Quiet and understated, Adelaide isn't always easy to navigate if you're a tourist. So much of the good (and there is a lot of good) is hidden in plain sight. That's where it helps to have some insider advice. We've teamed up with Pullman Hotels and Resorts to bring you a guide to Adelaide's less obvious but obviously fabulous experiences. Putting our heads together with Pullman Adelaide's chief concierge Enrico Angelletti, we've curated a list of must-dos that will leave you wanting more of Adelaide — from new art spaces to old smelly cheese shops, and from pizzeria nightclubs to tranquil gardens. Enrico (aka Ric) has been in the hotel business for nearly 38 years, and is looked up to by junior staff for his passion and expertise for helping guests find extraordinary experiences in Adelaide. His food knowledge is particularly strong — it comes at least in part from his Italian background. Check out the rest of our Explore More content series to hone your itinerary for some of Australia's best holiday destinations. ART & DESIGN ACE OPEN Born in response to dramatic cuts in arts funding, ACE Open is a new and innovative gallery space dedicated to creating challenging conversations with its audience. It showcases a diverse range of Australian and international artists who present experimental, unconventional work. Only launching in early 2017, ACE Open has quickly made a name for itself as being one of the most exciting art spaces in Adelaide, uncompromising in its dedication to quality and enthusiasm for creative risk-taking. Don't miss: Next Matriarch — an exhibition showcasing art from Indigenous women. SISTER GALLERY Created by artists Mia Van den Bos and Ashleigh D'Antonio, Sister burst onto the Adelaide art scene with its incredible stream of contemporary and experimental art from all over Australia. The gallery celebrates young, upcoming and underground artists with a bold point of view and a non-traditional approach. Located just outside of the city in Bowden (near some fabulous cafes and markets), Sister is easily accessible via the tram from the city. It's actually the perfect way to experience something totally different while exploring one of Adelaide's burgeoning cultural centres. Don't miss: Sister's October Openings, which will run in the gallery for two months. JAMFACTORY An Adelaide institution, JamFactory is a haven for all things ceramic and sculptural. Doubling as an education institute, it has purpose-built studios for the design and manufacture of jewellery, ceramics, furniture and glass. Because of its educational bent, visitors are not only able to buy direct from the artists but are able to get a sneak peek into cutting-edge processes and the next wave of influential Australian designers and makers. There's also the opportunity to participate in workshops and classes from industry leaders. Don't miss: Confluence. Presented in association with Tarnanthi Festival, it's an exploration of the work of Indigenous artists from all around Australia. ENSEMBLE ADELAIDE A concept store by and for locals, Ensemble is a new independent retail experience that puts good, sustainable design above all else. The recent home of the Slow Fashion Festival, Ensemble houses the work of local designers and artists, including BB Shoemaker and Goods Studios, and allows shoppers to buy direct from makers and artists. Beautifully curated and wonderfully relaxed, Ensemble is a space of beauty and collaboration that also highlights the innovation and spirit of the Adelaide creative scene. Don't miss: Seeing the makers work and chatting to them about their process. FOOD & DRINK NOLA Travel to New Orleans in the heart of Adelaide. Located in the city's relaxed East End, Nola is all about good beer, even better whiskey and delicious creole cuisine. Transforming Adelaide's stables building into the quintessential New Orleans speakeasy, the bar is a completely singular experience in the city's somewhat overcrowded small bar scene. Pouring at least 26 different craft beers at any given time, and having an ever-changing lineup of artisan whiskies, a menu designed for sharing (which features classics like cornbread, beignet and gumbo) and outdoor dining all summer, it's southern hospitality done right. Don't miss: The fried chicken is the most celebrated dish on Nola's menu for very good reason: it's light, crispy and just spicy enough to cut through all those beers. SUNNY'S This isn't your nonna's pizza. She'd probably like it, though. Serving Naples-style woodfired pizza with the best in South Australian beer and wine (and some very good cocktails), Sunny's is part restaurant and part club, with tables being cleared for live DJ sets every weekend. Located in the newly revitalised Solomon Street in the city's West End, Sunny's regularly involves collaborators representing the best of Adelaide's food scene. Delicious from start to finish. Don't miss: For all of its experimentation, Sunny's is still all about the classics. Their margherita is second to none. Pair that with their zesty Campari watermelon cocktail and you're set for summer. EAST END CELLARS Part bottle shop, part bar and 100 percent gourmet, East End Cellars is the perfect place to get your wine education. The shop has been pouring local wines (as well as a large variety of international labels), running educational tastings and preparing some of the most delicious food and decadent cheeseboards in the city for two decades. Everything is dedicated to getting the most out of your drink. Wines are expertly paired to your meal, and every week there is a guided tasting of their featured winery, where you can learn more about South Australian product from the best in the business. Don't miss: The huge selection of South Australian spirits, beers and wines exclusive to East End Cellars. THE SMELLY CHEESE SHOP An Adelaide Institution, The Smelly Cheese Shop has all your cheese needs covered. Located in the Central Markets, the shop stocks high-end and artisanal cheeses from all over South Australia and the world. With everything from imported French brie to Kangaroo Island feta, The Smelly Cheese Shop places quality above all else, offering customers the opportunity to have a real and in-depth experience with a true cheesemonger at the counter. In a state known for its passion for quality food, this shop is the pinnacle of excellence. Don't miss: The Smelly Cheese Shop runs classes all year round for the budding cheese connoisseur in all of us. They sell out notoriously quickly, so it pays to do your research and book in advance. WELLBEING & LIFESTYLE [caption id="attachment_643375" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] National Parks SA[/caption] MORIALTA CONSERVATION PARK While Adelaide is often derided as Australia's biggest small town, walking through Adelaide, you can see that size or space doesn't matter — it's all about how you use it. Located just 10 kilometres from the CBD, Morialta Conservation Park feels like another world, filled with rugged ridges, waterfalls and native woodlands. Visitors can challenge themselves with a variety of different hiking trails and, as they walk, be treated to expansive panoramic city views of the city and coast. And while you're walking, keep your eye out for native animals (koalas 24x7). Don't miss: A park. Adelaidians love Morialta, so it's best to head there early to save an inevitable car argument. BOTANIC GARDEN AND HIMEJI GARDEN If you can't leave the city but still want to get back to nature, the Botanic Garden and Himeji Garden should be at the top of your list. Designed by Japanese landscape artist Yoshitaka Kumada, the Himeji garden is a slice of beauty and tranquillity in the middle of Adelaide's bustling southern quarter. Featuring beautiful Japanese plant life, including black pine trees and gorgeous blossoms, the gardens are a favourite for Adelaidians who want to switch off and take some time out for reflection. Don't miss: Spring/summer sees the gardens truly come to life. Explore more with Pullman. Book your next hotel stay with Pullman and enjoy a great breakfast for just $1.
With the middle of the year fast approaching and too many months gone since Christmas, you're probably thinking about when you can next take a break and get away from it all. So, you could be planning a trip to New Zealand; the trans-Tasman bubble is now open, finally. Or, if you'd like to head to — or make the most of — South Australia, its government wants to give you an extra incentive. As it has done twice already, the SA Government is handing out another round of vouchers in its Great State Vouchers scheme. This time, $50, $100 and $200 vouchers are up for grabs, but only for residents of SA, New South Wales and Victoria. You can put them towards tours and experiences throughout the state, and you can choose which type of single-day, overnight or multi-day experience you're keen on, too, with different activities on offer at different voucher amounts. Because previous iterations of the scheme have proven mighty popular — to the surprise of absolutely no one — you'll also need to enter a ballot this time around. It's open right now, and closes at 10pm ACST / 10.30pm AEST on Friday, April 23. If you're successful, you'll be allocated your preferred voucher at random, which you can then use to book between Tuesday, April 27–Sunday, May 23 for visits from Tuesday, April 27–Saturday, July 31. https://twitter.com/marshall_steven/status/1384651436697407489 If you're wondering what's on offer, activities include gin-blending masterclasses, whale watching, ghost tours, kayak tours of the Adelaide CBD, and food and wine tours of the Clare Valley — plus tours of Adelaide Central Market, a trip to the River Murray Dark Sky Reserve, spending two days on Kangaroo Island, and venturing into the Flinders Rangers for three days. There are a few caveats, unsurprisingly. You can only enter the ballot for one voucher, whether you opt for the $50, $100 or $200 amont, and you'll have to also spend some of your own money to use it — to make up the shortfall in price for your chosen tour or experience — as well. But, if you received a voucher in prior rounds, you can definitely still enter. Accommodation isn't covered this time, either. The idea is that folks heading to SA from interstate will then pump some cash into the economy by paying for hotels — and flights, food and drinks — while they're there. A whopping 50,000 vouchers are on offer, with 45,000 allocated for SA residents and 5000 for folks from NSW and Victoria. And if you're successful, you'll get word on Saturday, April 24. For further details about South Australia's Great State Vouchers scheme — or to enter the ballot for one before 10pm ACST / 10.30pm AEST Friday, April 23 — head to the voucher scheme website.
"Something takes over once I'm on stage. The whole point of it, for me, is to transcend my conscious brain; which is sometimes not the most pleasant place to be... There's nothing more in the moment than being on stage. Things can fail. The stakes are high. I mean, the stakes aren't high like cancer high, but it is do or die. You're reacting to how the crowd is feeling and that kind of energy I find very effervescent and fun. I thrive off it." Annie Clark, better known as St. Vincent — a stage name taken from a Nick Cave song referencing the hospital where the poet Dylan Thomas died — talks to me from Melbourne about performance nerves. "I think I have some nerves; I think it's healthy. It seems that the stakes wouldn't be very high, if you felt just as comfortable in your living room as you did on stage. But it's also energy, rather than a lack of it; so you could also call it adrenaline or excitement. It's two ways of looking at the same energy." After making her first guitar out of cardboard at the age of five, Clark got her fingers around some real fret boards at twelve and went on to study at the Berklee College of Music. After three years of "grading and measurement" she dropped out to start making music. Since then, she's found her way to The Polyphonic Spree, toured with Sufjan Stevens and David Byrne, and created four solo albums — the most recent of which, St Vincent, was released on February 24. After selling out Melbourne's The Howler two nights in a row, she's heading to Sydney for Vivid. "I've thought a lot about what it means to go up on stage and ask people to listen to you and look at you for an hour and a half," she says, explaining how her approach to performance has changed over time. "I don't take it lightly, in the sense that I think (especially in this day and age) we are a distractable lot. When we have everything at our finger tips — at the internet or whatever — it means even more to say, 'Hey, everybody, let's be in this moment together. Let's go some place together'. "I've tried to make the performance aspect more elevated — to acknowledge what it actually is, which is a strange and unnatural act — and to dig into that, lean into it, believe in it and try to make it take us all some place else." At the same time, Clark's been dealing with what she describes as her own "delusions". "At various points, I've been delusional enough to think that someday I would tour less, that I was living one life — not that I wasn't meant to — but that there was a parallel life that I was supposed to be leading. Yet I was doing this other thing. But I've come to realise the silliness of that idea. I'm living the life that I want to be living and enjoying being in the ether and the constant change and undulation and stimulation. I need it, now." These days, she spends months and months on the road. "Sometimes, I get confused with which season it is," she says. "The other day, I could have sworn it was September and I was planning my life as if it was, and then I realised, no, it's May, where am I?" So where does she go to hide and reorient herself, if and when there is a break in the schedule? In keeping with her commitment to life as it is, she wants to talk about where she is. Right now. "I know this sounds really corny and cloying," she laughs, "but I love coming to Australia, because no matter how many shows you play, it feels like a vacation. Everything is pleasant here. People are attractive, coffee's amazing, food's amazing, wine's amazing, there's great galleries,there's great art... I usually end up with a lot of free time in Australia. This particular trip is basically run and gun, feels cosy and fun — like fun, sexy, cool time." https://youtube.com/watch?v=Itt0rALeHE8 When there is a moment to spare, she spends it releasing her own signature coffee blend, collecting outsider art, reading books and "hanging out". "What everybody does," she explains. "The only thing I don't do is cook and be domestic — you know knit a sweater or some bullshit [laughs]. I don't have any patience for that. I wish I could live in a hotel." Having just finished Karen Joy Walker's page-turner We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves, she's currently into "a book about Sigmund Freud and his being a big proponent of cocaine as a panacea — a cure-all drug. It sounds like something someone on cocaine would say," she laughs. "I'm trying to enjoy Evelyn Waugh, too. I picked it up because my dad was a big Anglophile and he's all about Kingsley Amis and Martin Amis and all that. I tried to read that stuff when I was younger but what is a 13-year-old going to do with Vile Bodies? They have no context for that and you don't understand the satire because you haven't lived." St Vincent plays at Sydney Opera House for Vivid LIVE tonight. Details and tickets over here.
