However you spend the 9-to-5 grind, including singing Dolly Parton songs in your head, everyone's working hours are always better with a pet. Had an average meeting? Rover will always be there for you. Stressed about a deadline? Patch's purring will help soothe whatever ails you. Need to look at something other than a screen for a bit? Whatever kind of animal companion you have, they're perfect for exactly that. Most of the above situations lend themselves to working from home, as we've all enjoyed over the past few years — but if you're back in the office, or at least out of your house and away from Zoom calls, you mightn't have a furry, feathered or scaly friend on hand to help brighten up your day. Well, usually. Today, Friday, June 24, just happens to be National Take Your Dog To Work Day. Yes, there's a day for everything. Yes, you still have time to bring Fido with you today. And, to help — because wrangling an animal on public transport isn't necessarily easy — Uber is doing discounted rides for everyone taking their pets into the office. The half-price fare comes courtesy of Uber Pet, which launched in Australia back in 2020. To grab the deal, you'll need to travel between 7am–7pm today — and, if you do so with your pet for company, you'll nab 50-percent off your trip up to a total of $30 off. The discount is valid everywhere that Uber Pet is available in Australia, which covers Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Canberra, Newcastle, Hobart, Cairns, Sunshine Coast, Geelong, Wollongong and Darwin. There is a $6–7 'pet fee' on top of the standard ride fare, though. To get the discount, just go to the Uber app, click on your account in the bottom right corner, select 'wallet' and then scroll down till you hit 'add promo code'. That code: FURBABY. (What else would it be?) Each person can only use the code twice, but that'll get you and Max to work and back. And yes, your day just got better, obviously — for you and your fluffball. Uber Pet is doing half-price rides from 7am–7pm today, Friday, June 24. For more information, head to the Uber website.
We know what you're thinking. 'Low-carb' clothing? Are you serious? Nope nope nope. Call shenanigans, upturn tables, get on the tweets. Reformation's brand new ten-piece fashion line is indeed called the Low-Carb collection. But rather than being some form of low carbohydrate fashion (somehow), the eco-friendly fashion label has created ten items with a severely low carbon footprint. Yep, 'low carb'. We know, it's a straight-up, highly effective clickbaity fashion campaign. But one with a truly good heart. Created for yesterday's international Earth Day, Reformation's new collection intends to educate fashion lovers about the environmental impacts of their threads. Each Low-Carb item has an eco-gauge (or RefScale) that comes with it, allowing customers to read up on the garment's effect on the environment — we're talking manufacturing methods, impact on CO2 levels and water use for a start. The eco-gauge can be found next to each item on the Reformation website, so you can read up before you buy. In fact, Reformation makes clothes from just three different types of materials, new sustainable fabrics, repurposed vintage clothing and rescued deadstock fabric from fashion houses that over-ordered. Plus, the collection's pretty damn crisp. Sustainable fashion is becoming more and more en vogue, with Pharell launching his recent denim line for G-Star made from plastic bottles pulled from the ocean, to Melbourne's recently founded Hessian magazine, which focuses on eco-friendly fashion designers, collections and practices. Even if it's a little gimmicky, we're all for supporting sustainability-meets-fashion projects — depsite the clickbaity headlines. Via Who What Wear. Take five lessons in sustainable fashion with Hessian magazine over here.
Polica's ethereal melodies, dark lyrics, escapist dancing and double drummers inspired Bon Iver's Justin Vernon to describe them as "the best band in the world". Having won buckets of Sydney love on their first visit, this Minneapolis-based group is returning to play the Opera House for Vivid, with third album United Crushers in hand. Expect more of their unique blend of drum and bass, hip hop and synth-pop, plus a bigger emphasis on Channy Leaneagh's extraordinary voice. After Vivid, Polica will be heading to Europe to play a stack of festivals, including Germany's Hurricane and Southside, Ireland's Castlepalooza and London's Hyde Park.
While rain continues to batter Sydney, a rainbow has emerged in one part of the city. A huge multi-coloured installation has popped up in Circular Quay in the lead-up to the Mardi Gras parade at the SCG this Saturday, March 5. The public artwork takes inspiration from Australia's love of big things, appearing as part of a new project from Tinder. The Big Rainbow Project is a new initiative from the dating app that promises to erect the rainbow installation in a regional Australian town while also pledging $100,000 to regional LGBTQIA+ community organisations. You can come to visit and get photos of the rainbow at its temporary home in Circular Quay next to the Overseas Passenger Terminal until Monday, March 7. If you head by between 4.30pm–6.30pm, you'll be treated to music and entertainment from party troupe Poof Doof who is hosting Rainbow Hour each afternoon. During this daily party DJs will be on-site spinning Mardi Gras-ready tunes alongside local queens Coco Jumbo, Jimi The Kween and Danni Issues. You'll also be in with a chance to win merch and tickets to upcoming Poof Doof parties. Following its stint in Sydney, the Big Rainbow Project will be transporting the installation to a regional town decided by the public. You can suggest a regional town that you think deserves this colourful landmark via the Tinder website. Once the new home has been decided, Tinder will be announcing the town alongside the list of LGBTQIA+ community organisations it will donate to. Mardi Gras 2022 kicked off mid-last month and will culminate in the annual parade as well as citywide parties this weekend. If you're looking for the perfect party, check out our round-up of the best last-minute events. The Big Rainbow Project's installation can be found next to the Sydney Overseas Passenger Terminal from Thursday, March 3 until Monday, March 7.
The Sydney Opera House is flicking the light switch to high beam dazzle later this month for this year's Vivid Sydney, with both its program of Vivid Live gigs and the accompanying festivities. The harbourside icon is going all out for its annual Vivid pop-up bar, this year channelling none other than its program headliners, legendary English alt-rockers The Cure. Brought to life by the minds behind Newtown bar The Midnight Special — also responsible for last year's retro-themed Goldie's Music Hall pop-up — Spellbound will see the Concert Hall's Northern Foyer reimagined as a neon-lit post-punk den of moody decadence. Expect dark leather couches and long banquet tables decked out with glowing fruit installations, sheet music and skulls, while black felt-topped pool tables entertain late-night Vivid explorers. On the menu, you'll find bites like Sydney rock oysters, broiche sliders stuffed with confit duck rillettes, and both a classic and vegetarian version of the humble croque monsieur. Beers will come courtesy of Sydney favourites Grifter Brewing Co and Young Henrys, while a lineup of signature cocktails includes the rose-hued Flowers of Romance. The bar will try to minimise plastic waste by offering reuseable plastic cups, which you can buy with a $2 refundable deposit. It's all enveloped with a moody soundtrack stuffed full of hits from the likes of The Damned, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Iggy Pop and New Order, as spun by local legends including Lucy Cliché, Mitch Tolman and Cristian O'Sullivan (Low Life). The Cure will play in the Concert Hall over five nights on May 24, 25, 27, 28 and 30. As the large number of unsuccessful ballot entrants will be aware, tickets were snapped up in record time — so a visit to the bar might be the closest thing to seeing them on stage. Otherwise you can watch the live stream on the Opera House's Facebook from 8pm on Thursday, May 30 or check out one of the other gigs happening at the Opera House throughout Vivid, like Sharon van Etten, Underworld, Stella Donnelly and Herbie Hancock. The bar will be open to the public from 6pm each night, except for the nights that The Cure is playing. On those nights, the bar will open to ticketholders from 6pm and the general public from 9.45pm. Images: Anna Kucera.
Originally greenlit back in 2017, construction on URBNSURF Sydney's massive man-made surf park is currently underway, with the finished site set to arrive in autumn 2024. The $50-million development will hit a 3.2-hectare site in Sydney Olympic Park next year from the team behind Australia's first surf park, featuring perfect waves year-round and a new outpost for one of the best restaurants on the North Shore, RAFI. The 200-capacity RAFI 2.0 will arrive in Sydney Olympic Park next year with the same dedication to fresh, seasonal produce and quality wines as its OG counterpart. Crowd favourites from the North Sydney menu will grace the RAFI URBNSURF menu, while a new cocktail menu is being rolled out especially for the Western Sydney opening. Joining RAFI will be a surfside cafe and all-day diner called Sandy's, facilitating more casual meals and takeaways. Sandy's will be open 6.30am–8.30pm daily and will be serving up morning coffees, bacon and egg rolls, pancake stacks, fish tacos and beef barbacoa burritos. There will also be a summer-ready selection of booze, including beers, cocktails, to-go gin and tonics, and wine on tap. [caption id="attachment_927898" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Steven Woodburn[/caption] Both venues come courtesy of Applejack, the hospitality group behind Forrester's, The Butler and Bopp & Tone. And to round out the offering will be a private event space that can facilitate 120 guests, a cabana lawn that can host up to 800 people and an outdoor events space that will host live music and sporting events. As for the actual surf, Sydneysiders can expect a diamond-shaped lagoon pumping out waves up to two metres in height. Thanks to LED lighting illuminating the man-made waves after dark, visitors will also have the option of an evening swim. The lagoon will be capable of churning out waves every eight seconds, with surfers set to catch about a dozen waves per hour. URBNSURF Sydney will also feature a wellness studio, skate park, hot tubs and a surf academy for those looking to take their surfing to the next level. URBNSURF Sydney is expected to open in Sydney Olympic Park in autumn 2024. Head to the surf park's website to read more about the opening.
“They are built on the idea of leisure, dreams, escape and entertainment,” says artist Anna Carey, reflecting on the connections between the three cities that occupy her exhibition Blue Angel. “The spaces were created to be reinvented — built for a good time not a long time. For some, these cities were a place of temporary escape, but many have made the escape permanent.” Anna Carey takes photographs of her home town, the Gold Coast, as well as the architecturally similar Los Angeles and Las Vegas, where she recently spent time travelling. The catch? She also builds the environments in the photographs, making finicky cardboard dioramas of buildings pulled from memory and her imagination. All three cities, having featured in countless films, hold various associations according to our collective memories and interpretations. We feel as though we know them well, and yet, how many of us can claim an intimate knowledge? Carey explains, “The art making becomes a process of overlapping multiple memories to create hybrid spaces drawn from and common to all three cities ... Even though the cities are very similar, each has a unique culture, expressed through its urban landscape. "The Gold Coast lifestyle is occupied with the outdoors because of its subtropical, natural landscape ... Los Angeles is similar because of the hills and the ocean; however, it is a much larger city and has a massive entertainment industry. Las Vegas is a place to indulge, with a variety of shows, spas, restaurants and gambling.” Influenced by an array of artists, “past and present”, Carey identifies a select few that she comes back to continually, finding “something new in the work every time”. These include Ed Ruscha, who photographs Los Angeles obsessively, using his camera as a means of documentation; Francys Alys, who “creates urban fictions”, attempting to “reflect the rhythm and narrative” of Mexico City; and Rachel Whiteread, because “her work House is genius”. Carey’s Blue Angel exhibition is on display at Sydney's Artereal (747 Darling Street, Rozelle; (02) 9818 7473) from May 7-31, 2014.
When Disney+ made its way into the world back in 2019, it gave viewers — including folks in Australia and New Zealand — access to a huge range of Disney, Marvel, Pixar, Star Wars and National Geographic movies and shows. What it didn't do is bring Hulu, which the Mouse House owns the majority stake in, to audiences Down Under. And, with Disney+ focused on family-friendly fare, it didn't deliver the kinds of series and films that Hulu screens, either. Hulu still isn't heading our way. But, come early 2021, Disney+ is expanding to include a new section that's basically an international equivalent of Hulu. It's called Star, it'll launch on Tuesday, February 23, and it'll screen "an additional 1000 unique titles under the new Star brand in the first year", according to the announcement at Disney's big 2020 Investor Day on Friday, December 11. It's also set to premiere 35 brand new series in 2021, too. Disney hasn't listed exactly what Australia and New Zealand audiences will be able to watch via Star — but it did reveal that Star will feature "a robust collection of general entertainment movies, television, documentaries, and more, along with Star-branded new exclusive originals and local productions being created for the service". It'll be drawing upon Disney's studios, such as Disney Television Studios, FX, 20th Century Studios, 20th Television and Touchstone, and will also feature local programming specific to each region. https://twitter.com/Disney/status/1337155471422189569 Star won't feature everything that Hulu does, because plenty of Hulu's series and films pop up elsewhere Down Under — like The Handmaid's Tale, for instance. That said, it's safe to presume that some of the rights deals that deliver Hulu content to other networks and streaming platforms in Australia and New Zealand might change when Star hits, moving where you can catch certain flicks and programs in the process. When Star launches, it'll also become available in Europe and Canada, both of which already have access to Disney+. The Mouse House will also launch Disney+ including Star in Singapore on the same date, then look to roll out in Eastern Europe, South Korea, Japan and Hong Kong across the rest of 2021. And, as you might've already guessed, Disney+'s expansion to include Star will come with a price increase. Australian subscriptions will go up to AU$11.99 per month or AU$119.99 per year, while New Zealand's will cost NZ$12.99 per month or AU$129.99 per year. Star will join Disney+ in Australia and New Zealand on Tuesday, February 23, with Disney+ subscriptions costing AU$11.99 per month or AU$119.99 per year in Australia, and NZ$12.99 per month or AU$129.99 per year in New Zealand, from that date.
