This article is part of our series on the 17 most unique things to have come out of Japan. Check out the other 16. The opening of Australia's first cat cafes have whipped up quite a frenzy over the last year, but in Japan, cat cafes are old news. The nation has long been obsessed with pet therapy — when you’re living in a crowded area, working long hours and can't keep an animal of your own, there’s nothing like a quick snuggle to relax and re-energise. Since cats, Japan has moved onto a plethora of other creatures great and small, from goats to rabbits to reptiles. Wherever you are, you need never eat or drink without a side of cuddles. At Sakuraoka Cafe, in Tokyo, two goats by the names of Chocolat and Sakura have been in residence since 2010. They inhabit their own private barnyard, within the eatery, so you can lean over for pats and nuzzles at your leisure. Meanwhile, at Usagi-to-Cafe in Nagoya, there are rabbits available for cuddles at the rate of 100 yen per minute. But the mother of all Japan’s animal cafes is probably Cafe Little Zoo, found in the Chiba prefecture just outside of Tokyo. There’s a bunch of different snakes, iguanas and a ball python. If reptiles aren’t your thing, you can choose from a slew of feathered friends, including owls and falcons.
It's that time of the year already. When mid-January hits, everyone is back at work and the summer's holidays start to fade away, we all get a new obsession: booking their next vacation. Consider Webjet's current flight sale, filled with discounted fares to Australia's Red Centre, exactly what you need, then — and an excuse to start packing your suitcase. Until 11.59pm AEDT on Friday, January 20, the travel site is slinging one-way flights to the Northern Territory from just $19 one-way — at a discount of up to $150 off in total on some fares. Of course, that first figure is just the starting point, so you mightn't score such a cheap flight depending on which day you're planning to travel, and also where you're jetting off from, but there are still some mighty cheap prices available. The sale covers trips to Uluru and Alice Springs, for travel from now — yes, right now — through to April 5 this year. Fancy an autumn jaunt to the middle of the country? Making end-of-summer plans to help brace yourself for the cooler weather? Just craving another break already? They're all options. One key caveat: the discounted prices are available for inbound flights only, so you won't receive the same discount to come home. [caption id="attachment_773731" align="alignnone" width="1920"] NT by Tourism Australia[/caption] Among the list of deals, the $19 fares are a starting point for flights from Sydney to Uluru, Melbourne's (from Tullamarine) start at $30 to the same destination, Hobart to Uluru legs begin at $108, and Adelaide to Alice Springs fares start from $115. Wondering what to do once you get there? Uluru's incredible Field of Light installation remains a permanent recommendation — and you can also check out our guide to visiting the Red Centre. [caption id="attachment_847444" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Central Australia[/caption] Webjet's Red Centre sale runs until 11.59pm AEDT on Friday, January 20. Top image: Tourism NT, Salty Travellers.
Having won the Audience Award for Best Documentary at both the Sydney Film Festival and Melbourne International Film Festival in 2010, Bill Cunningham New York is finally landing in Australian cinemas on November 3. Directed by Richard Press, the documentary follows the life and work of 80-year old Bill Cunningham, photographer for The New York Times and candid fashion icon. For decades he has documented the world's fashion trends through his lens, and subsequently become one of the best renowned street photographers of all time, becoming king of his craft while The Sartorialist and Garance Doré were still running around in nappies. Bill Cunningham New York highlights the man's work in one of the world's busiest fashion capitals. Cunningham captures both the elegance of high fashion and the eccentricity of downtown street culture beautifully. What results is a visually stimulating piece of cinema that represents Bill and the Big Apple. His impressive catalogue of work has been treated as a testament to the changing nature of fashion trends throughout the last century. Notable American icons Anna Wintour, Tom Wolfe, Brooke Astor and David Rockefeller all appear in the film. More than just a showcase of fashion, Bill Cunningham New York takes a deep insight into the history behind the man responsible for such stunning images. It reveals his relationship with celebrities and the public, his often secretive personal life and the reasons behind his fascination with clothing and culture. Thanks to Madman Entertainment, Concrete Playground has ten double passes to giveaway. To win tickets to see Bill Cunningham New York, just make sure you are subscribed to Concrete Playground then email your name and postal address through to hello@concreteplayground.com.au https://youtube.com/watch?v=NYqiLJBXbss
When Inside popped up on Australia's film festival circuit in 2024, including at the Melbourne International Film Festival, SXSW Sydney Screen Fest and Brisbane International Film Festival, it was instantly one of the must-see homegrown titles doing the rounds. If you didn't catch it then, the Guy Pearce (The Clearing)-, Cosmo Jarvis (Shōgun)- and Toby Wallace (The Bikeriders)-starring thriller should be at the top of your to-watch list in 2025 when it hits local cinemas in February — and it has just dropped its trailer to demonstrate why. Fresh from earning a well-deserved Golden Globe nomination for The Brutalist — and likely on track for an Oscar nomination for the same role, too — Guy Pearce (The Clearing) leads the prison-set film as Warren Murfett, an inmate on the cusp of parole. As he's preparing for potentially earning his freedom, he's asked to take Mel Blight (Vincent Miller, Plum) under his wing after the latter is transferred from juvenile detention to adult prison. Also giving the newcomer a guiding hand is the infamous and widely despised Mark Shepard (Cosmo Jarvis, Shōgun). Inside doesn't just bring the three men together in a powderkeg of a location; it immerses them in a violent plot that could change each of their lives forever, all while thoughtfully and empathetically pondering choices, repercussions, and the impact of inherited damage and trauma. Also among the cast: Toby Wallace (The Bikeriders), Chloé Hayden (Heartbreak High) and Michael Logo (Colin From Accounts), with the film boasting impressive names on- and off-screen. Inside marks the feature debut of writer/director Charles Williams, who won the 2018 short film Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival for the also-excellent All These Creatures. The Stranger and Acute Misfortune filmmaker Thomas M Wright is onboard, too, as an executive producer. "Inside is a movie that's been with me in some form or another for the better part of a decade. I wanted to make the kind of film that resonated with me growing up. Movies that you could get lost in, often uncovering very specific worlds and complicated characters," explains Williams. "They felt very real but also oddly transporting and almost spiritual — while still being visceral, cinematic experiences for the big screen. It's been such an honour to collaborate with this incredible cast and crew to bring Inside to life." Check out the trailer for Inside below: Inside releases in Australian cinemas on Thursday, February 27, 2025. Images: Mathew Lynn.
With 24 percent of London's rush-hour traffic now made up of cyclists, the call for infrastructure upgrades is growing louder. Following the deaths of six cyclists within a fortnight last November, more than 1000 concerned riders staged a 'die-in' outside the Transport for London headquarters in mid-December. Now, architect and cycling fan Lord Norman Foster is proposing a solution: the SkyCycle. It's 135 miles (or 217km) of car-free cycle paths that would be built in the air, supported by pylons, at a height of three storeys, above the routes established by London's current railway lines. Fifteen metres of width would handle up to 12,000 cyclists every hour. More than 3 million people would live and work within ten minutes' of one of SkyCycle's 200 access points. "It's a lateral approach to finding space in a congested city," Lord Foster said. "By using the corridors above the suburban railways we could create a world-class network of safe, car-free cycle routes that are ideally located for commuters." SkyCycle is a collaboration between Foster and Partners, Space Syntax and Exterior Architecture. Space Syntax director Anna Rose compared the system's potential to that of previous major infrastructure changes that have "transformed the fortunes" of London. "Bazalgette's sewer system helped remove the threat of cholera to keep London at the forefront of the Industrial Revolution; the Underground strengthened London's core by making long-distance commuting possible," she said. "SkyCycle is conceived in this tradition as a network of strategic connections from the suburban edges to the centre, adding the much needed capacity for hundreds of millions of cycle journeys every year with all the social, economic, environmental and health benefits to London that follow." However, London is not the final stop. Sam Martin of Exterior Architecture told the Guardian that SkyCycle's ambition is, ultimately, international in scope. "The dream is that you could wake up in Paris and cycle to the Gard du Nord. Then get the train to Stratford, and cycle straight to London in minutes, without worrying about trucks and buses." The catch? The usual — time and money. The current projected cost is £220 million and the construction period is up to 20 years. In the meantime, however, Londoners have been taking advantage of their new cycle super highway. Via Inhabitat.
There will be spice in 2023's sandiest movie, the eagerly anticipated sequel to 2021's Dune. With a war a-brewing on the planet Arrakis, seeing Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet, Bones and All) and the Fremen face off against the folks who destroyed his family, there will be blood as well. And, in the centrepiece to Dune: Part Two's glorious first trailer ahead of its November release in cinemas, there will be sandworms and wormriding — including the internet's boyfriend going for a cruise on one of the sci-fi franchise's mammoth creatures. When its predecessor hit the big screen, it was after a year-long delay due to the pandemic, and as a second movie adaptation of Frank Herbert's novel. Following in David Lynch's footsteps might seem a foolish move, even when it's making a new version of one of the most unfairly maligned sci-fi films ever crafted, but Denis Villeneuve (Blade Runner 2049) managed what Alejandro Jodorowsky sadly couldn't (see: excellent documentary Jodorowsky's Dune), and a new science-fiction cinema classic arrived. Villeneuve's picture only told part of Dune's story, though, which is where Dune: Part Two comes in. The first film had Paul head to Arrakis because his dad Duke Leto Atreides (Oscar Isaac, Moon Knight) had just been given stewardship of the sandy celestial body and its abundance of 'the spice' — aka the most valuable substance in the universe — and then get caught up in a bitter battle with malicious forces over the substance. It also saw Paul meet the population of people known as the Fremen, including Zendaya's (Euphoria) Chani and Javier Bardem's (Lyle, Lyle Crocodile) Stilgar, which is who he and his mother Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson, Doctor Sleep) are with when the new flick's trailer begins. Amid that expansive desert landscape, those hulking sandworms, Villeneuve's reliable eye for a spectacle and Hans Zimmer's (The Son) latest likely Oscar-winning score, Paul, Chani, Stilgar and company have vengeance to seek — but Paul also has to choose between love and preventing a dark future. And, he has new players to face, with Austin Butler ditching his Elvis locks as Feyd Rautha Harkonnen, the nephew of Stellan Skarsgard's (Andor) Baron Harkonnen, plus Florence Pugh (The Wonder) joining the saga as Princess Irulen, daughter of Christopher Walken's (Severance) Emperor Shaddam IV. From the first film, which scored ten Oscar nominations and six wins, Josh Brolin (Outer Range), Dave Bautista (Knock at the Cabin), Stephen McKinley Henderson (Beau Is Afraid) and Charlotte Rampling (Benedetta) return, while Léa Seydoux (Crimes of the Future) also joins the cast. Off-screen, Villeneuve has brought back not just Zimmer, but Oscar-winning Australian director of photography Greig Fraser (The Batman), Oscar-winning production designer Patrice Vermett (Vice), Oscar-winning editor Joe Walker (The Unforgivable), Oscar-winning visual effects supervisor Paul Lambert (First Man) and Oscar-nominated costume designer Jacqueline West (Song to Song). Check out the first Dune: Part Two trailer below: Dune will release in cinemas Down Under on November 2, 2023.
Have you ever felt in over your head? Sold your kidney for an iPad? Made a deal you regret? Years ago, Michael Gow's opus Away became part of an educational pact with the board of studies — selected as an HSC example of clear structure and character development. Now Gow is directing a new arrangement of the classic deal-with-the-devil play Faustus for the Bell Shakespeare Company, starring John Bell as the devil himself. There are lots of endings for Faustus. Some with damnation, some redemption. Faustus himself (Ben Winspear) — based on real life doctor (or quack) John Faustus — trades his afterlife and soul with a devil named Mephistopheles (John Bell) for 24 years of earthly knowledge and power. There is some Frankenstein here, with a fear of new kinds of learning, and of new kinds of sciences, as though these things touch the mind of God with the gloves off. Gow has adapted this version from Shakespeare's contemporary Kit Marlowe, but given that he's also worked in elements from Goethe's happier Urfaust, who's to say where this Faustus is going in the end.
