With her song and record titles — her lyrics as well — Courtney Barnett has long found the words to express how many people feel. It's a knack, talent and gift, and it's helped her rocket to Australian fame and global success within a decade of releasing her debut EP in 2012. As thoughtful and captivating documentary Anonymous Club shows, it's also something she's frequently asked about in interviews. But expressing those lines and the emotions behind them with a guitar and microphone as weapons, plus a riotous melody as armour, is different to sharing them quietly one on one. Directed by her long-time collaborator Danny Cohen, who has helmed a number of her music videos, Anonymous Club begins with this reality. Barnett can pour her heart, soul and observations about life's chaos into the tunes that've made her a household name, achieving something that few others can; when she's on the spot, however, she's as uncertain and awkward as the rest of us. Barnett's way with words and wordplay in her work, and her lack thereof elsewhere, thrums through Anonymous Club like a catchy riff. The subject doesn't fade, burrowing into the film as an earworm of a song inside a listener's head does, and feature first-timer Cohen doesn't want it to. His movie was shot over three years, starting in 2018, which places it between Barnett's second studio album and her third — and knowing that makes the phrases from their titles, and from her debut record also, echo with resonance throughout the doco. Anonymous Club could've been called Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit, like its subject's first album in 2015. Tell Me How You Really Feel from 2018 would've worked as well. And, yes, Things Take Time, Take Time would've been apt, too, concluding a line of thinking that the film invites anyway — ultimately finding its moniker in a Barnett track from 2014, before all those releases. Across two tours spanning Europe, the US and Asia, plus stints in Melbourne, Anonymous Club watches Barnett sit and think, and sometimes just sit. It tasks the singer/songwriter with telling how she really feels, and shows her realising the truth that things take time. All of the above is captured on glorious 16-millimetre film and, even within a mere 83 minutes, the backstage documentary is overwhelming comprised of these ruminative, reflective moments — of snatches of Barnett's life caught as she hops between rooms that aren't her own, be it stages or green rooms or hotels or homes she's housesitting. Her thoughts and feelings come via brief chatter in front of the lens (or, more accurately, with the unseen Cohen behind it, shooting with a camera customised to record synchronised sound), and from overlaid snippets of the audio diary he asked her to keep. That's a job she tussles with — more words, more on-the-spot candour rather than deliberated-over lyrics, more struggles — but she still stuck at it for the project's duration. Frank, earnest and honest, so much of what's uttered is as revelatory as everything that Barnett has sung over the years. She confides in the fly-on-the-wall film via her Dictaphone recordings; as a result, a highly poised, posed, image-conscious portrait, this isn't. "I don't know what the fuck I'm talking about anymore. I just feel like I'm going around in circles and digging myself a deeper hole," she says at one point, and many other statements have the same tone. Jumping from America to Japan to Germany and elsewhere, life on the road gets to her. Back in Australia, life without a fixed space to call her own after spending so long touring has a similar impact. "My heart is empty, my head is empty, the page is empty," she offers, another telling statement. "It feels like I'm being part of this scripted performance of what we think we're supposed to see on stage, and it just feels really pointless," she also advises. There's raw feeling behind these words, and Cohen wouldn't have it any other way; Barnett uses her work to wittily and astutely contemplate everyday life, and he does the same with her rockstar existence in his doco. Of course, one of its insights, blatant as it proves, is how anti-rockstar the indie musician's day-to-day reality is. She gets excited about gold in her Berlin lodgings, her unassuming vibe has crowds mesmerised during her shows, and she needs prompting about lyrics when one fan asks her to sign his t-shirt with her own — but much of her days, as seen here, are a quiet, busy shuffle from place to place with swathes of downtime and alone time. Cohen and editor Ben Hall (another veteran of Barnett's videos) convey this in the movie's structure, too. The big-ticket parts of the tours — the gigs, travelling, and interviews with Jimmy Fallon and Ellen DeGeneres — whiz by, while the gap around them lingers. Anonymous Club is a music documentary, but it isn't a concert movie. It knows where Barnett's career is at, the path she took to get there and how she's regarded, but it isn't a career overview or talking head-filled tribute. It features gig footage, but largely spliced into montages instead of as whole songs played on-stage. It thoroughly avoids other chattering figures — be it fellow musicians offering their praise, experts and commentators, or friends and family — in favour of its intimate, personal, in-the-room, inner monologue-driven approach. It's a road movie, but it's about the experience of being on tour over the tour itself or the places visited. Anonymous Club is about spending time and hanging out with Barnett, and about what it's like to be Barnett; melancholy, anxiousness, claustrophobia, doubt, fears, malaise and imposter syndrome come with the territory, relatably so. Cohen isn't advising viewers that stars are people too, though. Again, this isn't that kind of message-pushing, persona-redefining doco. He makes it plain that this one figure is a person first and a famous musician second — and chronicles the process of constantly juggling and balancing the two, and the impact upon her mental health. His chosen aesthetic suits the job perfectly, playing like warm, soft, unprocessed memories, and also relishing blue shades in both pensive and hopeful moments. As its revealing journey is wrapping up, Barnett finds herself more in the second category, and has the words to explain it. "My albums won't be with me on my deathbed holding my hand," she notes. "This film will not be with us as we lie dying — but I'd like to think in the bigger scheme of things, it will live on and help other people, or inspire other people, or create some sort of conversation."
"Shaken, not stirred." At Le Martini, those three words are bound to be uttered frequently. Shaken martinis are indeed on the menu. If you prefer your cocktail stirred, that's fine, too. Wet, dry, whatever else takes the watering hole's guest bartenders' fancy: that's what you'll find at the world's first-ever Grey Goose martini bar. James Bond is a fictional character, but if literature and cinema's super-suave spy was real, he'd be interested in this spot — and he'd have to head to Australia to check it out. When Le Martini opens its doors on Friday, May 24, Melbourne will the bar's home, giving the city martini-swilling bragging rights over everywhere else on the planet. Initially announced back in March, this 34-seat watering hole on the ground floor at Crown Melbourne isn't just heroing one kind of tipple. It's also about one variety of vodka. The aforementioned visiting bartenders will whip up their favourites, starting with New York's Dale DeGroff, whose career dates back to the Rainbow Room in the 80s. Accordingly, head by from 5pm–late Thursday–Sunday and DeGroff's Harry's Original, Grey Goose Millennium Dry and Grey Goose Martinié Speciale are your choices. The first takes its cues from the 1888 Harry Johnson martini, which was the first martini recipe with five ingredients to ever make it to print. The second serves up a crisp taste, while the third uses blanc vermouth, sauternes and a Sicilian olive. Don't know which type of martini suits you best? Le Martini's bartenders will assist. And to pair with the martinis, martinis and more martinis, French bites using local Victorian produce are on offer, with Bistro Guillaume at Crown Melbourne responsible for the culinary range. Oysters come with a mignonette, whipped cod roe baguettes and gildas are among the options, and so is a caviar with blinis and creme fraiche. While sitting beneath glass chandeliers, you'll definitely know that this is a Grey Goose bar; a window displaying the brand's bottles will remind you even when you don't have the taste of your martini on your lips. The space also splashes around blue on its walls, as well as its velvet curtains and banquette seats, and includes geese etched into its mirrors. Find Le Martini on the ground floor at Crown Melbourne, Southbank from Friday, May 24, 2024 — open from 5pm–late Thursday–Sunday. Head to the venue's website for more details.
Sydney Writers' Festival last night launched its 2018 program at its new hub of Carriageworks, unveiling a powerful lineup of speakers and guests to match a very powerful theme. Artistic Director Michaela McGuire announced the festival's 21st edition, which runs from April 30 until May 6, will dive deep into an exploration of "power and its adjacent qualities, and its relationship to sex, money, politics, identity, and the state of the world". Headlining this year's impressive group of big-name guests are three international literary legends, including André Aciman — author of novel Call Me By Your Name, which inspired the coming-of-age big screen drama of the same title. He'll take the stage for a talk centred around ideas of power, along with Korean-American author Min Jin Lee, and Alexis Okeowo, who penned the award-winning A Moonless, Starless Sky. Other international heavyweights on the bill include Amy Bloom — discussing her bestselling story about the affair between First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and a journalist — as well as The New Yorker's Ben Taub on his time in Syria, and Robert E. Kelly, the 'BBC Dad' from that fateful TV interview. Meanwhile, Robert Drewe, Jane Harper, Helen Garner and The Slap's Christos Tsiolkas are just some of the talent flying the flag for Australia's literary scene. Festival goers will also have the chance to hear from a swag of politicians-turned-writers, including Jacqui Lambie, Sam Dastyari and former Prime Minister Julia Gillard. The hefty event program includes what promises to be a huge SWF Gala at Sydney Town Hall, an all-day YA literary festival and a host of great family-friendly events. Tickets to the 2018 Sydney Writers' Festival are on sale now and you can grab yours at swf.org.au. Images: Prudence Upton.
Perhaps you're a Brisbanite eager to head to another state. Maybe you live elsewhere in Australia, but you're keen on holidaying in Queensland; summer is in full swing, after all. Either way, the Sunshine State is set to reopen its borders to quarantine-free travel, allowing in double-vaccinated interstate visitors from all around the country without a stint in isolation — even from places deemed hotspots. That means that whether you're a local keen to visit Sydney or Melbourne and then return home, or you reside in those cities and you've been dreaming of a sunny beach holiday, that'll be able to become a reality at 1am AEST / 2am AEDT on Monday, December 13. Queensland was already scheduled to ease its border restrictions in exactly this way, but not until Friday, December 17, so this is happening five days early. The reason? As flagged back when the Sunshine State started allowing folks from hotspots into Queensland if they went into quarantine — in November, when the state hit the 70-percent double-vaccinated mark ahead of schedule — the latest reopening stage has been fast-tracked because of high jab rates. Queensland will reach the 80-percent double-vaccinated mark earlier than expected, hence the new border reopening date. BREAKING: Queensland will reopen at 1am on 13 December as we move towards the 80% vaccination milestone earlier than expected. Nominating a time and date for reopening gives everyone certainty to book flights and accommodation and make plans to visit loved ones. pic.twitter.com/lYWnKoAUAk — Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) December 6, 2021 Announcing the news, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said that "we can't predict exactly when [Queensland will hit 80-percent double-vaxxed], but we know it's going to be this week. And I'm very conscious that we want to give people certainty. We want to give families certainty, and businesses certainty." The Premier also confirmed two other changes: that folks will be classed as double-vaccinated one week after getting their second jab, not two; and that all arrivals from domestic hotspots will need to get another COVID-19 test on day five after their arrival in Queensland. Double-jabbed interstate travellers still have to test negative in the 72 hours getting to Queensland, too — and anyone who isn't double-vaxxed will still be required to go into hotel quarantine for 14 days. Only double-vaccinated visitors can arrive by both air and road, with air the only option if you aren't vaxxed. Also, double-jabbed border residents will be able to move freely across the border if they have a border pass — no testing required — which is excellent news for people on the Gold Coast and in northern New South Wales. Queensland's rules around international travel will change as well come Monday, December 13, with double-vaccinated overseas travellers able to undertake 14 days of home quarantine — if they've also received a negative COVID-19 test result in the 72 hours before getting to Queensland. They'll be tested upon arrival, too. That said, the Sunshine State will still wait until Friday, December 17 to start its new rules regarding visiting venues. From that date, as previously announced, you'll need to be double-jabbed to enter places such as restaurants, bars, cafes, cinemas, stadiums, festivals, libraries, galleries and museums — but all of those types of sites across the hospitality and entertainment industries will completely ditch capacity restrictions. Queensland's border rules will ease at 1am AEST / 2am AEST on Monday, November 13. For more information about Queensland's border policies and border passes, head to the Queensland Government website.
If you're the type of traveller who chooses their hotels for the perks and extra inclusions, then you'll be particularly excited about an upcoming new addition to Melbourne's accommodation offerings. Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne on Spencer is set to launch sometime this May, marking the Swiss brand's second site in Australia, after Mövenpick Hotel Hobart opened earlier in the year — and if either the chain's name or its country of origin have you thinking of sweet treats, yes, they're part of the hotel's menu. For starters, Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne will be celebrating chocolate hour every afternoon. Going on the Hobart setup, that's when you'll receive a free dessert — such as an eclair, brownie or truffle — when you purchase a chocolate-flavoured cocktail, mocktail or affogato. Mövenpick's hotels all serve the brand's line of food and beverages as well, which means that Mövenpick ice cream is also available. The menu doesn't just cater to your sweet tooth, though. At breakfast, guests can choose to enjoy juice-blended energy shots, along with a range of health-focused and nutritious options available to eat in or grab-and-go. One of more than 80 of the brand's accommodation sites worldwide and run in collaboration with Accor, Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne will boast 172 guest rooms housed within the new 78-storey Premier Tower development on Spencer Street. It's decked out with boutique interiors, and comes complete with a 25-metre swimming pool, sauna and gym. The new hotel will also be home to a southeast Asian restaurant and bar, which'll rock a contemporary fitout courtesy of design agency Greymatters. It's slated to plate up traditional Asian grill and barbecue dishes, and will open daily for lunch and dinner. Find Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne on Spencer at 160 Spencer Street, Melbourne, from May 2021. Head to the Accor website for bookings and other information. Images: artists impressions of Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne on Spencer.
