When the pandemic first hit, binge-watching movies about contagions, outbreaks and infections became everyone's go-to pastime. Some were eerily prophetic (yes, we're talking about Contagion, obviously); however, even when flicks in the genre didn't resemble our reality, they still lured us in. There's a sense of comfort in watching these worst-case scenarios. We watch for the same reason that we watch horror movies, because seeing these things play out on-screen helps us confront our fears in a safe space. The dystopian genre looks a little different through our weary eyes now, of course, but we're still viewing away. The next thing to add to your streaming queue: Y: The Last Man, the long-awaited TV adaptation of the graphic novel of the same name. On the page between 2002–8, the comic book series stepped into a post-apocalyptic world where an eerie illness wipes out everyone with a Y chromosome, humans and other mammals alike. And yes, it does all sound a little like a reverse version of The Handmaid's Tale and Children of Men — with a few twists, clearly. In this fictional scenario, only Yorick Brown and his Capuchin monkey Ampersand manage to survive — alongside the planet's women, all of whom are now endeavouring to find a new status quo. So, that's what the Y: The Last Man TV series will chart, as teased in its trailer. Brian K Vaughan and Pia Guerra's graphic novel has actually been slated for the TV treatment for more than a decade — and before that, a film version was even floated but it didn't eventuate — and now the television series will start hitting Australian streaming service Binge from Tuesday, September 14. Ben Schnetzer (Pride, Warcraft, The Grizzlies) plays Yorick, and he's joined on-screen by Diane Lane (Let Him Go) as his mother — and the new US President — plus Olivia Thirlby (Goliath) as his sister. The cast also includes Amber Tamblyn (The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret), Ashley Romans (NOS4A2) and Elliot Fletcher (The Fosters), while The Killing and Animal Kingdom's Eliza Clark is on writing and showrunning duties. Check out the trailer below: Y: The Last Man starts streaming in Australia via Binge from Tuesday, September 14.
2023 was huge for women's soccer in Australia. 2024 mightn't boast the World Cup rolling out Down Under, sadly, but with the Matildas competing in the 2024 Paris Olympics, it's still a massive year for fans of the country's national squad. 2023 also brought documentary Matildas: The World at Our Feet to streaming queues, too — and 2024 is following suit there as well thanks to Stan's Trailblazers, which was announced earlier in the year and now has a Tuesday, June 4 release date. While The World at Our Feet chronicled the current team's path to the 2023 Women's World Cup, Trailblazers is taking a broader look at the Tillies' story and also at women's football in Australia, as the trailer for the doco makes plain. Sam Kerr, Steph Catley, Mary Fowler, Ellie Carpenter, Katrina Gorry and Teagan Micah all feature as interviewees — but chronicling the Matildas' journey before their current success is also in the documentary's remit. If your obsession with the Tillies started in July 2023, this is your chance to dive into the first FIFA-recognised game in 1979, the team's 2015 strike for equal pay and its fortunes at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics — and to reflect upon the the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 in Australia and New Zealand, plus the squad's qualification for Paris. So, you'll hear from and about earlier players, such as first-ever Matildas captain Julie Dolan, alongside Kerr and company. The Matildas' first Indigenous female player Karen Menzies also features among the discussions, as do fellow past players Melissa Barbieri, Kate Gill and Moya Dodd. Tommy Sermanni, who coached the Tillies from 1994–97 and 2005–12, similarly gets chatting. And, so does ex-Socceroos captain-turned-commentator Craig Foster. Stan is dropping Trailblazers not only in the lead up to the Paris Olympics, which take place from Friday, July 16–Sunday, August 11, but also just after the Matildas play two warmup friendlies in Australia on Friday, May 31 (in Adelaide) and Monday, June 3 (in Sydney) against China. Behind the scenes, Maggie Miles (Dare to Be Different) and Maggie Eudes produce, write and direct the documentary — aka your next chance to revel in all things Tillies. If you want to wear green and gold while watching, or the recently released (and soldout) purple Mackenzie Arnold goalkeeper kit if you got your hands on one, that's up to you. Check out the trailer for Trailblazers below: Trailblazers will stream via Stan from Tuesday, June 4, 2024.
Whether you can't get enough of split atoms and quantum physics or wish to undo all the damage done by some excruciatingly dull high school science teacher, here's the remedy. Sydney Science Festival is back for 2017 and it's all about making science relevant, interesting and fun. The two-week-long program is absolutely massive, packed with talks, tours, performances, exhibitions, parties, food and drink, so we thought we'd make your life easier by picking out a few tip-top events. We've narrowed it down to five, covering off everything from a night celebrating ridiculous theories, to an exploration of the science involved in turning plants into booze. So go forth and prosper knowing you've got 13 days of exploration, experimentation and enlightenment ahead of you. LIFE ON MARS: THE 2020 ROVER MISSION For decades now, sci fi novelists, David Bowie fans and certain misanthropes have been dreaming about an alternative existence on Mars. And now, what was just a fantastical idea is now looming as an incredibly possible reality. In 2020, NASA will send robots to the Red Planet to have a good, proper look for signs of life. Their mission is two-fold: on one hand, they'll be checking out the likelihood of humans ever being able to live there, and on the other, they'll be seeking evidence of previous creatures. In fact, there's even a theory developing that life on Earth might have actually started on Mars. To find out all about the mission, head to the Opera House for this panel discussion led by Dr Graham Phillips (ex-Catalyst) and featuring four geniuses of outer space, including Aussie geologist Dr Abigail Allwood from NASA's jet propulsion lab, physics professor Paul Davies from Arizona State University, Dr Mitch Schulte, who's working on the NASA Mars 2020 rover mission program, and Professor Martin Van Kranendonk from UNSW. Sydney Opera House, Thursday, August 17, 8pm. BOTANY DISTILLED There's never been a better excuse for a cocktail. This event calls on you to have a wee tipple in the name of science education. In between sampling wines from Tyrrell's and handcrafted spirits from the Central Coast's Distillery Botanica, you'll learn all about the vital role plants play in the production of alcohol — from the grapes that make up our favourite wines to the importance of well-mixed botanicals for a perfect gin. You'll be in good hands with Tyrrell's, which has been making wine in the Hunter Valley since 1858 and has taken home some 5,000 trophies since 1971, as well as with Distillery Botanica, whose international award-winning distiller, Philip Moore, uses a 1,000-year-old technique to get the purest possible perfume out of his botanicals. Immersed in the idyllic surrounds of the Royal Botanic Gardens Restaurant, as you sip your way around the science of a good drop, you'll wish science class had been more like this. Royal Botanic Gardens Restaurant, Thursday, August 17, 6.30pm. BAHFEST BAHFest was a quick sell out last year, so it's back for another run. For the uninitiated, BAH stands for Bad Ad Hoc Hypotheses. Created by Zach Weinersmith from webcomic Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal, the event is based on a pretty simple formula: individuals with crazy, creative, funny, yet plain wrong scientific theories present their somehow logically defensible ideas to a properly qualified panel. At the end of the night, this panel and the audience decide together who'll take home the coveted BAHFest trophy. Hosting the shenanigans this year will be Rae Johnston of Gizmodo and triple j fame, while Ruben Meerman, aka The Surfing Scientist, will deliver a keynote speech. Meanwhile, on the judging panel, you'll find Tilly Boleyn, curator at MAAS, astrophysicist Dr Lisa Harvey, James Colley of The Weekly, and Leigh Nicholson, the mighty winner of BAHFest 2016. Powerhouse Museum, Friday, August 18, 7pm. MAAS DIY DAY Creators, makers and breakers, this one's for you. Sydney's creators and innovators will converge at the Powerhouse for one epic day of DIY and science. These makers will also be showcasing the latest innovations in digital fabrication, technology, food design and craft. There'll be stalls, talks, tours, workshops and demos, among which you're free to choose your own adventure. See how new technologies are being used alongside traditional craft techniques. Have a few broken electronics collecting dust? Take them to The Bower's Repair Cafe, and watch and learn as the experts fix and repair. Wondering how modern-day woodworkers combine brand new technologies with old-fashioned techniques? Catch them in action. You can also book into one of the workshops like the Change Makers: Sydney's social and sustainable creatives talk. Hear from Sydney's makers, creatives and entrepreneurs who are working to solve some prominent issues, from social inequality to environmental sustainability. Then, join their efforts and expand your knowledge even more at one of the festival's many events dedicated to sustainability, health and the future. Powerhouse Museum, Saturday, August 19, 10am. LATEST FINDINGS IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM This short course in all things astronomical at Sydney Observatory launches in the best way imaginable: with a trip, in 3D, through the solar system. If you haven't been keeping up with science news lately, prepare to be gobsmacked by how much we've discovered — and how many more mysteries we've yet to wrap our heads around. Your travels will be in the excellent hands of Paul Payne, who's been inspiring Observatory visitors since 1984 with his high-tech presentations. Along the way, expect to catch up with Cassini, a people-free space craft that NASA sent from Earth in 1997 that's been hanging around Saturn since 2004, exploring the planet's rings and satellites. Plus, you'll catch a good look at Saturn and Jupiter through a mega-powerful telescope. Sydney Observatory, Sunday, August 20, 3pm. Sydney Science Festival is part of National Science Week, which runs from August 8 to August 20. The festival is led by the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (MAAS) and the Australian Museum, in partnership with Inspiring Australia. See the full program of events here.
Often, when actors start expanding their wardrobe to include a musician hat, the world heaves a sigh. But Hugh Laurie is one of those annoying people who can do just about anything he turns his hand to. And do it so well that, having just watched an episode of House, we find ourselves jumping online, scouring YouTube for clips of him playing the blues. Or tango. Or several other forms of American music. The excellent news is that Laurie, his many talents and the Copper Bottom Band are soon to pack their respective bags and wing themselves our way. Between April 19 and May 5, they'll be singing, playing and joking their way around Australia, making appearances at seven major cities. Laurie was last here in 1981, but that was for a comedy show tour. "We're really excited to be coming to Australia to perform," he says. "The last time I was there was 1981, in a comedy show, and the world has changed a lot since then. I haven't though. I'm exactly the same. It's uncanny. Obviously, I'll be hoping to restore some national pride after the Ashes. If anyone throws anything at me, I'll lob up an easy catch to the balcony." If you're a Laurie fan, you might already know that his role as Dr Gregory House has won him two Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Awards, as well as six Emmy nominations. He's also gained cult status for his roles in Jeeves and Wooster, A Bit of Fry and Laurie (he and Fry are old buddies from Cambridge Uni) and Blackadder. All the while, he's been playing the blues behind the scenes. In fact, he started on the piano at the age of six. But it wasn't till 2011 that he teamed up with the Copper Bottom Band to release debut album Let Them Talk. Last year saw the launch of sophomore Didn't It Rain, which is a kind of history of the blues from New Orleans to the American heartland. Guests include soul vocalist Jean McClain and Guatemalan Gaby Moreno. Full tour dates below. Melbourne: Sat 19 April, Palais Theatre (Tickets through Ticketmaster) Canberra: Tue 22 April, Royal Theatre (Tickets through Ticketek) Adelaide: Thu 24 Apr, Thebarton Theatre (Tickets through Venuetix) Perth: Sat 26 Apr, Concert Hall (Tickets through Ticketek) Brisbane: Fri 2 May, Brisbane Concert Hall (Tickets through QTix) Newcastle: Sat 3 May, Civic Theatre (Tickets through Ticketek) Sydney: Mon 5 May, State Theatre (Tickets through Ticketmaster) https://youtube.com/watch?v=yYnJrluzbQY
Hold onto your doughnuts and prepare to say ay, caramba! more than once, because the Sydney Opera House has a huuuuge headliner for this year's GRAPHIC festival: Matt Groening. The comedic cartoonist genius responsible for The Simpsons and Futurama will make his way to Australia for the very first time to speak at the two-day festival this November, which celebrates pop culture and graphic storytelling, animation and music. Considering most of us probably acquired the large majority of our pre-Internet knowledge on global popular culture from Groening's work (well, when we could wrangle watching The Simpsons instead of the 6pm news), it seems like a brilliant full circle that we're now able to see him speak IRL as adults. He will deliver a talk titled Secrets of The Simpsons, and a Couple of Milhouse Fun Facts, which will delve into the making of the show, include hardly-seen clips and apparently even some full-frontal cartoon nudity. He will also join a session with his friend and fellow cartoonist Lynda Barry. "The most intense Simpsons fanatics I've met are from Australia, so I'm coming to Sydney to check out all you lunatics," Groening said. "I'm going to share stories of the making of The Simpsons and show embarrassing home movies and rarely-seen animation, including oddball outtakes and uncensored Itchy & Scratchy cartoons." Other highlights from the GRAPHIC 2016 program announced this morning include a screening of George Lucas' 1971 sci-fi epic THX 1138, which will be re-scored live by Asian Dub Foundation. There will be a heap of free talks from cartoonists including Leunig and First Dog on the Moon, as well as two film premieres from Neil Gaiman, who has previously called the festival "the smartest, wisest, most cutting-edge festival and celebration of narrative literature and its intersection with culture in the world".
