If you're touring around the Central Coast in search of tasty treats, Burnt Honey Bakery is a must. You'll find it directly opposite Copacabana Beach, so you can enjoy your coffee and croissant with a side of spectacular coastal views.Burnt Honey has some of the best handmade pastries in the area, with wife duo Hayley Thorncraft and Joanna Fairall (both Black Star Pastry) behind it. It's got a strong community feel to it, with milk crates out the front for those who want to scoff their snacks there. The bakery uses local suppliers wherever possible and follows an eco-conscious ethos, too. You'll want to grab a couple of custard tarts (flavoured with cassia bark and lemon zest), a peach and vanilla danish and some of the shop's signature biscuits — burnt honey, salted almond and creamy milk choc chips — as well as a loaf of freshly baked sourdough and flaky croissants. Images: Jacs Powell
Set in a prime location on Leura's main drag, the Red Door cafe is a homey place with a red and black interior, a large mirror hanging on one side of the wall and green garden vines reaching down towards the floor on the other. It's an ideal spot for those who are seeking a healthy alternative. Standouts include the zucchini and feta fritters with cumin yoghurt and mesclun salad ($16) and the smoked rainbow trout salad with lentils, rocket and a poached egg ($18.50). For something heartier, try the cafe's take on bangers and mash ($19) — Tuscan-style sausages atop creamy mash and caramelised onion — or the steak sanga ($19). While drinks are less inventive (coffee, tea, milkshakes and sodas), they stay true to the cafe's the-healthier-the-better mantra, with both the sodas and coffee being organic and the juices freshly squeezed. Image: Grace Smith
"Kidnapping, cults, death. Your friendships are a little more complicated than most." So says Elijah Wood in the new trailer for one of 2023's most-anticipated TV returns: Yellowjackets, which'll finally be back for season two from late March. Fans of the show would expect nothing less than Wood's concise summary, given this instantly intriguing (and excellent) series follows a New Jersey high school's girls soccer team in the 90s after they crash in the forest and possibly turn to cannibalism — plus the aftermath among the survivors 25 years later. Indeed, already in season one, life and friendship have proven complex for Yellowjackets' core quartet of Shauna (Don't Look Up's Melanie Lynskey as an adult, and also The Kid Detective's Sophie Nélisse as a teenager), Natalie (Welcome to Chippendales' Juliette Lewis, plus The Book of Boba Fett's Sophie Thatcher), Taissa (Billions' Tawny Cypress, and also Scream's Jasmin Savoy Brown) and Misty (Wednesday's Christina Ricci, as well as Shameless' Samantha Hanratty). Also in the works in the show's second season, as based on the just-dropped sneak peek: Natalie been guided through her memories, snowy climes aplenty, the eerie symbol that's always been at the heart of the series, frantic dances, long treks, guns and axes, and a new connection between Misty and newcomer Walter (Wood), a citizen detective. Ominous words abound, too, such as "darkness, we brought it back with us", "it's happening again, isn't it", "we weren't alone out there" and "this isn't where we're supposed to be". The setup, for Yellowjackets first timers: back in 1996, en route to a big match in Seattle on a private plane, Shauna, Natalie, Taissa, Misty and the rest of their teammates entered Lost survivalist territory. The accident saw everyone who walked away stranded in the wilderness — and those who then made it through that ordeal stuck out there for 19 months, living their worst Alive-meets-Lord of the Flies lives. After proving one of 2021's best new series and quickly getting picked up for a second season, Yellowjackets will start unfurling its next batch of episodes from Friday, March 24 via Paramount+ in Australia and Neon in New Zealand, as announced in late 2022. Season two will pick up after a heap of chaos in both timeframes, and with new faces among the cast. Introducing more of the team in their adult guise is very much on the agenda, including Simone Kessell (Muru) playing the older Lottie and Lauren Ambrose (Servant) as the older Van. In their younger years, both characters are played by Australian actors, with Courtney Eaton (Mad Max: Fury Road) as Lottie and and Liv Hewson (Santa Clarita Diet) as Van. Also, this won't be the end of the story, with the show already renewed for season three before its second season even airs. Check out the new teaser for Yellowjackets season two below: Season two of Yellowjackets will start streaming from Friday, March 24 via Paramount+ in Australia and Neon in New Zealand. Read our review of season one.