When the Victorian and NSW Governments both announced that regional travel within each state would be allowed from June 1, we immediately started dreaming of and organising winter getaways. But there was still one unknown hindering our plans: the states' ski resorts had not yet announced their official opening dates. Thankfully, today, Friday, May 29, they finally have. All of Victoria's and NSW's major skiing and snowboarding resorts will be open by the end of June, with each snowy outpost announcing its launch date in the past two days. They won't be opening in time for the Queen's Birthday long weekend, but it's time to lock in some winter escapes after that. In NSW, Thredbo is planning to open on June 22, followed by Perisher on June 24 and Charlotte Pass on June 26. Unfortunately, Selwyn Snow Resort in Kosciuszko National Park will remain closed due to severe damage caused by this year's devastating bushfires. The NSW resorts announced their reopening following Deputy Premier John Barilaro's statement yesterday that the alpine region was allowed to open from June 22. https://twitter.com/JohnBarilaroMP/status/1265779290764787713 In Victoria, following Premier Daniel Andrews earlier announcement that its snowfields could also reopen on June 22, Hotham and Falls Creek are both set to open on June 24, and Mount Buller is aiming for a June 22 start. When the resorts do open, though, they won't be exactly like you remember. As well as having to abide by each state's public gathering and social distancing requirements, resorts will be implementing their own COVID-19 safe plans, which are set to include the likes of restrictions on lessons and equipment hire, and required pre-purchasing of lift tickets. In a statement released today, Vail Resorts, which manages Perisher, Hotham and Falls Creek, said it was developing a COVID-19 Safe Operating Plan in consultation with industry and government leaders "which will include social distancing measures, enhanced cleaning protocols and necessary changes to regularly offered programs and services". Charlotte Pass and Mount Buller have both announced they will be releasing similar plans, while Thredbo has already released a range of restrictions, which include no group lessons (but private lessons are OK), a 50 percent capacity and limits of two people per quad chair and one per T-bar. To help you plan your getaways, we've rounded up the best ski-in ski-out chalets in NSW and our favourite snow activities in Victoria. For more information about NSW and Victoria's snow resorts' plans for the 2020 season, head to the relevant resort website. Top images: Perisher by Vail Resorts
When a new restaurant and bar opens, or relaunches after a revamp, the menu always takes pride of place — but we all know that that's not the only attraction when you're heading to a venue. Design-wise, what's on the inside counts as well. And, at the Australian Interior Design Awards, top-notch decor in hospitality, residential, workplace, retail and public settings all gets thrust into the spotlight. On AIDA's 2022 shortlist, plenty of places have been given the nod — all now vying to emerge victorious when the gongs are handed out this winter. This marks the accolades' 19th year of showcasing the finest design minds working in Australia's residential, commercial and public sectors, and the work on display by the contenders is unsurprisingly stunning. Obviously, if you like your interiors swish, plush, luxurious and stylish all round, you're going to want to visit, live in or work at all of the places up for this year's awards. Among the hospitality, retail and public spots that've earned some love, dropping by to scope of their interior design is definitely possible. [caption id="attachment_849500" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Genovese Coffee House by Alexander CO. Photography by Anson Smart.[/caption] It helps if you live in Sydney or Melbourne, with spots in New South Wales and Victoria featuring heavily on the shortlists. Starting in the Harbour City, standouts include Genovese Coffee House in Alexandria, Ursula's Paddington, The Woollahra Hotel and The Imperial in the hospo field, and the revamped Theatre Royal Sydney in the public design category. Melbourne's Smith Street Bistrot, Entrecôte Prahran, Yugen Tea Bar, Tokyo Tina, Untitled, Hector's Deli South Melbourne, Ovolo South Yarra, Society, Flower Drum and Yakimono also rank among the places in the running, plus The Lume Melbourne and Victorian Pride Centre. [caption id="attachment_849499" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Fugazzi by studio gram. Photography by Jonathon VDK.[/caption] In Queensland, only six spots have made the cut: homes in Toowong and New Farm, Alba Noosa Providore and Wineism in the retail field, and two workplaces — with the local hospo industry missing out. Elsewhere, Inka Japanese Restaurant in Canberra, and Fugazzi and Arkhé in South Australia join the places in contention. The rundown goes on in all fields, which means that there's no shortage of strikingly designed new, revamped and refurbished places demanding your attention around around the country. This year's winners will be announced in-person at a dinner the Hyatt Regency Sydney on Friday, June 17. For the full Australian Interior Design Awards 2022 shortlist, head to the AIDA website. Top images: Society by Russell George. Photography by Sean-Fennessy and Shannon McGrath. / Flower Drum by Studio 103. Photography by Pete-Dillon. / The Imperial by Welsh Major. Photography by Clinton Weaver.
Every December, fans of sparkling sights are gifted a luminous feast for their eyes. No, we're not talking about Christmas lights. Regardless of whether you're bathing in a festive glow or hardly fond of all the merriment, 'tis the season for the Geminids meteor shower to soar through the sky — starting back on Sunday, December 4 and finishing for 2022 on Tuesday, December 20. Yes, that means that this shower is visible right now. Even better: Down Under, it's at its peak on the evening of Wednesday, December 14 and the morning of Thursday, December 15. If you have a telescope at hand, it's clearly a great time to put it to use. Eager to catch a glimpse, even from just your backyard or balcony? Here's everything you need to know. [caption id="attachment_882304" align="alignnone" width="1920"] ESO/G. Lombardi via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] WHAT IS IT Lighting up the end-of-year skies, the Geminids meteor shower is considered the most spectacular meteor shower of the year. Again, Christmas lights aren't the only spectacle worth peering at this month. The Geminids is caused by a stream of debris, left by an asteroid dubbed the 3200 Phaethon, burning up in Earth's atmosphere — and it was first observed in 1862. Some years, you can catch as many as 150 meteors every 60 minutes, so this definitely isn't just any old meteor shower. [caption id="attachment_699423" align="alignnone" width="1920"] NASA, Marshall Space Flight Center, Jeff Dai.[/caption] WHEN TO SEE IT The 2022 shower kicked off on Sunday, December 4, but it really is just getting started. While the Geminids runs through until Tuesday, December 20 this year, it's expected to be at its peak in Australia overnight between Wednesday, December 14–Thursday, December 15. If you fancy a stint of stargazing, the best time to look up is on Wednesday, December 14 from around 9pm in Brisbane, 10pm in Perth, 11pm in Sydney, 11.30pm in Adelaide and 12am in Melbourne. The best time to catch an eyeful will be after midnight, when the moon has set and its light will not interfere, but before sunrise. [caption id="attachment_882301" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mike Durkin via Flickr[/caption] HOW TO SEE IT For your best chances, it's worth getting as far away from bright lights as possible. This could be a good excuse to head out of the city to a clear-skied camping spot — and pray for no clouds. To see the meteors, you'll need to give your eyes around 15–30 minutes to adapt to the dark (so try to avoid checking your phone) and look to the northeast. The shower's name comes from the constellation from which they appear to come, Gemini. So that's what you'll be looking for in the sky. To locate Gemini, we recommend downloading the Sky Map app — it's the easiest way to navigate the night sky (and is a lot of fun to use even on a non-meteor shower night). If you're more into specifics, Time and Date also has a table that shows the direction and altitude of the Geminids. The Geminids meteor shower runs from Sunday, December 4–Tuesday, December 20, and will be at its peak during the night on Wednesday, December 14–Thursday, December 15. For further details, head to Time and Date. Top image: A composite of 163 photos taken over 90 minutes during the Geminids by Jeff Smallwood for Flickr.
Whether it be reluctant landlords, a busy schedule or allergic flatmates, the predicament of every city-dwelling cat-lover is not being able to have one. But Yarraville couple Anita and Myles Loughran are offering hope to these frustrated feline fanatics. They have quit their uninspiring jobs in pursuit of the dream: opening Melbourne's first cat cafe. The first cat cafes opened their doors in Japan and Taiwan in the early 2000s. Since then it has been a steadily growing phenomenon, with similar establishments popping up in Europe and Asia. The Loughrans plan on housing a number of ex-stray cats, and have launched an Indiegogo campaign to raise the necessary funds to provide the best possible environment for these loveable rescues. As well as offering Melburnians a much-needed kitty fix, the venture is aimed at raising awareness and will accept donations to various shelters and welfare programs. Unlike the traditional cat cafe, to comply with Australia's food safety regulations, there will be a glass screen separating the main cat area and the cafe area, providing a fur-free space to enjoy coffee and cake. Not to worry, customers will still be able to interact with the cats; in fact, this model of 'feline therapy' has been scientifically proven to help lower high blood pressure, stress levels and anxiety. If you're keen to see Australia's first cat cafe come to fruition in Melbourne, you can donate online at Indiegogo. How could you say no to those cute little faces? https://youtube.com/watch?v=kHjpSiJ8gfY
Wu-Tang Clan. A group who need no introduction nor, apparently, an extended lead-up to their Australian tour, are coming to Australia soon. Very soon. Really goddamn soon. For anyone who clocked the ambiguous 'Wu-Tang Is Coming' posters that have been up around Melbourne, your suspicions have been confirmed. The Wu-Tang tour is happening at the end of February and they’ll be gracing Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane with their presence (sorry everybody else, but Canberra you never stood a chance). The lineup is still to be confirm but we can only hope they drop some numbers from Once Upon a Time in Shaolin as a big middle finger to Pharmaceutical Hitler Martin Shkreli who bought the unique record for $2 million and then kept the damn thing entirely to himself, much to the disgust of the entire world. Check out the dates and make the necessary arrangements to get work off. WU-TANG CLAN 2016 AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES: February 23 — Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne February 24 — Allphones Arena, Sydney February 26 — Riverstage, Brisbane Tickets go on sale on December 21, via Ticketek for Melbourne and Sydney and Ticketmaster for Brisbane, juuust in time for you to pick up a lil Christmas gift for yourself. Image: Jonathan Weiner.
After The Hayloft Project announced they’d be moving from Melbourne to Sydney, some critics suggested the move had more to do with new Artistic Director Benedict Hardie’s own career, rather than a desire to rejuvenate the independent company’s vision. But speaking to Hardie ahead of their final Melbourne premiere, it’s clear that he’s inspired by something less selfish. “I don’t think I want to be leading a thing all on my own,” he says. “I want to be finding the next generation of young theatremakers — exciting minds who not only enrich my work but who are going to create work of their own under the Hayloft banner.” Earlier in the year, Hardie co-created and performed in By Their Own Hands, the company’s offering in the MTC’s NEON. The success of this festival of independent theatre involving groups like Hayloft, THE RABBLE and Fraught Outfit showed that Melbourne’s mainstage audiences are hungry for the kind of work erupting from this scene. But at the same time, these companies are forced to balance the often challenging nature of their work with the commercial scale of opportunities like NEON. It might be this kind of situation which prompts Hardie’s belief in the potential that companies like Hayloft represent. “What I’m always wary of is — what can independent theatre do that commercial theatre doesn’t, or can’t? If independent theatre is simply doing a different version of what’s on at the mainstages, then what’s the point?” Their new show, Arden V Arden embodies that kind of self-inquiry. For a company that’s built its reputation on adaptations that have almost completely transformed the substance their original texts, like Thyestes and The Nest, the approach in their Melbourne swansong diverges sharply. The source material comes from Arden of Haversham, an Elizabethan play of disputed origin that’s most often attributed to Shakespeare. “The way the script works is in two discrete halves,” says Hardie. “The first half is an entirely modern adaptation of the play and the second half is the original text.” This distinctive approach, of establishing a world grounded in modern-day Melbourne, before a "tectonic shift” into the language of Elizabethan England, was motivated by a desire to navigate the challenges Hardie perceives with adapting plays from this period. “In those plays the language is the thing — the characters speak their experience in a very direct and very evocative way, and that’s the best thing about those plays. The plots are usually stolen, or borrowed; it’s the language which is the substance. So in a way, to do an adaptation of Shakespeare is a kind of folly. But this idea of doing a 50/50 mashup suddenly made me feel like we could have our cake and eat it too.” As for Hardie’s motivations for adapting a work, his reasoning adds a humble perspective to a debate that flared up in Australian theatre this year. “Writing an original play can be a very lonely task. That’s why I love adaptations, because it feels like a collaboration; it might be an unwilling one, because the other playwright might be dead and not know what I’m doing, but it feels like I’m not working on my own.” Image by Sarah Walker.