At Concrete Playground, we know the makings of a great trip when we see one. Our team of writers and editors is made up of hardcore travel enthusiasts — myself included. We're the ones who make detailed spreadsheets of recommendations for friends heading to a destination we've visited. Day-to-day for work we cover the best new hotels, travel-worthy experiences, and carefully craft itineraries and guides to the most fantastic places in Australia and abroad. Now, we're translating that passion and experience into a brand new travel inspiration and commerce platform called Concrete Playground Trips. From there, you can purchase trips that are exclusively curated by our editorial team, featuring experiences you genuinely can't find anywhere else, exclusive deals to places you hadn't considered, and trips that do justice to the spots that have long been on your bucket list. We do the groundwork so you don't have to. You just book and go. First up is an incredibly luxe (and fun) trip to Auckland to coincide with dance music festival Spring City, headlined by Groove Armada. You'll get exclusive VIP access and stay in New Zealand's hottest hotel with a couple of extraordinary dining and drinking experiences in the mix. Take in the full itinerary here. There's so much more to come and we're thrilled to get it out into the world and, hopefully, inspire your next great adventure. Happy trails. Discover more at Concrete Playground Trips. Image credit: Pietro de Grandi
Nineteeen-year-old genius Boyan Slat has proposed building an Ocean Cleanup Array, a device that could remove 7,250,000 tons of plastic waste from the world's oceans. While in school, Slat analysed the size and number of all the plastic particles in the ocean. Slat continued to develop this project and went on to start the Ocean Cleanup Foundation, a non-profit responsible for the development of his projects. The Ocean Cleanup Array would be placed in gyres, which are five areas in the world's oceans that have accumulated the most amount of plastic and garbage. Its anchored network of 'floating booms and processing platforms' would span the whole radius of the gyre, acting as funnels that are slightly tilted, creating a force towards the platforms. The debris enters the platforms and is stored in containers within the device until being collected for sales and recycling. If you weren't already impressed with the feat of removing over 7 million tons of plastic waste from the oceans, then listen to this: According to Inhabitat, the Ocean Cleanup Array could save hundreds to thousands to millions of aquatic animals every year. It would also reduce the number of pollutants that are building up in the food chain, including PCB and DDT. And it could eventually save millions of dollars every year in ocean clean-up costs, lost tourism to designated areas and damage to marine ships. According to Slat's website, it would take approximately five years to clean up the world's oceans. Even though the device would clean billions of kilograms of plastic, the solution isn't perfect. It has drawn concern from some critics who worry about negative effects to marine life and it still requires more research. The ocean won't ever be 100 percent clean of plastic and debris, but this is a start. Via Inhabitat.
When Disney isn't keeping huge pop-culture franchises on our screens or ensuring that everyone's childhood favourites never fade into memory — and sometimes doing both at the same time — it happens to be mighty fond of scandals and true crime. Well, to be precise, the Mouse House-owned US streaming platform Hulu is, and its shows keep making their way Down Under via Disney+. The latest even promises a massive stripping-empire saga, sordid deeds driven by money and murder because of the dance floor. After exploring the story behind Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee's sex tape in the 90s-set Pam & Tommy to start 2022, Disney+ plans to end it with a jump into back to the 70s and 80s — aided by a whole heap of disrobing male dancers — courtesy of Welcome to Chippendales. And if watching the just-dropped first teaser trailer for the latter gets you thinking about the former, there's another reason for that: writer/executive producer/creator Robert Siegel is behind both. The focus here: Somen 'Steve' Banerjee, who was born in India, moved to the US, bought a Los Angeles nightclub and founded the striptease troupe turned worldwide hit that shares Welcome to Chippendales' name. Banerjee's tale involves outrageous success, but also turns into sinister territory. That's put it mildly; however, if you don't already know the details, you'll want to discover the rest while watching. Fresh from a superhero stint in Eternals, Kumail Nanjiani plays Banerjee — and the rest of the star-studded cast includes newly minted The White Lotus Emmy-winner Murray Bartlett, Yellowjackets' Juliette Lewis and American Crime Story's Annaleigh Ashford, as well as Dan Stevens (I'm Your Man), Andrew Rannells (Girls5eva), Nicola Peltz Beckham (Holidate), Quentin Plair (The Good Lord Bird) and Robin de Jesús (Tick, Tick... Boom!). WandaVision's Matt Shakman is in the director's chair and, if you're fond of the era, expect the appropriate soundtrack (and vibe) when the show starts streaming from Tuesday, November 22. It'll drop two episodes first up, then new instalments weekly afterwards across the eight-episode limited series' run. Move over Magic Mike: Welcome to Chippendales looks set to be everyone's next stripper-fuelled obsession, and new true-crime addiction as well. Check out the trailer below: Welcome to Chippendales will be available to stream via Disney+ from November 22.
Canberra might once have been described as 'the ruination of a good sheep paddock', but tables have turned. Global travel publisher Lonely Planet has ranked the Australian capital third on its 2018 Best in Travel: Top Cities list. That's the highest position ever achieved by an Australian city — Melbourne and Sydney included. What's more, Canberra's the only of our metropolises to have made the top ten for next year. The guide describes Canberra as packing "a big punch" for a small city, noting its abundance of "national treasures", "boutique precincts" and "gastronomic highlights". Next year the capital will also host its first test cricket match and the 100th anniversary of the WWI Armistice. "These are the cities our travel experts say you should experience in 2018," Alex Howard, managing editor of Lonely Planet magazine US, told CNN. "Whether they've been overlooked, are celebrating milestones next year or have crept up on our radar lately, they all offer compelling reasons to go soon." Topping the list is Seville, a city in southern Spain that featured in Game of Thrones, but is probably better known for its tapas and flamenco. Seville is currently preparing to host the 31st European Film Awards next year. In second position is Detroit, also known as the Motor City, which took a hit when the US motor industry collapsed, but has since developed a thriving arts scene. If you're keen to take up Lonely Planet's recommendation, our weekender's guide might come in handy.
There aren't many directors whose work we look forward to more than Joel and Ethan Coen. The Oscar winning siblings behind Raising Arizona, Barton Fink, Fargo, The Big Lebowski, No Country for Old Men and Inside Llewyn Davis among many others, the pair have made a name for themselves with their memorable characters and masterfully constructed plots, often seasoned with liberal lashings of dark, esoteric humour. Their latest film is set to be released on February 25, and we've managed to get our hands on some complimentary tickets. Hail, Caesar! is a screwball comedy set in 1950s Hollywood, and concerns a famous film star, played by George Clooney, who is kidnapped by a mysterious organisation. Josh Brolin, Scarlett Johansson, Ralph Fiennes, Tilda Swinton, Jonah Hill and Frances McDormand make up the star-studded ensemble, along with Channing Tatum dressed as a sailor (which, quite frankly, seems like it'll be worth the price of admission on its own). [competition]558865[/competition] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMqeoW3XRa0
Australia doesn't have many famous figures that are referred to by their first names alone, but Margaret and David are definitely two of them. Yes, they have full names — Margaret Pomeranz and David Stratton — but when you're on TV together for almost three decades, and you're as entertaining to watch as this pair, those surnames just fall away. It has been six years since their second film review series, the ABC's At the Movies, finished up in 2014. It started in 2004, and followed their previous program, The Movie Show, which aired on SBS from 1986–2004. Both Margaret and David have still been active as film critics since, but not together — until satirical news site The Shovel asked them to reunite on-screen to share their thoughts on the past 12 months as part of the Chaser-produced digital War on 2020. No, they don't review movies from the past year, although Christopher Nolan's Tenet gets a mention. Rather, they use their familiar style — including their bickering and bantering — to discuss just how ridiculous 2020 has been. David is disappointed all round, noting how little sense it all makes, while Margaret finds it quite humorous. So, as fans of the pair will know, it's classic Margaret and David, right down to the contrasting star ratings. That's the point, of course, but it's still very amusing to watch. You can view the clip below — and here's hoping that if Margaret and David repeat the feat in 2021, they have something brighter to argue about. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJHUxHQxI9A
Find yourself in the middle of a cross-town rivalry like no other, as the Sydney Thunder and Sydney Sixers square off in the next edition of the Big Bash League's Thunder Derby. With global superstars David Warner and Moises Henriques looking to lead their respective sides to victory, they'll no doubt need help from their fans to cheer them on from the sidelines. Plus, Sydney's very own dance and R&B artist Becca Hatch will be gracing the stadium with her electronica beats and intoxicatingly smooth vocals. Get your pals together and head for the grandstands on December 21, where you'll have the best seats in the house for fireworks on and off the ground.
For viewers, three years have passed since Squid Game became an award-winning Netflix hit. For Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae, The Acolyte), the same amount of time has elapsed in the show's storyline. Audiences and Player 456 are alike are in for a new round of life-or-death matches when the streaming smash finally returns on Boxing Day 2024 — but only the series' protagonist will be fighting for survival again while on a quest to shut down this chaos forever in season two. No one watching should ever want Squid Game to end; however, the show itself will wrap up in 2025 with season three. First comes the long-awaited second season to end 2024, though, where Player 456 is back in the game with new fellow competitors for company. "We are not trying to harm you. We are presenting you with an opportunity," the guards tell the latest batch of contestants battling it out for 45.6 billion won in the series' just-released full season-two trailer. Another pivotal line in the latest sneak peek: "the game will not end unless the world changes". Netflix has been dropping multiple early looks at season two, including a teaser trailer to kick off November — and its finishing off the month with a new glimpse at what's to come. These games don't stop, clearly, even after three years. As the show's protagonist dons his green tracksuit once more, his new fellow competitors are wary of his motives. Also part of the recent teases: Lee Byung-hun (The Magnificent Seven) as Gi-hun's nemesis Front Man, plus Wi Ha-joon (Little Women) also back as detective Hwang Jun-ho. Squid Game was such a huge success in its first season that Netflix confirmed at the beginning of 2022 that more was on the way, and also released a teaser trailer for it the same year, before announcing its new cast members in 2023 — and then unveiled a first brief snippet of Squid Game season two in a broader trailer for Netflix's slate for 2024, as it releases every 12 months. For season two, Gong Yoo (Train to Busan) also returns as the man in the suit who got Gi-hun into the game in the first place; however, a show about a deadly competition that has folks battling for ridiculous riches comes with a hefty bodycount. Accordingly, new faces were always going to be essential — which is where Yim Si-wan (Emergency Declaration), Kang Ha-neul (Insider), Park Sung-hoon (The Glory) and Yang Dong-geun (Yaksha: Ruthless Operations) all come in. If you somehow missed all things Squid Game when it premiered, even after it became bigger than everything from Stranger Things to Bridgerton, the Golden Globe- and Emmy-winning series serves up a puzzle-like storyline and unflinching savagery, which unsurprisingly makes quite the combination. It also steps into societal divides within South Korea, a topic that wasn't invented by Parasite, Bong Joon-ho's excellent Oscar-winning 2019 thriller, but has been given a boost after that stellar flick's success. As a result, it's easy to see thematic and narrative parallels between Parasite and Squid Game, although Netflix's highly addictive series goes with a Battle Royale and Hunger Games-style setup. Netflix turned the show's whole premise into an IRL competition series as well, which debuted in 2023 — without any murders, of course. Squid Game: The Challenge has already been picked up for a second season. Check out the full trailer for Squid Game season below: Squid Game season two streams via Netflix from Thursday, December 26, 2024. Season three will arrive in 2025 — we'll update you when an exact release date for it is announced. Images: No Ju-han/Netflix © 2024.
Usually, Australia's various film festivals only pop up once every 12 months; however, there's little that's been usual about the past few years. So in these chaotic times, the fact that the Jewish International Film Festival is returning for a second stint in 2022 doesn't seem all that out of the ordinary. Already enjoyed the fest during its March and April run? Get ready to do so all over again. JIFF will screen 50 features and documentaries at this iteration, alongside episodes from two TV shows and three short films — covering titles from 21 countries as it tours Australia between October–December. Leading the highlights, filling JIFF's biggest-ever lineup: opening night's Armageddon Time, which arrives after premiering at this year's Cannes Film Festival and will have its Aussie debut at the fest. Starring Anthony Hopkins (The Father), Anne Hathaway (Locked Down) and Jeremy Strong (Succession), and written and directed by Ad Astra and The Lost City of Z's James Gray, it tells a coming-of-age story in 80s-era Queens. Also among the standouts, Charlotte Gainsbourg (Sundown)-led French drama The Accusation tackles sex and consent; Jeff Goldblum (Jurassic World Dominion) narrates Fiddler's Journey to the Big Screen, about bringing Fiddler on the Roof to the big screen; and Israel's Karaoke arrives after being nominated for 13 Ophir Awards. Or, there's doco The Art of Silence about mime Marcel Marceau — plus 60s-set comedy My Neighbour Adolf, featuring Udo Kier (Swan Song) as a Holocaust survivor in Colombia who thinks the German man who just moved in next door is Hitler. The full lineup includes closing night's As They Made Us, the directorial debut of directorial The Big Bang Theory's Mayim Bialik; Reckonings, about the negotiations between Jewish and German leaders that led to the 1952 Luxembourg Agreement; and three episodes of Bloody Murray, which follows the titular film lecturer, who specialises in romantic comedies. The list goes on, spanning — as always — a sizeable contingent of movies that examine World War II, the Holocaust and their lingering impact. JEWISH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2022 DATES — OCTOBER–DECEMBER SEASON Monday, October 24–Sunday, November 27 — Classic Cinemas and Lido Cinemas, Melbourne Tuesday, October 25– Monday, November 28 — Ritz Cinemas and Roseville Cinemas, Sydney Thursday, October 27— Sunday, November 6 — Dendy Cinemas, Canberra Thursday, October 27— Sunday, November 6 — State Cinema, Hobart Thursday, November 10–Sunday, November 20 — New Farm Cinemas, Brisbane Thursday, November 17–Sunday, November 27 — Dendy Southport, Gold Coast Thursday, November 24—Wednesday, December 7 — Luna Palace Leederville, Perth The Jewish International Film Festival's second 2022 season runs from October–December. For more information, or to buy tickets, head to the festival's website.
