Since Disney got its lightsabers out again with Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens, a galaxy far, far away has rarely been far from screens. That includes on streaming, where the force has proven particularly strong across three seasons of The Mandalorian, 2021–22's The Book of Boba Fett, and also 2022's Obi-Wan Kenobi and Andor. The next Star Wars show on its way: Ahsoka, which will give warrior, outcast, rebel and Jedi her own series from August. Rosario Dawson (Clerks III) returns as the limited series' titular figure, after playing the part in both The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett. If you're new to the character, she was Anakin Skywalker's padawan before he became Darth Vader — and, here, she's an ex-Jedi Knight who is determined to battle a threat to the post-Empire galaxy. Her latest exploits will hit Disney+ from Wednesday, August 23. Ahsoka follows animated film Star Wars: The Clone Wars and the TV series it spawned, too, plus fellow animated show Star Wars Rebels — because yes, this franchise about a galaxy far, far away will keep spreading far and wide in this one. From the latter series, Star Wars aficionados will spot rebel crew member Hera Syndulla and former bounty hunter Sabine Wren. Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)) plays the former in Ahsoka, while Natasha Liu Bordizzo (Guns Akimbo) steps into the latter's shoes. Also among the familiar characters: fellow Jedi padawan Ezra Bridger from Star Wars Rebels, with Eman Esfandi (King Richard) doing the live-action honours — and Grand Admiral Thrawn, too, as played by Lars Mikkelsen (The Kingdom). Ahoska's cast includes Ray Stevenson (RRR) and Ivanna Sakhno (The Reunion), plus David Tennant (Good Omens). Also, reports have been bubbling for years about Hayden Christensen returning as Anakin, as he did in Obi-Wan Kenobi. This is Disney+'s first series focused on a female Jedi; indeed, as a character, Ahoska has long been one of the few women among the franchise's Jedi ranks, dating back to 2008. Off-screen, The Mandalorian writer/director/executive producer Dave Filoni writes and executive produces Ahoska, with Jon Favreau, Kathleen Kennedy, Colin Wilson, and Carrie Beck also doing the latter — all seasoned Star Wars veterans. Check out the first teaser trailer for Ahsoka below: Ahsoka will stream via Disney+ from Wednesday, August 23. Images: ©2023 Lucasfilm Ltd & TM. All Rights Reserved.
Virtual reality — everybody's doing it, and hoping that everyone else will follow in their footsteps. To be precise, the majority of companies in the technology and entertainment fields are trying it out to see what sticks, and endeavouring to discover which interactive, immersive worlds consumers are keen to play in. Add IMAX to the list of organisations moving into the VR space via a number of new initiatives designed to take your screen viewing to another dimension. Not content with their existing giant, high-resolution efforts, earlier in 2016 they announced that they're setting up virtual reality centres around the world, and partnering with Google to develop cinema-grade VR cameras. Now, they're financing at least 25 new interactive virtual reality content experiences. For viewers, that not only means that you'll soon be able to head to a series of physical spaces dedicated to showing VR short films, but you'll also be able to see, feel, move and venture into more high-quality virtual reality offerings. The first IMAX virtual reality centres are due to launch in Los Angeles and Manchester by the end of the year, complete with pod-like viewing stations, with more planned in China, Japan, the Middle East, and Western Europe. As for the stuff you'll be feasting your eyes and ears upon, it'll focus on event-style productions made in conjunction with film studios, filmmakers and game publishers, will be developed over the next three years, and will be made available at IMAX as well as other VR platforms. Like every other development in the virtual reality realm, such as concerts, venue tours, department stores, video calls and travel fly-overs, it's really a "watch this space" kind of deal as IMAX works out what works best, and audiences figure out what they actually want to do with the technology. If the first ventures are successful, they plan to roll out the concept globally, including at cinemas, shopping centres and tourist destinations. Fingers crossed that their Australian venues — including their rebuilt Sydney site, which is expected to open 2019 — are included. Via IMAX.
Checho's opened in 2020, bringing contemporary Mexican dining to Penrith. The aesthetic is breezy, almost coastal chic, with pastel tones and tiles and neon feature pieces. But you're here for the food: expect vibrant flavours that pop. We're talking Tex-Mex-style snacks like jalapeño poppers with maple bacon; Latin-inspired zesty ceviche or steak with chimichurri sauce; and melt-in-your-mouth brisket tacos. The plates are made to be shared, especially larger dishes like sizzling fajitas and lamb shoulder. And the fresh house guac is, of course, non-negotiable. For bevs, there are classic margaritas and signature agave-focused cocktails, with tropical fruit flavours, spices and citrus.
Forget subway tunnels and highway billboards. The latest canvas for the modern artist is that big blue expanse above us. Chinese artist Cai Guo-Qiang has made like God and conjured his very own rainbow out of colourful smoke bombs in a daytime fireworks display. The stunt required 8000 shells and 2 months of planning, only to be detonated within minutes. With an impressive resume including the fireworks show that opened the Beijing Olympics, Cai's "daytime fireworks" marked the opening of his exhibition at the Arab Museum of Modern Art in Doha, Qatar. Spattering the sky with clouds of dreamy pastels as well as inky flock-like forms, the unsuspecting passer-by would be forgiven for running for cover with arms flailing beneath an apparent actualization of Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds. It's easy to see why Cai had lovers of design raving about his ingenuity. And the show's set-up created a spectacle in its own right, providing viewers with a greater appreciation of the intricate timing and elaborate engineering required to paint the sky. Still, the magic of night time fireworks that seemingly materialise out of thin air is lost in the harsh sunlight that exposes the mechanics behind the colourful explosions. So here's hoping this wizard of pyrotechnics doesn't give up his night job.
This Japanese variety store is an Aussie favourite. Daiso has long been the local go-to for a real-deal Japanese shopping experience. With over ten stores in the Sydney vicinity, our pick is the Chippendale shop, located in Central Park. At the chain, you can find everything from brightly coloured cooking utensils and decorative homewares to stationery, party decorations and even bento supplies. Plus clothing, crafts and beauty products to boot. Daiso sells everything and anything you can think of — and plenty of things you've never considered, too. You could spend an entire afternoon browsing the shelves, and leave with something you didn't even know you needed.
Travel isn't just about spending some time in a different patch of turf, escaping work and earning a reprieve from your usual routine. It ticks all those boxes, but it's really about seeing the world in all of its glory. In other words, it's an experience. And, after 2020's year of staying home and mostly just experiencing our own four walls, you can be forgiven for hankering for a holiday that'll truly make you realise that you're somewhere instantly and overwhelmingly special. Travel guide Lonely Planet has put together a lineup of places that'll achieve that exact aim, which it has dubbed its Ultimate Travel List. Announcing its second edition, the publication has some great news for Aussies eager for a getaway, too — especially given international travel bans are still in place — with the Northern Territory's Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park coming in third out of a whopping 500 locations. The only Australian spot in the top ten, the 348-metre-tall Uluru received ample praise from the publication, which compared the eye-catching monolith's appearance to "a ship on fire in a desert sea". Crucially, the towering rock formation hasn't been singled out on the list, but rather the entire park around it has been recognised. Seeing Uluru isn't something that anyone forgets, of course, but there's plenty more to do in the region — with taking tours with park rangers to see sacred waterholes, spotting the onsite wildlife and visiting the park's cultural centre to learn about the area's Indigenous Australian history and significance, and learn from the local Aṉangu people, all mentioned as well. What's not mentioned is the below Field of Light, which is located at the base of Uluru and definitely worth a visit while you're there. [caption id="attachment_773730" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Field of Light by Tourism Australia[/caption] In earning third spot, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park moved up 30 places from its 2019 ranking, when it came in at number 33. It sits behind the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Petra in Jordan, which nabbed the top placing, while the Galápagos Islands ranked second. Also in the top five: the Okavango River in Botswana, plus the USA's Yellowstone National Park. As for the rest of the top ten, it includes Lake Bled in Slovenia; Iguazú Falls, which mark the boundary between Argentina and Brazil; Angkor Wat in Cambodia, Bolivia's Salar de Uyuni, aka the world's biggest salt lake; and Nepal's Annapurna massif. In the entire 500-location list, a huge 200 entries differed from last year. Accordingly, both close to home and overseas, you now have some new travel inspiration and then some. At present, the Northern Territory's borders are open to Australians, without quarantine, unless you're travelling from an 'active coronavirus hotspot' — which currently covers all of Victoria. Until Friday, October 9, it also included the Greater Sydney area; however, that's set to be removed today. You can check out Lonely Planet's full Ultimate Travel List via its website. Top image: Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park by Tourism Australia
Darlinghurst's Sunday roast and craft beer specialist The Taphouse is expanding — upwards. The heritage-listed pub known for its expansive list of brews, sunny courtyard and hearty food offering has opened a new rooftop bar with a focus on inventive cocktails to complement the city views. Located two storeys above The Taphouse, Elm Rooftop Bar overlooks the bustling streets of Darlinghurst. The space embodies the classic alfresco setting with an abundance of leafy vines and hanging plants soaking up the sun beside you. The retractable awning also promises shelter from the elements on less favourable days, meaning Elm is open rain, hail or shine. Unlike the bar's beer-loving downstairs counterpart, Elm's drinks menu is all about variety. Owner Joshua Thorpe even goes as far as to describe the rooftop as "an outdoor cocktail and seltzer oasis". On the cocktail list you can find a variety of juice-based cocktails including the High Passion, a gin and passionfruit liqueur creation topped with freshly squeezed cucumber juice, or Elm's take on the bloody mary made with basil-infused vodka. [caption id="attachment_802633" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jess Brown[/caption] If you haven't jumped fully on board the hard seltzer craze quite yet, Elm is a great place to start, with a wide-reaching selection of the buzzed-about drink on offer. Alongside the cocktails and seltzers, quality selections from The Taphouse's beer list will also be brought upstairs, with over 20 local craft beers available on tap, as well as a range of wines including orange drops poured by the glass. For those on the hunt for an afternoon snack in the sun, a variety of share plates can be ordered, from fish tacos with spicy tartare and southern-fried cauliflower bites, to selections of cured meats and cheeses – although there's nothing stopping you from making a cameo on the rooftop for a drink before heading back downstairs for a beloved Taphouse roast. Find Elm Rooftop Bar at Level 2, 122 Flinders Street, Darlinghurst from 5pm–10pm Thursday, 12pm–10pm Friday and Saturday and 12pm–9pm Sunday. Images: Jess Brown
Some folks just know how to rock a moustache. When Kenneth Branagh (Tenet) stepped into super-sleuth Hercule Poirot's shoes in 2017's Murder on the Orient Express, he clearly considered himself to be one of them. The actor and filmmaker didn't simply play Agatha Christie's famously moustachioed Belgian detective, but also directed the movie — and he didn't miss a chance to showcase his own performance, as well as that hair adorning his top lip. You don't need to be a world-renowned investigator to deduce that Branagh was always going to repeat the same tricks with sequel Death on the Nile, or to pick that stressing the character's distinctive look and accompanying bundle of personality quirks would again take centre stage. But giving Poirot's 'stache its own black-and-white origin story to start the new movie truly is the height of indulgence. Branagh has previously covered a superhero's beginnings in the initial Thor flick, and also stepped into his own childhood in Belfast, so explaining why Poirot sports his elaborately styled mo — how it came to be, and what it means to him emotionally, too — is just another example of the director doing something he obviously loves. That early hirsute focus sets the tone for Death on the Nile, though, and not as Branagh and returning screenwriter Michael Green (Jungle Cruise) must've intended. Viewers are supposed to get a glimpse at what lies beneath Poirot's smarts and deductive savvy by literally peering beneath his brush-like under-nostril bristles, but all that emerges is routine and formulaic filler. That's the film from its hairy opening to its entire trip through Egypt. At least the moustache looks more convincing than the sets and CGI that are passed off as the pyramids, Abu Simbel and cruising the titular waterway. It's 1937, three years after the events of Murder on the Orient Express, and Poirot is holidaying in Egypt. While drinking tea with a vantage out over the country's unconvincingly computer-generated towering wonders, he chances across his old pal Bouc (Tom Bateman, Behind Her Eyes) and his mother Euphemia (Annette Bening, Hope Gap), who invite him to join their own trip — which doubles as a honeymoon for just-married heiress Linnet Ridgeway (Gal Gadot, Red Notice) and her new husband Simon Doyle (Armie Hammer, Crisis). Poirot obliges, but he's also surprised by the happy couple. Six weeks earlier, he saw them get introduced by Linnet's now-former friend and Simon's now ex-fiancée Jacqueline de Bellefort (Emma Mackey, Sex Education). That awkward history isn't easily forgotten by the central duo, either, given that Jackie has followed them with a view to winning Simon back. Boating down the Nile is initially an escape plan, whisking the newlyweds away from their obsessive stalker. But even as the group — which includes jazz singer Salome Otterbourne (Sophie Okonedo, Wild Rose), her niece and Linnet's school friend Rosalie (Letitia Wright, Black Panther), the bride's own ex-fiancé Linus Windlesham (Russell Brand, Four Kids and It), her lawyer Andrew Katchadourian (Ali Fazal, Victoria and Abdul), her assistant Louise Bourget (Rose Leslie, Game of Thrones), her godmother Marie Van Schuyler (Jennifer Saunders, Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie) and the latter's nurse Mrs Bowers (Dawn French, The Vicar of Dibley) — adjust to the change of schedule, two things were always going to happen. The pouty Jacqueline can't be thwarted that easily, of course. Also, the fact that there'll soon be a murder for Poirot to solve is right there in the movie's moniker. Something that doesn't occur: evoking much in the way of interest in any of the film's characters, their fates and — seeing that the killer lurks among them — their motivations. This absence of intrigue springs from the same problem that plagued Murder on the Orient Express, because Branagh is still too enamoured with himself as Poirot to give his co-stars anything substantial to do. Almost anyone could've played the S.S. Karnak's passengers, aka a Christie-standard motley crew, as that's how little a splash this cast makes. Gadot does declare that the steamboat has "enough champagne to fill the Nile" like she's in a camp farce, which definitely stands out, but mostly Death on the Nile is an exercise in squandering talent. Bening is woefully underused, and Saunders and French's on-screen reunion is a wasted comic opportunity. It speaks volumes that an on-autopilot Hammer, aka the one star Branagh might now wish faded into the background, is so prominent. It also helps remind viewers that the flick is stale in multiple ways: shot in 2019, it was originally slated to release that December. Production delays, COVID-19 and just general release-schedule tinkering mean that Death on the Nile now arrives after Belfast, which Branagh made during the pandemic — and the films' close proximity to each other doesn't help this whodunnit. The man behind the two movies has always liked on-screen excess, even if he's not in the centre of the frame, but here all of his visual bombast plays like meaningless gloss. The swooping camerawork doesn't quite sell the extravagant setting as much as it exposes Branagh's style-first approach, and demonstrates a lack of care about whether he's drawing the audience into the story. Cameras circle, the score soars and the feature is fashioned like an epic, but like the cruise's victims, there's no sign of a pulse. The inconsistent pacing, dragging through the setup and then speeding through Poirot's crucial sleuthing like it couldn't be over fast enough, also lands a fatal blow. It doesn't help that the film's also-lacking predecessor already felt like it was stretching its setup, and jumping on a trend that'd seen plenty of other brilliant masterminds reach screens lately (at the time, Sherlock Holmes adaptations were everywhere, or so it seemed). Now, Death on the Nile sails into a world where Knives Out did the eccentric detective bit far smarter and better, that delightful hit is similarly getting a sequel this year, and the likes of Only Murders in the Building and The Afterparty have been unfurling immensely entertaining murder-mystery antics in streaming queues, too. Mostly, though, Branagh's second Poirot outing suffers from being so infatuated with what Murder on the Orient Express did to box-office success — and what the filmmaker himself did as its star — that it's largely happy to merely repeat the feat. There's more moustache here, and an evident effort to spin the plot's threads around love's tangled webs, but neither was ever going to keep this bogged-down slog afloat.