If you've made it to the middle of March without starting to count down until the Easter and ANZAC Day long weekends, congratulations: you're stronger-willed that most. Beginning to think about more than just a few days off sometime soon? If you're keen to travel from the very end of April 2025, you're in luck: Virgin has just dropped a new flight sale. Book in that annual leave, because you can take a discounted trip to Hamilton Island, Uluru, Bali, Fiji, Queenstown, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Hobart and more. The sale covers one-million fares, both Australian and international destinations among them, and prices start at $45. Yes, that $45 fare is for the Sydney–Byron Bay route, for a one-way ticket. You can also head to the Gold Coast from Sydney from $65, from Brisbane to Proserpine for $69 and from Melbourne to the Sunshine Coast from $109. Prefer a Hamilton Island getaway instead? Flights there kick off at $109 from Brisbane and Sydney, and $139 from Melbourne. Other deals elsewhere span Sydney–Melbourne from $95, Brisbane–Hobart from $115, Brisbane–Uluru from $129, Melbourne-Perth from $195 and Sydney–Perth from $199. Do scenic sights further afield call your name? Your overseas options include Melbourne–Queenstown from $425, Gold Coast–Bali from $489, Brisbane–Port Vila from $499, Sydney–Nadi from $569 and Brisbane–Apia from $689, all return. You've got until midnight AEST on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 to book, unless sold out earlier. And the cheap fares, which are valid in both directions between each point in the discounted route, start with Virgin's Economy Lite option — although there are also business seats on offer. Wondering when you'll need to travel? These deals cover periods between Wednesday, April 30, 2025–Wednesday, February 11, 2026, with all dates varying per route. Inclusions also differ depending on your ticket and, as usual when it comes to flight sales, you'll need to get in quick. Virgin's March 2025 sale runs until midnight AEST on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 — unless sold out earlier. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
This article is part of our series on the 17 most unique things to have come out of Japan. Check out the other 16. Put all of Japan’s vending machines together and you’d pretty much have a department store. They’ve become so widespread for so many products that it’s more a matter of what can’t you get than what you can. Fresh eggs? Check. Toasted sandwiches? Check. Neckties? Check. Buddhist charms? Check. Umbrellas? Check. Vending machines first hit Japan in the 1950s, with run-of-the-mill drink machines. But rather than sticking with conventional products, they became the 24-hour go-to for all manner of retail. These days, you’ll find more vending machines per capita in Japan than in any other nation in the world. There are 5.52 million of them altogether. And they’re not only in cities. In fact, in rural areas, where retail opening hours are still sane, vending machines are seriously handy. Who doesn’t get a craving for a fresh egg at 3am every now and again? Plus, to supplement packaged items, there are stacks of unattended stands selling fresh fruit and vegetables through an honesty system. According to Japan expert Brian Ashcraft, one of the reasons for the proliferation of vending machines is the country’s incredibly low crime rate. “The Japan National Tourism Organisation says that the country's low crime rate is why there are so many vending machines in Japan — because the machines can be left outside and are rarely vandalised,” he writes.
Dave Graney has described The Murlocs as "a bunch of teens who got that 'Nuggets' sound that so many strive so hard for, so absolutely perfectly". Fans use words like 'tasty', 'maddogs', 'digganittt' and 'nifty' to express their admiration. However you articulate it, these boys, who hail from Victoria's surf coast, have come a long way since making their debut public appearance at the Piping Hot Chicken Ship in Ocean Grove. The Hoodoo Gurus invited them to performance at the inaugural Dig It Up! Festival in 2012, and with two EPs behind them, they're now about to tour with new single 'Rattle the Chain'. "Shot guns raise towards my window sill, I've been told they shoot to kill," wails lead singer and harmonic player Ambrose Kenny-Smith, who says he grew up "brainwashing" himself with his father's blues collection. It seems to have done the trick - his vocal delivers an authenticity that one doesn't hear too often.
If watching a stage full of people sing and dance their hearts out is your idea of a great night out, then the next 12 months or so are going to be like musical theatre Christmas. With lockdowns in Sydney and Melbourne set to end, a heap of big musicals have firmed up their Australian dates or locked in their postponed seasons — big shows such as Moulin Rouge! The Musical, The Phantom of the Opera, Jagged Little Pill the Musical, Come From Away and Hamilton — and, in January 2022, they'll be joined by West End and Broadway hit Girl From the North Country. For Bob Dylan fans, that name will be familiar. It's the title of one of the legendary folk singer's 1963 songs — a tune that features in this musical, naturally. Indeed, the entire show uses Dylan's tracks, including everything from 'Like a Rolling Stone' and 'Hurricane' to 'Slow Train' and 'I Want You', all weaved throughout a story of American life during the Great Depression. Making its Australian premiere at the 2022 Sydney Festival, and kicking off from Wednesday, January 5 at Theatre Royal Sydney, 108 King Street, Sydney, Girl From the North Country takes place in a guesthouse in the US state of Minnesota in 1934. The story revolves around owner Nick, who is deeply in debt; his wife Elizabeth, whose mind is fraying; and their pregnant daughter Marianne — as well as a bible-slinging preacher and a boxer endeavouring to make a comeback. [caption id="attachment_827941" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tristram Kenton[/caption] Overseas, the musical has enjoyed sell-out seasons since it first debuted in London in 2017 — heading from The Old Vic to West End, next leaping to the US for an off-Broadway run, and then hitting up Toronto, returning to West End and premiering on Broadway before the pandemic in early 2022. Locally, the debut Aussie season will star Lisa McCune (The King and I, South Pacific), Zahra Newman (The Book of Mormon, Wentworth), Terence Crawford (Escape From Pretoria, 1984) and Helen Dallimore (Wicked, Legally Blonde), with more cast members set to be announced closer to the show's dates. Girl From the North Country will open at Theatre Royal Sydney, 108 King Street, Sydney from Wednesday, January 5, 2022. For further information or to buy tickets, head to the musical's Australian website.
Usually, a new year heralds big travel plans. After the past 12 months, however, your suitcase is probably now caked in dust. Thankfully, even with physically venturing far from home still off the agenda for the near future, you can easily treat yourself to an on-screen trip any time you like. Your first destination: the UK. Australians have always been more than a little obsessed with British movies and TV shows, so it's one of the easiest places to head to while you're still sitting on your couch. Whether you're keen to step back into the country's history, venture into its halls of power or see it through an American-in-London's perspective, streaming service Binge has an array of options. In collaboration with the platform, we've selected five British films and programs that'll whisk you to the other side of the globe. They're all available to stream now, and you can check them out via a 14-day free trial for new customers.
NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all people of Australia to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. In the past, the "National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee" were responsible for organising the events of NAIDOC Week, and since then the acronym has become the name of the event itself. NAIDOC Week will be held from Sunday, July 4 to Sunday, July 11 this year. Typically, NAIDOC Week kicks off on the first Sunday of July every year and runs for one week. The dates are a nod to National Aboriginal Day, which was previously celebrated on the second Friday of July. The theme of NAIDOC Week this year is 'Heal Country!'. Grounded in Country, this theme calls for the recognition, protection and maintenance of all aspects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. But in order to achieve this, it's essential that historical, political and administrative settings adapt in order to empower and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Check out the NAIDOC Week website for more information about the origins of the week and this year's theme. [caption id="attachment_817386" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Supplied by Clothing The Gaps.[/caption] WHY IS NAIDOC WEEK SO SIGNIFICANT? To further understand what NAIDOC Week means for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, @blakbusiness hosted an anonymous survey across Instagram. From Trawlwoolway to Kuku Yalanji, respondents came from over 30 Aboriginal and Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait Islands) nations. When asked what NAIDOC Week means for them, the majority of respondents expressed ideas of community, pride and strength. "NAIDOC is a week of celebrating and coming together with mob from all over the country. It's a week that makes me very proud to be an Aboriginal person," one submission said. Another respondent succinctly explained that NAIDOC Week for them was a "time of reflection, remembering important people in our community, a time to celebrate but also knowing what this week comes from. Knowing that it came from resistance, strength, fighting for justice, fighting against colonialism, white supremacy, ongoing acts of genocide, and celebration of invasion. NAIDOC is for us, and for many, it's a time to celebrate who we are unapologetically, loud and proud." When asked about the importance of the theme Heal Country, one respondent explained the theme meant: "Protecting the earth, because we need her and she needs us. We came from the soil and mob who aren't with us have returned to the soil so we're looking after them too." Another submission said of this year's NAIDOC Week theme, "[It means to ensure] we look after and preserve our Country, our roots, so that the next generations have a place to call home and connect to." Respondents also shared thoughts about how they would like non-Indigenous peoples to be involved in NAIDOC Week. "I [would] love to see non-Indigenous Australia celebrating NAIDOC, getting involved in events, lending a hand, paying respect, and most importantly getting educated about our culture and our history and how they can help with healing and positive changes going forward," one anonymous respondent said. [caption id="attachment_767113" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: In My Blood It Runs.[/caption] WHERE YOU CAN LEARN MORE As some of the responses above noted, NAIDOC Week presents a great opportunity to commit to learning more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, history and culture. But, it can be tricky to figure out where to start. To help you out, here are some resources to check out: Watch Strait to the Plate: A six-part series exploring the food, culture, language and lifestyle of Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait Islands) communities. In My Blood It Runs: An intimate 2019 documentary following ten-year-old, Dujuan, as he is challenged to balance his Arrernte and Garrwa culture with state education. You Can't Ask That — Indigenous: Part of the ABC series 'You Can't Ask That', this episode answers a range of questions about the experience of being Aboriginal. Follow Seed Mob: A branch of the Australian Youth Climate Coalition, Seed is a network of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth working to build a movement for climate justice. Our Islands Our Home: Our Islands Our Home is a campaign led by the people of Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait Islands) to protect their island homes from the ongoing climate crisis. Blak Business: Brings together information, knowledge and resources to facilitate broader learning and discussion about a range of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander topics. Read Fire Country by Victor Steffensen: Written by Tagalaka man and fire practitioner, Victor Steffensen, this book explores how the revival of Indigenous fire practices could help to restore our nation for all peoples. Tell Me Why by Archie Roach: Written by Bundjalung and Gunditjmara man, Uncle Archie Roach, this is an intimate and powerful memoir into the experience of being forcibly removed as a child, being raised in foster families, struggling with alcoholism and homelessness, and overcoming it all with music. Our Home, Our Heartbeat by Adam Briggs: Written by Yorta Yorta man Adam Briggs, this is a good book for young readers to learn and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and culture. [caption id="attachment_816553" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Kee'ahn.[/caption] NAIDOC WEEK EVENTS Hundreds of events will be hosted across the nation by schools, community centres, local councils, workplaces and sporting clubs to celebrate NAIDOC Week. Here are five events happening IRL and online. For more events, research your local Aboriginal Land Council to see what is happening in your area. Naarm (Melbourne) Country and Culture: An evening of storytelling, poetry and music with Tony Birch (Aboriginal, Barbadian, Irish and Afghani), Larissa Behrendt (Eualaya and Kamillaroi) and Kee'ahn (Kuku Yalanji, Jirrbal and Badu Island). Meanjin (Brisbane) Cultural Cooking: Learn about Aboriginal culture through tasting native foods with Quandamooka, Kullilli and Wakka Wakka man Keiron Anderson, of Yalabin Dining. This event is suitable for kids aged 10+. Boorloo (Perth) Cultural Talk with Joe Collard: Listen to Biboolmirn Nyoongar man, Joe Collard, talk about culture and this year's NAIDOC theme. You can also check out the other events being hosted in South Perth Library. Online Free the Flag lunchtime yarn: Did you know the Aboriginal flag is currently under copyright? Clothing The Gaps are leading the campaign to have the Aboriginal flag freed. Join them for this lunchtime yarn to learn about the Aboriginal Copyright issue and the progress of the Free the Flag campaign. NAIDOC Virtual Run Walk Event: Get moving during NAIDOC Week with this virtual run or walk event. Nominate your distance of either 5km, 10km, 21.1km or 42.2km and be rewarded with a medal designed by Gunditjmara artist, Laura Thompson. Top image: Supplied by Clothing The Gaps.
It's a blight on the history of our nation that it took 66 years after federation to allow the first inhabitants of this land the right to be part of it. In 1967, over 90 percent of Australians voted to amend Sections 51 and 127 of the constitution, which allowed Aboriginal Australians to be legislated for by the government, and to be part of the census. In celebration of the people that made this essential change a reality, a collection of Australian musicians — including Dan Sultan, Thelma Plum, Radical Son, Leah Flanagan, Stephen Pigram, Yirrmal and Adalita — have collaborated to create a multimedia homage to the citizens that fought for civil rights and brought us closer to unity. Employing footage from the time and a soundtrack that harks back to our collective past, this one-night-only Sydney Festival show in the Opera House's Concert Hall is remembrance of what was achieved, and an exploration of what is still left to be done. Image: Cole Bennetts.