It's a chair made out of swords. So notes Daemon Targaryen's (Matt Smith, Morbius) description of TV's most-fought-over piece of furniture of the past 13 years: the Iron Throne. Not one but two hit HBO shows have put squabbles about the sought-after seat at their centre so far, and the second keeps proving a chip off the old block in a fantasy franchise where almost everyone meets that description. If the family trees sprawling throughout Game of Thrones for eight seasons across 2011–19 and now House of the Dragon for two since 2022 (with a third on the way) weren't so closely intertwined in all of their limbs, would feuding over everything, especially the line of succession, be such a birthright? Set within the Targaryens 172 years before Daenerys is born, House of the Dragon could've always cribbed the name of another HBO success. In season two from Monday, June 17 Down Under — via Binge in Australia and Neon in New Zealand — season one's black-versus-green factionalism remains a civil war-esque showdown over which two offspring of the late King Viserys the Peaceful (Paddy Considine, The Third Day) should wear the crown and plonk themselves in the blade-lined chair. The monarch long ago named Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy, Mothering Sunday) as his heir. But with his last breaths, his wife Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke, Slow Horses) — also Rhaenyra's childhood best friend-turned-stepmother — claims that he changed his pick to their eldest son Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Carney, Rogue Heroes) instead. In King's Landing, the response was speedy, with Rhaenyra supplanted as the next ruler before she'd even heard over at Dragonstone that her father had passed away. Based on Fire & Blood, which George RR Martin penned as backstory after A Song of Ice and Fire's first five books A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, A Feast for Crows and A Dance with Dragons, House of the Dragon has also long painted Rhaenyra as the preferred type of chip off the old block. She too wants peace, not war. She also seeks stability for the realm over personal glory. If Viserys spotted that in her as a girl (Milly Alcock, Upright) when he chose her over Daemon, his brother who is now Rhaenyra's husband, he might've also predicted the dedication that she sports towards doing his legacy, and those before him, proud. Aegon, also the grandson of Viserys' hand Ser Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans, The King's Man), sees only entitlement above all else. Martin's tales of family dynasties — the names Stark, Tully, Lannister, Baratheon and more also pop up again — trade in the cycles that course through the bonds of blood, especially in House of the Dragon. Everyone watching knows what's to come for the Targaryens in Daenerys' time, right down to an aunt-nephew romance as the counterpart to Daemon and Rhaenyra's uncle-niece relationship. (No one watching has started this prequel series, the first spinoff of likely many to Game of Thrones, without being familiar with its predecessor). Ice-blonde hair, ambition that soars as high as the dragons they raise and fly, said flame-roaring beasts of the sky, the inability to host happy reunions: these are traits passed down through generations. Some are a matter of genes. Martin continues to explore why the others persist. Season one took to its role as the next on-screen trek across Westeros with seriousness, devotion and reverence, leading to a front-ended run intrigue-wise with talk — scheming, plotting, proclaiming who should be next to sit upon several thrones — and laying the groundwork for more seasons to come monopolising the ten-years-later back half. It was exactly what fans of this TV franchise could've wanted, in no small part thanks to its fondness for overt mirroring that stresses the point that some things trickle down from parent to child no matter what. Season two has less establishing to do, and therefore a quicker pace and tighter focus. It's content in one time period. It also has not just the aftermath of a usurpation but also of a tragic death at the hands of Aegon's younger brother Aemond (Ewan Mitchell, Saltburn), who bears a grudge and wears an eyepatch (the two are connected), to traverse. Rhaenys (Eve Best, Nurse Jackie), cousin to Viserys and Daemon, sums up one of the tragedies that House of the Dragon has committed itself to unpacking: that skirmishes will become such a given that no one will recall or care why the blacks (Rhaenyra's camp) and greens (Aegon and Alicent's) took up weapons and began torching each other with dragons in the first place. The audience won't forget. With images thankfully easier to discern — there's no repeat in the first four episodes of the dull-looking day-for-night atrocity of season one, its low point — the show's return witnesses the cost of pursuing the Iron Throne. It spends more time with the smallfolk, aka those beyond the royals and their cronies. It observes their reaction to the bad blood's brutality at its cruellest. And it does so even while making good on the big promise of Targaryens tearing into each other in a Seven Kingdoms period when dragons weren't a rarity: those mid-air sweeping and snapping dragon frays, which are gloriously brought to life. Scaling back the scene-setting and future-plotting is a gift to House of Dragon's cast in season two, especially to D'Arcy and Cooke. Rhaenyra's battle is really a battle with Alicent more than her son — and the two actors behind the parts expertly handle the task of conveying not only the duelling ambitions feeding the Targaryen tussle for the crown and throne, but also the emotional stakes and costs in their friends-turned-enemies portrayals. Best, as another Targaryen who should've been queen but was overlooked for Viserys, joins them in expressing what it means to walk every step with Westeros' engrained malice shaping your path beyond your control. Seeing their characters team up may now be left to fan fiction, but House of Dragon is a better series with their performances at its heart. As uttered with the snarling glibness that Smith oozes so well in his scene-stealing role, that aforementioned account from Daemon of what everyone is fighting over might sound flippant. It's designed to. But trust House of Dragon to encapsulate the undying source of its heat, and of the perpetual clashes within this conflict-riddled saga, with such a seemingly easy and ordinary turn of phrase. When the fact that leading means climbing across a path of violence, then sitting atop one, even if you're devoted to eschewing bloodshed — again, the Iron Throne is literally a chair made out of swords — and when that fact is such a routine aspect of life that no one thinks twice about it, what else but more feuding can spring? Check out the full trailer for House of the Dragon season two below: House of the Dragon season two streams Down Under via Foxtel and Binge in Australia, and SoHo, Sky Go and Neon in New Zealand, from Monday, June 17, 2024. Read our review of season one. Images: HBO.
Port Macquarie's Festival of the Sun has been running for 16 years, and the boutique summer music festival is still bringing the goods. The lineup for this December has just been released and it looks like it'll be another doozy. Methyl Ethel and Briggs will headline the three-day fest, with Julia Jacklin, Trophy Eyes, Lime Cordiale and Baker Boy lending their voices too. Amyl and the Sniffers, Tired Lion, I Know Leopard, Nathan Ball and Good Doogs — among others — round out what looks like it'll be a big couple of days of music, with more acts still to be announced. The camping festival is also — excitingly — BYO, so you don't need to spend your hard-earned cash on overpriced UDLs. Alongside the lineup of live music, there will also be a heap of food trucks (serving everything from burgers to vegan fare), silent discos and silent comedy. The festival is themed each year, and this year it's the "ghouls and unicorns" edition — looks like it's time to whip out your Halloween costumes and anything you own that's rainbow-coloured. Festival of the Sun runs from Friday, December 13 to Sunday, December 15. Tickets go on sale at 10am on Thursday, August 8. FESTIVAL OF THE SUN 2018 LINEUP Methyl Ethel Briggs Julia Jacklin Trophy Eyes Lime Cordiale Baker Boy Amyl and the Sniffers Tired Lion I Know Leopard Nathan Ball (UK) Good Doogs Genesis Owusu Milan Ring Arno Faraji JEFFE Tasman Keith Stevie Jean FRITZ Bakers Eddy VOIID Surf Trash Georgia June Johnny Hunter The Buoys Garage Sale
This time last year, the world had gone more than 12 months without seeing a new Marvel movie. Just a few months back, no one had used the words 'squid' and 'game' right next to each other unless they were talking about cooking up a particularly impressive seafood dish. But 2021 has proven the year of both caped crusaders and a certain South Korean Netflix phenomenon — and we all have the Google search history to prove it. With the year coming to a close, the technology behemoth has revealed exactly what we've all been scouring the web for in 2021, and its film and TV lists provide quite the snapshot of everyone's viewing. When we were all eager to watch a flick, we went big, with franchises, familiar names and super-famous faces defining the top ten most-searched movies. When we were staying in — it was another year filled with lockdowns, after all — we threw plenty of love towards streaming platforms. Topping the film list: Eternals, Chloé Zhao's addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe and her first film after winning this year's Best Director Oscar for the immensely dissimilar Nomadland. It was closely followed by the long-delayed Black Widow, Timothée Chalamet-starring sci-fi remake Dune, more Marvel again via Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and Netflix's heist-fuelled action flick Red Notice. Next came the new Australian-shot version of Mortal Kombat, the Emma Stone-led Cruella and the return of Michael Myers in horror sequel Halloween Kills, as well as monster melee Godzilla vs Kong and straight-to-streaming zombie film Army of the Dead. When it came to the globe's binge-viewing for the year, Squid Game came in at number one — likely not only because it's all anyone seemed to be watching in September and October, but because we all became so obsessed with it that, yes, we were all searching for every piece of information about it that we could find. It was followed by Bridgerton's period soapiness, WandaVision's trippy superhero dramas, Karate Kid spinoff series Cobra Kai and more Marvel (yes, again) thanks to Loki. Also placing in the top ten: Netflix's Sweet Tooth and Lupin, the latter of which probably benefited from dropping its episodes in two batches; the streamer's Ginny and Georgia; South Korean series True Beauty; and Big Brother Brazil 2021. If you haven't watched any of the above yet, consider this a catch-up list, too. For further details about Google's 2021 trend lists, head to the Google Trends website. Top image: Noh Juan, Netflix.
Some actors have all the luck — or, in the case of Matthew Fox, they seem to navigate all of the on-screen quests for survival. After riding Lost's many, many ups and downs between 2004–10, the actor is returning to the small screen for the first time in 12 years in new five-part miniseries Last Light. And although he isn't stranded on a mysterious island here, and no one seems to be spouting a set pattern of numbers in the show's just-dropped first trailer, things look mighty tense and chaotic anyway. The OG Party of Five star plays Andy Yeats, a petro-chemist who gets stuck in the fallout from a problem with the world's oil supply. Actually, to be exact, the entire planet faces the same struggle, with transport stopping, deliveries ceasing as well, and law and order disintegrating fast. If the tale sounds familiar, and not just in a general apocalyptic way, that's because Last Light is based on Andy Scarrow's 2007 book of the same name. The page-to-streaming adaptation is due to hit Stan from Thursday, September 8, and shot everywhere from Prague and Abu Dhabi to Paris. Alongside Fox, the series stars Joanne Froggatt (Downton Abbey: A New Era) as Andy's wife Elena — plus Alyth Ross (Traces) as his teenage daughter Laura and TV first-timer Taylor Foy as his son Sam. Last Light focuses on the entire family's story, as Andy tries to return home from the Middle East just as his worst fears are coming true, Elena and Sam are in Paris, and Laura is home alone in London. The cast also spans Amber Rose Revah (The Punisher), Victor Alli (Belfast) and Hakeem Jomah (Rashash), as well as Tom Wlaschiha — aka Dmitri in the fourth season of Stranger Things, and Jaqen H'ghar in Game of Thrones. Behind the camera, director Dennie Gordon (Hunters, Jack Ryan) does the honours across all five episodes. And if it feels like it's been quite some time since you've seen Fox on-screen, you're right. He only has five films to his name since Lost wrapped up — the last in 2015. Check out the trailer for Last Light below: Last Light will be available to stream via Stan from Thursday, September 8.
Here comes the sun, doo-doo-doo-doo. Welcome back to the warm half of the year, folks, and boy, has it started strong. With some real scorcher days already under our belts and many more to come, people all over Sydney are busting out the breezy linens and sunscreen in earnest. Let's not forget that spring is a time of celebration, so we've teamed up with Stockland to tell you about the busy few weeks ahead in Sydney and beyond. SHADES OF SUMMER AT STOCKLAND Spring and summer overlap in certain areas, but especially when it comes to fashion and style. Anyone in need of a wardrobe refresh should make a booking at Stockland Green Hills, Merrylands, Shellharbour or Wetherill Park for one of the three Shades of Summer workshops. These expert-led sessions cover many style basics and will help you shop for a new fit with equal amounts of intention and inspiration. Shades of Summer will spread across a variety of workshops. Makeup artist and stylist Amy Chan will go through common skin issues and how to choose your ideal remedial products. Styling and colour workshops hosted by professional stylist Caitlin Stewart will equip you with an understanding of what colours suit you scientifically. You can then utilise that knowledge at DIY lip gloss workshops to blend a base with a custom colour suited to your skin tone and take the product home. All workshops require a booking, and you can find the centre-specific dates here. This is only the tip of the iceberg for what's on at Stockland, you'll also find pre-loved clothes drop-offs, free summer fashion guides that tell you where to find the hottest products, seasonal makeup guides, a giveaway for a $1000 gift card and much more. Visit your local Stockland website to find out the details. PARRAMATTA LANES The weekend of October 14–15 will be packed with events across Sydney and beyond, so we've got something for you to attend no matter where you find yourself on the coast. Parramatta Lanes is a top choice for anyone in the mood for celebrations. This annual event runs from Wednesday, October 11 to Saturday, October 14 and brings free festivities across the realms of food, drink, music and art to the Western Sydney hub of Parramatta. Foodies will find a stall for every cuisine and flavour they so desire, including Sydney crowd favourites Koi Dessert Bar and FirePop and festival debuts from Kampung Laksa, Japanese Pizza Okonomiyaki and Sri Daskin Food. Once you've had your fill, follow the sound of music to performances from Fazerdaze, Carla Wehbe, Tokyo Vendetta, Mali Jose, a dedicated K-Pop stage and more. Keep an eye out for the free public artworks and a dedicated Pup Culture zone for your four-legged companions to join the fun. [caption id="attachment_790427" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Natasha Webb via Department of Planning, Industry and Environment[/caption] GO CAMPING AND BUSHWALKING The months of spring (when we're between the occasional day of extreme heat) are arguably the best parts of the year to get out and explore Australia's landscapes. From the beach-adjacent hillsides of the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park in Sydney's north to the dense wilderness of the Royal National Park to the south, camping and walking opportunities are everywhere you look. Consider a trip south to Budawang National Park to escape the big smoke. This secluded bush kingdom stretches from steep mountains to rushing rivers northwest of Batemans Bay. Trails cater from day walks to overnight adventures, with the standout being a famously steep ascent of The Castle. A classic choice further north is Munmorah State Conservation Area, wedged on the coast just southeast of Lake Macquarie. The setting makes it ideal for walking, camping, picnics, fishing or all of the above, and the park is easily accessible to the public year-round. [caption id="attachment_920859" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Beau Pilgrim[/caption] RAW CHALLENGE DOYALSON If camping or bushwalking is on the right track for what you need but doesn't hit the nail on the head, consider levelling up to the Raw Challenge Doyalson. It's the same basic idea of walking outdoors, except there's more encouraged running, some natural obstacles like water and mud, then many manufactured obstacles. Raw Challenge is the place for chaotic physical fitness this October, with 60+ obstacles over seven kilometres on Saturday, October 14. From precarious wooden balance beams and three-storey angled rock climbing walls to 35-kilometre-per-hour slides and 50-metre pits of thick mud, this is no ordinary walk in the park. Thankfully, the pressure is only as high as you choose it to be. General racers can pick and choose their pace and skip as many obstacles as they'd like, while elite ticket-holders face a punishment of 15 burpees for every obstacle they miss. However you conquer it, Raw Challenge is just about having fun. Post-challenge, you can enjoy a shower, hot food, cool drinks and live tunes with your fellow participants. [caption id="attachment_837425" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Georgia Moloney[/caption] YOURS AND OWLS FESTIVAL 2023 After taking a year off due to 2022's La Niña weather cycles, Yours and Owls (known by some as Gong Christmas) is back in force for a 2023 edition. Instead of being at the mercy of the elements in Stuart Park, the event is kicking off a new multi-year venue partnership with University of Wollongong. The expansive uni campus offers a range of opportunities for the festival organisers, who have sworn to use every available oval, ground and laneway throughout UOW. It's the beginning of a new era for Yours and Owls, and if the lineup is anything to go by, the 2023 festival will be unmissable. Spread across Saturday, October 14, and Sunday, October 15, will be performances from Flight Facilities, Chet Faker, Ocean Alley, Hilltop Hoods, Oliver Tree, Pendulum and over 60 other groups. Of course, the festival's dance hall, Das Smelthaus, is back for 2023 in a new UOW home with shows from Club Angel, DJ PGZ, Sam Alfred, Lauren Hansom, and more planned. [caption id="attachment_920860" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Terrigal Ocean Tours[/caption] GO WHALE WATCHING Twice a year, the beautiful creature that is the humpback whale passes close to coastal NSW. The spring season is one of the busiest for whale migration, where family pods migrate south to the chilly waters of Antarctica, with young calves primarily born in the Pacific Islands swimming close to mum. The spring season comes to a close by November, but one of the most ideal locations to spot the whales is up close and on the water. One stretch of the route where whales venture closer to the coast is off of Terrigal on the Central Coast, where you can get a closer look thanks to Terrigal Ocean Tours. This family-owned and operated business has been showing the extraordinary ocean diversity of Terrigal Haven and Broken Bay, scouting for whale pods in season and exploring the local seal colonies and beautiful hidden beaches in the area out of season. For more information on Stockland Shades of Summer, visit your local Stockland website. For more spring events and activities, keep it right here on Concrete Playground.
