saturday arvo picnic.
Can a dream ever exist for more than a fleeting moment? That isn't just a question for oneirology, the field of psychology focused on studying the involuntary visions of our slumbers, but also applies whenever tales of motorcycle clubs rev across the screen. Stories of hitting the open road on two wheels, finding camaraderie and community in a group of likeminded outsiders, and perhaps discovering a purpose along the way are stories of chasing dreams — of freedom, of belonging, of mattering, of meaning in a world seemingly so devoid of it if you don't fit in the traditional sense. So it was in TV series Sons of Anarchy and in Australian film 1%, two titles set within the roar and rush of biker gangs in recent years. So it was in The Wild One, 1953's Marlon Brando-starring classic that immortalised the query "what are you rebelling against?" and the reply "whaddaya got?". Now, so it equally proves in The Bikeriders, about a 60s and 70s leather- and denim-wearing, motorbike-riding crew formed after infatuation got motors runnin' when founder Johnny (Tom Hardy, Venom: Let There Be Carnage) saw The Wild One on TV. A family man, Johnny has a dream for the Vandals MC out of America's midwest — and so does Benny (Austin Butler, Dune: Part Two), the closest thing that the club has to a spirit animal. The latter is introduced alone at a bar wearing his colours, refusing to take them off even when violence springs at the hands of unwelcoming patrons. He won't be tamed, the sixth feature from writer/director Jeff Nichols after Shotgun Stories, Take Shelter, Mud, Midnight Special and Loving establishes early. He won't be anyone but his smouldering, swaggering, rebel-without-a-cause self, either. Courtesy of the Vandals, he not only has the space to stand firm, but the assurance. He's a lone wolf-type, but knows that he has the devoted backing of the pack anyway. Johnny has fashioned the gang as a tribe and a place to call home for those who can't locate it elsewhere, and is open about how his fellow bikers need Benny — and how he does as well — to look up to. The Bikeriders is the story of Johnny and Benny, and also of the Illinois-accented Kathy (Jodie Comer, Killing Eve), whose outsider-upon-outsider perspective comprises the movie's narration (and gives it a Martin Scorsese-esque, Goodfellas-style angle). She's wary when on her debut encounter with the Vandals, also at a bar. Still, the way that Nichols and his regular cinematographer Adam Stone (Waco: American Apocalypse) shoot it, Kathy has no choice but to fall for the brooding Benny from the instant that she locks eyes on him at the pool table that night. Moments after she leaves the watering hole, she's clutching him close as they thunder off on his bike. Five weeks later, they're married. As she talks through the tumultuous and absorbing details to Danny (Mike Faist, Challengers) — Lyon, that is, the IRL photojournalist with the 1968 book that shares The Bikeriders' name, inspired the film and provides its basis sometimes on an image-by-image level — what springs from there is a love triangle of sorts, as Johnny and Kathy both see different routes for Benny, and for their respective dreams and futures. Making a much-appreciated return to filmmaking eight years after Loving — in-between, an Alien Nation remake didn't come to fruition, and he dropped out of helming A Quiet Place: Day One — Nichols fictionalises fact with The Bikeriders. Lyon snapped and spent time with Chicago's Outlaws Motorcycle Club. Its name doesn't remain in the feature, but the monikers of plenty of folks in its orbit, including Kathy, Benny and Johnny, plus other Vandals members Cal (Boyd Holbrook, Justified: City Primeval), Cockroach (Emory Cohen, Blue Bayou) and Zipco (Michael Shannon, The Flash), all do. The vibe as The Bikeriders hums is of a picture and the team bringing it to life each stepping into history, into photos that immortalised it and into a mood just as firmly, then spinning the results into a movie. That's a pivotal and purposeful sensation when the line between dreams and reality is being examined. While actuality rarely feels illusory when you're in it, the ultimate that anyone is ever pursuing — rebellion, authenticity and acceptance here, for example — so often proves ephemeral. Little in the way of surprises might fuel The Bikeriders' narrative, especially if you've watched past biker fare — Lyon's book predates Easy Rider by a year — but twists and turns are never the point. Instead, the anticipated cycles keep turning as Nichols prods whether the dream that he's capturing, as his photographer inspiration did before him, was ever destined for more than transience. Johnny's version of the club — and the solace that someone such as the scruffy Zipco, who gives voice to securing a niche he isn't otherwise afforded in a speech about being turned down for Vietnam enlistment, is seeking — withers as the Vandals grows. Rides and hangouts erupt in scuffles and fights over power. Attitudes among newcomers make the OG crew seem positively gentle. Benny struggles, too, caught between two sets of the last thing that he wants from anyone: expectations. As it gets the wind ruffling Butler's hair and the bouffant of Comer's locks defying gravity, Nichols has crafted a film that plays so eagerly like a throwback with such a lived-in atmosphere, but also with probing intentions pumping through every second. It presents. It unpacks. It motors along with the throbbing and the cruisiness alike of an engine letting rip on long Sunday-afternoon drive, digging into this slice of countercultural Americana and the hopes it stands for in the process. As its director did with Shotgun Stories almost two decades ago now, The Bikeriders also has tortured masculinity in its sights, another realm where visions of perfection are fated to crash. And as Nichols constantly returns to in his filmography, how desperately someone — everyone — attempts to hold onto what they love and dream about also slicks this intimate flick like oil. The longer that The Bikeriders goes on, the heartier that the initial Vandals tussle with their expanding roster, as more and more faces and agendas join its ranks. The feature itself has no such regrets, including when Norman Reedus (The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon), Karl Glusman (Civil War), Toby Wallace (The Royal Hotel) and Damon Herriman (The Artful Dodger) help flesh out the cast. Mirroring the club with Benny, the movie benefits from having Butler at its heart, though. In a strong on-screen year to rival 2022's Elvis whirlwind, which nabbed him a BAFTA and a Golden Globe, plus an Oscar nomination, he follows Dune: Part Two and Masters of the Air with a magnetic, layered, revealing and committed performance while so frequently uttering little aloud. The also-exceptional Comer and ever-commanding Hardy aren't stuck in their co-star's shadow, as their characters happily are with Benny, but this film about the allure of the ideal knows how to make that exact notion its vista. Unlike everything that the Vandals aspires to encapsulate, however, Butler never falters.
Genderfuck and genrefuck are hand-in-glittered palm for Taylor Mac's phenomenal Australian tease tour of The Ziggy Stardust Meets Tiny Tim Songbook OR Comparison is Violence. Following quick-fired comparisons of being Ziggy Stardust (he sings and wears glam) and Tiny Tim (he plays a ukulele) from around the world, drag performer Mac decided to give the punters what they were assuming they wanted. The result is a cabaret performance that combines David Bowie's The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars with some of Tiny Tim's warbling greats. Being Taylor Mac, it's more than a singalong jukebox night. Mac's work is cutting edge performance communication, using outlandish and beautiful methods to wrestle the dangerous myths of modern society to the ground. Blessed with an immense talent, for singing, speaking and reasoning, Mac never preaches his cause, but rather plants wisdom and courage through entertainment. This will be one of the darlings of the Mardi Gras season, and for very good reason. https://youtube.com/watch?v=2G8GR457ZqQ
Religious imagery, especially of the Catholic variety, is often bloody and bleak, twisting a broken body around rigid lines of wood and stone. But not so in Justin O'Brien's paintings. His works, predominantly famous for their interpretation of religious motifs, shimmer with a lush palette that you'd expect from an eccentric South American artist — not one from Hurstville. Born in 1917, O'Brien experienced the chaos of WWII while serving in Palestine and Greece as part of the Australian Army Medical Corps, a tour which climaxed with his incarceration in a Polish prisoner-of-war camp. This time left a lasting impression on O'Brien, leading him to create works that capture the mysterious energies of an old world through rich colours and subtle symbolism. Though a lapsed Catholic, O'Brien won the inaugural Blake Prize for Religious Art in 1951 and had his work, The Raising of Lazarus, purchased by the Vatican. Now, for the first time since 1987, a collection of over 90 of O'Brien's works are being exhibited by the Art Gallery of NSW, giving a rare glimpse into this artist's soft-rendered world of spiritual awe. Image: The Harlequin Boy, by Justin O'Brien
Every so often, a film transcends the extent of its putridity and transforms into a beloved 'so bad it's good' cult classic. Such is the case with The Room, a film written, produced, directed and starring the truly terrible talents of Tommy Wiseau. Sure, there's an ensemble cast and some semblance of a story-line surrounding relationships (the trailer totes it as "a film with the passion of Tennessee Williams" — right …), but it's Wiseau who has the audience in (unintentional) fits of raucous laughter, clamouring for more. The Room (a location never explained, by the way) is definitely a film all about the audience participation. Like The Rocky Horror Picture Show days of old, so much of the entertainment is derived from the group experience and shared hilarity. Thankfully, the Chauvel is giving pundits their chance, every Saturday night at 10pm during April and May. It remains to be seen if Wiseau will ascend to Ed Wood's throne as the 21st century's king of B-movie kitsch, but at the very least he's already given the world a classic non sequitur: "Oh, hi Mark." https://youtube.com/watch?v=ISXiFJS9D5A
A lot of people like fan fiction. A lot of people write fan fiction. Typically speaking, I'd say a lot of fan fiction is almost definitely porn. What if Bella and Edward got together in the first book? What did Buffy and Angel really get up to that night? And, most importantly, what if regency era laws allowed Mr Darcy and Elizabeth to more, ahem, publicly display their affections than a simple chaste kiss at the end of the novel? If you were at all curious as to how Jane Austen might write porn, then best you have a look at Steven Dawson's Jane Austen's Guide to Pornography. Imagine what happens when Jane, readying for her swan song, meets 21st Century pornographic playwright Brett as he struggles to write his best work, and that's what you'll get. Combined with another of Dawson's work, Gorgeous Bastard, the whimsical tale of three gay men at a straight man's wedding, and you've got yourself a rollicking good night at the theatre. Both productions are being held in conjunction with the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras- just a small snippet of the cornucopia of events that will be held during the annual festival.