Channeling the style of a Hamptons beach house, Girdlers is kitted out for casual brunches and lazy lunches. Perched at the south end of Dee Why Beach, a table out on the deck is a prime spot to kick back and watch the sets roll in — there's even a couple of couches you're quite welcome to curl up on with a book. Another Northern Beaches cafe that's on a health kick, these guys have two kinds of kombucha on tap and almost everything on the menu is gluten free. But, as many other cafes in the area have already proven, taking the healthy option doesn't mean you'll be missing out. Savoury and sweet buckwheat crepes are their specialty. And while we're not convinced that anything compares to the real thing, we suggest you order a cacao split — a crepe with banana and 'goodtella' (healthy Nutella) — and decide for yourself ($14). If you're more of a savoury person, the smoked salmon crepe with toasted almonds, avo and cauliflower sauce is a strong option ($18). And if you don't have the luxury of spending the day lazing by the beach, they also have a sizeable takeaway menu.
First, it was a popular 80s comedy starring Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. Then, it became a five-season television sitcom led by Parton's real-life younger sister. In 2009, 9 to 5 made the leap to the stage too, because you just can't stop a good story about female empowerment in the workplace. Revived in the West End earlier this year, it's still a huge hit — and now the latest version of the production is coming to Sydney. Just by reading the show's title, we know that you already have Parton's catchy song of the same name stuck in your head. Pour yourself a cup of ambition, because that tune isn't going away anytime soon. Indeed, you'd best get ready to exclaim "what a way to make a living" more than once when 9 to 5 The Musical plays its Australian premiere season, with its local run playing the the Sydney Lyric Theatre from April 21, 2020. Ahead of its time when it first reached cinemas, this tale of three women who take on their sexist, egotistical and all-round despicable male boss is obviously still highly relevant today. Before #TimesUp and #MeToo, workmates Doralee, Violet and Judy decided to turn the tables by kidnapping their supervisor and reforming their office. Expect the same story in 9 to 5 The Musical, as penned by the original film's screenwriter Patricia Resnick, just with more songs. With Parton herself writing the score — and earning Tony and Grammy nominations for her efforts — expect plenty of feel-good music as well. Although she doesn't appear on stage, the famous country star is still involved with the show, and with bringing it to Australia. While the show will premiere in Sydney, it's possible it'll head to other cities around the country after — cross your fingers and we'll let you know if more dates and locations are announced. While you're still singing 9 to 5 to yourself, check out Parton's announcement video below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eLfds3BNk8 9 to 5 The Musical will hit Sydney Lyric Theatre at The Star from April 21, 2020, with tickets on sale from 4pm on Friday, September 13. For more information, or to join the ticket waitlist, visit the musical's website.
While many industries across the country have contracted during the pandemic — with hospitality venues closing, live music events cancelled and some sports banned for months — surfing has boomed. It makes sense, really. It's the ideal socially distant sport that gets you out of the house and into nature. When 2022 rolls around, Sydney surfers will have a new place to take their board to: a surf park and resort right on the Hawkesbury River. Approved by The Hills Shire Council yesterday, the 45-acre Wisemans Surf Lodge will be Australia's first premium resort-style wave pool. The pool itself will be massive — four football fields in length — and the waves powered by US tech company Surfloch, which has the ability to generate 2.5-metre peaks in multiple shapes every 10–12 seconds. As well as the wave pool, the resort will be home to a nine-hole golf course, a 54-suite hotel, a restaurant and a bar, all surrounded by bushland and right on the river. The hotel will see the renovation of an existing 90s-built hotel overseen by architect Kelvin Ho who's behind Merivale venues like The Newport and Palmer & Co, as well as resorts in the Maldives. Access to the Surf Lodge will be via membership. Details on this are scarce for the moment, but we're hoping it's not too spenno. When Wisemans does open, it won't be Australia's first surf park. That title goes to Melbourne's Urbnsurf. In fact, it might not even be Sydney's first surf park, with Urbnsurf set to open a second location in Olympic Park in 2021. Kelly Slater also has plans to open one of his famed Surf Ranches on the Sunshine Coast, too, but that doesn't yet have an ETA. Wisemans Surf Lodge is set to open in Wisemans Ferry, NSW in 2022.