Artificer is a collaborative effort by two industry legends, Dan Yee and Shoji Sasa, which has rapidly made a name for itself as one of the best specialty coffee shops in Sydney. They buy beans in small batches and roast it all in-house, so you'll be spoilt for choice when it comes to your ristretto. For the non-dairy drinkers, this is the place to be because Dan is one of the city's best when it comes to making soy milk magic. If it's not rush hour, we'd suggest sitting at the bar and directing all your coffee questions at the barista. Images: Letícia Almeida.
If you're a Brisbanite with a fondness for trivia — and a head full of otherwise pointless tidbits just waiting to be scribbled down quickly — then you've likely been to one of Man vs Bear's events. Usually, its slate is filled with both general and themed trivia evenings at plenty of pubs and bars around town; however, when COVID-19 restrictions hit, it took its questions online for everyone everywhere to enjoy. Meet Isolation Trivia. No, all the questions won't just be about staying indoors — but because that's what we're all now doing, these trivia nights will be live-streamed. Man vs Bear and Not On Your Rider's Aimon Clark will play quizmaster, you'll jot down your answers at home and everyone can compare scores virtually — and battle for trivia supremacy. Isolation Trivia will be popping up regularly, with the next trivia nights live-streaming on Tuesday, September 22 and Friday, September 25 — at 6.30pm AEST. To play along, head to the event's Facebook page. Top image: Not On Your Rider
In news that's an actual Thing, everyone's favourite half-giant of few words is coming to Australia to host a series of Game of Thrones-themed rave parties later this year. Kristian Nairn, who plays the simple and loveable Hodor, is a legit house DJ — minds are boggled as to why this sort of party hasn't been thrown sooner. Thankfully touring company Falcona have jumped on the house-loving GoT favourite and we can party like we've finally found the three-eyed raven. As the name suggests, Rave of Thrones will be a series of GoT-themed parties in large-scale Australian venues — and dress ups are mandatory. Break out the faux fur, your finest armour or dye your hair silver-white; just leave your Valerian steel at the door. We're expecting to see Starks dancing with Lannisters, Tyrells and Tullys sharing mead, while Wildlings and White Walkers unite forces in the name of rave. These parties are likely to attract a larger crowd then the Red and the Purple wedding combined (and will presumably be way less murdery), so make sure you snap up some tickets faster than one of Ygritte's arrows heading for Jon Snow's heart. Nairn has recently been in Melbourne for Oz Comic-Con with Daniel Portman (aka Podrick Payne), so we're thanking the Old Gods and the New that he'll be returning to us shortly. Nairn will be joined by audio visual artist Ego who will be cranking out GoT-themed projections, and the night will include "surprise guests and garnishings" — we're not sure exactly what that entails just yet. HODOR! Rave Of Thrones dates (tickets on sale now): Thursday, 28 August The Hi-Fi, Sydney Tickets via The Hi-Fi Friday, 29 August Secret Warehouse, Brisbane Tickets via Moshtix Saturday, 30 August Villa, Perth Tickets via Villa Thursday, 4 September Prince Bandroom, Melbourne Tickets via Prince Bandroom Friday, 5 September Discovery, Darwin Tickets via Discovery Sunday, 7 September Zhivago, Adelaide Tickets via Zhivago https://youtube.com/watch?v=cxjw-w-V5k4 Via In The Mix.
When Monday morning rolls around, basking in your weekend memories is part and parcel of getting through the day. But, if you just spent your past few days off in Byron Bay, you'll need to take notice of some just-issued health advice related to Brisbane's latest local COVID-19 cases. Up north, the Queensland city is heading into a three-day lockdown tonight, at 5pm on Monday, March 29, in response to its new cases of community transmission. Of concern for folks in New South Wales: two of the new cases, as confirmed today, spent time in Byron Bay on the weekend. So, NSW Health now requires anyone who visited specific venues at set dates and times to get tested for COVID-19 immediately, and then to self-isolate for 14 days. This applies to people who were at the Byron Beach Hotel on Bay Street from 7–9pm on Friday, March 26 — and to anyone at The Farm Byron Bay from 8.45–10.30am on Sunday, March 28. It also covers anyone at the Suffolk Beachfront Holiday Park's women's communal toilets on Friday, March 26 from 6–6.30pm and 9.10–9.30pm, and on Saturday, March 27 from 3.20–3.50pm. Mokha Café is on the list as well, also on Saturday, March 27, from 10.30–11.30am. And, the full list includes six other sites visited on Saturday, March 27 that, if you were there, you'll need to get tested and self-isolate until you get a negative result. They include Ghanda Clothing (from 12–12.15pm), Tiger Lily (12.25–12.30pm), Black Sheep (12.30–12.40pm), Quiksilver (12.40–12.45pm), Suffolk Bakery (2.45–3.15pm) and Park Hotel Bottle Shop (7.30–7.45pm). https://twitter.com/NSWHealth/status/1376416282526949383 Obviously, this covers both folks who live in the Byron Bay area and anyone who was there just visiting on the weekend. Either way, if you went to either of the above places at those dates and times, you must get tested, go into quarantine, monitor for any COVID-19 symptoms and get retested if any arise — and stay in self-isolation for the whole fortnight even if you receive a negative result. NSW Health is also asking everyone else in the area — or those who were there over the weekend — to monitor for symptoms and get tested if any eventuate. That covers even the mildest of COVID-19 symptoms, as we've all heard plenty of times now. In Byron, two new clinics have been set up, and Byron Central Hospital will be increasing its operating hours. And, if you have Easter plans at Bluesfest, it's still proceeding as planned at this stage — we'll update you if anything changes. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in NSW, head to the NSW Health website.
It's hard to get a true snapshot of a place you're holidaying in when you don't know a resident who can show you around. Sydney can be a particularly hard nut to crack — how do you balance seeing its famously show-offy coastal and harbour landmarks, with getting a peek at its less well-lit and polished contemporary underbelly? To help you explore more of the city, we've gathered up a few of the very best, and some lesser known, experiences around town. And to do it, we've enlisted the help of Pullman Hotels and Resorts bar manager Jason Song and executive chef Daniel Simpson, because nobody knows a good secret like someone who works in hospitality. Over at the Hacienda, the bar at the Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour, Song slings drinks with the best of them, having developed an interest in mixology after years of working in a bank. Simpson, meanwhile, has traversed the world, making a living from cooking, and climbing the ladder all the way to the Pullman Sydney Airport. With our combined mental capacity, we've pulled together some of Sydney's best experiences to be had in the realms of food and drink, leisure and wellbeing, and contemporary art and design. So get your Dora on and start exploring. Check out the rest of our Explore More content series to hone your itinerary for some of Australia's best holiday destinations. FOOD & DRINK ARCHIE ROSE While Sydney has a booming beer brewing history, Archie Rose was the first dedicated spirit distillery to operate in Sydney for a very long time. Far too long, some might say. In addition to the creation of unique Australian spirits, a fine cocktail bar is attached to the distillery, and they offer a number of masterclasses on distilling and blending beverages. And while it's a favourite for after-work drinks, the cozy nooks in the bar are also perfect for a date, a solo mission or a get-together with old buddies. Very worth the trip to the industrial area of Rosebery. Don't miss: The Archie Rose signature dry gin and fresh pear and ginger juice ($9) 678 SYDNEY With Sydney's cultural identity being as multifaceted as it is, it's no surprise that some of the best food to be had made its way to our plates from far-off shores. Located in Haymarket in the centre of Sydney, 678 Sydney prepares some of the most delectable Korean barbecue that you'll ever have the pleasure of supping on, and they'll overload you with all the traditional sides that you can handle. If you're a believer in the maxim that if you want something done right then you have to do it yourself, you're in luck, because the responsibility of manning the barbecue rests entirely on the customer. Don't miss: For the more adventurous, have the sliced beef tongue. For everyone else, the soy marinated pork ribs are pretty incredible. COFFEE ALCHEMY From time immemorial, a deep battle has waged between Australia's two largest cities, all about who can combine water, milk and ground coffee beans the best. Cafe and roastery Coffee Alchemy is one of Sydney's coffee heroes, with the product coming out of their Marrickville digs slaking the lust of many a coffee connoisseur with exceptional regularity. While there are more cafes in Sydney than one could poke a stick at, Coffee Alchemy is one of the few that illuminates just how seriously residents of the Emerald City take their coffee. Can't make it to Marrickville? Coffee Alchemy have a number of side projects, including Gumption in the CBD's Strand Arcade. Don't miss: On a hot day, order a Sparkler — carbonated brewed coffee poured from the tap and served in a beer glass. BODEGA As incredible as they are, there's more to the cuisine of South and Central America than tacos and nachos, and Bodega gives you the opportunity to have a crack at a whole lot of it. The menu is a contemporary take on Latin cuisine based around tapas and share plates, with the addition of a booze list that's got something awesome for everyone. The venue itself is an experience, with its '50s-inspired fittings and a playlist of music you'll actually want to listen to. Great for groups, dates and everything in between, Bodega's the perfect place to explore more of Latin America, in Sydney. Don't miss: The Porky Occy Gnocchi is a guiso (stew) of pork shoulder, chorizo and octopus, and is destined to blow your mind. WELLBEING & LEISURE WENDY'S SECRET GARDEN Despite the heaving metropolis that's at the heart of Sydney, it's not hard to find oneself pleasantly lost among a splash of greenery without venturing to the hinterlands. One of the finest examples of this is the stunning and, as the name suggests, secluded Wendy's Secret Garden. The garden was built under the design and direction of Wendy Whiteley, who has said that she knew nothing about horticulture when she started work on the grounds — located in front of the home she shared with her husband, artist Brett Whiteley — and instead built the garden with an emphasis on aesthetic appeal. The never-ending artwork creates a retreat from the urban jungle. Wendy Whiteley was awarded Australia's highest honour, the Order of Australia Medal, for her construction of the garden, and they don't just give those to anybody. Don't miss: Paths wind, diverge and converge within the garden, creating many quiet corners for picnics. SPIT BRIDGE TO MANLY COASTAL WALK Australia has a simply shocking abundance of stunning coastline — a perk of living on what is essentially a gigantic tropical island. One of the best ways to see this coastline is to hike alongside it — there are dozens of such walks in Sydney, each with their own unique character. The Spit Bridge to Manly walk is a great choice, as it not only lets you appreciate some of the most picturesque harbour scenery in the north, it also means you can take the Manly Ferry back to Circular Quay. Start out at the Spit Bridge, about 10 kilometres north of the CBD and trace the headlands all the way to Manly, wandering through bushland, along cliffs, and onto beaches. Don't miss: Take your swimming gear, because the you'll traipse through a number of hidden beaches that are perfect for cooling off from the walk. LA PEROUSE Although perhaps not as well known as some of Sydney famous beach suburbs, La Perouse offers a perfect snapshot of the city's coastal splendours. Snorkelling, scuba diving and stand-up paddleboarding all have their place along this stretch of coastline, which features sheltered, calm beaches like Frenchmans Bay, Congwong and Little Congwong (the latter sometimes trends nudist). La Perouse is located on the northern headland of Botany Bay, so there are also some landmarks of Australia's European colonial history, which you can see on the walk from the beaches to Bare Island. Don't miss: The tower at Bare Island, still functional and intact today, started life as a customs tower to guard against smugglers, then became a home for veterans of the First World War, and has even been a set in Mission: Impossible 2. ART & DESIGN WHITE RABBIT GALLERY Opened in 2009, Judith Neilson's White Rabbit Gallery is home to one of the world's biggest collections of contemporary Chinese art. Focusing solely on artworks created after 2000, the gallery constantly rotates the works on display, and its collection is constantly growing. Works come from some of the most important figures in the Chinese art world (including Ai Weiwei), and entry is free of charge. It'd be nice to leave a donation, though — White Rabbit is a registered charity. Don't miss: If all that culture has made you a touch peckish, the Teahouse in the gallery serves excellent dumplings and snacks, as well as a huge range of Chinese and Taiwanese teas. WE ARE HERE MURAL, FOLEY STREET Far from a raggedy bunch of graffiti, the We Are Here mural that runs for 75 metres parallel to Oxford Street on Foley Street is a coherent story of the vibrant history of the area. From its beginnings as humble track through the dense scrub to the thriving arts and entertainment precinct it is today, the work (a collaboration between artists Sarah Howell, Dylan Demarchi, byrd, The Dirt and Gui Andrade) describes the many and varied parades that have traipsed up Oxford Street over the millennia. Since the land's traditional owners trekked along the route from Botany Bay to Sydney Harbour, Oxford Street has remained an important symbol of Sydney's identity, no more so than every March when thousands march for Mardi Gras, and We Are Here paints this picture perfectly. Don't miss: A recurring motif runs through the mural, portraying the hands that built the area as we know it today, from the artist to the final V for Victory at the conclusion of the piece. CARRIAGEWORKS Converted from a decommissioned train workshop, this arts centre gathers together a little bit of everything that Australia and the world has to offer to the aesthetic appetite. As well as art exhibitions, Carriageworks also hosts regular performances, including some pretty big names in music and theatre. Be sure to grab a coffee or a cocktail and a bite to eat at the in-house bar and cafe, Cornerstone. Don't miss: Carriageworks is open every day, but every Saturday it holds a top-notch farmers' market with fresh produce and some killer breakfasts in the covered outdoor area. Explore more with Pullman. Book your next hotel stay with Pullman and enjoy a great breakfast for just $1.