Cruising is a classic way to holiday. The stress-free system has you forgo most responsibilities in favour of fun, be it a two-week romp through the Pacific Islands or a midweek run up or down the Australian coastline, there's a leg of voyage suitable to any traveller. In the case of this ocean-bound writer, it was the latter, and I was in for an unfortunate surprise. Waking on day three of a five-day voyage on the Pacific Adventure to the sight of Moreton Island just out of reach, the passengers were informed that the small transfer boats would be unable to ferry us to the island due to rough seas. Would you believe the same thing happened on the last Moreton Island cruise I was on mere months earlier? I think that makes me uniquely qualified to answer this next question. What do you do on a cruise with no destination? Plan Ahead When Packing No matter how fine-tuned and considered your itinerary, the universe is unlikely to obey your wishes for the whole trip. When it comes to the weather, you should naturally be planning ahead. A good book is a must, plus headphones, a portable charger, sunglasses, a lanyard to carry around your cruise card and, probably most importantly, sea sickness medication. If the weather is bad enough for a shore visit to be cancelled, it means there's likely a large swell on the water. Everyone handles motion sickness differently, so a simple travel calm ginger might cut it, but if you need something stronger, the onboard medical centre stocks plenty of the good stuff. Make Use of the Onboard Itinerary The serious advantage of cruising is the fact that it's just as much about the journey as it is about the destination. In the case of a Moreton Island cruise from Sydney, you're scheduled for two full days at sea on either side of the shore stop. On our cruise, that became three full days at sea. Our itinerary adapted in a flash, with a fresh day of activities available to replace our cancelled stop by the time we'd finished breakfast. Exact activities vary on a ship-by-ship basis but almost all vessels share some similarities: pools, gyms, spas, theatres, arcades and lounges. You can choose to spend your time however you'd like, be it a visit to the spa, catching a comedy show or theatre act, or kicking back on the outer decks. Every night while you're at dinner, a new itinerary is left in your room for the following day. On board the Pacific Adventure, we kept our sea days busy with shopping and reading mostly. One evening was spent with In Pour Taste, a comedy show crossed with a wine tasting, helmed by Melbourne comedy duo Sweeney Preston and Ethan Cavanagh. The following day saw us hit the spa and the Byron Beach Club. Then on the final day, we took a cocktail mixing class and watched the wildly raucous Blanc De Blanc Uncorked cabaret show after dinner. Dine Differently Every Day You're massively spoiled for choice with dining while onboard a cruise ship. Buffet dining is typically the easiest choice for breakfast, with no extra cost and a great variety of dishes on offer. Come lunchtime, there are several options. The Pacific Adventure includes Luke's Burger Bar, which serves up the finest surf shack-style feeds you can get at sea. When day rolls into night, cruise ships open up multiple venues for dinner. In the case of Pacific Adventure, Waterfront Restaurant is a reliable go-to and Angelo's offers a fine-dining spin, as does Luke's Bar and Grill (the sibling of the burger bar, both created by restaurateur Luke Mangan). [caption id="attachment_967826" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Alec Jones[/caption] For more specific cuisines, there's a great mix of Italian dishes available at P&O Trattoria, or you can enjoy high-end Asian eats at Dragon Lady. Plus, since this is almost like a floating resort, you can always opt to stay in your room and order room service instead. Pacific Adventure is also home to 13 bars and nightclubs — from easily accessible spots like the Adventure Hotel (think quintessential Aussie pub but floating) to more out-of-the-way attractions like the onboard speakeasy The Bonded Store and Altitude Nightclub, where you can get a drink and have a boogie at the highest point on the whole vessel. Don't let naysayers dissuade you. A cruise with no destination is entirely survivable. Take it from us. Check any cynicism at the door (or gangplank, in this case), and you'll have a great time. In early 2025 P&O's Pacific Adventure, along with Pacific Encounter, will be integrating into the Carnival Fleet, becoming Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter. While sailing under new names both ships will continue to offer the same great holiday experience. Voyages from now until 2026 are available to book via pocruises.com.au. Concrete Playground was invited on the Sydney to Tangalooma cruise by the P&O Group. Images courtesy of the P&O Group.
They first toured Australia in 1982. They've returned plenty of times since, including on the Big Day Out and Vivid lineups. When they were last here in 2020, the pandemic got in the way, causing them to cut short their plans — and now New Order have locked in their latest visit Down Under five years later. "It's an honour to be coming back to perform in one of our favourite places. We sadly had to cancel a Melbourne show in March 2020, as a consequence of COVID and are so happy we can come back to play again," said the Manchester-formed band, announcing their next Aussie dates. "We've always loved playing in Australia and are excited to be returning for a run of very special shows in 2025. Good things come to those who wait!" [caption id="attachment_976837" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Erin Mc via Flickr[/caption] 'Blue Monday', 'Temptation', 'Bizarre Love Triangle' — more than four decades after forming, the group will play them all on a four-city Australian tour that starts at Perth's RAC Arena, then plays the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne and Riverstage in Brisbane, before hitting the Sydney Opera House Forecourt for two nights, all in March 2025. Peter Hook, Stephen Morris and Bernard Sumner started New Order out of Joy Division, following the tragic death of the latter's lead singer Ian Curtis, and helped pioneer the synth-pop sound that not only helped define the 80s but has been influential ever since. If you've seen the films Control and 24 Hour Party People, you've seen part of New Order's story on-screen. And if you've caught them live before, you'll know that they're always a must-see. In Sydney, the group join Sydney Opera House's March run of forecourt concerts, which also includes Fontaines DC and PJ Harvey. "The incomparable New Order on the forecourt will be one of *those* Opera House moments to remember forever (and my 16 year-old self with his hopelessly worn-out tape of Substance can't quite believe it). Fontaines DC's moment is right now, and it's an honour to host one of the world's most fiercest live bands on the Forecourt for their massive Australian return," said Sydney Opera House Head of Contemporary Music Ben Marshall. [caption id="attachment_976838" align="alignnone" width="1920"] RL GNZLZ via Flickr[/caption] New Order Australian Tour 2025 Wednesday, March 5 — RAC Arena, Perth Saturday, March 8 — Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne Tuesday, March 11 — Riverstage, Brisbane Friday, March 14–Saturday, March 15 — Sydney Opera House Forecourt, Sydney New Order are touring Australia in March 2025, with tickets on sale from 10am local time on Thursday, October 31, 2024. Head to the tour website for further details. Top image: RL GNZLZ via Flickr.
It's usually safe to assume that bottled beer is better than canned. Conjuring up unappealing images of the VB tinnies in your granddad's fridge, your options for canned beverage usually consist of the bottom rung of local draught offerings. Unless you're heading to a festival, you'll usually skip over the canned section of the bottle-o entirely. Rightly so. But now, local brewers Modus Operandi are reinvigorating the tired tinnie with the "CANimal" — at 946mL of crushable aluminium glory it's being touted as the biggest beer can in the country. In an Australian first, they are also selling this frothy beast straight from their Mona Vale brewery. Pulled from the tap and canned on request, you can fill this absolute behemoth with any of the craft brews they offer on site. Modus Operandi will in fact be the second brewery in the world to offer the service and, somewhat unsurprisingly, the owners got the idea while travelling in America. While they're a nation known for their excess and love of comically large foodstuffs, beer cans are also much more common in the US. It was only a matter of time 'til they dared to make one that packed in an arm-buckling litre of liquid. "[With cans] you have the freedom of storing beer longer and eliminating the negative effects of UV light in a portable, unbreakable and crushable vessel," brewery owner Grant Wearin told Good Food. And, while we're not sure how portable they really are for people like us (puny armed schooner drinkers), we're willing to give them a go. Oktoberfest is coming up. The CANimal is basically a pre-packaged stein. Modus Operandi Brewing Co is located at 14 Harkeith Street, Mona Vale. The brewery is open from 12pm - 10pm from Wednesday - Sunday and you can get yourself a CANimal for $17-21 depending on the type of beer. Via Good Food and Crafty Pint. Images via Modus Operandi's Brewing Co.
The force is strong with this idea — and we've definitely got a good feeling about it. From 2019, Disneyland Resort in California and Walt Disney World in Florida will both boast dedicated Star Wars-themed zones, called Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. Exact dates are yet to be announced, but Disney has just revealed that fans will be travelling to a galaxy far, far away by the middle of next year at Disneyland — and towards the end of the year at Disney World. Galaxy's Edge was first made public back in 2015, will span 14 acres at each site and will prove the biggest single-themed expansion the respective parks have ever seen. And, they'll be designed to "transport guests to a never-before-seen planet, a remote trading port and one of the last stops before wild space where Star Wars characters and their stories come to life." To be specific, fans will be able wander around the outpost of Batuu, which is a hive for smugglers and rogues (naturally); drink blue milk at a cantina; and hop onto a star destroyer. Most importantly, visitors will be able to fly the Millennium Falcon. Yep, prepare to say "punch it" a whole heap — and hopefully become best buddies with a loveable wookiee. The full details are yet to be unveiled, but expect Galaxy's Edge to tie into all ten Star Wars movies to date and feature an array of beloved characters roaming around. Expect to be able to buy plenty of merchandise at the gift shop as well. Eventually, visitors to Disney World will also be able to stay in an immersive Star Wars-themed hotel too, although construction hasn't started yet and an opening date hasn't been announced either. Of course, Galaxy's Edge will be open just in time for Star Wars: Episode IX, which is due in cinemas in December 2019. Given that we now get a new Star Wars flick each year — including spin-offs such as Solo: A Star Wars Story, which is set to be followed by a Boba Fett movie — you'd think it's probably only a matter of time before Disney also opens a Star Wars stadium to match its forthcoming Marvel one. Via Disney Theme Parks Blog.
The weather's still hot, which means we're still smack-bang in the middle of 'Summer Swiping Season'. There are first dates (born from Bumble, Tinder or just the old-fashioned way) happening all around the place. Plus with resulting second and third dates, chances are (if you're in the dating game) you may be in need of a 'thing to do' or two. Drinks? Been there; done that. Movies? Opinions can divide a date, plus it doesn't really permit much 'getting to know you' time. Dinner? A trusty standby but surely you can do better. Think outside your normal square — and outside in general — and give something a crack that uses the great outdoors as inspiration. With our mates at Hahn, we've put together a list that'll put a couple of beaut ideas up your sleeve for your next potential Tinder match — just make sure you give them a heads up to dress weather appropriately or slip, slap, slop. HORSE RIDING NEAR THE CITY Take a trot on the wilder side and give a trail ride a go — sign up for a day of hanging out with a majestic four-legged friend. Though it may not be quite as romantic and sun-drenched as it is in the movies, horseriding is still a) fun and b) a surprisingly great workout — full marks for adventure and action. Just make sure you and your date are both wearing riding appropriate pants (no short shorts here) and shoes, and remember that novice trail rides are generally chaperoned by an experienced rider. If you're trying to have a conversation about feelings, it might be third wheeled. Maybe wait until you're back at the stables to bust out the "I love you" for the first time, just in case. Where? Glenworth Valley, NSW; Gunnamatta Trail Rides, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria; Thunderbird Park, Tamborine Mountain, Queensland. Discover even more spots for horse riding in Sydney and Brisbane. A PICNIC IN A SECRET SPOT So you've painstakingly prepared the most extravagant picnic feast of all time, packed a six pack and headed to your local park, only to lay out your blanket, unpack your fancy eats and find yourself constantly rescuing bits of your picnic from the scores of dogs and/or small children in your vicinity. Picnics are 100% better when they're private, so for the next al fresco dining date situation you get yourself in, why not head to some quieter venues, sans the small people or furry animals. There are plenty of lovely parks and gardens just crying out for people to sit around in them, making love eyes at each other and saying "isn't this just perfect?" as they have a bite of brie. Where? Arthur McElhone Reserve, Elizabeth Bay, Sydney; George Tindale Memorial Gardens, Sherbrooke, Melbourne; Fig Tree Pocket River Reserve, Fig Tree Pocket, Brisbane. GLAMPING IN A UNIQUE SPOT Camping is all well and good until it's been three days since your last shower, you forgot to pack enough undies and socks and you're starting to feel more than a bit uncomfortable (and not very romantic). Change all that by going on a glamping adventure. Think less sweaty conditions and more proper beds to lounge in — plus a tent that you don't have to set up yourself. Take a date along to an unusual spot for added lush points — try Cockatoo Island or Murphy's Creek for something a little different. Hot showers and toiletries are included (and a claw foot bath at Murphy's Creek) so it might even be a step up from your bathroom at home instead of back to basics. BYO holiday reading and variety of meats and bevvies to arrange in the provided barbecues and eskies. Where? Cockatoo Island Glamping, Cockatoo Island, Sydney; Phillip Island Glamping, Phillip Island, Victoria; Murphy's Creek Hideaway, Toowoomba, QLD. Find more spots to go glamping in Melbourne and Sydney. TRAPEZE IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS Running away and joining the circus is definitely the ultimate romantic act, but it's a bit hectic for a first or second date, and there are real-world responsibilities to think about like your job and your pot plants. Your back up option is to head to an outdoors trapeze class — they're run in Melbourne over the summer, and Sydney and Brisbane at most times — and feel like a free bird flying in the wind for an hour. Hopefully, your date won't have a fear of heights, but if it helps, classes are run by professional coaches and have all the bells and whistles to keep you safe, i.e,. nets and harnesses. Plus, living dangerously is pretty sexy. Where? Circus Arts, Sydney and Brisbane locations; Fly Factory, Blackburn, Victoria (outdoor classes in Mornington). [caption id="attachment_656745" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brook James.[/caption] ROWING ON THE WATER There's something to be said about a slow cruise around a body of water on a warm day, following the current, letting it gently tug you along. Pack a picnic lunch, a lifejacket and hire a rowboat or a kayak and hit your nearest river. Melbourne and Sydney have a variety of rowboat options for use in their waters, while Brisbane is more of a flashy kayak type of place. Just remember that rowing a boat around all day takes a fair bit of arm-power and it's probably harder than Hugh Grant makes it look in Bridget Jones Diary. Fairfield Boathouse in Melbourne also does a ripper Devonshire Tea if you want to amp up your date to past centuries in England levels — BYO parasol. Where? Audley Boatshed, Audley, Sydney; Fairfield Boathouse, Fairfield, Melbourne; Kayak Hire Brisbane, Scarborough, QLD. Start planning how you'll take your next date up a notch, with a Hahn in hand.
Sydney's no stranger to world-class drinking dens, but even we're due for a few surprises when one of the world's best, and most enduring, speakeasies hits Aussie shores next month. Since the first Employees Only bar opened its doors in New York back in 2004, it has picked up a whole swag of accolades — including ranking among The World's 50 Best Bars for ten years running, this year coming in at 26 — and its founders have successfully taken the concept global, launching outposts in Singapore, Hong Kong and Miami. And now, they're headed Down Under, taking over a heritage basement space in Sydney's CBD and bringing in Sydney native Anna Fang, for the bar's much-anticipated Australian debut. Here, Employees Only is sticking to its original principles, promising memorable cocktails and sophisticated fare in a beautiful space. But it'll also be rounded out with a distinctly local edge and a healthy dose of Sydney style. The Sydney outpost is being run by EO co-founder Dushan Zaric, along with EO New York bartender Robert Krueger and Fang as venue manager. And it seems no one is deterred by the city's ongoing lockout law woes, with Krueger saying, "We're excited to work with the incredible local bar community, together helping to reinvigorate Sydney's nightlife and bring it back onto the global stage." To that end, expect a cocktail offering that lives up to the hype, with some of the New York outpost's favourites sitting alongside a slew of new, Sydney-exclusive creations. Must-try classics that will appear on the menu include the Amelia, crafted on vodka, elderflower liqueur, puréed blackberries and fresh lemon, and the Provençal, with lavender-infused gin, vermouth and Cointreau. Meanwhile, the kitchen is taking its cues from classic New York bistro fare, the menu sporting a mix of Employee's Only favourites — think house-made pork sausage cavatelli, bone marrow poppers with bordelaise sauce, and the now legendary steak tartare, here done with hand-cut filet mignon — and Head Chef Aurelian Girault's latest Australian-inspired creations. Enter beneath the signature neon "psychic" sign, pull up a seat at the curved, brass-topped bar and get ready for some pretty exceptional boozing. Employees Only Sydney is slated to open in November at 9 Barrack Street, Sydney. Images: Robert Krueger and Anna Fang, by Joe Cheng.