UPDATED: JULY 29, 2020 — NSW Health has extended its public health alert for The Apollo and is now advising anyone that attended the restaurant between Wednesday, July 22 (previously July 23) and Saturday, July 25 to get tested and quarantine for 14 days. The Apollo will remain closed for two weeks while it undergoes a deep cleaning. On July 29, NSW Health also updated the potential exposure periods for both Mounties in Mt Pritchard and Pritchard's Hotel. You can check the updated times here. NSW Health last night, Tuesday, July 27, sent out a public health alert warning Sydneysiders who visited a Potts Point restaurant and two venues in the city's southwest to self-isolate immediately after positive COVID-19 cases were linked to the locations. Those who visited Greek restaurant The Apollo between Thursday, July 23 and Sunday, July 25, must quarantine for 14 days since their visit and get tested. A staff member who works at the The Apollo has since tested positive and the restaurant has been closed for cleaning. NSW Health is encouraging those who visited the restaurant outside of those dates to get tested if they develop any, even minor, symptoms, too. A positive case has also been linked the Mounties flagship club in Mt Pritchard and the bistro of Pritchard's Hotel, with NSW Health advising those who visited the venues at various times between Wednesday, July 22 and Saturday, July 25 to immediately isolate and get tested. The health alert comes as 17 new cases were identified in NSW in the 24 hours leading up to 8pm on Sunday, July 26. Eight of those are in hotel quarantine, seven are linked to known clusters and two are under investigation. https://www.facebook.com/NewSouthWalesHealth/posts/1355435587989112 The three venues join a growing list of restaurants and pubs across NSW that have been linked to positive COVID-19 cases, including An Restaurant in Bankstown and Cabramatta's Tan Viet Noodle House, as well as Paddington's Love Supreme and The Village Inn, Parramatta's Milky Lane and Thai Rocks in both Potts Point and Wetherill Park. There are currently 70 cases associated with the Wetherill Park restaurant and 56 with Casula's Crossroads Hotel. NSW Health is continuing to update its list of venues associated with positive cases, and its advice on whether you should self-isolate immediately or monitor for symptoms. As has been the advice for months now, those with symptoms — coughs, fever, sore or scratchy throat, shortness of breath or loss of smell or taste — are encouraged to get tested and self-isolate while awaiting results. You can find out closest testing clinic over here. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in NSW, head to the NSW Health website. Top image: The Apollo via Google Maps
Aussies are ditching the overdone, stuffy dinner parties of yesteryear and instead are opting for bougie elevated cocktail nights at home with their besties. We're socialising more than in previous years but, with the rising cost of living, we're looking for more economical ways of hanging out with our friends. One way to do it is to host luxurious cocktail parties at home. Are you part of the trend? Read on to get some tips to elevate your next cocktail party. CONCOCT THE COCKTAIL LIST You can't have a cocktail party without cocktails. To keep things easy for you (and interesting for your guests), stick with a single spirit for your shindig. Bourbon can be a foundation for many cocktails like old fashioneds, manhattans, whisky sours or highballs. Vodka is the basis for numerous cocktail recipes like a classic cosmo, martini, bloody mary or lemon drop. Equally versatile is gin with cocktails like gimlets, Tom Collins, negronis and, of course, gin and tonic on its repertoire. Aim to prebatch your ingredients and garnishes so you can spend more time socialising with your guests. One garnish can work for many cocktails. For instance, bourbon cocktails work exceptionally well with orange peel garnish. CURATE A MENU Tasty cocktails deserve equally tasty food. It doesn't need to be complicated, especially because cocktail parties are better suited to canapes and charcuterie boards. So crack out the cheese knives and small plates and set up grazing stations throughout your party space. You don't need to bust your weekly budget on ingredients. Stock up on cheese, crackers, cured meats, fresh fruits, olives and crusty bread. Don't forget dips and spreads, and you'll be golden. Keep in mind any dietaries your mates may have, and don't mix bread and crackers with the cheese and meat to ensure any coeliacs among you are happy. CREATE THE ATMOSPHERE What's a party without the right vibes? Get onto Spotify and create the playlist to perfect your cocktail party theme. Are you going with minimalist chic? Maybe you should load up on lo-fi beats. Are you thinking more of a luxe old-world vibe? Jazz is your friend. Or perhaps you're pushing a colourful midday sesh. If so, pop music should be on the tracklist. Depending on the vibe you are going for, lighting can make a major impact on the atmosphere. No one wants to chill with overhead lights showing everything. If you don't have dimmers on your lights, you can create a soothing vibe with fairy lights, lamps or candles — just be careful where you set up candles. To let your guests know the party is over, subtly blow out the candles and turn off the music. The vibes will be over, and so will the party mood. Keen to host a luxurious night of your own? We are giving our readers the chance to host a luxury cocktail party for up to 40 guests. Check out the competition here. Images: Susannah Townsend, Woodford Reserve, Getty Images
It's hard to imagine sharing anything else with a complete stranger on public transport than the very seat you both happen to sit on. But the Bibliotaxi project based in Sao Paulo, Brazil, makes sharing things on public transport sound not half-bad. The concept behind Bibliotaxi or 'library in a car' was developed by Instituto Mobilidade Verde, or Green Mobility Institute, and combines their causes of sustainability and mobility. The project also aims to encourage 'sharing' in the city of Vila Madalena. Taxi passengers who enter a Bibliotaxi are free to leisurely peruse the books inside the taxi and even borrow (and return) the books if it becomes too hard to part with once their destination is reached. What a great way to revive books. Perhaps the awkward taxi conversation may become more interesting and informed in Sao Paulo, now that there is a library at the passenger's disposal. [Via PSFK]
When St Jerome's Laneway Festival announces its lineup each year, it gives music fans a hefty piece of good news. But, that's never the end of the story. As well as taking to the stage for the fest's main shows in Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne, Perth and Auckland, plenty of artists on Laneway's bill do sideshows — and the 2024 batch of gigs has just been announced. If you're keen to catch Steve Lacy, Raye, Unknown Mortal Orchestra and AJ Tracey doing their own concerts, now you can. Also on the list: Blondshell, Faye Webster, d4vd, Paris Texas, DOMi & JD Beck and Hemlocke Springs. The one caveat: as can be the case with festival sideshows Down Under, this batch is not only east coast-focused, but almost all about Sydney and Melbourne. Still, you now have more chances to hear 'Bad Habit and 'Escapism', including the former at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall for two big shows — which is where Unknown Mortal Orchestra will bust out their tunes for one night. If you're wondering about Stormzy and Dominic Fike, they're doing exclusive Laneway tours. Accordingly, if you want to see either (or both), you'll only catch them at the fest. Also, Lacy is exclusive to Laneway in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth, hence the Sydney-only sideshows. [caption id="attachment_916473" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Callum Walker Hutchinson[/caption] LANEWAY FESTIVAL 2024 SIDESHOWS: BLONDSHELL Friday, February 9 — Corner Hotel, Melbourne Sunday, February 11 — Oxford Art Factory, Sydney FAYE WEBSTER Wednesday, January 31 — The Croxton Bandroom, Melbourne Thursday, February 1 — Metro Theatre, Sydney STEVE LACY Wednesday, January 31–Thursday, February 1 — Sydney Opera House Concert Hall, Sydney UNKNOWN MORTAL ORCHESTRA Tuesday, January 30 — Sydney Opera House Concert Hall, Sydney Thursday, February 1 — Odeon Theatre, Hobart Friday, February 9 — Forum, Melbourne AJ TRACEY Friday, February 2 — Enmore Theatre, Sydney Thursday, February 8 — Forum, Melbourne PARIS TEXAS Thursday, February 1 — Oxford Art Factory, Sydney Thursday, February 8 — Night Cat, Melbourne DOMI & JD BECK Friday, February 2 — Brunswick Picture House, Brunswick Heads Friday, February 9 — Factory Theatre, Sydney Sunday, February 11 — Corner Hotel, Melbourne D4VD Friday, February 2 — Liberty Hall, Sydney Thursday, February 8 — Croxton Bandroom, Melbourne HEMLOCKE SPRINGS Friday, February 2 — Night Cat, Melbourne Wednesday, February 7 — Oxford Art Factory, Sydney RAYE Wednesday, January 31 — Enmore Theatre, Sydney Thursday, February 1 — Forum, Melbourne St Jerome's Laneway Festival will tour Australia and New Zealand in February 2024. Head to the festival's website for further details and tickets. The festival's sideshows run throughout January and February, with ticketing dates depending on the show — find out more via the Steve Lacy tour website, Unknown Mortal Orchestra tour website and Handsome Tours.
Is this the real life? Yes, Queen — the legendary rock band behind hits Bohemian Rhapsody, Don't Stop Me Now and We Will Rock You — is coming to Australia. And, they are hoping to rock you. Two of the original band members Brian May (lead guitar) and Roger Taylor (drums) will be heading Down Under, along with long-time collaborator and frontman Adam Lambert — a Grammy nominated American singer who has been touring with the group since 2011 — keyboardist Spike Edney (who's been performing with the band since the 80s), Neil Fairclough on bass and Tyler Warren on percussion. Lambert will be performing Queen hits — made famous by iconic moustached frontman Freddie Mercury, who passed away in the early 90s — from across the band's 15 albums. John Deacon, the band's original bass player, retired in the late 90s will also not be part of the Australian tour. Queen rose to prominence in the 70s and 80s, with their famed Live Aid performance — oft referred to as one of the greatest concerts in rock history — happening at Wembley Stadium in 1985. But, the band has once again been in the spotlight with the release of the Rami Malek-starring film Bohemian Rhapsody. After the biopic was released, the song 'Bohemian Rhapsody' reentered the US top 100 — for the third time. While the Aussie Rhapsody Tour — hitting ANZ Stadium on Saturday, February 15 — won't star Mercury (or Deacon), it's set to be one rockin' show. With tickets most likely to sell out, put the below dates in your calendar ASAP. Image: Queen + Adam Lambert, 2014. Photo: Diana Kat, Wiki Commons.
When Super Mario Kart first rolled onto Super Nintendo consoles back in 1992, it came with 20 inventive courses and endless hours of fun. Nearly three decades later, the game has become a beloved phenomenon — not just speeding through desert tracks and rainbow roads, but into reality, through Google Maps and now into theme parks. Come 2020, you'll be able to enjoy a real-life Mario Kart experience as part of Super Nintendo World, which is joining Universal Studios in Osaka. First announced back in 2017, the park is due to open before next year's Tokyo Olympics, with the racing component described as "a new kind of attraction" by Mark Woodbury, President of Universal Creative and Vice Chairman Universal Parks & Resorts. Exactly what the ride will entail is yet to be confirmed; however it's safe to assume that fans will be able to strap into some kind of moving kart. Osaka's Super Nintendo World will also take over multiple levels — fitting for a gaming-themed space — and recreate the brand's popular characters and themes, complete with other rides, restaurants and shops. Again, specific details are sparse; however given that Nintendo's stable includes everything from Super Mario Bros and Donkey Kong to Tetris and The Legend of Zelda, there's plenty to play with. Our suggestions: a tunnel and brick Mario maze and a Donkey Kong water ride that uses the game's iconic aquatic music. Based on the park's adorable groundbreaking ceremony, the first idea mightn't be too far-fetched. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKCqJ8llKuA Can't make it to Japan? Universal Studios is also planning Super Nintendo Worlds for its other parks in Hollywood, Orlando and in Singapore. The latter was just announced this month, and is set to open by 2025. When Super Nintendo World launches at Universal Studios Osaka next year, it'll join Japan's growing list of pop culture-themed attractions — including the towering Godzilla and Gundam statues, the existing Studio Ghibli Museum, the forthcoming Studio Ghibli theme park, Tokyo Disney Resort in general and the Japanese park's upcoming Toy Story hotel, to name just a few. On the international theme park scene, it's also a great time to live out your love for your favourite films, shows and games. As well as all of the above, both Walt Disney World and Disneyland in the US are about to gain Star Wars theme park zones, a Star Wars hotel is also coming to Walt Disney World, and a Marvel hotel is slated for Disneyland Paris.