After heading Down Under for Laneway Festival earlier in 2023, Japanese Australian singer-songwriter Joji will finally give his Aussie and Kiwi fans the chance to catch a glimpse of him at his own headline gigs when he returns for a run of arena shows. The viral hitmaker will make his way Down Under following his current US run of gigs, starting by bringing the Pandemonium tour to Australia's east coast across three dates in November. The tour will kick off in Sydney at Qudos Bank Arena on Thursday, November 16, before moving to the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on Saturday, November 18 and Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne on Monday, November 2o. From there, Joji will cross the ditch and arrive in Auckland for a one-off New Zealand show at Spark Arena on Wednesday, November 22. Joji's debut headline Australian and New Zealand shows have been a long time coming. After fostering a cult following on YouTube, he pivoted his talents to music in 2017, releasing three studio albums across the following six years. The entire trio of albums has spawned Top 40 hits in Australia, New Zealand and the US, and Joji is one of only a handful of artists that can claim to have multiple songs with over a billion streams on Spotify — with 'Glimpse of Us' and 'Slow Dancing in the Dark' both passing this impressive milestone. Concertgoers can expect the heartfelt emotions of Joji's ballads alongside a sprinkling of humour, with his live shows receiving online notoriety for the performer's onstage hijinx between and during songs. Scottish dance producer and singer Sam Gellaitry will be supporting all four dates, alongside rapper SavageRealm, who is currently opening for Joji on his North American tour. JOJI'S PANDEMONIUM TOUR: Thursday, November 16 — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Saturday, November 18 — Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane Monday, November 20 — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Wednesday, November 22 — Spark Arena, Auckland Joji will play four shows in Australia and New Zealand in November 2023. Ticket pre-sales start at 12pm on Thursday, August 24 via Frontier Touring, followed by the general sale at 2pm on Friday, August 25. Head to the tour website for further details.
"Why did you choose pizza? It must've been fate." They're the words of Yoshihiro Imai, a pizza chef in Kyoto, in the trailer for Chef's Table: Pizza — but for anyone who loves pizza, that dialogue could've been plucked out of your own head. No one just likes pizza. No one is just happy with one slice of it, either. If you adore pizza, you're all in. Pizza is dinner. Pizza is lunch. Pizza is breakfast, too. And, pizza is life. You mightn't really eat pizza for every single meal, no matter how much you'd like to; however, if you're fond of orbs of dough stacked with toppings, then baked in an oven, then Chef's Table: Pizza is serving your next streaming feast. The latest addition to the Chef's Table franchise, arriving on Netflix on Wednesday, September 7, it's set to dedicate its entire six-episode run to pizza and the folks who make it. Accordingly, viewers will watch pizza chefs cook up the beloved dish around the world, including in Portland, Phoenix and Minneapolis in the US; in Rome and Caiazzo in Italy; and in Kyoto, Japan. The latter is where the aforementioned Imai comes in, but he's joined by fellow pizza-cooking talents Sarah Minnick, Chris Bianco, Ann Kim, Gabriele Bonci and Franco Pepe. If you're a Chef's Table fan already, you'll know the format. Each episode hones in on a specific chef, and steps through their approach to cooking. The only difference here: everyone featured whips up pizza, whether opting for traditional slices or mixing things up. In the trailer, flowers even feature atop one pizza. Chef's Table: Pizza joins the franchise after five previous seasons focusing on a broad array of chefs — celebrating the stellar kitchen skills of talents such as Massimo Bottura, Francis Mallmann and even Attica's Ben Shewry, for instance — plus a four-episode instalment devoted to French cuisine, a four-chapter run that's all about pastry and another four-episode focus on barbecue. The usual advice applies while watching anything food-related, whether it's this, chef dramedy The Bear or everything in-between: eating beforehand or as you press play is clearly recommended. Obviously, this time you'll want to eat pizza. Already feeling your stomach rumble? Check out the trailer below: Chef's Table: Pizza will be available to stream via Netflix from Wednesday, September 7. Images: Netflix © 2022.
First it was The Guardian. Then came The Huffington Post. And now it looks like The New York Times will be the next international publication to launch in Australia. Overnight Joe Pompeo of the U.S. edition of Politico reported that the Times plans to expand to two new markets: Canada and Australia. The @nytimes' next two global expansion targets: Canada and Australia. They're working on setting up ops in both https://t.co/GfUX5LqZFJ — Joe Pompeo (@joepompeo) August 23, 2016 The expansion to the two new markets will be a an attempt to increase their paid digital audience, and will be similar to the Mexico City-based newsroom they set up earlier this year. Politico also reports that they're in the early stages of hiring reporters. Reps have been tight-lipped so far, but The New York Times' head of communications Eileen Murphy told Crikey that the publication is "focused on Australia" as part of their global expansion. We'd be stoked to see some locally-focused (and locally-produced) stories from the Times — but we'll await official confirmation. Stay tuned. Via Politico and Crikey.
You've watched every episode of Tidying Up with Marie Kondo back to back, applied the 'spark joy' test to all of your worldly possessions and still your home is in desperate need of an organisational bootcamp. Sounds like it might be time to call in the experts. Luckily for any disorderly folk out there, IKEA is here to lend a helping hand. The Swedish furniture and homewares giant has assembled a team of tidying wizards to help whip 100 lucky Aussie homes into shape. It's currently taking submissions from locals desperate for a spruce-up and will choose 100 of them to each win a two-hour home organisation session. Winners will be guided through an organisational masterclass by one of Ikea's experts and even score themselves a $300 swag of new Ikea smart storage products to help keep everything in tip-top shape. We're expecting you'll pick up some ninja-level tidying skills to make even Marie Kondo proud. To enter this comp, you need to live within 20 kilometres of an IKEA store and to submit a photo of your messy pantry, bathroom or bedroom (and some words about why it frustrates you) over here. In another nod to Japan's organising queen, IKEA is holding a separate competition open to anyone named Mary who lives in a condo (or apartment). One of the lucky applicants will win a year's worth of tidying services, which involves a three-hour monthly home visit from an Ikea 'tidy professional'. Just imagine all the extra joy you'll spark by handing over decluttering duties to someone else. Jump over here to submit your plea for a home tidying session before midnight on Wednesday, February 12. Enter IKEA's Mary search here before midnight on Tuesday, February 18.
Not your typical fun run, the Sydney Mud Run lets 6000 runners and thrill-seekers get mud-soaked for a cause. The event features a slippery, obstacle-ridden course where victims — ahem, participants — slide, crawl, jump, wade and even belly flop through mud over a 7km course. There's man-made mud pits and natural bog holes — even a 70m mud slide. “The funds raised will contribute to vital cancer research, prevention programs and support services for cancer patients and their families,” said Rory Alcock from charity partner, the Cancer Council NSW. With this fun and active event, the organisation has set the challenge of beating last year's fundraising amount of $54,000.
Summer has arrived early in Australia. We've already got more sunshine and heat than we know what to do with, and you might feel a need to get out and enjoy it. Dodge the heat and hit up Gin Tins & Tunes, a nationwide series of events from Four Pillars Gin that combine drinks, vivid beats and beloved venues, including a one-night-only launch party at Bondi's Beach Road Hotel, but more on that shortly. But why? Well, Four Pillars Gin has launched its latest ready-to-drink gin drink, Navy Strength Gin & Ginger, and they want to celebrate with you. From Sunday, October 1, you'll be able to sip on the new can made with Navy Strength Gin and a bespoke ginger beer, alongside the rest of the Four Pillars Gin tin family – Fresh Yuzu Gin & Soda, Rare Dry Gin & Tonic and Bloody Shiraz Gin & Tonic – at Sunday sessions in beloved venues across the country, from Ponyfish Island in Melbourne to The Federal Hotel in Perth. Local musical talents will provide soundtracks, and every event will offer unique ways for you to grab a Four Pillars bucket hat. The series highlight is the official launch party at Sydney's Beach Road Hotel on Sunday, October 15. It's quite the step up from your at-home gin o'clock session, and this particular event has more than just local musician talent on the lineup. Leading Aussie DJs like Late Nite Tuff Guy, Yolanda Be Cool, and Mell Hall will be performing throughout the evening to soundtrack your sips. Tickets start at $15 and include a Navy Strength Gin & Ginger and Four Pillars bucket hat, check the math, that's pretty good value if you ask us. As mentioned, the main Gin Tins & Tunes series begins before the launch party, starting at Beach Road Hotel and The Federal Hotel in Fremantle, WA on Sunday, October 1. The following weekend will see the events expand to three more venues nationwide on Sunday, October 8: Newcastle's Merewether Surfhouse, Byblós in Brisbane and Ponyfish Island in Melbourne's Southbank. Then, the final addition, The Royal Hotel in Mornington, joins the fun on Sunday, November 26. From the opening Sundays, the respective venues will host sessions for another three weekends. For more information on Gin Tins & Tunes or to book at any venue, visit the website.
When it comes to wandering your way through Australia's vast expanses of forest, sometimes a well-worn phrase applies. If you can't see the forest for the trees when you're trying to find the absolute perfect place to stroll or camp from the wealth of choices, that's perfectly understandable. After all, the country has 125 million hectares of forest — which equates to 16 percent of Australia's land area — according to the Forests Australia website. For those doing their exploring in Victoria, the government has released a new app that should assist immensely. Called More to Explore, it offers an interactive map of the state's forests, including activities such as camping, picnicking, walking and fishing, plus four-wheel driving, mountain biking and trail bike riding. Almost 400 camping and picnic sites are featured, plus more than 240 recreational trails. Real-time information, as maintained by Forest Fire Management Victoria field staff, will help you both plan your trip according to the current conditions, and keep up-to-date while you're roaming. You can also use the app to download maps to your phone before you go, ensuring that you won't get lost if your phone loses reception. Which, obviously, is something that can happen when you're moseying through a leafy thicket of trees. "With more than three million hectares of State Forest to explore in Victoria, this app will make it quicker and easier for everyone to discover our state's breathtaking natural beauty," said Victorian Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D'Ambrosio. At present,More to Explore is available for free via iTunes, with an Android also version expected mid this year. For those stepping into New South Wales' state forests, My Visit is the NSW equivalent.
