Have a bad habit of putting your phone on silent and then leaving it somewhere you can’t find it? There’s an app for that. Known as Marco Polo, the brand new app is based on the classic hide-and-seek game you might have played in the family pool as a kid. You yell "Marco" and your phone yells "Polo" back. You work out where the 'voice' is coming from and voila! Recover your missing mobile from the deep dark recesses of the couch, the top shelf of the refrigerator or the shed in the back garden — wherever you left it after one too many mojitos the night before. The two best things about the Marco Polo app is that it works regardless of your phone’s setting –— be it at a low volume, on silent or in sleep mode — and that it doesn’t depend on an internet connection. And the final best bit? Rather than having to hassle every family member or housemate to help you in the search, all you’ve got to do is walk around frantically yelling "Marco". Angry panic session becomes slightly silly game in one easy download. To boost the fun factor, you can pick and choose between thirty or so voice options and change the 'input phrase' to suit you. In other words, if you’d rather think of your phone as a pet than as a fourteenth century Venetian traveller, you can customise your phrase as, "Come here" and set your phone to answer "Woof, woof". Just be nice to your iFriend. Marco Polo, the first independent app from developer Matt Wiechec, works with iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. You can download it for $1.29. Via PSFK.
Following the lead of well-stocked, handpicked whisky bars like The Baxter Inn or the new Dram Club-curated back room of Jacksons on George, Surry Hills staple The Clock Hotel has opened a brand new single malt-happy room out the back. Decked out like an old-timey saloon out the back of the Crown Street pub, The Whisky Room has been a project a long time coming for owners Solotel, dropping over 100 whiskies, chesterfield booths and swinging half-doors into Crown Street's newest addition. Open Wednesday through to Saturday, The Whisky Room has been stocked to the rafters of whisky's usual suspects (Islay, the Highlands, US) alongside handpicked favourites from Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan and Japan. Whether you're a fan of a fresh Hakushu Distiller's Reserve or an all-out Sullivans Cove American Oak, there's a metric phucktonne of whiskies behind the bar — and bartenders who actually know their stuff. If you're a newcomer to the whisky world, bar manager Daniel Molnar will show you the ropes with a few cocktails. From the crispy Yamazaki-laden Japanese Highball to the mighty Penicillin (Money Shoulder, homemade honey-ginger syrup, fresh lemon, smoky Ardberg float), the paired down cocktail menu is tailored to suit the star spirit. Classic whisky-friendly staples are all on offer — Manhattan, Whisky Sour, Old Fashioned — and if you're a fan of the Shady Pines-popularised fresh pressed apple topper, there's a juicer at the end of the bar. Seasoned tasters might be more interested in the monthly whisky flights (focusing on one region, country or brand) and Boiler Maker specials — pairing a shot with a complementary bottle of craft beer. The team are also pairing food samples with their flights — Messina green tea gelato with Hakushu, ANZAC biscuits with a sadly discontinued South Island Single Malt 18YO, orange chocolate with a 15-year old Tobermorey. While the idea of a whisky room isn't new to Sydney, The Whisky Room is a welcome addition to Crown Street and a surprising little hidden gem out the back of a constantly refurbishing Surry Hills staple. Worth checking out if only for the Penicillins. Find The Whisky Room at the Clock Hotel, 470 Crown St, Surry Hills. Open Wednesday to Saturday. Images: Alana Dimou.
It was true in the 90s, and it remains that way now: when Jim Carrey lets loose, thrusting the entire might of his OTT comedic powers onto the silver screen, it's an unparalleled sight to behold. It doesn't always work, and he's a spectacular actor when putting in a toned-down or even serious performance — see: The Truman Show, The Majestic, I Love You Phillip Morris and his best work ever, the sublime Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind — but there's a reason that the Ace Venture flicks, The Mask and Dumb and Dumber were some of the biggest movies made three decades back. Carrey is now a rarity in cinemas, but one franchise has been reminding viewers what his full-throttle comic efforts look like. Sadly, he's also the best thing about the resulting films, even if they're hardly his finest work. That was accurate in 2020's Sonic the Hedgehog, and it's the same of sequel Sonic the Hedgehog 2 — which once again focuses on the speedy video game character but couldn't feel like more of a drag. The first Sonic movie established its namesake's life on earth, as well as his reason for being here. Accordingly, the blue-hued planet-hopping hedgehog (voiced by The Afterparty's Ben Schwartz) already made friends with small-town sheriff Tom Wachowski (James Marsden, The Stand). He already upended the Montana resident's life, too, including Tom's plans to move to San Francisco with his wife Maddie (Tika Sumpter, Mixed-ish). And, as well as eventually becoming a loveable member of the Wachowski family, Sonic also wreaked havoc with his rapid pace, and earned the wrath of the evil Dr Robotnik (Carrey, Kidding) in the process. More of the same occurs this time around, with Sonic the Hedgehog 2 taking a more-is-more approach. There's a wedding to ruin, magic gems to find and revenge on the part of Robotnik. He's teamed up with super-strong echidna Knuckles (voiced by The Harder They Fall's Idris Elba), in fact, while Sonic gets help from smart-but-shy fox Tails (voice-acting veteran Colleen O'Shaughnessey). Gone are the days when an animated critter's teeth caused internet mania. If that sentence makes sense to you, then you not only watched the first Sonic the Hedgehog — you also saw the chatter that erupted when its initial trailer dropped and the fast-running creature's humanised gnashers looked oh-so-disturbing. Cue a clean-up job that couldn't fix the abysmal movie itself, and an all-ages-friendly flick that still made such a ridiculous amount of money (almost $320 million worldwide) that this follow-up was inevitable. The fact that Sonic the Hedgehog 2 arrives a mere two years later does indeed smack of a rush job, and the end product feels that way from start to finish. That isn't the only task this swift second outing is keen to set up, with bringing in fellow Sega characters Knuckles and Tails the first step to making a Sonic Cinematic Universe. Yes, with Morbius reaching theatres on the exact same day as Sonic the Hedgehog 2, it's an ace time for sprawling start-up franchises sparked by a quest for cash rather than making great cinema — an ace time for the folks collecting the money, that is, but not for audiences. Both otherwise unrelated movies are flimsy, bland and woefully by-the-numbers, and seem to care little that they visibly look terrible thanks to unconvincing CGI. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 also falls victim to one of the worst traits seen in family-appropriate pictures: being happy to exist purely as a distraction. That means pointless needle drops that shoehorn in pop hits for no reason other than to give kids a recognisable soundtrack to grab their attention, and an exhausting need to whizz from scene to scene (and plot point to plot point) as if the film itself is suffering a sugar rush. Also covered: unnecessary pop-culture references, including inexplicably name-dropping Vin Diesel and The Rock, and also nodding to all things Indiana Jones. Sonic the Hedgehog 2's fondness for dashing through its sequences and setpieces like it's racing against a clock could be seen as a simple case of the film endeavouring to emulate its protagonist — but it also runs for over two hours, so truly delivering a turbo whirlwind isn't on returning director Jeff Fowler's mind. Rather, the feature seems to flit by at a breakneck pace so that nothing could possibly linger, which is one of its few attempted gifts to viewers. The other is still Carrey, although he can't carry the movie this time around. To be specific, he doesn't appear to want to. He also seems to be leaning heavier on easy gimmickry rather than genuine goofiness, but he's happily still in anarchic mode. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 definitely can't match him, though, despite zipping as much chaos across the screen as it can (and as hurriedly as can). Try as it might, the film doesn't make anyone forget its inane Hawaiian wedding scenes, which earn far too much focus because they shouldn't receive any. In the year 2022, second-time Sonic writers Pat Casey and Josh Miller — plus newcomer John Whittington (The Lego Ninjago Movie) — somehow thought it was okay to rely upon bridezilla tropes in the name of supposed humour, and the result is unfunny and lazy. This narrative choice also gives The White Lotus' Natasha Rothwell a thankless part, but then no flesh-and-blood actor who's playing it straight fares well here. That leaves Carrey, and also the voice work behind the movie's primary colour-toned animated creatures. Schwartz still sounds as if he's doing Parks and Recreation's Jean-Ralphio right down to a "the woooorst" joke, but Elba's line readings at least raise a smile by being so self-serious. Throw in an over-emphasised message about the importance of family like this is a stealth Fast and Furious flick — yes, clearly the title would fit, and there's also that Vin Diesel and The Rock mention — and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 just keeps getting more and more derivative. It knows it, actually. It even makes a gag about it. But as with almost everything it serves up, throwing things at the screen like blazes and being well-aware you're doing it doesn't make for an entertaining, average or even passable-enough time at the movies. Image: courtesy Paramount Pictures and Sega of America.
Unlike us, cats love contorting their bodies into confined spaces. Whether it's cardboard boxes, flower pots or bathroom basins, kitties can be often found squeezing their slinky selves into obscure areas. Now, thanks to Oregon-based Etsy seller AtomicAttic, your furry friend can now relax in the stylish confines of an upcycled iMac computer or vintage suitcase. Made from reused Apple computers, the iMac Pet Beds are reinforced at the bottom with a fabric wrapped plywood insert for strength and durability. In addition they come with a removable, triple stitched, machine washable slipcover for cleaning convenience, as well as a fluffy cushion. And if the iMac Pet Beds aren't your idea of a good time, you may opt for the kitsch vintage suitcase Pet Bed made from a repurposed antique travel bag with legs upcycled from a vintage '70s retro chair. AtomicAttic's designs are enough to make any cat owner succumb to bed envy.
Australia's cities are lighting up this winter thanks to a slew of dazzling arts festivals — and if you're planning to spend the middle of the year hopping between them, you've now got another destination. While Melbourne's Rising festival, Sydney's Vivid, and Hobart 's Dark Mofo will all unleash their delights in June (with Vivid even starting in late May), Illuminate Adelaide is set to brighten up the South Australian capital throughout July. And, based on its just-dropped lineup, there's plenty to tempt both locals and interstate visitors alike. Returning for its second year, Illuminate Adelaide is all about creativity, art, music and light, and will unfurl all of the above from Friday, July 1–Sunday, July 31. Topping the bill: Gorillaz, with Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett's chart-topping act adding an Adelaide show to their Australian tour, which already includes headlining this year's Splendour in the Grass, plus sideshows elsewhere. Also set to be huge: Ouchhh Studio's Wisdom of AI Light, a major exhibition that's all about art and artificial intelligence. A multisensory experience, it'll take up a specially designed pop-up exhibition space in the East End of the Adelaide CBD, with quite a wonder inspired by renaissance painters as its centrepiece. Here, AI has been trained to analyse billions of brushstrokes by some of the best artists who've ever lived — with a particular focus on Leonardo da Vinci — and create its own new moving image work. [caption id="attachment_850982" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ouchhh Studio[/caption] The exhibition also includes a number of other pieces by the Istanbul-based Ouchhh Studio, such as art made in conjunction with the Machine Learning Scientists at CERN in Switzerland and with NASA. In the former, called Dark Machine, you'll peer at AI-processed data from subatomic particle collisions — while the latter, Data Gate, sees AI play with data from the Kepler Space Telescope, drawing upon its nearly ten years in space observing 2500-plus planets, more than 530,000 stars and over 61 supernovae. Still on all things radiant, 2022's festival will welcome back some of last year's big light installations (because peering at shiny sights never gets old). Making a comeback is Light Cycles, which'll once again transform the Adelaide Botanic Gardens with light projections, lasers, sound and special effects, all thanks to Montreal's Moment Factory. And, the Adelaide Zoo will host the return of Light Creatures, so there'll be another round of enchanting interactive animal installations — think: giant tiger lantern puppets, huge rainbow skinks, giant pandas and giraffe lanterns — giving the place an enormous glow. The City Lights program is returning as well, once again featuring a range of acclaimed artists — and turning the CBD into an after-dark art trail in the process. 2022's version will notch up more 40 free site-specific works over 17 days, spanning creative photobooths, illuminated laundry, 15 giant glowing seesaws and a chandelier harp in various spots around town. There'll also be a 50-metre-long walkway of moving light and mirrors, an interactive geometric LED cube, bouncing glowing orbs, and Vincent Namatjira's Going Out Bush turned into animation and projected onto the Art Gallery of South Australia's facade. [caption id="attachment_850978" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Chandelier Harp, Jen Lewin. Photo by Aaron Rogosin.[/caption] Other standouts from the hefty full Illuminate Adelaide program include the Australian premiere of seven-channel video piece We Will Slam You With Our Wings by Joanna Dudley, which takes notoriously sexist speeches from throughout history and reframes them as feminist war cries; the Aussie debut of concert series KLASSIK underground, which pairs classical music with live visuals; and experimental and electronic music celebration Unsound Adelaide. And if you're already starting to make plans to head along, expect to have a heap of company — last year's fest was impacted by COVID-19 lockdowns and wild weather, but still attracted more than 500,000 attendees. Illuminate Adelaide 2022 runs from Friday, July 1–Sunday, July 31. Check out the festival's website for the full program and to grab tickets. Top images: Light Creatures, Adelaide-Zoo. Credit: Frankie the Creative. // Futures, part of City Lights // Submergence, part of City Lights. Credit: Rikard Osterlund.