Pastels and poop. Step inside Unko Museum: The Kawaii Poop Experience and that's what will await. The colour scheme is soft and soothing, but the point of focus is literal crap (well, fake versions). If you've ever called something "cute shit" before, those words have never applied quite as they will here. This Japanese-style installation takes its cues from not only Japan's kawaii poop trend, but from the Unko Museum's sites across the nation, including in Tokyo, Hiroshima and Shizuoka. Now, Unko Museum will make its Australian debut in Melbourne, launching on Wednesday, December 20 to add some adorable crap to the silly season and summer. The focus: "max unko kawaii", aka "the maximum cuteness of poop". Also one of the mains attractions: getting everyone taking snaps and filling their social-media feeds, so expect a heap of pastel emoji-esque shit to fill Instagram. Unko Museum: The Kawaii Poop Experience will be split into zones and areas, spanning displays to take pictures of and other inclusions that are more immersive. Think: images of poop projected around the place, snapping selfies with poop props and flying poop, and retro-style games with a poop theme in a space called the Crappy Game Corner. Pastel-hued toilets are also a feature, lined up along a wall under a sign calling them "my unko maker". So are neon poop signs, giant poops, a ball pit where the balls are shaped like poops, poop hats, walls filled with toilet seats, glowing poop lights and a towering toilet-shaped doorway. Plus, exiting through the gift shop here means picking up kawaii poop merchandise and souvenirs. In Japan, as at October 2023, 1.4-million people had flushed the interactive experience into their itineraries. In Australia, Melburnians and tourists who now want to add some poo to their next Victorian visit can expect to spend 30–60 minutes revelling in endearing crap, in a family-friendly experience — because poop is for everyone. There's no word yet if Unko Museum: The Kawaii Poop Experience will make its way to other Australian cities, but cross your fingers if you can't make it to Melbourne this summer. Unko Museum: The Kawaii Poop Experience will open on Wednesday, December 20 at 360 Bourke Street, Melbourne — head to the pop-up's website to join the waitlist for tickets, which go on sale on Tuesday, November 28.
Spring is (almost) in the air, and we all know what that means: it's time to kick back with some friends and a nice bottle of vino and enjoy a movie under the stars. We've been spoiled for choice when it comes to outdoor cinemas in recent years, and now The Greens in North Sydney is getting in on the action. Flicks at the Greens is your latest destination for classic, cult and new release cinema with a little bit of lawn bowling thrown in. The film program runs Wednesday to Sundays for four weeks across late September and early October, beginning with OTT action comedy Kingsman: The Secret Service. Other recent titles include Ant Man, Trainwreck and Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, while those of you looking for a dose of nostalgia can enjoy the likes of Mean Girls, Dirty Dancing and Howl's Moving Castle. The movies start at sundown, but there'll be plenty to keep you occupied until then. The recently refurbished Greens Kitchen will be open for pre-film feasts, with a lot more than just stale popcorn on offer. Nothing like slow-cooked lamb or a thick rib-eye steak to put you in the mood for a screening of Jurassic World — although we can't imagine Indominus Rex would bother with the herb and garlic butter. They'll also be operating bars of both the candy and alcohol varieties, so there's no danger of you running out of things to eat or drink. Screenings on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays will be preceded by live music acts — and if you want to get really fancy, you can grab yourself a VIP ticket which gets you a bean bed in the reserved area along with a complimentary bottle of wine and box of popcorn. Wednesday to Sundays