This is one of those moments where you think "how did I not think of that?". With the infiltration of advertising on, uhh, everything, it's with little surprise that some clever cookie in Dubai clicked that drinking coffee and reading the newspaper often go hand in hand (literally), and so why not combine the two? Genius. With the brief prescribed by Gulf News to gain subscribers and increase web traffic, Y&R had the innovative thought to to turn a coffee cup sleeve into a social media opportunity. The resulting 'Headline News Cup Sleeve' is now printed using a special printer at the point of sale. It pulls tweets from the Gulf News Twitter account and so not only are you reading the news with your coffee, it's fresh and individualised content. With the general/cynic's consensus being that printed news is jumping the shark a bit, this definitely stands out as a novel way to keep the printed word fresh. And while normally we are against being bombarded with advertising and mass media, there's something in the personalisation of this that is fun and novel.
From the Museum of Sydney comes a creative way to spend an afternoon that will peak the interests of photographers and local history buffs alike. Originally launched by ABC Open in 2012, the Now and Then project celebrates the past with the present by encouraging budding photographers to blend the old with the new to tell stories of Australia’s history and show just how times have changed. A collection of the arresting re-framed photographs is now on display at the Museum of Sydney. Here in Sydney Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales curator Holly Schulte invites you to tour the city with her and re-photograph historic images in their contemporary streetscapes. Wonder as buildings dull, collapse, and expand; fashions change; and people age. Participants must bring along their own camera and should wear comfortable walking shoes.
Clear, starry skies, legal, open fires, cosy, feather-stuffed sleeping bags and an excuse to cuddle up to your dog all night long — winter camping definitely has its advantages. Beyond the magical, glittering nights, there are also lovely, crisp days for adventuring without fear of raging bushfires, nasty sunburn and mad summer crowds. From Brisbane down to Sydney and continuing on to Melbourne, a surprising number of spots cater to winter campers with all kinds of warming activities, from free, hot showers to wine tasting tours. We've scouted out the best ones to suit your needs. So, it's time to finally accept summer is over, and head out of the city to try one of these beauties. BEST FOR FIRES: TAMBORINE MOUNTAIN CAMPING PARK, QLD This idyllic spot lies an hour's drive south of Brisbane, nestled in Tamborine Mountain's northern valley, in the Gold Coast hinterland. Every site has its own fire pit, where you're legally permitted to create a roaring blaze. Plus, there are free hot showers. In between toasting marshmallows and telling ghost stories, explore the local area. Just next door is Thunderbird Park, where you can go horseback riding and conquer Tree Top, a high ropes course with more than 100 challenges. Further afield, you'll find art galleries, cafes and glow worm caves. [caption id="attachment_624402" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Flickr/Kevin Rheese.[/caption] BEST FOR WINE TASTING: WINE COUNTRY TOURIST PARK, HUNTER VALLEY, NSW One surefire way to get warm on a frosty evening is with a bottle of fine wine or two. Go camping in the Hunter Valley's Wine Country Tourist Park, and you'll have ample drops at your doorstep. In fact, there's no caravan park closer to the region's vineyards and cellar doors, plus Potters Brewery is just a stumble away. Plus, facilities are pretty schmick: you get barbecues, a camp kitchen, a laundry, plenty of power and your pets are welcomed with open arms — there's even a run dedicated to doggos. Should you chicken out and yearn for four solid walls, you can even upgrade to a caravan or cabin. BEST FOR DOGS: WARBURTON HOLIDAY PARK, YARRA VALLEY, VIC Gather all your dogs and all your mates, because there are acres and acres of dreamy grounds to explore at Warburton Holiday Park, just a 90 minutes' drive east of Melbourne. One and a half kilometres from Warburton, the park sits on the banks of the Yarra River, where you can fish for trout and go platypus spotting. What's more, the Yarra Valley's wineries are just a hop, skip and a jump away, as are loads of trails for biking and walking, including the Ada Rainforest Walk, which visits one of Victoria's oldest trees. The park's facilities include legal fireplaces, power, barbecues, a laundry and picnic tables. BEST FOR HIKING: MOUNT SAMARIA, VIC Generate some heat by hiking around Mount Samaria State Park. Found 130 kilometres northeast of Melbourne, this beautiful area gives you an extraordinary range of scenery, from tranquil eucalypt forests and granite boulders to stunning views of the Victorian Alps and tumbling waterfalls. There's a bunch of campsites and fires are permitted. So pick a spot to pitch, and make sure to take on the Mount Samaria Summit Walk, which carries you to a height of 953 metres. The hike can be done as a 4.8-kilometre trek from Spring Creek Sawmill campsite or as a steep, 2.5-kilometre circuit from Mount Samaria Road. Take note: although fires are allowed, facilities are unpowered, rustic and mostly beyond mobile reception, so be a good scout and turn up prepared. [caption id="attachment_630526" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Wee Jasper Reserves.[/caption] BEST FOR FISHING: WEE JASPER RESERVES, NSW If your idea of a perfect winter's day involves hanging out by a rushing creek, waiting for a bite, then popping your fresh catch on a crackling fire and cooking up a feast, take your tent to Reflections Wee Jasper – Campground, between Canberra and Gundagai, about four hours' drive southwest of Sydney. Here, you'll find several camping areas with the best fishing around at Billy Grace and Swinging Bridge, plus the prettiest picnicking at Micalong Reserve. Similarly to Mount Samaria, facilities are minimal and there's no power.
When Indigenous Australian artist Archie Moore made history at the 2024 La Biennale de Venezia, aka the Venice Biennale, in April by winning the event's coveted Golden Lion for Best National Participation, he also did Brisbane's major art galleries proud. When the First Nations talent earned Australia the top gong at the Olympics of the art world for the first time ever, he did so with an exhibition curated by Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art's Ellie Buttrose, and with a date with the Brisbane sites as part of their 2025–26 program. kith and kin will open in South Brisbane in August 2025 — and it's also being gifted to QAGOMA permanently. The Australian Government has just announced that it has acquired the work to give it to the Brisbane art institution, as well as the UK's Tate, its acquisition partner. Accordingly, gallery visitors both in Australian and the United Kingdom will be able to explore kith and kin after its current Venice run. In Italy, the work is on display until Sunday, November 24, 2024. "I am so grateful for this generous donation that enables kith and kin to be seen both here in Australia and overseas, in the near and distant future," said Moore of the news. "Encountering Archie Moore's kith and kin at the Venice Biennale was a spectacular and moving experience that resonated with the weight of history and ancestry. In its unimaginable endeavour to map a personal genealogy through more than 2000 generations, Moore has summoned up an extraordinary image of human connection through deep time," added Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art Director Chris Saines. "kith and kin has that rare power to still you into silence and reflection. We are profoundly grateful to be the joint custodians of this historic work and we look forward to showing the project, curated by QAGOMA's Curator of Contemporary Australian Art Ellie Buttrose, in Brisbane from August 2025." kith and kin didn't just make history with its Venice Biennale accolade. A hand-drawn genealogical chart that spans back 65,000 years, the piece also chronicles it. Both a personal and a political work, kith and kin steps through Moore's Kamilaroi, Bigambul, British and Scottish heritage across the installation's five-metre-high, 60-metre-long black walls. More than 2400 generations are covered. The exhibition uses chalk on blackboard, with a reflective pool sitting in the middle of the room and 500-plus document stacks suspended above it. Every aspect of kith and kin makes a statement. With its size and scale, it speaks to Australia's Indigenous peoples being among the world's longest-continuous living cultures. The use of black is also designed to look like a celestial map, and therefore nod to the resting place of First Nations ancestors. Highlighting the decrease in Indigenous Australian languages and dialects since colonisation, the fragility that stems from not being able to pass down knowledge and injustices such as deaths in custody are all also part of the work — with the aforementioned piles of paper primarily from coronial inquests. "The phrase 'kith and kin' now simply means 'friends and family'. However, an earlier Old English definition that dates from the 1300s shows kith originally had the added meanings of 'countrymen' and also 'one's native land', with kin meaning 'family members'," notes Moore's explanation of the work. "Many Indigenous Australians, especially those who grew up on Country, know the land and other living things as part of their kinship systems — the land itself can be a mentor, teacher, parent to a child. The sense of belonging involves everyone and everything, and for First Nations peoples of Australia, like most Indigenous cultures, is deeply rooted in our sacred landscapes from birth until death." "I was interested in the phrase as it aptly describes the artwork in the pavilion, but I was also interested in the Old English meaning of the words, as it feels more like a First Nations understanding of attachment to place, people and time." kith and kin will display at Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art, Stanley Place, South Brisbane, from August 2025. We'll update you with more details when they're announced. kith and kin is on display at the Australia Pavilion, Giardini di Castello, 60th International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, until Sunday, November 24, 2024 — head to the exhibition website for further details. Images: Archie Moore / kith and kin 2024 / Australia Pavilion at Venice Biennale 2024 / Photographer Andrea Rossetti / © the artist / Images courtesy of the artist and The Commercial.
Has that hectic peak hour traffic got you dreaming about a more carefree commute? Well, if Uber's ambitions are realised, flying vehicles could be cruising the skies of Sydney and Melbourne as early as 2023. In October last year, the ridesharing company unveiled plans for its Elevate project, which would see it develop a network of on-demand, electric aircraft that could take off and land vertically, ideal for congested city zones. And while there are plenty of others pushing the concept of flying vehicles internationally, (like Kitty Hawk's futuristic vehicle prototype and Airbus' driverless flying taxis) it looks like Uber's plans might involve Australia in a significant way. Talking to the Australian Financial Review, Uber's chief product officer Jeff Holden has revealed that, after launching the Elevate cars in Dallas and Dubai in 2020, the company's sights are set further afield — and our two largest cities, Melbourne and Sydney, could be enjoying a slice of the action in a secondary 2023 roll-out. According to Holden, Sydney's nightmarish congestion issues mean the city is prime turf for the company's urban air transport trials. Anything to avoid getting stuck in the Harbour Tunnel at 5.45pm. Word is, Uber's multi-passenger flying cars will look and act a bit like helicopters, but use multiple propellers and rechargeable batteries. The company would also develop a series of rooftop 'vertiports' across each city, where aircraft will take off, land, and recharge. Apparently a daily flight to the office won't even send you broke, with Elevate fares expected to hover around the same price as your average UberX trip, once the project's fully established. Looks like we might be using The Fifth Element-style taxis way before 2263. Via Australian Financial Review and news.com.au.
You've already marked your calendars. If you live in a regional town, you've already submitted the part of Australia that you call home to go in the running to host, too. Now, it's time to find out who'll be playing when Triple J's One Night Stand returns on Saturday, September 14, 2024 — but you'll still have to wait to discover where the music festival is taking place this year. Leading the lineup: G Flip, Ruel, What So Not with some friends and Thelma Plum. Amid their sing-alongs and jam-packed dance floors, they'll have company on the bill from Sycco and DICE. One Night Stand 2024 will also feature a competition winner from Unearthed, and there'll be special guests as well for the event's long-awaited comeback. As for the location, as picked from a huge 2087 submissions, that'll be revealed on Thursday, July 25 — and tickets on sale at 9am the same day. Twenty years ago, the ABC station gave the Victorian town of Natimuk a day to remember when the spot 300 kilometres out of Melbourne hosted its very own major music fest, with Grinspoon, Eskimo Joe and The Dissociatives (aka Daniel Johns and Paul Mac) all getting behind the microphone. So began One Night Stand, which became a yearly tradition, with Triple J putting on a fest in different regional locations every year between 2004–2014, then again from 2016–2019. There's no prizes for guessing why One Night Stand hasn't taken place since 2020, but that gap in the event's history is finally coming to an end this year. Triple J announced the return of the festival back in April, then opened the call for folks to submit their towns to play host — and make a convincing case about their area — before one lucky place is chosen. The all-ages event is returning at time when the Australian live music scene has been suffering, and after a spate of festivals have been cancelling or saying farewell forever. In 2024 alone, both Groovin the Moo and Splendour in the Grass announced lineups, then scrapped this year's fests mere weeks later. Summergrounds Music Festival, which was meant to debut at Sydney Festival 2024, also didn't go ahead. As announced in 2023, Dark Mofo took a breather this year — and Mona Foma, the summer fest also held by Tasmania's Museum of Old and New Art, has advised that its 2024 event was its last ever. With the state of the industry in mind, bringing back One Night Stand is not only much-needed and well-timed, but will also raise funds Support Act, the charity for the Australian music industry. In the past, the event has also been to Ayr, Dalby and Mt Isa in Queensland; Port Pirie, Tumby Bay and Lucindale in South Australia; Cowra and Dubbo in New South Wales; Collie and Geraldton in Western Australia; Sale and Mildura in Victoria; Alice Springs in the Northern Territory; and St Helens in Tasmania. One Night Stand Lineup 2024: G Flip Ruel What So Not + Friends Thelma Plum Sycco DICE triple j Unearthed Competition Winner + special guests 2024's triple j One Night Stand will take place on Saturday, September 14, with location details set to be revealed on Thursday, July 25 — and tickets on sale at 9am the same day. For more information in the interim, head to the radio station's website for more details. Top image: Callum Walker Hutchinson.