Four days, one coastal hotspot, and oh-so-much to see, eat, drink and do: that's your latest excuse to treat yourself to a trip to Byron Bay. Back in July, it was announced that the seaside New South Wales town was getting a brand-new festival that's all about food and culture — and now that event, Caper Byron Bay Our Food and Culture Festival, has announced its program. Firstly, yes, the fest has undergone a name change. Rather than just lapping up all that the region has to offer under its old title Revel, the new moniker now encourages attendees to go a-frolicking. But other than that one switch, the idea is still the same, spanning eating, drinking, checking out art, listening to tunes and being merry in gorgeous surroundings. Taking place between Thursday, November 10–Sunday, November 13, Caper boasts a hefty culinary component as curated by Chef David Moyle, who has been Chief of Food at Harvest Newrybar since 2020. Highlights include bottomless oysters and bellinis at Balcony Bar & Oyster Co, natural wine-fuelled degustations at Supernatural, distillery tours at Brookie's Gin and a sourdough workshop with Bread Social. Soon-to-open newcomer Bar Heather is doing a five-course dinner with Palisa Anderson, while 100 Mile Table at Stone & Wood is hosting a backyard barbecue — and Treehouse on Belongil is opting for a mix of beats, bubbles and brunch. A farm-to-table feast with The Farm and Three Blue Ducks and The Hut's Spanish fiesta are also on the bill, alongside pop-up yum cha — with the Brunswick Picture House being taken over by Melbourne Chinatown diner ShanDong MaMa on the Saturday and Sunday. Also making the journey, but from Brisbane: Louis Tikaram from Stanley, who'll be part of a cabaret takeover at the same space. Another standout: celebrating embrace Bundjalung Nation's Indigenous culture via a walk on Country tour led by Explore Byron Bay owner and Arakwal woman Delta Kay, then a five-course lunch curated by Karkalla chef and owner Mindy Woods. An 'anti-bad vibes circle' with OneWave Fluro Friday; free exhibitions at Yeah, Nice Gallery, art salon Gallery 7, Gallery 3 and ThomGallery; and horse-riding followed by brunch or lunch at Zephyr Shack are also on the wide-ranging agenda, with more than 30 events filling out the program If you're keen to see where the day takes you in-between the official activities, head to the Caper Village, aka a massive food, beverage, music and art precinct that's set to sprawl across the whole North Byron Hotel in the Byron Arts and Industrial Estate. It'll host live music, DJs and art installations, as well as workshops, panels and talks. Caper Byron Bay Our Food and Culture Festival runs from Thursday, November 10–Sunday, November 13 at various locations around Byron Bay and the Northern Rivers region. For more information, head to the festival's website. Images: Jess Kearney.
Bondi's Blanca Bar is revamping its menu this winter to focus on some hearty favourites with a Japanese flair. Its Ramen X Burgers pop-up will run from May 9 until September 30 and offers up — as you can expect — ramen, burgers and Japanese-style bar snacks. The menu is inspired by head chefs Tomi Björck and Samuel Cole's recent trip to Japan and the bar's interior has followed suit with a casual fit-out straight from Tokyo — including bespoke paintings and lamps sourced from the region. The dishes and cocktails all use local produce but have been given the Japanese treatment with specialty ingredients and flavours. This starts with the ramen, which is available in pork, chicken and even vegetarian broth options. Patrons can choose from the chef's selections — like shoya with mushroom broth and pickled egg, spicy seafood with kimchi and bamboo shoots or tonkatsu with silky pork broth and daikon — and then top with a protein, from roasted pork belly and crispy chicken to seafood and portobello mushroom. On the burger side of the equation, expect buns filled with wagyu, soft shell crab, chicken katsu and portobello mushroom, all of which come with a side of spicy kimchi fries. Apart from these, snacks from Blanca Dining are on offer, too, like beef tartare wrapped in sesame leaf and crispy ox-tail dumplings. The pop-up is open Wednesday to Sunday from 3pm till late.
The annual Sydney Film Festival carves a cinema-going strip out of the city and makes us excited about seeing more than just the latest blockbusters. Under new festival director Nashen Moodley, the event looks bigger than ever, with an exciting array of boundary-pushing competition contenders, illuminating documentaries, a strand focusing on India and a chance to get thoroughly acquainted with the oeuvre of Bernardo Bertolucci. This year also introduces the Sydney Film Festival Hub, curated by the Festivalists (Jurassic Lounge), which hosts talks, performances, music, screenings and a discount ticket booth, and gives everyone a place to hang out that's cosier and more happening than a foyer. The downside of such a massive program is that you might still find yourself picking your way through it while the festival is already hurrying to an end. To avoid such a disaster, check out our picks of the 10 best things to see at the Sydney Film Festival. https://youtube.com/watch?v=sBFKI9SsHzk
American photojournalist John Stanmeyer has been named winner of the 57th Annual World Press Photo Contest. The competition's international judging panel named Stanmeyer's photo, 'Signal', both the overall winner and first prize in the contemporary issues category. Shot for National Geographic Magazine on the shores of Djibouti, the image (shown above) captures African migrants holding up their phones, hoping to tap into cheap signal from neighbouring Somalia. En route to new lives in Europe and the Middle East, they're trying to make contact with loved ones elsewhere. Commenting on the winning image, judge Jillian Edelstein said, "It's a photo that is connected to so many other stories — it opens up discussions about technology, globalisation, migration, poverty, desperation, alienation, humanity. It's a very sophisticated, powerfully nuanced image. It is so subtly done, so poetic, yet instilled with meaning, conveying issues of great gravity and concern in the world today.” The competition received over 98,000 submissions and granted prizes to 53 photographers of 25 nationalities across categories ranging from sports to nature to world news. Following controversy last year, stricter image manipulation guidelines apparently saw 8 percent of entries disqualified. Winning photographs will now tour over 45 countries as an international exhibition. See the full gallery of winners at the World Press Photo website. 3rd Prize in Daily Life Category: "Street Dogs," Julie McGuire, UK 1st prize in Spot News (singles) category: Typhoon Survivors, Philippe Lopez, France 2nd prize in Spot News (stories) category: Massacre at Westgate Mall, Tyler Hicks, USA 3rd Prize in Staged Portraits (singles) category: Chiwetel Ejlofor, Nadav Kander, UK 1st Prize in General News (singles) category: Temporary Accommodation, Alessandro Penso, Italy Third Prize in Sports Action (singles) category: Forehand Foreward, Al Bello, USA 2nd Prize in Nature (singles) category: A flock of Guillemots, Markus Varsvuo, Finland 1st prize in Contemporary Issues (stories) category: A Portrait of Domestic Violence, Sara Naomi Lewkowicz 3rd Prize in Observed Portraits (singles) category: A Traditional Berber Bride, Pau Barrena, Spain 2nd prize in Sports Feature (singles) category: Kite Skier on the Mountain, Anastas Tarpanov, Bulgaria
The nominations for Hollywood’s most dubious honours have officially been announced. For more than three decades, the Golden Raspberry Awards, better known as the Razzies, have named and shamed the year’s worst motion pictures, with previous winners including The Love Guru, Showgirls and Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 2. Dropping one day ahead of the Oscar nominees, this most recent batch of contenders includes several box office favourites and a multitude of A-list names. It just goes to prove the age-old expression: everyone’s a critic. Leading the shortlist with seven nominations is Transformers: Age of Extinction. In addition to a Worst Picture nomination, the robo-rumpus earned nods for Worst Sequel, Worst Screenplay, Worst Supporting Actor (Kelsey Grammer), Worst Supporting Actress (Nicola Peltz) and Worst Screen Combo (Any Two Robots and/or Actors). Director Michael Bay has also picked up his fifth Worst Director nomination, which must surely be some kind of record. Hopefully the film’s $1bn gross helped to soften the blow. Close behind Transformers with six nominations each is the Kellan Lutz action vehicle The Legend of Hercules and Kirk Cameron’s ‘faith-based’ holiday comedy Saving Christmas. The latter film enjoys a rare 0% ranking on Rotten Tomatoes and appears to have skipped Australia altogether. Rounding out the Worst Picture category is the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reboot as well as the Nicolas Cage supernatural thriller Left Behind. Cameron Diaz leads the acting ‘honours’ with three nominations: Worst Actress in The Other Woman and Sex Tape, and Worst Supporting Actress in Annie. Charlize Theron, meanwhile, is up for Worst Actress for her role in A Million Ways to Die in the West, along with a Worst Screen Combo nod she shares with her co-star Seth MacFarlane. MacFarlane is also nominated for Worst Director and Worst Actor, competing in the latter category against Cameron, Lutz and Cage as well as Blended star Adam Sandler. Here’s hoping at least one of them has the good humour to accept their award in person, ala Halle Berry and Sandra Bullock. Of course, there are some who might accuse of The Razzies of simply shooting fish in a barrel. Presumably, that’s why they’ve included a new category designed to celebrate actors who’ve managed to pull themselves out of the muck. Contenders for this year’s ‘Redeemer’ Award include Ben Affleck for going ‘from Gigli to Argo and Gone Girl’ and six-time Razzie nominee Keanu Reeves for his role in the critically acclaimed action movie John Wick. The winners of the Golden Raspberries will be announced on the eve of the Academy Awards in February. We’ve included the full list of nominees below. THE 35TH ANNUAL RAZZIE NOMINEES: Worst Picture Kirk Cameron’s Saving Christmas Left Behind The Legend of Hercules Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Transformers: Age of Extinction Worst Director Michael Bay, Transformers: Age Of Extinction Darren Doane, Kirk Cameron’s Saving Christmas Renny Harlin, The Legend of Hercules Jonathan Liebesman, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Seth MacFarlane, A Million Ways to Die in the West Worst Actor Kirk Cameron, Kirk Cameron’s Saving Christmas Nicolas Cage, Left Behind Kellan Lutz, The Legend of Hercules Seth MacFarlane, A Million Ways to Die in the West Adam Sandler, Blended Worst Actress Drew Barrymore, Blended Cameron Diaz, The Other Woman and Sex Tape Melissa McCarthy, Tammy Charlize Theron, A Million Ways to Die in the West Gaia Weiss, The Legend of Hercules Worst Supporting Actor Mel Gibson, Expendables 3 Kelsey Grammer, Expendables 3, Legends of Oz, Think Like A Man Too and Transformers: Age of Extinction Shaquille O’Neal, Blended Arnold Schwarzenegger, Expendables 3 Kiefer Sutherland, Pompeii Worst Supporting Actress Cameron Diaz, Annie Megan Fox, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Nicola Peltz, Transformers: Age of Extinction Susan Sarandon, Tammy Brigitte Ridenour, Kirk Cameron’s Saving Christmas Worst Remake, Rip-Off or Sequel Annie Atlas Shrugged 3: Who Is John Galt? The Legend of Hercules Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Transformers: Age Of Extinction Worst Screen Combo Any Two Robots, Actors (or Robotic Actors), Transformers: Age of Extinction Kirk Cameron & His Ego, Kirk Cameron’s Saving Christmas Cameron Diaz & Jason Segel, Sex Tape Kellan Lutz & Either His Abs, His Pecs or His Glutes, The Legend of Hercules Seth McFarlane & Charlize Theron, A Million Ways to Die in the West Worst Screenplay Kirk Cameron’s Saving Christmas, Left Behind Sex Tape Transformers: Age of Extinction Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Razzie Redeemer Award Ben Affleck, From Razzie ‘Winner’ for Gigli to Oscar darling for Argo and Gone Girl Jennifer Aniston, From 4-time Razzie nominee to SAG award nominee for Cake Mike Myers, From Razzie ‘Winner’ for Love Guru to Docu Director of Supermensch Keanu Reeves, From 6-time Razzie nominee to John Wick Kristen Stewart, From Razzie ‘Winner’ for Twilight to the art house hit Camp X-Ray
Global retail site ASOS has announced that, as of 2019, it will not sell garments derived from animal products such as silk, cashmere, mohair and feathers. The news was revealed via an update to the brand's animal welfare policy, with the company stating "ASOS firmly believes it is not acceptable for animals to suffer in the name of fashion or cosmetics." With a growth last year of 30% in their sales across major markets, ASOS is quickly growing in popularity and its reach — started in the UK in 2000, it now spans across multiple regions with designated sites in Australia, USA, France, Germany and others, as well as shipping to 140 countries. It's massive, and chances are you've bought a dress or a coat or six versions of the same t-shirt all in different colours from the retailer. The news falls in alignment with changing attitudes and expectations towards animal welfare in regards to fashion production. ASOS' animal welfare policy also notes that "all animal materials used must be by-products of the meat industry. ASOS is committed to working with industry expert groups to support the ongoing research, development and implementation of animal welfare standards and transparency in the leather supply chain." Products made from mohair (which comes from angora goats), cashmere (from cashmere goats), silk (made by silkworms) and down (feathers closest to a birds skin) will be banned — as well as feathers themselves — adding to ASOS' existing ban on using fur and angora. Products that use teeth and bone, including mother-of-pearl, will also be halted. PETA has applauded the move and, as well as global brands like Gucci and Versace jumping aboard with banning fur, a number of local Australian brands are adding their voices too.
If you're looking to take your Valentine's celebrations to a whole other level, French fine diner Métisse has you covered. The Potts Point restaurant wants to help you pamper your loved one to the max this year. We're talking a shower of rose petals on arrival and a dining room lit solely by candles — hundreds of them. Your candlelit table can also be adorned with a pre-ordered bouquet of multi-coloured roses and a handwritten note for your partner. More petals will be strewn across the floor and the entire fit-out will be V-Day themed to boot. Then there's the L'Amour menu, which spans five-courses, as well as an amuse bouche to start and petits fours to finish. Expect a trio of yellowfin tuna, kingfish and trout in a brown butter sauce; king prawns in lobster veloute and the restaurant's signature duck à l'orange, presented in mille-feuille style. Of course this type of luxe treatment doesn't come cheap, with the L'Amour treatment starting at $175 for the meal (per person), with an additional $125 for a French wine pairing. But you and your SO will definitely get bang for your buck at this extravagant V-Day dinner.