Sydney has the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade, which takes over Oxford Street for a night of celebration. Melbourne has the Midsumma Pride March, its equivalent in Fitzroy Street, St Kilda. From November 2024, Brisbane will share the show of pride, but in a way befitting the River City: with the first-ever River Pride Parade as part of the new Melt Open festival. Boats will float from William Jolly Bridge to Brisbane Powerhouse, all embracing everything that a pride parade should be — just on the water. The River Pride Parade will take place on Saturday, November 9 in the afternoon, with Courtney Act leading the charge as Melt Open's just-announced inaugural ambassador. "A pride parade on the Brisbane River — what a brilliant twist on a cherished favourite! Just imagine the magic as we all come together to celebrate on the water, surrounded by the beauty of the city," said the Brisbane-bred Act. "As I lead the river parade, you can bet there'll be plenty of SPF beneath my makeup! This is truly a unique and fabulous way to honour pride and the stunning Brisbane River." "Prepare for a dazzling spectacle with the River Pride Parade fronted by the fabulous Courtney Act. Picture dykes on jetskis, drag-clad waterskiers, iconic queer boat parties and that's just the beginning. We welcome watercraft of all shapes and sizes to join the river parade and encourage everyone to get their spots along the river to view the carnival," added Pieta Farrell, Executive Producer of Melt Open. Registrations are open now for the River Pride Parade, which will help close out Melt Open's first year, with the entire fest running from Wednesday, October 23–Sunday, November 10. Don't have a boat? Organisers advise that watercraft of all shapes and sizes can take part. Melt Open was announced in 2023 as a fringe-style event to celebrate LGBTQIA+ art and performance everywhere from Fortitude Valley to Woolloongabba, showcasing queer work, talents, legends and allies. Brisbanites should already know that Brisbane Powerhouse has hosted Melt Festival for eight years and counting, with that event considered a predecessor to this newcomer. As its name makes plain, Melt Open is broadening its scope by building upon Melt's success — spreading beyond the Powerhouse, featuring more artists and venues, and operating as an open access-style shindig. The River Pride Parade is the second major program announcement for the debut Melt Open, and the second that'll make spectacular use of the fest's Brisbane location. The other: New York-based artist Spencer Tunick returning to Brisbane after 2023's Melt Festival stint, this time to close the Story Bridge to fill it with nudes for a new photography work. If you're eager to get your kit off in the name of art, celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community and diversity, registrations are still open for the installation, which will take place on Sunday, October 27 — and there's no limit on the number of participants. Melt Open 2024 will run from Wednesday, October 23–Sunday, November 10, with the River Pride Parade taking place on Saturday, November 9. Head to the Brisbane Powerhouse website for additional information, and to register for the parade. Images: Jack Martin.
Aussies are known for being passionate about sports — it's kind of our thing. And in January it's all about tennis. Down in Melbourne, the Australian Open takes over the city for more than two weeks of tennis action. Sydneysiders need not despair, as there are plenty of ways to get into the spirit of the Australian Open if you can't make a trip down south. With the season soon to be in full swing, we've put together a few of the best tennis-related activities to jump into if you just can't get enough of the excitement. It'll be ace. HEAD TO THE COOGEE BAY HOTEL TO WATCH ALL THE ACTION If you're after a quintessential Aussie summer experience, round up your crew to watch the Australian Open on a big screen. Preferably you'll want to be outside in a lush garden with a few cold ones, before or after a dip at the beach, in which case Coogee Bay Hotel has you covered. It's bringing all the action to Sydney shores till Sunday, February 2. You can soak up the sun in the garden with an Aperol spritz or a pint of Stella Artois from one of the pop-up bars, and fill your hungry tummy with a burger and schooey special for $25, all while watching the nail-biting rallies go down on the giant outdoor screen. Between sets, you can enter one of the giveaways, with hats, fans and sunnies all up for grabs. You can find more details and RSVP for this one over here. BRUSH UP ON YOUR BACKHAND AT THESE COURTS AROUND SYDNEY