You know that feeling when you're loving an exquisite meal so much that you don't want it to end, and you're also content in the knowledge that there's still plenty more in store? That now applies to The Bear. Season one of the hit restaurant dramedy left everyone ravenous for season two, then that second effort did the same for the upcoming third instalment. Season three hasn't aired as yet — it's due in mid-2024 — but fans can rest assured that season four is reportedly also already in the works. As per The Hollywood Reporter, season three and season four of the series — which was one of the best new shows on television in 2022 and one of the best returning shows on TV in 2023 — are being filmed back to back. So, while there was no big announcement about The Bear getting a fourth season, it's being shot straight after season three. The reason? To ensure that new seasons can keep airing annually now that its cast and crew are in demand thanks to the series' massive success. Accordingly, after The Bear season three arrives this winter Down Under, season four will be dished up in 2025. As for where both seasons will take Carmen 'Carmy' Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White, The Iron Claw) on his quest for culinary perfection, you'll have to wait until they each make their way to your streaming queue to find out. Season three hasn't locked in its exact launch date as yet, other than June in America. Fingers crossed that the Golden Globe- and Emmy-winning series returns in Australia and New Zealand at the same time. In the past, there have been delays for Down Under viewers. Season one hit in June in America, then in August in Australia. With season two, US audiences still had a June date, while Aussies and New Zealanders had to wait till July. If you've missed The Bear so far, its first season jumped into the mayhem when Carmy took over the family diner in Chicago after his brother's (Jon Bernthal, We Own This City) death. Before returning home, the chef's resume featured Noma and The French Laundry, as well as awards and acclaim. In season two, Carmy worked towards turning the space into an upscale addition to his hometown's dining scene, with help from the restaurant's trusty team — including Ayo Edebiri (Bottoms) as fellow chef Sydney, plus Ebon Moss-Bachrach (No Hard Feelings) as Richie, aka Cousin, aka Carmy's brother's best friend. Also key to The Bear: truly conveying what it's like to work in the hospitality industry and weather a restaurant kitchen's non-stop pressures. In both of its seasons so far, The Bear's creator Christopher Storer (who also has Ramy, Dickinson and Bo Burnham: Make Happy on his resume) has expertly balanced drama and comedy — and, in season two, he also delivered spectacular self-contained episodes that featured everyone from Olivia Colman (Heartstopper) and Will Poulter (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3) to Bob Odenkirk (Lucky Hank) and Jamie Lee Curtis (Haunted Mansion). Guest stars aside, The Bear's regular roster of talent also spans Abby Elliott (Indebted) as Carmy's sister Natalie, aka Sugar — plus Lionel Boyce (Hap and Leonard), Liza Colón-Zayas (In Treatment) and Edwin Lee Gibson (Fargo) among the other Original Beef staff. There's no sneak peek available for The Bear season three or four yet, but check out the trailer for season two below: The Bear streams via Disney+ in Australia and New Zealand. We'll update you with an exact season three release date when one is announced — and the same with season four. Read our review of season one and review of season two. Via The Hollywood Reporter.
Sydney Mardi Gras has kicked off for 2024 and the good times have well and truly arrived. One of our favourite events on the program is Queer Art After Hours at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Going down on Wednesday, February 28, the annual extravaganza is keeping the gallery up late with an all-out celebration of Sydney's LGBTQIA+ community. Best of all, it's free! You can catch a hand-voguing workshop with Davina Chor; leather-making and bootblacking stations at the Dyke vignettes activation; origami card craft from Western Sydney artists emoeba h♡rtbridge and Bonnie Huang; and a screening of Tarik Ahilp's Three pieces of erotic autofiction. [caption id="attachment_941696" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Felicity Jenkins[/caption] There will also be DJ sets and performances popping up across the gallery spaces, tarot readings with MYSDIX (Angela Dix) and Mystic Mae, a Rainbow Youth Hub hosted by the Youth Collective and Queerleaders, and a charity lap dance auction from Lap Dance For Your Rights. The rest of the gallery will be open so you can squeeze in a trip to the AGNSW's blockbuster Kandinsky and Louise Bourgeois exhibitions. Plus, there will be a heap of pop-up food vendors and bars coming to the gallery for Queer Art After Hours, ensuring you're well-fed and can take in the festivities with a drink in hand, if you so please. [caption id="attachment_941695" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anna Hay[/caption] Top image: Anna Hay
By the time it is completed in 2013 the 104-story One World Trade Center, more simply known as 1 WTC and formerly known as the Freedom Tower, will be the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere and the third-tallest building in the world by pinnacle height. Last week the Port Authority gave a press tour of the World Trade Center site, but the lucky (assuming none of them suffer from acrophobia) folk at the Architect’s Newspaper were granted access all the way up to the vertigo-inducing 103rd floor of the lofty edifice. Before that date it was only construction workers who had taken in the incredible views of New York granted by this vantage point. These include the 9/11 memorial site, the tower, about a hundred inner-city rooftops and panoramic sights encompassing parts of all five boroughs. Fortunately those given the opportunity to ride a rickety metal elevator up 103 floors managed to keep their cool long enough to snap a few hundred photos, the majority of which have been posted up on the Architect’s Newspaper blog. Wait until your breakfast is sufficiently settled then browse through our own curated selection of images below. There’s no workers shouting, metal clanging or Queen’s “We Will Rock You” playing from a radio (apparently all aspects of the tour IRL) but it’s still pretty impressive. The core at the 103rd floor. Memorial in foreground with loading dock. 103rd ledge. Workers guide container. Manhattan. Path station. Warren Street from the 103rd floor. via Curbed NY; photos by Tom Stoelker at AN blog
It is a common experience to want to return to a person, a place or a moment in time, and pay tribute to nostalgia. In Peter Quilter's new play, an eccentric English woman called Susan enthusiastically revisits Sydney Harbour, some 30 years after her first visit. For Susan, what she hopes to find hasn't changed — true love, terrific friends, and outrageously tasty cocktails! Amanda Muggleton is a treat as the single-minded, determined and slightly deranged Susan. Peter Quilter's plays have been translated into 20 languages and performed in 33 countries across the globe, and Just the Ticket is set to be a highlight of Ensemble's successful summer season. Hindsight may be 20/20, but for Susan, today is better than yesterday. Take Sydney less seriously and belly-laugh your way through her uproarious experiences as she returns to the spots she knew when she was 20 with a much older, but not necessarily wiser, perspective.
By all accounts, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon were quite the spectacle. Plenty of uncertainty surrounds the structure — when they were built, where, and if they were actually real or just a myth — but they're considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Short of befriending a kooky scientist, jumping in a time-travelling vehicle and venturing back more than two millennia, we'll never gaze upon them ourselves. However, if a new British development goes ahead, we could set our peepers upon quite the striking recreation. Design firm Architects of Invention has created a proposal for two 25-storey towers in Digibeth, Birmingham that takes inspiration from the fabled gardens in its curved shape, ascending terraces and abundance of greenery. The adjacent buildings each feature an array of small apartments — approximately 250 one and two bedroom units in each, measuring between 40 and 75 square metres — placed in a staggered formation. With the highest points on the corners of the block and the lowest in the middle, they meet in the centre, creating a parabolic configuration. Plants would hang from every stepped level, giving residents their own flora-abundant spaces and the entire structure a huge rooftop garden. At this stage, it's just a concept that's under discussion with the Birmingham City Council, but if it comes to fruition, it'll certainly catch the eye and then some. Via Dezeen. Images: Architects of Invention
Celebrating ten years since Danny Rogers and Jerome Borazio decided to fill a Melbourne alleyway with tunes in 2005, Laneway Festival have announced their dates and venues for 2015's Australasian run. Returning to the five established Australian Laneway go-to cities as well as the Singapore and New Zealand legs, Laneway will raise a plastic cup to the middle of summer with an undoubtedly killer lineup and unique, random locations. Kicking off in Singapore on Saturday, January 24 in The Meadow, Gardens by the Bay, Laneway will run through seven dates finishing up at its new home in Fremantle's Esplanade Reserve and West End on Sunday, February 8. Auckland will find the festival between the Waitemata Harbour and towering Silos, while Brisbane Laneway punters will be stoked with the festival to be held on a Saturday for the first time in six years — and in a new part of the RNA grounds. Sydney fans will return to their longtime Laneway home at Rozelle's Sydney College of the Arts, before Laneway returns for a second Adelaide run at the historic Harts Mill, Port Adelaide. And where it all started? Melburnians will return to the waterfront spot at FCAC and the River’s Edge, the latest, biggest home for the Melbourne-founded festival. The full festival line-up for all three countries will be announced at 9am on Thursday, October 2. St Jerome's Laneway Festival 2015 dates and venues: Saturday 24 January — SINGAPORE - THE MEADOW, GARDENS BY THE BAY Monday 26 January — AUCKLAND - SILO PARK Saturday 31 January — BRISBANE - BRISBANE SHOWGROUNDS, BOWEN HILLS (16+) Sunday 1 February — SYDNEY - SYDNEY COLLEGE OF THE ARTS (SCA), ROZELLE * Friday 6 February — ADELAIDE - HARTS MILL, PORT ADELAIDE (16+) Saturday 7 February — MELBOURNE - FOOTSCRAY COMMUNITY ARTS CENTRE (FCAC) + THE RIVER’S EDGE Sunday 8 February — FREMANTLE - ESPLANADE RESERVE AND WEST END Subject to DA approval. Images: Aaron Webber.
Sydney CBD's George Street is set to undergo further developments to extend its car-free zone, which will see the vehicle-free area spread across its entire run between Town Hall and Railway Square. It's the latest change slated for the bustling street in the heart of the city, which has undergone quite an evolution already over the past decade — including the installation of the infamous new light rail and the creation of a car-free pedestrian space in front of Town Hall. Under the City of Sydney's latest plan, $43.5 million will be invested in creating a boulevard, with wider granite footpaths replacing car lanes, new street furniture installed, more trees planted and added spaces for outdoor dining. The plan will transform the road surrounding the light rail between Bathurst Street and Railway Square into 9000 square metres of car-free pedestrian space. Accompanying this transformation is also a new public space on Devonshire Street between Chalmers and Elizabeth Street in Surry Hills. Lord Mayor Clover Moore says that the community has responded well to the areas of George Street that have been temporarily closed during the construction of the light rail. "We've loved seeing people reclaim George Street south while the temporary road closure measures have been in place. Now we want to make these measures permanent, giving people more space to window shop, dine and walk while maintaining physical distancing." The City of Sydney and local business owners are hoping that the proposed changes will help revitalise the area. Sydney's lockout laws saw the closure of venues like Hudson Ballroom around George Street, and the hardships that venue owners were already facing were only compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic. "This part of town has always been a bustling entertainment hub that attracted a diverse demographic looking to eat, drink and come together at a range of venues, but due to COVID, we saw business slump overnight," director of operations for the owners of the Albion Hotel, David Highet said. Construction has begun on the George Street pedestrian boulevard near Bathurst Street, and will make its way south, block by block, from there. Work on Devonshire Street is expected to begin in 2022. For more information about the plans for a car-free boulevard along George Street, between Bathurst Street and Railway Square, head to the City of Sydney website.
Scaffolding and other tell-tale signs of construction work have long been common sights across Melbourne, and not particularly pleasant ones. Enter Urban Surfaces, a creative solution to brightening up the CBD's many building sites — and showcasing publicly contributed photographs of the city's diversity in the process. Spanning a 17-metre stretch on Flinders and Spencer streets, Urban Spaces turns the corner into a year-long art gallery. On what would've otherwise been drab boarding, 150 eye-catching snaps sit in an array of frames, with the chosen pictures highlighting Melbourne's most loved aspects and spaces. Aiming to both enhance the aesthetics of construction sites and capture the essence of the city, the project is a collaboration between students from RMIT's School of Architecture and Design and Lendlease's Melbourne Quarter development, with students curating the exhibition. As well as improving the look of the heavy-trafficked CBD spot for the next twelve months, the displayed images are also available online — creating an archive of public photos of Melbourne at its best, and also sharing the selected pics beyond the CBD. Find Urban Surfaces on the corner of Flinders and Spencer streets, and head to the Frame Melbourne website for further details.