Fresh off his US headline tour, Kilter has returned to Australia's sandy shores with a studio album in tow. Over the last few years, the artist has outgrown his position on the outskirts of Australia's electronic music scene to become an established EDM up-and-comer. With his new album, Through The Distortion, Kilter delivers seven previously unheard tracks alongside critically acclaimed singles 'They Don't Know Us', 'Count On Me' and 'I Hear You'. Its sound is typically versatile, showcasing Kilter's ability to blend elements of dancehall, garage, breakbeat, hip-hop, big beat, R'n'B, electro and chill. What's more, the album features collaborations with a selection of his favourite Australian musicians, including LANKS, Yaw Faso and Woodes. Along with his new album, Kilter has gifted fans with a massive antipodean tour taking him across Australia and New Zealand in September. And it just so happens that you can go in the running to win a double pass to either his Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane show. We're offering you the chance to win a heap of Kilter-related prizes, including double passes to his Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane shows, a meet and greet and a tonne of merch. TOUR DATES Brisbane — Friday, June 23rd, 2017 at The Triffid Melbourne — Friday, July 7th, 2017 at Prince Sydney — Saturday, July 8th, 2017 at Max Watts Whether you've been a Kilter fan from the beginning, or you've recently joined the bandwagon, enter your details below to go into the draw to win big. [competition]624378[/competition] Image: Maclay Heriot
For most of Australia, 2018 has been hot. Last weekend, Melbourne endured its hottest day for two years, while Sydney experienced its second hottest day ever. Temperatures have been toasty around the rest of the country too, with Brisbane expecting a top of 38 today. And although Tasmania hasn't been immune to the extreme heat — reaching 35 degrees earlier this week — the state also just dipped firmly in the opposite direction. Yesterday, while it was a rather warm 34 degrees in Sydney, 36 in Brisbane and 37 in Perth, eastern Tassie enjoyed storms, hail and even ice. In Hobart, yesterday's maximum only made it to 15.8 degrees, while the minimum was 13.5 degrees. That's rugging-up weather, not swimming temperatures. https://www.instagram.com/p/Bd4Ob8oBD5b/?taken-by=tasmaniawhyweloveit https://www.instagram.com/p/Bd4CcbTHV-7/?taken-by=what_kat_did_next "I don't think we've seen that very often," the Bureau Of Meteorology Debbie Tabor told the ABC, explaining that the icy conditions were caused by the thunderstorms. "We had a series of thunderstorms move through the eastern half of Tasmania… and did produce some hail at various locations and that's what was seen at Orford." On Twitter, BOM also clarified that the visible whiteness wasn't snow, even if it might've looked like it. https://twitter.com/BOM_Tas/status/952077590453514240 That said, snow did reach the state's lofty peaks — at 1300 to 1400 metres, not on the ground. Today, a top of 21 is expected in Hobart, ahead of a week in the mid twenties. Via ABC. Top image: Katrina Ashton via Instagram.
Fascinators, flutterers and fizz-drinkers, The Argyle is continuing its commitment to the Melbourne Cup this year, with the return of its epic race-day party. The venue’s 19th-century, heritage-listed sandstone courtyard will transform into a mini-track, complete with TAB, payout facilities and, most importantly, the biggest TV screen in The Rocks. You’re invited to dig out your sassiest cocktail dresses, slickest suits and fanciest fascinators for the Fashions on the Field segment of proceedings. Don’t hold back — The Argyle will be handing out prizes to the best-dressed punters in attendance. Lucky door prizes and drinks specials are on the agenda, too. And, once the race is called, you can either celebrate your wins or wallow in your losses at the afterparty, in the company of a hand-picked selection of Sydney-based DJs. A $99 'grand stand' entry will buy you two hours’ worth of drinks, along with canapes, including Baja-style prawn cocktails, sushi rolls, chilli chicken empanadas, pork belly soft buns and cheese and jalapeno pretzels. It's worth nabbing these tickets soon; the 'member pavilion' option, which adds on another glorious hour of drinking time for $50, is already sold out. If a sit-down meal is more your style, there’s a few options not far away. Just across the courtyard, The Cut Bar & Grill will deliver a four-course menu based on premium produce, including a seafood platter of Crystal Bay prawns, local oysters, rock lobster and crab, as well as wagyu rib or sirloin and fish and vegetarian options. It comes with glass of Veuve Cliquot, for $149. Meanwhile, Sake Restaurant & Bar will whip up a ten-course tasting menu, also with a glass of Veuve Clicquot, for $149. Once the feasting’s done, head to Bar Ananas for cocktails, champagne, oysters and an appropriate dose of French glamour. The party starts at 4.30pm and DJs will be spinning until late. Ananas isn’t selling tickets, but numbers are limited, so do book a spot over here.
Weekends are for taking it easy and unwinding after the week that was. On a hot summer's day, there's nothing quite like heading down to the beach, kicking your shoes off and dipping your toes into the water. Take these relaxing vibes a step further at Sunglass Hut's next Face the Sun Sessions' 'Relaxer' event at Clontarf Beach. On Saturday, November 30, you can head down to a beachside soiree for just $30. The ticket will get you a pampering session, platters of fresh, gourmet treats and access to the pop-up coconut and mocktail bar, plus you'll score a complimentary pair of shades that are perfect for days at the beach this summer. Then, kick back to some live music. This one-day-only chill session will run from 11.30am–3pm, but if you've reached a state of deep zen, there's nothing to stop you from staying put all afternoon. The Relaxer is one of four Face the Sun sessions taking place this summer, with other the other events dubbed 'The Explorer', 'The Raver' and 'The Indulger'. To see the full event details of this limited-edition series, head here. Images: Sunglass Hut, Graeme Churchard and Michael Woodhead.
Approaching the mental health of your loved ones, and your own, isn't always the easiest, but two Sydneysiders have produced a novel way to get the public opening up to each other. Intangible Goods is an installation by artists Mark Starmach and Elizabeth Commandeur, who've combined year's worth of involvement in the marketing industry with a shared experience of growing up with family members who struggled with mental health. Presented by Art & About Sydney at three CBD locations from now until April 8, Intangible Goods makes engaging with contemporary psychology accessible and easy to interact with. The former advertising colleagues share the unusual bond of having family members diagnosed with schizophrenia and have found an outlet for these experiences to go alongside their exposure to the negative aspects of consumerism that's a mainstay of their professional careers. "In both our lives, we found that our families were very hidden about it," says Elizabeth. "They felt like they couldn't be open with their friends or family and that it wasn't something they could talk about publically." With Intangible Goods, Mark and Elizabeth hope to give people a way to express their inner feelings with an element of fun and whimsy. [caption id="attachment_661905" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Katherine Griffiths. Courtesy of City of Sydney.[/caption] VENDING GOODNESS More than familiar with the typically heavy-handed campaigns marketing agencies produce concerning mental health, Mark and Elizabeth approached the subject with a touch of light-heartedness. Noticing similarities between advertising principals and psychological theories such as Maslow's Hierarchy, the duo wanted to make use of their marketing experience, help people consider their own mental wellbeing and embrace these conversations in a more comfortable way. Their solution? Intangible Goods — a vending machine stocked with ten different 'snacks' that'll feed your wellbeing. Neatly designed, each product line is the result of considerable consultation with mental health professionals and a survey of 550 of their fellow Sydneysiders who were asked what they needed most in their lives right now. Mark explains, "Throughout our survey, several answers bubbled to the top. Something like 41% of people responded that they wanted closer connections with the people in their lives, which was a clear outlier. But, in thinking about what connection to others actually is, it can't clearly be defined to just one single type of connection." That's why each individual 'Connection' package has its own concept inside. Where one reminds you to stay in touch with friends and family, others suggest making new relationships or improving your sense of belonging in the community. The same has been done for other responses, which vary from 'Purpose' to 'Structure', 'Spontaneity' to 'Calm'. Each product can be bought from the vending machine for $2 with all profits going towards beyondblue, the Mental Health Association NSW (WayAhead) and the Schizophrenia Research Institute at NeuRA. CONSUMING LESS, LIVING MORE Mark and Elizabeth are first to admit the world of marketing and advertising can promote unhealthy habits around consumerism. As Elizabeth explains, "For me, I think consumerism is habitual and almost an everyday thing. But I think much of it is mindlessly purchasing goods that help fulfil some sort of empty void in our lives." Intangible Goods aims to turn this concept upside-down by redirecting the energy put into promoting products into something positive. By providing visitors with a conversation starter and something that'll elicit an emotional response, the installation is aimed at encouraging visitors to think critically, as well as providing a way to navigate their own mindset. MAKING BIG, FIRST STATEMENTS While the concept had long been floating around Mark and Elizabeth's heads, the nitty-gritty of Intangible Goods took almost a year to complete. Being the first major art project both Mark and Elizabeth have produced, adjusting from their largely structured professional lives to something more abstract and holistic took some getting used to. This adjustment was only made more difficult with Elizabeth working remotely from Copenhagen for the duration of 2017. But after many midnight phone calls, shared online spreadsheets, discussions with vending machine suppliers, budget lists and safety reports, the pair's hard work has finally been realised. Working alongside Art & About Sydney and the City Of Sydney, Mark says the creative process was made easy with the freedom the duo were granted. "Everyone involved gave us license to run with our vision and helped us stick to it faithfully, which is not something we're super used to from working in the world of agencies." Intangible Goods will be vending across Sydney CBD 24 hours a day from March 26 until April 8, 2018. Find it at Martin Place, between Pitt and George streets from March 26–29, Customs House Square from March 30 to April 3 and Pitt Street Mall from April 4–8. See full details here.
Despite the scale of Australia, Aussies love to walk. There's loads of scenery, our cities are optimised for walking, and we have some beautiful tracks nationwide that are worth the lengthy trips to get there. With thick jungles, red deserts and stunning coastlines, we're spoilt for choice. One of the most spectacular is the mighty Three Capes Track. The 48km trail, found in far southeast Tasmania, takes you through the spectacular wilderness of Tassie and along the highest sea cliffs in the country. If you want to level up an already stunning experience, you can book with the Tasmanian Walking Company to sleep in a private eco-lodge and campsite along the track (rather than the public huts) to rest and recover in style between walking stretches. Now the good part: you can win two spots on the Three Capes Adventure with the Tasmanian Walking Company. This adventure includes experienced guides, lightweight packs, private accommodation, chef-curated meals, plus local beer and wine throughout the adventure. We're also throwing in a $1000 flight voucher to get you there and home, so all you need to worry about are the awesome views. To enter the giveaway, complete the form below. [competition]895873[/competition]
Written and directed by Oscar-winner Martin McDonagh (In Bruges), Seven Psychopaths maps the hilariously violent and bizarre journey of a struggling screenwriter, Marty (Colin Farrell), in search of focus and inspiration. Marty need not look far, as his best friend Billy (Sam Rockwell) is an unemployed part-time dog-thief and intends to give Marty all the inspiration he needs. Christopher Walken plays Hans, Billy's dog-snatching side-kick. After the accidental kidnapping of a psychopathic gangster's beloved Shih Tsu, Marty is inadvertently tossed into a Los Angeles underworld full of thieves and killers. Charlie, a psychopathic gangster played by Woody Harrelson, is an impulsively violent criminal that will pull the trigger on anyone or anything associated with the theft of his dog. Seven Psychopaths will be released in cinemas on November 8. Concrete Playground has teamed up with Hopscotch Films to present a free screening of Seven Psychopaths on Thursday, November 1 at the newly renovated Dendy Newtown. To go in the running to win tickets, just subscribe to Concrete Playground (if you haven't already) then follow this link to RSVP. Be quick, it's first in best dressed. All tickets have now been allocated.
Little has been normal about the past 12 months, and that includes heading to the movies to watch the latest blockbusters. When the pandemic first started causing lockdowns in 2020, the year's biggest flicks all started delaying their releases. So, plenty of the films you were looking forward to seeing last year didn't reach the silver screen — and, all this time later, many still haven't yet. Australian cinemas are open and running as normal, of course, and have been for some time. That said, apart from the likes of Tenet and Wonder Woman 1984, they've been light on high-profile titles. Instead, they've been showing everything else they can get their hands on, and giving local titles and smaller movies some love. But, fingers crossed, those projectors should be pumping out some of those big-name films you've been waiting for before 2021 is out. Hollywood isn't done delaying its high-profile releases just yet; however, there are still a number of notable releases slated to hit the silver screen this year. Whether you're keen on action, scares, sci-fi or a bit of singing and dancing, we've rounded up ten to put back on your radar. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybji16u608U BLACK WIDOW When it comes to pushing women to the front, Marvel's track record isn't great. Captain Marvel, the Disney-owned company's first movie solely focused on a female character, only came out in 2019 — but now it's following that up with a film that really should've happened years ago. That'd be Black Widow, focusing on Natasha Romanoff, the highly trained ex-KGB assassin known played by Scarlett Johansson. The character debuted on-screen in 2010's Iron Man 2, and is now getting her own flick via a prequel. Also starring Florence Pugh (Midsommar, Fighting with My Family), Rachel Weisz and Stranger Things' favourite David Harbour, Black Widow jumps back a few years, setting the bulk of its story just after the events of 2016's Captain America: Civil War. On the run, Romanoff is forced to face her complicated (and violent) past, as well as a new masked opponent. We're sure a few familiar faces will also show up in the MCU's return to the big-screen, which is directed by Australian filmmaker Cate Shortland (Berlin Syndrome, Lore, Somersault). Black Widow opens in Australian cinemas on April 29. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSiDu3Ywi8E&feature=emb_logo FAST AND FURIOUS 9 Given the Fast and Furious franchise's title, you'd think driving speedily and passionately is what this big-budget film series is all about. Over-the-top car antics play a hefty part, as the 2001 original, its seven sequels to-date and its 2019 spin-off have all shown via a constant onslaught of hectic stunts. But, if there's one thing that this Vin Diesel-starring and -produced saga loves just as much as vehicular mayhem, it's family. Over the years, Diesel's Dominic Toretto has extended the term 'family' to include not only his girlfriend-turned wife Letty (Michelle Rodriguez), his sister Mia (Jordana Brewster), her husband Brian (the late Paul Walker) and their various offspring, but their extended motley crew of fast-driving pals as well. So, when it comes to Fast and Furious 9 — or F9 as it's being called — it's unsurprising that the franchise is leaning heavily on one of its favourite concepts. Somehow, the saga hasn't expended all family-related options just yet, with John Cena joining the series as Dom's younger brother Jakob. Don't expect a happy sibling reunion, however, with the ex-wrestler playing the film's villain. Fast and Furious 9 opens in Australian cinemas on May 27. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0CL-ZSuCrQ IN THE HEIGHTS Over the past seven years, Hamilton has become a cultural phenomenon — and, thanks to its fame and acclaim, so has the hip hop musical's creator Lin-Manuel Miranda. But that's not the only stellar stage show to the multi-talented composer, actor, singer and playwright's name. Before he took on US history (and before he helped bring Bring It On to the theatre, too), Miranda turned life in Manhattan's Washington Heights into four-time Tony-winner In the Heights. It's making the leap to the big screen — with a stacked cast that includes Hamilton's Anthony Ramos and Brooklyn Nine-Nine's Stephanie Beatriz, with Crazy Rich Asians director Jon M Chu behind the lens, and via a film primarily shot on location in its titular spot. Quiara Alegría Hudes, who wrote the text for the stage version, has also written the feature's screenplay. And Lin-Manuel Miranda is involved, naturally, producing the movie, overseeing the music and popping up on-screen as well. In the Heights opens in Australian cinemas on August 26. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlwzuZ9kOQU CANDYMAN For nearly three decades, horror movie lovers have fallen into two categories: those who've dared to say the word 'candyman' five times while staring into a mirror, and those who haven't. If you fall into the first group, then you'll be making a date with this unnerving sequel, which revives the Candyman franchise and boasts a few tricks up its sleeves. Firstly, Candyman circa 2o21 is produced and co-written by Jordan Peele, who adds another frightfest to his resume alongside Get Out and Us. Secondly, it's directed by Nia DaCosta, whose Tessa Thompson-starring 2018 film Little Woods deserved more attention. And last but by no means least, it features the OG Candyman, Tony Todd, among its cast. Plot-wise, the new flick focuses on artist Anthony McCoy (Aquaman and Watchmen's Yahya Abdul-Mateen II), who decides to start exploring the Candyman legend through his art. His girlfriend Brianna (If Beale Street Could Talk's Teyonah Parris) thinks the story is just that, but then the bee-covered figure starts wreaking havoc again. That's what happens when folks say his name while looking at their own reflection, after all. Candyman opens in Australian cinemas on August 26. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7qxYOpy9Ms A QUIET PLACE PART II In 2018, A Quiet Place tasked a young family with staying soundless, lest they be heard and then killed by giant spider-like monsters. As a result, audiences keenly listened out for any noise that could put Lee (John Krasinski), Evelyn (Emily Blunt), Regan (Millicent Simmonds) and Marcus (Noah Jupe) Abbott in jeopardy, with the film serving up a mighty tense — and noise-free — time at the cinemas. Now, three years later, the frightful aliens and the hushed tones are back. So is Blunt in kick-ass mode, too. Like the first film, A Quiet Place Part II is directed and written by Krasinski, with this follow-up picking up where its predecessor left off. Certain to serve up plenty of bumps, jumps and — naturally — silence, the sequel also welcomes franchise newcomers Cillian Murphy (Peaky Blinders) and Djimon Hounsou (Guardians of the Galaxy). A Quiet Place Part II opens in Australian cinemas on September 9. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9xhJrPXop4 DUNE David Lynch's Dune is one of the most unfairly maligned sci-fi films ever made. It's not the version that Alejandro Jodorowsky would've whipped up — as explored in excellent documentary Jodorowsky's Dune — but the 1984 movie still has its surreal delights. Just how Denis Villeneuve's new adaptation of Frank Herbert's 1965 novel will fare is still yet to be seen, but the French Canadian director has already revived another 80s sci-fi property to stunning effect with Blade Runner 2049. Once again, he has amassed a stellar cast, including Timothée Chalamet, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista, Zendaya, Charlotte Rampling, Jason Momoa, Javier Bardem and Doctor Sleep's Rebecca Ferguson. They'll all fight over 'the spice', the most valuable substance in the universe. Dune releases in Australian cinemas on September 16. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBMY2rTz_VM NO TIME TO DIE Shaken (not stirred) martinis are back on the menu, and so are suave secret agents, sinister plots to destroy the world and espionage thrills. Yes, it's James Bond time again, with No Time to Die marking the British spy's 25th official big-screen outing. Daniel Craig returns as 007, which'll be his fifth stint as the spy since 2006's Casino Royale as well as his last. He'll be facing off against an unhinged, mask-wearing new adversary called Safin (Bohemian Rhapsody Oscar-winner Rami Malek), plus imprisoned ex-opponent Blofeld (Christoph Waltz); however, he has company in the 00 stakes, too. Following the events of 2015's Spectre, Bond has left active service and started a new life in Jamaica, causing MI6 to recruit someone else to cover his turf. That'd be new agent Nomi (Captain Marvel's Lashana Lynch), and you can obviously expect the pair to cross paths. Bond being Bond, he was never going to be able to escape his line of work easily, after all. Here, he's brought back in by CIA agent Felix Leiter (Jeffrey Wright) to help with a mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist. No Time to Die opens in Australian cinemas on October 7. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHhZDYVoV7w HALLOWEEN KILLS For 43 years, the Halloween franchise has been delivering stone-cold horror masterpieces, weird and wonderful detours, and entries that deserve to be locked away for all eternity with Michael Myers. The difference between the series' John Carpenter-directed best and its trashy worst is enormous, but when David Gordon Green (Prince Avalanche, Pineapple Express) took the reins for 2018's Halloween — a direct sequel to the 1978 original that ignores the seven other follow-ups and two remakes in-between — he served up one of the saga's best chapters. It helped that Jamie Lee Curtis was back, of course. Also beneficial: a meaty story that grapples with trauma, a skill for slasher thrills, a new score by Carpenter himself, and producer Jason Blum's support. So it was great news when two more movies were announced, including 2021's Halloween Kills, which brings the whole gang back to Haddonfield for another encounter with the town's masked menace. Halloween Kills releases in Australian cinemas on October 14. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahZFCF--uRY GHOSTBUSTERS: AFTERLIFE There's something strange in the town of Summerville and a group of kids are calling upon themselves to bust it. That's the premise of Ghostbusters: Afterlife, which swaps New York for Oklahoma and grown men (and women) for children — and jumps firmly on the Stranger Things-led 80s nostalgia bandwagon. Whether siblings Phoebe (Annabelle Comes Home's McKenna Grace) and Trevor (Stranger Things' Finn Wolfhard) are seeing things runnin' through their heads or they'll catch an invisible man sleepin' in their beds is yet to be seen, of course. They've moved to the isolated locale with their mother (Widows' Carrie Coon), and into a rundown old house they've inherited from their grandfather. It's filled with ghost traps, containers of spores, mould and fungus, beige jumpsuits emblazoned with the name 'Spengler' and a very familiar car — which might come in handy when the ground starts shaking for no reason and a mysterious green light starts glowing. Also, Paul Rudd pops ups as teacher Mr Grooberson, who schools the kids in Ghostbusters lore, because this is a direct sequel to the original 1984 Ghostbusters and its 1989 follow-up Ghostbusters II. Ghostbusters: Afterlife opens in Australian cinemas on November 25. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcPk2p0Zaw4 THE FRENCH DISPATCH An offbeat storyline. Mesmerisingly symmetrical frames. A cast that includes Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton, Owen Wilson, Saoirse Ronan, Willem Dafoe, Jason Schwartzman, Edward Norton, Bob Balaban and Anjelica Houston. Yep, it must be a new Wes Anderson film — and The French Dispatch looks like Wes Anderson at his most Wes Anderson-esque yet. The premise: in the fictional French town of Ennui-sur-Blasé sometime in the mid-20th century, Arthur Howitzer Jr. (Murray) has turned a series of travelogue columns into a weekly American magazine. A supplement to the Liberty, Kansas Evening Sun, The French Dispatch resembles The New Yorker, is staffed by top expatriate journalists, and covers life in France, world politics, high and low art, and diverse stories of human interest. As for the film that shares its name, it focuses on three tales printed in the publication's pages. The French Dispatch doesn't currently have an Australian release date.
Vivid Sydney is gearing up for its tenth anniversary and it has one epic lineup. From Ice Cube's 90s rap to Mazzy Star's psychedelic folk and a 'Romeo + Juliet'-themed rock concert, the light- and music-filled festival is once again jam-packed with diverse tunes from some big names. And a lot of the gigs are exclusive to Vivid Sydney, so don't hang around waiting for side-shows. Actually, don't hang around waiting full stop — tickets are selling like hot cakes and some gigs (sadly, including Solange) have already sold out. To help you get your schedule organised stat., we've rounded up our top ten (not-yet sold out) gigs to head to this Vivid Sydney.
Another Sydney bar is throwing its hat in the boozy brunch ring — and you don't need to wait until the weekend to enjoy this one. Running daily from late-May until late-July, Bungalow 8's new brunch, available in its upstairs cocktail bar The Loft, has a decidedly smoky theme that's perfect for shaking off that winter chill. Despite the name, there is no trickery happening here — just tasty food and cocktails. The brunch is a four-course Japanese-inspired feast with a smoky twist — think flamed salmon nigiri topped with crispy bacon and onions, karaage chicken with smoked black garlic dip and smoked strawberry pavlova. Each dish will arrive with a paired smoky cocktail. Some of the tipples that could turn up include the She So Miso, with rum, coffee, vanilla chai tea and smoked miso caramel foam, and Oaxacan Cigar, featuring coffee-infused tequila, smoked and salted agave and vanilla bitters. Perfect for any celebratory affair, the Smoke and Mirrors brunch is a fun, yet sophisticated, way to kick off your day. And if you want to keep the party going, you can enjoy a $99 GH Mumm magnum as part of Bungalow 8's Mumm happy hour from 4–6pm daily. The Loft's Smoke and Mirrors Brunch is available every day until Wednesday, July 31. To make a booking, visit the website. Image: Jasper Avenue.
Maybe G&Ts are your favourite tipple and, if you're sipping drinks at your favourite bar, you always have one within reach. Perhaps you've never found a vodka cocktail that you haven't loved, or you've made it your life's mission to try all the whiskies (yes, spanning both whisky and whiskey) that you can find. Or, you could simply like broadening your horizons when it comes to knocking back the good stuff, and supporting independent producers while you're at it. Since 2015, the boozing sipping party that is Indie Spirits Tasting has covered all of the above — and it's back in 2022 after a couple of pandemic-affected years. Move over, craft beer — at this east coast event, which'll return to Melbourne in May, Brisbane in July and Sydney in September, it's craft spirits' time to shine. Everyone has been to plenty of days dedicated to brews, brews and more brews, but this touring shindig is solely about all the whisky, gin, vodka, rum, tequila, vermouth and mezcal you could ever want. More than 30 exhibitors and master distillers are on the bill, showcasing over 200 craft spirits. Clearly, your booze-loving tastebuds will be in heaven. As well as tasting away, attendees will also be able to chat to the folks behind the craft and independent tipples on offer, listen to talks on booze-related topics — Melbourne options include learning what it takes to start your own alcohol brand, celebrating Aussie whiskies and understanding all the different styles of gins — and buy bottles to take home with you. "We started the Indie Spirits Tasting events back in 2015 as a way for a few smaller distilleries and brands to be able to showcase their products to the trade," explains founder David Spanton. "Thanks to the enthusiasm of curious consumers who want to know about the latest bar and drinking trends and who are passionate about local and truly handmade craft products, the event has expanded to include both thirsty drinks enthusiasts and the bartenders that serve them." This year's events will feature brands such as Never Never Distilling Co, Poor Toms, Boat Rocker, Wolf Lane and Archie Rose, some of which will be pouring limited-edition tipples. And while the big focus is on homegrown spirits, a few international names will be on the bill as well — taking your tastebuds on a trip, including through French cognacs and American gins. INDIE SPIRITS TASTING 2022: Sunday, May 8 — The Craft & Co, Collingwood, Melbourne Sunday, July 17 — Lefty's Music Hall, Petrie Terrace, Brisbane Sunday, September 4 — Potts Point Hotel, Kings Cross, Sydney Indie Spirits Tasting starts its 2022 events in Melbourne in May, before heading to Brisbane in July and Sydney in September. For further information or to buy tickets, head to the Indie Spirits Tasting website.
This year has been a pretty eventful one, but for all the wrong reasons. So, we wouldn't blame you for chalking 2020 up to a big fail and impatiently waiting for the new year to begin. But before you label 2020 a complete right-off and eagerly race towards New Year's Eve, consider this: there are nine weeks remaining so, with things returning to a state of (new) normality, you may as well make the most of 'em by filling your days off — and the 2020 memory bank — with some epic experiences. We've teamed up with our mates at Adrenaline to give away a voucher worth a cool $1000 to spend on exciting, daring adventures. One weekend, you could be driving a Turbo WRX rally car around a dusty Sydney track. The next, you may be abseiling down a waterfall in the Blue Mountains, swimming with sharks or watching whales breach in Sydney Harbour. Or, if you're feeling generous, treating your mum, best mate or partner to a scenic seaplane flight over Sydney, complete with a seafood feast for lunch. In fact, with over 2500 different experiences across Australia, your only problem will be trying to decide what to spend the free Adrenaline bucks on. If your calendar for the rest of the year is looking pretty full, don't worry — you actually have five years to use the voucher, so you can opt to get 2021 off to a strong start instead. To be in the running, enter your details below. Every entrant will also receive a promo code for Adrenaline. [competition]787367[/competition]
It was a delight as a webcomic, then on the page. As a Netflix series, Heartstopper instantly proved a gem, too. Indeed, if you didn't dedicate an autumn 2022 day to binging the show's first season, then you probably weren't anywhere near your streaming queue or social media. As charming as romantic comedies, LGBTQIA+-championing tales, British series and coming-of-age stories can get, Heartstopper dropped all eight of its first-season episodes at once, became an instant Netflix hit and started many an obsession — regardless of whether you currently are or ever have been a queer teen trying to be true to yourself, navigating high school and riding the emotional rollercoaster that is falling in love. After Netflix renewed the series for two more seasons last year because the first proved such a hit, the show will get viewers swooning again when season two arrives on Thursday, August 3. Wondering what's in store? There's now finally a trailer. This winter, Heartstopper will be making tickers miss a beat again, and twice, with the graphic novel's author and illustrator Alice Oseman also back as the show's writer (and creator, obviously). It's easy to see why more Heartstopper is on its way — and not just because its narrative has continued past where season one stopped on both the web and in print. The first season hit the Netflix top-ten list in 54 countries, wowed audiences and earned the online attention to prove it, and made stars out of its cast. Story-wise, Heartstopper heads to Truham Grammar School, where Charlie Spring (first-timer Joe Locke) was in year ten in season one. He found himself seated in his form class next to year 11 rugby player Nick Nelson (Kit Connor, Little Joe) at the start of a new term, with sparks flying swiftly and overwhelmingly — at least on Charlie's part — and a crush and then a life-changing love story blossoming. Filled with crushes, a coming-out narrative for Nick and a cute Paris trip — as based on the sneak peek — season two sees its key pair in the thick of their new relationship, and coping with exams and the prom. Also, Charlie's high-drama best friend Tao (fellow debutant William Gao) and recently out trans pal Elle (Yasmin Finney) are working through their bond, while her school friends Tara (Corinna Brown, Daphne) and Darcy (Kizzy Edgell) have their own challenges. "You don't always have to understand your feelings completely. You don't have to always have everything figured out. You can just feel," Nick tells Elle in the trailer — something that season-one viewers know sounds like classic Heartstopper. There's currently four volumes, spanning five chapters, of Heartstopper on the page — and a fifth volume set to arrive in November 2023 — so fingers crossed there'll be even more seasons of the Netflix series in the future. Check out the trailer for Heartstopper season two below: Heartstopper season two will stream via Netflix from Thursday, August 3. Read our review of season one. Images: Netflix.
Albert Tucker Slow Coffee is selling itself as the bubble bath of caffeinated experiences: clean, luxurious and not meant to be hurried. The joint venture of coffee expert Kate Britton and cultural entrepreneur Angela Bennetts, the pop-up shop will be making its debut at Redfern's 107 Projects between May 9 and 30. "We are unique, in that unlike most coffee vendors, we are serving filter coffee only," says Bennetts. “Basically, because it's a better way to taste coffee." Whereas an espresso machine tends to condense a bean's rich and varied flavours, a filter means the preservation of complexity. It is a type of pour-over coffee, entirely undeserving of the reputation American diners have given it. "In judging the quality of beans at cupping competitions, tasters will always try a filter,” says Bennetts. Having shopped around, the two coffee lovers have decided to launch their project with an exclusive blend from Engadine's Jack of Harts & Jude. "[It] is locally-sourced, organic and air-roasted," explains Bennetts. "The raw beans are sourced from the Byron hills region and are blended together with a new small-crop bean from just outside Nimbin to create the perfect filter drop." Apart from spreading the love of their filtered favourite, Bennetts and Britton are also seeking to create a "casual and communal environment". A selection of (mostly) locally and sustainably produced snacks, including artisan breads and spreads, will be on the pop-up shop menu. Plus, as the business names suggests, a distinctively Australian feel will inform the interior. "It's both a nod to our Australiana leanings and a not-too-imaginative pun on 'tuckshop'," explains Bennetts. "You could say that Tucker's renowned Antipodean Head is our unofficial mascot — he certainly looks like he chugs a lot of coffee."