The White Rabbit Gallery has gotten us well acquainted with the vibrant powerhouse that is 21st-century Chinese art — so bright, witty, and full of winking commentary on politics and pop culture. Now we have the chance to see the stage version of that with Fight the Landlord (Do Di Zhu), on at Carriageworks in 2013. Its set-up is a card game evocatively known in China as Fight the Landlord. Here it is played by three panda-costumed women of unspecified relation, which shifts dramatically with every round. But it's their wry chatter that will keep you rivetted, as they discuss their love lives, gossip mags, the role of work, and the housing crisis, among all else, as the game escalates around them. The cross-cultural co-production between Ireland's fun and subversive Pan Pan theatre (last here with Oedipus Loves You in 2010) and Beijing's Square Moon Culture has been recognised as representing the heights of contemporary Chinese absurdism in reviews from China and Melbourne. You can get a particularly close perspective on it if you pull up your chair to the big, round game table, as the audience sits on stage with the actors (although for the apprehensive, more distant seats are also available).
Whether you're celebrating your mum, grandmother or any other maternal figure, they deserve more than just a bunch of flowers for Mother's Day. But on top of whatever gift you have planned, or wherever you're taking the mama in your life to celebrate, you can nab them free florals — because when it comes to marking the occasion, this really is a more-the-merrier kind of date. DoorDash and Coles are teaming up on a flower giveaway, which means that you can get them delivered to your mother's door, too. There's 5000 up for grabs and, while it isn't all about bouquets, they're among the range on offer. If your mum would love nothing more than a surprise bunch of petals, order away. If she'd prefer a single rose, or potted daffodils or hyacinths, they're available as well. And, you don't have to spend any cash getting anything else from Coles; however, there are delivery and service fees. Obviously, you need to order via DoorDash, with the freebies available across Saturday, May 13–Sunday, May 14 to the first 5000 orders. You also need to use the code MOTHERSDAY to redeem the free flowers, and you can't pick anything over $30. The floral giveaway is only available at select locations, and you can only score one redemption per customer. Also, if you select free flowers that cost less than that amount, you won't get the difference credited to you or be able to choose something else. Your mum can expect her blooms in around 45 minutes (on average) after you place your order. Still looking to book in a breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner or drinks with the mum in your life as well? Check out our guides for top-notch spots in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. To score free flowers for your mum, be one of the first 5000 people to place an order via DoorDash across Saturday, May 13–Sunday, May 14.
City of Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore is questioning the need for alcohol-free zones. The inner-city council currently has 379 public areas where alcohol is prohibited, including several of the city's expansive green spaces. But Moore thinks that it's time to reconsider their efficiency and their negative side effects. "Several councillors and I share concerns the current restrictions have a disproportionate impact [on] people in low incomes, people living in social housing and First Nations communities," said Moore in a statement online. "We have spent a lot of money and effort encouraging people to return to the city post-pandemic, giving people ways to have a good and safe time outdoors through our Sydney Streets and al fresco dining programs. We also need to make sure that people who cannot afford to go to pubs and licenced outdoor events have the same right to enjoy a drink with friends in our outdoor spaces." [caption id="attachment_828944" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cassandra Hannagan[/caption] The current slate of alcohol-free zones are set to expire in December. Instead of extending the zones for four years, the City of Sydney has voted to only reinstate them for a further nine months as it assesses their future. "We obviously don't want to have any decision result in unintended consequences, such as an increase in antisocial behaviour or arrests, but there is limited evidence that would be the case — and we can have a mature conversation as a community about how we manage our public spaces." Areas that are currently alcohol-free zones that the changes could impact include Hyde Park, Prince Alfred Park and Redfern Park. The change would also impact areas like Harmony Park, Sydney Park and Rushcutters Bay Park, where alcohol is only permitted during certain hours of the day. [caption id="attachment_826986" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Harmony Park, Brooke Zotti[/caption] Read the full statement from City of Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore on the future of alcohol-free zones in the inner-city council area. Top image: Kgbo.
Less than two weeks after their animated tribute to The Simpsons went viral on YouTube, a pair of Melbourne animators have confirmed their video will be featured on the show. Creator Al Jean even high-fived the pair on Twitter. Created by roommates Ivan Dixon and Paul Robertson, the two minute pixel art animation (below) recreates the program's iconic opening sequence in the style of classic video and arcade games. Full of clever references to both old games and classic Simpsons moments (Mr. Sparkle makes a late appearance), the video has amassed more than two million views since it hit the internet on February 1. After catching wind of the video, The Simpsons team emailed Dixon and Robertson, asking them to call as soon as they could. While the pair initially assumed the message was a hoax, they got in contact. Now the video is set to open the show's next episode, which airs in the United States this Sunday at 8pm. Both Dixon and Robertson work in animation. Dixon is one half of independent animation studio Rubberhouse, while Robertson has worked on episodes of Disney's Gravity Falls. The announcement sees the pair join an exclusive group of people who have been invited to retool the show's famous titles. Cult animator Bill Plympton had Homer fall in love with the couch... ... while Pan's Labyrinth director Guillermo del Toro provided this creepy take for Halloween. British graffiti artist Banksy raised the eyebrows of Fox executives with his scathing take-down in 2010... while last year's effort by Oscar nominee Don Hertzfeldt is amongst the weirdest things the show has ever put to air. Via The Age.
Over the last 19 years, Kylie Kwong's semi-eponymous Billy Kwong has not only fed a lot of Sydneysiders — it's been an integral part of the evolution of Sydney's dining scene. While diners have been chowing down on the restaurant's crispy saltbush cakes and steamed warrigal greens dumplings, other spots in the city — and the country — have too embraced locally grown foods, ethical practices and native Australian ingredients. So it's no small deal that the restaurant is closing. After breaking the news to diners back in January, Kwong has today announced that she will close her Chinese-Australian restaurant forever this week. Last service will be this Sunday, June 30. In a positive Instagram post published this morning, Kwong thanked "each and every one of the talented people who have worked at BK", as well as its customers, producers and partners. View this post on Instagram BILLY KWONG FINAL SERVICE - Following on from my announcement earlier this year, today I confirm that BK's last service will be this Sunday evening, 30 June. I would again like to thank each and every one of the talented people who have worked at BK, our customers, our producers, our co-collaborators and loyal partners. You have all made BK a truly special place and for this I will be forever grateful, thank you, thank you, thank you 😊😊Over the coming months I will share further details about the new venture which will bring together my love of food, family and connection to the broader community at-large. It will be the culmination of our practice-to-date, distilling the essence of BK into something exciting and new 🌝🌝 Our underlying motivation will always be driven by a desire to positively influence those around us - Community, Compassion, Collaboration - For now, we hope to see you all at BK to celebrate our final chapter 😍😍😍😍💥💥💥💥📸@pennylane_photo A post shared by kylie_kwong (@kylie_kwong) on Jun 24, 2019 at 1:41pm PDT It's not all bad news, though. The closure of Billy Kwong will make way for a brand new Sydney restaurant from the chef and restaurateur. Kwong revealed in January that she will open a "completely new dining concept" in collaboration with Adelaide furniture designer Khai Liew that celebrates her "unwavering love of food, family and connection to the broader community at large". While details are still vague, this new restaurant will keep the "essence" of Billy Kwong, but be more casual and smaller in size than the Potts Point restaurant. Expect more details around this to be announced in the coming months. Kwong first opened Billy Kwong on Crown Street with Bill Granger back in 2000. She soon bought him out and later, in 2014, partnered with restaurateur David King to move the restaurant into a bigger (and grander) space in Potts Point. It's since become a Macleay Street mainstay and many loyal locals will be sad to see the restaurant — as well as Kwong, who is regularly seen on the floor with her long-serving restaurant manager Kin Chen — go. Billy Kwong is just one of Sydney's major restaurants we're waving goodbye to this week — Acme in Rushcutters Bay and Surry Hills' Longrain are also in their last days of service. Billy Kwong will be open for dinner every night this week — as well as lunch on Sunday — at 28 Macleay Street, Potts Point. It's last day of service is this Sunday, June 30. You can (try to) make a booking here.
Pick a number between five and 100, and that's the average number of times you've probably watched Home Alone. You'll note that we haven't dared to suggest you've only seen it once, or twice, or even just three or four times, because we know how unlikely that is. We're guessing you've viewed the first sequel to the 1990 favourite quite a bit, too, because we all have. If you haven't given Home Alone 3 and Home Alone 4 as much love, though, that's understandable. Here's an important question for you moving forward, however: how many times do you think you'll give Home Sweet Home Alone a whirl? A very real movie that will soon exist thanks to streaming platform Disney+, Home Sweet Home Alone will jump back into the festive-themed franchise that's all about being left behind by your family at Christmas. On paper, the overall concept doesn't sound all that merry — but as we all know, these flicks have been an end-of-year staple for three decades. So, of course the Mouse House is adding a new chapter to the saga. It sure does love reviving and extending past hits, after all. And, of course Disney will add the resulting movie to its streaming service just in time for the jolliest part of the year. Mark Friday, November 12 in your calendar, as that's when you have a date with this new version of an old favourite. This time around, a kid called Max Mercer is the focus — as played by Jojo Rabbit's Archie Yates. Obviously, he's left at home while his family goes away. They head to Japan for the holidays, he gets forgotten, and soon he's fending off a couple that's trying to break into his house. We all know how the story is going to go from there, with this remake even giving a screenplay credit to the original's writer/director John Hughes. Filmmaker Dan Mazer is in the director's chair on Home Sweet Home Alone, after previously helming I Give It a Year and Dirty Grandpa, and writing Bridget Jones's Baby, Office Christmas Party and Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan. On-screen, Yates will be joined by Ellie Kemper (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt), Rob Delaney (Wrath of Man), Aisling Bea (This Way Up), Kenan Thompson (Saturday Night Live), Tim Simons (Veep) and Chris Parnell (Rick and Morty). There have been rumours that Macaulay Culkin will make an appearance, too, but you'll obviously need to watch to see if that pans out. Home Sweet Home Alone doesn't yet have a trailer, but you can check out this sneak peek at the original until it does: Home Sweet Home Alone will be available to stream via Disney+ from Friday, November 12. Top image: Home Alone.
Seriously, our hearts are pounding from the adrenaline released by watching this ad for the Guardian and Observer Weekend, which is nothing more than the weekend edition of the highly respected daily newspaper. The ad makes fun of blockbuster action movie trailers with its booming voiceover for weekend mundanities, but it also features a PSA by Hugh Grant, self-parody of their marketing tagline, and a surreal elevator exchange. Created by London-based agency Bartle Bogle Hegarty, the three-minute ad follows on from their Cannes-winning 'The Whole Picture' campaign last year, which encapsulated their Open Journalism project through the story of the Three Little Pigs'. We hope if rumours of an imminent Australian edition of the Guardian turn out to be true, they launch it in a fashion equally overblown.