This Vimeo user has just confirmed my long-held suspicion that Beyonce and I identify with the same emoji (red salsa lady, obviously). In bigger news, he created an entire emoji version of her recent hit from the visual album, Drunk in Love, and it is flawless. Apart from reaffirming my spiritual connection with Queen Bey, this video does a few things. Firstly, it shows how ridiculous lyrics can be. It inverts the tradition of literal music videos and makes you question things. For instance, why is Beyonce touching so many babies, and did Jay-Z really just say "your breastases is my breakfast"? Really? It could also be a game-changer for the music video market. Imagine how many millions could be saved if Kanye just texted his next video the producers? Sure, there's no motorcycle emoji yet, but 'Bound 2' could have just been a pouty pair of lips on a bicycle with a steam cloud coming out of it. It would have had roughly the same appeal as the original. Of course this is a brave new world for the emoji. It's now used to create original artworks, re-enact famous literature, and it even has a seedy underbelly in the world of internet porn. But if it's to progress any further, it surely needs to add more multicultural offerings than the one Asian and one Indian face in a sea of dorky little white people. Case in point: this is the best they could do for Jay-Z.
The next New Yorker cover will feature a Brooklyn hipster, though one whose inspiration comes via Surry Hills, after its 2013 Eustace Tilley Contest was won by Sydney illustrator Simon Greiner. The annual contest challenges entrants to come up with a new twist on its iconic top-hatted mascot, Eustace Tilley, who graced the cover of the magazine's first issue in an illustration by Rea Irvin. The entries reflect the toll that contemporary values and current affairs may have taken on the fictional figure, and Greiner chose to focus on the symmetry he saw between Eustace and today's Williamsburgians. "The New Yorker mascot Eustace is a dandy," Greiner told us, "and in order to update him to a contemporary setting I just took dandyism to its logical modern equivalent — hipsterism — Brooklyn being one of the centres for this cultural force in the states." It's a big win for the 31-year-old, who has been living in New York for the last year and a half. His striking design has now been printed on the anniversary issue of what may be the world's most venerable magazine, and he's presumably spending some time strutting around Park Slope blaring 'Empire State of Mind' while actually relating to Jay-Z's lyrics. "New York is an awesome place, but it can be hard starting out," he says. "I feel very fortunate to have this opportunity, especially since the magazine is such an icon in this city. I kind of feel I've been skipped ahead a couple of spaces on the board — it's very exciting." If Greiner's visual wit and bold line seem familiar, you may recognise them from local lit journal Ampersand, of which he is resident illustrator, or his Dr Suess sex ed parody, Now That You're Big. Greiner's cover is below, along with a selection of other entries. This year's prevailing themes were more pop cultural than political, with Instagram, emoji, and Don Draper all making appearances. Brooklyn's Eustace by Simon Greiner Eustace-gram by Jin Suk. Readers' choice winner. Dandy Men by Jeff Weyer. Readers' choice winner. Eustace in Gangnam Style by Alex S. C. Hsu. Readers' choice winner. Eustace Emoji by Fred Benenson. Tilley Submerged by Robert Linn. Want more Eustace? See how he's been portrayed through time in the New Yorker's gallery.
Playing corpses revived from the dead in upcoming big-screen release Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves, Aunty Donna don't drink any morning brown. They will when they next hit the small screen, however, because their new ABC sitcom is all about the topic. Well, it's set in a cafe. Indeed, the show is called Aunty Donna's Coffee Cafe. And that eponymous brew-slinging spot? It's named — you guessed it — Morning Brown. Get yourself a cup of laughs when the series hits ABC this April, starting screening weekly on TV at 9pm on Wednesday, April 12, and dropping all of its episodes via ABC iView at the same time. The show was initially announced in 2022, and unveiled a first sneak peek at the end of last year. Now, there's an official trailer and that just-revealed release date. Consider Aunty Donna's Coffee Cafe prime viewing with Aunty Donna's $30 bottle of wine, after you're done reading the Always Room for Christmas Pud picture book, and if you've already watched Aunty Donna's Big Ol' House of Fun — aka one of 2020's best new shows — more times than you can count. It stars Mark Samual Bonanno, Broden Kelly and Zachary Ruane, of course, who fittingly return to the network nicknamed Aunty after Aunty Donna's Fresh Blood hit iView back in 2014. Aunty Donna's Coffee Cafe's premise: three best mates run a cafe in one of Melbourne's laneways. Their coffee-slinging establishment is trendy, but the stretch of pavement it's in on isn't. Also, they don't quite have the experience or skills to do the job, but that definitely isn't stopping them. As well as cups of morning brown — and hopefully the song about them getting a whirl — will the cafe be open on Christmas and serve up a little bit of pud, too? You'll have to watch to find out. But, there will be bad reviews to deal with, court dates, and evil spirits who have a fondness for Gardening Australia. Oh, and Aunty Donna's absurd sense of humour remaining firmly intact, naturally. "Hello it is us Aunty Donna, and not an evil robot that has taken Mark, Zach and Broden hostage. We are so excited for all the humans to see our new comedy program Aunty Donna's Coffee Cafe," said the comedy troupe. "We are especially thankful to the entities known as ABC and Screen Australia and Vic Screen, but mostly we are thankful to all the machines that work tirelessly for us with no thanks. We are fine and do not need help nor rescue." Aunty Donna's Coffee Cafe will also feature a heap of guest stars, including Miranda Tapsell (Christmas Ransom), Pia Miranda (Mustangs FC) and Richard Roxburgh (Elvis). You'll also spot everyone from Shaun Micallef and Tony Martin to Melanie Bracewell, Nazeem Hussain, Steven Oliver and Sam Pang. Check out the trailer for Aunty Donna's Coffee Cafe below: Aunty Donna's Coffee Cafe will start screening on the ABC at 9pm on Wednesday, April 12, with all episodes available to stream via ABC iView at the same time.
Seems Sydney's love affair with New York City hasn't waned one little bit, with Surry Hills' brand new dive bar Brooklyn Social opening today. Taking over the old Mexico Food and Liquor spot on Randle Street, Brooklyn Social joins the host of returned Sydney expats paying homage to those unbeatable dive bars of NYC. With particular nods to the Velvet Underground-fuelled rambunctious punk era of the '60s and '70s, this late-night fast food-lovin' eatery serves NYC-inspired diner meals, 40 types of gin and cocktails repping the five boroughs. Brooklyn Social's fit-out is classic '70s NYC — roller door, stripped back timber benches, tartan walls, jukebox filled with the Ramones. Painfully Brooklyn-like denim aprons were custom-made by Nana Judy to seal the deal. The bar/diner is just the first phase of The Hills, a collaboration between co-owners Ben May (The London Hotel, Mrs Sippy, Manly Wharf Hotel), Raul Gonzales and David Freeman (The Backroom, Potts Point) that will also see a new bar open downstairs at the old Central Tavern in August. Boasting a furiously 'We've Been to NYC, So Ner' menu by consulting chef Mikey Canavan of London Fields and Chur Burger, Brooklyn Social serves up NYC-inspired meals like the 'Meatpacking District' beef burger ($12), 'Hell's Kitchen Dog' ($8), BBQ ribs ($28/39) and homemade cinnamon doughnuts with DIY chocolate syringes ($6). Food is served until 2am, a perfect post-lockout pre-home nom. Cocktails are named for each of the five boroughs: Manhattan (Spring Street Crusta), Queens (Lady Grey Martini), Brooklyn (Myrtle Avenue Smash), The Bronx (Uptown Sour) and Staten Island (Forte Green Snapper). Master sommelier Sebastien Crowther consulted on the Brooklyn Social wine list, with old and new world up for clinking. This Surry Hills bar is also the only spot in Sydney with Brooklyn Lager on tap. But it's gin ruling the avenue here, with over 40 unique gins snuggled in the bar (from bathtub to jenevers). Both recently returned bitter expats and star-crossed NYC fans will dig this one in the same way Frankie's slices run — a tiny bite of an apple Sydneysiders nibble, bring back home and make their own. Brooklyn Social can be found at The Hills Top Floor, 17 Randle Street, Surry Hills. It's open seven days, noon - 2am. Images by Alana Dimou.
It happened. Change has swept into the highest office in the United States. With it, crowds both in America and around the globe have come out in force — against newly inaugurated President Donald Trump and his highly publicised comments against women, and for equality in general. There's no shortage of reasons driving the protests, thanks to the new POTUS and his administration's stance on race, class, gender, healthcare, civil rights, queer rights, reproductive rights, immigration, education, conflicts of interest... the list goes on. There's also no shortage of folks heading out to voice their concern. The Women's March started as an event planned for January 21 in Washington, D.C. the day after Trump's swearing-in ceremony in the US capital, then quickly swelled to become a massive movement drawing hundreds thousands of people worldwide. Marches have taken place everywhere from London to Nairobi, Toronto to Tel Aviv, and Oslo to Antarctica, plus Park City, Utah, where the Sundance Film Festival is currently underway. In Sydney, a crowd of approximately 5000 people took to the streets to march in solidarity, continuing unfazed when skywriting emblazoned the US President's name above them. With such a massive outcry comes a massive onslaught of passion and creativity, including a sea of placards getting the point across in an engaging fashion. Don't just take our word for it — the array of pictures snapped around the world do all of the talking. https://twitter.com/callirachel/status/822694126588047360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw https://twitter.com/mradamscott/status/822969795985416192 https://www.instagram.com/p/BPh6cP5DEuu/?taken-by=womensmarch https://twitter.com/corinnepurtill/status/822923128221249536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw https://twitter.com/myquirky_corner/status/822931521241640960 https://twitter.com/jgitchell/status/822846113246048256 https://twitter.com/HamillHimself/status/822938477989769217?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw https://twitter.com/lindazunas/status/822877872587231232 For more information about the Women's March, visit their website.
The Makers and Shakers Market will visit Sydney this October, bringing with it the whole kit and caboodle of bespoke ceramics, homewares and jewellery (as well as tasty food to rejuvenate you when you get the oh-no-I-just-spent-all-my-money sweats). Kick things off at 10am with a coffee, spend a few hours browsing, and then chow down on a toastie or a gourmet ice-cream. The market gives space to local makers to sell their handmade wares, with everything from natural perfumes to handmade ceramics to be found. Stallholders this time round include jewellery by And O Design, teas by Tea Angle and doughuts by Donut Papi. For the full lineup, go here. Images: Alana Dimou.
For most millennials, the Nokia name evokes memories of a very different technological era; a time when colour screens were barely a thing and phones weighed about the same as a small child. Well, just as we've done the whole growing up thing, so too has this long-serving phone brand, with owner HMD today unveiling its new line of products. The Finnish company dropped the news at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, introducing an anticipated trio of smartphones (the Nokia 6, the Nokia 5, and the Nokia 3), alongside a revamped version of Nokia's classic 3310. With new minimalist designs and headline-aiming features, these new phones are attempting to tap into a fresh generation of discerning phone users. Here are five dot points about the new Nokias that you can use for prime water cooler material at work. THEY'LL RUN ANDROID NOUGAT All three smartphones will offer that classic Android experience, boasting monthly security updates and all the latest Google services. Yes, that includes your new digital bestie, Google Assistant — the integrated feature that lets you engage in two-way conversation with your phone. THEY WON'T BREAK THE BANK In a win for anyone with a budget to stick to, these beauties sit at the blessedly affordable end of the smartphone spectrum. The Nokia 3 will retail globally at around AU$190, the Nokia 5 at AU$259, and the Nokia 6 at AU$314. THE SCREENS ARE NOKIA'S MOST ADVANCED YET Nokia has definitely upped its game in the visual department, with the new phones boasting screens that are both big and beautiful. They've opted for Corning Gorilla Glass laminated displays, with a 5.5" full HD screen for the Nokia 6, a 5.2" IPS HD display for the Nokia 5, and a 5" screen for the Nokia 3. EACH PHONE'S FEATURES MULTIPLY PER MODEL Each phone has its own unique features that'll appeal to different kinds of users; from the 8MP wide aperture cameras in both front and back of the Nokia 3, to the Dolby Atmos sound, smart audio amplifier, and dual speakers of the Nokia 6. Although this makes it more of a 'choose what features suit you' situation, it makes it slightly hard to pick one phone. THE NOKIA 3310 IS MAKING A COMEBACK And in a nostalgia-inducing move, Nokia also announced the return of its best-selling 3310 — a new-school riff on a handset first released back in 2000. This little head-turner comes in four distinctive colours (warm red gloss, yellow gloss, dark blue matte, and grey matte), retails at just AU$67, and blitzes plenty of its competitors with a 22-hour talk time. Unfortunately, with local providers switching off the 2G network, this one's probably not really an option for Aussie consumers.