Take heed, Deliveroo and Foodora — there's a new player in the food delivery game. And it can fly. Kicking off this week in Royalla, NSW, Google parent company Alphabet has launched a trial of its drone delivery technology Project Wing, with Guzman Y Gomez one of two local retailers testing out the goods. Over the next few trial months, the Mexican food chain will use the Project Wing drone to deliver food orders to paying customers in the area, which sits on the border of NSW and the ACT. Residents will use Wing's app to order their Guzman Y Gomez food (like burritos, mini burrito bowls and handy serves of guac and chips), which will be cooked at a custom test kitchen, picked up by the drone and delivered to the final destination in a matter of minutes, soaring through the sky at about 120 kilometres per hour. A specially engineered carry package will keep the food hot and (hopefully) intact. The Project Wing crew has been working alongside the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and both local and state governments to ensure the drones won't be causing any mid-air mishaps or dropping off any unregulated deliveries. Pharmacy chain Chemist Warehouse is the other retailer involved in this testing phase, offering drone delivery of around 100 of its products to residents in the Royalla area. If all goes to plan, the drones could be used to deliver items to Australians living on rural properties. Or just deliver lunch to your courtyard.
This year, Easter hunts are not just for kids. Inventive bakeries, restaurants and other businesses around Sydney are getting busy creating sweet treats and other Easter-themed goodies for an audience that may have outgrown the Easter Bunny. From cocktail-filled chocolate bunnies to colourful, Easter-themed tableware, here's a curated list of Easter goods worthy of a spot in every grown-up Sydneysider's Easter hunt. GELATO MESSINA BUNNY COCKTAILS FROM COCKTAIL PORTER Cocktail Porter and Gelato Messina have teamed up once again to create a DIY cocktail kit designed to put an adult twist on some classic Easter goodies. There are two varieties of boozy treats available for shipping nationwide. The Salted Caramel Easter Egg Cocktail Kit consists of Messina's Dulce de Leche drizzled over a combination of Baileys Irish Creme, Coffee Liqueur, and coffee with pieces of popcorn for garnish. This is all served in a chocolate egg, of course. If you prefer a chocolate bunny, you can try their other kit — an espresso martini-filled Lindt Gold bunny. The kits each come in two sizes: the small size that makes about six cocktails ($80), and the large which serves about 12 ($145). VEGAN HOT CROSS BUNS FROM BLACK STAR PASTRY If you're looking for a vegan spin on a hot cross bun, look no further than one of Black Star Pastry's four Sydney locations. Back for the 2022 season until April 18, the vegan buns are flavoured with an allspice and frankincense glaze while baking, creating an intense and unique flavour. Black Star sells the buns in singles ($4.50), a set of six, ($25), or a dozen ($45). With the dozen, they'll throw in a thirteenth "bun on the run" on top of the pack so that you can snack on the way home. NUTELLA HOT CROSS BAO FROM DIN TAI FUNG Din Tai Fung has once again created a delicious festive treat with its Easter hot cross bao. Available just in time for Easter, these bao may look like hot cross buns from the outside, but inside they are filled up with gooey, delicious molten Nutella. The bao are available at all Din Tai Fung locations, or can be delivered frozen to your home if you intend to stockpile them in your freezer to enjoy after Easter passes. The bao are available for $6.80 for two in stores, or for $10, plus a delivery fee, for three delivered to your door. NOT-CROSS BUNS FROM SONOMA BAKERY If you're craving a new take on a traditional hot cross bun this Easter, Sonoma bakeries are putting their own twist on the dessert. Instead of the traditional cross you'll find at most bakeries, Sonoma adorns their treats with an "S" — giving them the name of "Not-Cross Buns." Before they are piped with the signature "S", however, each bun is baked complete with Sonoma's special blend of raisins, cranberries, apricots, and candied orange. They are then brushed with a coffee-and-spice-steeped sugar glaze for the perfect finish. The buns are sold individually ($3.50) or in a box set of six ($20). CHALLAH DOUGH HOT CROSS BUNS FROM THE GRUMPY BAKER For yet another interesting take on the Easter classic, The Grumpy Baker has released their hot cross buns for the season. Honouring their founder's Israeli heritage, Grumpy Baker's buns are made with Jewish challah dough, a spongy bread traditionally served on Jewish Shabbat. Mixed into the challah are raisins, chocolate chips and butter to create a classically delicious hot crossed bun. The buns are available to order at any of The Grumpy Baker's Sydney locations. YUZU HOT CROSS BUNS AND HOT CROSS LAMINGTONS FROM TOKYO LAMINGTON Inner west lamington wizards and collaboration kings Tokyo Lamington have two limited-time Easter treats, both playing on the hot cross bun. The first is a classic raisin-filled bun infused with yuzu to give it that Tokyo Lamington twist, while the second is, of course, a hot cross lamington. he cubes of Easter goodness include spiced cream, mixed fruits, citrus peel and sponge cake with a coating of cinnamon and crushed hot cross buns. You can head in store to pick one up or order an Easter Pack online featuring three of each treat for $24. CHOCOLATE AND CUTLERY FROM KOKO BLACK AND IN THE ROUNDHOUSE Chocolatiers at Koko Black have partnered with tableware company In the Roundhouse to create a basket of adult Easter goodies. In addition to the traditional chocolate bunny, these boxes contain four colourful plates from In the Roundhouse's collection as well as a variety of other Koko Black chocolate treats. All available for delivery at $199, the collection comes in milk chocolate, dark chocolate, and "golden treasures" varieties. NEXT-LEVEL EASTER PLATTERS FROM CATERING PROJECT If you're looking to take things up a notch this Easter, Catering Project's chocolate-heavy platters are just about as extravagant as you can go. The $189 Easter Grazing Platter features hot cross buns (both fruit and chocolate pistachio), brownies, doughnuts in the shapes of baby chicks and bunnies, and raspberry and cream cheese cake. Alongside the desserts, the platter also features charcuterie and cheeses including San Danielle prosciutto, Trinity brie and dried fruits.
When most folks scream, they're not powering up their life force, or ki, in battle. Most folks aren't Dragon Ball Z's Goku, however. If you're a fan of the anime, you've probably wished you were at least once or twice, and bunch of gatherings at Australian public spaces will let you scream out your non earth-saving frustrations. Yes, 'Scream like Goku' sessions are a real thing, and they're exactly what they sound like — which, we're certain will be loud. Starting in New York last week, Dragon Ball Z aficionados have been amassing around famous landmarks and letting their voices be heard. We'll let you decide whether they're endeavouring to fend off Frieza, trying to become a Super Saiyan, or just yelling their love (or all of the above). A host of other US sites are slated to follow, as well as Singapore — and Australian Dragon Ball Z fans have been quick to jump into the mix. The first local session is scheduled at 4pm tomorrow, Saturday, September 9, at none other than the Sydney Opera House — because if you're doing to scream in public, you'd better make it count. Over 3000 people have said they're attending in the Facebook event, with another 10,000 'interested'. More gatherings are planned for Sydney's Hyde Park on September 23, and Newcastle's Nobbys Beach on September 24, while Melbourne's Federation Square joins the fun on September 10 — almost 5000 people are planning to rock up to that one. Someone has started a campaign to get screamers to the Wheel of Brisbane on October 7, but so far there's not many potential attendees. Dressing up is encouraged, even if you just throw on something orange. If you're not sure how you should be screaming, let this build up some inspiration. Even if you're not a Dragon Ball Z fan, screaming at the top of your lungs with hundreds of other people is bound to be cathartic. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRsjCWNXtRE Image: Leticia Almeida.
In cinemas everywhere in 2023, to more than a billion dollars at the global box office, Ryan Gosling is "just Ken" in Barbie. He's also fantastic. Jump back almost two decades, however, and he was getting attention for locking lips with Rachel McAdams (Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness) during a downpour in The Notebook — and that Nicholas Sparks-penned effort isn't done spreading its sappy brand of romance just yet. 2024 will mark exactly 20 years since The Notebook hit the big screen, as based on Sparks' 1996 debut novel. It'll also see the musical version of The Notebook make its Broadway debut. The production was first announced back in 2019, then premiered in Chicago in 2022 and now heads to the Big Apple. While Gosling can sing — see: Barbie, La La Land, his band Dead Man's Bones — he likely isn't part of the stage show's cast. Exactly who'll be crooning through the book-turned-movie-turned-musical's lovestruck drama in New York's prestigious theatre district hasn't been announced yet, though, so you can hold onto your Gosling fantasy for a bit longer. Either way, expect singing in the rain, obviously, as well as belted-out declarations of love in a rowboat. Expect a song-filled account of heiress Allie Hamilton falling in love with lumber mill worker Noah Calhoun in the 1940s, too. Should tissues be handed out with every ticket? As The Notebook jumps from tear-soaked pages to weep-inducing celluloid to a stage version, that wouldn't be the worst move. This treading-the-boards take on the A Walk to Remember, Dear John, The Last Song and The Lucky One author's best-known tome will start Broadway previews on Tuesday, February 6, if you have an NYC trip in your future. Public tickets go on sale on Tuesday, September 26. The Notebook musical's script and songs stem handled by Bekah Brunstetter and Ingrid Michaelson respectively. The former was a writer and producer on TV show This Is Us, and the latter is best known for singles 'The Way I Am' and 'Girls Chase Boys'. And on directing duties: Michael Greif (Dear Evan Hansen) and Schele Williams (Motown the Musical). Check out a glimpse of The Notebook musical's Chicago season below: The Notebook musical opens on Broadway, at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, with previews from Tuesday, February 6. Head to the show's website for more information, plus public tickets from Tuesday, September 26.