Thanks to the pesky Australian trademark system, Lazy Suzie is no more. Instead, her fun, cool sister, Lucky Suzie, has taken her place. The Darlinghurst restaurant, which was opened earlier this year by the Devon team, was recently issued an infringement notice by Lazy Susan's Comedy Den in Perth, who thought the Malaysian hawker restaurant was quite the copy cat. It doesn't seem all that confusing to us — considering the different concepts, different cities and different names — but hey, we're not trademark experts. In light of this potential lawsuit, owners Derek Puah and Noni Widjaja and executive chef Zacharay Tan didn't skip a beat. Rather than pay the court expenses, the team decided to just up and change the restaurant's name. And you can bet Lucky Suzie is a more vibrant and bolder version of the laidback sister she replaced. The restaurant plans to further emphasise the bar and street food aspects of the joint without losing their authenticity. To celebrate and solidify the new name, the restaurant is introducing a daily Lucky Hour from 5–7pm, which includes a selection of Marco Oscar Oshiro Giron's incredible cocktails for only ten bucks, along with a range of beers and wines for $7. The restaurant has also launched a new menu, which will emphasise local, seasonal produce from ethical and sustainable suppliers. The new bar-style dishes include a crispy-fried quail ($16), wok-fried clams ($23) pork belly satay ($14) and a pandan custard spiced layer cake for dessert ($14). Don't worry though — Aunty Yulia's beef rendang ($19) won't be going anywhere, nor will the infamous bubur cha cha and taro ice cream dessert ($14). The menu changes will continue, with a "luck-themed" new menu rolling out in August. Whether she's lazy or lucky, we're excited to see what yummy new treats she has in store for us. Lucky Suzie is located at 78 Stanley Street, Darlinghurst. Read our review of the restaurant in its previous incarnation here.
If your resolutions for 2023 involve being your best self in the kitchen, this year keeps bringing folks Australia's way who can definitely help. First, Israeli chef Yotam Ottolenghi made his way around the country on a speaking tour. In May, Britain's Marco Pierre White will do the same. And, that month as well, the one and only Nigella Lawson will enjoy her latest visit Down Under. Dubbed An Evening with Nigella Lawson, this two-stop tour will see the television and cookbook favourite spend two nights chatting through her culinary secrets — and food in general, her life and career, and more. 2023 is proving an impressive year for famous names hitting Aussie stages to dive into their expertise and experience, in fact, given that everyone from Barack Obama to Mary Trump is also doing it. If you're the kind of person who starts plotting your next meal before you've even finished the last, or loves eating more than anything else, Lawson's visit will help get right to the guts of your food obsession. And, the two events — one in Melbourne, one in Sydney — will also feature a Q&A component so that you can ask Lawson whatever you've always wanted to yourself. Even when she isn't answering audience questions, Lawson will have plenty to cover — she has a hefty pile of cookbooks to her name, starting with 1998's How to Eat: Pleasures and Principles of Good Food and including 2020's Nigella's Cook, Eat, Repeat. When she hasn't been filling our bookshelves with recipes, she's been whipping through them on TV, too, on everything from Nigella Bites, Nigella Feasts, Nigella Kitchen and Nigellissima through to Simply Nigella and Nigella: At My Table. And, she's been popping up on Top Chef, MasterChef Australia and My Kitchen Rules as well. AN EVENING WITH NIGELLA LAWSON 2023: Friday, May 19 — Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne Sunday, May 21 — State Theatre, Sydney Catch An Evening with Nigella Lawson in May 2023, with ticket pre-sales from Tuesday, March 7 and general sales from 12pm AEDT on Thursday, March 9 via the tour website.
We get it. Everyone loves an espresso 'tini. Melbourne's got a bar that even does them on tap — and Sydney has a whole venue dedicated to that God-sent concoction of chilled coffee and vodka. After Melbourne nabbed the country's very first espresso martini festival in 2016, Sydney got its own dedicated event last year and now its back — with a new name — and it's heading to The Rocks this May. Sleep, who needs it? The festival, to be held in the Overseas Passenger Terminal on May 25, 26 and 27, is being gifted to our espresso-loving, cocktail-filled city by the caffeinated folks at Mr Black, a NSW-based cold-pressed (and damn fine) coffee liqueur. In short, they know how to capitalise on our weaknesses and we're not even mad about it. The affair will involve some of Australia's best coffee suppliers, cafes and bars, and will come together to create a beautiful array of alcoholic caffeinated beverages. As with any festival of this kind, there will be plenty of food, too, including fried chicken from Johnny Bird and antipasti from Salts Meats Cheese. The festival will run during the first weekend of Vivid Sydney, so you can pair your Darling Harbour light-chasing with a 'tini or two. Tickets will set you back $30 (plus booking fee) a pop, and go on sale at 9am on Thursday, April 5. Image: Nikki To.
This Monday, our good friend the moon will be closer to the Earth than it has been in 68 years. How close? About 30,000 kilometres closer than the average — that's how close. And, as a result of this lunar proximity, the moon will appear much bigger and brighter than it normally does. The phenomenon is called a supermoon, which sounds pretty darn exciting on its own. For science nerds, though, it's called a perigee moon. In this instance, the term describes an event where the moon appears to be nearly 14 percent bigger and almost 25 percent brighter than usual. Now, a full moon is pretty visible from everywhere, but the full effect is apparently much cooler if you look east of the horizon. Lucky for Australians, there's a plethora of beaches on our eastern shore that provide an excellent vantage point, and groups are popping up all over social media to gather fellow lunar lovers to watch the unique event. Although all those photos you're bound to be taking are going to look pretty sweet given the subject matter, Australian Geographic insists that the best snaps are taken the days preceding or proceeding the full supermoon. If you need some more tips, they've even put together a list for getting perfect photographs. Although supermoons are pretty common, the moon won't be this close again until 2034. Also, it hasn't been this close since 1948. That was the year that the US Navy first allowed women to enlist as regular troops, a great step forward for equality in America. The supermoon will reach its absolute pinnacle of awesome at 12.52am on Tuesday, November 15 (Monday night, daylight savings time). So, look to the east to catch a glimpse of the coolest moon of most our lifetimes, #nofilter. Image: Andrew C.
If you only get stranded on one island this year, make sure to make it this one. After the colossal success of the previous two years, Wine Island is returning to Sydney Harbour this November for another long weekend of fun, food and sweet, sweet wine. For those who missed out in the past, Wine Island is more or less what it sounds like, in that it's an island where you drink a lot of wine. More specifically, it's a three-day mini festival on Clark Island in Sydney Harbour, where you can spend your time knocking back glass after glass while feasting on mouth-watering cuisine. Similar to last year's lineup, there will be a range of activities to enjoy – think masterclasses, silent discos and treasure hunts. Yes, treasure hunts. And, just to add a little extra grandeur in 2017, they've added the Wine Island Superyacht into the mix, so you can ditch the crowd and instead sail to the island on a really big yacht, taking a detour to enjoy the harbour, of course. Once ashore, your ticket gets you access to private masterclasses and exclusive culinary experiences. Wine Island 2017 is set to run from Friday, November 10 to Sunday, November 12. Tickets will go on sale to members (you can sign up here) on Monday, August 28. In the past, general admission tickets included vintage ferry transport to and from the island with a glass of sparking on board, five wine tastings, masterclasses and your own wine glass — so even standard ticketholders can expect pretty luxe treatment. Wine Island will take place on Clark Island from November 10–12. For more info and to buy tickets when they go on sale, visit wineisland.com.au.
Football fans, Christmas has arrived — the soccer version that comes around twice every four years, that is. The Men's World Cup took place in 2022, and now it's time for the Women's World Cup from Thursday, July 20–Sunday, August 20, right here in Australia (and also New Zealand). If you're fond of the round ball, there's really not much that could improve the next month. Actually, one thing could make your Women's World Cup-watching and Matildas-barracking couch sessions even better. We have two words for you: free pizza. They're two of the best words that exist, especially when used together — and they describe exactly what Pizza Hut is offering Aussies during this year's tournament. In total, the fast food chain could hand out $2 million in pizzas. Exactly how many it'll dole out depends on one big thing: how many goals are scored across the entire competition. Pizza Hut will give away 200 pizzas to celebrate each and every single goal, and it'll also triple that number when it's Sam Kerr and the Matildas hitting the back of the net. That means you'll have multiple chances to grab a freebie. And, numbers-wise, all other teams scored 138 goals in the 2019 Women's World Cup, while Australia kicked eight — so if that's repeated, there'll be 32,400 free pizzas up for grabs this time. To score your 'za without spending a cent, you'll need to head to Pizza Hut's 'pizzas for goals' website at 4pm AEST each day, with the number up for grabs based on the previous day's matches. Unsurprisingly, you'll want to get in quick as it's a first in, first served affair. You can only enter once per day — and, if you win, you'll be sent a voucher code for a large pizza with a pan base. You'll be able to choose from super supreme, barbecue meatlovers, pepperoni lovers, Hawaiian and cheese lovers, and you'll need to redeem within 21 days of issue via a pick-up order. Also, you can't combine the voucher with other meal deals — but a free pizza is a free pizza. Pizza Hut will be giving away free pizzas from Friday, July 21–Monday, August 21 during the 2023 Women's World Cup. For further information, head to the chain's website.
He captured imaginations and made his artistic mark with big-screen hits like The Royal Tenenbaums, Moonrise Kingdom and The Grand Budapest Hotel. And, he once designed a Milan cafe that resembled one of his film sets. In the coming months, he'll release his new stop-motion animated movie Isle of Dogs — but that's not all that acclaimed director Wes Anderson is working on. Known for his visual distinctive style and fondness for symmetry, Anderson will also take his creative vision into the art world, playing museum curator alongside his partner, set designer and illustrator Juman Malouf. The pair have been invited to put together an exhibition for Vienna's Kunsthistorisches Museum, which you've got to admit looks like it's been plucked from a dreamy Anderson flick itself. The exhibition is set to kick off this September and run until January 2019, featuring a broad collection of in-house artifacts, as chosen by the creative couple. Pieces like historical musical instruments, suits of armour, foreign antiques, carriages and sleighs will be accompanied by a fully illustrated catalogue — sure to be a swoon-worthy piece of art in its own right. Via architecturaldigest.in. Image: Wes Anderson and Juman Malouf in the Picture Gallery, Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna © KHM-Museumsverband .
Forget the pub with no beer — in central western Queensland, a resurrected watering hole will soon operate in a place with no residents. After closing its doors back in 1997, the Betoota Hotel will reopen in the ghost town this weekend. Brisbane smash repairer Robert Haken is bringing the famed spot back to life, telling Brisbane Times that he first fell for its charms around 30 years ago. Revisiting the empty, rundown site in 2015, he was driven to act. "When I walked into the place I just thought, what an amazing bit of Australia history and why isn't someone doing something with it." After buying the pub before Christmas, Haken's plan was to restore it to its former glory by late-August. The pub's reopening, unfortunately, hit a snag, with a post on Facebook saying it had been delayed because of red tape and paperwork. "Owners of the iconic OLD [sic] Betoota Hotel side wish to sincerely thank all that have given so much to help us attempt to reach our goal, a goal which is not gone, simply the finish line is further away than we hoped." Although it won't be opening for good quite yet, the pub has received a temporary licence to open on Friday, August 24, and Sunday, August 26 — just in time for the famous Betoota Races, the area's signature event, which often attracts more than 400 people to the resident-less town — and all profits from sales on the two days will go to charity. On Friday, from 11.30am–6.30pm, the Betoota Hotel will host an Australian Anti Ice Campaign (AAIC) awareness and education day, with 50 percent of profits going to AAIC and the other half to Rural Aid's Buy a Bale campaign, which supports drought-affected farmers. It'll be serving steak burgers, sausage sangas and, of course, plenty of frosty beer. It'll be closed on Saturday for the races, which you can, if you're so included, buy tickets for here. As they say, "when in Rome"... The day after, on Sunday, August 26, the pub will host the Cricket Cup from 12pm–7pm, with profits once again being split 50/50 to Rural Aid and AAIC. The same Aussie snacks and refreshments will be available, and there'll be raffles and prizes for the best-dressed cricketers. Once it's up and running — for good — Betoota Hotel will operate during the area's tourist season, between April and November. Due to the heat, it won't open in summer. The pub remains the only building in Betoota, and boasts quite the past, dating back to 1885. Previous owner Sigmund Remienko ran the place for 44 years until 1997. When he passed away in 2004, the town lost its last remaining resident. If it sounds like the kind of story you might read in The Betoota Advocate, that's understandable; however, while the satirical publication takes its name from the deserted spot, this isn't one of their amusing tales. For anyone keen to make the drive when the pub reopens, expect to trek more than 1500 kilometres west from Brisbane (a 20-hour drive), 1800 kilometres northwest of Sydney (a 24-hour drive) and 20,000 kilometres north of Melbourne (a 26-hour drive). Betoota Hotel is located at 6 Daroo Street, Betoota. For more information about its opening, keep an eye on the Facebook page.