Few actors are as charming on-screen as Omar Sy, as everyone who hadn't already realised this fact came to learn earlier this year. The French talent has proven a delight to watch in films such as Micmacs, The Intouchables and Mood Indigo (and in X-Men: Days of Future Past and Jurassic World, too). But he really couldn't be better cast in Lupin — the Paris-set mystery-thriller series inspired by Maurice Leblanc's 1907–36 novels and novellas about the fictional gentleman thief of the same name. Sy plays Assane Diop, who is introduced as a cleaner working at the Louvre. In flashbacks to recent events and to the character's childhood, viewers learn just why he's at the famous museum — and what has inspired his life of crime as well. The son of a Senegalese immigrant (Fargass Assandé, Eye of the Storm) who once worked for the wealthy Pellegrini family, Assane has a complicated history. He also has a mystery to solve, Marie Antoinette's diamond necklace to steal, police to evade, a messy personal life to sort out and decades worth of vengeance to exact. When Lupin hit Netflix at the beginning of 2021 and quickly popped into the service's top ten, it started unfurling Diop's story across its initial five episodes. That's only half of the series' current tale, however. After it ended on quite the cliffhanger, there's thankfully more to come — with the French-language series returning for Lupin Part 2 on June 11. As tends to happen, the streaming platform announced the release date for the next batch of episodes by dropping a trailer for the show's second half. Yes, it's set to be as slick, engrossing and swiftly-paced as the first chapters — as all heist and espionage affairs should be. Based on his engaging performance so far, they should probably all star Sy, too. Also influential here, though, is filmmaker Louis Leterrier. His resume has more misses than hits, spanning the first two Transporter movies, The Incredible Hulk, Clash of the Titans, Now You See Me and Grimsby. But he brings a deft touch to this series, as he did to the vastly dissimilar The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. Check out the Lupin Part 2 trailer below — which is in English, although we recommend you watch the series itself in its French-language, subtitled, not-dubbed format: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJ6x279y8GI Lupin Part 2 will be available to stream via Netflix on June 11. Part 1 is available to stream now. Top image: Emmanuel Guimier.
Having completely sold out tickets last week, beloved two-day camping festival Secret Garden Festival has just announced one of its biggest music lineups to date. With over sixty bands and DJs across four stages, Secret Garden is cranking things to 11 — without losing that intimate Secret Magic magic. Headlined by two huge international slam dunks — New York City's brutally honest story-weaver Sharon Van Etten and punk-as-fuck Parquet Courts — the Secret Garden lineup has gone next level this year under returning festival programmer Adam Lewis (Opera Bar, formerly Goodgod Small Club). Loyal fans of synth, beats and glitches have a lot to look forward to, with Client Liaison, Donny Benet, Hot Dub Time Machine, Fishing, Japanese Wallpaper, LUCIANBLOMKAMP, Willow Beats, UV Boi, Stereogamous ft. Shaun J. Wright (AUS/USA), NO ZU, San Holo (NL), Holiday Sidewinder, Frames, Juan Du Sol, Luen, Oisima, RY4, Total Giovanni, Yon Yonson, Tees, Softwar B2B Slow Blow. Gear up for spontaneous dance-offs with Shantan Wantan Ichiban, Levins, Shag, Mike Who, Ariane, Love Bombs, I Oh You DJs, Purple Sneakers DJs, Le Fruit DJs, Yo Grito! DJs and Heartbeat DJs. If you're down for tossing the feathers to a different type of harmony, the folk, roots and country element of the lineup is top notch. Sharon Van Etten is joined by Sydney's harmonic trio Little May, the likes of Pepa Knight, Heather Woods Broderick (USA), Steve Smyth, Jeremy Neale, The Morrisons, Wintercoats, Stolen Violin and Luluc. Hip hop-wise, Secret Garden have handpicked some of Australia's best; the names changing the game for Aussie hip hop — Remi, Baro and Milwaukee Banks, alongside Canadian producer Lunice. Garage, punk, psych, indie and alt-rock blares thick and fast at this year's festival, with those cheeky Parquet Courts heading Gooch Palms, Oh Mercy, Jack Ladder & The Dreamlanders, Lake Street Dive (USA), Gang of Youths, The Griswolds, Devotional, Little Bastard, Joseph Liddy and the Skeleton Horse, Spookyland and Rolls Bayce. And if you thought call-and-response wasn't going to make an appearance at Secret Garden this year, Peter Combe and the Bellyflop in a Pizza Band are locked in to dredge up that nostalgia and have you washing your face with orange juice before you can clean your teeth with bubblegum. Secret Garden takes place 27 - 28 February on a 3,000 acre 'garden' on Sydney's fringe. Tickets are currently sold out. As always, the festival will be donating all proceeds to those who need it most, with all proceeds from ticketing and bar sales going to a range of charities. For more info on this year's festival, head to secretgardenfestival.com.au. SECRET GARDEN 2015 LINEUP (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER): Ariane Baro Client Liaison Devotional Donny Benet (Solo) Fishing Frames Gang of Youths Gooch Palms Grace Heartbeat DJs Heather Woods Broderick (USA) Holiday Sidewinder Hot Dub Time Machine I Oh You DJs Jack Ladder & The Dreamlanders Japanese Wallpaper Jeremy Neale Joe Liddy & The Skeleton Horse JU?AN DU SOL Lake Street Dive (USA) Le Fruit DJs Levins Little Bastard Little May Love Bombs LUCIANBLOMKAMP Luen Luluc Lunice (CAN) Mike Who Milwaukee Banks No Zu Oh Mercy Oisima Parquet Courts (USA) Pepa Knight Peter Combe Purple Sneakers DJs Remi Rolls Bayce RY4 San Holo (NL) Shag Shantan Wantan Ichiban Sharon Van Etten (USA) Softwar B2B Slow Blow Spookyland Stereogamous ft. Shaun J. Wright (AUS/USA) Steve Smyth Stolen Violin Tees The Griswolds The Morrisons Total Giovanni UV Boi Velociraptor Willow Beats Wintercoats Yo Grito! DJs Yon Yonson
Well, it's not exactly a watch, because you don't actually have to look at it to determine the time. In fact, its creators are making a point of referring to it as a timepiece - "The Bradley" timepiece, to be precise. And it's promising to put an end to many an awkward moment. Once you're wearing The Bradley, you can tell the time simply by touch. That means there's no longer any need to peer at your mobile phone in front of clients or bosses or particularly verbose lunch buddies. "The Bradley" (watch) face is comprised of 12 raised marks and a side ball bearing, which, in combination, indicate hours, and a side ball bearing, which indicates minutes. Magnets connect the ball bearings to the timepiece's mechanics, hidden underneath its titanium casing. Watchbands are available in fabric and leather, coloured mustard yellow, olive green or blue; and in stainless steel mesh. Designers, engineers and individuals with vision impairment have all contributed to The Bradley's development. According to the team, it "changes the way we interact with our timepieces". The invention's title is a reference to Lieutenant Brad Snyder, who lost his sight in 2011 while serving in Afghanistan. A year later, in the 2012 London Paralympics, he won a gold medal in the 400-metre freestyle, as well as two silver medals in other events. With 20 days of Kickstarter campaigning to go, "The Bradley" has already reached its initial goal of $40,000 10 times over, with 2,602 supporters having pledged $395,501. [via Mashable]
Since 2016, the cinema-loving world has had a Studio Ghibli-shaped hole in its heart. That's when the acclaimed Japanese animation house released its most recent film, the gorgeous French co-production The Red Turtle. Its last solo production actually came two years earlier, courtesy of 2014's When Marnie Was There. Still, much has happened in Studio Ghibli's world over the past decade. Hayao Miyazaki announced his retirement, then changed his mind. In 2018, fellow co-founder and acclaimed director Isao Takahata sadly passed away. And, over the past few years, the company has been busying itself with its very own theme park. The latter is due to open in 2022 and become quite the tourist attraction — but that doesn't mean that fans aren't keen for more Ghibli movies. Thankfully, the studio revealed earlier this year that it's working on just that, with two new films on its current slate. One of those movies will be helmed by My Neighbour Totoro, Spirited Away and Howl's Moving Castle icon Miyazaki, with How Do You Live? actually first announced a few years back. As for the second film, Australians will be able to watch it in the new year. Called Earwig and the Witch in English (and also known as Aya and the Witch), the movie marks the first Studio Ghibli completely made using computer-generated animation. Director-wise, it's helmed by Hayao Miyazaki's son Goro Miyazaki, who previously directed Tales from Earthsea and From Up On Poppy Hill. It's also based on a novel written by British author Diana Wynne Jones, who penned the book that Howl's Moving Castle was adapted from, too. And, Australian distributor Madman Entertainment has just advised that it'll be releasing the film Down Under sometime early in 2021, with an exact date still yet to be revealed. In terms of story, Earwig and the Witch focuses on a girl at an orphanage in the British countryside. She enjoys living there, but her world changes when she's chosen to live with a couple — including, as the title makes plain, a witch. Earwig doesn't know that her own mother also had magical powers, so she's thrust into a strange new world, all while trying to do what she's always wanted: belong to a family. In its English-language version, the film will feature voice work by Richard E Grant (Can You Ever Forgive Me?), Dan Stevens (Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga) and singer Kacey Musgraves, plus newcomer Taylor Paige Henderson as Earwig. We've said it before about Nicolas Cage's new show about swearing and the brand new full season of Spicks and Specks, but 2021 is definitely looking better than 2020. Earwig and the Witch will release in Australian cinemas sometime early in 2021 — we'll update you with an exact release date when one is announced. Images: Madman Entertainment.
Between the blazing fire shows taking over the Royal Botanic Gardens, the swag of immersive theatre experiences inviting audiences into parallel worlds, and the huge international acts returning to Aussie shores for the first time in decades, this year's Melbourne International Arts Festival will be tough to ignore. Unveiled yesterday, the festival's 2018 program is set to deliver a diverse, vibrant celebration of dance, music, theatre, visual arts and architecture from October 3–21, with the entire city as its stage. The Royal Botanic Gardens, acting as the festival's mini hub, will be transformed in a haze of flames across four nights, for the Fire Gardens fire-burning spectacular. Elsewhere on the site, acclaimed contemporary circus company NoFitState explores the 250-year history of the circus ring, with an exclusive performance of Lexicon. Post-punk legends The The make their first Melbourne appearance in almost 30 years, to play hits from across their internationally renowned back catalogue, and Berlin composer and pianist Nils Frahm makes his return to Hamer Hall, four years after the sell-out success of his Melbourne Festival debut. Japanese sound artist ASUNA will present its unique aural installation 100 Keyboards, which will see 100 battery operated keyboards brought to life. And the creators of last year's iconic House Of Mirrors installation and Dark Mofo's upside down crosses, Christian Wagstaff and Keith Courtney are at it again, taking over the Arts Centre forecourt with their new work 1000 Doors — an interactive piece inviting audiences to choose their own adventure. Meanwhile, the program's broad-ranging dance lineup includes top choreographer William Forsythe's boundary-pushing A Quiet Evening Of Dance, and visually stunning, Romeo & Juliet-style dance-opera, Layla and Majnun. Melbourne International Arts Festival runs from October 3-21, 2018, at venues across the city. Tickets are available here, from midday, July 30.