Five days, more than 100 features, documentaries and shorts, and all of the weird and wonderful cinema delights a movie buff could ask for. Add them together, and that's the 2017 Sydney Underground Film Festival in a twisted nutshell. Celebrating its 11th year from September 14 to 17, this alternative film fest knows how to venture beyond the mainstream. It's the perfect follow-up to Sydney Film Festival. Take this year's opening and closing efforts, for example. When SUFF kicks off, it'll be with a treasure trove of unearthed VHS finds that you literally won't see anywhere else — and to close things off, it'll bring a flick that sparked walkouts at Sundance to its long-term home at Marrickville's Factory Theatre. The former comes courtesy of the Australian debut of the live comedy and commentary-filled Found Footage Festival, while the latter is the post-apocalyptic, stomach-churning, Hannibal Buress and Tim Heidecker-starring Kuso, and they're set to provide quite the festival bookends. In between, SUFF will venture from the mind-bending cult thrills of The Endless — a destined-to-be cult movie about a cult — to one-take Aussie effort Watch the Sunset and the maternal mayhem of Prevenge, where being pregnant brings murderous messages from the unborn. Michael Cera pops up in Lemon and Nick Offerman in Infinity Baby, two American indies demonstrating humanity's social deficiencies in very different ways. Slasher satire Tragedy Girls, ultra-violent Japanese cyberpunk comedy Meatball Machine Kodoko and a tribute screening of George A. Romero's The Crazies help up the horror quota. From the documentary slate, the festival goes heavy on music thanks to factual explorations of L7, The Melvins, ambient house pioneers The Orb, British DIY duo Sleaford Mods and the family members of late American extreme punk musician GG Allins, and also gives cinephiles an extra thrill via Dawson City: Frozen Time, which journeys through a once-lost nitrate film collection. Real-life exorcisms in Liberami also prove a highlight, as does docu-fiction consumerism takedown Drib and the search for a fake rock in Where is Rocky II? If that's not enough, SUFF will also host a soiree dedicated to 16mm cinema, the return of the breakfast cereal cartoon party (and a new late-night session as well). The 2017 Sydney Underground Film Festival runs from September 14 to 17 at The Factory Theatre, Marrickville. For more information or to buy tickets, visit the festival website.
Oxford Street's staple Della Hyde is teaming up with comedy collective LaughMob to host a monthly comedy night in its basement bar. Down for Good Laughs will see a lineup of Australian comedians from around the country come together in a night of booze, American-style eats and (hopefully) a lot of laughs. Doors open at 4pm and comedy kicks off at 7.30pm. Tickets are a tenner online or $15 at the door, with the additional option to pre-purchase the snacks and show package for $39 — this includes entry, reserved seating and a seven snacks. Think cheeseburger sliders, mac and cheese balls, guacamole with black corn chips and brownies for dessert. Plus, on Wednesdays, the bar does $1 wings (as long as you're buying a drink). Tickets for the first three comedy nights are currently available on the website, with dates and lineup for future months yet to be announced.
October isn't the only spooky month in Sydney in 2023. When late November hits, things will be getting eerie at Barangaroo's Harbour Park to end this year and start 2024. Why? How? What? The answer to those questions comes via the masters of immersive thrills behind Darkfield, who are back to give Sydney some more IRL spine tingles. During the pandemic's early days, Realscape Productions had to hit pause on touring its smash-hit series of eerie shipping container installations, including Séance and Flight, pivoting to at-home experiences instead. Darkfield brought those two favourites back to the Harbour City in autumn this year, but it doesn't done with Sydney yet for 2023. So, it's returning for a two-month season with those returning favourites, plus two unnerving new shows. The series will make its comeback from Thursday, November 23, 2023–Sunday, January 21, 2024, delivering four different unsettling productions — each taking place in blacked-out shipping containers and promising to totally mess with your sense of reality. Making its local debut is the oh-so-creepy-sounding Eulogy. This one sees audience members transported through a dark, labyrinthine hotel under the guidance of a chaperone. From there, 360-degree sound and speech-recognition technology are used to lend a disquieting dreamlike vibe. Also, it's recommended that you stick to the correct path, lest you befall some terrible fate at the end of your journey. Another Darkfield creation hitting Sydney for the very first time is Coma, which unfolds as you lie in a bunk bed and tumble into a dream state along with your fellow supine participants. The total darkness aims to impart a spooky sense of solitude, leaving you to be properly engulfed by the show's multi-sensory elements. Having earned a cult following on previous visits here and overseas, sellout shows Séance and Flight will also be getting a run throughout Darkfield's next visit. The former again plays on the concept of sensory deprivation, thrusting audiences on a journey into the supernatural realm as they join a medium in trying to contact the spirit world. As the name suggests, Flight takes place on board an imagined plane, sending passengers tripping through dual worlds as they're forced to ponder the many possible outcomes if the cabin suddenly happened to lose pressure. This is a nerve-jangler, for sure, even for those who aren't afraid of flying. The four shows will each run multiple sessions throughout Darkfield's latest Sydney stint, with prices for each ranging from $22–30. 'Eulogy', 'Coma', 'Séance' and 'Flight' will appear at Barangaroo's Harbour Park, with various sessions running from Thursday, November 23, 2023–Sunday, January 21, 2024. Tickets are available now via the website. Images: Mihaela Bodlovic, Katie Edwards and Alex Purcell.
UPDATE, SATURDAY, MAY 23: Snowpiercer, the series, will hit Netflix Down Under from Monday, May 25. The below article has been updated to reflect this. On a futuristic earth that's been rendered a frozen wasteland, a constantly hurtling train plays host to the world's only remaining people. Humanity's attempts to combat climate change caused their dire predicament, leaving the speeding locomotive as their only solution — and instead of banding together, the residents of the Snowpiercer have transported society's class structure into the carriages of their new home. That's the story that drives Bong Joon-ho's 2013 film Snowpiercer, which marked the acclaimed South Korean writer/director's first English-language film, and one of the movies that brought him to broader fame before Netflix's Okja and 2019's Cannes Palme d'Or-winning and Oscar-winning Parasite. As well as boasting a smart, immersive and all-too-timely concept — and unpacking its underlying idea in a thoroughly thrilling and involving manner — the flick was a star-studded affair. Among the jam-packed cast: Chris Evans, Tilda Swinton, Jamie Bell, Octavia Spencer, John Hurt, Ed Harris and Bong's frequent collaborator Song Kang-ho. Given how great its premise is, it's hardly surprising that Snowpiercer has now been turned into a US TV series. First announced back in 2016, it'll finally speed across screens in May 2020 — including Down Under, where it'll drop new episodes weekly from Monday, May 25. While Snowpiercer, the series, doesn't feature any of the film's high-profile lineup, it does include a few big names of its own, such as Oscar-winner Jennifer Connelly and Tony-winner Daveed Diggs. Alongside Frances Ha's Mickey Sumner, Slender Man's Annalise Basso and The Americans' Alison Wright, they inhabit Snowpiercer's new world order. The planet outside the titular train may be a dystopia with a temperature of -119 degrees celsius, but everyone from the wealthy to the poor have been put in their place inside. Of course, that's until matters such as class warfare, social injustice and the politics of trying to survive start to fester almost seven years into the circling vehicle looping journey. Parasite is being turned into an American TV series, too, by HBO; however, that's a little further off — especially with film and TV production currently out of action during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the interim, revisiting the world of one of Bong's other excellent films will help fill the gap. And, if you need to watch or rewatch the original flick itself, Snowpiercer, the movie, is currently streaming on both Netflix and Stan. Watch the Snowpiercer series trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lFMpmwn_hQ Snowpiercer, the series, will hit Netflix Down Under from Monday, May 25, with new episodes airing weekly. An exact start date hasn't been revealed yet — we'll update you with further details when they come to hand. Images: Netflix.
Already made your way out of a serial killer's lair in Sydney? Panic not, a brand new escape room-style adventure is about to land in Sydney. And, instead of trapping you within four walls, it challenges you to get into a room, steal a piece of art and get out with it. Art Heist is the latest project of the Jetpack Theatre Collective, who specialise in out-of-the-box theatrical experiences. Before now, they've managed to chase their audiences through mazes, row them across lakes and transform them into a herd of stampeding rhinos. For Art Heist, Jetpack has built Wade Gallery, a fictional art space in Dulwich Hill. Inside lies a masterpiece titled The Fat Dragon, which is coveted by Adrian Bailey, an unknown benefactor. Acting as one of his thieves, you'll have 45 minutes to steal it for him. Along the way, you'll be deciphering clues, getting around guards, avoiding alarms and squeezing through air vents. The guards aren't just statues or robots, but actual actors, who'll be responding in real time to your moves — that's part of what what sets Art Heist apart from established escape rooms. "With a stressful political climate and incredibly fast-paced news and social media cycle, it can be invigorating to lose yourself in pretending to be somewhere and someone else," said Jim Fishwick, director of Art Heist. "And when culture is now so available on a phone, what does it really mean to go to a theatre or go to a gallery? It's the social connection with the people you're with and the presence of the art around you." Art Heist is at 404 New Canterbury Road, Dulwich Hill, from 1 June–30 July. It runs on Thursday and Friday, 5.30–8.30pm, and on Saturday and Sunday, 1.30–8.30pm. New sessions start each hour.
By the time October hits, 3600 Australian pharmacies will be administering COVID-19 vaccinations with the Moderna jab. It's the third coronavirus vax to be used in Australia after AstraZeneca and Pfizer, with doses of Moderna arriving on our shores in the past few days — and now being rolled out to chemists nationwide. During the week beginning yesterday, Monday, September 20, 1800 pharmacies will receive their batches and start getting Aussies to roll up their sleeves for Moderna. Next week, from Monday, September 27, that number again will join the Moderna rollout. So, if you haven't had your jabs yet, you now have more options — both in terms of which vaccination to receive and where to get it. Exactly how many pharmacies will be stocked with Moderna in each state varies; however, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews confirmed that 721 chemists across his state will be administering the shots from this week. Obviously, which pharmacists themselves are doing Moderna jabs also varies, but the Australian Government Department of Health's Vaccine Clinic Finder website lets you find where you can get it, or the other COVID-19 vaccines if that's what you'd prefer. Moderna's vax got the nod from Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration back in August, with the TGA advising that "the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine has shown strong efficacy preventing symptomatic COVID-19 and severe COVID-19 in clinical trials." In early September, it was approved for 12–17-year-olds, too, meaning that it's now approved for all Aussies over the age of 12. The Australian Government has an agreement with Moderna for 25 million doses of the vaccine, which includes 10 million this year and 15 million in 2022. Elsewhere around the world, Moderna's jab has also received approval or authorisation to use in emergency situations in countries such as United Kingdom, Canada, the European Union, the United States, Switzerland and Singapore. Partly funded by a donation from the one and only Dolly Parton, Moderna's vaccine is actually the fourth to get the nod in Australia, following AstraZeneca, Pfizer and a jab from Johnson & Johnson — the latter of which hasn't been included in the country's vaccine rollout so far. Like the Pfizer vaccine, the Moderna jab is an mRNA-based vaccine. So, it uses a synthetic genetic code called RNA, which tells the cells in our bodies how to make the coronavirus' unique spike protein. Then, once our bodies have done just that, making the protein that's encoded by the mRNA vaccine, we're able to recognise the spike protein as being foreign to our system and launch an immune response against it. Two doses of the Moderna vaccine are required — and while the AstraZeneca jabs are recommended four–12 weeks apart, and the Pfizer jabs three weeks apart, Moderna's should be administered within 28 days of each other. Wondering what that the Moderna approval means in terms of boosting Australia's vaccine ability (because actually getting a jab hasn't been particularly straightforward under the country's slow-moving rollout)? Back when the Moderna vax got the tick, Prime Minister Scott Morrison advised the 25 million doses would join the 125 million doses of Pfizer and 53 million doses of AstraZeneca that are already part of the vaccine campaign. "The first one million doses is on track to arrive next month and will go to pharmacies. Then we will have three million in October, three million in November and three million in December," the PM said. And if you'd like to keep an eye on the country's vaccination rates now that a third vax is in the mix — with those rates tied to easing restrictions nationally, and on a state by state level (as seen in the New South Wales and Victorian roadmaps out of lockdown) — we've rounded up where you can do just that. For more information about the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, head to the TGA website. To find out where you can get vaccinated, check out the Australian Government Department of Health's Vaccine Clinic Finder website.