Decades of sci-fi speculation seems set to come true: in 2022, the world will welcome its first luxury space hotel. Claims like this aren't new, but the Aurora Station is determined to make holidaying in space a reality — for a sky-high price, unsurprisingly. In development by US-based company Orion Span, the fully modular space station will be capable of hosting six people at a time, including four guests and two crew members. Operating as a luxe place to stay, it'll feature everything a short-term astronaut could want, such as zero gravity, views of the northern and southern aurora, the ability to participate in space research experiments and a virtual reality holodeck. As souvenirs, visitors can even help grow their own food and take it home with them. Plus, because no hotel can get by without it, guests will be able to access high-speed wifi while they soar more than 300 kilometres above the earth and orbit the planet every 90 minutes. Enjoying all of the above — which means spying an average of 16 sunrises and sunsets every 24 hours — will set eager space cadets back a cool US$9.5 million for a 12-day trip. That price tag hasn't stopped plenty of flush folks putting down a US$80,000 deposit to sign up, with the first four months of reservations selling out within 72 hours of being announced. That's hefty cost for a company with a stated mission — "to build and sustain human communities in space accessible to all" — but soaring into space isn't cheap, so perhaps the accessible part is more of a long-term quest. The company's founder and CEO, Frank Bunger, says that Aurora Station will bring "travellers into space quicker and at a lower price point than ever seen before." Wannabe astronauts will also undergo a three-month training program, which has been condensed from the usual 24-month timeframe, although surely preparing to go into space isn't something anyone would want to rush. Future plans for Aurora Station include zero gravity research, space manufacturing — and, if an interstellar vacation doesn't sound futuristic enough, space condos. "Our architecture is such that we can easily add capacity, enabling us to grow with market demand like a city growing skyward on earth," explains Bunger. "We will later sell dedicated modules as the world's first condominiums in space. Future Aurora owners can live in, visit, or sublease their space condo." For more information, visit the Orion Span website.
It’s cold out there. It’s cold out there every day. Though Australia is lucky enough to avoid a Groundhog Day style winter, there is no doubt that the cooler temperatures drive us toward comforting beverages. Before you reach for that bottle of red or heart-warming bourbon, don’t forget that your favourite summer cooler also comes with a serious dark side. When the cold lagers of summer lose their appeal, your favourite brewers turn their craft to an entirely different beast. From nutty to chocolatey and often with a creamy finish, dark beers are the perfect tonic on a wintery night. And while dark brews have been historically underappreciated in Australia’s generally mild climate, you could find yourself becoming the best of friends. Here are some tips to enjoying dark beer this winter, with help from our local brewers. QUALITY OVER QUANTITY Generally heavier and more filling, dark beers must be considered with this golden rule across the spectrum. According to the Shenanigans Brewing Company duo, “When we think winter beers, we think higher-alcohol, malt-driven beers, with a bit more residual sweetness.” The malty porters are undeniably sweet and, like rich desserts, are delicious but best in moderation. Porters and milk stouts are typically nitro beers (made with nitrogen rather than CO2), which adds to the creamy effect and further increases its similarity to a dessert. At the other side of the dark beer profile, the strong imperial stouts are high in alcohol content (many upward of 9 or 10 percent) and will knock you off your rocker if you attempt too many in one sitting. Often brewed in whisky or wine barrels, these stouts contain a more alcoholic flavour, and the barrel ageing process adds depth and complexity to the beer. With bold flavours and lingering sweetness, it's best to stick to a few to get the most enjoyment out of these brews. WINTER WINNERS: DARK BEER VS RED WINE That glass of red isn’t the only thing that will keep you warm on a winter’s night. Rich and smooth with deep fruity notes, dark beers have more in common with red wine than with lager. This is especially true of the barrel-aged stouts, which are often brewed in used sherry casks and take on a wine-like flavour. Many brewers also add spices like cinnamon, vanilla and even chilli, warming you from the inside out. The best advice we’ve received from a bartender on dark beers is to “give your beer a little cuddle” before you drink it. Dark beers should typically be served at room temperature, like a good red, to fully enjoy the taste and flavour. Also like a red, you should never drink dark beer (or any beer, for that matter) from the bottle. But before you go crazy dropping your pay cheque on glassware, many dark beers, including porters and stouts, are best served in a standard pint or oversized wine glass. Similar to its red wine rival, darks beers are something you want to savour. The 750ml bottles are perfect to share with friends. THE IMPORTANCE OF COMFORT FOOD In winter, we crave carbs, carbs, and more carbs. In turn, we need a big beer that can stand up to those heartier foods. The rich, smooth taste makes dark beer the liquid version of a Sunday roast or steamy meat pie. With any great food and drink pairing, it is important to have balance. 3 Ravens Dark Ale made with smoked malts is one of those well-paired with the savoury comfort foods of winter. Instead of going for a port with your dessert, try a porter. The James Squire Jack of Spades Porter, with heavily roasted malts, coffee notes and a sweet finish goes perfectly with dark chocolate, caramel and other rich desserts. BALANCING SUNNY DAYS AND WINTERY NIGHTS While the temperatures may drop, the Aussie east coast is no winter wonderland, so it is worth finding the right beers for day versus night. Think a beer you would want to drink next to an outdoor heater at your favourite beer garden, then one you’d want to drink while curled up on your couch under several blankets. The Batch Brewing Big Kahuna coconut brown ale is a session beer that will remind you of summer while helping you brave the chilly days. For night, try an imperial stout to get your blood flowing. This season, Modus Operandi is releasing Total Eclipse, a Russian imperial stout of 10% ABV aged in Lark Whisky barrels for six months. Once you’ve warmed up with a big brew and have your beer coat on, you won’t need that extra layer when venturing out into the cold. HANG OUT AT YOUR LOCAL BREWERIES The best way to learn more about the beers of winter is to stop by your local brewery, where they are more than happy to guide you through the many profiles of dark beer. There is no better company to keep; your local brewers are like your fairy godmothers of beer, planning months ahead of time on how to keep you warm this winter. Many breweries will also hold winter events, including food pairing dinners. This is the best time to try the full spectrum of dark beers and figure out which best suits your winter drinking needs. Top image: Dollar Photo Club.
Sydney Harbour is set to experience a taste of Broadway magic, circa 1957, when Handa Opera's famed floating stage plays host to legendary musical, West Side Story. Lighting up the unique waterfront opera venue from March 22 until April 21 next year, the Opera Australia production features homegrown talents Alexander Lewis and Julie Lea Goodwin reimagining the classic tale of star-crossed lovers in 1950s New York City. It tells the story of two rival West Side gangs and the drama that ensues when youngsters from each side fall in love. Acclaimed director Francesca Zambello, along with Brian Thomson and Jennifer Irwin, have created a new take on the original Broadway favourite, based on Arthur Laurent's famed novel. You'll get to watch this captivating show brought to life under the stars, from harbourside seats at Mrs Macquaries Point, bopping along to all the musical's iconic hit songs — I Feel Pretty, Maria, Somewhere, America, Cool and of course, Tonight. Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour boasts a reputation as one of the world's best open-air opera venues, with Carmen, Aida and La Bohème just some of the hits to grace its stage in recent years. West Side Story on Sydney Harbour will run from March 22–April 21, 2019. Tickers are available as part of an Opera Australia subscription package from August 16, and single tickets from September 3. Image: Hamilton Lund, 'Carmen'
The cure to decades of SXSW FOMO arrived in Australia in 2023. Sydney played host to the first-ever iteration of the festival Down Under — the first outside of the US, in fact — and put on a massive party. It was a hit. Cue SXSW Sydney 2024, then, to ideally repeat the feat. There's still almost three months to go, but the second Aussie SXSW just keeps getting bigger. So far, organisers of the tech, innovation, screen, music, games and culture festival — which will run from Monday, October 14–Sunday, October 20 this year — have dropped three past rounds of lineup details, starting in May, adding to it in June, then expanding it some more at the beginning of July. Now comes the next batch, growing the music bill, throwing in parties and naming a few extra speakers. More than 40 talents have joined the onstage roster, starting with the UK's Jorja Smith on the 'Be Honest' musician's Australian tour. Also from overseas, Canada's Aysanabee, Thailand's PYRA, New Zealand's Brandn Shiraz and XUZZ, and the UK's Submerse feature. Among the homegrown names, Aussies Brazen Barbie, Jamahl Yami, Kitschen Boy and Special Feelings have scored a spot, plus a heap of other locals. When SXSW Sydney's 25 stages turn on their microphones, then, it's going to be mighty busy. For those keen on networking and shindigs, the lineup there now features parties and mixers hosted by ADA, APRA-AMCOS, Blak Label, Canada House, Concord Music Group, Future Classic, Inertia & [PIAS], Meta, Rolling Stone, The Orchard, UNIFIED Music Group, Virgin Music and Warner Music. Among the events, there's an Indies Please session, one dedicated to Women in Music and a meetup that's all about agents versus promoters. Plus, get ready to dive into international music tours and the streaming landscape, the first talk with WME UK's Global Head of Touring Lucy Dickins and Frontier Touring's Susan Heymann, and the second with Will Page. The latest additions extend a 2024 program that already boasts human rights lawyer Jennifer Robinson, author Johann Hari, Australian race car driver Molly Taylor, pianist Chad Lawson, Westworld's Luke Hemsworth hosting a session about the Tasmanian tiger, Aussie astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg, TikTok marketing head Sofia Hernandez, Heartbreak High star Ayesha Madon, cricketer David Warner, Mortal Kombat director Simon McQuoid and documentary Slice of Life: The American Dream. In Former Pizza Huts, about the new uses of former Pizza Hut buildings across America — and that's barely scratching the surface of the lineup specifics announced so far. If you missed it, 2023's inaugural SXSW Sydney welcomed everyone from Black Mirror's Charlie Brooker and Chance The Rapper to Future Today Institute founder and CEO Amy Webb and Nicole Kidman to its stages. In the process, and via not just its talks but also its concerts, films, TV shows and games as, it notched up 287,014 attendances from 97,462 unique attendees. Those figures came from 34,975 total tickets, with folks from 41 countries heading along to 1178 sessions. SXSW Sydney 2024 will run from Monday, October 14–Sunday, October 20 at various Sydney venues. Head to the SXSW Sydney website for further details. Images: Jess Gleeson, Ian Laidlaw, Jami Joy, Brendon Thorne/Getty Images for SXSW Sydney.