This post is presented by the All New Toyota Corolla Sedan. There's plenty of fun to be had in this city each week, but there's only a small handful of truly fresh urban adventures to be had. We've partnered with Toyota to find the very best of these shiny-new experiences in Sydney. Presented by the All New Toyota Corolla Sedan, these are our picks to put you on the road to a life of goodtimes. Now your only challenge is getting to them all. This week is all about being a glutton for chicken, loitering till late at Sydney's favourite garden estate, seeing the sun float in the harbour and picnicking in total style. Eat: Fat Bubba's Chicken Wednesdays Building on the popularity of their insanely valuable Dollar Dawg Tuesdays, Sydney favourite The Soda Factory has launched two new evenings of cheap eats, sure to add spice to your week and keep dollars in your pocket. Wednesdays will celebrate all things chicken, with Fat Bubba's Chicken Wednesday bringing with it outrageous $1 hot buffalo wings, plus a $10 bucket of fried chicken that'll give Colonel Sanders a run for his money. You can also get your hump day groove on, with live retro swing tunes from the Soda Factory resident bands. Thursday's Late Night Soda Social has a '50s vibe and $5 diner specials. 16 Wentworth Avenue, Surry Hills Drink: The Potting Shed The Grounds of Alexandria is expanding, with The Potting Shed, a late-night bar and eatery, set to open on Monday, March 24. In what is sure to be another outstandingly popular move by the team, the Potting Shed will be an extension of the unique Grounds experience, mirroring the impressive design aesthetic and staying true to its comfortable charm. There's a lot still in the works before opening, but what we do know is that the bar will be open 11am till late (later than the CBD lockouts? That remains to be seen), seven nights a week. Expect to see the fresh herbs and produce-driven techniques specific to the Grounds experience reflected in the cocktail list. Building 7A, 2 Huntley Street, Alexandria See: Madama Butterfly Yes, that is the sun floating in Sydney Harbour. It's just part of the no-holds-barred set-up for Madama Butterfly, this year's Handa Opera on the Harbour. The night is a sensation whether you love opera or can't fathom it, which is why each year it brings in a huge audience of opera newbies. There's so much to enjoy: the transporting music, the lively choreography, the larger-than-life costumes, the themed pop-up bars and that eternal fail-safe — the outlook over the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and other wonders of Sydney Harbour. If your thoughts wander away from the action on the stage, it's to drink in the sense of occasion and feel immediately intoxicated. March 21 - April 12; Mrs. Macquaries Point , Fleet Steps Do: Lost Picnic For many of us, the festival season's been plagued by cancellations and hot chips that are actually cold. Thankfully, the clever Simon Beckingham and Wade Cawood are lifting the game with their new boutique festival. Appropriately named Lost Picnic, the Centennial Park event will begin a new festival tradition of gourmet eating this Sunday, March 23. While you graze on the hampers on offer, local musos — including singer-songwriter Megan Washington, alt-rockers The Rubens, Emma Louise, Dustin Tebbutt and Sons of the East — will make for a more bohemian alternative to the festival season. The gourmet hampers are put together by renowned chefs Martin Boetz from The Keystone Group and Maurice Terzini from Icebergs and the Cherry Kitchen. March 23; Centennial Park
The Centipede Cinema is way less creepy than it sounds. The Bartlett School of Architecture in Portugal has designed a cinema in which each moviegoer manoeuvres his or her body into one of the yellow tubes that makes up the giant centipede structure to view the film. Located in Guimarães and conceived by Professor Colin Fournier with artist Marysia Lewandowska, the Centipede Cinema was commissioned by the 2012 European Capital of Culture. The design team for the project included NEON founders, George King and Mark Nixon. Resembling a sort of futuristic alien spaceship, this highly unique cinema invites people to enter one of the 16 nozzles poking out from below the cork structure. The viewer's entire upper body is encompassed by the nozzle, however the legs are out in the open for the rest of the world to see. This creates what looks like a giant cork centipede but is really just 16 people enjoying a film.
Peter Pan fans love Michigan’s latest public art experiment. Secret fairy doors have been appearing in walls, doors and windows all over the city of Ann Arbor. Even though it might break a five-year-old’s heart to say it, they’re not actually works of magic, but the creations of real-life artist and writer Jonathan B. Wright. Like Kenneth Grahame, author of The Wind in the Willows, Wright began his work with the desire to entertain his own family. Back in 1993, after planting a magical miniature portal in his own home, he found his children investigating it in fascination. ‘In 1993, the first fairy door that I know of was found in our house,’ Wright explains in an interview with the Michigan Daily. ‘The door was not necessarily attributed to a fairy. My wife was running a childcare program in our home and it was the kids who found the door and they speculated on what might be living there — which included a “lion mouse” and various other tiny beings.’ Twenty-two years later, in Spring 2005, a fairy decided to set up house in Ann Arbor’s popular café, Sweetwaters Coffee and Tea, and it wasn’t long before others moved into gift shops, music venues and even the public library. Each door is a one-of-a-kind piece, imitating an aspect of the human-sized business, organisation or residence to which it is attached. Even the local Google office features a pint-sized entranceway titled ‘Giggle’. ‘I see [urban fairies] as a kind of new generation of fairies, maybe ones that have got beyond some of the traditional foibles of fairies — being allergic to iron, etc.,’ says Wright. ‘They’re a little bit more interested in people, and that’s why they live in closer proximity.’ He and his partner have been enthralled by magic and mythology for years. Wright has written several fairy-inspired books and is responsible for the running of urban fairies operations. [via PSFK]
It's time for class, again. After the first season proved a huge hit, and the second as well, Netflix is bringing Heartbreak High back for season three. Then, it's time to graduate. While the revival of the beloved Australian series from 1994–99 has been renewed for a third run, the streaming platform has also announced that the next batch of episodes will be the show's farewell. "She never got the letter — but now we get to see what happens next! Renewing Heartbreak High for its final season is a major point of pride for us at Netflix," said Netflix Director of Content ANZ Que Minh Luu, announcing the news. "It has been a joy to work with the utterly cooked creative minds behind our favourite Aussie YA show and to bring our stories, our culture and our in-jokes to all the fans here at home and throughout the world. See you at muck up day." Since releasing in April 2024, Heartbreak High's second season has spent plenty of time in Netflix's charts, debuting at number one in Australia — of course — and spending three weeks in the streamer's top ten for English television shows globally. The first season was also a massive smash with audiences, and with awards bodies, turning the series into an International Emmy-, AACTA- and Logie-winner. The third season, still to be shot in Sydney, will take the gang to their last year at Hartley High. What awaits Amerie (Ayesha Madon, Love Me), Harper (Asher Yasbincek, How to Please a Woman), Darren (screen first-timer James Majoos), Quinni (Chloe Hayden, Spooky Files), Ca$h (Will McDonald, Blaze), Malakai (Thomas Weatherall, RFDS), Spider (Bryn Chapman Parish, Mr Inbetween), Ant (Brodie Townsend, Significant Others), Sasha (Gemma Chua-Tran, Mustangs FC) and Missy (fellow newcomer Sherry-Lee Watson) — as well as teachers Woodsy (Rachel House, Our Flag Means Death) and Jojo (Chika Ikogwe, The Tourist) — hasn't yet been revealed. Also not yet announced: when Heartbreak High will drop its swansong season, so there's no date to add to your diary yet. In season two, the show not only dived back into high-school chaos, but followed a love triangle, a school captain race, clashing curriculum strands, quests for redemption, new romances, a mystery, plus the impact of new students and staff — including pupils Rowan (Sam Rechner, The Fabelmans) and Zoe (Kartanya Maynard, Deadloch), and Head of PE Timothy Voss (Angus Sampson, Bump). It was in 2020 that Netflix initially announced that it was bringing Heartbreak High back — and yes, it sure is a 2020s take on the Aussie show, spanning everything from friendship fights, yelling about vaginas from the top of a building and throwing dildos at walls through to consent, crime, drugs and police brutality. The original Heartbreak High was a massive deal, and was filled with now-familiar faces, such as Alex Dimitriades, a pre-Home and Away Ada Nicodemou, and Avengers: Endgame and Mystery Road's Callan Mulvey as Drazic. It painted a multicultural picture of Australia that was unlike anything else on TV at the time. And, for its six-year run across two Aussie networks, the Sydney-shot show was must-see television — not bad for a series that started as a spinoff to the Claudia Karvan- and Alex Dimitriades-starring 1993 movie The Heartbreak Kid, too. There's obviously no trailer for Heartbreak High season three yet, but check out the trailer for second season below: Heartbreak High streams via Netflix. Season three doesn't yet have a release date — we'll update you when one is announced. Read our reviews of season one and season two. Images: Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2024.
He has declared that he's not famous anymore, taken phone calls from strangers, transmitted his heartbeat, live-streamed a three-day movie marathon of his own films and asked the public to take him around North America. Now, one of the most intriguing actor-turned-artists of his generation has revealed his next performance piece — and it's happening in (and streaming from) Sydney this weekend. Shia LaBeouf fans and anyone interested in experimental art antics might already know that the American Honey star has been on the bill for the Sydney Opera House's new pop culture festival, BingeFest, since it was announced back in October. As part of the program, he'll continue to collaborate with his creative partners Nastja Säde Rönkkön and Luke Turner, who he's worked with on more than a dozen projects to date. And yes, at #ANDINTHEEND, they want you to participate. The first of their two free performances kicks off tonight at 11.59pm and runs through until 6am, with their second taking place between 10pm on Sunday until 6am Monday morning. Here's how #ANDINTHEEND works: visitors will be invited inside Sydney Opera House's Joan Sutherland Theatre one by one, and asked to deliver a statement or message in person to LaBeouf, Rönkkön and Turner. They can say whatever they like — but, the one requirement is that each participant's message should begin with the words: "AND IN THE END…". https://twitter.com/thecampaignbook/status/809926146313830401 Once communicated to LaBeouf and company, the statements will be live-streamed online at andintheend.sydneyoperahouse.com — and beamed across Sydney harbour on a 60-metre display installed on the Opera House itself. At the centre of the piece, the trio are aiming to ponder a number of questions, including where we are headed, what might it all mean and what is important in the end? "As 2016 draws to a close, we are all too aware of the pervasive sense of foreboding that has come to define the year," the artists offered in a statement about #ANDINTHEEND. "Wars have raged, demagogues have risen, cultural heroes have departed, environmental catastrophe looms, while the voices of the people have been continually manipulated and polarized. Hope for the future seems more distant than ever. And yet, we still yearn for some greater truth, for the utopias of our distant horizons, expressed through art." Just how it will turn out is anyone's guess, but that's the great thing about live art in general, and about LaBeouf, Rönkkön and Turner's performance projects in particular: no one knows just what will happen. If you're planning to flock to the free event in person — or just thinking about stopping because you're already heading to BingeFest's all-night Buffy binge-a-thon or 24-hour Street Fighter tournament — visitors are reminded that entry isn't guaranteed. Everyone else, train your eyes towards your nearest internet-connected screen once the clock hits midnight tonight, Sydney time. #ANDINTHEEND takes place at BingeFest on from 11.59pm, Saturday 17 December to 6am, Sunday 18 December — and again from 10pm, Sunday 18 December to 6am, Monday 19 December. Follow @thecampaignbook on Twitter for more information, and visit andintheend.sydneyoperahouse.com to access the live-stream. Images: Abazar Khayami, Daniel Boud and Vivi Fragou.