It's time to get excited about dinosaurs again, not that anyone ever stopped being fascinated with the planet's ancient creatures. Come May, one of 2022's best new shows is making a return for 2023 with a brand-new season filled with dino love — yes, David Attenborough's spectacular Prehistoric Planet is returning. Apple TV+ has just announced the roaringly great news, and will again air the show's second season as a five-part nightly event. So, across Monday, May 22–Friday, May 26, one instalment will arrive each day, serving up more stunning dinosaurs, more informative insights voiced by the one and only Attenborough, and more of Hans Zimmer's soundtrack. "The award-winning first season of Prehistoric Planet brought dinosaurs back to life in a way global audiences had never seen before," said Jay Hunt, Creative Director, Europe, Apple TV+, announcing the news. "Collaborating with the brilliant Jon Favreau and our fantastic partners at the BBC, we are thrilled that viewers will once again have the opportunity to be immersed in our world as it was 66 million years ago and to experience even more weird and wonderful creatures." This time around, the team at BBC Studios Natural History will be using photorealistic visual effects by MPC — the kind that Favreau used in his versions of The Jungle Book and The Lion King — to focus on new dinosaurs, habitats and scientific discoveries. So, you'll spend time with the Tarchia, one of the largest Ankylosauri, for instance. That said, the Tyrannosaurus rex will be back among other dino favourites. Of course it will. What's better than one of the Attenborough siblings marvelling over our planet's ancient creatures? None other than David following in his brother Richard's footsteps, of course, just as it was in 2022. While the latter showed dinos some love back in Jurassic Park — with the now-late actor and filmmaker even uttering the iconic words "welcome to Jurassic Park" — his broadcaster, biologist and natural historian sibling largely surveyed the rest of the earth's living creatures in his iconic documentaries before Prehistoric Planet. With its first season, the show instantly earned its place among David Attenborough other doco highlights — a list that spans The Living Planet, State of the Planet, The Blue Planet, Frozen Planet, Blue Planet II, Our Planet, Seven Worlds, One Planet, A Perfect Planet and Green Planet, as well as Planet Earth and Planet Earth II, plus documentary David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet), just to name a few. There's no trailer for Prehistoric Planet's second season yet, but you can revisit the season one trailer below: Prehistoric Planet season two will hit Apple TV+ across Monday, May 22–Friday, May 26, with a new episode available to stream each day. Read our full review of Prehistoric Planet season one.
Sometimes, Zac Efron earns headlines because he's spending the pandemic in Australia. Sometimes, it's thanks to whichever film he has in cinemas. And, sometimes it's because he's been in the gym preparing for a movie, as has Jeremy Allen White. That flick getting the Gold and The Bear stars bulked up and bringing them together? The Iron Claw. In this wrestling drama, the Von Erich family is rumbling onto the big screen, with help from not just Efron and White but also Harris Dickinson (Scrapper), Maura Tierney (Your Honor), Holt McCallany (Mindhunter) and Lily James (What's Love Got to Do with It?). The IRL brood get the biopic treatment in this 80s-set effort from Martha Marcy May Marlene and The Nest director Sean Durkin — and if you're wondering why, then you've clearly never heard of the "Von Erich curse". As the just-dropped trailer for the A24 film shows, the Von Erich brothers are all keen wrestlers under the guidance of patriarch Fritz (McCallany), who is pushing his inseparable offspring to be the best. The line between encouraging and domineering is thin, however, in a tale that piles on more than its fair share of tragedies along with championships. "Ever since I was a child, people said my family was cursed," says Kevin (Efron) in the first sneak peek at The Iron Claw, which is named after a wrestling move associated with Fritz and the family. "Mom tried to protect us with god, pop tried to protect us with wrestling," he continues. "He said if we were the toughest, the strongest, nothing would ever hurt us. I believed him. We all did." What happens from there will hit picture palaces in the US on Friday, December 22, and then on Thursday, January 18 Down Under. From the first footage from the film — which comes set to Blue Öyster Cult's '(Don't Fear) the Reaper', cowbell and all — viewers can expect training scenes, pressure, plenty of skin, Fritz issuing his sons rankings regarding his favourites, complicated family bonds, trauma, in-the-ring action and James as Kevin's wife Pam. Check out the trailer for The Iron Claw below: The Iron Claw hits cinemas Down Under on Thursday, January 18. Images: Brian Roede / Eric Chakeen.
"We found love in a hopeless place," sings Rihanna, the sound of exuberance in her voice. With her declaration of romance gracing the soundtrack several times, American Honey has its unofficial anthem. The song in question couldn't be more fitting in the latest exploration of individuality and independence from Fish Tank and Wuthering Heights director Andrea Arnold. The film treks through desperate, desolate towns, but doesn't dwell in any one spot, or indulge in hopelessness for long. Instead, it combines the heady excitement that accompanies the first flourishes of something new, with the less-than-glamorous reality that inevitably seeps to the surface. Indeed, love isn't the only thing the film's road-tripping teen protagonists find, as they go door to door selling magazines across middle America. Cramped in close confines in cars and cheap hotel rooms, they witness wealth and poverty, meet kind and predatory strangers, and confront memories and emotions they don't have the words to express, but can convey only through their eclectic taste in music. That, plus a crew member who whips out his manhood whenever he can, and Shia LaBeouf sporting one hell of a rat tail. It's LaBeouf's Jake, a middle manager, who inspires 18-year-old Oklahoma resident Star (Sasha Lane) to flee from her sleazy dad and into a vehicle with the ragtag gang. She seeks nothing more than a pay cheque and a different scene, even if the former isn't easily earned, and the latter isn't quite the escape she thought it would be. The quick-thinking, smooth-talking salesman tricks that have served the charismatic Jake so well don't come naturally to Star, though amorous feelings for her new pal quickly do. Staying on the good side of the group's scantily clad, profit-obsessed leader, Krystal (Riley Keough), is a taxing job in itself. Landscapes fly by, spied out the van's windows, yet the more things change, the more they seem the same. Star can't help but have the celestial bodies she's named for in her eyes as fresh experiences, people, places and parts of life open up to her. A first-timer spotted on spring break by writer-director Arnold, Lane is as unguarded and realistic as you could want in such a film, and gives the impression of living rather than acting. Likewise, LaBeouf appears to coast rather than perform, in what may be the perfect vehicle for his careening off-screen ways. In support, Keough electrifies with little more than a steely glare and a no-nonsense demeanour. The entire cast, both leading and background, feel totally authentic — and while that's a term that gets bandied about a lot by film critics, the truth is American Honey oozes it from every frame. It's a product of Arnold truly going the extra mile, taking the cast on the road just as seen in the movie, and adopting stylistic choices designed to immerse viewers in the story. Boxing the film into a 4:3 aspect ratio demands the audience's focused attention, as does the dream-like sheen that tints her minutiae-filled images. Accordingly, there's potent, probing poetry in every shot, just as there is in every element of Star's ebbing, flowing life. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJbJsAdDilk
It has been a long time since the humble Cleveland Street Theatre was put to regular use. That will change on Monday when, after an almost seven-year hiatus, the (now) 'Giant Dwarf' is revived. The odd name is actually shared with The Chaser's production company, who are the crew behind the new venue. Never ones to lose connection with their Sydney performing arts roots just because of one, two or a dozen TV success stories (recently, The Hamster Wheel, The Checkout), they see the new live venue as feeding into the work they already do. "The main aim for the theatre has always been to extend the vision of the production company — to create an inspiring environment for new talent to develop skills and produce original and engaging content," says the venue general manager and Giant Dwarf program director Nikita Agzarian. "In doing this we hope we can create a vibrant space that offers a point of difference in live performance to the Sydney audience." The space is focusing on those funny-shaped hybrids of comedy, storytelling and performance that have become popular but nomadic fixtures on the Sydney scene — events like Story Club, Erotic Fanfiction and scratch night Cut & Paste. "We are excited for Giant Dwarf to be the platform that exposes a larger audience to some of the most amazingly talented writers, comedians and performers that we have been lucky enough to work with on a regular basis," says Nikita. Formerly the home of Performance Space (now based out of Carriageworks), Cleveland Street Theatre was first established in the early '80s as a venue by and for emerging artists. The space was seen to encourage contemporary performance makers in Sydney and challenge conventional notions of theatre. Performers did things like turning off all the lights and leaving the audience to fend for themselves in the dark and eventually discover they were locked in. (That one didn't go down so well; read more here.) Aside from a few brief, pop-up events over the years, the Cleveland Street Theatre has since been an empty vessel. Until now. It came to the Chaser team's attention when they were moving offices nearly a year ago, and they found they couldn't drop it. "We actually came close to going with a few other properties, but the theatre had a hold over us, we always seemed to come back to it," says Nikita. "Since moving in, we have been restoring it to its original state. It's been a lot of work to get to where we are but it's totally worth it." Giant Dwarf will open officially on Monday, February 10, kicking off with the uber-popular comedy/storytelling/all-round-riot-of-a-night Story Club. This month it features Ben Law (The Family Law, Gaysia), Tom Ballard (former co-host of Triple J Breakfast, general legend), The Chasers' own Andrew Hansen and other super funny people. Giant Dwarf is at 199 Cleveland Street, Redfern. Get your tickets and more info via Eventbrite. By Mairead Armstrong and Rima Sabina Aouf. Update Feb 12: Check out the photos from opening night. Photos by Helen Melville.
Somewhere in the Australian wilderness there's a spot with tall trees, lizards sunning themselves on rocks, the sound of total solitude — and a really expensive tent. We don't know where it is, but if you can find it, it's yours to keep. The tent — along with some $3k kitty of camping goods — has been hidden in a secret campsite somewhere in Australia. It's been put there by outdoor mega brand Kathmandu as part of a new scavenger hunt that leads entrants to the location — if you can find it, you score the whole lot. So how will you find it? Clues to the Hidden Retreat will be released across the brand's Facebook, Twitter and Instagram from Wednesday, February 14 up until Saturday, February 24. The clues are said to be cryptic and will specifically test competitors' knowledge of Australian wildlife through the use of images, videos and — randomly enough — poetry. Unfortunately, there's no worm for the early bird in this case — if you do discover the secret location before February 24, you still need to wait and get to the campsite first on that day to win. You'll also have to arrive during the designated 'prize winning window', which is from 7am–12pm. The first to arrive during this window will go home with the gold, winning a seriously decked out campsite package, which will include this three-person tent, a connectable living space and two down sleeping bags, plus a bunch of extra gadgets. Sure, it's a big promo for Kathmandu and it requires a lot of commitment, but if you've got some spare time up your sleeve, the prize will be a big asset for avid (or aspiring) campers. Handy if you want to tick off these beach camping spots this year. The four runners-up will win a smaller campsite package, each valued at over $2000. For anyone else who shows (up to 200 people), you won't go home empty-handed, but will only nab a BPA-free water bottle for your efforts. To be eligible, you must first RSVP to the Facebook event page. Happy hunting.
If you love a TV show, you usually want more of it. The entire history of television is based on that fact. But with some series, you can eagerly devour every single episode and then hope that there's never another one ever. One such program: Dr Death. When it hit streaming queues in mid-2021, it instantly gave viewers their latest true-crime fix — and what a true-crime tale it told. Its focus: Christopher Duntsch (Joshua Jackson, Little Fires Everywhere), a surgeon who was full of charm when he was trying to encourage folks with spinal pain and neck injuries into his operating theatre — or when he was attempting to convince hospitals, particularly in Texas, to hire him. But again and again, those surgeries ended horrendously. Actually, that's an understatement. The result was pure nightmare fuel — and it's for that reason, and not anything else to do the gripping series, that you might've wished that Dr Death would end there. That isn't set to be the case, however, with a second season now on its way. Duntsch's story is done and dusted, but he was just the first medical professional that the OG Dr Death — aka the Wondery podcast that shares the TV show's name — has focused on. Since then, the audio series has released two further seasons, with its third batch of episodes now providing the basis for the second TV adaptation. The new doc in the spotlight: surgeon Paolo Macchiarini, who earned the nickname 'Miracle Man' for his innovative operations. But his charm starts to fade when investigative journalist Benita Alexander approaches him for a story — a tale that'll change her life forever, too. Once again, all the details are drawn from reality. Once again, Dr Death is bound to prove disturbing whether you already know the ins and outs or you're set to discover them for the first time — as horror medical stories always do. Casting details haven't yet been revealed, and neither has a release date. In Australia, the new season is headed to Stan when it does arrive. In New Zealand, TVNZ On Demand streams the series. A trailer for season two of Dr Death hasn't been released yet either, obviously, but you can check out the trailer for season one below: Dr Death streams via Stan in Australia and TVNZ On Demand in New Zealand — we'll update you with a release date for season two when one is announced. Images: Scott McDermott/Peacock.