Houseboats are the aquatic equivalent of packing up a camper and taking yourself where the road leads. Rather than traversing the neverending highways that cut across our broad country, why not try cruising the rivers and waterways that trail like veins through some of the remarkable landscapes Australia has to offer? From fishing on the Ord River to skippering your own sailboat in the Whitsundays, sleeping on a boat opens up a whole new world of adventure holiday. For a cruisy vacation you haven't thought of yet, here are our top ten picks of houseboats around the land, and a couple that aren't technically houseboats, but provide an unmatchable experience on the water nonetheless. FIVE STAR SPA, WISEMAN'S FERRY, NSW Able Houseboats on the Hawkesbury River has a berth for 12 people, and as the name suggests, has a nice spa for soaking while boating. Wiseman's Ferry only takes an hour or so to reach by car from Sydney, so the boat is perfect for a cheeky weekend on the river. A weekend for 12 people on the stunning Hawkesbury River starts at $4820, which is starting to verge on the exxy side, but can you really put a price on happiness? Particularly happiness induced by houseboat? THE RIVERDREAM BOATEL, RENMARK, SA So, there's a luxury houseboat, then there's an insanely luxurious houseboat. Then there's the Riverdream. Boasting five king-sized bedrooms, a spiral staircase that leads you to the control room, a tinted ceiling, central heating, barbecue and everything short of its own helipad, this is the houseboat that Elton John would probably hire if he had any interest in houseboats. Operating along the Murray River, this boat shows off some of the most picturesque landscape that South Australia has to offer, all in the comfort of a floating five star resort. Prices start at $180 per night, per person. OCEAN SPIRIT, HOPE HARBOUR, QLD It's a general rule with boat-bound holidays that the stronger the pun, the better the boat. So Ocean Spirit (from Fantaseas) has to be one of the best boats out there. Ocean Spirit is moored at Hope Harbour, just north of Surfer's Paradise. It has four bedrooms, all lined with leather and panelled with polished wood, plus a barbecue on deck and what's that? A spa? Yep, there's one of those, too. Midweek prices in the normal season start at $3200 for four nights, and the boat can sleep you and 11 friends. CRUISE AWAY, WALPOLE-NORNALUP, WA A houseboat getaway doesn't mean you have to take a whole squad of mates. Instead, tear it up peacefully on the waterways with a romantic getaway for two. Cruise Away, a four-berth houseboat moored in the Walpole-Nornalup National Park on the southern tip of Western Australia, provides ample opportunity for exactly that. Cruise through the park, set off up the rivulets on the dinghy provided, try your hand at fishing for dinner, or simply sit on the deck and soak up the natural beauty of this less-explored landscape. Three nights in the peak season starts at $1225. LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT, KUNUNURRA, WA From the bottom of Australia's western edge to the top, Love At First Sight is a six-berth houseboat moored in Kununurra on the banks of the Ord River. This boat will take you away from the hubbub of urban living into the complete embrace of nature. Keep a line out for bream, catfish and even barramundi to catch yourself your very own dinner. Prices start at $1500 for three nights in peak season. PINK LADY, MILDURA, VIC It's all too often that a holiday house is a stark reminder that you've travelled far from the comforts of home. Pink Lady, however, aims to make this less and less obvious with an injection of what All Seasons Houseboats call the Platinum Indulgence. The boat has all the trimmings necessary for a fancy hotel, including a barbecue, spa, bar and a fitout worthy of a luxury hotel. Prices for a three-night sojourn on the Pink Lady start at $3200, but the upshot of this is that some of this coin goes towards the Breast Cancer Network Australia. HERO, ECHUCA MOAMA, SA Another entry on the list that isn't exactly a houseboat, but worth mentioning nonetheless. Echuca Moama sits on the banks of the Murray River, and has long been known as the paddle steamer capital of Australia, but only by those who knew Australia has a paddle steamer capital. Hero organises overnight stays in the floating hotel, where guests experience the luxury of 1874, the year that Hero was built. The crew do their best to maintain the beautiful interiors, which only accentuate the views of the countryside as they scroll past. The cost of staying on Hero varies, depending on your stay. SCALLYWAG, BLANCHETOWN, SA Although houseboats are an amazing idea for groups, it's always nice to spend a little time with just you and a special someone. In that case, the two-berth Scallywag has you covered. You can crew Scallywag, just the two of you, up the Murray River, soaking in the rugged scrub that lines the riverbanks. The queen bed sits below a panoramic window, so you can watch the moon and stars as you sleep. The roof is decked with timber, so there's plenty of space up there to soak in the sights. Scallywag is moored at Blanchetown, and prices start at $1050 for three nights in the normal period. LEOPARD 48, WHITSUNDAY ISLANDS, QLD Houseboats, given their general lack of the ability to brave any kind of surf, usually stick to rivers and canals. But what if you're feeling like an overnight holiday on the ocean? Bareboating uses the same principals as houseboating, where you acquire yourself a boat, a skipper and crew it yourself, and then return it when you're done. Whitsunday Escape provides everything from sailboats to powered yachts, including the very fancy catamaran, Leopard 48. Nightly rates for the five-star boat start at $1950 per night in the peak season, but when split between 11 mates, that's not too much to pay to captain your own sailboat around the Whitsunday Islands. SOLWAY LASS, WHITSUNDAYS, QLD While not exactly a houseboat, I think we can all agree that the Solway Lass definitely deserves to be on this list. I mean, look at it. It's a pirate ship. Tours start out at Airlie Beach, and the skipper takes you on a three-day voyage around the Whitsunday Islands, so you can cruise about on a 100-year-old pirate ship without worrying about having to steer the thing. The trip carries you to Whitehaven Beach, Hook Island, and through a whole heap of bushwalking opportunities. Prices start at $560 per person for three days with meals included, and accommodates groups of up to 30 people.
Australian theatre fans haven't yet had the chance to see Dear Evan Hansen on the stage without leaving the country, but that's finally changing in 2024. When Sydney Theatre Company announced its season for this year, it revealed that the six-time Tony Award-winner would grace theatres in the Harbour City. In excellent news for folks around the rest of the country, the season will now make stops in Melbourne, Canberra and Adelaide as well. When a musical becomes a Broadway sensation, FOMO tends to sink in for Aussie theatre aficionados. Rave reviews might start pouring in, and awards as well, but seeing whichever production has New York talking usually requires a Big Apple trip — an expensive endeavour even for the biggest stage aficionado. The other option: waiting patiently for NYC's brightest shows to head Down Under. It happened with Hamilton eventually, and now it's happening with Dear Evan Hansen. Dear Evan Hansen premiered in the US in 2016, then made the leap to the big screen in 2021. The next stop, back in stage form, is Sydney's Roslyn Packer Theatre from Saturday, October 12, then Playhouse Theatre at Arts Centre Melbourne from December 2024, Canberra Circuit Theatre from February 2025 and Her Majesty's Theatre in Adelaide from April 2025. Brisbanites and Perthians, runs for both cities haven't been revealed as yet — so start crossing your fingers. Created for the stage by songwriting and composing duo Benj Pasek and Justin Paul — who nabbed an Oscar for La La Land's 'City of Stars' — with playwright Steven Levenson (Fosse/Verdon), the musical spins a coming-of-age story about a plethora of high school struggles. Dear Evan Hansen follows its titular anxious teen, who is advised by his therapist to pen letters to himself to highlight the good aspects of his day. Then one of his notes ends up in a similarly lonely classmate's hands, sparking a complex chain reaction. STC, who is putting on the production with Michael Cassel Group, has also announced a number of cast members who'll bring Dear Evan Hansen to life on Australia's stages. Get ready to see Verity Hunt-Ballard (Mary Poppins) as Evan's mother Heidi, Natalie O'Donnell (MAMMA MIA!, Come From Away) and Martin Crewes as Cynthia and Larry Murphy, Georgia Laga'aia as Zoe Murphy, Harry Targett as Connor Murphy, Carmel Rodrigues as Alana Beck and Jacob Rozario as Jared Kleinman. You'll need to wait until August to find out who'll be following in Ben Platt's (Theater Camp) footsteps — after he played the lead part on both Broadway and in the film — as Evan in the Aussie show. Dear Evan Hansen Australian Season: From Saturday, October 12, 2024 — Roslyn Packer Theatre, Sydney From December 2024 — Playhouse Theatre, Arts Centre Melbourne, Melbourne From February 2025 — Canberra Theatre Centre, Canberra From April 2025 — Her Majesty's Theatre, Adelaide Sydney Theatre Company's production of Dear Evan Hansen will kick off in Sydney in October 2024, then tour the country. Head to the show's website for tickets, waitlists and more details. Images: Universal.
In the 17 years that Gelato Messina has been in business, over 4000 special flavours have made their way through its 20 gelato cabinets around the country. To celebrate some of these oldies but goodies, Messina is dedicating an entire weekend to its top 40 greatest hits. From July 27–28, lucky Sydneysiders and Melburnians will be able to treat themselves to an entire cabinet worth of limited-edition gelato flavours. The deal will only be available at Sydney's Rosebery and Melbourne's Fitzroy stores, where none of the classic flavours will be available. Instead, expect specials like the Just Like a Milkshake and Have a Gay Old Time. While the team is still compiling the full list, you'll definitely get to taste the Jon Snow (white chocolate gelato with dark chocolate mud cake and almond praline), the Fairy Bread (toast and butter gelato with 100s & 1000s) and the Robert Brownie Jnr (milk chocolate gelato, chocolate brownie and chocolate fudge sauce). Also making the cut is red velvet cheesecake number and peanut butter gelato with chocolate brownie and dulce de leche. If you've got your fingers crossed for an old favourite, Messina is taking suggestions via its Facebook, so be sure to let them know ASAP. Gelato Messina's Greatest Hits will be available from July 27–28 at Sydney's Rosebery (58 Mentmore Avenue) and Melbourne's Fitzroy (237 Smith Street) stores. Only the top 40 specials will be available from 11am until sold out — no classic flavours and no Deliveroo.
Now here's some casually beautiful design for your day. Japanese design house Nendo have created a box of chocolates that wouldn't be out of place in a contemporary art museum. Having already made you insatiably hungry with chocolate pencils and ice cream cakes far too beautiful to eat, Nendo decided to celebrate their new title as Maison&Objet's Designer of the Year by creating some of the most stunning truffles you're likely to come across. Geometric little bite-sized pieces they are, Nendo's truffles were created for M&O's upcoming design show in Paris; an event for which they're also creating the visitor lounges where visitors can soothe their weary tootsies. There are nine chocolates in total, all of which will be handed out to these weary visitors — a stunning little treat we'd be likely to attempt a furious commute home to the fridge with. According to Co.DESIGN, the cubic chocolates represent different geometric forms; everything from a representation of a soundwave to a wireframe cube. Nendo's chocolate boxes will only be available to buy at the Maison&Objet design show in Paris from January 23 - 27. All we're saying, if you're desperately trying to impress someone with a romantic gesture, bringing a box of chocolates that look like modern art back from a Parisian design show is a decent idea. Via Dezeen and Co.DESIGN.