Sydneysiders looking to get their culture fix this summer should make tracks to the Sydney Living Museum's Culture Up Late nights, taking place every Thursday till the end of March. The arts and cultural program is taking over three CBD institutions — the Museum of Sydney, Hyde Park Barracks and Justice and Police Museum — each Thursday from 5–8pm and until 9pm at Hyde Park Barracks. And they aren't just staying up late — each is offering half price entry, too. At Museum of Sydney, check out the upcoming installation Narcissus Garden by the internationally lauded artist Yayoi Kusama, which is on display from February 20. Or wander through the temporary exhibition Paradise on Earth (running till March 25) and check out the museum's impressive film and craft activities programs. Entry to Museum of Sydney is just $7.50 for adults with the half-price deal. [caption id="attachment_763830" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Hyde Park Barracks, Brett Boardman[/caption] Over at Hyde Park Barracks, enjoy an immersive, time-bending experience through a self-guided tour for $12 a pop thanks to the discount. Or, if you visit on February 25 or March 11, you can check out its After Dark program instead. Plus, every week there'll be a food truck, pop-up bar and a local DJ spinning tracks. The Justice and Police Museum has heaps on as well — think exhibitions, films and even a Murder in the Museum talk — where you can dive into Sydney's criminal past. Entry to the Justice & Police Museum is also $7.50. Sydney Living Museums' Culture Up Late program is running till Thursday, March 25. For more information, check out the website. Top image: Justice and Police Museum
French photographer Léo Caillard is here to remind us that today's classical was once just plain old contemporary with Hipster in Stone. The new photographic series presents some of Western art's most iconic sculptures dressed to impress in a wardrobe more traditionally found tempting us into American Apparel. His show is currently on display at the Art Basel Fair, Switzerland, but the 27-year-old's images have made a (near-viral) impact on the net. One small suggestion, why not call it Kawa à la Musee du Louvre? Art-lovers, relax; you will not be spending that dreaded six hours lined up with the hordes at the Louvre to find this guy anytime soon. As Caillard told the Daily Mail, "The museum wouldn't let me touch the statues", so he went with the trusty ol' Photoshop switcheroo. All he needed was collaborator and digital touch-up man Alexis Persani, some crafty lighting work and his patience during the model castings. Personally, I am pretty keen to see some of the pre-sculpture-imposed versions of these photos. I know we are meant to be pondering questions of fashion identity, the status divide in art and how outward appearances impact on the lived experience — but this man must be built like a wall. Oh, and bearded boys, look away, or prepare for some serious beard envy courtesy of my friend Aristaeus, God of the Gardens: If you're super keen you can pick up your own 30 x 45 inch print of one of these bad-boys (or girls), mounted with plexiglass for a lazy £1500 each ($2480), or just stalk Caillard's website. Via Daily Mail.
To experience the work of Doug Aitken is to challenge the ways in which we think about art. The celebrated American artist, whom The Los Angeles Times has said seeks to "jar viewers awake", is bringing his boundary-pushing work to Sydney for his first-ever Southern Hemisphere exhibition. Originally scheduled to run in 2020, the exhibition – titled Doug Aitken: New Age – will finally be on display from Wednesday, October 20 as the Museum of Contemporary Art's 2021/2022 Sydney International Art Series. The show covers a quarter-century of Aitken's artistic career and will feature immersive multiscreen environments, objects and photographs. [caption id="attachment_829780" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Doug Aitken, Underwater Pavilions (installation), 2017, installation view, Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, Sydney, 2021, 3-channel video installation (colour, sound): 3 projections, 3 aluminium and MDF screens. Image: Dan Boud[/caption] Doug Aitken: New Era lets you take a deep dive into Aitken's world and his impressive multidisciplinary art practice. While you're there, make sure you check out the large-scale sound installation — Sonic Fountain II — which is built into a rocky terrain within the gallery. There'll also be an immersive video installation exploring the history of mobile phone technology and the engineer who pioneered its development, Matin Cooper. Plus, if you're quick off the mark, you'll also have the chance to see a conversation between Aitken and MCA curator on Saturday, October 30, where you'll hear more insights into his striking work. Want to spend your summer soaking up incredible art? Doug Aitken: New Era will run from Wednesday, October 20 till Sunday, February 6 at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia. For more information and to book, visit the website. Top image: Doug Aitken, 'migration (empire)' (still), 2008, image courtesy of the artist, 303 Gallery, New York, Galerie Eva Presenhuber, Zurich, Victoria Miro, London, and Regen Projects, Los Angeles. © the artist.
The lengthy summer has finally come to an end. And while we may be entering the cosiest seasons of the year, that doesn't mean taking shelter in Oodies with cups of tea in hand. There's still so much to enjoy in this city of ours, even as the chill starts to set in. So we've gathered some of the most exciting events on offer in Sydney this Autumn — from immersive historical exhibitions to elaborate stage shows and community events for good causes. Add these to your to-do list. Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs Where else in Sydney can you learn about the life and legacy of one of Egypt's greatest-ever pharaohs than the Australian Museum? It's there you'll find Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs — an exclusive multi-sensory, immersive experience for all ages, and it's ending soon. The exhibition explores the life and reign of the late Ramses the Great, Egypt's second longest-reigning Pharaoh, and showcases more than 180 objects, each dating back approximately 3000 years to Egypt's Nineteenth Dynasty. Ramses II lived well into his 90s (extremely uncommon for his day) and each object in this exhibition captures important details of the era of his rule. These include jewellery, ceramics, small mummified animals, royal masks, as well as the immaculately preserved sarcophagus where Ramses was entombed. For an additional fee when booking, there's an optional multi-sensory VR experience that transports you to two of the era's most iconic monuments: Queen Nefertari's tomb and the Abu Simbel's temples. The exhibition is entering its final weeks before it leaves on Sunday, May 19, so get your tickets booked ASAP (tip — it's open over the full Easter weekend). The Greatest Showman Brunch Another significant historical figure (although maybe not quite as significant as Ramses II) is famous showman and con-man PT Barnum. Though a real historical figure, his story was made famous in the 2017 musical film The Greatest Showman starring Hugh Jackman in the title role. The box office hit proved as popular for the soundtrack of bangers as it did for the story itself. Now the PT Barnum circus experience is coming to life for a special Greatest Showman Brunch event at the Potts Point Hotel on Sunday, April 28. Sing, dance or just smile your way through the biggest musical numbers as live performers take to the stage in front of you for a two-hour show. Your ticket includes entry, a welcome drink and a themed brunch to pair with the show. Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour — West Side Story There are musicals, and then there are the musicals that will live forever. West Side Story is one such production and one of the most popular musicals ever to grace the stage since its original run in 1957. It's a classic star-crossed lovers tale inspired by Romeo & Juliet and is one of the seminal popular works by composer Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by musical theatre great Stephen Sondheim, with iconic choreography by the legendary Jerome Robbins. And it's returning to Sydney's most spectacular stage from Friday, March 22 to Sunday, April 21. If you've never had the pleasure, Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour hosts productions of some of the biggest musicals worldwide on a floating stage with the stunning cityscape as its backdrop. The show is just part of the experience. First enjoy the sunset with a drink and dinner from the on-site pop-up eateries, then enjoy a spectacular show with a drink in hand under the stars. Ramadan Nights Lakemba One of the biggest, most beloved events of the season is Ramadan Nights Lakemba. Running every Thursday to Sunday from March 9 to April 8, this free-entry event is one of the most vibrant multicultural events in the entire city. If you've never been, more than 75 local businesses take part in a massive food market from dusk to 3am on Lakemba's Haldon Street. The event is to celebrate the most sacred month in the Islamic calendar, and with steady year-on-year growth in popularity, it is expected to draw in over a million visitors from the local area across Sydney, Australia, and even from overseas. Wandering the busy street, you'll find cuisine from Indonesia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Lebanon, Syria and many more international communities. Expect everything from shawarma and kaak to Syrian ice cream, knafeh and Lebanese coffee. Our tip? Arrive close to dusk to beat the crowds. The Rocky Horror Show The Rocky Horror Show is a classic tale of sex, rock 'n' roll and mad science. Since its debut in 1973 from maestro Richard O'Brien (and the beloved film adaptation in 1975), the raunchy musical has had a meteoric rise from cult to icon status. Now, it's touring Australia for the ongoing 50th anniversary tour, visiting Theatre Royal Sydney from Sunday, March 31 to Sunday, May 12. In case you're among those who haven't had the pleasure of viewing this wild rock masterpiece, it follows a squeaky-clean young couple who experience car troubles while driving on a remote highway and walk to a nearby castle to find help. Waiting in the castle is a mad scientist, his mad staff and an even madder creation. What follows is a night of song, dance and debauchery like no other. [caption id="attachment_945318" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Wild Women On Top[/caption] Coastrek 2024 Coastrek is a massive fitness event that encourages everyday Aussies to strap on some walking shoes and stroll along our stunning coastal walkways on Friday, May 3. The Sydney route stretches along the Northern Beaches from Palm Beach to Balgowlah Heights covering 50km of track. You don't have to walk the full 50km though; registrations are open for 20km or 30km courses too, starting from Long Reef and Mona Vale respectively. Either way, you'll be walking some of the most picturesque beaches in the world. Most importantly, it's all for a good cause, with each registered team tasked to raise $2000 for the Heart Foundation. Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs is ending soon on Sunday, May 19. For more information or to book tickets visit the website. For more to do in Sydney, keep exploring here on Concrete Playground.
Pearl Jam finally returning to Australia and New Zealand for the first time since 2014 was always going to be big news. Tickets to their shows were always going to get snapped up fast, too. So, it comes as no surprise that the Eddie Vedder-led band's Down Under leg of their Dark Matter tour has added new gigs on the day that tix went on sale — because Melbourne, Sydney and Auckland's concerts have proven that popular. In NZ, the group will now hit up Go Media Stadium in Mt Smart on Sunday, November 10 as well as the already-announced Friday, November 8. In Melbourne, Monday, November 18 joins Saturday, November 16 on Pearl Jam's trip to Marvel Stadium. And in Sydney, the band will play Giants Stadium on Saturday, November 23, after their first show there on Thursday, November 21. [caption id="attachment_940860" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Raph_PH via Flickr[/caption] At each of the new gigs, as well as the rest of the tour's stops in Sydney and on the Gold Coast, audiences will be treated to two hefty names in 80s and 90s music thanks to Pixies in support. Vedder and Black Francis taking to the same stage? That'll make you feel alive and ask "where is my mind?". Pearl Jam are the headliners, returning after last hitting our shores on a tour a decade back that included the final-ever Big Day Out. Dark Matter, the band's 12th album, will release in April — which gives fans plenty of time to know it by heart before the group take to local stages. [caption id="attachment_940849" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Wp72 via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Expect to hear tunes from Dark Matter, plus past hits 'Alive', 'Black', 'Jeremy', 'Better Man', 'Last Kiss' and 'Daughter' from previous albums such as the iconic Ten, Vs and Vitalogy from the early 90s, plus No Code, Yield and more since. Pixies, who were last Down Under in 2022, are responsible for a helluva one-two punch with their first two albums: 1988's Surfer Rosa and 1989's Doolittle. The first gave the world the track that's been linked with Tyler Durden courtesy of David Fincher's Fight Club since 1999, aka 'Where Is My Mind?', as well as 'Gigantic' and 'Cactus'. The second is home to 'Here Comes Your Man', 'Monkey Gone to Heaven', 'Debaser' and 'Wave of Mutilation'. Tickets to the tour required registration first, which has already ended. But, if you have received a code as part of that process, it's now valid for the new gigs. [caption id="attachment_940844" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Danny Cinch[/caption] Pearl Jam Dark Matter World Tour 2024 with with Special Guests Pixies — Australia and New Zealand Dates Friday, November 8 + Sunday, November 10 – Go Media Stadium, Mt Smart, Auckland Wednesday, November 13 — Heritage Bank Stadium, Gold Coast Saturday, November 16 + Monday, November 18 — Marvel Stadium, Melbourne Thursday, November 21 + Saturday, November 23 — Giants Stadium, Sydney Pearl Jam and Pixies are touring Australia and New Zealand in November 2024, with ticket sales from Friday, February 23 — head to the Pearl Jam website for further details. Top image: Raph_PH via Flickr.
Prepare to stare at the moon in all of its glory — up close, without a telescope and without zooming into space. Measuring seven metres in diameter and featuring renderings of the celestial body's surface based on NASA imagery, the Museum of the Moon is a detailed installation by UK-based artist Luke Jerram. The giant sculpture has been touring the world since 2016, displaying in New York, Hong Kong, Mumbai and plenty of spots around Europe. From June 29, 2019 it'll add Sydney to its orbit as part of a 200-item exhibition at the Powerhouse Museum marking the 50th anniversary of the famed moon landing. The looming artwork recreates the moon at a scale of approximately 1:500,000, with each centimetre equating to five kilometres of the lunar surface. And if you're wondering just how intricate the 120dpi imagery is, the high-resolution NASA photograph that it uses is 21 metres wide, and was taken by by a satellite carrying the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera. The spherical sculpture is lit from within, so it'll add a glow when it comes to the Powerhouse Museum. It also combines its imagery and light with a surround sound piece created by composer and sound designer Dan Jones, and just how each venue displays it is up to them. Basically, it's never the exact same installation twice. Its stint at the Powerhouse Museum will mark the Museum of the Moon's third visit Australia, following 12-day showing on the Gold Coast and a five-month stint at Melbourne's Scienceworks. And the floating sculpture won't be the only celestial fun happening in Sydney either. Other objects you'll find throughout the Apollo 11 exhibition include parts of the original Redstone Rocket and Parkes Radio Telescope, as well as a computer used by NASA to calculate the launch and landing. There'll be more immersive and interactive events happening, too, including a virtual reality experience in which you watch the moon landing, an interactive arcade game, tours of the observatory and a heap of talks by astronauts and astronomers.
When Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows dropped its last terrible three words on us at the close of the book, all was not well. It would never be well without Harry, Ron, Hermione fighting the Dark Lord in a series of fantastical and wholly engrossing scenarios. But, little did we know, this would not be the end of the Age of Harry Potter. Thanks to the internet and the sheer demand for all things HP, Harry has lived on through new books, fan website Pottermore, the Fantastic Beasts film spinoff series and all manner of events dedicated to the franchise. One of the biggest things to come of the post-Harry Potter era has been Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, of course — aka the West End play that's essentially the eighth book in the series. It first arrived in Australia in February 2019, hitting up Melbourne's Princess Theatre, and proved unsurprisingly popular. Now, after closing down during the Victorian capital's 2020 lockdowns, the production has announced that it's returning in 2021. Muggles, rejoice. Harry Potter fandom aside, this is also something that all theatre-goers can get excited about. Since debuting in London in July 2016, the production has won a swathe of awards and has proven a repeated sell-out — in the West End, on Broadway and in San Francisco, too. Melburnians — and other Australian Harry Potter and/or theatre aficionados — can mark Thursday, February 25, 2021 in their diaries, as that's when the magic is returning. The show will resume after a 49-week hiatus, with tickets currently available until Sunday, July 18. If you already hold a ticket for shows originally scheduled for January 20–February 24, those performances are being postponed and rescheduled — and you'll be automatically moved to an alternative date from July 21 onwards (and with the same seats you originally booked). You'll also be given the option to exchange your ticket to an earlier show, if you'd prefer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Gp6ekBcNYY&feature=emb_logo So what exactly is The Cursed Child about? Well, it picks up 19 years after Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and that abominably cheery epilogue on Platform 9 3/4. Harry is now an overworked Ministry of Magic employee, and the play focuses on both him and his youngest son Albus Severus Potter as they grapple with the past and future. The production is presented in two parts, so you'll have to book into two performances, either on the same day (matinee and evening) or on consecutive evenings. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child returns to Melbourne's Princess theatre from Thursday, February 25, 2021, with tickets on sale now. Top image: Evan Zimmerman for Murphy Made.
If there's one region that put the Australian wine industry on the world wine map, it's the Barossa. Its signature style of bold, juicy, and age-worthy red wines has stunned wine critics, experts and novices worldwide. You can't get shiraz like a Barossa shiraz anywhere else. One wine brand that is spruiking its prestige in the region is Krondorf Wines. We chatted with Krondorf's head winemaker and Barossan native, Nick Badrice, about the brand and what makes the Barossa region so special. Tell us a little about yourself and your time at Krondorf Wines. I grew up in the Barossa Valley, so it was natural that I was immersed in the wine industry from a young age. This [current] vintage will see me having completed 35 vintages. I have made wines from many of Australia's premium wine-growing regions including Tasmania, Yarra Valley, Eden Valley and the Barossa Valley. But I also spent several vintages working overseas in Spain making wines from the region's extremely old grenache and tempranillo bush vines. I drive my knowledge and experience from this time to fuel my passion for producing super premium wines under the Krondorf label, using fruit from some of the Barossa Valley's oldest vines. As a native Barossan, do you think wine runs in your veins or is it less nature and more a case of nurture that led you to join the industry? My father and grandfather both worked in the wine industry which led me to do a vintage. My aim was to earn some money to be able to travel overseas, but this didn't go as planned. I ended up loving it — and here we are now. What, in your opinion, sets the Australian wine industry apart from the old-world wine regions of Europe and the new-world wine regions of the Americas and South Africa? The Australian wine industry is always pushing the boundaries to try new things and advance ourselves. Whether it's technology, winemaking techniques, advancements in equipment, or viticulture [grape-growing], we are continually striving to be at the forefront of the industry. The history of the Barossa Valley extends back almost two hundred years and includes the oldest vines in the world — do you think it was always destined to be a wine country, or was it purely chance that led those settlers there? The Silesians [people of Central Europe] who first settled the Barossa in the 1840s practised diversified farming. This includes farming livestock, growing crops, maintaining fruit orchids and small vine gardens. After the first few years, they discovered the grape vines doing particularly well on the fertile soils of the Barossa, which led to further plantings. So, what was once a 'cottage industry' is now recognised as a region that produces some of the most sought-after wines in the world. What makes the region such a perfect spot for this red variety? The Barossa has a warm climate that experiences cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers with low humidity and plenty of sunshine. This combination of dry, sunny days broken by short spells of rainfall creates an uninterrupted ripening period, which allows the grapes to achieve optimum ripeness. It's ideal conditions for full-bodied red wines with exceptional depth, flavour and richness, such as shiraz, cabernet sauvignon and grenache. What time of the year does the region really shine? As a winemaker, harvest time is always the most exciting — the anticipation of the new vintage and the opportunity to create new wines is super exhilarating. The Barossa comes alive during this time. The community also comes together for the bi-annual Vintage Festival, which is a major drawcard for tourists coming to the area during the harvest season. If a complete wine rookie were to ask you 'why should I choose to buy Krondorf?' what would you tell them? Krondorf's winemaking approach is one of minimalism. We use traditional techniques to create wines that showcase the terroir of the wine — the characteristics of the soil type and microclimate of the sites on which the grapes are grown. The range includes super-expressive wines, some of which are made from the oldest vineyards in the region. The Krondorf Kings Mantle Shiraz is the icon shiraz in our range — it's the epitome of Barossa shiraz. What's your recommended care plan to get the best glass out of a bottle of Krondorf shiraz? Do you recommend cellaring or are your wines drinkable now? The Krondorf range includes wines that are delicate, highly fragrant and medium-bodied and made to be drinkable now, and those that are made to be cellared. These wines are typically full-bodied and have amazing richness, concentration, depth of flavour and structure, which will only get better with time. I would recommend carefully cellaring these wines which means storing them somewhere that sits between 12-14 degrees Celsius, with no light and has minimal changes in temperature. A seldom-used wardrobe or cupboard is better than the top of your fridge. Krondorf recently opened a cellar door; what experiences does that offer visitors? The cellar door is located in the township of Tanunda and delivers a high-end, relaxed atmosphere without the stuffiness that can sometimes come along at certain wine tastings. At the cellar door we share a range of sub-regional wines from individual vineyard sites at our masterclass tastings, where the wines are matched with local, regional produce. We immerse our guests in the history of Krondorf and the lives of the early Silesian settlers to the Barossa. What are some local spots in the region for first-time visitors to check out? The Barossa is steeped in history and has so many amazing historical destinations for visitors to experience. My personal recommendation is to visit the historic village of Seppeltsfield, it has an excellent spectacle of palm trees that line the roads and is a must-see. The historic Seppeltsfield winery offers wine tastings, a restaurant and specialty shops, plus it's surrounded by gorgeous gardens. Obviously, the other place I'd recommend for visitors to relax and enjoy a drink is the Krondorf Wines cellar door. Be honest: when you go out for dinner, do you order wine, or do you like to keep your work life out of your personal time? Whenever I'm out to dinner, I always like to check the wine list out of curiosity to see what's on offer. There's often a wine I'd like to drink. As a winemaker, there is always something new to experience, whether it be Australian or international. How do you go about pairing wines? Are you a classic red wine and steak person, or do you have any unusual pairings up your sleeve that always work? To be honest, I don't have any rules here. It's all about experimenting and discovering what does or doesn't work for you. My personal favourite is Barossa grenache matched with fried pig's ears and spicy Sichuan sauce. What's exciting you about the wine industry right now? At Krondorf, we are always looking for better ways to combat climate change and lessen our carbon footprint, it's an important part of our brand's future. We're in the process of transitioning several of our vineyards to organic farming and certification. Our customers are searching for high-quality organic and biodynamic wines, and we want to meet that demand. Plus, increasing sustainable agricultural practices is key to the future of the Australian wine industry. Discover Krondorf Wines and its story at its cellar door in the township of Tanunda in the heart of the Barossa. Book a tasting on the website.
James Bond has never really been comrades with Russia. In fact 007 novels and films were officially banned in the USSR for decades due to their perceived anti-Soviet rhetoric, so the last thing to expect would be the Russian Army Choir covering Adele's sultry Oscar-winning eponymous track to Skyfall but that is exactly what has been delivered to us — and it is fantastic. The singing military septet performed the song in full on Russian breakfast television dressed complete in military garb, supplying a tidal wave of intensity to a song already drowning in it. Singing entirely in English — with a little clipboard help and some minor slip-ups that can be forgiven by their commitment — the youthful soloist beautifully introduces the song before his stern choristers join in to roar the chorus and have the hosts of the show (dressed in their favourite Wiggles block colours) swaying along. The singing sensations have now been viewed more than 1 million times on YouTube. Amidst the (deserved) uproar over Russia's anti-gay laws, brought to light in particular by Stephen Fry's impassioned plea to boycott the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, hopefully this love ballad can melt the hearts of the Russian administration behind this legislature. Whilst incredibly unlikely, at least we can still enjoy this tingling rendition. Also, check out those hats. Via Huffington Post.
In too many music biopics to count, a star is born — and also rises to fame after putting their talents towards a dream that's inspired them as long as they can remember. Weird: The Al Yankovic Story looks set to follow same formula, and also parody it. It wouldn't be a movie about Weird Al Yankovic if it didn't take something that already works, then give it a satirical spin, now would it? "My whole life, all I wanted was to do... was make up new words to a song that already exists," Yankovic, as played by Daniel Radcliffe (The Lost City), says in the just-dropped full trailer for Weird — in case you thought the film wasn't going to be gloriously ridiculous. This line bookends glimpses of a childhood Al happily thumbing through accordion magazines and getting caught at a polka party. In other words, this humorous look at the man behind oh-so-many humorous songs is taking the exact approach a film about Weird Al really has to. The new trailer follows a teaser back in May, and gives viewers plenty of gifts: accordions, obviously; recreations of Weird Al's film clips and live performances; chaotic meetings with Madonna, as played by Westworld's Evan Rachel Wood; and origin stories behind tracks like 'My Bologna' and 'Like a Surgeon'. The list goes on, and also includes Radcliffe having an absolute ball in the lead role. In his time playing Harry Potter, Radcliffe did many things. He didn't cut like a surgeon, get himself an egg and beat it, or lose on Jeopardy, though. And, he certainly didn't don the curliest of wigs, swan around in Hawaiian shirts with his chest hair flapping in the breeze or pick up an accordion, either — but Weird is making all of the above magic happen. With Radcliffe seemingly having the time of his life as the musician behind 'Another One Rides the Bus', 'Smells Like Nirvana' and 'Amish Paradise' — plus comedic riffs on pretty much every other big song of the past four-plus decades that you can think of — Weird: The Al Yankovic Story really is exactly what it sounds like. It sounds wonderful, too, naturally. Radcliffe sports wire-framed glasses, those shirts, that hair and Yankovic's instantly recognisable moustache in the music biopic, which feels like it was cast by the internet. Made for the Roku Channel in the US, and arriving in America on November 4 — with no details yet dropping about where it'll air Down Under, or when, sadly — this is 100-percent an authorised bio. Yankovic is one of the screenwriters, in fact, alongside director Eric Appel (a TV sitcom veteran with Happy Endings, New Girl, Brooklyn Nine-Nine and top-notch cop-show parody NTSF:SD:SUV on this resume). If the man in the spotlight's career has taught us all anything apart from the wrong words to pop hits, however, it's that he doesn't take a single thing, including himself, seriously. Also set to feature: Yankovic's rise to fame, all those songs, everything from "his torrid celebrity love affairs" to his "famously depraved lifestyle", and a story that follows his journey "from gifted child prodigy to the greatest musical legend of all time" — at least according to the original press release revealing the flick, which sports a healthy sense of humour. When the film was announced, Yankovic gave his input too, of course. "When my last movie UHF came out in 1989, I made a solemn vow to my fans that I would release a major motion picture every 33 years, like clockwork. I'm very happy to say we're on schedule," he said. "And I am absolutely thrilled that Daniel Radcliffe will be portraying me in the film. I have no doubt whatsoever that this is the role future generations will remember him for." Check out the trailer for Weird: The Al Yankovic Story below: Weird: The Al Yankovic Story releases in the US on November 4, but doesn't yet have a release date Down Under — we'll update you when further details are announced.
Stanley St. Merchants! Two-and-a-half hours before the deadline for the inaugural season of pop-up crowdfunder IconPark, the teams were neck-and-neck, fighting it out at the $50,000-$60,000 mark. Then, with thirty minutes to go, thousands of people from all over the world logged in. The two top-performing budgets surged into six figures before Stanley St. Merchants emerged triumphant. Twenty-one days ago, six passionate food and beverage teams entered into an epic hospitality battle. Their goal? To win more pledges than any other competitor. Their motivation? To see their unique concept take up a 12-week residency at brand-new venue IconPark. So what can we expect when the victors open at 78 Stanley Street on April 22? Award-winning Western Australian chef Matt Stone will be moving in downstairs with a sustainable, locally foraged menu (“from honey harvested in Neutral Bay, to paper bark sourced on the streets of Marrickville”). To match, there’ll be artisan spirits and coffee from Melbourne favourite St Ali, delivered by head barista Sal Malatesta. Then it’ll be upstairs for a “MASH-meets-Motley Crue” cocktail bar experience, shaped by drinks expert Bobby Carey (Shady Pines, Riley St Garage, Old Growler) and resident in-house distiller and all-round hospitality legend Jeremy Spencer (West Winds Gin). Expect an imaginative menu, slick service, and an emphasis on Australian-made spirits. Finally, “out the back” will be transformed into the secret world of Uncle Sal’s House of Cards and Dominos. You’ll need a password to enter (released daily via social media). Even if you didn’t pledge during the competition, it’s not too late to get in on the action. Gift vouchers are still on sale and your best bet for getting into the venue.