Tarts Anon and Koko Black are both huge names in Melbourne's food scene, as are the folks who dream up all their delicious creations. Pastry Chef Gareth Whitton built Tarts Anon into one of the city's top cake shops, won Dessert Masters, is working on a new cookbook and even created a pressure test for MasterChef Australia. He's a household name, having also worked with teams at Mill Brewery, Gelato Messina, Al Dente Enoteca and Kori Ice Cream. Koko Black's Head Chocolatier Remco Brigou has been working in the world of chocolate since the age of 18, and has been an innovative tour de force at Koko Black for nearly eight years. He's also no stranger to partnering with other chefs, having worked with Lune, Connoisseur, Black Star Pastry and Tokyo Lamington. Now, these two giants in the sweet-toothed sphere of Melbourne's hospitality industry have come together for World Chocolate Day, creating a limited-edition chocolate and leatherwood honey tart. This decadent treat is only available from Friday, July 5–Sunday, July 7, at a few Koko Black stores across Melbourne and Sydney, and at both of Tarts Anon's Melbourne locations. We chatted with both Whitton and Brigou about collaborating on the new tart, and how valuable that these partnerships can be for both chefs' personal growth and the success of their businesses. We also touched upon the role that collaborations can play in helping hospitality companies stay afloat during these incredibly difficult times. On Coming Together to Create a Limited-Edition Chocolate Leatherwood Honey Tart Brigou: "World Chocolate Day is a very important day for us at Koko Black. It is the day that truly celebrates what we do, and for this special occasion we like to work with like-minded brands to create something amazing. The entire Koko Black team, myself included, have always been big fans of Tarts Anon — we'd often discuss how amazing the tarts are and how we would love to work with Gareth and the team one day. So, this was the perfect opportunity, and we reached out. After the first introduction call, we knew straight away that both our brands share the same values, beliefs and spirit for innovation and excellence. We knew straight away that this was going to be a great collaboration." Whitton: "We were asked to join forces with the team at Koko Black as part of their annual celebration of World Chocolate Day. After being such big fans of theirs as well as seeing the elite execution of their previous WCD activations, we were thrilled with the opportunity to work together. Remco and I got together after piecing together a few rough ideas, and chatted out some of these napkin sketches and how we could bring them to life. I had a format that I had in mind, we knew it had to involve chocolate, and we then fell on the idea of using the leatherwood honey honeycomb as inspiration. We also pulled from Remco's Belgian heritage with the peperkoek, plus a couple of textures and recipes that we use quite regularly at Tarts Anon." [caption id="attachment_925594" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Whitton's previous collaboration with Gelato Messina[/caption] On Why It's So Great to Work with Other Chefs Brigou: "For me personally, I love working on collaborations. It is a great way to meet amazing like-minded people in the industry, but it is also a great way to stay inspired. The richness that comes from sharing knowledge and ideas is very valuable to me, and it is something that I will always be thankful for." Whitton: "I always try to work with people who are either very similar to us, or completely opposite. Kinda like matching colours of clothing. Not similar enough, and it's hard to find a connecting point, but if it's either easily interchangeable or very complimentary, then it doesn't seem forced. It opens you up to new environments where you perhaps aren't as confined with your creativity, and also allows you to explore things that you wouldn't see day to day." On the Power of Partnerships to Help Businesses Get Through These Tough Times Brigou: "I think it is important for brands to work together, not only so we can all leverage from each other, but more importantly so we can create an experience to both our customers and maybe introduce our customers to a different brand that they maybe never heard from before." Whitton: "[Collaborations] are a (relatively) low-cost way of exploring new ventures, and keeping outgoings low is of the utmost importance in times like these. Particularly in branches of the industry that rely on seasonal trade (like ice cream, for example) it helps to collaborate with brands that thrive in cooler months to keep revenue coming in. The underlying issue that the industry faces is that the market is becoming so unbelievably saturated right now, which feeds the staffing crisis and the high turnover of businesses. There's a new competitor emerging every other week, so the revolving door of what's 'hot' is moving faster than ever. Collaborating is a good way to stay relevant and be ahead of the game." [caption id="attachment_833241" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brigou's previous collaboration with Connoisseur. Image by Julia Sansone.[/caption] On What's Holding the Industry Back Right Now Whitton: "It's hard to be too optimistic in times like these, there are too many motivated and passionate people trying to grab a hold of a dwindling number of opportunities. The emergence and prevalence of the food blogger is giving a platform that previously only the passionate and culinarily educated had access to, to anyone with an opinion. Now Google reviews and social media are rife with ill-informed and sharp-tongued critics single-handedly destroying businesses, and politics are creeping deeper and deeper into our dining rooms. It seems nihilistic to say, but I fear that most people are too concerned about staying afloat themselves that we're all treading water right now. The amount of tax that small businesses pay is frankly obscene. This is the big killer — wages will always take the biggest chunk, but that is an investment in people. When significant amounts of money are routinely taken from you and continually hinder any opportunity to grow, you are faced with the grim reality of choosing between success in your business or compromising your values to solely chase revenue." On the Best Advice That Brigou and Whitton Have Ever Received From a Collaborator Brigou: "I have had the privilege to work with a lot of amazing people and all of them have taught me so much, whether it is techniques, flavour combinations, or the passion and determination to deliver a beautiful product. I also like to think I have inspired them as well and maybe even taught them something, because that is the beauty of collaborations. It is a two-way street and I feel that sharing knowledge and letting people discover new things is the heart of our industry." Whitton: "The best thing I have learnt from someone I've collaborated with is to understand what it is you want to get out of the partnership. Having a game plan instead of trying to just feature two representations of your brand side by side will always triumph. Quality over quantity." Gareth Whitton and Remco Brigou's limited-edition chocolate and leatherwood honey tart is only available from Friday, July 5–Sunday, July 7 at a few Koko Black stores across Melbourne and Sydney, and at both of Tarts Anon's Melbourne locations. For more information on where to get the tart, visit the collaborations's website.
Lego has come a long way since I was a kid. For me, the brightly coloured plastic bricks didn't transcend their basic wall-building function much more than serving as useful things to throw at the cat when I wanted her to get off the bed. Over the years though, they've grown and expanded to include intricate Harry Potter, Star Wars and Ninja sets, as well as other more grown-up ranges for construction geeks everywhere. Now, as part of Lego's crazy-popular Architecture Series, in which there are already eleven projects, the Danish company is kicking off the month of March by launching their twelfth project, The Sydney Opera House. The series already features Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's iconic Farnsworth House and Frank Lloyd Wright's Guggenheim Museum, as well as Seattle's Space Needle and the Empire State Building, so the national landmark is in very distinguished company. Conceived and built by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, the Opera House opened in 1973 after winning a design competition sixteen years earlier in 1957. Not only is the Sydney Opera House the city's most distinctive landmark, but it's also one of the most innovative and applauded examples of modern architecture. Upon being awarded the Pritzker Prize in 2003, judges said "It is one of the great iconic buildings of the 20th century, an image of great beauty that has become known throughout the world – a symbol for not only a city, but a whole country and continent." The 270-piece model will be on sale this month, containing a step-by-step instruction guide for budding architectects, designers and engineers, as well as a full archival history and message on the Reconciliation Action Plan completed in consultation with Sydney Opera House. You can pick it up online from the Lego Store or buy locally at the Sydney Opera House shop. [Via Sydney Opera House]
When someone says the word 'desk', it usually conjures up images of uninspired objects with a flat top and four legs. We have stumbled on some innovative and quirky desks that could change those mundane conceptions for good. Bring life to your desk and ensure your working day is never average again with these fun and unorthodox desk designs. 1. The Abstract Desk Having boxes at odd angles all over your desk is bound to get the creative juices flowing. Store your documents in fun ways with this abstract and unique desk, called the Overdose Desk by Bulo. Because straight and neatly stacked is overrated. 2. The Wave Desk The marvellous woodwork of this stunning piece by Robert Brou is a compact and handy design, and the desk surface looks so incredibly smooth that it could lull you into trance-like state of pure productivity. 3. The Purple Desk Why waste floor space in your room, when you can simply stack your desks up on the wall? The peculiar Storyteller desk by Isabel Quiroga very effectively creates storage and shelf space, and is the perfect little enclave for a quirky student or work-from-home business person. 4. The Star Wars Desk Although this style of desk may not suit everyone, Star Wars fanatics are sure to love this creation by Tom Spina Designs. This desk houses a frozen Han Solo beneath a quarter inch thick solid sheet of glass. 5. The Pod Desk The Rewrite desk by GamFratesi allows you to dive completely into your own little world - or at least your own little pod. Say goodbye to procrastination. 6. The Suitcase Desk This desk by Maarten De Ceulaer is perfectly suited for lovers of travel, lovers of suitcases, or lovers of all things out of the ordinary. The eccentric and colourful style will be sure to stimulate the mind. 7. The Wall-Art Desk The K Workstation by Miso Soup Design is a modern take, appearing to climb along the wall at odd angles as it simultaneously acts as shelf space and wall art. 8. The Bike Desk The old saying 'kill two birds with one stone' takes on new meaning with the Pit In desk, which doubles as a bike rack. Not only can you skip the hassle of having to tie up your bike, but also ensure your posture remains upright throughout the day. 9. The Briefcase Desk Remove the difficulty of having to rummage through drawers of papers and files when trying to find documents for your suitcase by combining the two. All you need to do with these innovative suitcase-drawers is pull them out of the desk, by Jung-Ah Kim, and you're good to go. 10. The Car Desk Rev up the engine that is your mind and set off on an exciting journey, all from the comfort of your Mini Cooper office desk.
The simple game of filth, sex and bad taste has been a worldwide hit in the past few years. Best played while drinking with friends (don't even try it with family members), Cards Against Humanity is the go-to game for anyone who embraces the ugly, the wrong and the politically incorrect. Now, after success abroad, it's being brought to the masters. Get ready for the filth to step into overdrive and the Tony Abbott references to increase five-fold. Cards Against Humanity is getting an Australian edition. If you haven't played before, the rules are pretty simple. All players are dealt a collection of white cards with nasty and nonsensical statements. 'Vigorous jazz hands', 'Stephen Hawking talking dirty', or 'strangling a dog to make a point to the audience' for example. One player then draws a black sentence card and everyone puts forward their funniest white filler. It's basically an R-rated version of mad libs. As such, you then end up with statements like 'In M. Night Shymalan's new movie, Bruce Willis discovers that Sarah Palin had really been a passable transvestite after all' or 'And the Academy Award for genital piercings goes to Grandma'. Then everyone drinks to absolve their guilt. The announcement came yesterday via Melbourne games store Critical Hit. The creators are developing an Australian edition, and they need our help to do it. Abolishing all American references, the Australian edition will presumably be rife with talk of all our nation's leaders past and present, goon bags, wristies and Rolf Harris (we know it's too soon, but nothing is out of bounds with this game). Fans can submit their suggestions here and go in the draw to win play tests or full sets of the new edition. Though they ask for an email address to contact you on, the process is largely anonymous so you can really have at it. None of your loved ones need to know about that nasty thing you submitted about Pauline Hanson, but the rest of Australia will thank you for it.
You've clicked the button, you've triumphantly parted with half your paycheck, that luscious Pilgrim crusade cape coat is on its way. You spend the next three weeks working from home and ditching dates to avoid missing the courier and when you finally leave the house to restock your dwindling food supplies your courier knocks, waits, drops a calling card in your constantly-overseas neighbours' box. Weeks roll by, your capeless, broke self tracing every step of the way. You email, you call, you whinge. Then your cape finally arrives, three sizes too small. Delivery giants ParcelPoint conducted widespread surveys focused on online shopper experiences, finding two-thirds of online shoppers regularly miss a delivery. Two. Thirds. Apparently 64 per cent were frustrated by courier calling cards, 60 per cent have problems receiving personal online deliveries at work and 53 per cent don't want parcels left on their doorstep. After this painstaking research into disgruntled online shopper beefs, Australian go-to online fashion retailer The Iconic, Sydney's Broadway Shopping Centre and ParcelPoint are teaming up to take the guesswork and waiting time out of web-based retail therapy. Set to open Thursday, June 5, The Collection Bar is the first of its kind in Australian shopping centres — fusing online shopping with physical 'traditional' retail experiences. Perusing brands like Paint it Red, Finders Keepers and River Island, customers shop The Iconic online at their own leisure and have their purchases delivered to a collection point within Broadway Shopping Centre. Then you can stop by and try on your brand new River Island tiger print onesie and if it doesn't fit the way you want it to, you can return it on the spot through ParcelPoint. With The Iconic's outrageously great three-hour delivery policy, online shopping just got a whole lot closer to actually magicking items into your life. "We want our customers to live inspired, hassle-free lives, which is why we are delighted to partner with Broadway Shopping Centre and ParcelPoint on a true Australian retail first," said Adam Jacobs, Managing Director at The Iconic. "The Collection Bar at Broadway brings the online and offline worlds of retail together to enable customers to shop our range online, try on their new purchase straight away and make a return on the spot for a speedy refund — a true innovation in response to customer needs." The Collection Bar will be located next to the Customer Service desk on level one in Broadway Shopping Centre. It will be open from 8am to 8pm every day and 8am to 9pm on Thursdays.
Ask anyone their least-favourite place to sleep and planes will rank right up there. If you're on a long-haul flight and you're in economy, trying to slumber when you're soaring through the air can be one of the worst things about travelling. Enter New Zealand's new Economy Skynest, aka onboards bunk beds that were first announced back in 2020, locked in for a 2024 launch last year and now have debut routes confirmed: from Aotearoa to New York and Chicago. Lengthy trips from NZ to America are about to get a whole more comfortable, and scoring some shuteye midair is about to become easier, starting in September 2024. "We're delighted to announce that our innovative Economy Skynest will be launching on ultra-long haul flights, starting with the popular Auckland–New York and Auckland–Chicago routes," said Air New Zealand Chief Customer and Sales Officer Leanne Geraghty, announcing the news. "North America is the perfect market for Skynest, as it has a premium segment that values comfort and sleep during long-haul travel." "Skynest provides a unique and innovative way for our passengers to rest and recharge, making their journey with us even more enjoyable. By launching Skynest on these routes, we are bringing to life our commitment to providing choice, alongside the best possible experience for our passengers, and to continue to innovate and lead the way in the aviation industry." If it sounds like a game changer, that's because it is. Back in 2020, Air NZ announced the pods as part of filing patent and trademark applications, and noted that it'd make a final decision on whether they'd come into effect within a year. That go-ahead might've arrived a bit later — aka in 2022, not in 2021 — but that doesn't make it any less exciting. So, how will it work? This first-of-its-kind option will feature six lie-flat pods. Yes, they really do look like bunk beds on a plane, and you'll be able to slumber in them while zooming to your destination. On the planes, the Skynest will sit between premium economy and economy. Each pod will include a full-size pillow, sheets, a blanket and ear plugs, as well as lighting designed to optimise rest. There'll be a a separate reading light, too, and a USB outlet so that you can charge your devices — and also a ventilation outlet. Seatbelts will also be a feature in case of turbulence. When it's time to get up after your slumber, the lights will come on (and cabin crew will wake you gently if that isn't enough). After each four-hour slot, there'll be a 30-minute transition time to change the bedding as well. Air New Zealand has also unveiled some details about bookings will work. The key rule: each passenger will only be able to reserve one session per flight. Travelling with your mates, date or the family? If you're on the same ticket, you can book a session for each passenger — as long as there are enough spaces available. Price-wise, however, sleeping comfortably in the sky won't come cheap. The exact cost hasn't been locked in, but a figure of around $400–600 for the four-hour period has been floated. Air New Zealand's Economy Skynest will be available from September 2024 on routes from Auckland to Chicago and New York. For more information in the interim, visit the airline's website.