Buying a plant is a bit like getting a pet — except, at times, even more difficult. You see a fancy-looking fern in the plant store and think, whoa, this would look great on the kitchen bench. So you take it home and try your best, really, to take care of it, and dream that one day it might love you back (hopefully). But then disaster happens; you see a few brown leaves and it looks a little wilted. What do you do? Truth is, some plants can be pretty needy, and some just don't flourish in certain environments. It can be really hard to figure out what your plants require and where they grow best, so we spoke to Georgina Reid, founder and editor of online magazine The Planthunter. She's given her seasoned advice that'll help you keep those plant babies alive, organised by the different parts of your home. THE SUNNY, NORTH-FACING, INDOOR SPACE This is your well-sunned living room or kitchen with a nice big window. There's a lot that can grow here due to the amount of sunshine pouring in. Many succulents will work well in this space; look to hen and chicks (Echeveria spp.), jade plant (Crassula spp.) and even mistletoe cactus (Rhipsalis spp.). Aesthetically, the fiddle-leaf fig looks snazzy in a well-lit, white room (although apparently a little cliché in the plant community), and so does peperomia with its thick, slightly succulent leaves. Just be aware if this space doesn't get that direct afternoon sun — this may be good for you in the middle of summer, but not so much for any cacti or herbs. These guys need a big dose of sun so this spot may be a bit depriving. THE SUNNY, BACKDOOR COURTYARD Conveniently located at the other end of your house, the courtyard is most likely at ground level so there's a good chance you can plant directly in the soil and keep things in pots. As a result, consider this spot the all-rounder. It's an ideal location for succulents, flowers, vegetables and herbs. Oregano, rosemary and thyme are quite easy to grow, and the great thing about them is that they're perennial — they'll live for more than one year (unlike basil, coriander and parsley who live fast and die young). Many veggies need roughly four to six hours of sun each day, making a sunny courtyard an ideal space for them to thrive. And if you're not after edibles, Reid recommends checking out the spaghetti-like hanging fronds of the mistletoe cactus (Rhipsalis spp.) which provide an eye-catching, refreshingly sculptural addition to a shadier outdoor space. THE OFTEN HUMID, STEAMY BATHROOM Plants might do a great job of freshening up the bathroom, but the steam from your shower is enough to drown a large number of genera — FYI, that's the plural of genus— so Reid suggests looking for tropical climate plants. Ferns are great here as they love that moisture. The Boston fern is a great bathroom addition visually. They're also pretty tough and grow very tall. Maidenhair fern is also a popular bathroom addition, but be warned: this one may be for the greenest of thumbs. According to Reid, the Maidenhair can be quite temperamental if not provided with near-perfect growing conditions. THE LOW-LIT STUDY OR BEDROOM Our bedrooms and studies aren't reliably bright, so the desk cactus doesn't like this part of the house, regardless of how cute it looks next to that lamp. Reid recommends you swap it for a big leafy plant or fern instead. She suggests looking for rainforest plants: "They've evolved with large, glossy leaves to grab as much light as possible." Although not applicable to all plants, many of these have 'drip tips'. You can identify these by the point at the end of the leaf that water spills off. Some of Reid's favourites include the hoya, a beautifully sculpted climbing plant with incredible flowers, and Devil's Ivy — the name comes from the fact that it's near impossible to kill this guy. Also, the Fruit Salad plant (also known as monstera) doesn't really need a whole lot of sun and grows really well in dim light. THE HOT, WEST-FACING BALCONY The west-facing balcony might be the hottest part of your place, after the oven. In summer, the afternoon sun will roast this area, making it scorched and dry. So, it's best to put those plants that require a lot less moisture out here. Cacti love this setting: if at all, they require very little watering — they thrive in the desert, after all. Herbs are great too and so are veggies: they all need a good showering of sun. Succulents will grow well in the heat, too. Reid recommends plants from the aloe genus, particularly picatilis or Fan Aloe. Like other succulents, it's the perfect plant to survive a heatwave as all the moisture is stored within its leaves. So how much water do succulents need? You'll notice when they need more moisture; they'll be trying to draw water from itself and will look a little withered. "It's best to give your plants a good soaking every week or two, rather than a trickle every day," says Reid. You can tell if they need a water by sticking a finger into the soil. If there's moisture, it's probably fine. There's no need to drown the poor thing. All in all, getting your plants to thrive can be tricky and often needs more than one go. But if it doesn't work out, try again. "Plants die," says Reid, "that's just how it is." Plant Life Balance is a new initiative designed to get Australians excited and confident about styling their homes with plants while promoting the healthy benefits plants bring. The initiative also delivers an Australian-first, virtual greening app. The Plant Life Balance app, asks Aussies to rate their space, then improve their health score by choosing a look for their room or outdoor area, grabbing a plant list and hitting the nursery. Download the app here.
Darlinghurst's Almond Bar is inviting Sydneysiders 'round again this Sunday, April 10 for their Big Syrian BBQ — a traditional homage to the Middle Eastern barbecues celebrated by the culture of sister-owners Sharon and Carol Salloum. It's guaranteed to be a family affair, showcasing traditional recipes cooked from their father's three homemade barbecues — think lamb skewers rubbed in Arabic 'seven spices' and sides including baba ghanoush and tabouli. This delicious feast isn't limited to meat-lovers; the vegetarian option is a caring and thoughtful nod to any non-carnivorous patrons, of which Darlinghurst has many. Plates are twenty dollars a pop and the event will be held, rain or shine, in the laneway behind the restaurant. If you don't come from a big family, this is your chance to adopt one for a day, with all patrons guaranteed to be treated like "cousins". It's a chow-down you won't want to miss.
It's that time of year again: Valentine's Day. Whether you await the day in eager anticipation of receiving a rose and a love letter, or cringe at the cheesiness of it all, February 14 is inevitable, so you may as well make the most of it. But that doesn't mean you have to succumb to cliches and overpriced flowers. Spend Valentine's Day your way with a date, some mates or by your glorious yourself. No matter what your relationship status, there's a whole heap of things to do around Sydney worth crawling out of your doona fort for. BRAVE THE WEATHER FOR A PICNIC Even the staunchest non-romantic can't resist a picnic. Pack a basket of goodies and choose a prime spot from our list of favourites, before whiling away your afternoon with endless chips and dip in front of a priceless view. If you want to involve alcohol (after all, what's V-Day if not an excuse to pop a bottle of Champagne?), check out our guide to picnic places where you can BYO. Some highlights include Parsley Bay, where you can take a dip in the calm waters, or the enormous Centennial Park, where you're sure to find a secluded patch a suitable distance away from other loved-up picnickers. [caption id="attachment_603338" align="alignnone" width="1280"] La La Land[/caption] SNUGGLE UP AT A MOVIE Catching a movie is a tried and true date night classic — and with some amazing films to choose from at the moment (and the Oscars coming up), it's the perfect Valentine's Day activity. Plus, Valentine's Day this year happens to fall on a Tuesday, which means discounted tickets across Sydney. If you're craving a good sob, Lion, the true story of an Indian boy separated from his family, should do the job, or else give the critically acclaimed drama Moonlight a go. To really get into the romantic spirit of Valentine's Day, take your experience outside, with your pick of Sydney's best outdoor cinemas. Sunset Cinema, Moonlight Cinema and Ben & Jerry's Open Air Cinema will be playing this season's ultimate rom-com La La Land. [caption id="attachment_518267" align="alignnone" width="1280"] No Lights No Lycra[/caption] BUCK CLICHES FOR AN UNCONVENTIONAL DATE If you prefer to go against the grain, don't ditch Valentine's Day altogether — just do it a bit differently. We've compiled a list of date ideas that are completely out of the ordinary and definitely not boring. There's also a heap of special events planned this year, like No Lights No Lycra's Anti-V Day Party, a celebration of self-love and singledom, and speed dating events at Riley St Garage and Coogee Pavilion. [caption id="attachment_601299" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Fred's[/caption] GO ALL OUT AT ONE OF SYDNEY'S BEST DATE BARS Food and romance go hand in hand, so where better to feel the love on Valentine's Day than at one of Sydney's top restaurants? Choose from this list of places that make perfect date material and then hunker down for the night with a few drinks and some seriously good grub. Whether you're after an elaborate degustation, a restaurant that suits big groups or somewhere to dine up at the bar, you'll find somewhere in Sydney to suit your Valentine's needs. Top image: Norsk Dor.
It didn't happen with Sofia Coppola in the director's chair, but taking a live-action swim in The Little Mermaid's ocean is definitely happening — in 2023, in cinemas everywhere, and with Halle Bailey (Grown-ish) slipping into Ariel's scales and tail. Wondering how that might turn out? Disney has just unveiled the initial teaser trailer for its latest double dip in its beloved catalogue, because the Mouse House just keeps giving its animated hits the flesh-and-blood treatment. Released at this year's D23, the company's fan expo and convention, the first sneak peek at the film doesn't dive into the story that viewers already know and adore — it doesn't need to given how popular the original movie is — but it does show Bailey as Ariel. More than that, it swishes through the mermaid's underwater realm, sunken ships, circular caves and all, and shows her staring up at the light above, pining for a different life. The soundtrack: the flick's star singing 'Part of Your World'. Fans of the original 1989 movie, aka everyone given how popular The Little Mermaid-themed events have proven over the years — such as screenings with live orchestral scores and cocktail experiences at aquariums — are well aware that Ariel dreams of being human, and is willing to make a deal with a sea witch to see her wishes come true. That involves a trade, though: giving up her voice to get legs in return, which'll allow her to live above the water. As well as Bailey as Ariel, this new version of The Little Mermaid features Jonah Hauer-King (World on Fire) as Eric, the human prince that Ariel falls for; Melissa McCarthy (Nine Perfect Strangers) as Ursula, said sea witch; and Javier Bardem (The Good Boss) as King Triton, Ariel's protective father. Also among the cast, on voice duties: Daveed Diggs (Snowpiercer) as Sebastian the crab, Jacob Tremblay (Doctor Sleep) as Flounder and Awkwafina (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) as Scuttle. Behind the camera, filmmaker Rob Marshall adds The Little Mermaid and its take on Hans Christian Andersen's 1837 fairy tale of the same name to his many big-screen musicals, alongside Chicago, Nine, Into the Woods and Mary Poppins Returns. And as for the tunes, they come courtesy of Alan Menken — returning from the original movie, as do all those old songs — and Lin-Manuel Miranda. If you're keeping track, when it hits cinemas next year, The Little Mermaid will join a hefty list. That's the list of animated Mouse House fare remade either with actors on-screen, photorealistic CGI or both, that is, and it includes Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, Dumbo, Aladdin, The Jungle Book, The Lion King, Lady and the Tramp, Mulan, Pinocchio and more. Check out the first trailer for The Little Mermaid below: The Little Mermaid will release in cinemas Down Under on May 25, 2023. Top image: Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2022 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Tasmania has quickly become the ultimate destination for lovers of all things spirituous, frothy and quaffable, with world-class wine regions, small batch spirit producers and a proud history of local brews and hop growing. You'll find new distilleries challenging tradition with unique, personalised experiences for the whisky aficionado and specialist gins that encompass the taste and place that is Tasmania. There are more breweries than you can shake a stick at — including an Aussie trailblazer in the wild fermentation scene. Not to mention the finest of Australian sparkling wine. So whatever your tipple, it's time to grab your glass and see what's on pour in our great southernmost state. We've teamed up with Tourism Tasmania to highlight the region's finest. Just make sure you've got a designated driver in tow. [caption id="attachment_866909" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Liza Jane Sowden[/caption] MAKE YOUR OWN SPARKLING WINE AT JOSEF CHROMY Tasmania is the centre of Australia's premium sparkling industry and Josef Chromy Wines produces some of the finest. This is a cellar door experience like no other. At the state-of-the-art winery in Relbia, you'll be guided through the art of sparkling winemaking and tasting before you blend your own sparkling wine to delight your palate — and yes, you get to take a bottle home with you. Hear about Josef's story as a leader of the Tasmanian food and wine industry, the sustainable practices of the vineyard and the cool-climate regions he has helped put on the map. Finish with a tasting flight of current releases, followed by a two-course lunch in the restaurant featuring the finest of local produce — with paired wines, of course. [caption id="attachment_867702" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pete Harmsen[/caption] TAKE A SPRING BAY DISTILLERY VIP TOUR AND TASTING Get a personalised VIP whisky experience at Spring Bay Distillery. Distilling team Cam and Suzy Brett produce award-winning Australian spirits at this spectacular maritime location on the East Coast. Discover whiskies shaped by the sea, crafted from the region's pristine rainwater and premium Tasmanian barley, in a range of elegant single malts from the bright, light and floral to the rich, sweet and bold. As is fitting of a VIP, you'll sample a tasting flight of three drams — including an exclusive dip straight from the barrel — and experience a personalised distillery tour. Find out how exceptional Australian single malt can be and experience the ultimate whisky-lover's delight. [caption id="attachment_868870" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Moon Cheese Studio[/caption] ENJOY HAND-PUMPED ALE AND CIDER AT THE TWO METRE TALL FARM BAR Head into the scenic Derwent Valley for a hand-pumped pint at Two Metre Tall. The 'farm bar' sits at the end of an unassuming country driveway surrounded by idyllic farmland and some decorative hop vines. One of the earliest Aussie breweries to really explore wild, funky and sour ferments, it now brews a range of farm ales and ciders throughout the year — including seasonal specials and a dry sparkling mead. Ingredients are sourced from their own sustainable local farm and carefully selected growers across Tasmania. If spontaneous fermentation and sustainable practices are your thing, stop in for some free tastings and a pint, bring a picnic and settle in for an afternoon. Driver recommended. [caption id="attachment_867703" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Alistair Bett[/caption] GO WHISKY DEEP AT THE CALLINGTON MILL DISTILLERY SERENDIPITY EXPERIENCE The picturesque historic town of Oatlands is now home to a new distillery. On the grounds of the old Callington Mill, this architecturally-designed space is the "Rolls-Royce of Whisky distilleries" and is already home to some award-winning drops. In the massive barrel room of the Callington Mill Distillery, you'll taste five premium cask-strength whiskies, including an Australian brandy cask and a bourbon ex muscadelle. Learn from the masters about the art of crafting the perfect single malt for your tastes. Then do it, and leave with a full bottle of the dram of your dreams and your own unique label. Finish off with an interactive, self-guided tour of the distillery. Prepare to have your whisky-loving mind (and palate) well and truly blown away. [caption id="attachment_866448" align="alignnone" width="1920"] S.Group[/caption] INDULGE YOUR LOVE OF GIN AT SOUTHERN WILD DISTILLERY Southern Wild Distillery has managed to craft something truly distinctive with Dasher + Fisher gins. The distillery is embracing what's unique about Tasmanian landscapes and showcasing small local growers, capturing seasonality, the personality and — of course — the spirit of the place. Take a tour of the distillery and explore different Tasmanian regions with the tasting flight. The Mountain Gin botanicals include pepperberries and herbs from Cradle Mountain with eucalypt and rosemary, with a refreshing result akin to an alpine walk on a wet day. The Meadow Gin distils the essence of Tasmanian gardens with herbs, flowers and seasonal orange. The savoury Ocean Gin variety uses wakame seaweed harvested from the Tasman Sea as a hero botanical. Plus they also craft Sloe, Strawberry, Cherry and Saffron steeped gins highlighting local Tasmanian producers of premium ingredients. Bottom's up. Ready to plan a trip for your tastebuds around Tasmania? To discover more, visit the website. Top image: Tourism Tasmania and Adam Gibson
Related to Crowded House by blood, and occasionally by music, Liam Finn seems to look to a low-key vibe for inspiration in the tunes that populate his new album, FOMO. At his solo shows he often ends up multiplied: with enough musical equipment for a full band, Finn himself hops manically from one instrument to the next, working himself up into the space of a whole band. He's bringing these incarnations to the Oxford Art Factory, taking FOMO to the stage for your musical satisfaction. Finn hasn't always played solo, and this time he's bringing the party with him, playing this Art Factory engagement with a full band. FOMO stands for 'fear of missing out', which in a recent Oz interview he suggested stemmed from that perpetual sense you're really missing something, as you watch your friends' parties scroll by without you on social networks. His tunes may sound light, but they leave you feeling full on the inside. And while he may have been born into the names of his musical forebears, nonetheless he's definitely the younger Finn. Not the lesser.