Brisbane's Eat Street Northshore is following in the footsteps of culinary big-wigs like Brae, Biota and Dunkeld's Royal Mail Hotel, now boasting its very own onsite kitchen garden. Thought that was a little unlikely, given the precinct's lack of free space? Well, it's all thanks to Canada's Modular Farms Co, which has chosen the precinct as the first Australian location to host one of its state-of-the-art vertical hydroponic farms. With inner-city space at a premium these days, this little beauty is a bit of a game-changer, able to grow food cleanly and sustainably no matter where it's placed or what the climate might be. Eat Street's new addition will allow market vendors to tap into a consistent supply of fresh herbs and veggies from right there on site, minimising food miles and wastage in the process. It doesn't get much fresher than that. What's more, the farm's modular design fits right in with the rest of Eat Street's vibe, working perfectly against that backdrop of repurposed shipping containers. The new vertical farm will supply produce to both Eat Street Northshore and OzHarvest. Images: Chris Jack
If you're sick of bringing crackers and dip to the party, but get cheese blind when faced with a fridge full of fromage, then read on. There's no need to taste everything in the deli (although that isn't ever a bad idea), and we've a little something for you to ensure cheese no longer becomes such a pandemonium requiring social etiquette. Soon you'll be able to tell everyone how nutty but sweet the prima donna is.The Dutch-style gouda, that is. So, fromage fans, listen up: here's Concrete Playground's bluffer's guide to cheese. 1. Cheese 101: How is Cheese made? Apparently, the process of cheese making was an accident. The story goes that milk overheated in a storage container of some sort, soured and created curd. Now don't squirm, but rumour has it that the said 'container' was either an animal's internal organ or an inflated animal skin. Nowadays, it's more of a civilised process. The milk (from a cow, sheep, goat or buffalo) is pasteurised (heated then cooled to remove harmful pathogens) then starter cultures and rennet are added. This causes the milk to coagulate into an attractive custard-like mess. Miss Muffet then separates the curds and whey (milk serum) and appropriately ripens to enhance the variety of textures and flavours. 2. Varieties Stefano De Blasi of Salt Meats Cheese providores in Alexandria, advises that varieties of cheese are distinguished according to a range of criteria. "The age, texture, fat content, country of origin and animal milk all makes a difference," he says. So how can one identify all those cheeses at the deli? It is possible to judge a cheese's character by its rind; the texture, taste, strength of flavour, and even maturity. However, for us cheese novices, it's best to just remember these types to get the mozzarella ball rolling. Fresh cheese: feta, cottage, ricotta and cream cheese Soft white cheese: brie and camembert Washed rind (warning: stinky): tallegio and langres Blue: roquefort, gorgonzola, stilton Semi-hard: cheddar, manchego and gruyere; and Hard (robust flavour): parmesan. And lest we remind you that there's always the 'try before you buy' option. 3. Storing cheese The common rule of storing cheese is to store in its original wrapping. Failing that, plastic wrap is fine. If left unwrapped, the cheese will dry out and lose flavour. Harder cheeses have a longer shelf life than fresher types, such as a cream cheese or feta. These should be kept in their container with the lid on so no air can get in. If you start to smell something funkier than the cheese should, toss it. Make sure blue cheese and rind cheeses are kept tightly wrapped and separate to other food as their odour is quite strong. Again, you don't want your housemates to think something died in the fridge every time they open it up to get their milk. Mozzarella and bocconcini should be kept in their water, and don't get turned off if the water starts to get mirky coloured. It's just the milk in the water as the cheese releases its salt. But, as Stefano says, "to be honest, I never store. I always open and finish what I eat!" So shame on you if there are leftovers. 4. The perfect cheese board When preparing a cheese board, Stefano suggests not having more than three cheeses on offer and only one or two accompaniments per cheese. It's also best to bring the cheeses to room temperature in order to appreciate their full flavour. As a guide, you generally want a soft white cheese (such as brie), a blue (Ra Roquefort from France) and a firmer type (such as vintage cheddar). But don’t be afraid to ask your cheesemonger for recommendations. Encourage guests to cut wedges 'nose to tail' and cheese with rinds from centre to the edge. And don't forget to allow a few knives for cutting. You can't have the Stinking Bishop on the Jean de Brie. In terms of accompaniments, "definitely sliced pear, fig jam, quince paste or even orange marmalade, muscatel grapes and honey. And olives of course!" says Stefano. 5. Matching cheese with wine Cheese and wine. They're a perfect match. Complimenting the two requires a bit of time and experiment, but lest we forget to remind you that one without the other is a social faux pas. You can't go too wrong, however, if you follow the golden rule: the whiter and fresher the cheese, the whiter and crisper the wine; the darker and stronger the wine, the darker and stronger the cheese. For instance, brie is best matched with a dry sparkling or chardonnay; edam is great with a shiraz, grenache or pinot noir; and camembert's delicate 'mushroomy' character would be nicely offset with a sparkling white. Stefano highly recommends manchego for a dry white, and a simple cheddar for any red. He also emphasises that "any cheese will be good!" Cheese to that, we say. 6. Best melting cheese for pizza Mozzarella is originally from Italy, so it goes without saying that it would be the most ideal cheese for a pizza. "I love the buffalo mozzarella, just because of its white colour", says Stefano, "my pizza is just red and white. The tomato and the mozzarella." Bocconcini (any type is good) goes down a treat on pizzas too; its semi-soft elastic texture is mild, yet a little sweet. Stefano recommends cherry bocconcini. "The small balls are easy to slice and melt beautifully," he says. 7. European vs Australian ... similarities and differences With over 45 countries producing their own varieties of different cheeses, how on earth are we meant to decipher the difference ourselves? Basically, the flavour is affected by its origin. So essentially this comes down to what grass the cows or sheep are grazing on. For example, all blue cheeses are named so because of the mould Penicillin that is added, however, each has their own flavour and characteristic. A Bleu de Gex from Germany may be richer than a gorgonzola from Italy. The Greek's tend to add more salt to their varieties too. Think haloumi and feta (compared to a creamier Danish type). Most cheeses are named so after their place of origin. Fine examples include Gruyere, (Switzerland), Brie (region in France), Cheddar (England), Fontina (Italy), Havarti (named after a Danish farm called Havarthigaard) and Jarlsberg (Norway). 8. Cheese on a budget This can be done. Visit your local deli and suss out what's on special. Don't be shy to ask for a taste too. if you're going to be spending your pennies on cheese, it has to please. Stefano says that camembert, manchego, local vintage and smoked cheddar are generally going to be the more affordable varieties and "will always go down a treat no matter what". Pricier cheeses don't necessarily indicate that they will knock your socks off either, as it is a matter of preference. The price is just an indication that it's from a smaller farm and/or imported. Artisan cheeses are often more expensive as they are made by hand using traditional methods. 9. Talk like a pro Before you go forth and preach the gospel of cheese to your friends, brush up on these decorative phrases to raise a few brows ... "Wow, the camembert has a very pronounced, 'mushroomy' flavour." "This pecorino grated on the pasta is quite piquant and not too acidic. It’s not as strong as Parmesan Reggiano and seems to add a strong dimension to the dish." "I like semi-soft cheeses such as Monterey Jack, for its mild and buttery flavour. It goes perfectly with a good lager." "Epoisses is quite voluptuous with a well-rounded flavour." "I'm after something a little nutty, yet mild and pleasant. Nothing too earthy and pungent please." 10. Sydney's best cheese stores Salt Meats CheeseThis wholesale warehouse is open to the public and packed full of gourmet items that are imported from top suppliers around the world. There is an entire cold room dedicated to cheese and a mozzarella lab where you can watch them (and soon learn) make the goods. 41 Bourke Street, Alexandria; 02 9690 2406. Formaggi OcelloSpecialising in Italian cheese, they also hold cheese and wine pairing nights and also sell a wide selection of olives, antipastos and cold meats. Shop 16/425 Bourke Street, Surry Hills; 02 9357 7878. Gourmet Grocer BalmainA food lover's emporium stocking cheese and charcuterie delicacies. Many a cheese award under the belt. 332 Darling Street, Balmain; 02 9818 3354. Blackwattle DeliWith a huge amount of cheese on display, it can get very overwhelming, but they’re all lovely enough behind the counter to offer up good advice and tastings. Shop 8A, Bank Street, Sydney Fish Market; 02 9660 6998. Simon Johnson PyrmontCheese, homewares, recipes, you name it. Simon Johnson is a stalwart gourmet grocer here to service our every need when it comes to home entertaining. The on-site cheese room at Simon Johnson Pyrmont is definitely work checking out. 181 Harris Street Pyrmont; 02 8244 8240. Smelly Cheese ShopIf you're out and about in the Hunter Valley, The Smelly Cheese Shop has an impressive selection of local, imported and Smelly's own cheeses, as well as gourmet deli goods. 3/188 Broke Rd, Pokolbin; 02 4998 6960.
Now that daylight saving has come to an end, there’s no denying that winter is on its way. And with it an array of unwelcome bugs. In our efforts to stay healthy, we'll usually juggle some combination of sensible vaccine, stare-attracting surgical mask and eating All the Oranges. But how's this for a practical (and fashionable) solution? A team of US-based entrepreneurs has come up with Scough, "the germ and pollution filtering scarf". The Scough looks straight off the boutique rack but features antimicrobial technology, direct from the US Ministry of Defence’s section for chemical warfare. You do have to wear the scarf over your nose and mouth to stave off infection though, so you'd better hope the Wild West look is 'in'. It’s the flu sufferer's ultimate in revenge. Just pull the scarf up around your face and it fights the flu for you. Activated carbon — demonstrating a high level of microporosity (one gram covers a surface area of 500 square metres plus) — traps viruses before killing them unawares. Simultaneously, a silver ion-impregnated filtration system dismantles the complex structure of bacteria, turning them into nothing but harmless, powerless specks. There’s a Scough design to match your daily outfit, from super soft plaid cashmere to chequered flannel, herringbone, paisley and faux fur. There's even a Scough with its own inbuilt moustache. Prices start at US$39 and for every scarf purchased the company donates a life-saving vaccine to a child via shotatlife.org. So you'll feel better in more ways than one. Via Springwise.
There's going to be another murder in the building. That's the only way to interpret the news that Only Murders in the Building, the murder-mystery comedy series that's been a delight not once but twice now, is officially coming back for a third season. Clearly, New York City's deadliest fictional apartment block will strike again — and residents turned true-crime podcasters Charles-Haden Savage (Steve Martin, It's Complicated), Oliver Putnam (Martin Short, Schmigadoon!) and Mabel Mora (Selena Gomez, The Dead Don't Die) will have something else to chat about. Is there a more chaotic place to live in NYC at the moment, at least on the small screen? It doesn't appear so. As for exactly who'll be killed this time, and what the Arconia complex's resident sleuths have to say about it, that hasn't yet been revealed. (Neither has whether season three of Only Murders in the Building will indeed revolve around another murder in the building — but hey, the expected answer is right there in the show's title.) If you're still yet to experience the series' charms, it follows the odd trio of Charles-Haden, Oliver and the much-younger Mabel after they bond over two things: listening to a Serial-style podcast hosted by the show's own version of Sarah Koenig, aka Cinda Canning (Tina Fey, Girls5eva); and a death in their luxe abode. Of course, they did what everyone that's jumped on the true-crime bandwagon knows they would if they were ever in the same situation, starting their own audio series that's also called Only Murders in the Building. That's how season one kicked off — and continued, proving a warm, funny, smart and savvy series at every step along the way, as well as one of 2021's best small-screen newcomers. Now, in the show's second go-around, which is currently streaming week-to-week Down Under via Star on Disney+, Charles-Haden, Oliver and Mabel have another death to investigate. This time, it's someone they're all known not to be that fond of, so suspicions keep pointing in their direction. Again, no further details about season three have been revealed as yet — sorry, armchair detectives — including when it'll return. Considering that there was less than a year between seasons one and two, though, cross your fingers that the show keeps up the same schedule. Similarly yet to be announced: which high-profile names will join the wonderful Martin, Short and Gomez in the next batch of episodes. Both Sting and Amy Schumer have played themselves so far — and Cara Delevingne (Carnival Row) also pops up. Until more information about season three is unveiled, check out the trailer for Only Murders in the Building season two below: Only Murders in the Building's second season is streaming Down Under via Star on Disney+. Read our full review. You can also read our full review of the show's first season, too. Images: Craig Blankenhorn/Hulu.
When spring hits in the northern hemisphere, so does one of Japan's most famous annual periods: cherry blossom season. Trees start blooming with pastel pink flowers, and tourists start flocking to the Asian country. While there's no shortage of things to do in Japan, or bright and colourful attractions for that matter, there's nothing more disappointing than popping something on your holiday itinerary, looking forward to it for weeks or months, and then not being able to cross it off. And that's often a very real issue for folks hoping to immerse themselves in cherry blossom season. Nature, like the rest of life, doesn't always stick to a schedule. The Japan Meteorological Corporation has been doing its part with regular forecasts, which are updated frequently. Covering more than a thousand locations across the country — spanning from Hokkaido to Kagoshima — it tracks when the blossoms are expected to start to flowering, as well as when they should reach full bloom. But for those eager to take their planning to the next level, JMC has also released the Sakura Navi app, which updates flowering dates, sends notifications to users about their chosen spots, and helps you find the best viewing places in your vicinity. Running since 2016, the app costs 360 yen, or approximately AU$4.60. And while travelling overseas can spark a new app free-for-all, if you're visiting Japan during between March–May and you have your heart set on stepping into a pink floral wonderland, it'll help ensure you don't miss out on a blooming good time. Based on current forecasts — the sixth for this year — cherry blossoms are expected in Tokyo between March 21–29 and Osaka between March 25 and April 1, then move further north until May. And if you're wondering about the service's accuracy, it also highlights a deviation period for each location. At present, it notes that flowers might start blooming up to seven days before their predicated date, or a maximum of two days afterwards. For further cherry blossom forecasts, and more information about Sakura Navi, visit the JMC website.