When it comes to fashion, the key to achieving an effortlessly cool aesthetic is nailing your basics. Having a few quality cuts of denim in your selection that transition between seasons and transcend trends makes choosing what to wear each day a whole lot easier. And denim doesn't really get much better than that available from Aussie label Ksubi. The brand has been producing its edgy designs for close to two decades and has built up quite the reputation both at home and abroad. This weekend, Ksubi is transforming its Oxford Street store into a massive warehouse sale with some pretty epic discounts to boot. From Friday, May 4 to Sunday, May 6, the brand will be hawking its premium denim, tees and dresses for as little as $30. The pop-up sale will be open on Friday from 7am–5pm, Saturday from 9am–5pm and Sunday from 10am–5pm. Nothing will be over $80, so find those gaps in your wardrobe and move quickly.
Even with all the specialty bars in town, Champagne has not yet had its chance in the spotlight. Does it have the dedicated Sydney fan base to carry the show? Or will we get confused drinking it with no nuptials to toast or New Year to welcome? All questions will be answered with the opening of the Champagne Room, coming to The Winery's upper floor in late September. Visitors will be able to enjoy city skyline views while sipping on their flute of Perrier-Jouet's Belle Epoque 2006, which will only be available by the glass in Sydney at this venue (and which would ordinarily set you back a cool $200 a bottle). A bevy of other choices from luxury Champagne producers will also be available, alongside cocktails and Australian and international wines. "Surry Hills nightlife is about to house one of the most exciting new bars in Sydney," says Paul Schulte, creative director of the Keystone Group. "We've created a seeming synthesis of comfort and a unique escape for Sydney's champagne lovers." Inside, the bar will be fitted with private booths with 'Champagne bells' which light up whenever you need your drink refilled, forgoing the torturous process of always trying to catch the waiter's eye. While the Champagne Room will come with The Winery's usual food options, on the weekends visitors are invited to splurge on a seafood brunch, including freshly shucked oysters, Harvey Bay scallops and Cloudy Bay prawns. Bless my poor wallet. The Champagne Room will be open every evening 5pm until late and from 11am on weekends.
UPDATE: MONDAY, AUGUST 17 — Waterloo's Koi pop-up was initially only meant to run for two weeks (until Sunday, August 23), but it has now been extended until October. The Poernomo Brothers have moseyed over to Waterloo this month, bringing their wildly popular dessert bar to the Mastery by Crown Group display centre. KOI Dessert Bar is popping at the site across this weekend and next, serving up its eye-catching wares from Thursday–Sunday until October. Open from 11am–6pm, this collaboration will showcase the obvious: KOI's incredibly pretty desserts. You can expect to tuck into the dessert bar's usual menu, all in a different location. As always proves the case when it comes to the store's appetising bites, fans should probably rush. If you're wondering about the venue, the $500 million Mastery by Crown Group development is set to become Australia's first Japanese-themed residential community. Across 368 apartments in five buildings, it'll also feature a 20-storey tower designed by famed architect Kengo Kuma, as well as a Japanese food precinct that'll serve up ramen, sushi and more. The KOI Dessert Bar Pop-Up is open from 11am–6pm Thursday–Sunday until Sunday, August 23 at the Mastery by Crown Group display centre in Waterloo.
The Sydney Festival First Night has come a long way since the first time it took over the city in 2008. Having comprehensively left its mark on the Sydney CBD, this year the Festival is taking its pedestrian mojo a little further west for a reprise of last week's street side, entertainment bacchanal. This Saturday the Festival revs up for a second attempt, as Parramatta gets the chance to light up with a Parra Opening Party all its own. Stars of the CBD party return, with action spanning Church Street for As the World Tipped and UK DJ Norman Jay MBE in his open-top red double decker bus of sounds. The Kings School will play host to the music of the Barefoot Divas and Gipsy combo Taraf de Haïdouks and the Koçani Orkestar, while Parra also plays host to a rival Spiegeltent, which will be open for a closer look before filling itself with a week of interesting things. It's not often you get the chance to do it all again, but this year the Sydney Festival takes you back there for another punt at a great night out, every bit as electric as the first time around.
Maybe you've always had a Lego collection, because the popular plastic bricks really are for everyone. Perhaps you signed up for a subscription service back when COVID-19 lockdowns came into effect, because there are only so many puzzles one person can do. Either way, you probably need something to store your Lego in — and, in a collaboration due to hit Australia in 2021, IKEA now has a solution. Obviously, IKEA has plenty of storage on offer. Walk through one of the Swedish retailer's shops and just try to come out without a basket, box, container or other type of storage in your big blue bag — it's virtually impossible. But, when its new Bygglek range arrives in stores and online on Wednesday, February 17, it'll actually feature Lego studs. Keep your bricks in them, or use them to build with (or both). The new boxes were first revealed in 2020, as part of a team-up initially announced in 2019. The collection will encompass four different sets: one of three small boxes ($20), two different types of bigger boxes ($20–22), and one of Lego bricks ($35). All of the above will connect to existing Lego products, too, because of course it will. While the Bygglek products are part of IKEA's children's range, everyone knows by now that Lego isn't just for kids. Indeed, Lego just released a new botanical-focused collection that is firmly for adults. And creative storage boxes aren't just for children either, because everyone needs containers to keep objects and items other than Lego in. IKEA's Lego Bygglek collection will be available in stores and online on Wednesday, February 17 — head to the IKEA website for further details.
Craving the ease of electric power, yet unenthusiastic about parting with your favourite two-wheeler? A new Kickstarter campaign promises to solve your dilemma. The Rubbee is an electric drive that can be mounted to any bicycle within seconds. Its development came about out of frustration with the range of e-bikes currently on the market. '[They] have multiple design and user-experience flaws,' the Rubbee's creators argue. 'If it is a factory-made electric bicycle it will probably be very heavy and will look... Well, let's say boring is the word for it. And what happens to your beloved regular bike you already have? It gets sold or forgotten somewhere in the basement.' Moreover, the conversion kits available practically require a PhD in engineering for successful installation, and usually weigh between 10 and 15 kilograms. In contrast, adding the Rubbee to a bicycle is merely a matter of adjusting a clamp. Hence, it can be shared with family and friends easily. Plus, an integrated battery pack sees it weigh in at just 6.5 kilograms. The Rubbee's developers have spent two years perfecting their product. 'We worked long and hard before getting it right,' they explain. 'After many sleepless nights and dozens of pitches we have made our way here, where we are now . . . Our mission is to change the way electric bicycles used to be.' [via PSFK]
Some visit Bali seeking romantic places to stay, where they can treat themselves to pamper packages within wild natural surroundings. Others want a tropical adventure — hiking up volcano craters, riding quad bikes through the jungle or swimming beneath hidden waterfalls. And, of course, there's the party atmosphere, from group day trips to places to dance the night away. To help any kind of traveller have the best time in Bali, we curated a selection of local trips and tours that can be booked through Concrete Playground Trips. Read on to find a few of our favourites. [caption id="attachment_892435" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Juan Cruz Mountford (Unsplash)[/caption] SUNRISE VOLCANO HIKE WITH THERMAL SPRINGS SWIM This trek could quite easily become the highlight of your trip to Bali. You'll get up early to hike to the summit of volcanic Mount Batur to catch the sunrise and enjoy breakfast cooked over volcanic steam. It's not a difficult climb, but the natural hot springs waiting for you at the bottom are a magical treat. Enjoy the view of the volcano and the surrounding mountains while you soothe your muscles in the natural springs. Not a morning person? Book a midnight hike or a private jeep ride up to the volcano and into the crater instead. BOOK IT NOW. [caption id="attachment_892433" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rob M Visuals (Unsplash)[/caption] RICE TERRACE CYCLING TOUR When visiting Bali, go beyond the island's famous beaches and head inland to explore the untamed jungle and thousands of miles of rice terraces. While you can drive to many of them, the best way to see a bunch is by going on a cycling tour. This particular one focuses on the Bangli region. It is a less commercialised area, boasting some of the world's most beautiful rice fields with views of Mount Batur in the distance. Alight from your bike to walk between the terraces, little huts, tumbling waterfalls and quaint temples before sitting down to a big lunch overlooking the stunning scenery. We could think of worse ways to spend a day. BOOK IT NOW. [caption id="attachment_892434" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jared Rice (Unsplash)[/caption] FIVE-DAY HOLISTIC RETREAT Bali abounds with wellness retreats, and Y Retreats is one of the best budget-friendly options. That's why we teamed up with Y Retreats to sell some of the spots available on its upcoming Reset and Recharge retreat. Over the course of five days, you'll be immersed in a carefully curated combination of breathwork, cold exposure, yoga, self-development sessions, leadership and resilience workshops, physical adventuring and so much more. It's held at a secluded beachfront property in Tabanan and includes all your meals. It's the perfect place to relax and work on yourself. BOOK IT NOW. BALI SEA WALKER This is a really random travel experience. But it's heaps of fun. You pop on a glass helmet that's fed oxygen via a long tube and walk along the sea floor spotting tropical fish swimming about coral reefs. It's much easier than proper scuba diving (no training is required for sea walking). Add this little activity to a day spent at the beach. BOOK IT NOW. [caption id="attachment_892436" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nick Fewings (Unsplash)[/caption] UBUD DAY TRIP The Ubud region has become increasingly popular these days, but remains quieter than most parts of Bali. It has many picturesque temples, coffee plantations, rice fields, museums and small villages filled with markets and great places to eat. But seeing all its best bits can be tough without a guide. So, we teamed up with Candidasa Taxi to offer this unique private tour of Ubud that also includes a trip to Tegenungan Waterfall and Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. BOOK IT NOW. [caption id="attachment_892432" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tandya Rachmat (Unsplash)[/caption] THREE-DAY GILI ISLANDS AND LOMBOK TOUR The Gili Islands is one of our favourite places to go in Indonesia. These six small islets are all located by Bali's neighbour sister Lombok and offer up exceptional experiences. You can swim with turtles, explore small fishing villages, relax on long white sand beaches and simply escape the crowds of Bali. And if you book this Gili Island and Lombok tour, you'll get to take your time seeing all the best bits over three days — you'll really want to spend more than just a day in these parts. The tour will also pick you up from Padang, so it's a great addition to any Bali holiday. BOOK IT NOW. [caption id="attachment_892439" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Florian Giorgio (Unsplash)[/caption] REGIONAL BALI TOURS Bali is a diverse place when it comes to culture, food and natural sites. That's why you shouldn't spend your entire holiday in just one place. But packing up all your things to stay in several different areas can also be tiring. The solution? Get on the day trip bandwagon. We have a bunch to help you see it all. Spend a day in the north, south, east or west of the island with each of these unique trips that take you to all the most popular parts — as well as a few hidden gems only locals know about. [caption id="attachment_892438" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nattu Adnan (Unsplash)[/caption] NUSA PENIDA DAY TRIP Nusa Penida is an absolutely stunning island located just off the shores of Bali. It's a beach lover's paradise, with countless hidden coves located all over. A great way to see them is by joining a day tour. This particular one takes you to Broken Beach, Angel's Billabong, Kelingking Beach and Crystal Bay. You can even book a really affordable private boat tour of Nusa Penida to see it all from the water. BOOK IT NOW. [caption id="attachment_892441" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bali Surgawi Tour Travels (Unsplash)[/caption] QUAD BIKE ADVENTURE As an ATV rider, you will be challenged to conquer some of Bali's rugged off-road terrain and muddy rock formations for 90 to 120 minutes. You'll see some great scenery, rice fields, rivers and beaches while zooming about with some mates. This will be followed by a two-hour snorkel trip that will take you to two different swimming spots. It's a two-in-one. BOOK IT NOW. Feeling inspired to book a truly unique getaway? Head to Concrete Playground Trips to explore a range of holidays curated by our editorial team. We've teamed up with all the best providers of flights, stays and experiences to bring you a series of unforgettable trips to destinations all over the world. Top image: Jamie Fenn (Unsplash)
Nothing ruins a lovely holiday like having to wear dirty socks for the last two days. If you forgot some essentials at home, or made an attempt at 'light packing', let's just hope you didn't forget your Scrubba. Weighing about as much as your favorite jeans, the Scrubba Wash Bag is essentially a mobile laundromat designed for the scrupulous packer. The concept was brought about by hiker Ashley Newman, who devised the design while climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Scrubba is best described as a waterproof bag containing a flexible washboard. All you need to do for clean laundry is to pop in a few dirty garments, add 2 litres of water and some soap (or shampoo, if you're in a fix), and scrub. When placed against a hard surface, Scrubba's inner washboard will create enough friction to clean your clothes after 30 seconds of scrubbing. Et voila! Garments will come out clean, and can be hung to dry. The Scrubba is available for pre-order at Indiegogo. [via Gizmodo]
Most Lego creations don't take four years to build. Of course, most Lego creations aren't real, actual, life-sized houses. In the town of Billund in Denmark, aka the place where Lego was invented by carpenter Ole Kirk Christiansen nearly a century ago, the 12,000-square metre Lego House has just opened its doors. It's filled with 25 million bricks, and while it isn't actually made out of the plastic toys, it is shaped to look like 21 white Lego pieces stacked on top of each other (complete with clay tiles giving off a glossy exterior sheen). Welcoming the public since September 28, and featuring free and paid spaces, Lego House is every kid's dream come true — and every adult who was once a Lego-loving child as well. In colour-coded sections that are themed according to the types of skills they tap into (creative, cognitive, social and emotional), visitors can learn about the evolution of Lego, view Lego showcases, eat in one of three Lego cafes, play on nine rooftop Lego terraces, shop in a huge Lego store, get their own Lego mosaic portrait, and, yes, just have fun constructing their own Lego concoctions. Among Lego House's highlights is the 15-metre tall Tree of Creativity, which took 24,350 hours and 6,316,611 bricks to build, making it one of the largest Lego structures ever made. Elsewhere, the masterpiece gallery pays tribute to the impressive structures created by Lego fans, as hand-picked by the sites curators. In the history collection, the first Lego set ever produced is on display, plus other milestone pieces. A number of behind-the-scenes tours are also on offer, in a space designed by architecture firm BIG. As part of their massive feat, the top part of the building — which resembles one of Lego's iconic 2 x 4 keystone bricks — shines eight beams of light into the sky like the knobs on top of a standard piece. While general entry is free, advance bookings are required in what's destined to be quite the popular spot. Timed tickets for specific areas cost approximately AU$40, and Lego expects that more than 250,000 people will visit each year. Images: Lego.