Surry Hills' Folonomo has switched things up. It has closed its doors as a 'profit-for-purpose' restaurant and is now an events space for pop-ups, parties and one-off collaboration dinners. It's kicking off its new purpose with two dinners this month, when social enterprise The Pure Collective (Portal, Symbol) hosts two of Sydney's top chef's from Hartsyard and Dear Sainte Éloise on Thursday, August 15 and 29, respectively. First up, Hartsyard chefs Jarrod Walsh (Automata) and Dorothy Lee (Saga, Momofuku Seiobo) will be whipping up a seven-course vegetarian feast. Expect the Enmore restaurant's much-loved fried cheese, with hot mustard and pepper berry, to make the cut. Six new dishes will also be on the menu, including smoked celeriac with sake butter and fried bread; and shiitake mushrooms with buttermilk; and cauliflower and cured egg yolk. Tickets will also include Walsh's signature cocktail on arrive: a blend of whiskey, black tea and grapefruit. Then, on Thursday, August 29, Dear Sainte Éloise chef Hugh Piper will be in the house and he's serving up a nine-course Peruvian dinner — a cuisine he learnt during time spent cooking in the kitchen at Lima's Astrid y Gastón, which came in at 39 on The World's 50 Best Restaurants List in 2018. The feast will include dishes such as spicy ocean trout ceviche on prawn crackers, cobia topped with tiger milk and picarones — a pumpkin doughnut doused in fig leaf syrup and corn custard. Pisco sours will be poured on arrival and guests can also opt for an additional South American wine pairing. Monopole's Peter Richardson will even be working the front of house. Tickets to each night will cost $95 a head, with optional wine pairing available at each dinner. And, as always with The Pure Collective, you'll be wining and dining for a good cause. All proceeds from the Hartsyard dinner will be donated to HopeforOllie, which supports research into muscular dystrophy at The Westmead Children's Hospital. Proceeds from the the Dear Sainte Éloise dinner will go to Beyond Blue, a non-profit supporting Australians with depression and anxiety. Stay tuned for more collab dinners, too.
It kicked off more than four decades ago with one of the best horror movies ever made; however, the Halloween franchise has been through quite a few ups and downs over the years. Clocking up ten follow-ups and 11 movies in total so far, the slasher series has delivered excellent and terrible sequels, veered into remake territory, both killed off and brought back its heroine, and completely erased parts of its own past several times. But, like its mask-wearing villain Michael Myers, it always finds a way to go on. Since 2018's Halloween, that's been especially great news — with the Jamie Lee Curtis-starring, Jason Blum-produced 11th flick in the franchise proving a smart, thrilling horror delight, and ranking second only to the movie that started it all. Indeed, the film was such a success that two more sequels are set to come from the same team (aka Blum, writer/director David Gordon Green and co-scribe Danny McBride): Halloween Kills and Halloween Ends. Originally, Halloween Kills was due to hit screens this year, in October — when else? — but, as announced earlier this year by franchise creator John Carpenter, it moved back its release to October 2021. Although fans won't be able to make a return trip to Haddonfield until then, and have another encounter with Curtis' spirited Laurie Strode and her lifelong nemesis, too, a new teaser for the film has just dropped to help fill the gap. It's a brief clip — following a first, also short teaser that was released back in July — but it's suitably eerie. In voiceover, Strode tells us that "next Halloween, when the sun sets and someone is alone, he kills". The sneak peek then shows Myers picking up his mask and doing what he's done in oh-so-many movies so far. Cue the iconic, Carpenter-composed theme music, obviously. Check out the latest Halloween Kills teaser trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgWlruoQoLI Halloween Kills will release in Australian cinemas on October 15, 2021.
Pubs, clubs, gyms, indoor sporting venues, cinemas, casinos and places of worship will be forced to close from midday today, Monday, March 23, with the Australian Government introducing a stricter crackdown on mass gatherings in a bid to slow the spread of COVID-19. Prime Minister Scott Morrison made the announcement last night, after the national cabinet meeting, saying "social distancing is our biggest weapon in fighting this virus". The Prime Minister also slammed those who disregarded social distancing practices over the weekend — including those who crowded Sydney's Bondi Beach — telling Australians to "do better". [caption id="attachment_640478" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bondi Beach is now closed. Maxim 75 via Wikimedia[/caption] The stage one closures, as the above have been called, will be reviewed after one month and will likely remain in place for six months. In Victoria, Premier Dan Andrews has announced the closures will remain in place to at least midnight on April 13. At the moment, schools are not impacted by the closures — except for in Victoria, where school holidays have been brought forward to Tuesday, March 24 — and bottle shops, attached to pubs and clubs, will be allowed to stay open. Restaurants and cafes will also be allowed to continue running as takeaway and delivery only. Even more local closures are likely to be announced this morning in NSW, Victoria and ACT, where statewide shutdowns of non-essential services are being rolled out over 48 hours. While restaurants, cafes and bottle shops are allowed to continue offering takeaway and delivery, you can continue supporting them. We've rounded up some of the spots offering at-home eats in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website. Top image: Julia Sansone
With one of the most picturesque coastlines in the country right on our doorstep and a set of expansive rivers winding in and out of the city, Sydney's got plenty of options when it comes to hanging out by the water. Whether you're opting for a leg of the Georges River, or you're out on the coast, there's plenty to keep you occupied while you're there. Perhaps you're a wanderer who enjoys meandering at your own pace with a scenic view. Maybe you're certain that any beverage or bite to eat goes down better when you can feel the river or sea breeze against your skin. Or, you could like getting active on the water itself, but in a creative fashion. Whichever category you fall into, we've picked the best ways to make the most of your chosen body of H20 in Sydney. HEAD TO A WATERSIDE CAFE, RESTAURANT OR BAR When it comes to waterside drinks and dining, Sydney's got it in spades. There are options for just about every time of the day, from luxe brunch spots where you can start your day through to late-night oceanfront haunts like Ravesis or Manly Wine. And it's not just these stalwarts offering up dinner and drinks with a view. There are plenty of fresh faces popping up by the harbour. Take Bay Nine, for example, which has just opened in The Rocks and is offering six-, eight- and 11-course omakase menus right by the water. If you're in need of some inspiration, just make your way through our list of all the beachfront bars, restaurants and cafes you can find across this city. HIRE A PICNIC BOAT FOR YOU, YOUR DATE, MATES AND DOG Picnicking by the water in Sydney is a tried-and-tested way to spend an afternoon — and it's featured on this list a bit further down. But you can now also picnic on top of the water, all thanks to Denmark-born company GoBoat, which is sailing its 18-feet-long, dog-friendly vessels up Parramatta River. The company is all about making the whole boating caper more accessible for everyday folk, and its Scandinavian-designed vessels are slow-moving, a breeze to operate and don't require a boating licence — making for some fun, fuss-free sailing sessions. Each GoBoat boasts a central picnic table with room for eight people (and all the necessary snacks and booze). And despite what you might be thinking, they're even affordable enough to fit your budget — simply BYO food and drinks, find enough eager sailors to jump aboard and a GoBoat session will you less than $17 per person, per hour. That's $129 hourly in total. [caption id="attachment_754226" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bondi to Manly Walk by Destination NSW[/caption] PAIR A STROLL OR CYCLE WITH A WATERY VIEW Some folks prefer putting one foot in front of the other and seeing just where that takes them. Others like to sit on top of two wheels and start pedalling. Whichever one suits you best, if you live in Sydney, you won't be lacking in options — but we all know that the oceanside options sit at the top of the list. For walkers, you can pick from one of the many coastal strolls on offer ranging from the wild pathways of the Royal National Park to the sparkling new Barangaroo foreshore walk. Cyclists may find the ins and outs of the National Park a little tricky, but never fear. There are still countless bike rides to tackle from the bay run to the Manly Beach foreshore. TAKE A KAYAK TOUR You've seen Sydney and its surrounds from rooftop bars, strategically positioned restaurants and mountaintops. But jump in a kayak, where you can watch at human-powered pace, from sea level, and you'll discover a whole new perspective. Plan a day on the water leaving from one of Sydney's many choice kayak rental spots found everywhere from deep in the Hawkesbury to right in the hustle and bustle of the city. If you're looking to feel like you achieved something other than just an enjoyable day adventuring on the water, you can also add the option of helping the environment on your kayaking journey. Sydney by Kayak's Sydney Harbour clean-up tours means you can remove rubbish from the ocean while you float along Sydney Harbour. The sustainability-focused tours generally hit the harbour from 9.30–11am at $65 per person. [caption id="attachment_826961" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brooke Zotti[/caption] PICNIC IN A WATERSIDE PARK The weather is glorious. Your basket is packed with homemade salads, a big stack of cheese or the finest sandwiches your local deli can make. The lawn games are at the ready. A relaxing picnic is just moments away — and yes, because this is Sydney, it's easy to add a glistening view to your outdoor meal. While we may have been all picnicked out at one point, enough time has passed since the end of 2021's lockdown that the simple act of putting down a rug and having a snack can feel thrilling again. Sydney is home to quite an array of places that fit the bill. Whether you're keen to recline with views of the iconic skyline or rolling sand dunes, there are plenty of picnic spots that you can check off your list. For the ultimate inspiration, check out this huge guide to all the best picnic spots, as well as what to bring. [caption id="attachment_754009" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] TAKE A DIP IN A MAN-MADE OCEAN POOL There are over 100 ocean pools scattered around NSW, and Sydney is home to some of the most dramatic and fun among them. These idyllic and mostly free swimming holes can be found at some of the city's most beloved beaches and have become as much a part of Sydney's seaside culture as the sand has. These human-made wonders allow you to splash around in the saltwater or get in some laps without the risk of rips (or sharks). Highlights include Bronte Baths which was built all the way back in 1887, the iconic Bondi Icebergs and the newly renovated Dawn Fraser Baths which finally reopened to the public last year after two years. BOOK A STAY ON THIS FLOATING VILLA If you're looking to really immerse yourself in the deep blue areas of this city, what better way than to book a night's stay floating atop the ocean. Lilypad, the northern beaches' lavish floating accommodation is tipped to reopen later this month, following a series of upgrades and refurbishments. The villa, which first opened in 2019, has been fitted out with a whole new design that pulls from Spanish and Mediterranean coastal villas as well as an on-board sauna. The floating paradise has been built with respect for its natural environment, running entirely off of solar power. Inside you'll find all the comforts of a luxe home-stay from a full modern kitchen and king bedroom, to a wine cellar. The living space opens onto a deck on which you can sit and look out over the surrounding ocean while you eat or with a drink in hand. And if this is all a bit out of your price bracket, the northern beaches has plenty of other waterfront stays you can book. Top image: DNSW
Casual Italian Bondi joint The Corner House is the kind of cosy yet sophisticated joint that ticks most boxes on most people's list of 'crucial elements required for a pretty darn good evening.' With interiors that hark back to The Corner House's former incarnation as the Bondi tram stop and the bygone days of a less slick Sydney, salvaged railway tracks, wooden ferry pews and acid-treated steel floors give the place a contemporary-rustic kind of feel. The venue itself is divided into three parts: The Dining Room, which consists of a casual street front dining area and a more serious low-lit main room with leather banquette, The Living Room – an upstairs bar and balcony, and The Lobby – a cosy nook suitable for private functions and intimate groups. The restaurant vibe is lively but relaxed, while the upstairs bar is a little more amped, especially on weekends. The modern-Italian style food that swans out of the nothing-to-hide open kitchen is a balanced blend of rustic and refined. The main blackboard menu is ever changing with fresh seasonal produce, offering hearty treats like a delicate but rich slow-braised duck and veal shin open lasagne, perfectly pan-fried Mulloway with wee morsels of roasted winter veg, and the moistest of organic chickens on a bed of creamy parsnip puree. If you're after a cheaper, more low-key dining experience, the wood-fired pizza menu is consistent, simple and tasty with the option of the best gluten-free base around. And they serve them in the upstairs bar, which means you need not abandon your crew of 20 drinkers to grab a bite. If drinking's what you're into, the eclectic selection of cocktails packs quite the potent punch, and the small but comprehensive wine list breaks it down in simple terms like 'reds to impress', 'crowd pleasers', and 'fizzy wine'.