Maybe you look forward to winter for the warmer attire. Perhaps you're all about getting cosy at home. Or, if you're a fan of loading up on sweets and carbs, you could have National Doughnut Day marked in your calendar — circled, of course — for a date with free doughnuts. Each year, Krispy Kreme gives away an extremely excessive number of doughnuts. You're probably now wondering what constitutes an excessive amount of doughnuts — and no, polishing off a packet by yourself doesn't count in this instance. Krispy Kreme's giveaway is going big, with the chain slinging 100,000 original glazed doughnuts for the occasion. Whether or not you're a big fan of food 'days', we're guessing you are quite fond of free doughnuts. To snag yourself a signature glazed freebie, head to your closest Krispy Kreme store in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia on Friday, June 7. That gives you a heap of places to flock to, with Sydneysiders able to hit up 18 stores stretching from Penrith to the CBD, Victorians needing to visit nine locations from Chadstone to Collins Street, and Queenslanders given eight different doughnut shops to pick from (with the most central in Albert Street in the CBD). Residents of Perth can make a date with one of four Krispy Kreme locations, while Adelaide has a raft of stores to visit. The National Doughnut Day deal isn't available anywhere other than Krispy Kreme stores, or via online orders or third-party deliveries. There's also a limit of one freebie per person, and the giveaway only applies to the original glazed variety. The 100,000 doughnuts will be spread across the participating shops, so you'll want to get in relatively early if you want to kick off your Friday with a free sweet and doughy treat. Obviously, whether you nab one or not is subject to availability. Krispy Kreme's free doughnut giveaway is happening in the chain's stores around the country on Friday, June 7, 2024. To find your closest shop and check its opening hours, head to the Krispy Kreme website.
A star of movies as well as music, Elvis Presley has rarely been far from screens. First, he was acting in flicks. Then, features were made about his story. He'll be back in the building in Priscilla, although it doesn't tell his tale from the usual angle. As the name makes plain, Sofia Coppola (On the Rocks) is exploring his marriage to Priscilla Presley from the latter's perspective. Coppola reteams with American distributor A24 after On the Rocks and The Bling Ring before it to adapt Elvis and Me, Priscilla's 1985 memoir that was co-written with Sandra Harmon. This isn't the first time that the book has hit the screen thanks to a 1988 TV movie, but it clearly has its namesake's approval given that she's one of the film's executive producers. (Another: Coppola's brother Roman.) The focus: the tale from when a teenage Priscilla Beaulieu met rock 'n' roll superstar Elvis Presley at a party, following their courtship and marriage. It's a well-told affair both on-screen and in the media, taking the couple from a a German army base to Graceland, with Coppola's version seeing its ups and downs — thrills and struggles, too — through Priscilla's rather than her hip-swinging husband's eyes. In both the initial teaser and just-dropped full trailer, Priscilla and Elvis' romance rides highs and lows towards heartbreak, including their first meeting, her arrival at Graceland, their wedding, her pregnancy and being a mother to Lisa Marie. Elvis' music stardom and fame also feature, plus Priscilla's yearning to be her own person. Playing the rock 'n' roll couple, thank you very much: Mare of Easttown, Devs, On the Basis of Sex, Bad Times at the El Royale and Pacific Rim: Uprising actor Cailee Spaeny as Priscilla, with Australian Euphoria and The Kissing Booth star Jacob Elordi as Elvis. Spaeny won the Best Actress award at the 2023 Venice International Film Festival for her performance. Coppola writes and directs Priscilla, making her first film since 2020's On the Rocks, while Succession and Hello Tomorrow!'s Dagmara Dominczyk also stars. The movie is due in US cinemas in November, with release details Down Under yet to be announced. And, if you're wondering whether the Presley family's story is angling for a trilogy, each with a different cast, different acclaimed filmmaker at the helm and different person in the spotlight, that's understandable. Baz Luhrmann's Elvis arrived in 2022, and now Priscilla takes that trilogy idea two-thirds of the way there. Whether there'll also be a Lisa Marie movie is yet to be seen. Check out the trailer for Priscilla below: Priscilla doesn't yet have a release date Down Under — we'll update you when one is announced.
It's taken a long time to get here, but today the Federal Government will finally legalise the sale of medicinal marijuana in Australia. According to The Courier Mail, Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt will today officially announce that cannabis can now be distributed in Australia to those who need it for health and pain relief reasons. At present, thanks to laws passed last year, patients can request medicinal marijuana from their GP, but, as there is no legal market in Australia, are forced to import the drug from overseas (or source it illegally). This change will essentially open up a whole new legal cannabis market in Australia, and allow companies to distribute (and eventually cultivate) it as a medicine. "We are now making it easier to access medicinal cannabis, while still maintaining strict safeguards for individual and community safety," Hunt told The Courier Mail. "As part of these changes, importers can source medicinal cannabis products from a reputable supplier overseas and store these in a safe, secure warehouse in Australia." The new rules will mean that people with chronic illness and pain — like epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and cancer — will be able to access the drug much more quickly and with much less rigmarole, although they'll still have to get a prescription from their doctor. Imports will initially make up the country's inventory of cannabis while domestic cultivation is established. According to News Corp, 14 crop licenses are already under consideration. Just to be clear though, recreational use of marijuana is still very much illegal and laws vary state-to-state. This approval is a huge (and necessary) win for people who need marijuana for medical reasons, which will hopefully be implemented very soon. Via The Courier Mail.
Bravo Child is a performance poet and a community builder. But he's also a coder, and he doesn't see that as all that far divided from his other talents. Bravo will be the host of Memebrain, an upcoming hackfest in Chatswood convened by dLux MediaArts, with partners Darwin Community Arts Centre, Kulchajam and the ISEA Portals Project, which aims to link up willing hackers in Sydney, Byron Bay and Darwin to see what they can do when pressing the arts and the computer sciences together. Concrete Playground recently got the chance to catch up with Child at one of his workspaces in inner-city Chippendale, where he told us all about what happens when art and science collide. If you're a coder, it's probably not a great surprise that Memebrain host Bravo Child would like to see you at his upcoming hackfest. But, if you're more of an arts type with little in the way of technical skills, you should know he wants you there, too. A hackfest is traditionally an afternoon, day or weekend where coders get together to collaborate and hopefully come up with some interesting software. Probably the best known recent Sydney attempt was the apps4NSW hackfest that slowly led to real-time bus and train data appearing on Sydney transport apps. The day itself is a 48-hour hackfest buried under the new Chatswood Concourse building. All sorts of people are expected to turn up Friday night — games developers, web developers, creative coders, roboticists (to be confirmed, at time of writing), illustrators, DJs, VJs and maybe even another poet. They'll all be politely clumped together to try to find new ways of linking up art and tech. The long term goal with Memebrain is to start a kind of Kino for Sydney hacking, with a permanent online presence and meetups in the physical world. Growing up to be a Coginaut Bravo describes himself as a 'coginaut', which he says is "an explorer of ideas". Essentially — like recent Vivid Ideas guest Jonathan Harris — he's a storyteller across media. Child splits his time over performance poetry, design work and occasionally cheering up countries one suburb at a time. His technical skills are only a late arrival in an ongoing love of live story. "My art form, if I could whittle it down, would be ideas and experiences." He wasn't always captivated by the technical side of things, though. He started when he was young at singing, acting and dancing workshops in South Africa. Coming to Australia, he studied at Australian Theatre for Young People, later learning impro and competing in the Cranston Cup. He'd run Outspoken workshops and hip hop battle nights and toured with spoken word group the Spokes. Eventually a degree in communication design (print media, essentially) got him interested in the technical, and his career veered off into game design. Make Code Without Computer Skills According to Jonathan Harris, "the medium of our time is code". Child feels similarly, that it's code that cleaves modern electronic art away from being just a repetition of cutscene-heavy, movie-like '90s games. But he doesn't think you need to give up your arts-brain to get into it just because there's a new mechanism to understand behind the scenes. He gives examples of easy ways to dip your toes in the coding world, depending on where your artistic interests lie: Code Academy turns the basic ideas of code into a game, with Foursquare-like achievements for threading your way through short, approachable coding lessons. Processing is another good place to start experimenting. Max/MSP is great for manipulating sound, while Isadora is a simple, "node based" way to learn to program your own interactive video for the stage. Just like some people can write prose but can't really draw, Child makes coding sound like simply another skillset for artists to DIY, or learn to coexist with. You wouldn't need any of it to turn up to Memebrain. But, equally, it doesn't sound like it would be too much drama to get a taste of the code side of things along the way. 48 Hours of Hacking For hacking participants, 48 hours of Memebrain will start Friday evening, June 14. Anyone can join in the main event there. And it's free. But you'll need to register first. There'll be some briefing, some meet and greet, then a night of hacking. He says that the vibe will be a bit like a mini-festival, with massages on Saturday, a chill-out space off to one side for sleepy-lidded hackers and some Saturday mentoring from ISEA Portal Project artists. There'll also be a live link up to teams working in parallel in Darwin and Byron. Participants bring their own components — art, mechanisms, code, ideas — and find a way to plug them together and do new, wonderful things. On Sunday, the results will be shown to the public in front of the Concourse big screen at 6pm. Zydnei should also be wrapping up nearby. It's about integrating skillsets. Any tech or art skill will do, says Child: "If you make cakes: cool. Bring your cake, and we'll plug an electrode into it." But it's also about integrating disparate pools of talent across town. As Child sees it, it's more about combining the two Snowian cultures of science and art. It's a hackfest that takes all types. "An artist who uses technology as the medium or a technologist who creates something artistic. We're really trying to have the fault line between the two become one."
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]
Apollo Bay's seafood extravaganza will return to the Great Ocean Road for three big days in February 2020, dishing up world-class seafood, sourced locally, to the people of the beautiful coastal town. The main event takes place on Saturday, February 15, where you can take your pick from the morning's catch directly from the fishermen at an 'off the boat' seafood market, which will see stalls brimming with oysters, caviar and prawns. Then, Harbour Day continues with live music, pop-up restaurants, interactive demonstrations, sailing lessons, casting competitions, and plenty of craft beer, wine and cocktails to sweeten the deal. Feast on lobster rolls, prawn dumplings, paella, abalone sashimi and more, as the festivities continue into the evening. Bookending the festival are two ticketed events for the true seafood enthusiasts. On Friday night there will be an ocean-to-plate gala feast, which will see top Melbourne chefs dishing up a huge dinner showcasing locally caught produce, complete with matching wines and an ocean-themed dessert. On Sunday afternoon, guest speakers and experts will discuss sustainability in the fishing industry, with oysters, lunch and champagne on the menu.
Sydney can prepare to see a few less dockless share bikes around, as one council makes good on its promise to start impounding those that are left lying around damaged or abandoned. Waverley Council — which covers Bondi, Bronte, Vaucluse, Dover Heights, Bondi Junction, Waverley and parts of Rose Bay — last week backed a motion by Mayor John Wakefield to start clearing wayward bikes from the streets, with Business Insider Australia reporting as many as 60 were impounded on Monday alone. Currently, it costs operators $70 to get each bike back, though the council says it's looking into charging as much as $500 a pop under environmental legislation. There are plans to recycle any unclaimed bikes after one month. Waverley is one of the six councils that teamed up last December to write a new set of share bike guidelines, giving operators three months to step up their game and fix the many problems their bikes appear to have created. Later this month, there'll be a review of the companies' responses to the new guidelines, which call for bikes to be removed from dangerous spots within three hours, require bikes to be unlocked for council staff upon request and state that any damaged bikes must be deactivated immediately. Right now, there's an estimated 2000 share bikes around Sydney, though who knows how much longer that will be the case if their owners don't lift their game. Via Business Insider.