General tickets for the Australian leg of Kylie Minogue's 2025 Tension world tour haven't yet gone on sale, but fans have been spinning around over presales, so much so that more gigs have already been announced. When 'Padam Padam' summer happens all over again, it'll do so with an extra show in each of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane on what'll be the singer's biggest global tour in 14 years. Of course Kylie is starting her latest live performances Down Under. And of course the reaction has been huge. Headlining Splendour in the Grass 2024 mightn't have worked out after the Byron Bay music festival was cancelled mere weeks after revealing its lineup, but there's plenty of demand to see the Aussie pop superstar on home soil and to catch this tour before anyone else on the planet. [caption id="attachment_973694" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Erik Melvin[/caption] Minogue is kicking off her latest shows in February 2025, still beginning with a one-night gig in Perth. From there, she also has a single date locked in for Adelaide. She's now doing two concerts in Brisbane, however, plus three shows apiece in Melbourne and Sydney. The last time that Minogue embarked on a tour this big was back in 2011. The last time that she hit the stage Down Under was in 2023 to open Sydney WorldPride. So far, the Tension tour also spans stops in Bangkok, Tokyo, Kaohsiung and Manila in Asia after her Aussie concerts, and then hits up Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester, Liverpool, Sheffield, London, Nottingham and Birmingham in the UK. In what's proven a massive career since her Neighbours-starring, 'I Should Be So Lucky'- and 'Locomotion'-singing 80s era, it's been a big last few years for Minogue thanks to the huge success of the Grammy-winning 'Padam Padam', a brief return to Neighbours and a Las Vegas residency — and now the Tension tour keeps that streak running. Kylie Minogue Tension Tour 2025 Australian Dates Saturday, February 15 — RAC Arena, Perth Tuesday, February 18 — Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide Thursday, February 20–Saturday, February 22 — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Wednesday, February 26–Thursday, February 27 — Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane Saturday, March 1–Monday, March 3 — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Kylie Minogue's Tension tour kicks off in Australia in February and March 2025. Ticket presales for the new Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane shows start from Thursday, September 26, with general sales from Wednesday, October 2 — both at staggered times. Head to the tour website for more details. Top image: Darenoted Ltd.
When one holiday ends, the only thing for it is to start planning the next one. Perhaps in one of those magical places where Slack and email doesn't exist. Where it's not only fine to drink cocktails with lunch — it's encouraged. And entire days are spent by the nearest body of water before you feast on platters of local seafood as the sun sets. If that sounds appealing and you're ready to get booking, spin the fantasy into a reality with one of these luxurious island holiday deals that can be booked now exclusively through Concrete Playground Trips. We teamed up with accommodation and experience providers to curate trips that are truly unforgettable (and significantly discounted), so scroll now to find and book your fave. AFFORDABLE LUXURY STAY IN LOMBOK We are obsessed with Lombok — Bali's less crowded neighbour. It has a high calibre of beaches, food and hospitality but at a significantly lower price point and with fewer tourists. To best take advantage of this stunning island, we teamed up with KU Villas Lombok to create three different travel deals. The first deal is the simplest and includes a two-night stay with daily breakfasts (for two people) in this lavish accommodation for just $105 a night. For an extra $25 per night, you can upgrade to get your own private plunge pool. The second deal includes a three-night stay, private chauffeur, $200 credit for the clifftop SIWA Clubhouse, one-hour massage for each guest and all your breakfasts — and is just $455 total for two people. And the third deal is $655 for all the same inclusions plus extra spa treatments. BOOK NOW THE ULTIMATE KANGAROO ISLAND ADVENTURE This Kangaroo Island deal makes exploring this criminally underrated South Australian travel destination so much easier. It includes a three-day car hire, return ferry tickets from Cape Jervis, a two-night stay at the Mercure Kangaroo Island Lodge and an epic ocean safari to get a sea creature's perspective of the spectacular natural beauty. This cruise will take you along the coastline with the chance to see dolphins, seals, eagles and other native birdlife. For more things to do during your stay, check out our weekender's guide to Kangaroo Island and discover why the New York Times recently named it one of the world's best places to visit in 2023. BOOK NOW A FIVE-DAY HOLISTIC BALI RETREAT We love a good wellness escape. That's why we teamed up with Y Retreats to create this exclusive five-day Bali retreat experience. During your stay, you can join any of the wellness experiences — life coaching sessions, stress management activities, yoga and breathwork classes, leadership and resilience training and workshops from keynote speakers. All your meals and transfers are also included. But get in fast. This unique retreat package only has eight spots available. BOOK NOW [caption id="attachment_810409" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Christoph Burgdorfer (Unsplash)[/caption] GLAMPING HOLIDAY ON THE COOK ISLANDS The Cook Islands made our 2022 list of rising bucket list destinations for 2023 and it's easy to see why — you just need to have it on your radar. Immerse yourselves in nature (but in total comfort) on Rarotonga Island with this luxurious glamping holiday. We'll put you up in the Ikurangi Eco Retreat — the Cook Islands' first and only purpose-built eco-accommodation and glamping hotel — where you can choose to stay in a range of beautiful safari tents. You'll spend five nights on this tropical island, venturing to stunning lagoons, remote beaches and scenic nature trails. The trip also includes use of the hotel's bikes and snorkelling equipment, transfers and daily tropical breakfasts delivered to your room. For just $165 per night, this is untouched tropical paradise without the big ticket price tag. BOOK NOW LUXURIOUS MEDITERRANEAN-STYLE ESCAPE IN LOMBOK We teamed up with Royal Avila Boutique Resort to offer an incredible deal to Concrete Playground readers. When you book a three-night or five-night stay, you'll get 47% off the total price. And this special Lombok deal doesn't just include your accommodation. For $755 for a three-night stay for two (around $125 per person per night), each of you will also get a 60-minute massage, lunch and dinner at its restaurant, a welcome cocktail on arrival and daily breakfasts. BOOK NOW THE ULTIMATE WHITSUNDAYS ESCAPE The Whitsundays is one of our top picks for the best Australian destinations to visit in 2023. That was the inspiration behind this exclusive deal which goes above and beyond with unforgettable inclusions to showcase the very best of this beautiful part of the country. Two adults will spend five days at the Mirage Whitsundays resort and take part in a series of guided tours. There's a two-hour sunset sailing cruise, a one-hour scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef and a full-day Whitehaven Beach excursion. Airport transfers and daily breakfasts are also included. (And those who are working with a smaller budget can opt for this shorter travel package.) BOOK NOW FIVE-STAR STAY IN THE HEART OF KUTA If you're visiting Bali and would prefer to be at the centre of the action, then we have the five-star hotel deal for a luxury stay in the heart of Kuta. We've paired up with the opulent Aryaduta Bali to give Concrete Playground Trips users an exclusive offer at a very special rate. A three-night stay (for two people) at the resort is less than half the standard price at just $455. And our package includes perks like a daily cocktail at the rooftop pool bar, dinner at the resort restaurant, an airport transfer and breakfast every day. A no-brainer for realising your island fantasy as soon as possible. BOOK NOW Feeling inspired to book a truly unique getaway? Head to Concrete Playground Trips to explore a range of holidays curated by our editorial team. We've teamed up with all the best providers of flights, stays and experiences to bring you a series of unforgettable trips in destinations all over the world. Top image: Lombok by Tom Bixler (Unsplash)
With the temporary nationwide closure of restaurants, bars and cafes and restrictions set to be in place for at least another few weeks, we're seeing more and more places — from pubs and pizza joints to cocktails bars and some of the country's top fine diners — offering new delivery services. So, there's really no need to go through iso living off cans of tuna and mi goreng. Plus, occasionally treating yourself is a surefire way to break up the daily at-home routine, which less face it, is getting pretty tedious by now. Whether you've had a small WFH win, it's your housemate's birthday or you just need a little luxury in your living room right now, it's worth celebrating them. And what better way to do so with some A-class oysters delivered straight to your door. Mimosa Rock Oysters usually supplies its oysters to a bunch of Australia's top restaurants, including famed Sydney seafood spot Saint Peter. Now, as a means to support its farmers, the family-run distributor is supplying its top-quality molluscs to homes across Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra — at reduced prices, with free delivery. Sourced from Wapengo Lake and Nelson Lagoon, both located in the stunning Mimosa Rocks National Park, these oysters are harvested wild and known for their complex taste, yet smooth, creamy texture. And as soon as tomorrow, you could be slurping them for as less than $2 a pop. https://www.instagram.com/p/B7XsT3LgvxU/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Currently, there are two sizes available: the Lil Ripper and The Boxer. The former are smaller in size and a minimum of three years old; The Boxer oysters are larger and aged between three-and-a-half to five years old. The minimum order is three dozen, which will set you back $58 and $72 respectively. If you're really wanting a feast, you can opt for ten dozen, which will save you up to 43 percent per dozen. All oysters will arrive live and unshucked, so if you were in need of a shucking knife, you can also purchase one via its website. If stored properly — kept in the box and stored in a cool, well ventilated area between 10°C and 17°C, the Sydney rocks will keep for up to 14 days from harvest. For more storage tips, check out Mimosa Rock Oysters Instagram post here. Delivery is free and is available across Sydney and Melbourne metro areas, as well as around Canberra. For regional NSW and Vic, you can make enquiry by emailing mimosarockoysters@gmail.com or calling 0408 130 718. Mimosa Rock Oysters new home-delivery service is available across Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra. For more information and to place your order here.
Since 2018, Frenchies Bistro and Brewery in Rosebery has been hosting an annual one-day Fresh Harvest Beer Festival. This year, for the first time, the event is turning into a week-long extravaganza. For six days — from Monday, May 5, to Saturday, May 10 — the venue will run a massive program of happenings, from tastings and tap takeovers to food pairings and a raclette night. Whether you're a Frenchies die-hard or a curious newbie, you're bound to find something for you. Head in on Thursday, May 8, from 6.30pm for a free evening of IPA tasting. And, if you like what you try, return on Friday, May 9, from midday, when IPA will take over the taps for the day. Look out for Ryefield WCIPA, Double Phresh IPA, Cryo Nelson Hazy IPA, and loads more. Come Saturday, May 10, raclette night will kick off at 7pm. For $89, you'll spend the evening melting Swiss raclette cheese on your very own raclettier and nibbling on house-smoked saucisson and cured chorizo, cooked potatoes and pickles — while sipping on a schooner of Ryefield IPA or Double Phresh IPA. Also promised are releases of limited-edition beers and hoppy food pairings. See the rest of the program over here.
No matter where you are in the world, air travel is always a pretty uniform experience. But there's a new kid on the airline block that's looking to shake things up a little — and it's tailored specifically to millennials. Joon, a lower-cost spin-off of Air France, is out to give air travel a bit of a shake-up, offering a 'new generation travel experience' to a 'young working clientele'. In other words: it's not a regular airline, it's a cool airline. The planes — which will start flying from December — will be set up with all the things Air France reckons will make millennials feel right at home: organic ingredients in the food, Rick & Morty on the screens, phone charging outlets in the seats, and fruit smoothies and organic French wine on the menu. Instead of prim uniforms, fresh-faced attendants will be kitted out in sporty threads and white kicks, while bold branding sees electric blue splashed across the seats, the uniforms and just about everything else. I guess millennial pink would have been too obvious. According to Joon's launch campaign, the whole flying thing is just one part of the equation, with the airline also likening itself to 'a fashion brand, a rooftop bar, and a personal assistant'. Fitting, given how much we millennials apparently love to multitask (and drinking at rooftop bars). Joon kicks off five medium-haul routes out of Paris' Charles de Gaulle airport this December, with plans to add long-haul flights to destinations like Seychelles and Brazil mid-2018. It's hard to say if staff wearing sneakers will make a budget flight any less of a drag, but it's nice to see an airline do something different for once. One to try if you're travelling into or out of Paris next year.
Living in a building that hangs from space might sound like science fiction; however a New York firm has published a design that explores that very concept. Appropriately labeled "speculative" on their website, Clouds Architecture Office has come up with a high-rise building that would hypothetically be suspended from an orbiting asteroid. Yes, really. For those instantly dreaming about living about the earth, the bottom would reach close enough to the ground for residents to parachute to the surface. The firm has proposed Dubai as a potential place to build the tower, citing that the city "has proven to be a specialist in tall building construction at one fifth the cost of New York City construction." While suspending anything from any kind of celestial body piques a whole lot of interest, Clouds AO have cited recent missions from the European Space Agency that they say prove that "it's possible to rendezvous and land on a spinning comet." They also say that "NASA has scheduled an asteroid retrieval mission for 2021 which aims to prove the feasibility of capturing and relocating an asteroid." According to their idea, if we could harness an asteroid and pull it into a geosynchronous equatorial orbit (a stable circular orbit that follows the Earth's rotation), steel cables could then be attached to the asteroid, and a tower suspended from them. The building would then hover in a figure-eight motion daily, moving between the northern and southern hemispheres. Business would be conducted on the lower levels, with the middle section classed as residential. As for what happens above that, "devotional activities are scattered along the highest reaches." There are just a few points to be taken into account, unsurprisingly. The proposal includes transfer stations to load and unload people and goods, but how this could be done with a building moving literally at an astronomical pace is debatable. While infographics in the proposal show aeroplanes safely manoeuvring around the tower, having just one object moving through the air consistently with no vertical break would be sure to wreak havoc on global flight paths, let alone if more towers were built. Finally, if the tower is constantly in motion, what happens if a resident parachutes to earth for work and then forgets that they left their earphones at home? Are they left to face the rest of the day without jams? The firm has also noted that "there is probably a tangible height limit beyond which people would not tolerate living due to the extreme conditions," meaning that it's pretty tough to be outside the troposphere without some kind of spacesuit. It doesn't really bother Clouds AO, though, as astronauts do it all the time "so perhaps it's not so bad?" Even with those issues, the proposed idea is a maverick design that really pushes the boundaries of what is possible in the realm of architecture. It also demonstrates that new research inspires new technology which, in turn, changes the way we build our world. While the Analemma Tower might not be built in our lifetimes, its design goes to show that we'll always keep reaching for the stars. Via: Dezeen. Images: Clouds Architecture Office.