Where: Numerous venues around Sydney When: January 8-30, 2012 (tickets on sale November 9) Web: www.sydneyfestival.org.au The reinvigorated Sydney Festival has completely transformed our city in summer (note the flagpoles which every year proclaim just that) and it’s made Sydney a truly amazing place to be in January. The whole city is turned into a summer wonderland, there’s something amazing to do every single night, and people flood The Domain to see sophisticated performances while merrily sipping beer, cider, goon or all three. But mostly what the Sydney Festival does is bring us some truly spectacular performers – Sufjan Stevens, Grizzly Bear, Emmylou Harris, Camera Obscura and this year's headliner, PJ Harvey – whose artistic merit is second only to their ability to entertain. The Sydney Festival now has a total audience of about 1 million, making it the most attended cultural event in Australia. Every year the festival grows and improves, and with the state government recently giving the Festival a heap of cash to extend their program, it makes the prospects for this summer’s partying very exciting indeed. Concrete Playground has compiled a short list of musical, theatrical and artistic must-sees and -dos during Sydney Festival 2012. Click on the images below to read on...
Fancy cruising around on a glass-walled boat, partying over three levels, and pairing a killer view with a beach club vibe and plenty of beverages? Then you'll want to book a berth on Australia's new floating bar and party venue, Glass Island. Now sailing through Sydney Harbour until April — and then making its way up north for a Brisbane season, too — it's the country's latest excuse to live it up on the water. If the concept sounds familiar, that's because Seadeck has been doing the same thing in both cities for the past couple of years. In fact, Glass Island is actually the brainchild of one of that luxe vessel's creators. This time around, hospitality entrepreneur Scott Robertson has paired up with his frequent design collaborator Alex Zabotto-Bentley, aiming to mastermind "the most iconic hospitality location afloat in Australia". The resulting boat certainly stands out — surrounding out the ship with glass will do that, of course. Those gleaming, glistening panels are found on Glass Island's middle deck. In a space inspired by Miami pool clubs and beach front hotel lobbies, patrons will also find a seven-metre-long bar covered in mint-hued tiles, raw timber flooring, and a heap of lounges and other seating. The windows slide open, too, so you can enjoy the sea — or river — breeze. Upstairs, Zabotto-Bentley nods to Mediterranean beach clubs. Think dark orange, red and white colours, lounges you can sink into, VIP seating and crimson-toned umbrellas. There's one other big highlight up here as well: the 360-degree views. Both the top and middle decks place a big focus on music, with Glass Island playing host to resident DJs across a number of regular events. The first Sunday of each month sees Sneaky Sundays take over, with Sneaky Sound System's parties hitting up the venue. Also set to hit the boat are Yolanda Be Cool, Poolclvb and Colour Castle, as well nights dedicated to soul and retro 80s tunes. For those eager to chill downstairs, it houses a champagne and cocktail lounge — and a range of natural wines that you can only find on that level. Drinks-wise, the 18-strong cocktail list spans both classic and creative concoctions, so you can choose between espresso martinis and two types of negronis, or opt for a Pretty in Peach (with gin, prosecco and white peach) or Rib Tickler (with tequila, absinthe, pineapple, lime and cucumber). Food is also available, spanning flatbread pizzas; sliders with halloumi, wagyu or friend chicken; charcuterie boards and cheese plates; and Moreton Bay bug rolls. Glass Island is floating around Sydney until Sunday, April 5, setting off from King Street, Wharf 6, Darling Harbour, with tickets starting at $30. It'll return again in October — and head to Brisbane in-between, with exact dates yet to be announced. For more information — or to buy tickets to its current season — visit the venue's website. Images: Glass Island.
Businesses on three of Sydney's busiest streets are officially teaming up to declare themselves the city's newest must-visit spot. Meet YCK Laneways, a dining and cultural precinct that encompasses the CBD laneways in York Street, Clarence Street and Kent Street — and has ten bars throwing a big party to celebrate. The precinct is the work of local business owners, with the help of the City of Sydney's CBD activation grants program. "It's our hope that YCK becomes as much a part of the Sydney vernacular as The Rocks, or Chinatown," Nick White, Director of Kent Street bar Since I Left You tells Concrete Playground. White says that in the ten years Since I Left You has been open, he's seen the area blossom. "We've watched as a definite little precinct has developed organically, and now you've got something like 18 small bars in the area around York, Clarence, and Kent streets," he explains. "I think the reason there has been such a proliferation of small bars in the area is that it's one of the few parts of the city that retains a lot of its heritage in the building and streets," he continues. To kick things off — and to remind Sydneysiders about all the beloved venues that span these three streets — Since I Left You and nine other bars are throwing a massive six-week party. Running between Wednesday, April 7–Sunday, May 22, the YCK Laneways Block Party will feature 75 cultural events including dance, theatre, live music and interactive art across the ten beloved spots bars. The ten venues involved: Since I left You, Papa Gede's, The Lobo, Spawn Point, The Barber Shop, The Duke of Clarence, Stitch Bar, Uncle Ming's, Prince of York and Grandma's Bar. [caption id="attachment_805443" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Prince of York by Mitchell Ferris[/caption] With both free and ticket events taking place, the cultural offerings stretch from antipasto burlesque at the Prince of York and poetry readings in the Since I Left You courtyard to wheelie bin art at The Barber Shop and playing Dungeons & Dragons at Spawn Point. Regular CBD favourite events like Brunch With... will also be wrapped up in the festivities, while a whole heap of live music and dance parties will take place across the three streets following the recent rolling back of restrictions to allow dance floors in New South Wales. More events are set to be announced in the lead up to the block party, including a standalone outdoor live music event. You can browse the full program and stay up-to-date on everything happening in the YCK precinct via the YCK Laneways website. YCK Laneways Block Party will take place across the YCK Laneways precinct on York Street, Clarence Street and Kent Street, Sydney between Wednesday, April 7 and Sunday, May 22.
If your idea of a good Thursday night involves tasting some of the best wines NSW has to offer in the company of the makers themselves, then keep reading. As part of the revamped Citi NSW Wine Awards, Outstanding on the Pier is a new event taking place on Pier 2, with the sparkling waters of Walsh Bay as a backdrop. It showcases the 120 wines that were selected as 'top wines' for 2013, with over 60 NSW wineries from varying regions being represented. You'll be able to meet some of the makers and sample a smattering of seasonal state produce (think Brasserie Bread, Alto Olives, Pepe Saya butter, a bit of Southern Highlands Lamb). Make sure to vote for the People's Choice Award to be in the running to win a special prize, including a selection of this year's top wines. Outstanding on the Pier is on October 31 at Pier 2, 13 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay from 5.30-8.30pm. Tickets are $40 from nswwine.com.au. Thanks to the Citi NSW Wine Awards, we have five double passes to give away. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au with your name and address.
To get an idea of the sheer range of goods on offer at Becker Minty's flagship store, just visit their website and look at the head-spinning array of categories: art, furniture, lighting, fashion, jewellery, gift ideas and more. Owner and chief buyer Jason Minty loves nothing more than scouring the globe to bring the best in international goods to Australia. That's not to say everything will be outside your price range, though. Becker Minty stocks both the aspirational and the affordable. It all means that it's potentially a one-stop shop to turn an empty property with bare wardrobes into a chic, furnished pied-à-terre stocked with the latest in worldwide trends and fashions. Images: Kitti Smallbone.
If seeing movies and TV shows you love pick up shiny trophies is your preferred form of sport, congrats — awards season is here for another year. We're never too far away from Hollywood's latest opportunity to celebrate itself, given that the Emmys were only a couple of months back. But the period between December and March tends to be the entertainment industry's version of Christmas (or until April in 2021, given that the Oscars happened later than usual). Accordingly, it's that time of year for the Golden Globes, which has just announced its latest batch of nominees. That said, if you're keen to actually watch a heap of people collect their accolades come Monday, January 10, Australian and New Zealand time, think again — the ceremony won't be televised due to multiple controversies surrounding the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the organisation behind the awards, and whether it'll stream somewhere (and if any celebrities will actually show up) hasn't yet been revealed. The list of films and series competing still spans plenty of 2021 favourites — covering both the big and small screens, because the Globes likes to have it both ways. Among the cinema fields, Jane Campion's phenomenal western The Power of the Dog leads the charge with seven nods, a feat only matched by nostalgic Kenneth Branagh-directed drama Belfast, which was inspired by the filmmaker's own childhood. And in the TV categories, Succession picked up five nominations, Ted Lasso and The Morning Show nabbed four, and a heap of shows — including Squid Game — picked up three. The Power of the Dog received Australian funding — and from New Zealand, too — so there's a local tie to this year's nominees. Campion also scored a nod for Best Director for the film, and Aussie actor Kodi Smit-McPhee earned a spot among the Best Supporting Actor nominees. Still staying local, Nicole Kidman is a Best Actress in a Drama contender in the cinema fields for playing Lucille Ball in Being the Ricardos, while Succession's Sarah Snook scored a Best Supporting Actress nomination in the TV categories. A heap of other excellent flicks and shows earned some love as well — including a Best Drama nod for Dune, a Best Comedy nomination for Paul Thomas Anderson's Licorice Pizza, acting recognition's for the latter's first-timers Alana Haim (yes, of Haim) and Cooper Hoffman (son of the Philip Seymour Hoffman), plus a trio of nominations for The Great, Hacks and Only Murders in the Building. Other highlights span the Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical nod for Annette's Marion Cotillard, Lupin's two showings, and Jennifer Coolidge's recognition for The White Lotus. Plus, after making history in 2021 for nominating three women for Best Director for the first time ever — after only ever nominating seven other female filmmakers in the Golden Globes prior 77-year run — the awards have given not only Campion but also The Lost Daughter's Maggie Gyllenhaal some love this time around. If you're wondering what else is in the running, here's the full list: GOLDEN GLOBE NOMINEES: BEST MOTION PICTURE — DRAMA Belfast CODA Dune King Richard The Power of the Dog BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE — DRAMA Jessica Chastain, The Eyes of Tammy Faye Olivia Colman, The Lost Daughter Nicole Kidman, Being the Ricardos Lady Gaga, House of Gucci Kristen Stewart, Spencer BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE — DRAMA Mahershala Ali, Swan Song Javier Bardem, Being the Ricardos Benedict Cumberbatch, The Power of the Dog Will Smith, King Richard Denzel Washington, The Tragedy of Macbeth BEST MOTION PICTURE — MUSICAL OR COMEDY Cyrano Don't Look Up Licorice Pizza Tick, Tick … Boom! West Side Story BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE — MUSICAL OR COMEDY Marion Cotillard, Annette Alana Haim, Licorice Pizza Jennifer Lawrence, Don't Look Up Emma Stone, Cruella Rachel Zegler, West Side Story BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE — MUSICAL OR COMEDY Leonardo DiCaprio, Don't Look Up Peter Dinklage, Cyrano Andrew Garfield, Tick, Tick … Boom! Cooper Hoffman, Licorice Pizza Anthony Ramos, In the Heights BEST MOTION PICTURE — ANIMATED Encanto Flee Luca My Sunny Maad Raya and the Last Dragon BEST MOTION PICTURE — FOREIGN LANGUAGE Compartment No. 6 Drive My Car The Hand of God A Hero Parallel Mothers BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN ANY MOTION PICTURE Caitríona Balfe, Belfast Ariana DeBose, West Side Story Kirsten Dunst, The Power of the Dog Aunjanue Ellis, King Richard Ruth Negga, Passing BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN ANY MOTION PICTURE Ben Affleck, The Tender Bar Jamie Dornan, Belfast Ciarán Hinds, Belfast Troy Kotsur, CODA Kodi Smit-McPhee, The Power of the Dog BEST DIRECTOR — MOTION PICTURE Kenneth Branagh, Belfast Jane Campion, The Power of the Dog Maggie Gyllenhaal, The Lost Daughter Steven Spielberg, West Side Story Denis Villeneuve, Dune BEST SCREENPLAY — MOTION PICTURE Paul Thomas Anderson, Licorice Pizza Kenneth Branagh, Belfast Jane Campion, The Power of the Dog Adam McKay, Don't Look Up Aaron Sorkin, Being the Ricardos BEST ORIGINAL SCORE — MOTION PICTURE Dune Encanto The French Dispatch Parallel Mothers The Power of the Dog BEST ORIGINAL SONG — MOTION PICTURE 'Be Alive', King Richard 'Dos Orugitas', Encanto 'Down to Joy', Belfast 'Here I Am (Singing My Way Home)', Respect 'No Time to Die', No Time to Die BEST TELEVISION SERIES — DRAMA Lupin The Morning Show Pose Squid Game Succession BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES — DRAMA Uzo Aduba, In Treatment Jennifer Aniston, The Morning Show Christine Baranski, The Good Fight Elisabeth Moss, The Handmaid's Tale MJ Rodriguez, Pose BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES — DRAMA Brian Cox, Succession Lee Jung-jae, Squid Game Billy Porter, Pose Jeremy Strong, Succession Omar Sy, Lupin BEST TELEVISION SERIES — MUSICAL OR COMEDY The Great Hacks Ted Lasso Reservation Dogs Only Murders in the Building BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES — MUSICAL OR COMEDY Hannah Einbinder, Hacks Elle Fanning, The Great Issa Rae, Insecure Tracee Ellis Ross, Black-ish Jean Smart, Hacks BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES — MUSICAL OR COMEDY Anthony Anderson, Black-ish Nicholas Hoult, The Great Steve Martin, Only Murders in the Building Martin Short, Only Murders in the Building Jason Sudeikis, Ted Lasso BEST TELEVISION LIMITED SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION Dopesick Impeachment: American Crime Story Maid Mare of Easttown The Underground Railroad BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A LIMITED SERIES OR A MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION Jessica Chastain, Scenes From a Marriage Cynthia Erivo, Genius: Aretha Elizabeth Olsen, WandaVision Margaret Qualley, Maid Kate Winslet, Mare of Easttown BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LIMITED SERIES OR A MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION Paul Bettany, WandaVision Oscar Isaac, Scenes From a Marriage Michael Keaton, Dopesick Ewan McGregor, Halston Tahar Rahim, The Serpent BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, LIMITED SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION Jennifer Coolidge, The White Lotus Kaitlyn Dever, Dopesick Andie MacDowell, Maid Sarah Snook, Succession Hannah Waddingham, Ted Lasso BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, LIMITED SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TV Billy Crudup, The Morning Show Kieran Culkin, Succession Mark Duplass, The Morning Show Brett Goldstein, Ted Lasso Oh Yeong-su, Squid Game The 2022 Golden Globes will be announced on Monday, January 10 Australian and New Zealand time. For further details, head to the awards' website. Top image: The Crown, Des Willie/Netflix.