Eternity Playhouse, Prahran Hotel and 'Redfern Beach' (a.k.a. Prince Alfred Park’s re-styled pool) were among the 43 design achievements to win awards and commendations at the National Architecture Awards, held in Darwin last night. Five judges revealed their decisions across thirteen categories. The construction that ruled them all, however, was the University of Queensland’s Advanced Engineering Building, which took home three firsts: the Emil Sodersten Award for Interior Architecture, the Sir Zelman Cowen Award for Public Architecture and the National Award for Sustainable Architecture. Juror Lyndie Johnson described it as "exhilarating" and "immediately engaging". Across the board, there was an emphasis on architecture with a public purpose. "Many of the projects, particularly the public projects, achieved not only their immediate brief but also produced other social and community benefits," jury chair Paul Berkemeier said in a Guardian Australia interview. "That was certainly something we observed as being valuable. The successors go beyond the expectations of the brief." UQ wasn’t the only educational institution to have its facilities recognised. The CB Alexander College, Tocal, designed by Ian McKay and Philip Cox, scored the National Enduring Architecture Award. And, in addition to the Prince Alfred Park revamp nabbing both the Walter Burley Griffin Award for Urban Design and the National Award for Public Architecture, a couple of other water-inspired designs got the thumbs up. Tasmania’s irresistibly cute Bicheno Surf Life Saving Club received the Nicholas Murcutt Award for Small Project Architecture, while North Bondi’s super slick new Surf Life Saving Club was acknowledged with a Commendation for Public Architecture. Image credit: Darren Bradley. As University of Sydney Professor of Architecture Michael Tawa points out, the judges also lauded many of the buildings for their 'celebration' of immediate surroundings, some particular aspect of the Australian lifestyle or our heritage. Eternity, for example, which inhabits a 126-year-old heritage listed building, won the Lachlan Macquarie Award for Heritage. Check out the full list of 2014 winners here.
Great renewal news for fans of Mabel Mora (Selena Gomez, The Dead Don't Die), Oliver Putnam (Martin Short, Schmigadoon!) and Charles-Haden Savage (Steve Martin, It's Complicated) usually means bad news for the folks that the trio know on-screen. Only Murders in the Building viewers get more episodes, but that means more deaths within the hit murder-mystery comedy's narrative. That's exactly the case right now, with the series just wrapping up its Paul Rudd (Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania)- and Meryl Streep (Don't Look Up)-guest starring third season, then revealing that there's more in store — with the show locked in for season four. More instalments, more killings and more amusing antics are all on the way, then, for the series that first got Gomez, Short and Martin sleuthing in 2021's season one (aka one of the best new shows of that year), then followed it up with 2022's season two (aka one of the best returning shows of that year, too) before arriving for its third go-around in 2023. Details of when the series will return, who else will pop up and the like haven't yet been announced, but expect to spend more time in Only Murders in the Building's world. The show started with three residents of the same New York apartment building crossing paths after a murder in their building — hence the title — then bonding over true-crime podcasts. Next, they did what everyone that's jumped on that bandwagon knows they would if they were ever in the same situation, starting their own audio series that's also called Only Murders in the Building. That's how season one kicked off — and continued, proving a warm, funny, smart and savvy series at every step along the way. In the show's second season, another death needed investigating. That time, it was someone the main trio were all known not to be that fond of, so suspicions kept pointing in their direction. Indeed, every season, another death has given aspiring artist Mabel, Broadway producer Oliver and actor Charles-Haden another case to dive into. In season three, that involved looking into who caused Ben Glenroy (Rudd) to shuffle off this mortal coil at the opening night of Oliver's latest show. "Is this really happening again?" asked the theatre figure in the first teaser trailer for season three. "Yes, yes it is" was the answer from Only Murders in the Building's audience then — and still now. "The trio's journey is far from over," US streaming platform Hulu, which produces the show, announced on social media. There's no sneak peek at season four as yet, but you can check out the full trailer for Only Murders in the Building season three below: Only Murders in the Building's streams Down Under via Star on Disney+. Read our full reviews of season one, season two and season three. Images: Hulu.
While most people think of a concept before a title is given to the project, graffiti artist and satire king Banksy does the opposite. The reclusive English artist and activist ventured into the world of TV last Saturday with his show The Antics Roadshow, a title he claims was born before the show's concept. In a statement Banksy said that "Basically I just thought it was a good name for a TV programme and I've been working back from there." Banksy's foray into TV takes a look at a topic he is most familiar with: public pranks. But his approach is tongue-in-cheek; from the 2010 politically motivated prank by Russian performance art group Voina to the pie-in-face pranks of Noel Godin, The Antics Roadshow (a pun on the iconic British TV show Antiques Roadshow) celebrates the humorous side and, at times, poignant statements of recent pranks and pranksters. The hour-long TV show is currently being aired on UK's Channel 4 and is narrated by English actress Kathy Burke and produced by Jamie D'cruz (who also produced Banksy's 2010 film offering Exit Through The Gift Shop). https://youtube.com/watch?v=NdpVVgMRbKg
If Alanis Morissette was to describe this piece of news, she might say that it's like rain on your wedding day. She could note that it resembles finding a black fly in your chardonnay. Or, she might explain that it resembles hitting a traffic jam when you're already late, too. We all know where those lines come from, because we're all acquainted with her famed track 'Ironic'; however, if you were hoping to hear that song as part of 15-time Tony Award-nominated musical Jagged Little Pill in Sydney in September, there's been an unwelcome but unsurprising development. The acclaimed production was due to make its first trip beyond Broadway and head to our shores, locking in a run at the Theatre Royal Sydney — and reopening the venue five years after it closed its doors in 2016, in fact. But, due to Sydney's current COVID-19 outbreak and corresponding lockdown, that's no longer happening. Accordingly, instead of raising its curtains on Thursday, September 23, Jagged Little Pill has postponed its premiere Aussie season. New dates haven't yet been announced, though. "The decision to delay the Australian premiere of Jagged Little Pill was not taken lightly. The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns have caused havoc in the live entertainment industry in Australia. Jagged Little Pill will directly engage over 100 performers, musicians and crew; consequently, we are tirelessly working to minimise the impact of the delay on the production to get those talented people back to work and audiences back to enjoying live theatre as soon as possible," said the show's producers in a statement. Jagged Little Pill the Musical Broadway opening night curtain call, Bruce Glikas When it does reschedule its Sydney dates, Jagged Little Pill the Musical will weave a story around songs from Morissette's 1995 album of the same name. So yes, it's a jukebox musical like Mamma Mia!, We Will Rock You and Rock of Ages. Beloved tunes 'Ironic', 'You Oughta Know', 'Hand in My Pocket', 'Head Over Feet' and 'You Learn' all feature, in a production that boasts music by Morissette and her album co-writer and producer Glen Ballard, lyrics by Morissette, and a book by Juno Oscar-winner Diablo Cody. Songs such as 'Thank U', 'So Pure', 'That I Would Be Good', 'So Unsexy' and 'Hands Clean' all pop up as well, even though they hail from the musician's subsequent albums. And, narrative-wise, Jagged Little Pill the Musical tells the tale of the Healy family. They struggle their seemingly idyllic suburban lives after a troubling event in their community. Expect to hear Morissette's tunes — including two new songs written just for the show — used in a tale about social issues relevant to today, but with an overall message of hope, healing and togetherness. Jagged Little Pill the Musical's Australian premiere season will no longer play the Theatre Royal Sydney at 108 King Street, Sydney, from Thursday, September 23 — we'll update you when new dates are announced. For further details, head to the musical's website. Top image: Jagged Little Pill the Musical original Broadway cast, Matthew Murphy.
Melbourne's Queen Victoria Gardens will again play host to MPavilion, a four-month program of free talks, workshops, performances and installations from October 5, 2016 to February 18, 2017. This year, Indian architect Bijoy Jain of Studio Mumbai will install Australia's largest bamboo structure — of all time. The 282-square-metre art-chitecture project will be constructed using ancient building techniques and materials sourced from India and Australia. Along with the bamboo, Jain will use earth, stone and rope in order to create a structure that references both the Australian landscape and Indian tradition. Though it will be made simply from plant and earth-based materials, the structure sounds like it will be anything but simple. The roof will be made of karvi panels, which is created from a mix of cow dung and earth, and will be supported by 2.4-metre-high bamboo columns. White lime daub will act as a waterproofing agent and a 12-metre-tall tazia, an ornamental tower used in Indian ceremonies, will be constructed and viewable through the oculus in the suspended ceiling. Basically, it's going to be super, super cool. Jain told Dezeen that the creative space is meant to "suspend visitors between earth, ground and sky". Studio Mumbai is known for collaboration and often works with local artisans to design and build their projects with a connection to the environment it inhabits. If you want to get to know more about the man behind the plan, the RMIT Gallery is offering a preview, Bijoy Jain and Lore: Making MPavilion 2016, which will run September 9 through October 22. The exhibition explores Jain's inspiration and process, and features models and sketches of the new MPavilion prior to its official launch on October 4. MPavilion, presented by the Naomi Milgrom Foundation, is in its third year and will again serve as a hub for free cultural activities. Past years have seen the Gardens host AL_A's immersive petal-shaped structure and Sean Godsell Architects' walled garden with moveable exterior. This year's MPavilion will remain in the Gardens until February, after which time it will be moved to a permanent home within Melbourne's CBD. Via Dezeen and Inhabitat. Images courtesy Studio Mumbai. Top image: Nicholas Watt.
You know the drill. The weekend rolls around and you and your mates end up doing exactly the same thing as last week — or at the very least, something pretty darn close. Sure, you chums are guaranteed to have a blast no matter what you're doing, but maybe it's time to spice up those group hangs (just a tiny bit, okay?). We've found a few perfect ways to do exactly that, from a spot of puppy patting to floating in a salty tank. Book in a friend date and head out of your usual comfort zone for one of these unexpected activities to do with your mates. BORROW SOMEONE ELSE'S PUP FOR THE DAY Dog-sharing. Yep. Read it again: dog-sharing. Services that allow pooch owners to connect with other pooch owners to help with everyday care, pupsit for holidays, do walks and so on. It's a thing (thanks to Australian service Dogshare) and you and your dogless mates can 'borrow' a pup for a walkie or sleepover from time-poor dog owners in your local area. To become a borrower, you just have to create a profile on Dogshare's website, list your previous experience with dogs and flag any services you're keen to volunteer for — like walks, park playdates, overnight stays or going to the vet. Can you think of a more joyous way to spend a sunny day with your squad? Just remember — you've gotta give them back at the end. Look after dem pooches, people. Do it at: where you live via Dogshare. PLAY TUG-OF-WAR IN THE SKY If playing tug-of-war or riding a bike across a balance beam four storeys in the air sounds like your kind of thing, then read on. Sydney's newest aerial park, Skypeak Adventures is now open and, let us put it this way — it's definitely not your stock standard Sunday arvo activity. The adventure park features a series of obstacle courses and challenges, all suspended high in the sky. Think bridge walks, barrel runs, rope climbs, chasm jumps or trapeze swings, 22 metres above ground. Get you and your mates a 'Momentum' pass and you'll be taking a 15-metre freefall/leap of faith into the unknown (hopefully a net?) together, while the 'Skypeak Tree' course involves scaling a huge ancient River Red Gum. High tea, minus the scones and cakes will be available, in the form of a picnic table suspended nine metres above a void. Just make sure one of you takes a phone up for ultimate group Snapchats. Do it at: Skypeak Adventures, St Marys. [caption id="attachment_593253" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Jon Roig via Flickr[/caption] FLOAT AROUND IN A POD OF SALTY WATER You might be a few years off being able to float around with your mates in outer space, but you can enjoy the feeling of zero gravity, right here, right now. It seems like sensory deprivation tanks (yes, just like Stranger Things) popped up on just about every shopping strip overnight, offering an out-of-this world experience designed to take your relaxation levels to the max. Each tank is light-proof, sound-proof, and filled with a mix of Epsom salts and water, which takes away the sensation of gravity and leaves you floating in a temperature-controlled bubble of absolute peace. Those cortisol and adrenaline levels dip, as any external stimuli and distractions (read: all that stuff that's currently stressing you out), disappear completely. Do a simultaneous float with a mate and go grab lunch afterwards. Do it at: Forever Floating Health Spa, Paddington. CLIMB A REALLY TALL WALL Sometimes it feels like the only way to catch up with friends is over food. Brunch, lunch, dinner, dessert, second dinner, second dessert are all great options (don't get us wrong), but sometimes you feel like doing something active and building muscle rather than building up a bill. Round up the crew and get vertical with a climbing session at your local indoor wall. With most rock climbing centres boasting a wide range of routes and climbs, you can tailor a visit to suit your group's abilities, whether that involves putting Spidey to shame with your ninja skills, or simply squashing that mild fear of heights. Sessions at most indoor rock climbing centres clock in at under $20 (safety demo included) with harness and shoe hire available for a few extra bucks each. You'll need someone to spot you, so take a friend who you trust with your life in their hands. Do it at: 9 Degrees, Alexandria. [caption id="attachment_556153" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Visit St. Pete/Clearwater via Flickr[/caption] TAKE TO THE SEAS ON A STAND-UP PADDLE BOARD Make the most of that impending sunshine and those bearable water temps this summer, and gather your mates for a stand-up paddleboard group lesson. Imagine gliding across the water, catching some rays, seeing fishies — or, alternatively, laughing at your mates and belly-flopping into the water as you try to stay standing. Both sound similarly fun. A carry-over from ancient Polynesian times, stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) has enjoyed a resurgence in recent years as a brilliant way to sharpen that balance and exercise on the high seas. Plus, the sport's a whole lot easier to master than its gnarlier cousin surfing — one lesson usually enough to have you paddling like a pro. Fish and chips on the beach post-paddle is, of course, a given. Do it at: WATSUP, Watsons Bay.