Scouring the shelves, searching through piles of pre-loved reading material or records, then finding an absolute gem: it's one of the best feelings in the world. Maybe it's a book you love, and have always wanted to get your fingers on an old copy to call your own. Perhaps it's an old-school vinyl release that hasn't been re-pressed lately. Either way, this is the kind of experience you're likely to have at Grand Days Books & Records. Plus, this William Street spot sells vintage fashion as well — so you can dress the part. Images: Kitti Smallbone
The new decade has only just landed, but already we're getting a taste of some futuristic things headed our way — like the much-hyped air taxis from Uber, for example. This week, the company unveiled the latest designs for its new flying vehicles. We already know Aussies will be among the first in the world to experience this Uber Elevate aerial rideshare network, after Melbourne was named as one of three global cities where the service will commence testing. Along with Dallas and Los Angeles in the US, the Victorian city is set to host Uber Elevate trials from some time this year. Now, the world has scored a glimpse of just what these aerial taxis will look like, as Uber Elevate and Hyundai (the company's just-announced first automotive partner) unveiled their new full-scale aircraft concept model at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. Dubbed S-A1, the Personal Air Vehicle (PAV) has been designed to cruise at speeds of up to 290 kilometres per hour (similar to a helicopter), flying around 300–600 metres above the ground on trips of up to 100 kilometres in distance. Initially, the taxis would be flown by pilots, though there are plans to make them completely driverless over time. Sitting in an autonomous helicopter-like vehicle flying through the sky at 290 kilometres per hour sounds like a potential nightmare, but we're sure (or we hope) they'll do a lot of testing with drivers before it gets to that. The vehicles are also set to run entirely on electricity and will have several smaller helicopter-style rotors, instead of just one, helping to keep things a lot quieter. It's expected that during peak times, the electric vehicle will only take five to seven minutes to recharge, which is bound to seem pretty speedy to anyone who's ever been stuck in peak-hour traffic in a regular taxi. The Uber Elevate vehicles can carry up to four passengers and they'll take off and land vertically using helipad-style 'Skyports' located on high rooftops at key points around the city that might look a little like this: As this is just as concept at the moment, the PAVs (and helipads) that eventually take to Melbourne's skies could look wildly different. Last year, Uber Elevate revealed the aerial taxi system would be available to riders from as early as 2023 and that eventually, flights would cost the same as an UberX trip of the same distance. So, we guess we can get set for some Jetsons-style travel action in the not too distant future. Uber Elevate is slated to start tests in Melbourne by the end of 2020 with regular services kicking off in 2023. To read more about the program, head to the Uber website, and to check out the vehicle designs, see Hyundai's website.
Since its opening back in 2015, Sydney's harbourside precinct Barangaroo has experienced non-stop upgrades. Now, an amphitheatre-style boardwalk has joined its foreshore ranks. Watermans Cove opened to the public this month, adding a whopping 11,000-square-metres to Barangaroo. This segment of Watermans Cove extends the Wulugul Walk — which runs along The Streets of Barangaroo's 13 eateries — to 350-metres all up. Its opening has also led to some some of the precinct's restaurants, including The Butcher's Block, Bund and the Meat and Wine Co, gaining waterfront views for the first time. Heaps of Barangaroo's retailers are celebrating the opening with bottomless offerings, with food, drinks and even massages on the docket. Those include a two-hour cocktail and live music brunch at Untied, Mediterranean-inspired rosé lunches at Banksii, endless cava and sangria at Born by Tapavino and a $59 four-course feast (with bottomless spritz jugs) at The Butcher's Block. And that's to name just a few. And Barangaroo's ongoing transformation isn't finished yet. Once the development is complete (estimated to be around 2025), Watermans Cove will form part of a 14-kilometre continuous foreshore and urban walking route, which will begin at Garden Island in Woolloomooloo and extend all the way to the Sydney Fish Market in Pyrmont — which is also due for its own major upgrade come 2024. Watermans Cove is now open to the public, located along the Barangaroo waterfront. For full details on this month's bottomless celebrations, head to The Streets of Barangaroo website.
This travelling exhibition brings the best photos from across the world right to our doorstep. Provocative and powerful, the World Press Photo exhibition will make the State Library of NSW its home for a month. Feast your eyes over the work of esteemed creative geniuses at this spectacular exhibition. The photos are showcased in nine themed categories, ranging from nature, to portraiture and daily life. World Press Photo features 54 photographs from 33 countries and visits 45 countries attracting over 3 million viewers. The 2013 winner is Paul Hansen of the Swedish Daily Dagens Nyheter. His photo depicts a group of men carrying the bodies of two children and their father through a Gaza street. The family had been killed after an Israeli missile strike had hit their home. Hansen's photo captures a moment in time that is drenched in grief and suffering and will compel you to respond emotionally. Similarly, the rest of the photos in this collection speak of universal human emotions and unique experiences. Marvel at the skill of these photographers and their ability to capture grief, loss, ecstasy and love. Image: Joy at the End of the Run by Wei Seng Chen (Sports Action, first prize singles).
There's a lot that's good about summer: barbecues, beach days, frozen cocktails and festivals almost every weekend. But after all that endless partying, sinking into a comfy beanbag and enjoying a good flick outdoors sounds pretty good. And if there's one thing better than sipping on beers and bubbles as the sun goes down at an outdoor cinema, it's doing it while also celebrating fierce females of the movie world — and doing it for free. Nothing screams 2019 louder than strong female leads defying the patriarchal confines of the society they inhabit. We are so on board. So, because we're loving all the tough women gracing the screens at Sunset Cinema at the moment, we've managed to get our hands on some double passes to help you celebrate them, too. The double pass will get you into Mary, Queen of Scots on Saturday, March 2, where you'll be watching Margot Robbie and Saoirse Ronan battle it out under the stars at North Sydney Oval. To get your paws on a double pass, enter with your details below so you can raise a glass to these leading ladies in the glorious summer air. [competition]705415[/competition]
2016 has been a great year for art in Australia. Melbourne's NGV hosted the epic Andy Warhol | Ai Wei Wei exhibition, a tight collection of Degas and Whistler's Mother, and Sydney has been graced by The Greats, Grayson Perry, Frida Kahlo and now a contemporary exhibition by Tatsuo Miyajima. Known for his immersive and dramatic tech-inspired pieces, the Japanese installation artist will bring his work to the Museum of Contemporary Art from Thursday, November 3 as part of the 2016-17 Sydney International Art Series. Tatsuo Miyajima: Connect with Everything is his first solo exhibition in Australia, and it will include all of his significant pieces as well as some video and performance works. Miyajima frequently uses LED lights in his art — often as numerical counters that count repeatedly from one to nine before going dark, to represent the importance of time. His use of it in his featured work Mega Death becomes a memorial to the deaths of WW2. Often interacting with the exploration of morality and the self, this will be demonstrated in other parts of the exhibition too. His installations often fill entire rooms — they are captivating, visceral experiences, as philosophically rich as they are visually breathtaking. There are also accompanying paintings and works on paper, as well as video art. The exhibition will be curated by MCA's chief curator Rachel Kent, and looks set to immerse us in reflections on time, and ourselves. Plus, the MCA will set up a pop-up Cherry Blossom Bar out the front for a post-exhibition cocktail too. Tatsuo Miyajima: Connect with Everything is part of the Sydney International Art Series and is showing at the same time as Art Gallery of NSW's Nude: Art from the Tate Collection. If you're planning on seeing the two exhibitions, you can purchase an Art Pass and get 20 percent off both. By Kat Hayes and Imogen Baker.
The ominous title of this upcoming exhibition of works created by an array of Hong Kong locals is a foreboding one, alluding to the sharp shift in natural forces in the moments before a ferocious deluge. The air pressure shifts, the humidity skyrockets, and you can almost taste the imminent storm. Before the Rain, hosted by 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art and featuring artists such as Luke Ching and Sarah Lai, hinges around works using created and found media to tell the story of a nation demanding to shape its own future while protecting its past. The artworks tell the story of the city of Hong Kong in the time leading up to the political and civil unrest of 2014, when peaceful, pro-democratic protests took over the streets of the island state. Sampson Wong, artist and artistic leader of the Umbrella Movement, has transformed the exhibition entrance into a barrage of multimedia messages, including blogs, videos, tweets, and images from the time in question in order to fully immerse the visitor in nuances of the rapid shift in the socio-political climate. And that's just the first work. Image: Luke Ching, 150 Lost Items, 2014, mixed media, dimensions variable. Image courtesy the artist and GALLERY EXIT, Hong Kong.