Anything that Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, Dumbo and Aladdin can do, The Jungle Book, The Lion King, Lady and the Tramp, Mulan and now Pinocchio can, too — if by anything you really mean get the live-action remake treatment by Disney, that is. The Mouse House sure does adore giving its animated classics do-overs with actors, realistic CGI or both, and it's now doing just that with the wooden puppet who wants to become a real boy. Indeed, the company's new take on Pinocchio will arrive on Disney+ on Thursday, September 8, Pinocchio has hit screens before with humans rather than pixels filling the frames, including recently via a fantastical Italian movie that starred Roberto Benigni as Geppetto. Also, back in 2002, Benigni made his own version first, but played the titular role instead. The key difference with this new Pinocchio: Disney remaking Disney, although the underlying tale behind every version always hails back to 1883 children's novel The Adventures of Pinocchio by Italian author Carlo Collodi. Disney boasts two big drawcards for its latest remake: America's dad Tom Hanks and filmmaker Robert Zemeckis. The former returns to the screen fresh from getting somewhat villainous in Elvis, the latter opts to give an already-beloved book-to-film story another spin after not faring so well with The Witches, and the pair reteam following everything from Forrest Gump and Cast Away to The Polar Express. Hanks plays Geppetto, obviously. And in the just-dropped full trailer for the new film, he looks the kindly, loving part. As always, the story sees the wood carver build and care for a wooden puppet who then wants to become more than timber, but faces challenges finding his way in the world. Benjamin Evan Ainsworth (The Haunting of Bly Manor) voices Pinocchio, while Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber) does the same with Jiminy Cricket — and the cast also includes Cynthia Erivo (Chaos Walking) as the Blue Fairy, Keegan-Michael Key (The Bubble) as 'Honest' John, Lorraine Bracco (Blue Bloods) as new character Sofia the Seagull and Luke Evans (Nine Perfect Strangers) as The Coachman. Clearly, this is one of those Disney remakes that considers hefty doses of CGI as closer to live-action than animation. No need to wish upon a star to see the end result, Disney fans — and yes, that song does feature, as performed by Erivo. If you're wondering why Mouse House's latest remake is heading to Disney+, and so soon, it'll drop on what the Mouse House has dubbed 'Disney+ Day' — alongside Thor: Love and Thunder's streaming debut, a behind-the-scenes look at Obi-Wan Kenobi, and sing-along versions of Frozen and Frozen 2. Check out the trailer for Pinocchio below: Pinocchio will be available to stream via Disney+ from Thursday, September 8. Images: courtesy of Disney Enterprises, Inc. © 2022 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Sydney Festival has always been synonymous with live music, and after a year of very few opportunities to dance and sing along to live tunes, the festival is teaming up with the city's live music venues to bring us a suite of intimate gigs. Waywards, Club Parramatta, The Marly, The Lansdowne and the Old 505 are all hosting local musicians, record label owners and DJs from January 16–23. You can see Triple J favourites E^ST and Jaguar Jonze at the Seymour Centre, Alice Ivy and futurist R&B project KYVA at Waywards, Emily Wurramara at Eternity Playhouse and Haiku Hands at The Albion Hotel. Tickets range from $15 up to $95 for a night of cabaret, and as spaces are limited some gigs are already running a waitlist. Okenyo image: Kate Williams
This Summer is shaping up to be a cinematic treat for movie buffs. The latest Bond film hit cinemas last week, Peter Jackson's The Hobbit will be clogging theatres come Boxing Day and for those who like their movies filled to the brim with obscure pop culture references, gratuitous amounts of stylised violence and a pumping soundtrack, then there is Quentin Tarantino's latest offering Django Unchained. But if you are too busy to get to the cinemas this Summer or you like your pop culture in bite size pieces then check out this awesome video by YouTube aficionado Jonathan Keogh of the "IMDB Top 250 in 2 1/2 Minutes". This manic and masterful mash-up of everything from Gone With The Wind to Fight Club to The Lion King will have you reliving all your favourite movie moments and reenacting history's most iconic movie scenes in front of your bedroom mirror. Set to a remix of The Beatles, Joan Jett, Cypress Hill and House of Pain we must warn you that this video will have you fighting the urge to re-account yourself with your local video store and crying "You can't handle the truth!" at unsuspecting passersby.
Another day, another international ride-share company prepares to hit the streets of Australia. This time, it's an Indian-born platform called Ola, which we're told operates in over 110 cities, hosting a whopping one billion annual rides worldwide. That's over two million trips each day, and growing fast. Less than a week after rival Taxify launched in Melbourne (with half-price rides, no less), Ola today announced plans to roll out across Melbourne, Sydney and Perth, and has already put the call out for potential local drivers to register. The company counts its driver-partner focused approach as its main point of difference, hoping to tempt Australian drivers with incentives and upskilling opportunities. As Ola co-founder and CEO Bhavish Aggarwal explains, that should result in a more competitive industry all round. "With a strong focus on driver-partners and the community at large, we aim to create a high-quality and affordable travel experience for citizens and look forward to contributing to a healthy mobility ecosystem in Australia," he said. Expect to see Ola cars cruising around town and competing with Uber within a matter of months.
First, the bad news: if you're not fond of peanut butter of you have an allergy (and therefore you've decided deep down in your stomach that it tastes awful), Krispy Kreme's latest batch of limited-time-only doughnuts definitely isn't for you. For everyone else, get ready to treat yourself to a dreamy mashup, because the fried pastry chain and Reese's have joined forces. A couple of years back, gelato brand Gelatissimo scooped up Gelato made with Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Now, it's Krispy Kreme's turn to give those American sweets the doughnut treatment. The three-option range does indeed go all in on peanut butter — two with chocolate, too, and one in a cheesecake variety. If you opt for Krispy Kreme's peanut butter cheesecake made with Reese's doughnut — a mouthful to say and to eat — you'll be munching on the brand's original glazed doughnut, which has been dipped in white truffle, topped with peanuts and then given a Reese's Peanut Butter cream cheese frosting swirl. As for the others, the Krispy Kreme Reese's Peanut Butter and choc doughnut takes the usual Krispy Kreme shell, fills it with Reese's Peanut Butter sauce, then dips it in chocolate ganache, and sprinkles on peanuts and Reese's Peanut Butter Chips. Then there's the Krispy Kreme Peanut Butter choc brownie made with Reese's doughnut, which jams its shell with Reese's Peanut Butter and choc brownie butter, then gets plunged in milk chocolate ganache, and comes with Reese's Peanut Butter drizzle, choc crumbs and peanuts on top. You'll find the first two varieties — the Krispy Kreme's peanut butter cheesecake made with Reese's doughnut and the Krispy Kreme Reese's Peanut Butter and choc doughnut — on sale from today, Tuesday, September 20, at all Krispy Kreme stores nationwide. The cost: $3.90 each and $29.90 for a dozen. The Krispy Kreme Peanut Butter choc brownie made with Reese's doughnut will only be available from Tuesday, October 4 from 7-Eleven stores for the same price. Krispy Kreme's Reese's range is available for $3.90 each/$29.90 for a dozen for a limited time — with two varieties available at Krispy Kreme stores from Tuesday, September 20, and a third from 7-Eleven stores from Tuesday, October 4.
Praise be, Handmaid's Tale fans — the iconic novel behind everyone's favourite dystopian TV series is getting a sequel. The Hulu-produced, Emmy-winning television show has already aired a second season, with a third due to hit next year. But now author Margaret Atwood is penning a printed follow-up to the 1985 book that started it all. Called The Testaments, it's set 15 years after Offred's final scene in the novel, and is narrated by three female characters. Fans will have to wait a bit for their return to Gilead, with the book releasing on September 10, 2019. While Atwood's original novel built a rich, immersive and oh-so-bleak world that's rife with sequel potential, that's not her only inspiration for The Testaments. Announcing the second effort on Twitter, Atwood noted that she's taking some cues from today's Handmaid's-like times. "Everything you've ever asked me about Gilead and its inner workings is the inspiration for this book. Well, almost everything! The other inspiration is the world we've been living in," Atwood said in the post. Given how scarily prescient the first book was, and how close to home it hit, that's hardly surprising. Just imagine what the Canadian writer will be able to dream up this time — or, if you don't want to fret about the state of the world, perhaps don't. Pre-orders are now open for The Testaments, if you're keen to get your red-cloaked mitts on it the moment it's available. We're betting that the new book will be a hot topic of conversation when Atwood visits Australia in March next year to chat about — what else? — dystopian futures. The Testaments is scheduled for released on September 10, 2019.
Combining the hypnotic works of M.C. Escher, one of the 20th century's most celebrated artists, with the design aesthetics of acclaimed present-day Japanese design studio Nendo, the National Gallery of Victoria's newest blockbuster exhibition Between Two Worlds discovers a stunning and unexpected middle ground. The first ever merging of these acclaimed creators, the exhibition features more than 150 of Escher's woodcuts, lithographs and sketches. Described as the NGV's most ambitious exhibition design to date, Nendo — led by renowned designer Oki Sato — was invited to produce the spectacular space that features several large-scale rooms and installations, and reflects upon the complex themes found within the surrounding Escher works. Running until April 7 2019, Between Two Worlds covers the full spectrum of Escher's artistic vision, which was largely ignored during his lifetime. Showcasing everything from Escher's early works as a student, his newfound inspiration while travelling across Italy, and his final creations in the lead up to his death in 1972, the exhibition showcases virtually all of his most famous works, including Drawing Hands, Relativity and Day and Night. Mirroring the optical illusions and mathematically inspired works of Escher, Nendo has contributed a variety of immersive spaces that will warp your perspective and bring a new light to the works displayed throughout the exhibition. Conveying Escher's theories through the studio's own motif, the rudimentary outline of a house, it appears in various shapes and forms throughout the exhibition and references Escher's unique perspective on space and patterns. With not one, but two creative geniuses on display at the NGV's newest exhibition, we've selected six works (three Escher, three Nendo) that you can't miss out on seeing at Between Two Worlds. [caption id="attachment_700134" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Eugene Hyland[/caption] DAY AND NIGHT (ESCHER) Perhaps the Dutch artist's most celebrated work, Day and Night perfectly illustrates Escher's uncanny ability to combine art and science with resounding impact. Uniting a complex understanding of mathematics and perspective with his undeniable creative talent, here, Escher depicts two Dutch towns attached by a series of rolling hills that melt away into a soaring flock of birds. At once day and night, real and unreal, this woodcut offers two simultaneous perspectives that remove the distinction between foreground and background. [caption id="attachment_700137" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Eugene Hyland[/caption] DRAWING HANDS (ESCHER) Another widely known artwork of Escher's that has been reproduced in various pop culture mediums since its creation in 1947, Drawing Hands is a clear example of Escher's obsession with paradoxes. Produced in a more photorealistic style than many of Escher's other works, this lithograph displays two hands conceiving each other into existence. While conveying Escher's interest in the concept of infinity, it also demonstrates his desire to produce two-dimensional drawings that leap off the page. [caption id="attachment_700274" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Eugene Hyland[/caption] SNAKES (ESCHER) Finished in 1969, Snakes was the last work that M.C. Escher would ever produce. But while he might have passed away just a few short years later, this piece demonstrates just how highly advanced his work became. Showcasing Escher's legendary understanding of symmetry and interlocking arrangements, the work features a rotational symmetry as snakes weave their way between an ever-shrinking pattern. Recognising the significance of this artwork, Nendo has produced a specially designed space, Snake House, where a brightly lit pathway serpentines through an otherwise dark room and ends with the work. [caption id="attachment_700126" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sean Fennessy[/caption] ZOOMING HOUSE (NENDO) Serving as a connecting corridor between two of the exhibition's distinct rooms, Zooming House is a vast architectural structure that once again recalls Escher's obsession with perspective and illusion. Following the same house motif seen throughout the exhibition, here the pathway starts as a wide four-metre chasm before gradually shrinking into a tight 55 centimetres. The contrasting black and white pattern amplifies this effect before you turn off into another hypnotic space. [caption id="attachment_700282" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Eugene Hyland[/caption] HOUSE IN PERSPECTIVE (NENDO) Both luminous and reflective, while the floor-to-ceiling rods in this room first appear to be simply an interesting way to display Escher's works, on closer inspection — when viewed from a specific spot in the room — the rods merge together and the form of Nendo's house motif appears. Here, you'll find a selection of Escher's most mind-bending drawings and prints. [caption id="attachment_700133" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sean Fennessy[/caption] GATHERED HOUSE (NENDO) While this grand circular space is dedicated to Escher's many works fixated on the concept of infinity, it's hard to ignore the massive Nendo installation featured in the centre of the room. Constructed from thousands of miniature house motifs, the dazzling installation echoes Escher's artworks presented throughout the space, which explore eclectic geometric loops and images of limitless tessellation. Escher x Nendo: Between Two Worlds is on display at NGV International, St Kilda Road, Melbourne until April 7, 2019. You can grab tickets here.