Michael Winterbottom and Steve Coogan, the team behind the cult favourites 24 Hour Party People and The Trip, are teaming up on the big screen again, this time presenting a biopic of the infamously rich British entrepreneur Paul Raymond in The Look of Love. Raymond, famous for opening Revue Bar in Soho and cultivating an empire built on the famous message 'sex sells', is portrayed by Coogan, who is perhaps a perfect fit given he once showered a topless model with £5000. The movie does much more than explore his world of erotica though, focusing on the King of Soho's personal relationships with the women closest to him and how he lost them on his way to gaining millions of pounds. The exploration of his life as a professional, husband, lover and father has already garnered acclaim, and whilst not everything Coogan touches recently has turned to gold, he seems to be onto a winner here. The Look of Love hits Australian screens June 27 and we have ten double in-season passes to give away, courtesy of Madman Entertainment. To be in the running, subscribe to our newsletter (if you haven't already) and then email hello@concreteplayground.com.au with your name and address.
When The Many Saints of Newark ends, will it cut suddenly to black? Will Journey's 'Don't Stop Believing' somehow get a spin, even though the film is set in the 60s and 70s? How much ziti will be served throughout the course of the feature? And, how many overt and obvious links to The Sopranos will pop up? These are some of the questions you might have if you're a fan of one of the best TV shows ever made, you're excited about big-screen prequel The Many Saints of Newark, and if you woke up this morning and got yourself a hankering for a sneak peek at the latter. Fourteen years after HBO's hit mobster drama wrapped up its TV run, creator David Chase has penned this jump back to Tony Soprano's formative years. Yes, it's obviously one of the most-anticipated flicks of the year. The Many Saints of Newark hops into Soprano's story when he's a teen in the titular New Jersey city — a place under the sway of the DiMeo crime family, struggling with race relations and about to be caught up in the race riots of 1967. Young Anthony plans to go to college, but he also has a strong relationship with his uncle Dickie Moltisanti (Alessandro Nivola, The Art of Self-Defense). And, to answer the question that's just sprang into your head, Dickie is indeed the father of series regular Christopher Moltisanti. Anthony's connection to his uncle Dickie will have a huge impact on his life, and sway his path to becoming the panic attack-suffering, hot-tempered mob boss that The Sopranos followed for six seasons between 1999–2007. Family is a huge part of the film, as it was in the influential drama before it — and as as both the initial glimpse and just-dropped second trailer for The Many Saints of Newark both show. That's true not just in the narrative, however, but also in the casting. If young Anthony Soprano looks familiar, that's because he's played by Michael Gandolfini (The Deuce, Cherry) — son of the late, great James Gandolfini. Enlisting the younger Gandolfini leaves a significant imprint, even just from the trailers. Watching these clips, it's impossible to imagine this movie being made without him stepping into his dad's shoes. The Sopranos aficionados can also look forward to spending time with a few familiar characters other than Young Anthony — including Corey Stoll (The Report) as Uncle Junior, Vera Farmiga (The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It) as Anthony's mother Livia, and Billy Magnussen (Made for Love) and John Magaro (First Cow) as his future righthand men Paulie Walnuts and Silvio Dante. And, Leslie Odom Jr (One Night in Miami) and Jon Bernthal (Those Who Wish Me Dead) also co-star, while seeing Ray Liotta (Marriage Story) jump back into the gangster genre immediately conjures up memories of Goodfellas, the Martin Scorsese classic that also charted the rise of a young man within the mob. Check out the latest trailer for The Many Saints of Newark below: The Many Saints of Newark releases in Australian cinemas on November 4.
This town's no stranger to glamorous pop-up bars. Over summer we've swung by Bennelong for specialty cocktails on their balcony, visited the MCA for G&Ts in their whimsical gin garden, and sipped chardonnay with our shellfish at Waterman's Lobster Co. pop-up on Bondi Beach. But Sydney's newest temporary tavern is serving the most precious liquid of all: good old H2O. Set amongst the beautifully restored, subterranean Paddington Reservoir Gardens, the H20: Water Bar is more than just a watering hole. It's a reflective glass art installation by renowned local artist Janet Laurence, and is designed to examine Australia's fragile relationship with our most precious natural resource. Laurence was Australia's representative at an art exhibition at the United Nations climate change conference in Paris last year, where she presented a work that showcased the hectic environmental damage done to the Great Barrier Reef. Her new installation resembles an apothecary or lab complete with glass beakers and vials, and will serve a number of different drops from various regions around the country. Have you ever noticed how water tastes different from one city to the next? Now you'll be able to compare for yourself. And unlike some trendy pop-up bars, you won't need to worry about forking over your life savings for a drink — entry into the water bar is free. Alongside the installation itself, Laurence has programmed a raft of water-themed events, including water-focused film screenings, workshops with Sydney Water scientists, water-themed poetry readings, panels of fellow artists unpacking the mystique of water and big discussions from leading environmental groups on the threats to our water sources (coal seam gas, coal, climate change, you name it). Check the website for session times. If you're a little peckish, Miss Chu will be running a pop-up stall serving fresh rice paper rolls each evening. Open Thursdays and weekends 5pm – 9pm. Image: Josef Nalevansky courtesy of the City of Sydney.
It has been 12 years since RuPaul's Drag Race first premiered in the US, and its mission to unearth the next drag superstars shows no signs of stopping. Currently, the original series is airing its thirteenth season, while international versions also exist in the UK — also hosted by RuPaul — plus Thailand, Holland, Chile and Canada. Next, it's finally making the leap to Australia and New Zealand. RuPaul's Drag Race already airs locally, but, in exciting news, it's now it's being made here as well — courtesy of the aptly titled RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under. The just-announced eight-part series will focus on Aussie and NZ drag queens battling for supremacy, and will air on Stan in Australia and TVNZ OnDemand in New Zealand sometime later in 2021. And, while not all overseas iterations of Drag Race are hosted by RuPaul, RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under definitely will be. RuPaul will also take on judging duties with show veteran Michelle Visage, with the final judge yet to be announced. Just who'll be competing, and which celebrities will make guest appearances, will also be unveiled later in the year. Fans already know the format — so expect to see fashion challenges, workroom dramas and lip sync battles aplenty. If you're a newcomer to all things Drag Race, you'll watch Australian and NZ drag queens work through a series of contests to emerge victorious, and join the likes of US contenders Jinkx Monsoon, Sasha Velour and Sharon Needles in being crowned the series' winner. Revealing the news, RuPaul said "I cannot wait for everyone to see that Down Under queens have some of the biggest charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talents in the world". If you're eager for more until RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under hits, you can also check out the show's announcement below — featuring RuPaul, of course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmlnWG_slkk&feature=youtu.be RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under will hit Stan and TVNZ OnDemand sometime later in 2021 — we'll update you with an air date once further details are announced. Top image: RuPaul's Drag Race.
After kicking off the summer with boozy frosé sorbet, Gelatissimo has turned its attention to another iconic beverage — Bundaberg ginger beer, but in gelato form. With the warm weather in full swing, the national ice cream chain has turned one of the country's favourite non-alcoholic drinks into its newest flavour. And yes, the chilled dessert is made using bottles of the iconic beverage, so expect each scoop to not only boast a familiar tanginess, but the fizziness of the carbonated brew as well. Why sip your beverage of choice when you can turn it into dessert? That clearly continues to be Gelatissimo's guiding principle. The ginger beer gelato is a short-term addition to Gelatissimo's menu, available in stores nationwide at present — but for a limited time only. It's also the ice creamery's third new summery flavour, joining not only frosé sorbet but a blue-hued sea salt butterscotch blend inspired by Aussie swimwear brand Speedo. For more information, visit Gelatissimo's website.
Plastic straws are slowly but surely disappearing from venues across the globe — including plenty of switched-on bars and eateries here in Australasia. And now, even fast food giant McDonald's is taking a stand against single-use plastic straws, announcing it'll start phasing out the unnecessary drink accessories across its UK stores next month. According to Sky News, McDonald's hopes to reach a point where 100-percent of its packaging is recyclable, having already phased out polystyrene and foam. Although, the company is yet to find an alternative to its plastic drink lids. Its next move is to start trialling the use of biodegradable and recyclable paper straws, in place of its less eco-friendly plastic alternatives. McDonald's UK restaurants will also start keeping its straws behind the counter, making them available only upon request. With 90% of the UK's population indulging in at least one Macca's run a year, and the Marine Conservation Society estimating 8.5 billion single-use plastic straws are used annually across the country, this new initiative is no small win for the planet. No word yet on whether McDonald's restaurants in other countries will follow suit, though here's hoping we're not too far behind.