Residents of Warrnambool, a huge festival is coming your way. Music lovers, you're heading to the Victorian town. The coastal spot has been named the host of Triple J's One Night Stand for 2024, with G Flip, Ruel, What So Not — with some friends — and Thelma Plum leading the lineup. Warrnambool was picked by the Australian radio station from a huge 2087 submissions, with the nation clearly excited about the return of the fest for the first time in five years. The roster of talent taking to the stage at Friendly Societies Park three hours out of Melbourne also includes Sycco and DICE, a competition winner from Unearthed, and special guests as well. [caption id="attachment_966668" align="alignnone" width="1917"] Callum Walker Hutchinson[/caption] Triple J announced back in April that the event would make a comeback this year, then revealed at the beginning of July that it'd return on Saturday, September 14, 2024. Next came the lineup details, and now finally where the fest is rolling into town. Victoria was the site of the very first One Night Stand, too. Twenty years ago, the ABC station gave the town of Natimuk a day to remember when the spot 300 kilometres out of Melbourne hosted its very own major music fest, with Grinspoon, Eskimo Joe and The Dissociatives (aka Daniel Johns and Paul Mac) all getting behind the microphone. So began an event that became a yearly tradition, but taking place in different regional locations, with Triple J putting on a fest every year between 2004–2014, then again from 2016–2019. There's no prizes for guessing why One Night Stand pressed pause from 2020, but that gap in the event's history is finally coming to an end. The all-ages event is returning at time when the Australian live music scene has been suffering, and after a spate of festivals have been cancelling or saying farewell forever. In 2024 alone, both Groovin the Moo and Splendour in the Grass announced lineups, then scrapped this year's fests mere weeks later. Summergrounds Music Festival, which was meant to debut at Sydney Festival 2024, also didn't go ahead. As announced in 2023, Dark Mofo took a breather this year — and Mona Foma, the summer fest also held by Tasmania's Museum of Old and New Art, has advised that its 2024 event was its last ever. With the state of the industry in mind, bringing back One Night Stand is not only much-needed and well-timed, but will also raise funds Support Act, the charity for the Australian music industry. In the past, the event has also been to Ayr, Dalby and Mt Isa in Queensland; Port Pirie, Tumby Bay and Lucindale in South Australia; Cowra and Dubbo in New South Wales; Collie and Geraldton in Western Australia; Sale and Mildura in Victoria; Alice Springs in the Northern Territory; and St Helens in Tasmania. One Night Stand Lineup 2024: G Flip Ruel What So Not + Friends Thelma Plum Sycco DICE triple j Unearthed Competition Winner + special guests 2024's triple j One Night Stand will take place on Saturday, September 14 in Warrnambool, with tickets on sale from 19am on Thursday, July 25. For more information, head to the radio station's website. Top image: Drew de F Fawkes via Wikimedia Commons.
Outbreak Day, the date that Cordyceps reached critical mass in The Last of Us — that'd be September 26 — has been and gone for 2024 in Australia. But as the occasion hit the US, HBO gave fans of the TV show based on the hugely popular gaming series a welcome gift. After dropping sneak peeks as images and in promos for the network's full upcoming slate over the past few months, the American cable TV network has unveiled a teaser trailer for the post-apocalyptic hit's second season. Prepare for a time jump. Prepare for a guitar. Prepare for hordes of infected. Prepare for a haunting feeling, too. How does life go on after not just the global devastation caused by the Cordyceps virus, but following the chaos that the first season of The Last of Us brought? Sometime in 2025, viewers will find out — but here's a glimpse now. In season two, it's been five years since the events of season one. And while there has been peace, it clearly isn't here to stay. Yes, Joel and Ellie are back — and, in their shoes, so are Pedro Pascal (The Wild Robot) and Bella Ramsey (Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget). This time around, the show's main duo have company from both familiar faces and a heap of newcomers. Rutina Wesley (Monster High) and Gabriel Luna (Fubar) return as Maria and Tommy, while Kaitlyn Dever (Good Grief), Isabela Merced (Alien: Romulus), Jeffrey Wright (American Fiction), Young Mazino (Beef), Ariela Barer (How to Blow Up a Pipeline), Tati Gabrielle (Kaleidoscope), Spencer Lord (Family Law) and Danny Ramirez (Black Mirror) are the season's additions. The first teaser for season two gives fans a glimpse of plenty of the above new cast members, including Dever as Abby and Wright as Isaac. Also new: Catherine O'Hara (Beetlejuice Beetlejuice) as a guest star. She starts the clip setting a timer and trying to get Joel to talk. His look in response says everything. The Last of Us made the leap from video games to TV in 2023, and was swiftly renewed after proving a massive smash instantly. The series gave HBO its most-watched debut season of a show ever — and its first episode was also the network's second-largest debut of all time. Locking in a second season was also hardly surprising because the 2013 game inspired a 2014 expansion pack and 2020 sequel. For first-timers to the franchise on consoles and as a TV series, The Last of Us kicked off 20 years after modern civilisation as we know it has been toppled by a parasitic fungal infection that turns the afflicted into shuffling hordes. Pascal plays Joel, who gets saddled with smuggling 14-year-old Ellie (his Game of Thrones co-star Ramsey) out of a strict quarantine zone to help possibly save humanity's last remnants. There wouldn't be a game, let alone a television version, if that was an easy task, of course — and if the pair didn't need to weather quite the brutal journey. As a television series, The Last of Us hails from co-creator, executive producer, writer and director Craig Mazin, who already brought a hellscape to HBO (and to everyone's must-watch list) thanks to the haunting and horrifying Chernobyl. He teams up here with Neil Druckmann from Naughty Dog, who also penned and directed The Last of Us games. Check out the new teaser trailer for The Last of Us season two below: The Last of Us season two doesn't yet have a release date, other than sometime in 2025. When it returns, it'll stream via Binge in Australia and on Neon in New Zealand. Read our review of the first season. Images: HBO.
If it's been a while since your last holiday — or if you're in the midst of a bad case of post-holiday blues — you're probably itching to plan your next big trip. Or just eager to immerse yourself in another culture and taste some food that's not pub grub or shrimp on the barbie. Over the weekend of November 23–24, Darling Harbour will come alive with the sights, sounds and spices of Sri Lanka — so you can get a little taste of the island destination. The Sri Lanka Food and Culture Festival, hosted by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, will give Sydney a chance to experience just some of the things that led to Lonely Planet dubbing the small nation the number one country to visit this year. You'll witness authentic cultural performances, pick up some traditional handicrafts and jewellery, sip endless cups of the area's famously delicious ceylon tea and, of course, eat. Following centuries of complex history, Sri Lankan cuisine enjoys the best of its varied influences and tropical climate, with vibrant curries, fresh coconut and fruit, plus plenty of spiced cakes and custards. Make sure you arrive hungry, as you'll want to sample all the kottu roti with spicy curry sauce, Sri Lankan pancakes (hoppers), rice and meat curry wrapped in banana leaves (lamprais) you can handle. Entertainment-wise, you'll learn about the traditional health practices of ayurveda, play games (including ones at a dedicated kids zone), get the lowdown on the best ways to travel Sri Lanka and maybe even win a holiday package, so you can check out the country's growing surf scene. Sri Lanka Food and Culture Festival runs from 10am–7pm, Saturday, November 23 and 10am–5pm, Sunday, November 24. For more information, head here. Image: Parker Blain.
Deborah Kelly is one of our home-grown gems. Her practice is sharp and subversive, often involving a clever use of imagery and incisive political commentary. This exhibition at the Penrith Regional Gallery in partnership with The Lewers Bequest will showcase work from the last 15 years of Kelly's practice. Kelly has won a swag of awards across Australia and the world. She creates captivating portraits, collages and animations while taking on a whole range of themes, such as global capital, public policy, religious authority, power and privilege.
Daniel Craig's run as Bond, James Bond might be over, but that just gives him more time to spend as Benoit Blanc. Back in 2019, the British actor added sleuthing his way through murder-mysteries to his resume, playing the private detective in star-studded whodunnit Knives Out. The end result was not only ace, but also such a hit that Netflix hopped on two sequels. The first followup, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, arrives this December — to stream on December 23, in fact, so consider it any early Christmas gift. It's also filled with famous faces, as the just-dropped first trailer illustrates. Joining Craig: Edward Norton (The French Dispatch), Janelle Monáe (Antebellum), Kathryn Hahn (WandaVision), Leslie Odom Jr (The Many Saints of Newark), Jessica Henwick (The Gray Man), Madelyn Cline (Outer Banks), Kate Hudson (Music) and Dave Bautista (Thor: Love and Thunder). In this chapter of the Knives Out franchise, the action moves to Greece. If you saw the original — or any murder-mystery involving a motley crew of characters brought together in one location when someone turns up dead — then you'll know how it works from there. There's a lavish setting, that aforementioned big group of chalk-and-cheese folks, threats aplenty and just as much suspicion. Glass Onion takes place on a Greek island, but also sends its various players on a cruise — and yes, thinking about Agatha Christie, including this year's Death on the Nile, is a natural reaction. "Lock the doors. Stay in your rooms. Everyone is in danger," Blanc advises in the sneak peek, because all of that goes with the territory as well. Is the culprit Bautista's Duke Cody on the yacht? Hudson's Birdie Jay in the games room? Hahn's Claire Debella by the pool? You'll have to watch to find out. Just like its predecessor, Glass Onion is both written and directed by Rian Johnson, with the filmmaker moving onto the franchise after 2017's Star Wars: Episode VIII — The Last Jedi — and still indulging his love of on-screen puzzles, as shone through in Brick and Looper as well. Check out the first trailer for Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery below: Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery will be available to stream via Netflix from December 23. Images: John Wilson/Netflix © 2022.
When Kitchen by Mike shut its doors in Rosebery back in 2015, it left a very large, canteen-shaped hole in our hearts. Our spirits were lifted again when head chef and nutrition guru Mike McEnearney opened No. 1 Bent Street in the city, and Mike's next venture was announced almost a year ago. Now the time has come again for renewed jubilation, because Kitchen by Mike is back. At the airport. While you will need to drop a little coin on an international flight to experience Mike's take on healthy, fresh and generous grub, for those familiar with the experience of trying to eat anything that will stay down at 6am while waiting in a pretty dreary surrounding, the new addition to the dining options is an absolute blessing. Set to open mid-February to March near much-publicised new venue The Bistro by Wolfgang Puck, Kitchen by Mike will be a fresh local alternative to the fast food chains dwelling at Sydney Airport. True to form, the menu at the airport canteen will change day to day, depending on the seasonal, local produce that's available. There'll be a couple of meat and fish dishes, like a Kurobutta ham with mash and cumberland sauce or mackerel with asparagus and herb butter. On top of that, there'll be a vast array of the incredible salads that have come to be the staple of McEnearney's trade. There'll also be a few local wines on the list, including unique house red and white from McClaren Vale and Mudgee, respectively. For those intrepid travelers on the fly, Mike will also be serving up carry-on lunches ('Fly by Mike') packed fresh to order, and a smaller sample of tasty beverage to whet your whistle. And, if you've forgotten to pick up a few souvenirs to take with you, Mike's retail range of jams, chutneys and sauces will be waiting to save you from that particular awkward moment. Although it's not the readily available canteen of its Rosebery days, Kitchen by Mike is most definitely back, just at the small price of, you know, an overseas holiday. Kitchen by Mike will open at Sydney's T1 International Terminal in February/March. Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be served from 6am to 10pm. Images: Alana Dimou.
If you're thinking of heading to Tassie for Dark Mofo this year, this could be the clincher. MONA has just announced its next big exhibition, Zero — a celebration of Germany's radical artists of the 1950s and 60s. The show gets its name from the term the artists used, collectively, to describe themselves. They didn't identify as belonging to a movement, style or group, but instead felt connected by a "vision of the things", as explained by Otto Piene, one of the founders. "Zero's philosophical foundation was that art was not something to be painfully extracted in solitude, but assembled and constructed with others, using whatever materials came best to hand: metal, cardboard, glass, plastic, cloth, mirrors and smoke," says MONA's Senior Research Curator Jane Clark. "They banged nails, smashed bottles, poked holes and cut up each other's canvases." The show will feature artworks by original Zero artists, as well as those that have since absorbed their influence. These include Heinz Mack, Otto Piene, Günther Uecker and Adolf Luther from Germany; Lucio Fontana, Nanda Vigo, Grazia Varisco, Enrico Castellani and Gianni Colombo from Italy; with Marcel Duchamp, Yves Klein and François Morellet from France; Henk Peeters from The Netherlands; Christian Megert from Switzerland; Jesús Soto from Venezuela; and Yayoi Kusama from Japan. Given that these artworks were often ephemeral, many will be reconstructions. Expect sound effects, music, optical illusions, moving parts, shifting lights and reflective materials. There'll be a particular focus on vibration, which Mack described in 1958 as "resting restlessness…the expression of continuous movement, which we call 'vibration'…Its harmony stirs our souls, as the life and breath of the work." Taking care of curation is Mattijs Visser, founding director of the international Zero Foundation. "Zero is one of the most significant, yet largely forgotten, art movements since the Second World War...Zero needs to be discovered now, while several of their speakers are still with us," he says. Zero will open with a big party on Saturday, June 9 — and it's free for the public to attend (with registration). If you're in town for Dark Mofo — which will run from June 15–24 — it might be a good reason to head to Hobart earlier. The full lineup will be announced on April 6 — we'll keep you updated on that one. Zero will run at the Museum of Old and New Art in Berriedale, Hobart from June 9, 2017 until April 22, 2019. For more info, visit mona. Image: Gianni Colombo: Elastic Space, shot by Matteo Zarbo, courtesy of the Institute for Contemporary Archaeology.