In Zola, the swooshes and whistles have it: when a character utters a line of dialogue taken directly from the movie's famous 148-tweet source material, filmmaker Janicza Bravo pairs it with the right noise. That's one way that the second-time filmmaker tackles the formidable task that is adapting a lengthy social media thread into a feature. And she wasn't working with any old tweetstorm; when Aziah 'Zola' King let her fingers do the talking back in October 2015, it trended under the hashtag #TheStory. Charting a gal-pal getaway to Florida that swerved from exotic dancing to sex trafficking, crime and violence, King's Twitter thread had social media users hanging on its every word. Six years later, it remains an iconic piece of internet history — King deleted it swiftly, but nothing ever truly disappears in the online world. The challenge for Bravo in turning those posts into Zola: remaining true not only to King's rollercoaster ride of a tale, but also to the entire reason that everyone knows about it. Cue those telltale sounds, which keep Zola's origins firmly in viewers' minds. Cue a big swerve away from text on-screen, too, because a story this wild deserves an in-the-moment approach that plastering a phone screen across the big screen just can't evoke. And, cue a brilliant urination scene that instantly tells the world everything it needs to about the titular Detroit waitress (played by Taylour Paige, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom) and the fellow dancer, named Stefani here (Riley Keough, The Lodge), who invites her on the road trip to end all road trips. When it debuted at Sundance in 2020, Zola became one of the buzziest premieres of the festival. Due to the pandemic, it has taken more than 18 months for the movie to make it to Australian cinemas, but its candy-hued, neon-lit, dreamy-meets-dazzling glow hasn't dimmed. With Zola now showing locally, we chatted to Bravo about those tweets, getting the gig over James Franco and, yes, that glorious pissing scene. "YOU WANNA HEAR A STORY? IT'S KIND OF LONG, BUT IT'S FULL OF SUSPENSE." One tweet, 22 words, one helluva impact: that's how King's Twitter thread started. Its first two sentences couldn't set the scene better: "You wanna hear a story about how me and this bitch fell out? It's kind of long, but it's full of suspense." Bravo didn't read those words as they were tweeted but, when she did, she knew that she had to turn them into a film. "At this point, I hadn't even made a first movie, but I've decided this will be my second movie — and I'm glad I was right," she explains. "I'm not Twitter and I wasn't on Twitter — lucky me. It's just not for me. I think it's super valuable and there's a lot of deliciousness that I've gotten from that space, but overall it's not a vibe for me," Bravo notes. "So I read it on Twitter at the end of that day. It was up for about 24 hours before she deleted it. I didn't get to participate in the live experience, meaning I didn't get to see her writing and responding and the sort of subtweet thing that happens inside of it or the reposts. I didn't get to see all that. But I got to sit with it right after, and it was radical. I knew right away that it was going to be my second movie." THE TWEETSTORM THAT HAD HOLLYWOOD TALKING When a Twitter thread gets this much attention, everyone wants in. Bravo wasn't originally the only filmmaker inspired to bring King's story to the screen — didn't originally get the job. "I go after it right then. I'm nodding when I'm reading it, and I'm sending it to both my agent and my manager and saying that I want this," she says. "I don't know how Twitter IP works, but I really want to make this. They get back to me three days later and say there is a Rolling Stone article, and then there's her life rights, and that's an entry point into being able to have access to the story." "And so I go 'yes, put me in!'. To which they reply that of the five people going after it, three of them are studios and two of them are independently wealthy. And I was like, 'well, I have no cash, so I'm not making the shortlist'. Clearly, that isn't the end of the story. "I find out a year later, though, that Killer Films — that I'd made Lemon [Bravo's first feature] and a short film with — were one of the producers were on it. And, James Franco was directing it," Bravo advises. "So I just wrote them and was like, 'hey' — because I understand how things work, and sometimes a director is no longer on a project. I was like 'if for some reason James is not directing this, remember me, think of me'. Then I found out in the spring of 2017 from an actress who was friendly with him that he was no longer directing it, so I reached out to my reps again and was like 'I want this'. And then I got it." THE BIG QUESTION: HOW TO ADAPT 148 TWEETS INTO A MOVIE? Peppered with emojis and all-caps, King's tweets don't simply describe a wild ride — they take readers on one. Bringing them to the screen put Bravo in uncharted territory but, writing Zola's script with playwright Jeremy O Harris, she didn't see it that way. "A lot of people did. My producers did. It was like, 'how do you adapt this?'," she explains. "But I'm a child of theatre, and I saw it as adapting a long poem. It was adapting a short story. It was adapting a sonnet and making a whole world out of it." "And this, for me, I felt it had so much more in some ways. I printed the tweets, cut them out, put them into a first act, a second act, a third act… and not only was there the outline, but the dialogue was in the outline," Bravo notes. "For me. it felt pretty seamless." "I think the thing that becomes curious, that allowed myself some room to explore, is okay, so there's a road trip to Detroit to Florida, from home to Florida, that is a 19–20-hour drive. That's only one tweet. Now does that become one scene, or three scenes, or five scenes, and how do you tell the story of that drive? Multiple tweets can be in a scene, or some can just be standalone, or one can be five — and figuring out the math on that, that's a part of writing, that's part of drafting." ADDING DETAIL — AND THAT KILLER BATHROOM SCENE As evocative as #TheStory is to read — as gripping and addictive, too — it didn't cover everything that Bravo envisaged for the film. Enter the bathroom scene. "I would happily talk about it forever. It's one of my favourites in the film," Bravo says. "When I was auditioning for the movie, I had come to the table with a handful of things I wanted to try that were not in the film. And then when it came to writing, once I get it and I'm writing with Jeremy, one of our first assignments is what are the five things you definitely want to make sure arrive in this script, and what are these three ideas outside of the world that you want to bring to this?" "And for me, one of those ideas, I just really want this piss scene. I've been thinking about wanting to put something like this in my work for a while. And this is a film about this love story between these two women — this seduction that happens between these two women — how they fall in love and out of love, and I couldn't recall being able to have a window into a character like this without there being a good deal of dialogue to tell me who they were. So I had this idea about a bathroom scene in which you got to see the interior of each of those characters," Bravo explains. "The audience can always go back to that as to who is reliable or not reliable — or who's hydrated or not hydrated, basically. It's meant to be so much about who they are. How they treat themselves in the bathroom is how they move through the world. And I know it seems kind of small, but I thought it did that." Zola is now screening in Australian cinemas. Read our full review. Images: A24 Films.
This article is sponsored by our partners, Toshiba. There’s no doubting the quaint charm of the ubiquitous sushi train. But there’s also no reason why Japanese food innovation should stop at the nearest station. Consequently, Toshiba is about to take the humble sushi roll to a whole new adventure. For three nights, they’ll be bringing the world’s first ever sushi roller-coaster to Sydney and feeding you Zushi-made delights in the process — all for free (free!). From Friday, October 30, to Sunday, November 1, the mad culinary fairground attraction will pop up at District 01, an arts space in Randle Street, just a few minutes’ walk from Central Station. Between 6pm and 9pm, you’ll be able to pop in, put in your order and watch it zip, dip and dive its way to your table. This is what happens when uber-advanced tech combines with cutting-edge cooking. THE ROLLER-COASTER First up, the event will operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Bookings aren’t possible. So, whoever’s waiting at the head of the queue when the doors open at 6pm will be eating first. There’s seating for about 18 people at any one time. To gain admission, you’ll need evidence that you’ve ‘liked’ Toshiba’s Facebook page, so don’t forget your mobile device. Once seated, you’ll make your order via one of Toshiba’s very latest tablets powered by Intel inside and then wait for the roller-coaster to do its thing. The epic steel contraption starts life at ceiling height in the kitchen, wraps its way around the room and descends to the dining table. Your sushi travels along it at break-neck speed, taking an array of ups and downs on the way to its destination. THE FOOD The roller-coaster won’t be the only new invention of the night. Surry Hills-based sushi gurus Zushi are putting together four very special, custom-made creations. We can’t tell you exactly what they are (no spoilers!), but we can reveal that they’re inspired by Zushi favourites. We can also assure you that they’ll be constructed extra carefully and packed tightly into cute, hardy little carts to ensure that they survive their ride without suffering any damage. Zushi chef Lee has been in the business for 27 years and is big on sourcing local ingredients. He’s known for creative takes on both sushi and izakaya-inspired dishes, and Zushi is definitely among the more fun and inviting of Surry Hills’ many eateries. It’ll be exciting to find out what Lee comes up with for this new dining experience. SERIOUSLY JAPANESE The pop-up, which is another chapter in Toshiba’s Seriously Japanese campaign, will take on a distinctively Japanese theme. Walking in, you’ll find yourself face-to-face with a show chef, who’ll be chopping up a sushi storm, while the roller-coaster rattles overhead and a big screen displays Japan-inspired graphics. You’ll then be greeted by geisha-costumed waitresses and waited on by suited 'salary men'. To keep you entertained throughout your seating (as if the roller-coaster isn't enough), there’ll be music, lights and visuals. Areas in the room will be decorated according to various Japanese themes, with props and toys. Think everything from paper lanterns to fortune cats (referred to as ‘maneki neko’ in Japanese) to Godzilla. The aim is slick-technology-and-ingenuity-meets-quirky-cute-funny. Keep up to date with developments at Toshiba’s Australia and New Zealand Facebook page.
The country's most stylish hospitality venues have taken out top honours at the annual Eat Drink Design Awards, confirming that our award-winning food and drink scene is about much more than just Insta-worthy eats and cracking cocktails. The awards, which celebrate the best-designed cafés, bars, restaurants, nightclubs, retail spaces and pop-ups from across Australia and New Zealand, saw New South Wales win especially big in 2017. Among the state's haul, Foolscap Studio's work on Noma Australia was awarded Best Installation Design, George Livissianis' The Dolphin Hotel scooped the title of Best Bar Design and Potts Point's long-standing Fratelli Paradiso scored itself a spot in the Eat Drink Design Awards' Hall Of Fame. Suburban and regional gems were the big winners in Victoria, with Hoppers Crossing café Morris & Heath beating out its inner-city counterparts for the title of Best Cafe Design, and the Mornington Peninsula's Jackalope Hotel awarded Best Identity Design. South Australia's Viet Next Door, designed by Genesin Studio, took out the award for Best Restaurant Design. Each year, the awards celebrate the best hospitality design across venues that have opened in the past 18 months, as judged by a team of hospitality and design industry leaders. For the full list of winners, jump over to the Eat Drink Design Awards website.
"Nobody likes you when you're 23," blink-182 once told the world, but that sentiment doesn't apply to long-running music events that take over Brisbane every year. When BIGSOUND reaches that very number in 2024, there'll be plenty to like and downright love. The festival has already dropped a heap of names on its conference lineup, including Kelis and Amyl and The Sniffers frontwoman Amy Taylor, and now it has revealed a batch of 70 acts that'll be getting the River City's venues echoing. Between Tuesday, September 3–Friday, September 6 in Fortitude Valley, attendees are in for not one but two Peking Duk experiences, with Adam Hyde and Reuben Styles — the former as Keli Holiday, the latter as Y.O.G.A. — making their solo BIGSOUND debuts. Alex the Astronaut, Gretta Ray and Sly Withers are also on the bill, as are dust, Dear Seattle, Stand Atlantic, PEPTALK, total tommy and Noah Dillon. The list goes on from there, including Australian First Nations talent Maanyung, Ray Dimakarri Dixon and Kiwat Kennell, plus New Zealand's NO CIGAR, Dick Move, Paige, Park RD, Reiki Ruawai and DARTZ. [caption id="attachment_907796" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dave Kan[/caption] BIGSOUND Music Programmers Casey O'Shaughnessy and Katie Rynne have had the job of whittled down their picks from more than 1200 applicants. "We are blown away by the calibre of artists that applied this year, and we've discovered so many amazing new artists in the process," they advised. If you're keen to see the results of the pair's curatorial efforts but can't stretch your budget, BIGSOUND is offering two cost-of-living crisis-friendly ticketing options this year: $25 one-night Music Festival tickets if you're under 25 years of age, and also $75 three-night Music Festival tickets if you purchase before Wednesday, July 31. [caption id="attachment_851424" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lachlan Douglas[/caption] BIGSOUND's latest 2024 announcement adds to a roster of names that also spans London-based DJ, artist manager and Butterz co-founder Elijah among the speakers — and Korda Marshall, who started his record label career in 1983 making coffee and scouting talent at RCA. Casper Mills from independent record label 4AD will also share wisdom and experiences, as will Naomie Abergel, fka Mark Johns, plus AEG/Goldenvoice Concerts Vice President Elliott Lefko. Performance-wise, the event's commitment to showcasing impressive acts, artists and bands usually sees more than 150 talents hit its stages at 20-plus River City venues. If you're a BIGSOUND regular, you'll know that this entails filling as many Brisbane spaces as possible with musos, industry folks and music-loving punters, all enjoying the latest and greatest tunes and talent the country has to offer. [caption id="attachment_861894" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lachlan Douglas[/caption] [caption id="attachment_907800" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Simone Gorman-Clark[/caption] BIGSOUND 2024 Artist Lineup: AKA Lui Alex the Astronaut Austin Mackay Belle Haven breathe. Cap Carter Charlie Pittman Charlotte Le Lievre Cooper Smith DARTZ Dear Seattle Dick Move DoloRRes dust Erik Sanders Flow Kobra Fool Nelson FRIDAY* Front Row Garage Sale Georgia Mooney Gretta Ray Hellcat Speedracer Homegrown Trio Hudson Rose ISHAN Jerome Blazé Juice Webster Julian Munyard JUNO Keli Holiday Kiwat Kennell Lotte Gallagher LUPO.THEBOY Maanyung Mac The Knife MARVELL Matahara Matt Joe Gow & Kerryn Fields Mau Power Medhanit MUDRAT NO CIGAR Noah Dillon Paige Park RD PEPTALK Playlunch Prink R.em.edy Ray Dimakarri Dixon Reiki Ruawai Rowena Wise SAME PAINS Sesame Girl Sex Mask Sly Withers Sonic Reducer Squid the Kid Stand Atlantic Stocker sunbleached The Belair Lip Bombs The Velvet club This New Light total tommy Vetta Borne Vinnie Brigante Wade Forster Y.O.G.A BIGSOUND 2024 will take place between Tuesday, September 3–Friday, September 6 in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane. For more information and tickets, visit the event's website. Top image: Dave Kan.
The National Geographic publishes images of animals all the time, but the ones photographed for their Photo Ark project are a little different. Led by Nat Geo photographer Joel Sartore, Photo Ark aims to document every living species currently living in zoos and wildlife sanctuaries around the world. As well as acting as an archive of biodiversity, Photo Ark is also a travelling exhibition — and it will be coming to Melbourne Zoo for three months from July 1. It's a huge project, and one that Sartore has been working on for a decade now. So far the photographer has visited 250 institutions in 40 countries and captured images of over 6000 species. Many of the animals photographed — including the orange-bellied parrot above — live at Melbourne Zoo or Healesville Sanctuary, which is the reason why this exhibition is coming to our shores. Having travelled around zoos in the US, this will be the first time the works will be seen in the southern hemisphere. Many of the animals featured are critically threatened or endangered, and Photo Ark aims to bring attention to these species and urge humans to help protect these animals for future generations. While Melbourne Zoo is the only confirmed Australian stop for the exhibition, additional venues may be announced at a later date. The National Geographic Photo Ark exhibition will be on display at Melbourne Zoo from July 1 to October 1. Entry to the exhibition is included in the zoo admission price. For more information, visit the website. Image: Orange-bellied parrot shot at Healesville Sanctuary by Joel Sartore.
Giving Australians the Shake Shack experience we can't otherwise have because Shake Shack somehow doesn't operate on our shores yet, Betty's Burgers isn't short on reasons for burg lovers to stop by. And, it's also known for serving up quite the range of specials, including lobster rolls, prawn rolls and steak sandos. But if you want to try its latest creation — and, given that it's a truffle cheeseburger, you will — you'll also need to book a flight. In a first for both Betty's and Virgin Australia, the two brands have teamed up to add burgs to the latter's airport lounge menus in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. That means that pre-flight burgers can now be a part of your departure routine — as long as you have access to Virgin's airport lounges, that is. There are a few other caveats involved, too. Those truffle cheeseburgers are only available at the Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane airport lounges, and so is the chain's new take on popcorn chicken, if that prompts you to pay for membership. Also, you'll need to be flying on a Thursday or Friday, and at around dinnertime, as that's when the Betty's menu items will be available. Still, if you have a trip in your future and you love burgs, this'll set your stomach a-rumbling. It's the latest step in Betty's efforts to spread its burgers far and wide, after initially setting up shop in Noosa, first expanding to the Gold Coast, and then setting up shop in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. For more information about Betty's Burgers and its new Classic Plant burg, head to the chain's website.