Andy Bull is on one big ol' ride. The Sydney-based singer/songwriter has been unfathomably busy over the past year, juggling tour dates and life commitments while penning and producing his second album, Sea Of Approval. Just released on July 11, the 29-year-old's new record is a brilliant blend of insightful lyricism and exquisite electro pop. Bull's unique vocals and his knack for catchy hooks have caught the ears of listeners Australia-wide. Bull's latest three singles have notched up hours of radio play; you've definitely heard his voice on the airwaves. 'Talk Too Much', 'Keep On Running' and 'Baby I Am Nobody Now' have helped build anticipation for his second LP, which was almost entirely written and self-produced by Bull. We spoke to the Sydneysider not long after the announcement of his national tour in support of Sea Of Approval, starting September. An insightful young pop virtuoso with a unique take on the creative process, Bull took us through his penchant for DIY, staying sane in the business and dealing with second album demands. You've been unbelievably busy this year, how has 2014 run so far? I worked on the album over the last 12 months and I was busy, like some sort of insect in its hole, which was intense and strangely removed. Now that it is done, it's busy in this really external way; promoting, talking, playing and emerging back into the world sort of thing. You've just put out your second album, Sea of Approval, how long has it been in the works? Although it's been four years since I've put something out, this album was really done in the last 12 months. It was a pretty intensive period. There were ideas that were a bit older that had been hanging around, but the earnest work was pretty compacted. When you started piecing together the songs, was there any overall stylistic plan that you were working towards? Before I had songs, I had a vague idea of mood and sentiment. I had a sense of what I wanted, what I wanted it to feel like. It's a really hard thing to articulate until you start writing and recording and trying to materialise it. You have a sense of it all, but you don't really know if you can do what you are feeling and you don't really know how you will do it. The songs kind of came out of that initial mood and vision, but I didn't necessarily set out to do a full album. It began as a couple of tracks to see how they would go, to see if I could produce them myself and if anyone would care. It went well initially and then there was an expectation to do an album, so I got to work on it. At what point did you hit your groove? When did you know these songs would make a good second album? To be frank, it was very hard to get a groove going for a while. I did everything myself — I was being songwriter, lyricist, musician, producer, technician and rough mixer. I was doing all of those things constantly and I was trying to find solutions to creative problems and I didn't know where to locate the solutions. I got on a roll intermittently, but I wasn't cruising for 12 months. I generated so many ideas and about 30 percent clicked. You have a good day and on that day you will be more productive than the past two weeks. It's about slow builds; one day something will click. Did you do anything differently this time around? I wanted to take a hard look at myself. What you realise is when you step into a room you see that you aren't really on your own, because you have brought with you ten years of habits, values and aesthetics that you have inherited from other people. You've always got tonnes of baggage. Being alone and being willing to change your process, work hard and work against your old habits really makes a difference. The biggest change was an internal change where I didn't want to do what I had done before; I wanted to dig a little deeper and make music that matched my internal world in a more compelling way, using sounds and lyrics that told a vivid story and that the sounds would feel more personal, less traditional and more human. I wanted a change in tone, a different intent — not just to make things that worked and was pretty, but something that was useful to me. https://youtube.com/watch?v=JSGUxRWR_r8 Is it more nerve-wracking for you that this album is focused entirely on you and what you can create alone? Not nerve-wracking in the way you might think or that I might have expected. I am trying to, in my adult life, develop values and standards that are mine regardless of the expectations of other people. While I am sensitive to the reactions of other people, what I realise is that what I do has no potential value unless I am going to adhere to standards that are personal to me. It's a weird paradox; if you're not willing to abide by what you have done it might not have value in the outside world. In a way it's not nerve-wracking because I stand by what I have done, and although it's not perfect, it's a result of genuine questions and intent. When people judge it or decide that they like it or don't like it, that's fine because it is part of the process. It's not the end point or the beginning point, it's just part of the 'biz'. You've had three songs from the album do very well already, was that always part of the plan – to slowly trickle the songs to gauge a reaction? It was mostly because I didn't have an album finished. In the beginning I didn't know if I wanted to do an album or anything. I put a song out that I quite liked, 'Keep On Running', and it did quite well and people wanted another one. The next one I finished was 'Baby I Am Nobody Now' and then 'Talk Too Much' — it was really all on the go. Maybe it was the idea, but it also gives you a lot of pressure. There is no way to do this stuff without pressure. Once you put out a single, people expect another one. When you put out another one, people expect a record. I was constantly working to finish a record and to make it a good one, not a rushed one. You have to find a way to work comfortably, to have a buffer. If you are more focused on meeting a deadline then it narrows your options prematurely. If you are trimming before you have time to play, then sometimes your ideas don't come to fruition. You've mentioned how important it is "to stay sane and keep your integrity" when creating new work — how do you do that? How does that statement hold now that your album is out there? This is the key question in any process. Staying sane is basically about being gentle; having a self awareness and integrity means choosing what you are going to put your attention on and how you are going to interpret the events you are experiencing. To me, that's what sanity and integrity are — being able to analyse but not judge, being able to experience emotion without losing yourself to it, that sort of thing. How do you do that? It's difficult, but it's key. You've got to go slowly, appreciate that what you are doing is a long difficult process. You take a step forward and two steps back, you have to have a level of gentle acceptance if you want to stay sane in this environment. Keeping your integrity or authenticity is almost the same thing; if you can keep a calmness about yourself it allows you to choose what you are going to focus on and stay a step ahead. It takes constant maintenance to keep control of your attention and focus. Humility, patience and all the stuff that gets a bad wrap is important; we love the stories of creativeness being a huge, violent mess. That is a part of it but only a small part of it. I didn't necessarily do it well along the way, but the songs that I finished are the songs where I managed to find that headspace. If you gave your album to someone to listen to for the first time, what would you hope they respond to or take away from it? It's hard to say. Now that it has been given to people, it is amazing how many different responses there have been. The most you can hope for is that it would be of some use to people. You hope that it makes them feel ok about where they are at. In music you try to handle the ambiguities of life, the hope, the despair, all of the things because that is what life is. The best thing that music can do is even out the kinks in life. If you can even people out, that would be good. Sea Of Approval is out now through Island Records. Andy Bull National Tour Dates: Sep 7 — Spiegeltent at Brisbane Festival, Brisbane Sep 13 —The Metro, Sydney Sep 27 — Corner Hotel (SOLD OUT), Melbourne Sep 28 — Corner Hotel, Melbourne
Eating locally is having a moment. Or maybe a movement. It seems like everyone from writer turned farmer Matt Evans to comedian Adam Hills is advocating the joys of eating local. By eating local we're talking about eating foods sourced within a certain geographic region — ideally one that doesn't rack up 70,000 kilometres of travel to get to you. That's the distance a basket of our 29 most common grocery items is said to have travelled in their quest to reach your hot little hands. Since the frozen berry recall in February this year, the buzz around eating locally sourced foods has grown even louder, with consumer advocacy group, Choice, adding their weight to a campaign for clearer country-of-origin labels. “The claim 'Made in Australia from local and imported ingredients' is anecdotally the most frustrating claim, as this tells you nothing about where the ingredients are from,” says Katinka Day, policy and campaigns advisor at Choice. “At the moment, there isn't much consumers can do if they are confused about the current labels. They can seek brands who are proactively putting more information about origin on their packs or join our campaign calling for better country of origin labelling.” With Australia being renowned for producing some of the best fruit and vegetables in the world, it also begs the question why we even need to import or eat frozen produce in the first place. According to Kelly Barlow, nutritionist, owner and cook at the Waterline Cafe in Little Bay, the reasons are manifold but it comes down to one thing: Australians have become too spoilt for choice. The granddaughter of Australian farmers, Kelly says most consumers have forgotten that once upon a time you couldn’t get blueberries (or bananas or watermelon or any other seasonal fruit or veg) every day of the year and stamping your foot because you couldn’t have your morning acai and blueberry smoothie wouldn’t have done you a jot of good. “We have an abundance of food in Australia and we can get everything we want nearly all the time. But because of that we end up wanting everything all the time and unfortunately we’ve forgotten the joy in seasonality,” says Kelly. YOU DON'T HAVE TO AVOID EVERYTHING THAT'S IMPORTED So does eating local mean farewelling tinned tuna because it comes all the way from Thailand? If you can't track down the exact tree, paddock or stream that your dinner has come from, does it make it bad? Barlow suggests the changes needn’t be so radical. Eating local isn’t about giving up all the conveniences of the modern world; it’s as simple as making more informed decisions about how we shop and eat. “I’m not saying supermarkets and packaged foods are bad; the convenience is great," says Barlow. "But check that what you’re buying is grown in Australia. You don’t have to shop at farmer’s markets, just be aware of where your food comes from.” Although Kelly uses foods sourced from across Australia and internationally, according to the nutritionist the key is in understanding each country’s growing and packaging standards. She suggests there are three key things consumers should think about when buying imported food: where does the food comes from, how was it manufactured and how was it transported into the country. “The issue with eating imported food from a health perspective isn’t the preserving technique or that a vegetable has been snap frozen," she says. "It’s more to do with how that food item was grown and how it’s stored and transported ... If the earth and soil where the produce is grown is different to what we have here, if they use different pesticides, if the country where the food is grown doesn’t have access to clean water or has different food handling standards, all these factors have an effect on the quality and safety of the food you’re eating.” BE READY TO ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT THE FOOD YOU'RE EATING So where does this leave the average diner on a Friday night when country-of-origin food labelling is about as likely to feature on a restaurant menu as cassettes are to make a comeback? Chef Brendan Cato of The Farmed Table, a sustainable dining concept where all produce served is sourced or foraged by Brendan himself from a 30 kilometre radius of the venue, has some tips. “Consumers drive menus,” says Cato, who has previously worked at restaurants like Sean’s Panorama and whose pop-up dinners have featured at Bangbang Espresso Bar and Cafe in Surry Hills and Bondi Picnic in Bondi. Although most people might think a restaurant will find it off-putting to be quizzed about the food they use, Cato disagrees. “Read the menu, chefs who use locally sourced food will often highlight it and don’t be afraid to ask your waiter where the food comes and if it’s local.” TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT Diners who are willing to take a punt on lesser knowns foods will have a huge impact on the eating local movement and will probably give their tastebuds a surprise in the process. “When it comes to fish and seafood, for example, we love our salmon, tuna and snapper, but they’re not the most sustainable fish to eat all the time," says Cato, who also hosts a Fishy Business class at Work-Shop on the topic. “In fact, there are lesser known fish like leather jacket, trevally, sardines and garfish that are equally tasty and easier to source locally but that don’t get a look-in because we’re not prepared to give them a go ... Chefs don’t serve these type of fish because we don’t know about them and at the end of the day, they want to serve something that sells.” “The beauty of The Farmed Table is that diners don’t have a choice about what they eat,” he says, but adds that most people are often pleasantly surprised by the new foods they try. LEARN ABOUT SEASONAL FOODS AND AIM TO EAT SEASONAL WHERE POSSIBLE Although Brendan concedes that eating local food is easier when based in a produce-rich area like the NSW south coast, from where the chef hails, he suggests a slight attitude shift and a bit of good old common sense also play a part. “Start by understanding what’s in season, what grows in the summer and winter, and make food choices based on that. Take fruit, for example. In summer we get loads of berries and stone fruit; in the winter it's citrus and apples. If you’re not sure, just look online." “Even when you’re based in the city, you can eat local and seasonal quite easily," he adds. "There are local harvest collectives, groups of farmers that sell their produce direct to consumers, that can deliver seasonal food right to your door.” SHOP LOCAL TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WHERE THE FOOD YOU BUY When food shopping, Cato suggests adopting a stop and think approach and recommends striking up a conversation with your butcher, grocer or fishmonger to better understand where they source their produce. Even better, get out to a farmer’s market. “There’s no shortage of farmer's markets where you can talk directly with the growers. If they’ve grown most things, they’ll be upfront about how they’ve grown the food and can also tell you what’s in season.”
It has been more than six months since the Australian Government introduced an effective ban on international travel in an attempt to stop the spread of COVID-19 within the country. And, over that time, there has been plenty of speculation about when jetting overseas might resume — including predictions that the entire global travel industry mightn't return to normal until 2023, and that Australia's borders could remain closed until 2021. When it comes to Australia's prolonged border closure, an exception has been floated, however. Receiving ample chatter over the past few months is the concept of a travel bubble with New Zealand, which would allow international travel between the two countries, even as they potentially remain closed to other nations. Now, the first stage of the bubble has been announced — but, sadly for some, it's only one way. In a media appearance today, Friday, October 2, Australia's Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack announced that New Zealanders will be allowed to visit New South Wales and the Northern Territory, without having to quarantine on arrival, from 12.01am on Friday, October 16. "This will allow New Zealanders and other residents in New Zealand who have not been in an area designated as a COVID-19 hot spot in New Zealand in the preceding 14 days to travel quarantine free to Australia," McCormack said today. [caption id="attachment_773731" align="alignnone" width="1920"] NT by Tourism Australia[/caption] The Deputy PM also said he hopes this is just the start of the two-country travel bubble, hinting to it expanding to further parts of Australia in the near future. "This is the first stage in what we hope to see as a trans-Tasman bubble between the two countries, not just that state and that territory," he said. Responding to the announcement, a spokesperson for New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden said the travel arrangements have not changed for New Zealanders. Which means, travellers to Australia would need to enter 14 days of managed isolation on return to NZ — and pay for it. Unfortunately, as mentioned, this is currently a one-way travel bubble, so Aussies shouldn't rush to book a holiday across the ditch — just yet. The ABC reported earlier in the week that Ardern had mentioned that travel from Australia to NZ might be possible on a state-by-state basis before Christmas. Here's hoping. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website. To find out more about the virus and travel restrictions in New Zealand, head over to the NZ Government's COVID-19 hub.
Ain't nothing better than a well-placed cameo. They keep the Muppet movies relevant, made The OC better than it actually was (you know it) and give A$AP Rocky the chance to include even more of his friends on tour. When one of music's biggest calendar events, Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, kicked off its opening weekend in Indio, California, the cameos ran freely and generously, with almost more pop-in names appearing than the actual lineup. Here's a little recap of the stuff you might have missed on Twitter, though we're not sure how you could have; the large majority of Coachella-goers were brutally happy to tweet their highlights right in your face. While there were plenty more Coachella cameos where these came from (Future, Killer Mike and Janelle Monae casually dropping in on Outkast, Drake and Donald Glover popping into Jhene Aiko's Gobi-tent, whatevs), it remains to be seen how jealous and grumbling second weekend ticket holders will be. Rumours will undoubtedly fly for the next few days; the usual finger crossing for David Bowie will commence. https://youtube.com/watch?v=ZpFeb-pnATE Debbie Harry Danced With Streamers and Arcade Fire Closing the final day of Coachella's 'gang's all here' first weekend, the legendary Debbie Harry joined Arcade Fire for a rendition of Blondie's 1979 single 'Heart of Glass'. Régine Chassagne matched soprano heights with Harry, with Win Butler playing them all the way to 'Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)'. Streamers were thrown, days were made, VIP tents were dissed on. https://youtube.com/watch?v=DcZ_XN-4hK4 Mary J Blige Brought the '90s Back to House with Disclosure Following AlunaGeorge's routine 'White Noise' appearance, Mary J Blige fronted her powerhouse vocal for 'F For You', recently re-released with Blige and sounding even more '90s British house than usual. Sam Smith also popped in to lend some vox to the duo's hit single 'Latch'. https://youtube.com/watch?v=zjsoBPD4rnM Beyonce and Solange Threw Down Slumber Party Choreography One for the Knowles fridge. For those of us who've choreographed unbeatable dance routines with our sisters (haven't you?), this cameo couldn't have been any better. Making a surprise appearance during Solange's super single 'Losing You', the formidable Ms. Carter took off her crown to share the stage with her sister, where they box-stopped, hair-flipped and step-touched like nobody was watching. https://youtube.com/watch?v=MwhtcruhT-8 Pharrell Held an A-List Karaoke Party In a set Spin called "the most well-attended karaoke party of all time", everyone's favourite mountie/producer Pharrell Williams jigged in his Vivienne Westwood hat beside Snoop Dogg; Tyler, the Creator; Diplo; Puff Daddy; and Busta Rhymes. Rasping his way through the set due to Californian dust throat irritation, Pharrell finally brought out his favourite 'Hollaback Girl', Gwen Stefani, for a big ol' throwback. https://youtube.com/watch?v=qqFbgBN5zKY Nas and Jay-Z Celebrated Their Make-Up Anniversary Once bitter rivals in the early 2000s, master MCs Nas and Jay-Z put their differences aside in 2005, publicly shaking on it and performing "Dead Presidents II" at Jay's I Declare War concert. Almost a decade later, Coachella 2014 marked the return of the legendary Queensbridge MC to the stage, delivering his seminal album Illmatic from start to finish. After midnight Nasty Nas was joined by Jay-Z to reignite 'Dead Presidents II' and 'Where I'm From', when rap fans collectively lost it. Chance The Rapper Allowed a Competition Winner On Stage... Sporting a white bucket hat and neckerchief, a fresh-faced young competition winner made his way on sta... Wait. Bucket-hatted pop drag racer Justin Bieber joined Chicago MC Chance The Rapper on stage to perform latest collaboration 'Confident'. Internet chaos ensued.