Songs, tears, Travis Barker on the drums playing 'In the Air Tonight', host Anthony Anderson advising that his mother would be on "playoff mama" duties to keep the acceptance speeches for the 20-plus awards on time, first presenter Christina Applegate (Dead to Me) getting a standing ovation, a tribute to The Sopranos with an ode to James Gandolfini, Jennifer Coolidge winning another award for The White Lotus: now that's how you start an awards ceremony. The accolades: the 2023 Emmy Awards, being held on Tuesday, January 16, 2024 Australian and New Zealand time after they were postponed during Hollywood's writers' and actors' strikes. And before half an hour had even ticked over, Anderson had advised that "Miami Vice taught me that all I needed was a tanned white friend and a cool white jacket"; Coolidge had announced that Mike White "definitely dead so I'm going along with it", then thanked all the evil gays; The Last of Us ' Pedro Pascal claimed that his arm was in a sling because Succession's "Kieran Culkin beat the shit out of me"; and the latter's co-star Matthew Macfadyen thanked his two on-screen wives, aka Sarah Snook and Nicholas Braun. So, in the second huge Hollywood night of nights in as many weeks, the Emmys started better than the Golden Globes. In fact, that's an understatement. And that's even before Tina Fey (Mean Girls) and Amy Poehler (Moxie) took to the Weekend Update desk, the Cheers and Ally McBeal casts reunited, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia's stars pondered why they don't have Emmys, Ru Paul spoke out against hate, DAHMER — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story's Niecy Nash-Betts thanked herself and Matty Matheson couldn't be more passionate about hospitality with a "restaurants forever!" shout. All of the throwbacks and nostalgia, and spreading the love far beyond what was nominated, was in honour of a big milestone: the Emmys reaching 75 years. These awards should always feel like a celebration of the entire medium; however, that can be easier said than done — but it's a task that the delayed 2023 ceremony perfected. The big winners mirrored the Golden Globes, aka Succession among the dramas, The Bear in the comedy field and Beef in the limited series field. So, while there was no been-there-done-that feel to the presentation between the two awards, that came through in the recipients — supremely worthy as they all are. The main trio weren't the only shows to score prizes, but plenty of deserving series went home empty-handed — see: Better Call Saul, Yellowjackets, Barry and Only Murders in the Building, to name a few — even amid the warm hug-style vibes. What else nabbed a trophy? Who else was in contention? We've got that covered. Here's a rundown of the awards handed out at the main ceremony, plus the nominees competing for them — and you can check out the seven winning shows you should watch ASAP, too. EMMY NOMINEES AND WINNERS 2023 OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES Andor Better Call Saul The Crown House of the Dragon The Last of Us Succession — WINNER The White Lotus Yellowjackets OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES Abbott Elementary Barry The Bear — WINNER Jury Duty The Marvelous Mrs Maisel Only Murders in the Building Ted Lasso Wednesday OUTSTANDING LIMITED SERIES Beef — WINNER DAHMER — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story Daisy Jones & the Six Fleishman Is in Trouble Obi-Wan Kenobi OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES Jeff Bridges, The Old Man Brian Cox, Succession Kieran Culkin, Succession — WINNER Bob Odenkirk, Better Call Saul Pedro Pascal, The Last of Us Jeremy Strong, Succession OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES Sharon Horgan, Bad Sisters Melanie Lynskey, Yellowjackets Elisabeth Moss, The Handmaid's Tale Bella Ramsey, The Last of Us Keri Russell, The Diplomat Sarah Snook, Succession — WINNER OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES Bill Hader, Barry Martin Short, Only Murders in the Building Jason Segel, Shrinking Jason Sudeikis, Ted Lasso Jeremy Allen White, The Bear — WINNER OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES Christina Applegate, Dead to Me Rachel Brosnahan, The Marvelous Mrs Maisel Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary — WINNER Natasha Lyonne, Poker Face Jenna Ortega, Wednesday OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A LIMITED SERIES OR TELEVISION MOVIE Taron Egerton, Black Bird Kumail Nanjiani, Welcome to Chippendales Evan Peters, DAHMER — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story Daniel Radcliffe, Weird: The Al Yankovic Story Michael Shannon, George & Tammy Steven Yeun, Beef — WINNER OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A LIMITED SERIES OR TELEVISION MOVIE Lizzy Caplan, Fleishman Is in Trouble Jessica Chastain, George & Tammy Dominique Fishback, Swarm Kathryn Hahn, Tiny Beautiful Things Riley Keough, Daisy Jones & the Six Ali Wong, Beef — WINNER OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES F. Murray Abraham, The White Lotus Nicholas Braun, Succession Michael Imperioli, The White Lotus Theo James, The White Lotus Matthew Macfadyen, Succession — WINNER Alan Ruck, Succession Will Sharpe, The White Lotus Alexander Skarsgård, Succession OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES Jennifer Coolidge, The White Lotus — WINNER Elizabeth Debicki, The Crown Meghann Fahy, The White Lotus Sabrina Impacciatore, The White Lotus Aubrey Plaza, The White Lotus Rhea Seehorn, Better Call Saul J. Smith-Cameron, Succession Simona Tabasco, The White Lotus OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES Anthony Carrigan, Barry Phil Dunster, Ted Lasso Brett Goldstein, Ted Lasso James Marsden, Jury Duty Ebon Moss-Bachrach, The Bear — WINNER Tyler James Williams, Abbott Elementary Henry Winkler, Barry OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES Alex Borstein, The Marvelous Mrs Maisel Ayo Edebiri, The Bear — WINNER Janelle James, Abbott Elementary Sheryl Lee Ralph, Abbott Elementary Juno Temple, Ted Lasso Hannah Waddingham, Ted Lasso Jessica Williams, Shrinking OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A LIMITED SERIES OR TELEVISION MOVIE Murray Bartlett, Welcome to Chippendales Paul Walter Hauser, Black Bird — WINNER Richard Jenkins, DAHMER – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story Joseph Lee, Beef Ray Liotta, Black Bird Young Mazino, Beef Jesse Plemons, Love & Death OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A LIMITED SERIES OR TELEVISION MOVIE Annaleigh Ashford, Welcome to Chippendales Maria Bello, Beef Claire Danes, Fleishman Is in Trouble Juliette Lewis, Welcome to Chippendales Camila Morrone, Daisy Jones & The Six Niecy Nash-Betts, DAHMER – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story — WINNER Merritt Wever, Tiny Beautiful Things OUTSTANDING DIRECTING FOR A DRAMA SERIES Andor, Benjamin Caron, Bad Sisters, Dearbhla Walsh The Last of Us, Peter Hoar Succession, Andrij Parekh Succession, Mark Mylod — WINNER Succession, Lorene Scafaria The White Lotus, Mike White OUTSTANDING DIRECTING FOR A COMEDY SERIES Barry, Bill Hader The Bear, Christopher Storer — WINNER The Marvelous Mrs Maisel, Amy Sherman-Palladino The Ms. Pat Show, Mary Lou Belli Ted Lasso, Declan Lowney Wednesday, Tim Burton OUTSTANDING DIRECTING FOR A LIMITED OR ANTHOLOGY SERIES OR MOVIE Beef, Lee Sung Jin — WINNER Beef, Jake Schreier DAHMER — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, Carl Franklin DAHMER — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story,Paris Barclay Fleishman Is in Trouble, Valerie Faris, Jonathan Dayton Prey, Dan Trachtenberg OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A DRAMA SERIES Andor, Beau Willimon Bad Sisters, Sharon Horgan, Dave Finkel, Brett Baer Better Call Saul, Gordon Smith Better Call Saul, Peter Gould The Last of Us, Craig Mazin Succession, Jesse Armstrong — WINNER The White Lotus, Mike White OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A COMEDY SERIES Barry, Bill Hader The Bear, Christopher Storer — WINNER Jury Duty, Mekki Leeper Only Murders in the Building, John Hoffman, Matteo Borghese, Rob Turbovsky The Other Two, Chris Kelly, Sarah Schneider Ted Lasso, Brendan Hunt, Joe Kelly, Jason Sudeikis OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A LIMITED OR ANTHOLOGY SERIES OR MOVIE Beef, Lee Sung Jin — WINNER Fire Island, Joel Kim Booster Fleishman Is in Trouble, Taffy Brodesser-Akner Prey, Patrick Aison, Dan Trachtenberg Swarm, Janine Nabers, Donald Glover Weird: The Al Yankovic Story, Al Yankovic, Eric Appel OUTSTANDING SCRIPTED VARIETY SERIES A Black Lady Sketch Show Last Week Tonight with John Oliver — WINNER Saturday Night Live OUTSTANDING REALITY COMPETITION SHOW The Amazing Race RuPaul's Drag Race — WINNER Survivor Top Chef The Voice OUTSTANDING TALK SERIES The Daily Show with Trevor Noah — WINNER Jimmy Kimmel Live! Late Night with Seth Meyers The Late Show with Stephen Colbert The Problem with Jon Stewart OUTSTANDING LIVE VARIETY SPECIAL The Apple Music Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show Starring Rihanna Chris Rock: Selective Outrage Elton John Live: Farewell From Dodger Stadium — WINNER The Oscars 75th Annual Tony Awards OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A VARIETY SERIES The Daily Show with Trevor Noah Last Week Tonight with John Oliver — WINNER Late Night with Seth Meyers The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Saturday Night Live The 2023 Emmys were announced on Tuesday, January 16, Australian and New Zealand time. For further details, head to the awards' website. Top image: Chuck Hodes/FX.
If cracking open a VB and throwing a few snags on the barbie doesn't tickle your fancy this Australia Day, this burger bash just might. From 10am, the crew from the Keg & Brew will be celebrating the best beers and beats of 2014. Dubbed the 'Hoppiest 100 Burger Bash', the event will see the heritage pub counting down and serving the year's hottest 100 craft beers as voted by their loyal patrons. With a live stream of Triple J's top tracks of the year, you'll have plenty of entertainment on the road to No.1. The last part of the formula is the burgers. The team is set to dish up a mouth-watering set of them — including an 'Aussie' burger, a lobster tail burger, a portobello mushroom burger and the 'Diablo Chicken' burger, made with Kentucky buttermilk fried chicken). Each one comes with fries for $15. Topping off one person's Australia Day? A limited edition deluxe wooden ice chest of Coopers Pale Ale will go to one happy little Vegemite.
It's the huge showcase that took the world by storm, sending David Bowie's lightning bolt-adorned face everywhere from London and Berlin to Tokyo and Melbourne. His Ziggy Stardust costumes, various handwritten lyrics, an assortment of album artwork, rare photographs and even the magic orb he fondled as Jareth in Labyrinth, too. Organised by London's Victoria and Albert Museum, David Bowie is exhibited hundreds objects from the David Bowie Archive, visiting 12 cities over six years and attracting more than two million visitors — and while it finished its final run in Brooklyn early in 2018, it's now back in a new format. Available since Tuesday, January 8 — aka what would've been the music icon's 72nd birthday — David Bowie is now exists as a digital recreation that you can access on your phone. As first announced back in July 2018, fans can tour the Bowie bonanza as an augmented reality (AR) experience, which features a sequence of audio-visual spaces highlighting artifacts from Bowie's life. Basically, it's like heading along without the crowds, and with Gary Oldman narrating your journey through the exhibition. Specifically, there's 56 costumes, 60 original lyrics sheets and design notes, 50 photos, 33 drawings and sketches, and seven paintings — plus 38 songs, and 23 music videos and live performances. The entire slate features more than 400 high-resolution captures, including 60 new objects that weren't included in the touring exhibition. [caption id="attachment_705202" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] David Bowie Is[/caption] Available on iOs and Android platforms, David Bowie is' AR version doesn't just involve looking at 2D representations, either, with 3D scans used to preserve and present the artist's costumes and objects in detail. And, there's more to come, with a virtual reality version still in the works. Here's hoping that Bowie obsessives will be able to virtually step into one of his out-of-sight outfits and see themselves in one — yes, this might be your chance to turn and face the strange or experience some ch-ch-changes. A collaboration between Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc, the David Bowie Archive and the V&A, "the augmented reality adaptation of David Bowie is enables you to explore the entire exhibition in the intimacy of your own environment, without glass barriers, vitrines or throngs of visitors," according to the exhibition website. It costs $12.99, with a portion of the profits to be donated the V&A and Brooklyn Museum. David Bowie is now available on iOs and Android platforms. For further information, head to davidbowieisreal.com. Images: David Bowie Is.
Mark Friday, April 12, 2024 in your diary: that's when Fallout will jump from gaming's bunker to streaming's landscape. After 2023 saw The Last of Us leap from mashed buttons to a TV sensation for HBO, 2024 now has a big candidate to follow in its footsteps, this time via Prime Video. It's been almost three decades since Fallout first hit computers back in 1997, with three released sequels, a fourth on the way and seven spinoffs all following. Next comes a live-action television take starring Ella Purnell (Yellowjackets), Walton Goggins (I'm a Virgo) and Kyle MacLachlan (Lucky Hank). After dropping its first images earlier this week, the Fallout TV series now has a trailer — and it nails the game's aesthetic, sound and vibe. Fans of the Fallout game will already know the show's setting: a post-apocalyptic future. The series takes place 200 years after everything went pear-shaped, with people living in luxe fallout shelters ever since. When some such folks leave their cosy confines, they find a hellscape filled with mutants, wild west vibes and plenty of violence. Purnell plays vault-dweller Lucy, while Twin Peaks great MacLachlan is her dad Overseer Hank, who — as his name suggests — oversees Vault 33. On the surface, Goggins is bounty hunter The Ghoul, who has a secret past — and Aaron Moten (Emancipation) also has a pivotal part as Brotherhood of Steel soldier Maximus. The retrofuturistic dystopian series also features Moisés Arias (Samaritan), Sarita Choudhury (And Just Like That...), Michael Emerson (Evil), Leslie Uggams (Extrapolations), Frances Turner (The Boys), Dave Register (Heightened), Zach Cherry (Severance) and Johnny Pemberton (Weird: The Al Yankovic Story) as well — plus Rodrigo Luzzi (Dead Ringers), Annabel O'Hagan (Dear Edward) and Xelia Mendes-Jones (The Wheel of Time). For The Last of Us, HBO enlisted a creative force from one of the US premium cable network's past hits in Chernobyl's Craig Mazin. Prime Video has done the same with Fallout, but with Westworld creators Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy — who also executive produced Prime Video's own The Peripheral. As well as executive producing with Joy, Nolan directs the first three episodes. Geneva Robertson-Dworet (Captain Marvel) and Graham Wagner (Silicon Valley) are similarly among Fallout's executive producers, as well as the series' writers and co-showrunners. And yes, Bethesda Game Studios has a hand in finally bringing the games to the screen. Check out the first trailer for Fallout below: Fallout will start streaming via Prime Video from Friday, April 12, 2024. Images: courtesy of Prime Video.