Looking for a new kind of adventure getaway? Kosciuszko National Park might not be the first place that springs to mind in the spring and summer months, but if you're looking to avoid the crowds during peak holiday season, it's the place to go. Think swimming in wild mountain streams, hiking through remote highlands, feasting in old-school country kitchens and wine tasting at cool climate vineyards. From coastal getaways to outback adventures, Australia is home to a wealth of places to explore. Every trip away offers the chance to not only reconnect and recharge, but also to support the communities that have been affected by bushfires. Your visit plays an important role in Australia's recovery, which is why we've partnered with Tourism Australia to help you plan your next Holiday Here This Year. Some of the places mentioned below may still be closed due to COVID-19 restrictions. Please check websites before making any plans. [caption id="attachment_770480" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] CANOE OR SAIL ON LAKE JINDABYNE Unless your name is Lewis Pugh, it's highly unlikely that you'd risk capsizing a canoe in Lake Jindabyne during winter. But come summer, it's a different story. The crystal clear waters aren't exactly toasty, but they're warm enough for swimming — and certainly conducive to paddling. Stick to the shoreline or venture out into the deep to visit the Lake's islands. There are watercraft of all kinds for hire at Sacred Ride, from canoes, kayaks and SUPs to catamarans. Looking for company — or a sailing lesson? Drop the Lake Jindabyne Sailing Club a line. [caption id="attachment_749734" align="alignnone" width="1920"] K7[/caption] GO BOULDERING Bouldering is rock climbing — but with more thrills. Because you don't get any ropes. Your ability to climb comes down to your strength and skill in clambering across, well, boulders. Needless to say, this is something you probably shouldn't try on your own, unless you're experienced. The good news is the good folks at K7 will happily take you on a fully guided adventure. At 1800 metres, you'll be challenging your fear of heights, while taking in some incredible scenery and getting plenty of fresh, fresh mountain air. Make sure you pack grippy shoes. [caption id="attachment_752428" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Murray Vanderveer/DPIE[/caption] VISIT LANDERS FALLS Landers Falls isn't easy to get to, which makes it all the more special. If you're travelling by 2WD, prepare for a five-kilometre walk to the waterfall — if you're in a 4WD, it's just 800 metres on foot. As you near the falls, the path grows steeper before reaching Talbingo Lookout, then, 300 metres later, you'll get to Landers Falls. It's not just the falls themselves that are spectacular, but also the surrounding gorge, which holds Talbingo Reservoir and seemingly endless wilderness. Landers Falls are in the northern corner of Mount Kosciuszko National Park, around 50 minutes' drive from the pretty country town of Tumut. As parts of Kosciuszko National Park were affected by recent bushfires, check the website for any travel alerts before you venture out. [caption id="attachment_770632" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Elinor Sheargold/DPIE[/caption] DRIVE KHANCOBAN TO KIANDRA With miles and miles of empty roads, Kosciuszko National Park is made for road tripping. One of the best routes is undoubtedly the 90-minute drive from Khancoban to Kiandra, which cuts through the park's central section. Expect all the elements that make the area so beautiful, from remote campsites to mountain huts built in the 19th century. You'll also pass through Cabramurra, which was the third highest town in Australia, until January 2018, when the last remaining permanent residents moved out. As with walking through the National Park, check the website in advance for any alerts and closures. [caption id="attachment_770596" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Creel Lodge by Murray Vanderveer/DPIE[/caption] STAY AT CREEL LODGE To make the most of your adventures, you'll need a warm, comfy place to rest your head — and, ideally, one with a cracking view. You can find just that at Creel Lodge. Located at Waste Point, overlooking Lake Jindabyne, this spot has epic views with mountain chalet comforts, like an outdoor fireplace and a large dining table for red wine and card games in the evenings. It's located within the National Park, so you're right in the heart of the action for walking trails, bike rides and water-based fun. After a day of exploring, fire up the barbecue on the deck and see if you can spot any of the resident kangaroos. The Lodge has four bedrooms and sleeps up to eight people, and in the summer months you can book in from $345 per night. Whether you're planning to travel for a couple of nights or a couple of weeks, Holiday Here This Year and you'll be supporting Australian businesses while you explore the best of our country's diverse landscapes and attractions. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy. Top image: Tourism Snowy Mountains.
It's no secret that here at Concrete Playground, we love an event or two (hundred). Every single day, our fair city is buzzing with cool, classy and downright crazy happenings. Sure, the daily grind can often leave you wanting to crawl straight into bed at tools down, but that inner culture vulture of yours needs to be fed. So, we've teamed up with uberPOOL to round up the best things to do in Sydney after work tonight. Rather than heading straight home, check out a whole bunch of free art, a martini trolley or an $8 movie and have something interesting to talk about at work tomorrow. And with Uber's newest service, which allows you to share rides with people heading in the same direction as you, getting to these events has never been easier — or cheaper (see: free). To celebrate the Australian launch, the ride-sharing service is giving you five free uberPOOL trips in select Sydney suburbs until Friday, May 11 (to be booked between 4pm and 8pm), so you can save your precious dollars for all the excellent events below. The day is still young, so figure out what you'll be doing tonight, order that uberPOOL at the closing bell and pat yourself on the back for not succumbing to the call of your usual almost-Friday Netflix and binge session.
If you're in the wretched position of being the world's biggest animal lover but you're not allowed to own a highly Instagrammable Frenchie because your landlord's a dingus, this is the event for you. Behold — the mighty, mighty Super Furry Festival, coming to Surry Hills this weekend. Billed as a "furry, fun day filled with cuddles, activities, music and animal love" the Super Furry Festival will see the most decadent array of adventures for animal lovers in Sydney. Take a breath — there'll be a doggo treasure hunt, a dog doctor, a special market of pet products and even (dog) treat from Messina — plus a kitty cuddle and a bunny snuggle tent. As well as being a delightful day out for you and your pooch, the festival will also raise awareness around pet adoption. The whole thing will be going down at Shannon Reserve from 9am on Saturday, October 14. Entry is free, because sometimes life covers you in glitter and puppies.
Cinephiles of Sydney, the city's biggest film event of the year isn't just here — it's well and truly underway. And while the 2018 Sydney Film Festival has now reached its official midway mark (not including the fest's just-announced three days of encores), don't think of it as halfway over. Instead, think of the rest of the week as the second act in a wonderful, fortnight-long cinema celebration. Given the huge array of ace titles still to come, there's no other way to look at it. Still got some room left on your flexipass? Have a few gaps to fill in your schedule? If you're wondering what to see, we're here to help once again. We've been busy spending our days, nights and every waking moment in the State Theatre, Event Cinemas George Street and SFF's other venues, watching as many movies as we can get in front of our eyes. From our viewing so far, here's ten recommendations that are still playing across the remainder of the fest. Crucially, they're all excellent flicks — and you can still nab tickets for every one of them. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URZ8WZMXP-0 COLD WAR When Cold War won the Best Director Prize at this year's Cannes Film Festival, it really didn't come as a surprise, even to those who hadn't seen it. Polish filmmaker Pawel Pawlikowski's last movie was the meticulously shot, Oscar-winning Ida, so expecting another piece of sumptuous black-and-white mastery was a fairly safe bet. And the writer/director hasn't just delivered on those expectations — he has blown them out of the water. Set over 15 years and taking inspiration from his own parents' relationship, this sweeping European romance proves an utterly devastating exploration of love, loyalty, politics and survival set against the backdrop of its titular period. While the feature looks astonishing in every perfectly-lit frame, it also boasts exceptional performances from stars Tomasz Kot and Joanna Kulig, with the latter radiant even in moments of deep sorrow. Cold War is screening at the Hayden Orpheum Cremorne this Sunday, June 17. You can book tickets here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUb_GE1trBE&feature=youtu.be FILMWORKER Whether you're a film tragic or just a casual festival goer, everyone has heard of Stanley Kubrick, the visionary behind such masterpieces as 2001: A Space Odyssey, Full Metal Jacket and Eyes Wide Shut. His righthand man for 30 years, Leon Vitali, doesn't enjoy the same recognition — a fate Filmworker aims to redress. The documentary's title gives an indication of the many roles its subject played in Kubrick's life, with Vitali inspired to work with the filmmaker after seeing A Clockwork Orange, then scoring a pivotal acting part in Barry Lyndon, and finally taking on any task he could to assist his mentor over the rest of Kubrick's career. The many behind-the-scenes clips on the likes of The Shining are a joy to behold, but it's Vitali frank recollections of his time spent helping someone else's genius that makes this movie such an astonishing film about filmmaking. Filmworker is screening at the State Theatre this Wednesday, June 13 and Event Cinemas George Street on Saturday, June 16. You can book tickets here. THE MISEDUCATION OF CAMERON POST We'd say that the second time is the charm for filmmaker Desiree Akhavan, but the first time was too. After her fantastic comedy Appropriate Behavior proved a breakout hit back in 2014, the writer-director won the Sundance Grand Jury Prize for her next effort — and deservedly so. Set inside a gay conversion camp, the feature examines the struggles faced by the teenagers forced to attend the facility. That might sound like an excuse for a standard coming-of-age tale, just within unusual confines, but the movie's insight and emotion runs much deeper than that. Plus, Chloë Grace Moretz has never been better than playing the eponymous 16-year-old, a girl torn in multiple directions by her feelings yet still refuses to give in to anyone else's ideas about her sexuality or identity, while American Honey's Sasha Lane reminds you why she should be in more films. The Miseducation of Cameron Post is screening at the Randwick Ritz this Sunday, June 17. You can book tickets here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKUtJlvYrHo&feature=youtu.be TERROR NULLIUS The best Australian film of 2018 might just be a 54-minute mashup of almost every other Aussie film ever made. Commissioned by Melbourne's Australian Centre for the Moving Image and now doing the rounds of local festivals across the rest of the country, Terror Nullius is the latest effort by Soda_Jerk, which should give you an indication of the kind of ride you're in for. The two-person artistic collective don't just smash together everything from Fury Road to Picnic at Hanging Rock to Please Like Me to BMX Bandits — with Tony Abbott's speeches, Mel Gibson's infamous hate-filled phone call and Aussie bicentennial celebrations from 1988 — but mix it all up to convey a forceful message about the current state of the nation. From the moment you hear the iconic Rage intro echoing from the screen, you'll be hooked. In the words of that Iggy Pop tune, it's a real wild child. An extra screening of Terror Nullius has been scheduled at Dendy Newtown this Monday, June 18. You can book tickets here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkhYyW1pd18&feature=youtu.be THE BREAKER UPPERERS When the cast of The Breaker Uppers walked on stage during SFF's opening night proceedings, they instantly had the crowd in stitches. When the film started, the laughter only got louder... and louder... and louder. And, thinking back on the film now, we're still laughing. Written, directed by and starring New Zealand comedians Jackie van Beek and Madeleine Sami, and executive produced by Taika Waititi, the flick is a crowdpleaser in all of the best ways, with a hilarious script, committed performances and a smart insight into the expectation that we all just want to find love and live happily after. A movie about two besties who break up unhappy couples for cash will do that, after all — and it also throws a Celine Dion music video in for good measure. An extra screening of The Breaker Upperers has been scheduled at Dendy Newtown this Tuesday, June 19. You can book tickets here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dD_LxrE9vVA&feature=youtu.be THE HEIRESSES A rich, resonant and deeply textured performance sits at the centre of this Paraguayan feature, all thanks to lead Ana Brun. A first-timer, she actually won the Berlinale's best actress prize for her portrayal of a woman suddenly faced with fending for herself when her long-term girlfriend is incarcerated for their mounting debts. Accustomed to a life of wealth and privilege, albeit one that's been slowly waning, the quiet Chela