"Alright, when's the murder-mystery start?" That's a line in the first teaser trailer for Knives Out sequel Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, and it sums up what we're all thinking. If you loved the 2019 OG movie, then you've been hanging out to spend more time with Daniel Craig as Blanc, Benoit Blanc. Get ready to do that a little earlier, and on the big screen. The first of two Netflix followups to that hit flick arrives this year — to stream on Friday, December 23, in fact — but it's also going to score a cinema run. The streaming platform tends to take that approach in the latter half of the year, when its slate is filled with movies that've premiered on the international film festival circuit, feature a heap of big-name talent, hail from impressive boxes or all three. Glass Onion ticks all of those boxes. In this case, however, you'll be able to get sleuthing in a cinema between Wednesday, November 23–Tuesday, November 29 — a month before the movie heads to streaming. And, you'll want to get in quick, as it's only showing for that one week. After that, you're back to waiting for an early Christmas gift. This time around, Edward Norton (The French Dispatch), Janelle Monáe (Antebellum), Kathryn Hahn (WandaVision), Leslie Odom Jr (The Many Saints of Newark), Jessica Henwick (The Gray Man), Madelyn Cline (Outer Banks), Kate Hudson (Music) and Dave Bautista (Thor: Love and Thunder) all join Craig, and the action moves to Europe. If you saw the original — or any murder-mystery involving a motley crew of characters brought together in one location when someone turns up dead — then you'll know how it works from there. There's a lavish setting, that aforementioned big group of chalk-and-cheese folks, threats aplenty and just as much suspicion. Glass Onion takes place on a Greek island, but also sends its various players on a cruise — and yes, thinking about Agatha Christie, including this year's Death on the Nile, is a natural reaction. "Lock the doors. Stay in your rooms. Everyone is in danger," Blanc advises in the sneak peek, because all of that goes with the territory as well. Is the culprit Bautista's Duke Cody on the yacht? Hudson's Birdie Jay in the games room? Hahn's Claire Debella by the pool? You'll have to watch to find out. Just like its predecessor, Glass Onion is both written and directed by Rian Johnson, with the filmmaker moving onto the franchise after 2017's Star Wars: Episode VIII — The Last Jedi — and still indulging his love of on-screen puzzles, as shone through in Brick and Looper as well. Check out the first trailer for Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery below: Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery will hit Australian and New Zealand cinemas from Wednesday, November 23–Tuesday, November 29, then become available to stream via Netflix from Friday, December 23. Images: John Wilson/Netflix © 2022.
Their name may be more likely to evoke tacky action cinema than melodious pop-punk, but New Zealand trio Die! Die! Die! would like to invite you to The Standard for just one leg of their Harmony In Australia album tour. Produced by Chris Townend (Portishead, D12, Violent Femmes) the band’s fourth offering Harmony is set to be the record of the year. Encapsulating savant pop elements with the raw energy and emotion of their live performance, Harmony is yet further proof that the band continue to evolve. With Opossum bassist Michael Logie in the ranks, Die! Die! Die! Can be expected to deliver an intense and euphoric show even more blistering than before, full of quietly menacing basslines and bursting with melody.
Have you ever been interested in web development, or creating effective user interfaces and designs? Now's your chance to get a jumpstart on your dream career if so, because Concrete Playground has partnered with General Assembly to offer you the chance to receive a $3,000 scholarship to one of their upcoming courses in Sydney or Melbourne. The courses on offer include Front-End Web Development, which teaches you to design websites while learning the ins and outs of programming in HTML, CSS and JavaScript, and User Experience Design, enabling you to express online design ideas through sitemaps, userflows, and wireframes. If it sounds like something that interests you, click here to apply. Entries are due by Thursday, December 20 at 5pm.
The only thing better than a lazy brunch is a lazy brunch with sunshine and harbour views. And that's exactly what you can now get at the Opera House, which is fast becoming the place to be this summer, whether you're seeing a show or not. During the month of January, the chefs at the Opera Kitchen, Opera Bar and the pop-up Garden Bar by the Corner House will be serving up Brunch at the House — a specially curated brunch menu as part of their Summer at the House program. You can start your day with the likes of a glass of champagne and a smoked salmon panini at Opera Bar, a Brunch Burger at the Opera Kitchen or some house-made muesli with mango coulis and Greek yoghurt at the Garden Bar. Follow it up with one of the many great shows they've got happening, or by wandering into the giant inflatable luminarium Exxopolis out the front of the House (which we highly recommend, despite the long wait during busy times). If you're a morning person, you can even combine it with an early morning yoga session at Garden Bar. Tempted but don't want to spend a fortune on parking in the city? They've thought of that, too; if you're driving in, there'll be cheap parking from 9am-12pm every day ($10 on weekdays, $5 on weekends, which can be pre-booked here with the promo code 'SOHbrunch'). Brunch is served 9am to noon on weekends and 10am to noon on weekdays. The Brunch at the House program runs until January 31.
It's the huge exhibition that took the world by storm, sending David Bowie's lightning bolt-adorned face everywhere from London and Berlin to Tokyo and Melbourne. His Ziggy Stardust costumes, various handwritten lyrics, an assortment of album artwork, rare photographs and even the magic orb he fondled as Jareth in Labyrinth, too. Organised by London's Victoria and Albert Museum, David Bowie is showcased a stunning range of around 400 objects from the David Bowie Archive, visiting 12 cities over six years and attracting more than two million visitors — and while it just finished its final run in Brooklyn, it's coming back in a new virtual format. In the coming months — autumn in the northern hemisphere, so expect it from September onwards — David Bowie is will exist as a digital recreation that you can access on your phone, as well as via virtual reality platforms. Fans can expect to tour the Bowie bonanza as an augmented reality experience, which will feature a sequence of audio-visual spaces highlighting the work and artifacts from Bowie's life. It won't just involve looking at 2D representations, either, with 3D scans used to preserve and present the artist's costumes and objects in detail. And while the final details are yet to be revealed, Bowie obsessives might even be able to virtually step into one of his out-of-sight outfits and see themselves in it. If you've ever wanted to become Aladdin Sane, the Jean Genie or just look like a real cool cat, this might be your chance to turn and face the strange — and experience some ch-ch-changes. A collaboration between Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc, the David Bowie Archive and the V&A, "these new digital versions of David Bowie is will add unprecedented depth and intimacy to the exhibition experience, allowing the viewer to engage with the work of one of the world's most popular and influential artists as never before," according to the exhibition website. How much it will cost is yet to be announced, but a portion of the profits will be donated the V&A and Brooklyn Museum. For further information — and to sign up for future updates, head to davidbowieisreal.com.
When Tim Philips-Johansson and his two mates opened Bulletin Place in December, 2012, he claims that they had no idea what they were doing. But what they perhaps lacked in business acumen, the team made up in alcohol expertise. The small bar took on a homely vibe, putting the focus on an ever-changing cocktail menu inspired by seasonal Australian produce. And really, aren't the drinks what matter most in a cocktail bar? Apparently so – fast forward five years and Bulletin Place has clocked over 1,500 daily cocktail menus and collected a bevy of industry accolades along the way. To celebrate a successful half-decade as one of Sydney's best small bars, Bulletin Place is gearing up for a party. Stop by on Sunday, December 17, between 6pm and 10pm, to join the festivities. Alongside a selection of classic tipples, cupcakes and pinatas, five of Bulletin Place's specialist cocktails from years past will make their return. Drinks disappear from Bulletin Bar almost as soon as they appear – and while they are always replaced with something equally tasty, if you've ever bemoaned the disappearance of favourite, this could be the chance to relive the magic.
The Coke Sign has long been emblematic of Sydney's nightlife, and, as of this week, it will sit right on top of another Holey Moley mini golf bar. Go figure. After moving into the space that once was the Newtown Social Club last year, the Holey Moley crew has taken up residence in the building right underneath the Kings Cross Coca-Cola sign. Here, two neighbouring spaces have been joined to create Holey Moley's biggest venue yet, featuring a huge 27 holes, across three separate mini golf courses. And while this one boasts the same DNA as its siblings, it's also got enough new gimmicks to keep even Holey Moley pros on their toes. The space itself pays homage to the area, and the mini golf offering's been ramped up to include a range of different experiences you won't find anywhere else across the group's stable. As you can expect, it has view across the city. Been to Newtown a few times? Holey Moley Darlinghurst also heralds the arrival of some new additions to the menu. Now you can tame your post-putting hunger with the likes of burgers and hot dogs. Behind the bar, new liquid hits include the Cherry Ripe for the Picking, made on cherry liqueur, coconut rum and whipped cream, and a grapefruit, Aperol and vodka concoction cheekily dubbed the Austin Sours. Since opening in Newtown in July last year, Holey Moley has gone on to open outposts in Castle Hill, Newcastle and Wollongong. So while it might not be welcome news to everyone that the bar has opened in what was once, pre-lockout laws, Sydney's nightlife district, it's hardly surprising. Holey Moley Darlinghurst opens at 82–94 Darlinghurst Road, Potts Point tomorrow, Thursday, May 10. For more info, visit holeymoley.com.au. Images: Mitch Lowe.
Has your dog always wanted to sit on a 'Game of Bones'-style throne? More importantly, have you always wanted your four-legged sidekick to pretend that they're in Westeros — all so you can take the world's most adorable photo? If so, then you might just go barking mad for Australia's latest pop-up installation. It calls itself a museum, but it's really just an excuse for you to snap pics of your cute canine against extremely photogenic backdrops. Think Sugar Republic and Melbourne's Christmasland — but, instead of focusing on desserts and all things festive (and human), Pet Stars is all about those gorgeous little animal critters that we choose to spend our lives with. The name is a little misleading, because the pop-up is "encouraging dogs only", according to its website. That said, it is hosting VIP cats-only nights as well, should you have a Ser Pounce to take along. If you're the proud parent of a "larger animal, snake or scary creature", though, you'll definitely have to leave them at home. Debuting at the Gold Coast's Carrara Market Event Space on Thursday, November 28 ahead of planned 2020 seasons in both Sydney and Melbourne, Pet Stars will boast an array of themed spaces for puppers to frolic through. In addition to 'Game of Bones', there's a Kong dog ball pit, a room that's all about chewed shoes and a doggy high tea set-up. Or, maybe your furball needs a trip to the 'Doggy Style' grooming roomor the glamour room? Given the season, of course there's a Christmas-focused room on the premises — there's your end-of-year pics taken care of. As well as more than 20 snap-happy scenes, Pet Stars will feature pet cosplay and a hall of fame room. You can also hang out in a park area with your pooch, and meet other dogs and dog owners. And, you can buy merchandise while you're there — but if you want to treat your doggo to some actual edible treats, you're encouraged to bring them with you. During its Queensland run, which spans three weekends until Sunday, December 15, Pet Stars will be donating $1 from each entry ticket to the Animal Welfare League of Queensland (and it's safe to assume it'll do something similar in New South Wales and Victoria, too). Don't have your own pet? You're still welcome to head along. In fact, if you stop by the Pet Rescue Area run by AWLQ, you might even find a dog and cat to adopt, take back through the installations, snap in heaps of pics and become your life-long best friend. Pet Stars will launch at the Carrara Market Event Space, on the corner of Gooding Drive and Manchester Road at Carrara on the Gold Coast, from Thursday, November 28–Sunday, December 15 — with tickets on sale now. It's open Thursday–Sunday during its run, welcoming dogs from 12–6pm on Thursdays, 12–8pm on Fridays, 10am–8pm on Saturdays and 10am–4pm on Sundays. Cat nights take place on Thursdays from 6–7pm. Pet Stars will also head to Sydney and Melbourne in 2020, although dates haven't been announced — we'll update you when they are.