Australia's answer to a certain cult American burger chain, Down N' Out is this week moving up and out, launching its first standalone restaurant in Ryde. The new venture comes just over a year after owners Archie Saliba and Ben Kagan first introduced the Down N' Out concept to Sydney via a pop-up — which later saw them take over the kitchen of The Sir John Young Hotel — with a menu of US-style burgers, deep fried cheese patties and loaded 'tiger fries'. Now, Down N' Out's graduating to digs that are completely their own, opening the doors to a space outside Top Ryde Shopping Centre this Saturday, September 23. This one's a little more polished than the CBD kitchen, though the comic book theme, the small bar feel and the soundtrack of soul, funk and hip hop remain. In fact, fans needn't worry about too many changes at all — the menu at Down N' Out 2.0 is a pretty close match to the original, right through to that infamously fiery hot sauce. Thankfully, the epic weekly burger specials aren't going anywhere either. The biggest change is that you'll now be able to wash those burgers down with a decadent Down N' Out shake, in flavours like Oreo and salted caramel. Pending liquor licence, a range of wild and wacky cocktail creations could also be on the cards. You'll find Down N' Out at 95 Blaxland Road, Ryde, from this Saturday, September 23. It'll be slinging burgers daily, from 11am-9pm. Image: Bodhi Liggett.
We've scored giant slip 'n' slides, trampoline gyms and bouncing castle obstacle courses. Now, it's time to get on board the latest kidult craze to hit our shores, as Australia's biggest game of hide and seek takes over a cruise ship on Sydney Harbour next month. That's right: hiding and seeking is no longer just child's play. In fact, Australia's even got its own national hide and seek adults team, the Nascondingos, who took out eighth place at the most recent world championships, which are a thing. And on Sunday, February 18, these guys will be honing their finding skills, playing a team of 'seekers' as locals of all ages hide onboard one of the world's biggest cruise ships, Ovation of The Seas. It's thought to be the largest official game of hide and seek ever played at sea — and, yeah, it probably is. Applications to compete in the game are open to just about everyone, with one game for kids aged 8–14 and another for adults aged over 15. There's a solid prize pool, too, with the last person to be found in the adult's game taking home a cool $10,000 and a cruise. Of course, it's all part of a huge promo for Royal Caribbean, but that shouldn't stop it being a bit of fun. If you fancy yourself a hide and seek pro, don't be shy about it — enter here by February 5.
With its rolling hills, picturesque vineyards, and delicious food scene, the Orange region has everything you need for a relaxing and rejuvenating vacation away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Whether you're planning a quick weekend trip, a longer four-day stay, or an extended winter break, our guide — curated with the local legends Orange360 — will help you make the most of your time in the area. Pack your bags, grab your coat and get ready for an unforgettable winter adventure in this charming New South Wales region. WEEKEND If you only have a couple of days to explore this foodie's paradise this winter, it's best to focus on the region's highlights: wine, food and views. These can, of course, be combined in whatever accommodation option you choose. If you're keen on tasting wines, why not stay at a winery with glamping options? Or if food is more your thing, then you've got studio cabins over a cherry orchard. Check out our round-up of cosy accommodation options in the region if you're keen to stay a while. Since you've only two days, it's best to stick close to the centre to ensure you get as much as possible packed into your weekend. Either arrive in the morning or save the early commute and drive up the night before and stay in one of the aforementioned snug stays. First off, we're going to get our blood pumping and our tasting tested. Grab breakfast at the iconic Agrestic Grocer. This humble grocer in the heart of Orange sells some of the region's finest produce — everything from beer soap to local wines. There's also a cafe attached that has an all-day breakfast and lunch menu with items like the classic brekkie roll, grilled focaccia with season veg and pesto, okonomiyaki and 'Recovery Feast' — a full breakfast to ensure you have the calories needed to continue on your adventure. Once fed and watered, grab a few bits to make a picnic out of the sensational local bread, cheese and produce available in the store. The next stop is your workout for the weekend. You've got the supplies, so it's fitting you should find a picnic spot. A short 12-minute drive away, you will find Lake Canobolas Reserve, located at the base of Mount Canobolas. The lake and its surroundings are home to an abundance of native flora and fauna. At the northern end of the reserve, you'll find a walking and cycling trail that leads to a suspension bridge over Molong Creek. You can stop there or continue back on to the town — the total track is about 8.5-kilometres and takes approximately two hours, whereas it takes 30–60 minutes to get to the bridge. At the southern end, there is another walking trail that circumnavigates the lake — it's a 2.4-kilometre easy loop and takes about 30–60 minutes depending on how long you spend looking for echidnas by the water and has plenty of areas suitable for your picnic overlooking the gorgeous scenes in the reserve. If you need a pick-me-up after your trek, you can grab a flat white at the Lakeside Kiosk & Cafe. Now, it's time to test your palate and indulge in some of the region's finest wines. Canobolas is the centre for many of the region's best-known wineries — and there are many to choose from. You could head over to Printhie Wines, just a short drive from the reserve. Owned by the Swift family, it's a five-star Halliday-rated winery. It's also relatively young for the region as the first vineyard was planted in 1996. Experience the stunning vistas over the hills to the landscape below as you enjoy a wine tasting. Or have an early dinner (or second lunch) with the four-course degustation, described as a "destination dining experience" — with the option to upgrade to wine pairings for each dish. On day two, it's time to focus on the city centre. After breakfast, get in some retail therapy along the high street, and check out Hawkes General Store for a browse and coffee. Have lunch at Groundstone, one of Orange's most popular cafes serving up seasonal dishes that highlight the fresh produce of the region. It is attached to The Orange Regional Gallery, where you should spend your afternoon exploring the current exhibitions before heading back on the road home. FOUR-DAY STAY Four days in the region allow for a bit more breathing room in your plans to explore the region, especially if you are there to enjoy the Winter Fire Festival when wineries wine and dine their guests with unique events around the theme of crackling fire. Enjoy a delicious meal and rich red wines — all locally produced — under a starry night sky throughout the course of the festival. You can follow the itinerary for the weekend but a longer stay means you can perhaps explore further afield. Save one day for a jaunt out to Carcoar, a charming heritage town about 30 minutes from Orange. You'll find quaint homeware stores, historic buildings and delicious dishes. Speaking of which, instead of just visiting one winery, make sure you set aside at least a day in your four-day sojourn to visit some of the region's finest winemakers. Near Mount Canobolas, you'll find Swinging Bridge Winery, a family-owned estate with commanding views of the mountain. In addition to the standard cool-climate wines you will find at most wineries in the region — think pinot noir, shiraz, riesling and chardonnay — you will also find some interesting drops here at Swinging Bridge. The hashtag (#) range features fun experimental wines that showcase the exceptional fruit of the region in a new way. As this range is experimental, you never know what will be available. One standout is the Tempinot, a luscious combination of the bold tempranillo grape and the softer pinot noir. LONGER Lucky you, you get to experience this region for even longer. And there is still oodles left to explore. A leisurely 25-minute drive from Orange, Molong is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. With its captivating blend of natural beauty, rich history, and warm hospitality. Stop in at Molong Stores, offering a curated range of local and international brands — specialising in hats and gifts for men. Pop across the road to Lime and Stone for coffee and a bite to eat. And a must-visit in the area is Yuranigh's Grave, the only known site in Australia where Aboriginal and European burial practices coexist. If you haven't been overindulging at the winter festival or while enjoying a tipple at one of the cosy cabins in the region, pull yourself out of bed in the morning in time to hike up to the Pinnacle Lookout. The view from Towac Pinnacle lookout at sunrise is well worth the effort — although it is equally as stunning at sunset, too. Set amongst the tall shady gum trees, the reserve features picnic shelters for you to enjoy your morning brew from a local cafe while you watch the Orange region wake up to a new day and uninterrupted views across Towac Valley. On your way back to the city, stop in for a taste of Asia in the heart of Orange CBD at Mr Lim. The menu is a celebration of the restaurant's owner and namesake's life experiences. You will find Korean, Japanese and Chinese items on the menu created using the bountiful produce of the region. Standouts are the drunken duck — made with marinated local and Chinese shaoshing wine and seasonal citrus — and the 'Let Sammy Feed You' banquet menu, with fried Korean curry bun, dumplings, sashimi, bossam, Korean-fried chicken and much more. Continue to discover unique wineries west of the city. First stop, the family-owned estate that's sure to get wine lovers' taste buds tingling: Patina. Here, owner and winemaker, Gerald Naef, blends age-old traditions with cutting-edge methods to create his boutique range of wines. Sip on the fruits of his labour while rugged up and exploring the garden — you may even spot a nibbling wallaby exploring the conifers, lavender and heritage roses. If you haven't had your fill of wine from the region — honestly, how could you? — ChaLou Wines in Emu Swamp is a must-visit if you have longer to stay. Owners Nadja and Steve are self-professed "farm kids" and are passionate about leaving the land better than they found it. Vines and winemaking aren't the only activities happening on the 65-hectare property. Their farm is home to sheep, horses and a flock of chooks. The winery has three ranges, each with its own unique style: Dreaded Friend (fun, vibrant and creative vinos), The Somm and the Winemaker — the result of a partnership between Nadja and Sydney sommelier Louella Matthews — and, of course, the ChaLou Estate range with classic varieties from the Orange region: chardonnay, pinot noir and riesling. Book a tour and a tasting while there to see what's happening in winter. For your final night in the region, head down to the heart of Orange to The Union Bank where you'll find locals and visitors sitting down to have a chat and a drink with one another. As the name suggests, the pub was originally a bank but is now a thriving local food and hospitality precinct. The seasonal menu highlights the rich food and wine culture of the region and is designed to celebrate the social aspect of dining — in other words, it's meant to be shared. There are small and large share plates and an option for the chef's choice degustation with paired local wines on offer as well. It's an ideal locale to celebrate your last wintry night in this charming region. It won't be long until you are dreaming of returning to see how the region evolves in spring. Plan your excursion to wine country for when the Orange Winter Fire Festival takes place each August — showcasing the best of an authentic country winter through a series of events. Images: Orange360