Talk about taking your own advice to heart. Since releasing their debut album Quiet Is the New Loud in 2001, the Norwegian folk-pop duo have been keeping things a little too low-key for their legions of fans around the globe, going on a three-year hiatus pretty much immediately afterwards and taking another five-year break after 2004's Riot on an Empty Street. In the last three years they've played less than 10 live shows. Not surprisingly, then, their appearance at the Sydney Opera House this February will also be their Australian debut, despite the fact that many of us have been familiar with their sound for over a decade. Most folk-anything acts nowadays are characterised by soothing vocals and fragile guitars, but Erlend Øye and Eirik Glambek Bøe's stuff produces a zen sensation similar to what I imagine might happen after taking Class A drugs. Even electronic ears aren't immune, with Four Tet, Ladytron and Röyksopp all clamouring to remix the duo's acoustic jams. Kings of Convenience's Opera House performance forms part of the contemporary music program Music at the House that also includes performances by Rodrigo y Gabriela, First Aid Kit, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Dead Can Dance, Sarah Blasko, Neil Finn and Paul Kelly, and Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds. Concrete Playground has three double passes to give away to see the Kings of Convenience at the Sydney Opera House on February 7. To be in the running, make sure you're subscribed to our newsletter and then email hello@concreteplayground.com.au with your name and address. https://youtube.com/watch?v=OczRpuGKTfY
Archie Rose Distillery and The Tilbury Hotel have joined forces to come up with a brand new gin. It's called — wait for it — The Tilbury, and to celebrate the hotel is inviting you to sample the very first batch at a one-off sit-down gin dinner. For 85 bucks, you'll score three courses alongside three matching cocktails. So it's a pretty sweet deal — especially given that head chef James Wallis, who's Michelin accredited, will be whipping up the dishes. You'll be kicking off with 'textures of spring' (bloody Mary, gem hearts, roasted capsicum, raw carrot, basil gel, confit tomatoes), which will be followed by a sea trout ceviche with horseradish mousse, wild rice, saffron crisps and coriander gel, or confit pork belly with date, Earl Grey, pak choi and soy caramel. And, to finish, take your pick of pear and almond tart, or fig and lemon ice cream. Meanwhile, Archie Rose's Lachlan Beange will be designing the gin cocktails around the dishes. Arrive early or hang around afterwards to spend some time on The Tilbury's Luchetti Krelle-designed deck, which has just reopened for spring.
Australia is all about the kidult craze. We've got trampoline gyms and bouncing castle obstacle courses, Holey Moley mini golf bars and its arcade sibling Archie Brothers, along with Australia's biggest game of hide and seek. Among all these fancy new ways to throw it back to your childhood, it's no surprise that Timezone Australia is still going strong. The nostalgic mega-arcade has just launched its tenth location in New South Wales, this time in Chippendale's Central Park shopping centre. This outpost joins George Street's Event Cinemas as the second Sydney CBD location, and was chosen because of the concentrated student population in the area. Open from 10am seven days a week — and staying open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays — the new site stocks all your old favourite games, from Street Fighter and Big Buck to pinball, street basketball and laser tag. Timezone has some new games in the mix too, including a Walking Dead spin-off and a Tetris-like one that uses holographic technology. It also features Dance Cube, an electronic dance game that's only available at Central Park, plus The Sound Stage, which is basically a mini karaoke booth for two players. Plus, in lieu of the paper tickets you remember, gamers collect points on a power-card tap system, which you can use toward those poorly made prizes you'll invariably break or misplace. The new space sits next to the food court on Level 2 and has been described as "vibrant, inviting and modern" — though we find a "bright and airy" arcade hard to imagine. Either way, it's game on. Timezone Central Park is now open at Level 2, 28 Broadway, Chippendale. For further information, visit their website or Facebook page.
Wool&Prince, the team that brought us 'The Better Button-Down' shirt, which you can wear for 100 days straight without washing, is back. This time, they're tackling the humble T-shirt. They've come up with a 100 percent wool garment that's odour-resistant, offers 'natural climate control' and is super-soft. To get it on the market in a way that maximises quality and minimises prices, though, they need to submit a US$35,000 initial factory order. So they're looking for help via Kickstarter. The Wool&Prince crew spent eight months investigating and experimenting with hundreds of fabrics, trying T-shirt styles and testing out various fits. The rigorous research process involved putting the three final prototypes through stressful situations, including a 20,000km road trip across 45 US states, a 23-day cycling and camping trip in Alaska, a messy week at Oktoberfest, Germany and an extended feel test/vox pop with New Yorkers. In the end, they decided on 16.5 superfine micron Merino wool. Its extreme sweat-absorption capacity prevents the odour created by the breakdown of sweat via bacteria. Plus it's both naturally insulating and naturally breathable, meaning that the wearer is kept warm in cold weather yet cool in hot weather. The Wear-More, Wash-Less T-Shirt is currently available in crew-neck and v-neck styles, and in two different colours: black and heather-grey. If the stretch goals are reached, the repertoire will extend to include a polo and the palette to include bright navy and red. According to Wool&Prince, the fit is neither too baggy nor too tight, being akin to the T-shirts sold at American Apparel. Fifteen days remain in the Wear-More, Wash-Less campaign. Of the US$35,000 goal, just over US$26,000 has been pledged by 225 backers (as of 14 January). US$58 buys you one T-shirt, US$108 buys two, US$158 buys three and US$208 buys four.
Two years after stressing out Joaquin Phoenix in Beau Is Afraid, Ari Aster has more tension and chaos in store for the Oscar-winning actor in Eddington, the writer/director's next film. The pair reunite for a trip back to 2020, to the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, and to the movie's eponymous New Mexico location as it attempts to cope with the abrupt change to life as its citizens know it. Phoenix (Joker: Folie à Deux) portrays the small town's sheriff — and, like almost everyone at the time, he's not adverse to whiling away his hours doomscrolling, as the feature's just-dropped first trailer illustrates. What awaits Sheriff Joe Cross as he flicks through social media? Clips of himself, of the charismatic Vernon Jefferson Peak (Austin Butler, The Bikeriders) preaching, of Joe's wife Louise (Emma Stone, Kinds of Kindness) contradicting one of his announcements, of Mayor Ted Garcia (Pedro Pascal, The Last of Us) running for re-election and more. "If you value your life, you should think twice because the people at Eddington like guns," says Phoenix utters as Joe early in the debut trailer. "Your pain is not a coincidence. You are not a coincidence. We are not a coincidence," advises Butler as Peak in the clip that the sheriff scrolls to next. The storyline: putting Joe and the mayor on a collision course, which unsurprisingly causes ripples throughout Eddington, in a tale that's set to see townsfolk clash in a period that we all know couldn't have been more heightened and stressful. Aster is back cultivating unease, then, as he did so expertly in Hereditary in 2018, then Midsommar in 2019, then Beau Is Afraid in 2023. Alongside Phoenix, Butler, Stone and Pascal, the acclaimed filmmaker has enlisted Luke Grimes (Yellowstone), Deirdre O'Connell (The Penguin) and Micheal Ward (Empire of Light) to help among his cast. Eddington is premiering at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival in May, screening in the prestigious event's official competition, before hitting US cinemas in July — but doesn't yet have a Down Under release date. Check out the trailer for Eddington below: Eddington releases in US cinemas on Friday, July 18, 2025 — we'll update you with an Australian release date when one is announced.
Sorry, everywhere else in Australia — there's really no place quite like Brisbane, what with it being one of the world's top ten foodie destinations to watch and all. It boasts sunshine and warmth almost all-year round. The Queensland capital is overflowing with great things to eat, drink and do. And finally, Brissie has all the charm of the big smoke while still remaining in close proximity to beaches, islands, mountains and bushwalks. Actually, Brisbane has another trick up its sleeves: it's highly affordable. While Sydney and Melbourne keep moving up the various indexes that rank the world's most expensive cities, Brissie remains comfortable further down the list. That's great news for budgeters, meaning that it's possible to spend an ace weekend up north on the cheap. With some help from Brisbane City YHA, we've mapped out exactly how and where you should spend your time on a trip to Brisbane — without crying about the state of your bank balance. STAY If you're staying in Brisbane, you want to feel like you're staying in Brisbane. And the best way to do that is with a gorgeous view of the Brisbane River. Usually, that's a pricey affair, but bunk down at the Brisbane City YHA, and you'll get just that for a reasonable rate. Plus, you'll be within easy walking distance of the snaking waterway, too. In fact, by the time you wander down to the banks yourself, expect to be mighty familiar with the river, particularly if you've spent a few hours on YHA's rooftop. While hanging out in the pool and having a few drinks up there, you'll have one of the best views in the city. There are inbuilt binoculars onsite as well, so you can really make the most of it. In addition to splashing or lazing around outside, you can play X-Box, pinball and air hockey in the games room, or get comfy in front of the communal big screen TVs. Note: Sundays are all about movies. On Friday nights, it's pub crawl and barbecue time, where you'll eat a grilled feast then have four beers at four bars for just $10 in total. Food-wise, you can also make your own meals in the top-floor kitchen, or opt for a bite and a beverage at the ground-floor cafe. When you're not doing all of that, rest up in cosy rooms with private ensuite bathrooms. In other words, it's far removed from your usual hostel experience. [caption id="attachment_671300" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events QLD.[/caption] DO There are two parts to every excellent Brisbane trip: exploring the local sights and venturing a little further afield. Whether you dedicate a day to each or mix and match things up, you certainly won't be bored or lacking something to do. For roaming the city, hopping onto the City Hopper ferry is a smart, scenic and free way to not only get to plenty of places but to also see Brisbane from the water while you're at it. Jump off at South Bank to wander through the parklands, get your culture fix at the Gallery of Modern Art and the Queensland Museum, climb the Kangaroo Point cliffs or take to the river by kayak or stand-up paddleboard. Disembark at Eagle Street Pier to mosey through the CBD, picnic at the Brisbane City Botanical Gardens, and if you're walking back towards North Quay, don't forget to see Australia's only permanent outdoor Yayoi Kusama artwork — one of Brisbane's best-kept secrets. Another option is to head to Stanley Street for a leisurely stroll around New Farm. No visit to Brissie is complete without fish and chips in New Farm Park, a free comedy show at Brisbane Powerhouse on a Friday night and a venture along the riverwalk. For feasting your eyes on more than the inner city sights, book in a day trip. There's no shortage of options, although spending a day on either Stradbroke or Moreton islands is the best way to soak in southeast Queensland's natural splendour. On Straddie, you'll want to snorkel at South Gorge, see the sun set at Adder Rock and complete the 1.5-kilometre Point Lookout trail — three things that even locals never tire of. The island also has a beachfront YHA if you decide you're having too much fun to return to the mainland. On Moreton, kayaking through shipwrecks, swimming in the blue lagoon and tobogganing across the sand dunes should be the first things on your agenda. If the time is right — from June to November — you can also enjoy a spot of whale watching. Back on the mainland, if you're still keen on revelling in the great outdoors, then go climb a mountain. In Brisbane, Mt Coot-tha and Mt Gravatt both boast sky-high lookouts. Bushwalk around the base of both mountains, and even see a small waterfall at the former. You'll also find gorgeous treks and plenty of rushing water if you head down towards the Gold Coast hinterland, although you might need to include car hire in your budget. Still, a trip to the glow worm caves at the Natural Bridge is well and truly worth it. EAT AND DRINK All of the above activities are bound to make you work up an appetite but don't worry, you won't stay hungry for long in this town. No matter what your stomach is craving, we recommend a trip to Brisbane's new foodie precinct at King Street at Bowen Hills. Here, you'll find everything from Street Fighter-themed burgers, to an array of food trucks at the inner-city's first permanent food truck park, to free mini loaded fries, dagwood dogs and chicken wings over German beers each afternoon at The Bavarian Beerhaus. To take advantage of the latter, make sure you head by between 4–6pm. If browsing and snacking is your idea of a great meal, then a trip to Hamilton's Eat Street Markets is also a must — and it's open from 4pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and from noon on Sundays. Entry is $3, and inside you'll find something for every price range, including cheese, oysters, doughnuts, Japanese pizza, crepes and noodles. The Boundary Street Markets in West End also offers another budget-friendly option, or you could just wander around the suburb and see which of its eateries take your fancy. Our tip: start at Fish Lane and keep walking until your stomach makes the choice for you (and prepare to make multiple pitstops). [caption id="attachment_619623" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Newstead Brewing Co.[/caption] Brisbane doesn't just deliver on the culinary front, but on the beverage front, too. Prepare to go brewery hopping. There's more than XXXX on offer — although the Milton brewery tour is a local favourite, and includes beer tasting at the end of it. Still in the inner-west, you can visit Newstead Brewing Co and Aether Brewing, plus Brisbane Brewing Co, Ballistic Brewing Co's new second home and Catchment Brewing Co all in West End. Find your way across the other side of the CBD where Green Beacon Brewing awaits, as does its share plates and pizzas. Next trip to Brisbane, stay in the thick of it all at Brisbane City YHA. Rooms start at a mere $27 per night for a shared room or $70 for private rooms. All rooms are provided with linens, lockers and air conditioning, with the option to upgrade to in-room wifi. Plus, if you book between now and September, YHA is offering an exclusive 20 percent off stays for Concrete Playground readers, valid until September 30 — just use the code SAVE20 at checkout.