volunteers to drive the neighbourhood's ladies around, even though she doesn't have a license. When she falls for the daughter of one of her clients, writer/director Marcelo Martinessi takes the opportunity to expose the inequities of his country in a variety of ways, while also dissecting the struggles of a woman who has always had everything — other than control over her future. The Heiresses is screening at the State Theatre this Saturday, June 16 and Sunday, June 17. You can book tickets here. PIERCING You can't accuse Piercing of not knowing what it wants to be. A psychosexual drama about a man (Christopher Abbott) who wants to kill, the sex worker (Mia Wasikowska) he hires to be his unwitting victim and the kinks they end up indulging and testing together, this is a film with its own sense of style and personality right from the outset. Writer/director Nicolas Pesce might be adapting Ryū Murakami's 1994 novel, but the same distinctive flair that served his first effort, The Eyes of My Mother, so well is also evident here — just in a vastly different manner. Wasikowska particularly shines in a complex role, while the film's colourful visuals and intoxicating score add to its irresistible allure. Piercing is screening at Dendy Newtown this Wednesday, June 13. You can book tickets here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d81IM0loH7o&feature=youtu.be THE WIFE She has played everything from a bunny boiler to a calculating legal whiz to a woman living as a man during the 19th century across her lengthy career; however, in The Wife, Glenn Close is as great as she's ever been. In fact, she might even be better than that. As the movie's moniker suggests, the star takes on the role of a dutiful partner to an acclaimed writer who has just won the Nobel Prize for literature — but there's more to their story than the official version, as a reporter (Christian Slater) is eager to uncover. Every moment that Close is on screen, she offers a devastating dissection of a woman sidelined for male glory, in what proves an all-too-recognisable situation. That said, her co-star Annie Starke also impresses as the younger version of the character. The Wife is screening at the Hayden Orpheum this Wednesday, June 13 and the State Theatre on Thursday, June 14. You can book tickets here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHbUrdCXa4g YOU WERE NEVER REALLY HERE We included You Were Never Really here on our pre-festival must-see list, but we're including it again because it's just that good. After screening at Cannes in 2017 — and deservedly winning Joaquin Phoenix the festival's best actor award for his gut-wrenching performance — it has taken some time for You Were Never Really Here to make it to our shores. Don't worry, this exceptional film is completely worth the wait. It's also one of the best movies of this or any other year. The highly anticipated latest feature from We Need to Talk About Kevin's Lynne Ramsay, the dark effort follows Phoenix's Joe, an ex-soldier and FBI agent turned hitman who rescues children from sex trafficking rings. Unsurprisingly, it's a tense, bleak dive through the mindset of a man coping with several layers of trauma; however neither Ramsay or Phoenix put a foot wrong in a feature that dials up its intense revenge thrills to astounding levels. You Were Never Really Here is screening at Event Cinemas George Street this Sunday, June 17. You can book tickets here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLqxfubzHYc DAUGHTER OF MINE Another title we've already enthused over, this time at Berlinale, Daughter of Mine is one of the top picks of this year's Sydney Film Festival competition. In 2015, Italian filmmaker Laura Bispuri and actress Alba Rohrwacher teamed up for Sworn Virgin, a compelling, moving film about an Albanian woman who vows to live life in the mountains, without sex and as a man rather than adhere to traditional views about female subservience — and their second collaboration also explores ideas of femininity, but in a vastly different way. It's also excellent, and exceptionally acted. As the title suggests, motherhood is in the spotlight as Rohrwacher's strong-willed Angelica and Valeria Golino's more traditionally maternal Tina grapple not only with each other, but over what's best for ten-year-old Vittoria (Sara Casu). As a Sardinian summer rolls by, the secret that connects the trio is thrust out into the open, as is a tussle between nature and nurture that shapes a young girl's journey of discovery. Daughter of Mine is screening at the State Theatre this Thursday, June 14 and Friday, June 15. You can book tickets here. For more Sydney Film Festival picks, check out our list of ten must-see films at the fest — and our excitement over Sundance flicks Kusama: Infinity, Leave No Trace and The Guilty; our Berlinale selections such as Aga and Transit; and our Cannes standouts including Burning, Climax and Shoplifters.
There's a veritable crucible of perceptions, emotions and hysterical anticipation to consider when evaluating the penultimate film in the Harry Potter saga. This Global Phenomenon (surely deserving of capitalisation) has claimed the fervent love of at least one generation; come the release of Part 2 in 2011, kids and adults alike will have spent an entire decade with the film versions. This is all by way of saying that the first installment of J.K Rowling's Deathly Hallows tome has undergone an utterly indulgent adaptation — 146 minutes of minutely, magnificently detailed, precisely paced, decidedly dark fare — and the fans wouldn't have it any other way. Director David Yates, who has been helming the franchise since 2007s Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, flexes his muscles with an opening extreme close-up shot of Minister of Magic Rufus Scrimgeour's (Bill Nighy) eyes as he ominously intones, "These are dark times." Yates and screenwriter Steve Kloves are unafraid of taking Rowling's story into the markedly more mature realm she outlines on the page; it's one made even more boldly disquieting with the striking visual allusions to the Inquisition and WWII eras, especially with regards to the ethnic cleansing of the Muggles. That said, Yates is not without a sense of humour; in one scene you can spy a hilariously titled piece of propaganda When Muggles Attack. A quick recap (SPOILER alert!): Dumbledore is dead. Voldermort (Ralph Fiennes) is wreaking havoc, and has Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) splashed across the papers as enemy no. 1. After a series of ruthless attacks, Harry, Hermione (Emma Watson) and Ron (Rupert Grint) go on the run, trying to stay one step ahead of the hoards of Voldermort's nightmarish 'Snatchers'. The trio are also on the hunt for the remaining Horcruxes (splinters of Voldermort's soul that sustain his immortality), at which point you can be forgiven for confusing the film with The Lord of the Rings. Even if one can argue Tolkien doesn't have the patent on the quest storyline, the similarities are frustratingly apparent, even including an unearthly apparition that uses the same visual effect as Galadriel's ghostly transformation. Fortunately, however, Yates is blessed with some true geniuses in composer Alexandre Desplat and cinematographer Eduardo Serra, who conspire to create some of the most sublimely beautiful tableaux you're likely to see this year out the plot's relative, derivative, monotony. In fact one could wager Yates wants his audience to experience the tedium — punctuating it as he does with spine-tingling action — as well as the the hormone charged angst and the slow burn build up of tension for what promises to be a staggering climax in Part 2, and in 3D no less. It is definitely for the best that the production halted its mad dash 3D conversion for this installment (Serra's artistry is too thrilling to be ruined by a bad 3D render), but given the actors, director and entire production team are all now playing their A-Game, Part 2 could be absolutely magic. https://youtube.com/watch?v=SuYTztUNWIs
Getting around Vivid can be thirsty work. There's so much to see, eat and do — from immersive experiences in Netflix's Stranger Things at Luna Park to a plethora of live performances at the Opera House. But the good news is that Henley's at King Street Bar and Wharf is inviting you over for a pit stop. Drop by from 5pm any evening during the festival and you'll be treated to Vivid Fiesta, which translates to margaritas and Mexican fare at a fraction of the usual price. More specifically, Henley's is offering a snacky spread for two for $49. You'll each get a margarita — be it classic, mango, strawberry, passionfruit, or spicy watermelon — alongside a serving of guacamole and corn chips, plus your choice of two tacos. Don't want to miss out on any of the action while you're resting? Don't worry. Henley's is right on the water, so you'll still have lovely views.
What a year it's been for Violent Soho. The Brisbane lads' sold-out national tours in July and December went gangbusters, and they've stolen the show at many of Australia’s leading festivals including Splendour in the Grass, Groovin' the Moo and triple j's One Night Stand. They've dominated the Carlton Dry Independent Music Awards, with four nominations — more than any other artist nominated — and two awards for their critically-acclaimed album, Hungry Ghost: Best Independent Album and Best Independent Hard Rock, Heavy or Punk Album. Just this weekend, they've slayed their final festival before Christmas; the foursome headlined Festival of the Sun on Saturday. When we called guitarist James Tidswell to catch up on this year thus far, he's sitting in his backyard eating strewed apple and quinoa, and hanging out with his baby girl who was born in May this year. Bless. But back to the rock and roll stuff — here are five reasons why Violent Soho are a top bunch of blokes for the Australian market. THEY'RE GREAT MATES WITH OTHER BANDS During their Hungry Ghost national tour this past July, Violent Soho played to massive crowds all over the country. While there was plenty of fun to be had on stage, Tidswell was at his happiest watching the support bands do their thing. "I watched every band every night," says Tidswell. "Highlights were Sounds Like Sunset — they opened the Friday Sydney show. Every night Luca Brasi and Smith Street Band ruled. White Walls were awesome. Ceres were awesome. A whole bunch of bands really, they were the highlights." On a side note, the band also loved how rowdy their fans got, even on a school night. "The show in Sydney on the Tuesday night was surprisingly good, I guess that's only because it was a Tuesday and I didn't expect it to go off quite like that, but that was awesome." THEY'RE A DEMOCRACY Violent Soho had the great honour of programming RAGE in August, and the show was inevitably what can only described as rad. The lads included the likes of Frenzal Rhomb, Sandpit, The Drones and Dune Rats on their video playlist. Anyone who has ever tried to compile a party playlist with your mates knows that you can't always get what you want. But it doesn't have to be that way, at least not for the Violent Soho guys. "We got 16 songs each, we just went up and did our own thing," explains Tidswell. "We all chose things for different reasons. I know that Mikey went for videos that you'd want to see late at night, so he chose The Ramones' Pet Cemetery, which has a rad video, and stuff like that. Everyone went for different things." Tidswell chose songs he loves, and thinks you should love too. "I went for songs that I really like and wanted other people to like, or at least hear. I think it was heaps of friend's bands." THEY WOULD RIP A GUMBOOT BONG GIVEN THE CHANCE A couple of truly awesome things happened during Violent Soho's set at Splendour this year. Firstly, bassist Luke Henery's three-year-old son Oscar came out on stage with the band and won the hearts of thousands. Secondly, a dude ripped a gumboot bong. When asked if he would do the same thing if the opportunity ever arose, Tidswell didn’t hesitate with a response. "Ha! Yeah I would! When I saw it I thought it was so cool. I didn't see it happening, I saw the photo later on. What a legend. I'd definitely do that, I think it’s the smartest move." If it's good enough for their fans, it's good enough for Violent Soho. FACT. THEY TAKE IT ALL IN THEIR STRIDE Hungry Ghost was released in the States at the end of September and while the record itself wasn't be harmed, their single 'Covered In Chrome' had to undergo a radio edit for the famous catch cry "Hell Fuck Yeah". Instead of this being a major bummer, Tidswell shrugs it off with ease. "It's just for the radio release. We knew we had to do that anyway. We released a song there in 2010 called 'Muscle Junkie' and the lyrics go 'fuck you fuck you I hate your face' over and over again. We knew you couldn't just put fuck on a song on the radio over there." In other band news, Violent Soho have also completed their second vinyl pressing for Hungry Ghost, which sold out in less than 24 hours. When asked if the widespread appreciation for their third record felt overwhelming, his response is simple. "Yeah. That's the only way to describe it, for sure." THEY JUST NAILED FESTIVAL OF THE SUN The final stop for this year’s festival circuit for Violent Soho was Festival Of The Sun’s 10th anniversary in Port Macquarie. Joined by the Jezabels, Shihad, Dune Rats and Jackie Onassis for the two-day festival, the guys were, true to form, keen to see some music as well as playing it. "There's tons of good bands playing, so that will be good." There's plenty to be happy about playing at Festival Of The Sun according to Tidswell, as he explains, "It’s just in a good area, a real good spot... Good bands, good people in that area, I like it." What's next then? For the rest of the year, Tidswell will continue to enjoy his downtime of hangouts in Brissy, skating, having breakfast in the backyard at 1pm, and hanging out with his little lady. Delightful. Image credits: AP Photography, Stephen Booth.