When a composer who has been dubbed the 'HG Wells of the jazz world' presents his contemporary musical score to the films of a magician, you know it's definitely gonna be worth going all the way out to Parramatta for. That's what Phillip Johnson will be doing this Sunday when he creates a thrilling symmetry between his original music and the silent films of French director Georges Melies in the Georges Melies Project. Melies was one of cinema's earliest directors, and one of the first filmmakers ever to use multiple exposures, time-lapse photography, dissolves, stop tricks and stunning hand-painted colour in his work. His contribution to cinema was the subject of Martin Scorsese's recent Oscar-winning film, Hugo. Trained as a magician, he took the idea of creating seemingly impossible illusions and injected it into his often bizarre but always captivating short films — of which he made more than 500 between 1896 and 1912. A century later most of those optical gems have fallen victim to the ravages of time, and even the recently restored ones screening on Sunday have rarely been seen. And certainly not like this, with some of Australia's best jazz instrumentalists — including Daryl Pratt on vibraphone, Matt MacMahon on piano and Cameron Undy on bass — laying down the musical railroad for Johnson's enchanting score. https://youtube.com/watch?v=4dTVfSJoj04
Relish an effervescent drop in the sun at the Sparkling Wahroonga Food and Wine Festival. Held on Sunday, March 2 in Wahroonga Park amid boundless shady trees on the Upper North Shore, this inviting community event unites dozens of NSW wineries, small-batch distillers, craft brewers, and artisan makers and producers for a feast set to engage every sense imaginable. On the agenda are 30 renowned wineries, with the likes of De Beaurepaire Wines, Hungerford Hill and Peterson House offering a tantalising selection of sparkling, red, white and rosé varieties. There's also the chance to indulge in creative spirits, as top-tier distillers like Remnant Whisky Co and Bondi Liquor Co showcase their wares to thirsty visitors. Alongside craft brewers Six String Brewing Company and Norths Collective, you'll have an incredible array of gourmet cuisine to explore. Get a tasty slice from Lucio Pizzeria, bold American-style meats from Smokey Sue's BBQ or Spanish-inspired grazing treats from Tapasman. To accompany this abundant feast, all-day entertainment will take over the park, with community bands gracing the rotunda stage with jazz, acoustic and contemporary tunes. If you'd like to get a head start on proceedings, a tasting package for $38.50 includes a wine tumbler and five tasting tickets. Get along with the family for epicurean cuisine and sunshine.
If you've been looking for an excuse to visit La Salut again, here's your chance. A favourite in Sydney for Spanish wine and some of the city's best bar snacks, La Salut is throwing a $50 wallet-friendly, Menu Del Dia — otherwise known as a fixed-price lunch. "It's the best way to dine in Spain," Executive Chef Scott McComas-Williams says. "You can go to Michelin-starred restaurants and get a sick feed for a good price." Hailing from the 1960s, the three-course lunch at La Salut includes vermouth on arrival, plus an entree, main and dessert. Kicking off on Saturday, February 25, the first Menu Del Dia runs to anchovy-stuffed olives, manchego-topped tortilla and pan Catalan, a rich tomato and garlic Spanish bread. Chorizo, morcilla and pork belly stew, and a Cabra Pimenton — milk cheese coated in paprika — finishes the three-course menu. La Salut's Menu Del Dia is available for walk-ins only every Saturday and Sunday from 12pm. Extra desserts, wine and snacks can be purchased from the regular menu. La Salut comes from the Love Tilly Group, who are also behind Sydney favourites including Ragazzi, Dear Sainte Eloise and the titular Love, Tilly Devine. Images: Nikki To, Dexter Kim
For the first time in five years, artist Patricia Piccinini's floating artwork Skywhale is back in Victoria. The Skywhale isn't any old artwork either, it's a 34-metre-long hot air balloon in the form of a large fleshy animal — and it just flew high above the Yarra Valley. Taking off in the wee hours (when you were hopefully still curled up in bed) from Dixons Creek, it made its way across the Yarra River travelling from Yarra Glen to Tarrawarra. The theriomorphic balloon isn't floating here by chance, either, it's in the Valley to promote Piccinini's latest exhibition at the TarraWarra Museum of Art, dubbed Patricia Piccinini and Joy Hester: Through Love..., which kicks off this Saturday, November 24. On display until March 11, 2019, the exhibition not only focuses on Piccinini's weird and wonderful works — that tread the thin line between humanity and animal — but on fellow Australian artist Joy Hester. If the latter's name doesn't sound familiar, she was a Melbourne artist who passed away in 1960, favoured brushwork and ink on paper, and is considered one of Piccinini's key influences.This'll be the first time anywhere in the world that a gallery has explored the connection between the pair, with more than 50 pieces on display. But back to our Skywhale. Here it is floating in all its fleshy glory today: https://www.instagram.com/p/BqdGVb_l7a8/ https://www.instagram.com/p/BqdBj1Dhm4b/ If you missed it this AM, it might be taking flight once again this weekend. While the flight is dependant on the weather, if it does takeoff, it'll be doing so very early in the morning (around 5.45am). For updates, keep an eye on the TarraWarra Museum of Art Facebook page. Image: Patricia Piccinini Skywhale, 2013, courtesy of the artist, the Australian Capital Territory Government, Tolarno Galleries and Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery.
Somehow, entirely inexplicably, we're already into the second half of the year; soon we'll be thinking about Christmas. This year, skip the typical department stores and instead pick out unique gifts for your family and friends at The Big Design Market. Coming to Sydney for the second time this November, the three-day independent designer extravaganza features over 230 stallholders selling furniture, fashion, homewares, textiles, and much more. With such a wide range of products, you're sure to find something for even the pickiest people on your list. The Big Design Market also offers a series of creative workshops (learn about indoor plants with The Plant Society and how to do your own nails with Kester Black and Trophy Wife), a beautifully-designed outback-themed kids play area, and a smorgasbord of food options from local favourites like Fishbowl, Gelato Messina, Welcome Dose Specialty Coffee, Archie Rose, Mary's, Porteño, Shortstop and Smoking Gun Bagels. You'll also have the chance to catch a specially-commissioned floral installation of five-metre-high flowers in giant gold vases by designer and illustrator Pete Cromer. Each year the market also puts together a showbag of goodies from some of Melbourne and Sydney's best designers, including Georgia Perry, Champ Co., Leif, Kester Black, Kleins Perfumery and Little Veggie Patch Co. A limited number will be available to purchase for $15 ($95 value). So prepare your bank account, and get ready to have your Christmas shopping done earlier than you ever have before. The market will be open from 10am till 8pm on Friday, 10am till 7pm on Saturday and 10am till 5pm on Sunday.
Ever wanted to go back in time to see just how far we have — or haven't — evolved as a society? Well, at Riverside Theatres you can do just that via its upcoming cabaret production, 30 Something. Set on New Years Eve 1939, the show follows a Hollywood star and a mischievous local maestro as they join forces in Kings Cross to count down to a brand-new decade. Follow the pair of performers as they reminisce on the dramatic happenings of an era defined by The Great Depression, politics and booze through traditional and reimagined music interspersed with cheeky social commentary. It's part party, part immersive theatre production, featuring two of Australia's finest stage stars, Catherine Alcorn and Phil Scott. Get ready for an incredible night at the theatre loaded with historical celebration, big laughs and a damn good time. Keen to party like it's 1939? 30 Something is playing at Riverside Theatres in Parramatta at 8pm Friday, July 22 and 2.30pm on Saturday, July 23. For more information and to book your tickets, visit the website.
Oh we love cities. Make no mistake. But venture beyond the borders and go further out and you'll discover a haul of destinations rich with unique events and adventures worth road tripping for. Whether your interests are culinary, cultural or the creative arts, we've teamed up with Destination NSW to curate a guide to the biggest regional events and festivals to keep you entertained during the cooler months. From floral displays to food-packed fiestas, fruit picking and free live music performances, it's time to fuel up the car, fire up your Spotify playlist and settle in to discover the best that New South Wales has to offer. Explore the best of NSW's Regional Events and Festivals at the Destination NSW website.
In Osaka and Hollywood, it's now possible to live out your wildest Super Mario Bros dreams, all thanks to Super Nintendo theme parks that look like the plumber-filled games come to life — and even include IRL Mario Kart. Without heading out of Australia, you can also slip into pop culture's favourite speedy vehicles, albeit just for a few days at 2023's Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. With The Super Mario Bros Movie about to hit cinemas, the flick has teamed up with the racing event to display a life-sized — and very real — Mario Kart in the F1's family zone. That area is named after the film, too, so setting up the only actual Mario Kart in the country was always going to be as pivotal as avoiding banana peels on any track. We believe that Mario said it best: let's go! [caption id="attachment_895402" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mario Kart at the Grand Prix Albert Park Melbourne. Wednesday, March 29, 2023.[/caption] On display from Thursday, March 30–Sunday, April 2, ready for Mario Kart lovers to sit in and take snaps in aplenty, the vehicle does come with one big caveat: it doesn't race. So, you won't be putting pedal to the metal while you're in it. And no, there's no rainbow road to slide along. But everyone who has ever played the racing game in its many guises — on the many various Nintendo devices that the game has popped up on over the years, not to mention Google Maps, mobile phones and reality elsewhere — is well-versed at pretending. The retro-fitted kart is for kidults and kids alike, and part of the Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit's feast of family-friendly activities alongside a ferris wheel, bungee trampolines, Assistance Dogs Australia's puppy races and pooch belly rubs, and an AFL Auskick clinic. Live tunes, food trucks and screens showing the F1 action are also on offer within the precinct. [caption id="attachment_895404" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mario Kart at the Grand Prix Albert Park Melbourne. Wednesday, March 29, 2023.[/caption] The Super Mario Bros Movie Family Zone is ticketed, and scoring a park pass is recommended as the best way to head along. If you choose to wear overalls, or don a red or green cap, that's entirely up to you As for The Super Mario Bros Movie itself, it hits cinemas on Wednesday, April 5. Chris Pratt (The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special) voices the Italian plumber, Jack Black (Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood) does the same with Bowser, while Charlie Day (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia) plays Luigi — alongside Anya Taylor-Joy (The Menu) as Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy, The Menu), Seth Rogen (The Fabelmans) as Donkey Kong, Keegan- Michael Key (Wendell & Wild) as Toad, plus Fred Armisen (Wednesday) as Cranky Kong. Check out the trailer for The Super Mario Bros Movie below: Find the IRL Mario Kart at the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, in The Super Mario Bros Movie Family Zone, from Thursday, March 30–Sunday, April 2. Top image: © 2023 Nintendo and Universal Studios.