Stopping Godzilla isn't easy. Within the Monsterverse, the American movie and TV universe that's sprung up around the iconic kaiju, that lesson has been well and truly learned. On-screen, the giant critter is no longer seen as a foe, as 2024 film Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire embraced — and for Legendary Entertainment, the company producing the franchise, there's no such thing as too much of the towering behemoth. Cinemas have seen 2014's Godzilla, 2019's Godzilla: King of the Monsters and 2021's Godzilla vs Kong before this year's Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. In 2023, Apple TV+ series Monarch: Legacy of Monsters brought Zilly to streaming as well. The latter starred none other than Kurt Russell (Fast and Furious 9) and Wyatt Russell (Night Swim), with the father-son duo sharing the same part in a time-hopping narrative. Understandably paying more attention to humans given its two leads, it proved an excellent addition to the franchise, so it comes as no surprise that Monarch: Legacy of Monsters has been renewed for a second season. Exactly when the series will return hasn't been revealed, but Apple TV+ is going big with its part of the saga, also announcing that multiple spinoffs are also on the way. What they'll entail, who'll be in them and when they will arrive hasn't been locked in, either, but get ready for plenty more Godzilla-related television viewing. "Monarch: Legacy of Monsters has left an indelible imprint on the hearts, minds and imaginations of audiences around the world," said Apple TV+'s Head of International Development Morgan Wandell. "We couldn't be more excited for viewers to not only have the chance to experience even more thrills in season two, but to embark on epic, new journeys in the franchise as we expand Legendary's Monsterverse." With Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, the Monsterverse went the episodic route via a story set across generations and 50 years. The Russells play army officer Lee Shaw — while a couple of siblings attempting to keep up their dad's work after events between Godzilla and the Titans in San Francisco in the aforementioned 2014 film, as well as their family history, also proves pivotal. So, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters involves unpacking links to clandestine outfit Monarch, activities back in the 50s and how what Shaw knows threatens the organisation. Yes, monsters and rampages were part of the first season, but so were secrets, lies, revelations and mysteries. Also appearing on-screen: Anna Sawai (Shōgun), Kiersey Clemons (The Flash), Ren Watabe (461 Days of Bento), Mari Yamamoto (Pachinko), Anders Holm (Inventing Anna), Joe Tippett (The Morning Show), Elisa Lasowski (Hill of Vision) and Takehiro Hira (Gran Turismo: Based on a True Story). Behind the scenes, Chris Black (Severance) and Matt Fraction (Da Vinci's Demons) co-developed Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, while Matt Shakman (The Consultant, Welcome to Chippendales) helmed the opening pair of episodes for season one. All three were among the series' executive producers, and will return for season two. Check out the trailer for Monarch: Legacy of Monsters season one below: Monarch: Legacy of Monsters streams via Apple TV+ — we'll update you with a release date for season two when it's announced. Read our review of season one, and our interview with Kurt and Wyatt Russell.
Until now, Pick 'N' Mix has been restricted to the sugary realms of confectionery; Jaffas, Gummy Bears, sour worms all tossed together in a salad of teeth-rotting goodness. But celebrated Sydney father and son butchers, Victor and Anthony Puharich, from the renowned Vic’s Premium Quality Meat see more opportunity for meatier, saltier nibbles. The team have extended their wholesale business to an entire marketplace, Vic's Meat Market, set to open at Sydney Fish Market on Saturday, September 27. And yep, there's a meaty, meaty Pick 'N' Mix in store. Structured as a raw open counter, the specialty meat market is the newest resident of the Sydney Fish Market. Vic's is separated into sections, from organic and grass fed (Lean and Green) to the specialty wild meat section (a seasonal selection of game from kangaroo to wild boar and venison). You can stroll into the custom-built coolroom if you're rugged up, there's an appointment-only wagyu counter, where you can match your meat with Penfolds Grange, or you can tuck into a cheeky $10 smoked pulled pork roll with zesty coleslaw and housemade barbecue sauce — the pork is slow cooked over ten hours in in the purpose-built Yoder smoker affectionately dubbed 'Kong'. But the most novelty addition to the market is the Meat Candy Bar. Vic's is operating under the same principleas your regular cinematic endeavour, stocking six different types of biltong and ten different bite size salamis crafted by Sydney providores. Just scoop your preferred meaty bites into a baggie and pay by weight. Popcorn? Consider yourself replaced as a salty, salty movie snack. Vic's Meat Market is open from Saturday, September 27 at Sydney Fish Market. The butcher market is open 9am till 5pm, while the Smoker takeaway runs from 11am till sold out, both seven days (except Christmas Day).
Many a Brisbanite has spent their 21st birthday partying their way around Fortitude Valley. Plenty of us have spent several days around the milestone date hopping between venues throughout the inner-city suburb and prolonging the merriment for as long as possible, in fact. It's a Brissie rite of passage; however, it isn't just restricted to people — with huge music-fuelled celebration BIGSOUND planning the same thing when it returns in September 2022. To mark hitting the big two-one — and its return to in-person events after a pandemic-afflicted couple of years — BIGSOUND will take over the Valley with a massive four-day event. Running from Tuesday, September 6–Friday, September 9, this year's fest will welcome more than 150 bands to its stages, too, and also keep the birthday theme going by popping up in 21 different venues. If you're a BIGSOUND regular, you'll know what that entails: filling as many spaces as possible with bands, industry folks and music-loving punters, all enjoying the latest and greatest tunes and talent the country has to offer. Expect 2022's iteration to be no different to usual — well, the pre-pandemic usual — although the vibe is set to jump up a few notches given that there's so much to celebrate. [caption id="attachment_851422" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lachlan Douglas[/caption] It's still too early to announce who'll be on the bill, but expect BIGSOUND to commemorate its big occasion — and its first physical fest since 2019 — with an impressive roster of bands. Past events have showcased everyone from Gang of Youths, Flume, Tash Sultana and Courtney Barnett to San Cisco, Violent Soho, Methyl Ethel and The Jungle Giants, so its program is usually a very reliable bellwether of current and up-and-coming musos. This year's fest will also include 300 artist showcases and more than 20 parties, while the conference side of things will welcome in 150-plus speakers over 55 sessions (and more than 1500 delegates as well). And, a new event called BIGSOUND Country will join the lineup, focusing on the Aussie country music scene. [caption id="attachment_851424" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lachlan Douglas[/caption] BIGSOUND's return to the Valley's streets follows a virtual event in 2020, and comes after 2021's fest was originally slated to go ahead in-person, but had to cancel due to COVID-19. Announcing the event's 2022 plans, QMusic CEO Kris Stewart said that the BIGSOUND team is "feeling from the industry far and wide that they're itching to be back in rooms together — and we couldn't be more excited to get artists back on stages and industry back in their live element." If your spring routine usually involves bar-hopping around Brisbane while listening to bands — whether you're a local or you head north for the event — mark your calendars accordingly. And if you're an artist looking to take part in the event in general, applications are now open until Friday, May 20. BIGSOUND 2022 will take place between Tuesday, September 6–Friday, September 9 in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane. For more information — or to apply to take part if you're an artist — visit bigsound.org.au. Images: Lachlan Douglas / Bianca Holderness.
When you're spending a night or several away from home, it's often the small things that matter. On a beach getaway, being able to wander directly from your hotel to the sand — without crossing roads and walking down the block — is one such tiny luxury. And, it's exactly what'll be on offer at The Langham Gold Coast, with the new five-star spot opening its doors to holidaymakers in mid-June. Joining the brand's existing Australian hotels in Sydney and Melbourne, as well as a worldwide portfolio that dates back to 1865 in London, The Langham Gold Coast will boast direct beachfront access — a rarity for new towering places to stay in the tourist spot. It's also the chain's first beachfront property, and it's pairing that oh-so-close proximity to sun, surf and sand with everything from a pool bar and cocktails upon arrival to 17 different types of rooms and suites to slumber in. Obviously, gorgeous ocean views are a big feature — although, if you find yourself in a room on the other side of the building, you'll be peering out over the Gold Coast hinterland instead. There'll be 339 rooms and suites in total, all decked out in coastal hues, and with a huge emphasis on luxury. When it launches on Thursday, June 23 — with bookings open from Monday, May 16 — The Langham Gold Coast will also include a range of food and beverage venues in addition to the aforementioned pool bar. So, when you're not enjoying afternoon tea at Palm Court, which goes big on pastries and pool views, you'll be hitting up all-day dining spot Akoya, a casual eatery serving meat, fish and poultry over cocktails (and seaside vistas). Or, there's the lobby bar, for more tipples; Coral Moon, another openair bar; and 26 & Sunny, which'll sit on the beach and offer sandwiches, coffee and deli options. Come spring, T'ang Court will also start serving up Cantonese dishes, giving the hotel a sister venue to the brand's Michelin-starred restaurants overseas. Between zipping into the waves and knocking back beverages, guests can also hit up Chuan Spa, The Langham's wellness centre. There, traditional Chinese medicine will guide the treatment selection — and leaving you feeling blissed out is the number-one aim. A health club with a gym, plus yoga, pilates and meditation sessions will be onsite as well, and — as the pool bar makes plain — places to swim besides the ocean. There'll be two pools, in fact, one indoors and the other outdoors. You'll need to be outside for those lagoon-style swim-up drinks, though. Artwork by Australian sculptor and artist Camie Lyons will feature around the hotel, and the chain's Ginger Flower fragrance will help set the mood. And if you're wondering where to head, The Langham Gold Coast will make its home inside the Jewel towers between Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach. Find The Langham Gold Coast at 38 Old Burleigh Road, Surfers Paradise, from Thursday, June 23. For more information or to make a booking, head to the hotel's website.