It could've been a scene out of the series itself: when Felicity Ward learned that she'd be starring in the Australian version of The Office, she was in a memorable situation that couldn't better sum up the past five years. "I remember where I was. I was in New Zealand and I was about to do a COVID test — but in New Zealand, it's so gross. They don't stick a thingy up their nose. They spit into a tube. So you go into a booth and there's pictures of food, and you just have to try to summon the spit," she tells Concrete Playground. "And you have to get that much spit. And then there's someone next to you, 30 centimetres, 50 centimetres on the other side of this paper partition, and you can hear them. It's so fucking gross." "I was working on another show in New Zealand, and twice a week I had to go and do a COVID test in the centre," Ward continues. "So I was about to walk in and I got a call from my agent, and he was like 'hey, can I have a chat?'. I was like 'yeah, yeah'. And then he's like 'I would like to offer you the lead role in The Office' — and I think I cried. I'm pretty sure I cried. I was pretty excited." Now streaming all eight season-one episodes on Prime Video, the latest take on The Office doesn't just set up shop in Australia, in the Sydney office of packaging company Flinley Craddick, where Ward's (Time Bandits) Hannah Howard is the local Managing Director. It also firmly takes place in today's COVID-impacted world. The premise: attempting to capitalise upon the move to remote working post-lockdowns, and to also save money, Howard's employer wants to shut down its offices. As someone who sees her colleagues as family members — a fact that always sits at the heart of her OTT, awkward, chaotic and often-cringey behaviour — Sydney's head honcho couldn't be less onboard with the plan. As Ricky Gervais' (After Life) David Brent and Steve Carell's (Despicable Me 4) Michael Scott likely also would've in the same scenario, Howard makes a deal with her own boss (Pallavi Sharda, The Twelve). If her staff can hit their targets and find savings quickly, their office will remain open. Unsurprisingly, though, returning to Flinley Craddick IRL full-time isn't a particularly popular proposal with her team — which includes flirty sales staff Nick (Steen Raskopoulos, The Duchess) and Greta (Shari Sebbens, Preppers), HR rep Martin Josh Thomson (Young Rock), IT manager Lloyd (Jonny Brugh, What We Do in the Shadows), finance head Deborah (Lucy Schmit, The Pledge), fellow salesperson Tina (Susan Ling Young, Barons) and intern Sebastian (Raj Labade, Back of the Net) — although Howard's right-hand-woman Lizzie (Edith Poor, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power) will always follow her lead. There's no stapler in jelly this time around, but there's still plenty that's recognisable — to viewers of the past two English-language versions of The Office, with the British OG running from 2001–03 and the American take airing from 2005–13, and to anyone who has ever worked in any iteration of its setting. One key difference, not only compared to the best-known versions of the show but also to their counterparts in Canada, Brazil, France, Germany, Chile, Israel, India, Poland, the Czech Republic, Greece, Sweden and Saudi Arabia: somehow, the Aussie The Office is the first with a female boss. Ward had only watched England's The Office before stepping into Howard's shoes. That said, her main source of inspiration didn't come from the screen — it was herself. We also chatted with the comedian and actor (and Wakefield, The Inbetweeners 2, Thank God You're Here and Spicks and Specks alum) about standing out in a franchise built on awkward bosses, her read on Hannah at her worst and best, and how all things The Office have evolved over the 23 years since the English version's debut. On What Ward Drew Upon to Play Hannah Howard "Just me. I did not draw upon any of my experience with other people. The character was so well written, I'm like 'she's annoying, I'm annoying, let's tap into that'. Before you got online, I was just sitting here singing Jack Harlow — and that is how I live. That is basically what Hannah is. There's so little distance between me and Hannah. I would hope that I'm slightly more charming than Hannah. I have more self-awareness than Hannah. But she does, to be fair, have a job. I had a job. I mean, my job at the moment is promoting a job that I had last year. But I don't have a salary, I will say that. Imagine having a salary!" On Ensuring That Ward's Version of an Awkward Boss Stands Out From the Others in a Franchise Built on Awkward Bosses "I didn't think about the other ones, to be honest. I just thought about it like it was a sitcom, and what would I do for this character? I read the script. I'm like 'I know who this character is'. And so I just did that, and then tried to be as stupid and as cringe as I could. Every single take, I tried to make people laugh — I tried to break them in scenes. That was the only thing I thought about. I'd never seen an episode of the American one until I'd finished filming the Australian one, so I wasn't drawing on anything from them. And then Ricky's character — 'Ricky', like we're mates. 'Hey babe!'. I've never met the man — that was a male boss in 2002 or 2003, or whatever. So there's no crossover really there even with the character, apart from the conceit of the show, which is so clever. And it's actually only since I've been doing interviews about it that it makes sense to me. It's that the audience are so embarrassed for the lead that they don't like them. The bosses are delusional. They they're not aware that other people don't like them. And then the second that the bosses start to have self-awareness, that they doubt themselves, the audience go 'oh no, you can't doubt yourself. We love you. We can doubt you, but you can't doubt you'. And it's so subtle. I think it's incredible to make a character that you don't necessarily like that you absolutely love." On How Ward Sees Hannah — and Ensuring That She Isn't Just OTT and Frustrating, But Genuine in Her Affection for Her Colleagues, and Also Vulnerable "I think that there's an enormous amount of heart to Hannah, which is embarrassing at points, but ultimately you do love her because of how much she cares. Even though she's a loser and she's very annoying, you do kind of want her to win. You want her to win definitely over her bosses. No one wants the big boss to win ever in any show. For me, it wasn't a balancing act because it's all written. Julie De Fina [Aftertaste], who is the head writer, and Jackie [van Beek, The Breaker Upperers] and Jesse [Griffin, Educators], they broke all the storylines together and they direct different episodes, and it was all on the page. I didn't have to go 'so how can I bring heart to this character?'. It was just in the script. In the Melbourne Cup episode — I don't want to give the plot away for anyone — but when she sort of gets her heart a little bit broken, my entire teenage years I was in love with my friends, my male friends, and I was like 'I know, I'll just be really matey with them and really aggressive, and rip the piss out of them and try to beat them in shit. And that how they'll like me'. Yeah, great, great equation there. So when the character Danny's like 'oh yeah, I'm doing this other thing', it was so easy for me to go 'oh yeah, do you remember the years 1992 to 1998, Felicity? Why don't you think about that while you're doing this thing?'. So it was easy." On What Makes an Australian Version of The Office Unique "I don't know if you're from a funny family, but I remember trying to explain to someone else why my family was funny, and I couldn't do it. But I know when we're all together why we're funny and what would make us laugh. Trying to explain to other people why this is an Australian show, apart from the fact that Julie is Australian — I was going to say we're all Australia, but we're not, half the cast are Kiwis — it's just intrinsic to the characters. It's implicit in the workplace. And what's been amazing is speaking to people who have worked in corporate, who've gone 'oh my god, this thing happened to me, and this thing happened to me that happened in the show. And that thing when Hannah did this, my boss used to do that all the time'. Obviously Julie and Jackie and Jesse — the three Js, cute! — they know the world, they understand the world, and they just write the world in a way that resonates with people that have watched it so far." On Why The Office's Brand of Workplace Sitcom Still Appeals to Audiences 23 Years After the First One — and How It Has Evolved "I suppose what's fascinating is how relevant it's become. I don't work in an office, I don't work in corporate, I never have, I'm hospitality till I die, but I thought the conversation about working from home, working in the office, I thought that had wound up. I thought we'd come to the end of that and the show would still be post-COVID and it wouldn't be time-stamped, so it would still be relevant. But this conversation has come up again in the last month, that people are still trying to get everyone back to working in the office full time. And so it's become even more relevant again. So the timing of it is pretty good. I think if you're going to remake a show 23 years later, there has to be a point of difference. The fact that it's Australian — it will be uniquely Australian because it's Australian, and because we are Australian and Kiwi, it will be antipodean. And then I think the reason to do it 23 years later is to have a female boss. I think that's the only reason you remake it, because you're doing something so wildly different. The American Office came out, what, like three years after the British one? Something like that. And there was — I was there — there was a big backlash at the time. And then in the second season, it started writing its own scripts and it became its own show. I had never seen an episode of the American Office until we'd finished filming our one, and I watched it and I'm like 'these aren't the same show'. There's echoes of the same vehicle, but they're so brilliant, both of them. They do their own thing and they operate in their own world, and they love it. And hopefully ours does the same thing." The first season of the Australian version of The Office hit Prime Video on Friday, October 18, 2024. Images: John Platt and Prime Video, © BBCS and Bunya Entertainment.
Sorry, whatever's been getting a workout on your playlist over the past few weeks. May is here, which means that Eurovision is here — and so is a whole bunch of Europop tunes that'll worm their way into your head. That's one of the joys of this time of year, which is basically Christmas if you love pop songs belted out competitively in a glitzy ceremony filled with eye-catching outfits. It started back in 1956 as a singing contest between a mere seven nations. Now, more than six decades later, Eurovision is a glitter-strewn and spandex-fuelled global musical phenomenon. Forty countries not only in Europe but from elsewhere will compete in 2022 — hello Australia — and viewers tune in en masse to watch, sing along and add new pop tunes to their queues. This year's host city: Turin in Italy. The theme: "the sound of beauty". The Aussie talent you'll be cheering on: Sheldon Riley, the former The X-Factor Australia, The Voice and America's Got Talent contestant who is flying the flag with his dark pop sound, avant-garde style and passionate performances. He'll be singing the song 'Not the Same' in his quest for Eurovision glory — and you have plenty of chances to see the results. View this post on Instagram A post shared by SHELDON RILEY (@sheldonriley) Come 5am AEST on Wednesday, May 11, Eurovision will return to SBS as part of the broadcaster's usual annual celebration of all things Europop. That's when you can get up early to watch the first semi final, although Riley won't take to the stage until the second semi final at 5am AEST on Friday, May 13. He'll be up against performers from 17 other countries, including The Rasmus from Finland, Sweden's Cornelia Jakobs, Brooke from Ireland, the Czech Republic's We Are Domi, Stefan from Estonia, Krystian Ochman from Poland and Azerbaijan's Nadir Rustamli. If Riley makes his way through to the grand final — with only 21 acts making the cut, and France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom automatically guaranteed spots — you'll also want to get up early on Sunday, May 15. Or, even if he doesn't, that's when this year's winner will be anointed. Of course, for those who can't tear themselves out of bed before it's light and can somehow manage to avoid the internet and social media, both semis and the grand final will also screen in primetime on the same dates. SBS' usual local hosts Myf Warhurst and Joel Creasey are once again overseeing the Australian coverage. And if you can't decide whether to beat the sun or wait and host a party at sensible hour, it's worth remembering that Australians can indeed vote for Eurovision, but only during the live broadcasts. For the semi finals, you're limited to voting during the event that features Riley — and you can only vote in the grand final if the singer gets through. Also, there's another caveat: you're not actually allowed to vote for Australia's entry, which you can nonetheless check out below. EUROVISION 2022 BROADCASTS: LIVE BROADCASTS: Semi final one: 5am AEST on Wednesday, May 11 on SBS Semi final two: 5am AEST on Friday, May 13 on SBS Grand final: 5am AEST on Sunday, May 15 on SBS EVENING REPLAYS: Semi final one: 8.30pm AEST on Friday, May 13 on SBS Semi final two: 8.30pm AEST on Saturday, May 14 on SBS Grand final: 7.30pm AEST on Sunday, May 15 on SBS DAYTIME REPLAYS: Semi final one: 11.30am AEST on Saturday, May 14 on SBS Viceland Semi final two: 11.30am AEST on Sunday, May 15 on SBS Viceland Grand final: 12pm AEST on Monday, May 16 on SBS Viceland SBS' Eurovision 2022 coverage runs from Wednesday, May 11–Monday, May 16. For more information, head to the broadcaster's website. Top image: Jess Gleeson.
Italian director Nanni Moretti's We Have a Pope takes its name from a latin declaration on the balcony of St Peter's, telling the expectant world that a new pope is elected. Here, that moment stretches into infinity, as pope-elect Melville (Michel Piccoli) decides whether this holy office is really what he wants with the remainder of his days. The world outside, and the Vatican within, wait. Moretti drops himself into this expectant limbo, playing a psychologist who tries to draw out this reluctant pontiff. As the pope-to-be explores his regrets at the acting life he never led, Moretti's atheist psychologist finds his own dogmas rubbing up against catholic dogma, its ritual and grace. To kill time, he organises a volleyball tournament among the cardinals, drawing on a level of organisational complexity that rivals the papal election which begins the film. Despite Moretti's light touch, this film takes its papacy seriously. Even as Meville watches his own bingo-like election at the hands of his elderly peers, once elected he feels the weight of god descend. And it's this weight that he negotiates across the course of the movie. Will this aspiring actor find it within himself to give his one, crucial speech? The tone of the film is gentle, full of sympathy for its characters and rife with absurdities, as atheism and the modern world mix in the Vatican. Cardinals sway without irony to the music of Argentian activist Mercedes Sosa during a moment that is nothing but irony, Moretti's psychologist schools the waiting cardinals on the bible and the oceania volleyball team plays out a deep, deep understanding of Australian soccer. We Have a Pope draws on the idea that melodrama is essential to political movements, painting the pope-to-be as an actor with his cardinals as (in the end, literally) his audience, waiting for that one decisive moment where he finds those unexpected words within. The ending is abrupt, but the words come.
December is a time for reflection. A time to look back on the year that was, read round-ups to check up on what you've missed and put together best-of lists (indeed, we've just launched our own in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane). Earlier this week Time Magazine announced the 'silence breakers' behind the #metoo campaign as its 'Person' of the Year, which, if you needed reminding, is pretty indicative of how difficult and momentous this year has been. How to deal with it all? With purple, apparently. Ultra Violet (PANTONE 18-3838) has just been named as Pantone's 2018 Colour of the Year. The dramatic shade was chosen by Pantone's colour experts not only because it's "provocative and thoughtful", but because its connection to cosmos suggests that there's more out there to be discovered and limitless possibilities of what's to come. Of course, purple has a cultural significance too — many of us would associated it with the late Prince. According to Pantone, the enigmatic colour has long been a symbol of counterculture and experimentation, as popularised by Prince, David Bowie and Jimi Hendrix. Referencing the year that was, Pantone executive director Leatrice Eisemen says that Ultra Violet inspires creativity and imagination and "takes our awareness and potential to a higher level". Then there's Ultra Violet's association with mindfulness; the colour is often used in meditation and spiritual practices. So paint your room in it, cover your body in it or just buy some purple socks — it might help you get through this crazy messed up world in 2018.
When you've directed two movies about zombies — the first of which you've basically become synonymous with — and also dabbled with on-screen demons, what do you tackle next? If you're Australian Wyrmwood, Nekrotronic and Wyrmwood: Apocalypse filmmaker Kiah Roache-Turner, you do battle with another classic horror concept. Sting takes its moniker from The Hobbit. The fact that its human protagonist is called Charlotte is particularly telling, however. What better name to use in a movie about a giant spider that falls from the sky, is discovered by a curious 12-year-old, then makes its growing presence petrifyingly known? Shot in the ABC studios in Sydney but set in a New York City apartment block in the thick of winter, Sting's nods elsewhere stretch across the film like a web. Lines recall Predator. Shots nod to Alien. "I pretty much copied that exact jump-scare from Alien, when Tom Skerritt goes into the air conditioning ducts, 100 percent," Roache-Turner tells Concrete Playground. He's loving about his influences, on- and off-screen. That affection for flicks gone by shows in the movie from the moment that its titular creature — he's named his spider well, too — first appears. Roache-Turner has also used himself and his own fear as a basis. Yes, he's afraid of spiders, as we almost all are. "I didn't necessarily want to confront it. It's just my job is to think of the worst thing, the scariest thing, the most-disturbing thing that could happen to me, and then put it in a script and then make you guys watch it and hope that it scares people," says Roache-Turner. "That's kind of what I do. I just sit around thinking about things that disturb me and then I write about them — and it's good because if you take your nightmares out of here and you put it down onto paper, and you spend a couple of years making a spider movie, the hope is that you might become a little less arachnophobic. So it could be therapeutic." Asked if making Sting ended up being cathartic, though, Roache-Turner has bad news for anyone thinking that they might cure their unease about eight-legged arthropods through filmmaking. "Not at all. No. I still hate spiders. Maybe it's worse now because I've had to look at so much footage of spiders, so now I'm doubly sure that I hate them," he shares. Ten years back on Wyrmwood, which he calls "one of the best things I've ever done in my life", the writer/director put everything that he had into what swiftly became his calling card. "It was three-and-a-half years of production. I shot a lot of it in my mum's backyard. It was me and my brothers and my mates just putting on zombie makeup and having fun," Roache-Turner notes. "I can't tell you how fun it was, and I still think about it almost every day. It's a huge part of my life, and it's the reason why I'm here talking to you about a giant spider movie." He's happy that it keeps coming up. "No matter what I do, people go 'you made Wyrmwood'. I think that's how Sam Raimi must feel, too. He can make as many A Simple Plan movies as he wants. He can do as many Spider-Man movies as he wants. But he's always the guy that did Evil Dead, and that's me," he advises. Roache-Turner is also still giving his all with Sting, including by drawing upon his own family setup. Charlotte, played by Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga and The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart's Alyla Browne, has an IRL analogue. So does her stepfather Ethan, with House of the Dragon and In Limbo's Ryan Corr the film's version of Roache-Turner. As happens in the picture — which features Noni Hazelhurst (One Night), Penelope Mitchell (What You Wish For), Jermaine Fowler (A Murder at the End of the World), Silvia Colloca (Wellmania), Danny Kim (C*A*U*G*H*T) and Robyn Nevin (Relic) as well — Sting's creative force had just welcomed a new baby. Similarities continue, albeit with a critter that Roache-Turner is most frightened of looming large, literally, aided by creature design by Wētā Workshop. How does taking inspiration from so much of your own life guide you when you're writing a horror screenplay? How did Sting get rolling from the idea that everyone hates spiders, not just Roache-Turner? What kind of balancing act was required to make this an unsettling spider flick, also a movie about a kid with an unusual pet Pete's Dragon and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial-style, and a picture about a family in crisis? With Sting opening in Australian cinemas on Thursday, July 18, 2024, Roache-Turner filled us in, and also chatted about his inspirations, casting Browne and Corr, and what type of primal fear that he's grappling with next. On Starting with the Idea That Everyone Hates Spiders, Then Getting the Ball Rolling "The good thing about Sting is it's a primal fear like sharks. Everybody's scared of a thing in the bedroom. Everybody's scared of the idea of a ghost. These are primal fears. And as I'm arachnophobic, I've had the image or the idea — anytime I look at a spider, I'm scared, I want to cry. But a little part of my brain goes 'imagine that was big. Imagine that was big!'