Often the most memorable Oscar moments occur between awards. Like the sight of watching Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong’o jump out of her seat to dance with Pharrell during his live performance of his hit single 'Happy'. Not to mention 18-time nominee Meryl Streep doing her best nonchalant shimmy-shimmy in Mr Williams' face. After storming the stage (in yet another one of those hats) with the incredibly upbeat number and his huge team of dancers, Pharrell must have noticed that a lot of the seated Hollywood crowd seemed a tad, shall we say, reluctant to stand up and get involved at the risk of looking stupid. Thankfully, Meryl’s loved to boogie ever since her days of rolling around idyllic Greek holiday resorts for Mamma Mia! and wasn’t afraid to pull a discreet dance move. And Nyong’o is presumably one of the most genuinely happy people at the ceremony considering the critical adoration she’s received for 12 Years a Slave. She went on to win in her category, Best Supporting Actress.
Negronis and Italian bar snacks are at the centre of this Surry Hills aperitivo bar. Bar Conte is the project of Raffaele Lombard and his partner, interior designer Victoria Hampshire who have worked together to transport you to the Amalfi Coast through a sleek bar inspired by Italy's aperitivo culture. "I have dreamt of this concept for the past 10 years. The negroni is my drink of choice, and has been since I was a young man growing up in Sorrento on the Amalfi Coast. It's bitter, strong and clean — the ultimate pre-dinner drink. We felt it deserved its own dedicated bar," Lombard says. The obvious place to start here is with a negroni. There are more than 20 varieties on the menu ranging from $19–32. Alongside your classics, there's a range of intriguing combinations: the Negroni Sbagliato 1972 combines Campari, Cinzano 1757 and prosecco; the Il Professore is a mix of Campari, Campano Rosso Vermouth and Kimbo coffee liqueur; and the Rhubarb is made from Glendalough Rose Gin, Cinzano 1757 and Rabarbaro liqueur. Further along the menu and you'll find a selection of classic cocktails ($18-25) — martinis, margaritas, spritzes and sours — followed by European wines and beers. Accompanying the drinks is a creative array of bar snacks pulled together by Head Chef and co-owner Steve De Vecchi (ex-The Apollo). Think rosemary focaccia ($11), king prawns with burnt butter ($28) and marinated eggplant caprino ($12). There are also menu items infusing the bar's signature drink, including oysters with a negroni dressing ($6.50) and negroni-infused salumi ($6). Before the bar turns its sights towards stiff drinks each evening, it also operates at Caffé Conte each morning until 3pm Monday–Saturday. Here you'll find top-notch coffee and loaded paninis packed with battered eggplant, grilled zucchini, parma prosciutto or ham, artichokes and olives.
When it comes to forming habits, three weeks is often bandied about as the right amount of time to cement a new part of your routine. With annual massive music, technology, screen and gaming festivals, perhaps three years is a better fit. After initially making its debut in 2023, then returning in 2024, SXSW Sydney will be back again in 2025. Mark your calendar accordingly. You can now call the huge event a fixture of not just the Harbour City's cultural calendar, but also Australia's. The dates for its third iteration: Monday, October 13–Sunday, October 19. Although there's no lineup details as yet, attendees can expect big things again after 2024's fest built upon 2023's successes. The second-ever SXSW Down Under featured 1400 conference sessions, 95 screenings, 315 performances and 150 games. It also hosted more than 92,000 unique visitors, with folks attending from 56 countries. In terms of total visits, the seven-day festival notched up 300,000 — including 190,000-plus people heading along to the 163 events as part of the free programming in Tumbalong Park. Darling Harbour, Chippendale and Broadway will be among the places playing host to SXSW Sydney in 2025, but more details there are still also yet to be revealed. "SXSW Sydney 2024 was a great success on all fronts, and was bigger than its debut year in attendance numbers and sessions throughout the week," said SXSW Sydney Chair Geoff Jones, announcing the 2025 dates. "We look forward to paving the way for more innovators across the tech and innovation, music, screen, games and creative industries by providing these creators with an opportunity on a global stage." Whatever graces the bill in 2025, it'll follow on from Black Mirror's Charlie Brooker, Chance The Rapper, Future Today Institute founder and CEO Amy Webb and Nicole Kidman in 2023, plus The Kid LAROI, human rights lawyer Jennifer Robinson, author Johann Hari, The New Boy filmmaker Warwick Thornton, The Babadook composer Jed Kurzel, Grace Tame and Tim Minchin in 2024 — and heaps more. SXSW Sydney 2025 will run from Monday, October 13–Sunday, October 19 at various Sydney venues. Head to the SXSW Sydney website for further details. Images: Paul McMillan, Jess Gleeson, Brendon Thorne/Getty Images for SXSW and Nina Franova/Getty Images for SXSW Sydney.
Australians across the country have spent the last year adapting to a slew of changes, including restrictions and lockdowns that keep popping up to slow the spread of COVID-19. Yes, we're all getting really good at the whole social distancing thing. But, even if you have plenty to watch and a go-to list of takeaway joints to keep your stomach satisfied, everyone could always use a top-up of warm and fuzzy feels. Whether you're currently under stay-at-home conditions in Melbourne, or you just need to brighten up your day elsewhere, the good folks at Zoos Victoria have your back. They're still live streaming the daily antics of an assortment of adorable wildlife, from both Melbourne Zoo and Werribee Open Range Zoo. Instead of venturing out to the actual zoo, you can now get your cute animal fix from the comfort of home, by simply jumping online. But WFHers, be warned — these small-screen heartthrobs are pretty much guaranteed to steal hours of your time. You can tune in to watch Melbourne Zoo's three fluff-ball snow leopard cubs as they spend their days playing and exploring alongside mum Miska, or the giraffes being all leggy and graceful, munching leaves pretty much non-stop. Keep an eye out here for some humans of the species zookeeper, too, offering a bit of entertainment of their own. You can also prepare to be charmed by the penguins splashing in and out of their pool, especially old mate Ed the Fiordland penguin, who's apparently quite partial to being in the spotlight. All of these cuties seem to love a good close-up. And over at Werribee Open Range Zoo, it's the lions on show, alternating between roaming their enclosure and getting in some serious sunbaking time. The zoos themselves are currently closed due to Melbourne's seven-day lockdown and, at this stage, will reopen on Friday, June 4 — but even a COVID -19 cluster can't stop you from peering at these critters from your couch. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wb6o3QvrxY Catch Zoos Victoria's animal live streams over on the organisation's website and on its social media channels.
For the first time, Darling Harbour's Tumbalong Park is getting in on the Vivid Sydney action with the introduction of Tumbalong Nights. From Wednesday to Saturday throughout the festival, you can enjoy performances from the very heart of the Light Walk. From rising Aussie starlets like Stevan and Elsy Wameyo to established acts like Haiku Hands and Donny Benét — and long-time festival favourites like Hot Potato Band — there's a diverse array of musical talent at Tumbalong Nights in 2022, plus short film screenings on offer too. What's more, every single one of these events is completely free. Music will start at 8pm on Wednesdays and at 7pm from Thursday to Saturday. Plus, head down with your minis a bit earlier on Saturdays for some of Australia's best acts for children as part of Vivid Kids at Tumbalong from 5pm.
If you love exploring new drinks or supporting local businesses, then head to The Four Pillars Gin Laboratory and retail shop in Surry Hills from Monday, February 10 to Wednesday, February 19 to get a taste of the Scottish Isles. For ten days, Jura Whisky will be taking over – serving up Jura-based cocktails at Eileen's Bar – all the way from a tiny Scottish island of the same name. Order, take a sip and immerse yourself in the unique drink made by a Scottish island community of just 212 people. The island of Jura has just one road, one pub and one whisky distillery (the necessities). As such, their whisky is made with love and community at the core – making it more than just a bog-standard whisky. The distillery was established in 1810 and reborn in 1963 in a plight to revive the community, and that it did. Today, the island community creates single malt with a true love of the game. Their craftsmanship is grounded in a desire to make approachable whisky that promotes connection in Jura and beyond. The flavour speaks for itself — beginning with fresh peaches and red apples on the nose and ending with cinnamon and rich banana fritters, Jura Whisky is warm, smooth and complex. At the Jura Whisky at Four Pillars Gin Laboratory takeover, you will be able to trial a Jura Flight ($15), Jura Highball ($16) and Paps of Jura ($24), made with Jura Bourbon Cask, torched apricot and Earl Grey tea fizz. Or, why not try the Wattle&Spice ($24) or the Boo-urns ($24), a delicious concoction of Jura Aged 12 Years, Glayva, Madeira and peychaud's bitters? Head to the Four Pillars Gin Laboratory between Monday, February 10 to Wednesday, February 19 to experience the community spirit that is Jura Whisky. Images: Supplied.
Come on Barbie fans, let's go party — under the stars, in costume, while watching the biggest movie of 2023 and not thinking about dying. Moonlight Cinema's 2023–24 dates and November–December lineup are both here, and celebrating Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie's pink-hued big-screen comedy is on the agenda. In fact, the openair cinema season is throwing Barbie-themed shindigs where wearing pink, rose or similar shades is encouraged while watching the film beneath the evening sky. That's just one of the highlights of this summer's (and late spring and early autumn's) date with Moonlight Cinema, which kicks off in Brisbane and Sydney on Thursday, November 23, opens in Perth the next day, and then in Adelaide and Melbourne the following week — running till February in Queensland South Australia, and March elsewhere. Also worth getting excited about: festive flicks ('tis the season), nostalgic sessions of Jurassic Park and The Mighty Ducks, The Hunger Games prequel Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes and Sydney-shot Sydney Sweeney (Euphoria)-starring rom-com Anyone But You. If nothing says Christmas to you like catching a festive film under the heavens, ideally while kicking back on bean beds and eating a picnic, then you're in luck as usual. When the beloved Australian outdoor movie-viewing setup returns, it'll again show some of the merriest pictures that it can find. On the list: Love Actually, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, Die Hard, Home Alone, How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Elf — so, the usual selection, not that these jolly pictures ever get old. At Sydney's Centennial Parklands, Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens, Brisbane's Roma Street Parklands, Adelaide's Botanic Park, and Perth's Kings Park and Botanic Garden, movie lovers can also look forward to seeing preview screenings of Taika Waititi's Next Goal Wins, plus the Natalie Portman- (Thor: Love and Thunder) and Julianne Moore (Sharper)-led May December. The first might ring a bell if you're a fan of soccer and you remember the American Samoan team's big 2001 defeat to Australia 31–0, plus the documentary of the same name about it. The second sees Carol filmmaker Todd Haynes dive into a scandal, with Portman playing an actor and Moore the woman she'll be portraying. Throw in the animated Trolls Band Together, plus everything from The Little Mermaid, The Creator, Joy Ride and Asteroid City to No Hard Feelings, A Haunting in Venice, Dumb Money and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, and there's already a heap of titles on the bill. Killers of the Flower Moon, Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny and The Super Mario Bros Movie are among the other flicks popping up. The lineup does vary per city, however — and if you're wondering what else Moonlight will screen across its full season, it now drops its program month by month. The films and the setting are just two parts of the Moonlight Cinema experience. Also on offer: an official Aperol spritz bar, which is new for 2023–24. Nosh-wise, the event will again let you BYO movie snacks and drinks (no alcohol in Brisbane, though), but the unorganised can enjoy a plethora of bites to eat onsite while reclining on bean beds. There'll also be a VIP section for an extra-luxe openair movie experience, plus a platinum section that levels up a night at the movies even further in Sydney and Melbourne. A beauty cart will be handing out samples, too. And, dogs are welcome at all sites except Perth — there's even special doggo bean beds, and a snack menu for pooches. MOONLIGHT CINEMA 2023–24 DATES: Brisbane: Thursday, November 23, 2023–Sunday, February 18, 2024 in Roma Street Parklands Sydney: Thursday, November 23, 2023–Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Centennial Parklands Perth: Friday, November 24, 2023–Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Kings Park and Botanic Garden Adelaide: Thursday, November 30, 2023–Wednesday, February 14, 2024 in Botanic Park Melbourne: Friday, December 1, 2023–Saturday, March 30, 2024 in Royal Botanic Gardens Moonlight Cinema kicks off in November 2023, running through until March 2024. For more information and to buy tickets, visit the cinema's website — and we'll update you with further program details when they're announced.