There's nothing quite like a rooftop bottomless brunch with Sydney skyline views to ring in the start of spring. Take advantage of the warm weather and longer days at a Brunch n' Boujee session at Lady Banks Rooftop. The Bankstown bar, which boasts panoramic views from the city to the Blue Mountains, has started a monthly bottomless brunch on the first Sunday of each month. For $79 per person, you'll get a choice of a savoury main alongside unlimited pancakes and waffles with your choice of toppings. The savoury options include eggs benedict with lobster mornay, avocado and crab or truffled mushroom and spinach. You can also choose from smashed avocado flatbread with harissa eggs, pulled lamb flatbread with yoghurt and coriander, breakfast hash with chorizo or a brunch burger. And of course, you can enjoy bottomless bloody marys or marias, mimosas, grapefruit bellinis or prosecco with your meal. Brunch n' Boujee will be held on the first Sunday of every month, so make sure you snag a table before they book out. Find out more and book in for the next session on Sunday, October 1 at the Lady Banks Rooftop website.
To explore the workings of space-flight, ponder eco-houses or the skirting boards of trams, the Powerhouse Boiler Room is usually the place to be. Once a month, the gears of fertile minds are also put on show in its Mezzanine as part of Vibewire's fastBREAK series. With the sleek morning accoutrements of cheap breakfast and swish digs, you can listen to bright young things from a range of creative industries talk about what they do. This final fastBREAK for 2010 runs along the theme of love, and each of its five speakers loves their field. Jono Fisher's burn-out from the business world lead him to work as a nanny, which lead in turn to the germ of Wakeup Sydney's anti-pyramid of kindness. Vicky Roberts was part of the passion in the 2004 Olympics' Australian Women's Rowing team, Luke Escombe serenades with flippant Flip-Flop hip-hop, while Chris Thé authors the much-adored Black Star pastries spread at the fastBREAK buffet. Also speaking will be the Blood and Thunder-publishing, Rizzeria-loving Kernow Craig. Each will talk for five minutes, then get chatting with the audience. And after that, well — work. But maybe a good breakfast will allow you to love it just a little bit more. Image by learnscope.
Watching a Sir David Attenborough documentary means being left with two strong feelings: wanting to see the world exactly the way that the iconic broadcaster does, and wishing to always hear his narration as you walk across the planet. Consider the BBC Earth Experience the closest thing to making both happen. It takes footage from Attenborough's Seven Worlds, One Planet series, turns it into a 360-degree walk-through audiovisual event, and has the natural historian and living treasure echo while you wander. The BBC Earth Experience debuted in London in March 2023, which is excellent news if a UK holiday has been on your agenda. Here's a better development: this spring, it's heading Down Under. Melbourne will become only the second city in the world to host this spectacular sight, kicking off on Friday, October 27 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre in what'll be an Australian-exclusive season. The experience uses cutting-edge digital-projection technology to surround attendees in visuals from the earth's seven continents, with everything from fireflies in North America to cassowary fathers and their chicks in Australia on display. In London, the attraction sprawls across more than 1600 square metres, featuring spaces dedicated to the planet seen at microscopic scale, via drone footage and on the ocean floor, too, as part of a self-guided tour that also heroes starfish, elephant seals, snub-nosed monkeys, hamsters and more. If you've already watched Seven Worlds, One Planet, you won't just be greeted by material you've already seen, but larger. The scale of the event's imagery is hefty — epic, even — but BBC Earth Experience also includes extended scenes from the show, plus bespoke narration by Attenborough. The mission is truly to make the audience feel like they've stepped right into the footage, all thanks to multi-angle screens. And, it's designed to cater to existing Seven Worlds, One Planet fans and newcomers alike. [caption id="attachment_916095" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Alex Board, BBC Natural History Unit.[/caption] In Melbourne, offering up an educational experience for young patrons is also a big aim. There'll be a classroom space onsite, plus resources curated for teachers. Given how long that Attenborough has been making nature documentaries, including with the BBC Studios Natural History Unit, here's hoping that more of his work gets this kind of experience-focused treatment. Bringing Prehistoric Planet and its sequel series to life? Add that to the wish list. "Melbourne is the only city in Australia that will host the incredible BBC Earth Experience, which will attract thousands of visitors to enjoy everything on offer in our city while supporting jobs across the tourism and events sector," said Victorian Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos, announcing the event's stint Down Under. "This collaboration with Visit Victoria, BBC Studios and Moon Eye Productions will deliver a spectacular and educational experience unlike any other," added Live Nation Australia Vice President of Touring Luke Hede. "Sir David Attenborough is a global treasure, and the BBC Earth Experience marries his message about the challenges nature faces in today's world alongside the world's most incredible footage. Victorians and visitors to the state are in for a real treat." The BBC Earth Experience will open in Australia at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, South Wharf, Melbourne on Friday, October 27, 2023 — head to the event website for further details and tickets. BBC Earth Experience images: Philip Volkers / BBC.
Kensington's UNSW Bookshop is not your average uni bookstore — the award-winning shop has taken home the Campus Bookseller of the Year award in 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2017. But its brand new facelift has revealed that the store isn't limited to uni students anymore, either. As well as its array of titles, the shop now houses an international café, reading room and event space. And it's all open to the public. The newly refurbished digs span an upgraded 430 square metres and has been designed by SJB Architects to act as a 'community hub'. The result is a series of rooms to browse, read and relax in. Expect a wide range of books on sale, from national and global best sellers to illustrated art, architecture and travel — as well as, of course educational books, UNSW course materials and branded merchandise. Also within the bookstore, but independently operated, is Atomic Press Café, a New Zealand coffee roaster. It's serving up seasonal café fare, takeaway sandwiches and salads, baked goods and its coffee seven days per week. There's space for 40 all up, and you can grab a seat either inside or out to sip a latte and read your new book. This is the brand's only current Australian shopfront. The revamped space has also allowed for a larger events program, including book launches, author talks, book clubs and student nights.
The historic Abercrombie Hotel has suffered "sufficient damage" as the result of a suspicious fire early this morning. Emergency services were called to the pub around 2.40am to find the ground floor of the building engulfed in flames. Firefighters successfully doused the fire, but not before it could wreak havoc on the ground floor; the upper levels were also left with smoke and water damage, according to police. Police established a crime scene at the corner of Broadway and Abercrombie Streets and are reportedly treating the fire as suspicious. Gas bottles, fuel containers, and a sledgehammer were recovered from inside the pub. Despite this morning's reports from the SMH, part-owner Jaime Wirth told Concrete Playground that his pub maintains no connections to nightclub boss John Ibrahim. "The only details I have about the fire are from the SMH at this stage. I'm in Bali and have just woken up to it," said Wirth. "The Abercrombie has no links to John Ibrahim, and we have asked these false reports be removed." The Abercrombie was once a popular live music venue, until it closed its doors in January 2010 in order to make room for commercial construction. In July, it was announced that the pub would reopen. Now a popular uni student hangout, the Abercrombie was originally established to serve local Carlton United Brewery labourers in the once-industrial neighbourhood.
Nevada's epic desert-based arts festival, Burning Man, is currently postponed due to nasty, nasty desert rain. The festival organisers, who have been keeping festivalgoers updated on Twitter, have officially shut down the main entrance after severe rain. With 70,000 'burners' expected to attend this year, holding up traffic much longer could prove a problem for the BM team. Rain continuing. Please do not come to Burning Man until you hear otherwise from official channels. — Burning Man Traffic (@bmantraffic) August 25, 2014 If you're not across it, Black Rock Desert's awaited annual festival hinges around the establishment of a temporary, trade-based community in the desert, sees the building of countless, epic art installations and outdoor live sets over the course of a week — not the ideal itinerary for bucketing rain. A long way from its humble San Francisco beginnings in 1986, founder Larry Harvey's desert bacchanal now has over 50 permanent staff, an army of volunteers and a seriously million-dollar budget, so the team won't be taking any willy nilly chances on this unexpected storm. The standing water has created a muddy mess, Bureau of Land Management dispatcher Mike Wilke told the Reno Gazette-Journal, so countless vehicles are being turned around on State Highway 447. Burning Man's tweets suggest the doors won't open until Tuesday midday at this point: BRC is closed until midday Tuesday due to rain and standing water. At the request of organizers, law enforcement is turning cars back. — Burning Man Traffic (@bmantraffic) August 25, 2014 With a fair bit of backlash this year surrounding the attendance of too many cashed-up techies (read: Sillicon valley billionaires), Burning Man punters are hoping the posers get disheartened by wet feet and Actually Camping. Via San Francisco Chronicle. Image: Reuters/Jim Urquhart.