In his latest role after becoming everyone's favourite fictional TV chef in The Bear, Jeremy Allen White isn't cooking up a storm in the kitchen. There's still plenty of heat in sci-fi romance Fingernails, however. Here, the Shameless and Homecoming actor stars alongside Jessie Buckley (Women Talking) and Riz Ahmed (Sound of Metal), with the trio involved in a love triangle — even though science definitively tells people how their hearts feel. The idea beating inside Fingernails: what if couples took tests to prove whether they were really, truly, genuinely head-over-heels in love? What would that do to romance and relationships? Also, what would happen if the results went one way but you started having feelings for someone else? And, how complicated would the situation be if you worked at a love-testing institute, but still found your emotions disproving its theory? As the just-dropped trailer for Fingernails steps through, Anna (Buckley) and Ryan (White) took the test three years back, got a positive result and settled into their relationship. Then Anna meets Amir (Ahmed) at her job at the love-testing institute, which is where all that questioning comes in — as soundtracked in the sneak peek by Yazoo's 'Only You'. The film marks the English-language debut of Greek writer/director Christos Nikou, who first made a splash with the similarly high-concept Apples — and took a few cues there from The Lobster and The Favourite's Yorgos Lanthimos by adding a new entry to the Greek Weird Wave. That flick pondered and parodied a pandemic in glorious deadpan, imaging a world where amnesia has wipes memories at random. Nikou both helms and pens again with Fingernails, which premiered at this years Telluride International Film Festival and will release in select cinemas on Thursday, November 2, then stream via Apple TV+ from Friday, November 3. Alongside White, Buckley and Ahmed, the film features Luke Wilson (Fired on Mars) and Annie Murphy (Black Mirror). Check out the trailer for Fingernails below: Fingernails will release in select cinemas on Thursday, November 2 and stream via Apple TV+ from Friday, November 3.
Dubbed as the biggest night of the year for Sydney, the Mardi Gras Parade usually fills the streets of Darlinghurst and Surry Hills. In 2021, however, the celebration of LGBTQIA+ culture and communities — and its colourful array of hundreds of floats and performers — will actually take place in the Sydney Cricket Ground. Announced back in November, the parade has been moved to the SCG to help ensure social distancing is maintained. The 23,000-capacity event has been sold out for a while; however, a final release of tickets will go on sale from 2pm on Wednesday, February 17. If you're in need of some motivation to nab a seat, the parade's lineup should help. Rita Ora leads the bill, alongside Electric Fields, Montaigne and G Flip. Before the parade, DJs Kitty Glitter and Dan Murphy will hit the decks, with hosts Bob Downe and Julie McCrossin helping to get the crowd excited. When the floats start, however — after a Welcome to Country ceremony at 6pm — Nell Schofield and Kyle Olsen will be on voiceover duties. The full Mardi Gras festival runs from Friday, February 19 until Sunday, March 7, should you be wondering what else is in store around the main festivities. You can view all currently announced programming and events and stay up to date with all the news at Mardi Gras website. And, if you can't make it to the parade, it'll be broadcast live on SBS. Updated February 17. Images: Jeffrey Feng
It's one thing to admire the Sydney skyline from afar (or from high up), but it's a whole new experience to be able to pick the brains of the kind of people responsible for it. On Friday, August 11 and Saturday, August 12, some of biggest names from the architecture and design industry come together at Sydney Indesign to celebrate how far this city has come design-wise. Across the city, there will be pop-up showrooms featuring speakers and talks with topics ranging from cohabitation among different generations, to the different design identities of Australia and how city developers cope with growing populations. Connected by design trails and a hop-on-hop-off shuttle system, you'll be racing around the city surrounded by innovated designs and talking to innovative designers. Not only that, the showrooms will be interactive — little pieces of unique design in their own right. To skip the lines on the day-of, preregister here. Participating venues will open on Friday, August 11 from 12pm - 6pm and on Saturday, August 12 from 10am - 6pm.
If you're a fan of Ted Lasso, The Afterparty, Bad Sisters, Slow Horses, Hijack or Lessons in Chemistry, then you'll be more than accustomed to getting your streaming fix from Apple TV+. Across the first half of 2024, the platform has a heap more new shows vying for your eyeballs, plus a few returning series. And as Netflix just recently did, it has announced all the details, as well as a sneak peek of what's to come. To get your must-watch small-screen list started, new shows starring Ben Mendelsohn, Jonathan Banks, Noel Fielding, Kristen Wiig, Colin Farrell, Joel Edgerton and Jake Gyllenhaal are all on their way. Mendelsohn (Secret Invasion) will be gracing your television first, playing Christian Dior opposite Juliette Binoche (Both Sides of the Blade) as Coco Chanel in ten-part drama The New Look, which arrives from Wednesday, February 14. Also among the cast: Maisie Williams (Pistol), John Malkovich (Billions), Emily Mortimer (The Pursuit of Love), Claes Bang (Bad Sisters) and Glenn Close (Tehran). Noomi Rapace (You Won't Be Alone) and Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul great Banks star in Constellation, which also drops from February, about astronauts grappling with the reality of returning home. As for The Mighty Boosh's Fielding, he leads comedy The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin, which has more than a bit of Our Flag Means Death about it. The series riffs on a real-life figure, a British highwayman, with Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey: A New Era) playing the lawman on his trail. March will bring the Tobias Menzies (You Hurt My Feelings)-led true-crime effort Manhunt, about the hunt for John Wilkes Booth following Abraham Lincoln's assassination — and also Palm Royale, with Wiig (MacGruber) playing a woman trying to find a way into Palm Beach high society, and Laura Dern (The Son), Allison Janney (The Creator) and singer Ricky Martin also featuring. Sugar hits in April, enlisting Farrell (The Banshees of Inisherin) as a private detective looking into a Hollywood case. So does Franklin, with Michael Douglas (Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania) as Benjamin Franklin. Then in May, page-to-screen sci-fi thriller Dark Matter features Edgerton (The Boys in the Boat) and Jennifer Connelly (Bad Behaviour), while June has Presumed Innocent with Gyllenhaal (Guy Ritchie's The Covenant) as a Chicago chief deputy prosecutor mixed up in a complicated casw. Also, sometime midyear, dramedy Land of Women boasts Eva Longoria (Tell It Like a Woman). Among the returning slate, Apple TV+ has second seasons of The Reluctant Traveler with Eugene Levy, Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock, Maya Rudolph (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem)-starring billionaire satire Loot and The Big Door Prize on the way as well. And, the full lineup for 2024's first half also spans four-part documentary Messi's World Cup: The Rise of a Legend, Acapulco season three and Trying season four. Check out Apple TV+'s trailer for its slate for the first half of 2024 below: New TV shows will hit Apple TV+ throughout 2024 — head to the streaming platform for its current catalogue.
Queenslanders are preparing to say goodbye to plastic bags and hello to a heap of change as the Queensland Government last night passed a bill to clear everyone's cupboards of both single-use plastic carriers and plastic containers — via a ban on the former and a refund-fuelled recycling scheme for the latter. Come July 1, 2018, all stores in Queensland will be ditching lightweight single-use plastic bags, including degradable and biodegradable options. The move brings the state into line with South Australia, the ACT, the Northern Territory and Tasmania, and follows the news that Woolworths and Coles will also be doing the same nationwide. And while it might seem like a long time coming...well, better late than never. Introducing a container refund scheme might also seem as though Queensland is playing catch-up, with SA and the NT already operating similar systems, and New South Wales bringing their own in from December this year. Hobart is aiming to completely ban the things by 2020. Applicable containers — which include cans and bottles of sizes between 150ml and three litres, though not any that hold plain milk, wine and pure juice — will each attract a ten-cent refund. Which can only be good for your overflowing recycling bin and piggy bank. To facilitate the scheme, designated collection points will be set up across the state, with reverse vending machines also likely to be part of the rollout. The receptacles will collect your containers and spit out refunds, (rather than vice versa) and will probably put an end to every conversation you've ever had about filling up your car with cans, driving to SA and filling your wallet. Let's hope Victoria and NSW follow suit.
Why spend just over a week worshipping the silver screen, as most film festivals do, when you can stretch the in-cinema celebration out to more than a fortnight, and throw in over a week of online viewings as well? That's Melbourne International Film Festival's approach. In 2023, now that the event's full lineup is newly here, it's also asking another question: why just have Tilda Swinton star in a film as one character when she can play two, and a mother and daughter at that? The movie in question is The Eternal Daughter, Swinton's latest collaboration with filmmaker Joanna Hogg after the sublime The Souvenir and The Souvenir: Part II, and it's one of MIFF's big 2023 highlights. Yes, there's more — much, much more. This year's fest will screen 267 films to Melbourne and Victorian movie buffs, in fact, plus a selection of picks virtually and nationally via the returning MIFF Play. 2023's festival footprint mimics the setup that worked so well for the film feast in 2022, which was its first proper year back after the pandemic began. So, it's gracing cinemas in Melbourne from Thursday, August 3–Sunday, August 20; hitting the big screen in regional Victorian locations from Friday, August 11–Sunday, August 13 and Friday, August 18–Sunday, August 20; and also going digital from Friday, August 18–Sunday, August 27. Shayda, a Melbourne-set drama that won an Audience Award at Sundance, was revealed as MIFF's 2023 opening-night flick back in May. The world premiere of Ego: The Michael Gudinski Story, paying tribute to the Australian record executive and promoter with help from Kylie Minogue, Dave Grohl, Sting, Ed Sheeran, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel and Jimmy Barnes, was also announced then, taking the fest's centrepiece slot. Now, they're joined by Theatre Camp among MIFF's high-profile sessions, with closing night scoring the Aussie debut of a crowd-pleasing comedy about loving the stage, as starring and co-written and co-directed by Booksmart and The Bear's Molly Gordon. Other standouts include Anatomy of a Fall, a drama about an author (Sandra Hüller, Toni Erdmann) accused of her husband's murder, which won French director Justine Triet (Sibyl) the French festival's top prize back in May; May December, which hails from Carol director Todd Haynes, is led by Natalie Portman (Thor: Love and Thunder) and Julianne Moore (Sharper), and dives into a scandal; Certain Women's Kelly Reichardt reteaming with Michelle Williams again with Showing Up; and Biosphere, about the last two men on earth, with star and co-writer Mark Duplass (The Morning Show) coming to Melbourne in-person with the film. Or, there's the Josh O'Connor (Mothering Sunday)-led La Chimera from Happy as Lazzaro's Alice Rohrwacher, Catherine Breillat's (Abuse of Weakness) return with Last Summer, Paul Schrader's (The Card Counter) Master Gardener starring Joel Edgerton (The Stranger), and Hirokazu Kore-eda's Monster — the prolific helmer's latest on a lengthy resume that also includes Shoplifters and Broker. Keen to settle in for the long haul? Still on big-name filmmakers, Nuri Bilge Ceylan's (The Wild Pear Tree) latest About Dry Grasses clocks in at 197 minutes. In 2022, MIFF launched Bright Horizons, its official competition — and the titles vying for glory in 2023, all from either first- or second-time filmmakers, are impressive for the second year running. Among 11 films, Shayda fits the bill, as does Cannes Un Certain Regard Prize-winner How to Have Sex, about three British teen girls on a boozy getaway; Earth Mama, an A24 release by Grammy-nominated music video veteran Savanah Leaf; and Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell, which follows a musical journey across the Vietnamese countryside. Also, the star-cross'd lovers-focused Banel & Adama plays direct from Cannes, Disco Boy stars German talent Franz Rogowski (Great Freedom) and Animalia explores an alien invasion in Morocco. Elsewhere, Cobweb stars Parasite's Song Kang-ho and is helmed by I Saw the Devil director Kim Jee-woon, the prolific Hong Sang-soo (The Novelist's Film) returns with Walk Up, and four-time British Independent Film Award-winner Blue Jean focuses on a lesbian teacher in Thatcher's England. Oscar-winning Amy and Senna filmmaker Asif Kapadia takes cues from Woyzeck and Frankenstein with the expressionistic dance-filled Creature; 2023 Sydney Film Prize-winner The Mother of All Lies heads south; You Can Call Me Bill pays tribute to the inimitable William Shatner; and Soda Jerk's first film since Terror Nullius, Hello Dankness, offers a chaotic yet cutting survey of US politics from 2016 onwards. MIFF 2023 will also feature eerie fare in the form of Sleep, by Bong Joon-ho protégé Jason Yu; birth/rebirth, which also riffs on Frankenstein; Perpetrator with Clueless favourite Alicia Silverstone; and Australia's own Godless: The Eastfield Exorcism. And, no strangers to showcasing giallo, including running a retrospective on Italian horror before, the fest is going all in on Suspiria, Tenebrae and Deep Red director Dario Argento. Among MIFF's shorts are Pedro Almodóvar's (Parallel Mothers) queer western Strange Way of Life starring Ethan Hawke (Moon Knight) and Pedro Pascal (The Last of Us), and also Trailer of the Film That Will Never Exist: 'Phony Wars', the last film by iconic French director Jean-Luc Godard before his passing. All of the above — and a whole lot more — joins previously announced titles such as The Rooster, starring Hugo Weaving (Love Me) and Phoenix Raei (The Night Agent); Celine Song's debut feature Past Lives, a bittersweet romance about two childhood friends (Russian Doll's Greta Lee and Decision to Leave's Teo Yoo) who briefly reunite after decades apart; Bad Behaviour, the feature directorial debut of actor-turned-filmmaker Alice Englert (You Won't Be Alone) starring Jennifer Connelly (Top Gun: Maverick); BlackBerry, which delves into the smartphone's rise and fall — and satirises it — with Jay Baruchel (FUBAR) and Glenn Howerton (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia) among the cast; and The Kingdom Exodus, Lars von Trier's latest followup to 1994's miniseries The Kingdom and its 1997 second season. The 2023 Melbourne International Film Festival runs from Thursday, August 3–Sunday, August 20 at a variety of venues around Melbourne; from Friday, August 11–Sunday, August 13 and Friday, August 18–Sunday, August 20 in regional Victoria; and online nationwide with MIFF Play from Friday, August 18–Sunday, August 27. For further details, including tickets from Friday, July 14, visit the MIFF website.