. I've been thinking about that for most of my life, and then finally I set myself a task. It was actually after I had a meeting with James Wan's producer, and he was explaining how he and James make films. And he goes 'we do a template system, so we go: single location, one monster, one family — go'. And he goes 'we just make the same movie over and over again'. And I was thinking 'I wonder if I could do that?'. So I thought 'okay, I'm going take a single location: let's say an apartment building. I'm going to take a family: let's say my family'. So I just had a baby. I'm married. I've got a stepdaughter. I'm going to just template that so I can make it personal. 'What's the monster?' And that whole thing in my head just started echoing 'imagine a spider was big'. That's the thing that I would be most scared of to see. So I just wrote the movie that would be the scariest movie that I could possibly make. The idea of a giant spider descending on a crib was one of the first images that I got, because I just was a new father and I had a baby, and I just couldn't imagine anything worse. And so I was like 'yeah, that'll make a good poster'. That's how these things get started. And I wrote the script, and I took it around. And I don't think anybody, I couldn't really find a producer who wanted to do it because they were all scared. They're just like 'no, no, no, no, no, it's probably going to be more than about five mil'. Everybody wants to make the five-mil Blumhouse template thing. And I'm like 'yeah, I could write that, but I didn't write that in this case. I don't think we can make a giant spider movie set in a New York apartment building for five. I don't know how to do that'. So Jamie Hilton and Michael Pontin and Chris Brown [Sting's producers] just were brave enough to just go 'okay, we believe in this, we're going push it'. Once we got the ball rolling, it just seemed like a good idea, because it had been a while since we had a really decent giant spider movie. I can't even really think of one. I mean Arachnophobia, but they're little. I'm talking about one the size of a pit bull terrier. Other than Shelob, there's not really that many out there. So we had something vaguely original and we just ran with it." On How Taking Inspiration From Your Personal Life Guides You When You're Writing a Screenplay "It guides the emotion, so all of this stuff with the father and the daughter and the wife and the baby and the tension, that all came out of COVID. I was going through that. The big difference is I get on with my family really well — I'll start to make up a bunch of really horrible drama to make it interesting, but the feelings and the emotion is there. In terms of writing the thing, there's no secret to it. It's unexplainable. The structure just jumps into your head. You go 'if there's an alien spider in the building, how does it get into the apartment? How do we keep it in the family? How does it then grow big? How does it then escape so it can start eating dogs and cats? Who's the first human it's gonna eat? What happens when it attacks the family?'. One thing leads to another, and it just becomes a question of thinking your way out of situations. And then you find yourself at the end, and then you write 'fade out'. Sometimes they're good. Sometimes they're bad. Writing is the most-unexplainable thing in the world, and it's the hardest part of the whole process. But there are little tricks to making it easier, and certainly templating your own family and your own experiences is an easy way to get into an emotional truth." On Balancing the Film as a Spider Horror Flick, But Also a Movie About a Kid with an Unusual Pet and a Picture About a Family in Crisis "It's the hardest part, balancing that stuff. And because I am the person who made Wyrmwood, my tendency is to just make films that feel like they just never stop. So I really was trying to make something that has more long sections of just straight drama. I wanted to slow it down a little bit. A huge part of the writing process and the rewriting was about making the family warmer at the start so that when cracks start to appear, we care about them more — and how much drama should there be between the father and the daughter? All that kind of stuff. Yeah, it's a real balancing act in a film like this. Sometimes, I'm not sure I succeeded. Sometimes, I'm like 'did I put too much family drama in there?'. And some people are like 'yeah man, you should have had more deaths and kills'. And then somebody else would go 'god, what? No, no. That was the best thing about the film'. So it's hard to know sometimes. I think you just make a thing and you hope it's right. You do some test screenings. You work on instinct. But on this one, I wanted it to be more than just about a spider eating people, and scares and thrills. I had a personal thing that I wanted to work through with the family dynamic, and we did that, we went a little bit more dramatic with it." On Casting Rising Australian Star and Furiosa Co-Star Alyla Browne as Charlotte "We went to Nikki Barrett [the Australian casting director] and just said 'Nikki, we have a really, really difficult task for you. We need you to cast a 12-year-old star in this film that we just wrote'. And she goes 'shhhh, stop talking. Cast Alyla Browne. Just don't talk about it. Don't talk about it. Just cast her'. And she doesn't talk like that. She's usually very considered, but she was just like 'this is the person. This is the girl'. I might've just looked up a clip on YouTube. I was like 'who is this Alyla Browne?'. It was two clips of an audition she did for a film years earlier when she was like nine. She did an amazing audition where she cried. And I was like 'oh, my god, she's so talented'. Then she did the same thing in a flawless American accent and cried. And I was like 'is she available immediately?'. We didn't even audition her. I just met with her and her mother and just tried hard not to stuff it up. I was more me convincing her to be in the film. But luckily she loved the script and wanted to do it. Her mum just wanted to meet me to make sure I'm not a crazy person and so I pretended not to be, and she signed up and did the movie. She's honestly one of the most-talented actors I've ever worked with. You put the camera on her and something happens. It's a star quality — she's a 12-year-old with the star quality of Nicole Kidman or something. The whole crew would go silent and people would be looking at each other going 'just how is this 12-year-old being this amazing?'. And she made my film just 30-percent better just by being on in front of the camera — and that's something that the director prays for." On Enlisting Ryan Corr to Play Roache-Turner's On-Screen Surrogate "I'd wanted to work with Ryan for years and years. We tried and we just had a few availability issues or whatever. I've been trying to work with him for a long time. So I was stoked to get him for this one, and I'm glad it was on this one because, yeah, this was very much like he's playing me. He's not playing a guy running around jumping in slow motion, firing a gun — this is me. I wanted to be a comics artist. I wear glasses. I have a beard. Like, he's playing me. He's just playing like a heaps better-looking version of me. And every actor knows that, he read the script, he knew the deal. He's like 'yeah, this is you. I get it, but I'm going to do my own version'. With Ryan, it's like working with Brando or Tom Hardy or something. You just step back, say 'action' and watch him improve your movie. There's not much directing that goes on. The guy's a genius." On the Film's Commitment to Incorporating Practical Effects "I love CGI and we've got some sick CGI in this film. Cumulus VFX, the company that did all that stuff, it was a flawless job. But I just believe, particularly with horror, sometimes there's just a bit of an uncanny-valley thing that pops in every now and again. You're just like 'oh, there's still just something wrong with the weight of it' or 'it's not quite interacting with the shadows right', and that's even when you've just got the best CGI you can get. So it's always important for me to have a big practical element. I prefer to have a layer of practical and CGI augments what's already there. Denis Villeneuve does that on Dune: Part Two — you look at the behind-the-scenes, most of it's practical, it's augmented digitally and that's why Dune is one of the best-looking science-fiction franchises of all time. I think with this one, it was really important that we had a practical element. And when that practical element is done by Wētā Workshop, who are the best at what they do in the universe, your life is made a lot easier." On Sting's Broad Array of Inspirations Beyond Roache-Turner and His Family "Charlotte's Web, 100 percent. That's just me having a dig at a cultural phenomenon — everybody read Charlotte's Web as a kid. And I figured most people have read The Hobbit, so the sting reference I think would be nice, too, and with all the giant spiders in Mirkwood. Also The Thing, with a single location with a bunch of people stuck with one monster being eaten. And there's a comedy aspect to The Thing that I love. The tone of John Carpenter's films, I love. Very heavily influenced by Jaws, even though narratively, it's very different — but just the tone of it. Poltergeist, also in that they're stuck in a house and it's a sort of flawed family with cracks in it being terrified by an entity in a house. I really was going for a Spielberg thing. There's a tendency, I think, in today's horror to be overly arty or overly bleak, and Spielberg has a light and an adventurous touch that I really like — as well as being a really good filmmaker who understands that Hitchcockian tension. So I wanted to play in that sandbox. Spielberg is a huge influence on this." On Which Classic Horror Setup Is Next for Roache-Turner "I'm in pre-production on a giant shark movie right now, so I'm literally a couple of weeks away from shooting. I'm doing an Australian World War Two shark movie where a ship gets shot down by Japanese torpedoes halfway between Darwin and East Timor, and these guys are trapped on a raft and they're bedevilled by this giant killer shark that's eating them one by one. So I'm just making my way through the monsters." Sting opens in Australian cinemas on Thursday, July 18, 2024.
Earlier this autumn, Sydney's CBD got a new precinct. Dubbed YCK Laneways, it encompasses 15 bars located across York, Clarence and Kent streets — and it's turning up the heat this winter. Across the 13-night program, the bars and their surrounding outdoor areas will come alive with live music, tarot readings, crime stories, DJs, drag queen bingo and 90s-themed music nights. You'll be able to boogie to Caribbean tunes at The Lobo, Latin American melodies at Esteban, live jazz at Stitch Bar and deep house in Since I Left You's courtyard, too. Or, you can wander over to Barrack Street's outdoor stage, where different musicians are performing each night. You can browse the full program and stay up to date on everything happening in the YCK precinct via the YCK Laneways website. [caption id="attachment_805684" align="alignnone" width="1024"] The Lobo[/caption] Top images: Since I Left You
There are few better feelings than walking out of a salon with a renewed sense of confidence after an excellent hair transformation. Leading colourist and education specialist, Michael Kelly, gets this and has created an intimate hair service experience that'll leave you with exceptional results. Kelly operates out of Studio San, a private salon space located in the heart of Surry Hills. Need to breathe new life into damaged hair? Book in for a full corrective and transformation service for $825. Or, if you want to brighten up your look, opt for some partial highlights for $500. Kelly works with esteemed brands such as Dyson, Kevin Murphy and Oribe, handpicking products to suit each client while striving to reduce the salon's overall environmental and toxic impact. Keen to treat your tresses to this luxe salon experience? Services can be booked via email only.
It's no secret that Melbourne is home to some seriously good pizza. But, it's always nice to score some validation on an international stage. Michele Circhirillo and Fabio Biscaldi of 48h Pizza e Gnocchi Bar have come through with the crusty goods, taking out the title of Best Pizzeria In Oceania in the 2021 edition of the 50 Top Pizza awards last week. The esteemed online guide awards the world's best pizzerias each year, with a team of expert 'inspectors' judging venues based on their pizza quality, service, ambiance, interiors, waiting time and drinks list. Pizzerias across Italy and the rest of the world were anonymously visited and ranked, with our own 48h reigning victorious against all others in the Oceania region. It's not the first time this particular crown has been claimed by a Melbourne pizzeria, with 400 Gradi taking out the regional title three years in a row, in 2018, 2019 and 2020. Of course, 48h is no stranger to scooping awards itself, with its Di Parma pizza famously named Australia's Best Pizza at the Campionato Mondiale Della Pizza (World Pizza Championships) in 2019. [caption id="attachment_827048" align="alignnone" width="1920"] By Hi Sylvia[/caption] The top 10 list for the Oceania region also included fellow Melbourne venues SPQR Pizzeria in the CBD and Seddon's Mozzarella Bar. Sydney had two contenders in the lineup — Verace Pizzeria and Queen Margherita of Savoy — while Brisbane's Tartufo represented Queensland's sole top 10 ranking. With five 48h Pizza e Gnocchi Bar outposts located around Melbourne, local pizza fiends won't face too much of a challenge seeking out some award-winning slices. The South Yarra and Elsternwick pizzerias are currently open for takeaway, with other pop-up locations at Grazeland, Rocco's Deli in Yarraville, and Werribee's Wheelers Food Trucks and Bar. To find your nearest 48h Pizza e Gnocchi Bar location or to learn more about the award, see the website. Images: 48h Pizza e Gnocchi Bar and Hi Sylvia.
What's better than a laneway party? A free one that gives back to the community, which is exactly what the team behind Kyiv Social is hosting in Chippendale. From Sunday, June 2, between 1–9pm, the Plate It Forward crew is hosting a huge community-focused event at Kyiv Social, which will continue every month. Partnering with the likes of Young Henrys, LP's Quality Meats and Ukrainian DJs, the hospo team aims to bring the community together for good food, good vibes and a good cause. The laneway between The Lansdowne and Kyiv Social will be transformed into an outdoor food- and bev-focused hangout, serving to shine a light on those impacted by the war in Ukraine in the process. Plus, newly arrived refugees from the country will be present to engage with their fellow Sydneysiders, with the hope that these events will help build a strong sense of community. On the food and beverage lineup, there will be Ukrainian-style hotdogs featuring Luke Powell's beef and pork sausages with horseradish mayo, fried shallots and Kyiv's house slaw — plus Kyiv sliders starring cabbage slaw, a herb and garlic butter, and sandwiched by a steamed milk bun. To wash it all down, the exclusive Beloved Ukranian Lager from the Young Henrys crew will be on offer, along with other crowd-pleasing sips. To top off the event lineup, the Melbourne-based Lehenda Ukrainian Dance Company is bringing its 40-person ensemble to the event for an exclusive performance. Head to Grafton Lane — behind Broadway's heritage-listed building — from 1–9pm on Sunday, June 2, and then every first Sunday of the month, to join in on the fun.
Rejoice, fans of excellent television, fried food and pop culture-themed pop-ups alike — Los Pollos Hermanos is coming to Sydney. Ever since the TV-viewing world was first introduced to Gus Fring's fast food chain, every fried chicken fiend has been hankering for a piece of their juicy poultry. Yes, we all know that it's a fictional chicken empire in a television show, but Breaking Bad was just that damn addictive. With Los Pollos Hermanos' head honcho once again crossing paths with Jimmy McGill/Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk) and Mike Ehrmantraut (Jonathan Banks) in the third season of ace Breaking Bad prequel spin-off Better Call Saul, subscription streaming video provider Stan is making everyone's dreams come true with two days of chicken goodness. The pop-up will take over Potts Point's Thirsty Bird for lunch and dinner on April 11 and 12 — and it that's not that's not exciting enough, good ol' poultry-cooking, drug baron Gustavo himself, aka actor Giancarlo Esposito, will be there. Is everything to your satisfaction? It's the event we've all been waiting for since the idea that Los Pollos Hermanos could actually become a real-life restaurant first came up, and it's timed to coincide with Better Call Saul's season three premiere on April 11. Attendees are encouraged to dress up in their very best Better Call Saul-themed outfit, so expect to see plenty of pretend dodgy lawyers around. No word yet if anything blue will be on the menu. Find the Los Pollos Hermanos pop-up at Thirsty Bird, Shop 3, 2-14 Bayswater Road, Potts Point from 11.30am-3.00pm and 5.00pm-8.30pm on April 11 and 12. For more information, check out the event Facebook page. Image: Robert Trachtenberg/AMC/Sony Pictures Television. Copyright: © 2017 Sony Pictures Television Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Open to runners of all ages and abilities, RunWest will follow a 12-kilometre course, through several major landmarks. Its first incarnation was supposed to see runners race through the new Sydney Zoo, but that was delayed. Luckily, the zoo is now open — and you will be able to run through it, while waving at lions, rhinos and giraffes. The 12-kilometre run starts at Sydney Motorsport Park, before traversing the new zoo, Western Sydney Parklands and winding up at West HQ. If 12 kilometres sounds too far, you conquer the more friendly four-kilometre Family Fun Run instead — but, that doesn't go through the zoo. Either way, there'll be plenty of action to keep you on course. On crossing the finish line, you'll find the Finish Festival, an extravaganza of food trucks and live music to make you forget all about the pain of running you've just endured. The lineup hasn't been announced yet, but last year saw the likes of Chur Burger, Satay Brothers, Burnt Ends BBQ and Duo Duo Ice Cream all make appearances. If you're a City2Surf regular, this might be a good race to enter in the off-season — although, being March, chances are the weather will be pretty warm. But, like City2Surf, you're encouraged to raise funds for a charity of your choice, so your sweat will be all worth it. If you're ready to commit, sign up right now at super early bird rates, which are $30 per person for the fun run and $45 for the 12-kilometre event. Updated: December 18, 2019.
When Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement decided to don fangs, embrace the undead and make a mockumentary about vampire housemates, What We Do in the Shadows was the sidesplittingly funny end result. And when the pair decided to expand the concept on the small screen, utterly delightful things followed, including NZ television show Wellington Paranormal — which stuck with the movie's movie's cops as they kept investigating the supernatural — and the American TV series also called What We Do in the Shadows. That US television offshoot also boasts a killer cast, all playing an ace roundup of vamps. For the uninitiated, this iteration of What We Do in the Shadows is set in Staten Island — but no, Pete Davidson doesn't show up. Instead, the series focuses on a household where Nandor (Kayvan Novak, Cruella), Laszlo (Matt Berry, Toast of London and Toast of Tinseltown) and Nadja (Natasia Demetriou, Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga) all live. Energy vampire Colin Robinson (Mark Proksch, The Office) and Nandor's familiar Guillermo (Harvey Guillen, Werewolves Within), the latter of which comes from a family of slayers, have also staked a claim in the story. Given that this What We Do in the Shadows has been running for four seasons now, with a fifth on the way, that basic premise is just the beginning. Plenty of supernatural mayhem has followed Nandor and company, and long may it continue. Indeed, in the just-dropped trailer for season five, everything is as wonderfully chaotic as ever — and yes, "bat!" gets yelled and Matt Berry is as glorious as ever. Visits to shopping malls, getting into politics, hosting news shows, saucy rendezvous, the return of other familiar faces: they're all glimpsed in this sneak peek, which doesn't just herald the return of TV's best vampires, but of the best on-screen universe there is. Fingers crossed that just like bloodsuckers, this small-screen take on What We Do in the Shadows will never die. For now, its fifth season has locked in a mid-July return date in the US, which hopefully means that it will hit Australia via Binge and New Zealand via Neon at the same time. Check out the trailer for What We Do in the Shadows season five below: What We Do in the Shadows' fifth season arrives in the US on July 13, with Australian (via Binge) and New Zealand (via Neon) return dates still to be confirmed — we'll update you when they're locked in.
Across two seasons in 2016 and 2018, Fleabag was the only dramedy that mattered. If you weren't watching Phoebe Waller-Bridge's smash hit, you were hearing all about it from everyone you knew. If you were watching it, you were then rewatching it — and, of course, telling all of your friends. But before it was a hit TV series, Fleabag was a one-woman theatre show. That history behind Phoebe Waller-Bridge's award-winning series isn't new news, of course. As the television version of Fleabag kept picking up accolades — a BAFTA for Best Female Performance in a Comedy for its writer/creator/star; Emmys for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series and Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series; Best Actress and Best Television Series Golden Globes; and a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series among them — that past was well-known. But if you haven't seen the OG stage production, a recorded version of that stunning performance is coming back to the big screen Down Under. The story remains the same, charting an incredibly relatable tale of trying to balance work, life, love and the like. When it was playing theatres from 2013–2019 after premiering at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Fleabag was just as applauded. And, as plenty of hit UK productions are, it was filmed by NT Live, then beamed into cinemas. It's that recording that's heading to picture palaces across Australia again from July 13, complete with Waller-Bridge stepping through the story of Fleabag's titular character. Captured at London's Wyndham's Theatre, it initially started doing the rounds for filmgoers in 2019. Indeed, that debut silver-screen stint broke box-office records. If you're unfamiliar with the TV show, let alone the theatre production before it, Fleabag's existence is perhaps best described as chaotic. Friends, family, job interviews, keeping a guinea pig-themed cafe afloat — they're just the beginning. The idea behind it came at one of Waller-Bridge's pal's storytelling nights, as a challenge to create a character for a ten-minute slot. Timing-wise, Fleabag returns to the big screen just a couple of weeks after Waller-Bridge gets adventurous with Harrison Ford in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. Check out the trailer for NT Live's Fleabag encore season below: Fleabag returns to Australian cinemas from July 13, 2023. Images: Matt Humphrey.
Here at Concrete Playground, we're committed to peace across geographical borders. But never is our faith so tested as when we're caught in a debate between lovers of whiskey (that's the American or Irish stuff) and those who take their fermented grain without an 'e' (and whose tipple of choice generally hails from Scotland, Japan, Australia or Canada). In our experience, it's in the cocktail world alone that grain devotees of all persuasions can find some happy middle ground. So, for whisky aficionados, whiskey enthusiasts and uninitiated newbies alike, we present the ten best whisk(e)y cocktails Sydney has to offer. THE REFERENDUM AT THE HAZY ROSE Fred and Ginger. Ross and Rachel. Whisky and vermouth. Some partnerships are so powerful that we can't help but be swept away by their timeless magic. In a clever twist on the traditional alliance, the Hazy Rose pairs floral Glenmorangie with sweet vermouth and two types of bitters, blanketed by a luscious layer of cherry brandy foam and punctuated with a slice of dehydrated orange. 83 Stanley Street, Darlinghurst WALNUT DERBY AT GRAIN You don't expect a transcendent cocktail experience at a hotel bar, but Grain at the Four Seasons is a stunning wood-panelled oasis all set to prove you wrong. The oaky richness of Woodford Reserve is complemented by a smooth salted caramel, dashed with walnut and chocolate bitters and served over ice in an elegant carved glass. It's pure velvet, in cocktail form. Four Seasons Hotel, 199 George Street, Sydney FIRE IN CARBOST AT THE FOXTROT When the team at the Foxtrot promises chilli, you can trust them not to mess around. Fire in Carbost is fiery indeed, though the heat of the flaming fruit is tempered carefully with caramel and finds harmony with the smoke and sea salt of a ten year old Talisker. This is a tipple with a temper — and a wickedly delicious afterglow. 28 Falcon Street, Crows Nest SUNTORY TIME AT SOKYO If you're a Bill Murray fan, you'll know there's no time like Suntory Time — and especially at Sokyo. The mellow woodiness of Suntory's twelve-year-old Yamazaki interweaves gracefully with sweet red vermouth, maraschino liqueur and orange bitters, stirred down and served up with a theatrical flourish. The Star 80 Pyrmont Street, Pyrmont THE PHOENIX AT RABBIT HOLE BAR AND DINING Were a phoenix to rise from the fragrant embers of a crackling campfire in the woods, this drink would capture the moment perfectly. Twelve-year-old Bowmore is infused with dried apricots and honeycomb, refreshed with citrus and luxuriated with the muscat and orange blossom notes of Pavan liqueur. From a flaming sprig of rosemary, the phoenix is reborn. Basement Level, 82 Elizabeth Street, Sydney JOHN WAYNE AT THE ROOSEVELT If this drink was a game of Jeopardy!, the answer would be "What is American and could conceivably go in a cocktail?" Bacon-washed bourbon, apple brandy, maple syrup, root beer, cherry cola, peanut butter — it's a comedic explosion of stereotypes that somehow really works, particularly in the glamorous, prohibition-esque surrounds of the American diner-inspired Roosevelt. 32 Orwell Street, Potts Point HOTEL CALIFORNIA AT PAPA GEDE'S Don Henley once described The Eagles' rock anthem 'Hotel California' as "a journey from innocence to experience". At the CBD's eccentric voodoo bar Papa Gede's, the Hotel California plays much the same role. Maker's Mark bourbon, herby Amaro Montenegro, Angostura bitters, a zesty punch of lemon juice and a fragrant orgeat syrup are shaken and served martini-style. 346-348 Kent Street, Sydney IRISH PENICILLIN AT THE WILD ROVER Nothing makes us happier than seeing Aussies smashing things out of the park overseas, like when Australian mixologist Sam Ross gained international renown for inventing the Penicillin at NYC institution Milk & Honey. Blended Scotch whisky meets soothing honey, lemon juice and fresh ginger and is finished with a thin pour of smoky Islay Scotch. The Wild Rover’s interpretation takes the Penicillin to Ireland, with a soft-finished Bushmills base. 77 Campbell Street, Surry Hills EDV BOBBY BURNS AT EAU DE VIE It's a rare bar that can boast its own privately-distilled whisky, but that's just par for the course at Eau de Vie. They've teamed up with Victorian distillery Bakery Hill to create a whisky specifically for this cocktail. EDV Bakery Hill Bobby Burns whisky is stirred with fig-infused vermouth, a dash of Dom Bénédictine herbal liqueur and bitters in a gratifying interpretation of the well-loved classic. 229 Darlinghurst Road, Darlinghurst
Bondi locals don't muck around when it comes to brunch. You get one chance, maybe two, to hit it out of the park with brekkie bowls, solid coffee and a damn good Bloody Mary. Not every joint passes the test, but one Bondi mainstay is enjoying lines out the door every Saturday and Sunday without fail, dominating the brunch game lock, stock and barrel. Lox Stock & Barrel is one of Bondi's best brunch spots, hands down. A bright little deli diner sitting on Glenayr Avenue, Lox spills out onto the French Bulldog-frequented pavement with tall wooden bar tables and an inevitably long line of happy-to-wait brunchers. The Lox crew know what they're doing, making an insanely busy breakfast period seem like water off a duck's back. Lox specialise in breakfast, brunch and lunch, and if you roll with vegans, vegos or enemies of gluten, this is your jam. The food is Jewish in origin, but inspired by Bondi's local produce and farm-to-plate philosophy. There's some serious homemade goodness afoot here; Lox make their own almond and cashew milk, their own Bloody Mary spice mix (vegan friendly, no Worcestershire, topped with jalapenos and so damn good), and their own rye, challah, gluten-free, sprouted quinoa bread, bagels and panini, available all day. Here for some solid brekkie that'll make you grow tall and strong? Try the beloved Bowlarama ($18), with sprouted quinoa toast, poached eggs, avocado, hommus, kale and seaweed, miso dressing and homemade fermented veggies. Or the top notch avo smash (a highly competitive dish in Bondi) with feta, lemon, mint, cherry toms and radish ($17). For something heartier, go for the zucchini omelette with almond, spinach, parmesan and jalapenos ($17). But this joint's called Lox, and their smoked lox — featured in the eatery's sangas, the little Lock 'n' Load portions (hash, smoked lox, lime and creme fraiche dill dressing, $5.50 each), and brekkie toast set-ups — is wonderfully salty and smooth; a must for salmon fiends. Chuck some big ol' tart capers on there and you're home and hosed. Drinks-wise, we highly recommend the Bloody Mary, regardless of what state of night-before regret you're in. There's a solid cocktail list for the brunch traditionalists, a blackboard selection of wines and Aussie beers on offer. Looking for something a little less boozy? The 'Rebel Blend' coffee is seriously smooth, as are the Rabbit Hole organic teas — we like the Ginger Snap with spicy ginger and cinnamon ($4.50). There are larger portions on offer for dinner — slow roasted eggplant with quinoa, spiced nuts, herb and haloumi stuffing, Turkish-style tomato sauce ($28); pan-fried barramundi with chickpea puree, brussels sprout and buckwheat salad ($29) — so we'll be back after a swim in that postcard perfect beach to check 'em out. There might be less of a line then.
In our own ways, we all fill our homes with interesting items. That's what galleries and museums obviously do, too. Imagine what must sit in their collections — the things they can't always display, and often don't, but are worth holding onto for an array of reasons. Actually, hit up Sydney's Powerhouse Museum in the second half of 2023 and you'll no longer simply have to wonder. The Ultimo venue has just announced its next huge exhibition: 1001 Remarkable Objects. That title is indeed descriptive, with the site's curators, led by curatorium chair Leo Schofield AM, diving into its vast store of pieces. Showcasing 1001 items might sound hefty, but there's a whopping 500,000 in the full collection, making those selections tricky work. [caption id="attachment_895796" align="alignnone" width="1920"] 'Supreme' mouse-trap making machine by AW Standfield and Co, Mascot, NSW, 1925-2000. Image: Anthony Potter.[/caption] Opening on Saturday, July 22, free to attend, and worth a look whether you're a Sydney local or making a trip to the Harbour City, this exhibition will span a wide variety of objects — celebrity-worn outfits, mousetrap-making machines, ceramic peacock and more. "Our vision for 1001 Remarkable Objects was a seemingly simple one: to create an exhibition celebrating the sheer scale, breadth and relevance of the Powerhouse collection. But how to choose?" said Schofield. "We rejected the nomenclature of 'treasures' or 'masterpieces' and instead determined all choices must be in some way 'remarkable' — whether by virtue of rarity, visual appeal, social history or an ability to invoke wonder. The result is a cornucopia of eras, styles, form, function, size and colour, to stoke memories that so many have of this iconic institution and signal the beginning of a new phase in its marvellous existence." [caption id="attachment_895790" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Performance costumes, 'Fruity Mambo', designed by Catherine Martin, made by Catherine Martin and Rosie Boylan, for Strictly Ballroom The Musical, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 2014. Image: Laura Moore.[/caption] Four certain highlights all were once donned by someone, well-known names and samurais alike. Kylie Minogue's Sydney 2000 Olympics 'showgirl' costume will be on display, as will Nicole Kidman's 'pink diamonds' Moulin Rouge! dress and, still on Baz Luhrmann, the 'fruity mambo' costumes from Strictly Ballroom the Musical. Or, you can peer at an Edo-period samurai warrior's armour. Featuring pieces that've never been shown before, and filling 25 rooms, Schofield's selections also cover the only surviving fragment of the Lockheed Altair aircraft Lady Southern Cross that Sir Charles Kingsford Smith flew in 1935 on his final flight, that 1.5-metre-tall peacock from 1870s, a Detroit Electric car made in 1917 and part of the original transatlantic cable from 1858. And, there's more than 100 pieces of jewellery, including mourning pieces crafted from human hair — and a focus on glass, as gleaming through French and Venetian examples from the 1800 and 1900s, plus Australian and international glass artworks. [caption id="attachment_895791" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Diamond brooch in the form of a bee with sapphires on his head and in stripes across his body and with ruby eyes, gold settings. English c.1870. Image: Marinco Kojdanovski.[/caption] 1001 Remarkable Objects displays at Powerhouse Ultimo, 500 Harris Street, Ultimo, Sydney from Saturday, July 22 through to December 2023. Top image: Detail of suit of armour, possibly of samurai officer Koma Kaemon of Bizen clan, Japan, Edo period, possibly 1775. Image: Ryan Hernandez.
Thanks to the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, everyone in Australia will forever remember where they were at two specific moments: when the Matildas beat France in a stunning penalty shootout, and when Sam Kerr kicked the goal of a lifetime in the semi-final loss to England. The Sunshine State doesn't just want the team's feats at football's ultimate competition to live on in our hearts and minds, however, or via footage of the games. Rather, Brisbane will commemorate the Australian national women's soccer team's achievements physically, with the Queensland Government announcing that it will build a Matildas statue. That epic match against France was played at the River City's Suncorp Stadium, as was the Matildas' 3–2 loss to Nigeria in the group stage and 2–0 third-place playoff defeat by Sweden. Accordingly, that'll be the site of the new monument to Sam Kerr, Ellie Carpenter, Mackenzie Arnold, Hayley Raso, Steph Catley, Katrina Gorry, Mary Fowler, Caitlin Foord and their teammates, as a permanent reminder of their history-making World Cup campaign. No Australian soccer team has made it as far into the coveted contest as the Matildas did in 2023 — not the Matildas themselves in the past, and not the Socceroos, either. Indeed, it's no wonder that their games kept smashing ratings records, with the England match now the country's most-watched TV program since 2001, and also likely ever. Exactly what the statue will look like will be left to Football Australia to decide, with the Queensland Government advising that it'll work with the sporting body "on the design and recognition of the team to ensure the statue depicts the success of the Matildas now and into the future". And as for when it'll be unveiled, that hasn't been revealed. But when it does grace the Milton stadium, it'll add both female and football representation to a site that currently features statues of rugby league stars Wally Lewis, Arthur Beetson, Darren Lockyer, Mal Meninga and Allan Langer, plus rugby union's John Eales. View this post on Instagram A post shared by CommBank Matildas (@matildas) "The Matildas have created history. Not only has their performance set new benchmarks for sport, they have captured our hearts and inspired a nation," said Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, announcing the statue. "As a FIFA Legacy Ambassador I am so proud of our Matildas. They are role models who will inspire thousands of girls to pick up a football and play the game. It's only fitting that we recognise all they have achieved with a permanent tribute." Until the statue becomes a reality, you can spend more time celebrating the Matildas via documentary Matildas: The World at Our Feet. Brisbane's new statue at Suncorp Stadium celebrating the Matildas' 2023 Women's World Cup efforts doesn't yet have an installation and unveiling date — we'll update you when further details are announced. Top image: LittleBlinky via Wikimedia Commons.