The ol' nine to five (or really six-thirty, seven o'clock) can be tough. With getting up on time, pretending to be awake during meetings and making deadlines, there's little brain space left for deciding where to have lunch each day. Never fear comrades, we've got you covered. We've teamed up with Australia Square to bring you the best places to break for lunch all week long. [caption id="attachment_688489" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Thr1ve, supplied.[/caption] MONDAY If the weekend involved more drinks and grease food than were wise, then set things straight for the week ahead with lunch at Thr1ve. Build your own nourishing lunch bowl, starting with a protein of your choice — such as chicken, slow-cooked pulled beef in barbecue sauce, chicken satay, salmon fish cakes, scrambled eggs or marinated silk tofu for the herbivores — then plump things up with fresh salad and dressing. If you're lunching on the run, grab a freshly made wrap (from $7.50) and head back to your desk knowing you've started the week on the right track. [caption id="attachment_688956" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ryans Bar, supplied.[/caption] TUESDAY Tuesday. It's so far away from Friday afternoon. No matter — congratulate yourself for making it through over twenty per cent of the working week by hitting Ryan's Bar for lunch. Put deadlines aside and join the throng around the fountain to watch the world go by for a while. On Tuesdays, you can get a small pizza and a schooner of Coopers for a cool $15. Aside from the strong pizza game, you can also choose from the holy trinity of Aussie pub offerings: fish and chips, schnitties or burgers. Or, if you're feeling virtuous, salad nicoise may be more up your alley. [caption id="attachment_689333" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Catch 22, supplied.[/caption] WEDNESDAY Work hours can sure seem long. Give your cooked brain a boost with some lunchtime omega-3s at Catch 22. If you're feeling traditional go for made-to-order battered NZ hoki and chips, or lighten things up with grilled fish served with garden salad and rice. Best of all, at under $11, you'll have plenty of change in your pockets by the time the weekend rolls around. [caption id="attachment_673446" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bellucci, Chelsey Rader.[/caption] THURSDAY Step away from your desk and smell the parmesan at Bellucci. This alfresco eatery atop of Australia Square offers the chance to get some wind in your work sails before heading back to the office. Former Fratelli Paradiso head chef, Teofilo Nobrega is behind the pans, so it's not surprising that the menu features tasty pizza and pasta. Escape reality for an hour and pretend you're in Italy by ordering an alpina porcini pizza ($21), lamb ragu pappardelle ($25) or saffron linguine with crab and chilli ($27). Or if the boss is calling, grab a freshly made panini ($10–12) to go. [caption id="attachment_688954" align="alignnone" width="1920"] O Bar and Dining, supplied.[/caption] FRIDAY Remember when it was only Tuesday? Well, congratulations are in order because you made it all the way through to the end of the working week. To celebrate, go high into the sky and treat yourself to lunch at O Bar. Head chef Michael Moore's menu offers deliciousness without steering towards decadence. Think fresh seafood, seared meats and jazzed-up grains. Taking in the rotating view from the floor-to-ceiling glass windows, you'll forget those unanswered emails as you gaze over the harbour, and by the time you do a full revolution and reach the harbour sights again, those emails will be but a distant memory — a Monday problem if you will. For a full list of Australia Square's food and drink venues, visit the website.
When December 2023 hits, it will have been four decades since David Byrne walked out onto a Hollywood stage with a tape deck, pressed play and, while standing there solo, began to sing 'Psycho Killer'. It'll also be 40 years since then-future The Silence of the Lambs Oscar-winner Jonathan Demme directed cameras towards the legendary Talking Heads' frontman, recording the results for concert film Stop Making Sense. What's the best way to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the event behind the greatest concert film ever made? By watching it, as A24 is here to help with. As well as releasing Close, Beau Is Afraid, You Hurt My Feelings, Past Lives, Beef and smash-hit Australian horror movie Talk to Me in 2023, the cult-favourite independent film and TV company is bringing a completely restored version of Stop Making Sense back to the big screen where it belongs. Madman is distributing the concert flick Down Under, where it'll get everyone wanting to wear big suits from Thursday, November 9. When it starts burning down select picture palaces around Australia, all 88 glorious minutes of Stop Making Sense will screen in 4K, as premiered at this year's Toronto International Film Festival — and also has a date with SXSW Sydney's Screen Festival in October. So, no it isn't the same as it ever was: Stop Making Sense is now even better. Stop Making Sense isn't just iconic for how it starts, which definitely isn't how concerts usually kick off. From there, as captured at Hollywood's Pantages Theatre in December 1983, David Byrne, Tina Weymouth, Chris Frantz and Jerry Harrison put on one helluva show in support of their previous year's album Speaking in Tongues. Expect a lineup of hits, a playful approach, Byrne's famous oversized attire and even heftier stage presence, and the feeling that you're virtually in the room. Indeed, everything about this energetic and precisely executed documentary, which records the set from start to finish, couldn't be further from the standard concert flick. As 'Once in a Lifetime', 'Heaven', 'Burning Down the House', Life During Wartime', 'This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)', 'Genius of Love' and more get a whirl, each element of the film is that fine-tuned, and every aspect of the band's performance, too. And if it feels like Byrne was on-screen not that long ago, that's because his Spike Lee (Da 5 Bloods)-directed solo concert movie American Utopia did the rounds of Aussie cinemas back in 2020 — and proved one of that year's absolute best films. Check out the trailer for Stop Making Sense's 4K restoration below: Stop Making Sense will screen in Australian cinemas from Thursday, November 9. Images: Jordan Cronenweth, Courtesy of A24.
When Craig Wedren and Anna Waronker's 'No Return' starts playing over Yellowjackets' opening credits, it couldn't be more perfect for a variety of reasons. With its 90s-style sound, the tune fits the show's mood exactly. Its title sums up one of its biggest themes, too. And, those two words also ring true for viewers — because when you watch this immediately intriguing, excellent and addictive series, which follows the fallout from plane crash, there's no turning back to a time when you weren't obsessed with it. Hungry for more? After proving one of 2021's best new series and quickly getting picked up for a second season, Yellowjackets has locked in a return date. Bust out your best 90s-appropriate threads and start learning survival skills again, because the series will start unfurling its next batch of episodes from Friday, March 24, 2023 via Paramount+ in Australia and Neon in New Zealand. In just-as-exciting news, that season-two date was accompanied by very brief sneak that's filled with snow, the show's creepy symbol, knives and blood. It doesn't drop any narrative details or provide any glimpses at the show's stacked – and growing — cast, but it's filled with classic Yellowjackets eeriness, as a series about a New Jersey high school's girls soccer team after they crash in the forest and possibly turn to cannibalism should be. If you're new to the series, it jumps between that 90s tragedy and the survivors 25 years later. In their high-school prime, Shauna (Don't Look Up's Melanie Lynskey as an adult, and also The Kid Detective's Sophie Nélisse as a teenager), Natalie (Welcome to Chippendales' Juliette Lewis, plus The Book of Boba Fett's Sophie Thatcher) and Taissa (Billions' Tawny Cypress, and also Scream's Jasmin Savoy Brown) were key players on the titular high-achieving squad, while Misty (Wednesday's Christina Ricci, as well as Shameless' Samantha Hanratty) was the squad's frequently bullied student manager. Then, en route to a big match in Seattle on a private plane in 1996, they entered Lost territory. That accident saw everyone who walked away from the accident stranded in the wilderness — and those who then made it through that ordeal stuck out there for 19 months, living their worst Alive-meets-Lord of the Flies lives. Season two will pick up after plenty of chaos in both timeframes, and with new faces among the cast. Introducing more of the team in their adult guise is very much on the agenda, including Simone Kessell (Muru) playing the older Lottie and Lauren Ambrose (Servant) as the older Van. In their younger years, both characters are played by Australian actors, with Courtney Eaton (Mad Max: Fury Road) as Lottie and and Liv Hewson (Santa Clarita Diet) as Van. Also joining the show: Elijah Wood, who is no stranger to leafy surroundings thanks to his time in the Lord of the Rings franchise. He'll play Walter, a citizen detective who is set to challenge Misty — the adult version, presumably. Check out Yellowjackets' first teaser for season two below: Season two of Yellowjackets will start streaming from Friday, March 24, 2023 via Paramount+ in Australia and Neon in New Zealand. Read our review of season one.
Lime Cordiale are showing some love to some of Australia's biggest regional hubs on a new tour that will see them performing in RSL clubs and intimate venues along the east coast. Spanning eight shows stretching between the Sunshine Coast and Frankston, the Fantastical Country Club Experience will deliver the band's catalogue of beloved hits, plus tracks from their upcoming third studio album, to cities and towns that are often missed on major national tours. The tour will kick off just north of Sydney with a pair of shows at the Dee Why RSL on Friday, March 17 and Sunday, March 19. From there, Lime Cordiale will head to Wollongong's Waves, Beer Deluxe in Albury, The Pier in Frankston, Venue 114 on the Sunshine Coast, Panthers Port Macquarie and, finally, The Coliseum in Rooty Hill on Sunday, April 15. Two of the stops — Dee Why RSL on March 19 and Venue 114 on Saturday, April 8 — are all-ages affairs, meaning Lime Cordiale fans young and old on the Central Coast and the Sunshine Coast can head along. The infectious five-piece will be joined by upcoming singer-songwriter Aleksiah on all eight dates, as well as Gold Coast musician Bella Amor in Dee Why, Wollongong and Albury, and sunny four-piece Coterie across the final four shows of the tour. Lime Cordiale recently landed four songs in Triple J's Hottest 100 of 2022 including 'Holy Moley', their latest in a series of collaborations with the multi-talented British actor, DJ and musician Idris Elba. Their upcoming album hasn't been given a name or release date yet, but it's set to feature recent singles 'Colin', 'Country Club' and 'Facts of Life'. LIME CORDIALE'S FANTASTICAL COUNTRY CLUB TOUR 2023: Friday, March 17 and Sunday, March 19 — Dee Why RSL Friday, March 24 — Waves, Wollongong Friday, March 31 — Beer Deluxe, Albury Sunday, April 2 — The Pier, Frankston Saturday, April 8 — Venue 114, Sunshine Coast Sunday, April 9 — Panthers, Port Macquarie Saturday, April 15 — The Coliseum, Rooty Hill Lime Cordiale will tour the east coast of Australia in March and April. Tickets to the 'Fantastical Country Club Tour' are on sale now.