International Women's Day (IWD) celebrates the achievements of those who identify as female and how far we have come in the fight for gender equality for everyone. Plus, it's just a great excuse to thank the womxn in your life for being wonderful. Get together with your loved ones and think about what still needs to be done, particularly for those who are less privileged than ourselves. It feels like every year, more and more people get behind IWD, and there's always something new happening around town to get involved in. Together with Cancer Council NSW and its Girls' Night In campaign, we've come up with a few suggestions on how you can mark the day — Sunday, March 8 — in 2020. HAVE ALL YOUR MATES AROUND FOR A NIGHT IN TO CELEBRATE WOMXN Invite your friends and family around (no matter how they identify) for a dinner party, movie night, book swap or whatever takes your fancy — and give what you'd normally spend on a night out to Cancer Council NSW for women's cancer research, prevention and support. The Girls' Night In campaign is running through February — also Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month — until IWD at the beginning of March, making it the perfect excuse to gush over films about inspiring women or share your favourite feminist books. Fire up Netflix and queue documentaries Feminists: What Were We Thinking?, Knock Down The House, Period. End of Sentence and Reversing Roe. Docos aren't your thing? Try some films with powerhouse female casts like Someone Great, Nappily Ever After, Lady Bird and, obviously, Legally Blonde. For more house party ideas, head over here. SPEND SOME TIME GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY It's not enough to talk about the good stuff on International Women's Day. It's important to acknowledge the difficulties of women in communities that are disproportionately affected by issues like domestic violence and homelessness. IWD is all about women empowering women, lifting each other up and helping those that are doing it tough. If you've got the time, consider volunteering at a women's shelter — most are run almost exclusively through the generosity of the community. To get you started, Bayside Women's Shelter and Women's Community Shelters are always looking for volunteers or goods donations. [caption id="attachment_753370" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Prudence Upton[/caption] GO TO AN IDEAS FESTIVAL THAT'S ALL ABOUT WOMEN In its eighth year, the Sydney Opera House's All About Women festival will address a broad range of topics about gender, justice and equality. Held on IWD, the jam-packed series of panels, talks and workshops will cover everything from body positivity and gendered violence to women in tech and astrophysics. Highlights include Blak Matriarchies (a cross-generational panel of strong Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women discussing the survival of matriarchal society) and Know My Name with Chanel Miller, an artist, writer and survivor of sexual assault. Don't miss the rotating three-hour Conversations with Feminists or the interactive audiovisual experience My Mother's Kitchen — both of which are free. SHARE A MEAL WITH YOUR MATES Sometimes you just need to share a good meal, a chat and a cuppa tea — maybe that's why IWD breakfast and lunch events have become so popular. You can always throw your own brunch party as a riff on Girls' Night In, or check out some of the events around town. Many are hosted by local councils, restaurants or organisations, so there's sure to be one that's right for, and near, you. Join Greens Senator Dr Mehreen Faruqi for breakfast at The Tea Room in the Queen Victoria Building, or sit down to high tea at the Museum of Contemporary Art with Compassion Australia. Otherwise, business-minded folks might gravitate towards this breakfast hosted by Future of Leadership or this Business Chicks lunch. [caption id="attachment_622123" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kimberly Low[/caption] EMBRACE ART MADE BY WOMEN It's not all political — women contribute hugely to creative industries and that deserves to be celebrated. The Sydney Theatre Company's No Pay? No Way! will be playing at the Sydney Opera House from February 10–March 20, adapted by Marieke Hardy and directed by Sarah Giles. Meanwhile, New Zealand gothic folk artist Aldous Harding is playing at the Enmore Theatre on Wednesday, March 4, and the Ritz Cinema in Randwick is hosting a one-off IWD screening of the Women's Adventure Film Tour, which features award-winning short films about thrill-seeking women. You can also go to a big poetry reading in honour of IWD or take in some jazz music at The Newsagency. Gather your crew together for a Girls' Night In and donate what you would've spent on a night out to Cancer Council to help those affected by cancer. To register as a Girls' Night In party host, visit the website.
Imagine a room filled with pinot noir, with red drops after red drops from wineries around the country poured for your sipping pleasure for hours. If that's your preferred type of vino, it likely sounds like your idea of boozy heaven. There's no need to just dream up the concept, however. Thanks to Pinot Palooza, it already exists, has been doing the rounds in Australia for more than a decade, and has locked in its return for 2024. A guiding principle here: that being spoilt for choice can be overrated when it comes to deciding which wine varieties you feel like at any given moment. So, let this event do the picking for you. Pinot Palooza celebrates exactly the type of vino that's in its name, and makes the sound of a light- to medium-bodied red wine sloshing around a glass its standard soundtrack, including in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne come spring. Expect to hear that noise a whole heap — before the pandemic, the Melbourne-born wine-tasting festival had notched up an estimated 65,000 tickets sold globally. In 2024, Pinot Palooza is hitting up its three east coast stops for a two-day stint in each. While that was first announced back in March, now venues have been confirmed. Across Friday, October 4–Saturday, October 5, Sydneysiders will be clinking glasses at Carriageworks. From Friday, November 15–Saturday, November 16, Brisbanites will get their pinot fix at the Exhibition Building at Brisbane Showgrounds. Then, come Friday, November 22–Saturday, November 23, the Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton is the go-to destination in Melbourne. The Pinot Palooza team has also revealed that up to 100 wineries will be taking part in 2024, up from more than 50 winemakers last year, and surveying everything from organic and vegan to biodynamic and low-intervention drops. The full list of producers hasn't been unveiled, but Tasmania's Meadowbank, Oakdene from Geelong, Murdoch Hill and Vinteloper from the Adelaide Hills and New South Wales' M&J Becker are among the names that'll be involved from Australia. New Zealand tipples will be showcased by Two Paddocks, Burn Cottage, Mt Difficulty, Te Whare Ra, Greystone and others. As always, attendees will spend their session swirling and sampling that huge array of pinot noir, and making the most of up pop-up bars and food stalls between drinks. In Brisbane, though, a cheesy time also awaits. While dairy fest Mould has already taken place in the River City in 2024, it's teaming up with Pinot Palooza in October to give the Queensland capital a hybrid Pinot Palooza x Mould fest. Pinot Palooza 2024 Dates and Venues: Friday, October 4–Saturday, October 5: Carriageworks, Eveleigh, Sydney Friday, November 15–Saturday, November 16: Exhibition Building, Brisbane Showgrounds, Brisbane Friday, November 22–Saturday, November 23: Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton, Melbourne Pinot Palooza will tour Australia's east coast in October–November 2024. For more information, and for tickets, head to the event's website.
Pushing ladies to the front has always been All About Women's focus, ever since the Sydney Opera House's key feminist festival first took to the stage back in 2013. In 2023, however, it's doing just that with an in-conversation event that couldn't be more perfect: Bikini Kill Speaks, featuring the seminal riot grrrl pioneers — aka Kathleen Hanna, Tobi Vail and Kathi Wilcox — chatting through their music, activism and why their message remains as relevant as ever after three decades. Hanna, Vail and Wilcox's session comes while Bikini Kill are in the country for their first Australian shows in more than 25 years, including stops at Mona Foma and Golden Plains, plus other solo dates around the country — Sydney Opera House among them. In fact, in addition to the in-conversation session, that gig will close out All About Women's 2023 event. [caption id="attachment_875442" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Debi Del Grande[/caption] When All About Women takes place in March, it'll run over three days — from Saturday, March 11—Monday, March 13 — growing again after it only just expanded to two days in 2022. In another big change, it'll be guided by four festival co-curators for the first time ever. Doing the honours: author, podcast presenter and gender equality advocate Jamila Rizvi; Gamilaroi academic and Tell Me Again author Dr Amy Thunig; feminist social commentator, novelist and writer Jane Caro AM; and Sydney Opera House's Head of Talks and Ideas Chip Rolley. The rest of All About Women's 2023 lineup hasn't yet been unveiled, but audiences can expect a range of international and Australian artists, thinkers and storytellers on the bill — exploring a broad variety of topics relevant to gender, justice and equality via panels, conversations, workshops and performances — when the full details drop on Tuesday, January 17, 2023. [caption id="attachment_837695" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Prudence Upton[/caption] "All About Women is unparalleled in its ability to attract audiences from across the country, with a passion for debates and discussions about gender. The festival always delivers a healthy dose of levity alongside its signature significant local and international conversations," said All About Women festival co-curator Jamila Rizvi. "Striking that balance between impact and frivolity is what my programming style is all about. To say that it is a privilege to co-curate the festival in 2023 is an understatement!" [caption id="attachment_837698" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jacquie Manning[/caption] In 2022, while the festival went ahead in-person for Sydneysiders, it also live-streamed to viewers both around Australia and worldwide. Whether that'll be the case again in 2023 hasn't yet been revealed, but if you live outside of the Harbour City, cross your fingers. All About Women 2023 will take place from Saturday, March 11—Monday, March 13 at the Sydney Opera House. The full program will release on Tuesday, January 17, 2023 — check back here then for further details. Tickets for Bikini Kill Speaks go on sale at 9am AEDT on Friday, December 2, with Sydney Opera House Insiders presales from 9am AEDT on Tuesday, November 29 and What's on presales from 9am AEDT on Wednesday, November 30. Top image: Debi Del Grande.
Rhythm of the Night, Goodgod's '90s dance night and the best excuse to dress up in your finest Hot Tuna ensemble, is turning one this Easter Sunday, giving you just another reason to celebrate this long weekend. For the birthday bash DJs Levins, Ariane and Radge will be blasting '90s dance hits in the Danceteria, with '90s RnB taking over the front bar from G Coo, babygirl, Nacho Pop, Leon Smith and Flossy from Laprats. Head to the Facebook event to get in requests for your favourite jams. Don't dally on the night either; last Easter they hit capacity before 10pm.
After blowing Sydneysiders away with her singing, dancing and towering cosmic structures at the Sydney Opera House last year for Vivid Live, Solange is heading Down Under once more. The Grammy Award-winning singer — composer, choreographer, actress, filmmaker, fashion icon — is coming back to the Opera House for four shows in January 2020. Mark it in your calendars, friends. If you were one of the lucky ones to score tickets the sold out show last year, you'll know what to expect come January: a stunning 360-degree stage, a live band, a team of incredibly choreographed dancers. Although this time, instead of singing and dancing to A Seat at the Table under a giant moon-like sphere, Solange will be performing her new album When I Get Home in Australia for the first time. Featuring hits such as 'Way to the Show', 'Dreams' and 'Binz' — and collaborators such as Pharrell, Sampha, Gucci Mane and Tyler, the Creator — the album is an ode to Solange's hometown of Houston, Texas. It was released alongside a 33-minute art film of the same name, which you can watch on YouTube while you're waiting for her Aussie return. https://www.instagram.com/p/Bv_bpnIFr5g/?utm_source=ig_embed While the stage will look a little different to the one above, we're told to expect something similarly impressive. You can get a glimpse of what to expect from the new choreography, too, by checking out Solange's Instagram. The Sydney Opera House performances will be Solange's only Aussie shows, so, if you're interstate we suggest you start keeping an eye on cheap flights. Solange will perform four shows in the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall on January 27, 28, 30 and 31. Pre-sale tickets are available from 9am on Wednesday, August 21 with general sale starting at 9am on Friday, August 23 via the Sydney Opera House website. Images: Max Hirschberger