There's something truly inspirational about watching sports superstars at the top of their game. So, when you're feeling the urge to pop on a visor, pull your socks up high and hit the courts, there are plenty of great spots around Sydney to hone your skills. Hit a few balls at the Eastern Suburbs Tennis Club (and follow it up with a swim at Coogee Beach), work on your serve at Paddington's Maccabi Tennis, hire a court among the trees at Cooper Park or enjoy Rose Bay views at Lyne Park Tennis Centre. On the north shore, head to Mosman's Rawson Park Tennis Centre or Primrose Park Tennis in Cremorne. If you're keen to get into the competitive spirit, rope a mate into teaming up with you in a mixed doubles match at social tennis event Social Serve, which is hosting a killer Australian Open themed event on Saturday, February 1. FOLLOW ALL THE GOSS ONLINE Keep up with what's happening behind the scenes by giving a few key players a follow on social media, especially all the Aussie gems who are using their platforms to support those affected by the devastating bushfires. See Ash Barty cuddling a koala on Twitter, follow Nick Kyrgios's donation tally on Instagram and Twitter (he's pledged $200 for every ace he hits for the entire summer) and support Dylan Alcott's $800-per-ace donation on the superstar's Instagram. You can also do your part and pledge your own donation as part of the Aces for Bushfires campaign. CHALLENGE YOUR MATES TO A SPOT OF PING PONG If you're not keen on hitting a full-sized tennis court, ping pong is the answer. Plus, it's probably an easier pick for a social afternoon with a couple of brews than heading to a court to work up a proper sweat. Coogee Bay Hotel's Australian Open shindig brings the goods, with ping pong available for a friendly competition or two. Otherwise, check out the free table tennis tables at the Ultimo Community Centre, Darling Quarter or The Goods Line in Haymarket — just be sure to BYO bat and balls. You can also find your closest table to hire on Table Tennis NSW. HAVE A MOVIE NIGHT WITH THESE TENNIS-THEMED FLICKS Hit the bottle-o for a case of beer or cider and invite your mates over for a night of Hollywood's finest tennis movies. Watch Emma Stone as feminist icon Billie Jean King in Battle of the Sexes, relive (or discover) Borg Vs McEnroe — the film about the epic Wimbledon match between the 80s rivals which stars Shia LaBeouf and Sverrir Gudnason — or learn a few things from recent documentary Love Means Zero. For sillier vibes, you can't beat Kirsten Dunst's gloriously cringeworthy Wimbledon or Andy Samberg and Kit Harington-starring mockumentary 7 Days in Hell. To check out the match times and to RSVP to Coogee Bay Hotel's Australian Open celebrations, head this way.
Visit this elegant brow boutique to get dolled up before an event, or just to pamper yourself. Brow services include waxing and tinting, so you can boast the perfect eye-framing arch. Or, you can get a lash lift and tint, so your eyes are open and bright from the minute you wake up, all without mascara. It also offers semi-permanent brow tattooing, where trained technicians use ombre or feathering techniques to create the illusion of fuller brows with ink. To top it off, you can shop a carefully curated selection of candles, Maison Balzac glass carafes, collagen supplements, beauty tools and haircare products, so you can continue the pampering from home. Images: Caroline McCreedie
The 2012 Sydney Fringe Festival encompasses the full mix of commercial, community and creative output bubbling up from around the edges of the city's arts scene. This year's incarnation even sees Fringe artists staking out the airport to lure arriving tourists into explore the scattershot geography of this year's spread: laid out from Marrickville, Newtown, across the CBD, east Sydney, Chatswood, Rookwood and Parramatta. This swathe of so much emerging and newly-established talent can be tough to sort through. As it happens, Concrete Playground has put together this guide to help you come to grips with this year's program of alternative arts. 1. Fringe on the Streets The Fringe is getting out on the streets this year. It kicks off on the streets of Newtown with an opening night Free for All in Newtown Square (in front of the Hub Theatre), featuring headliners Itch-E & Scratch-E from 5pm on September 7. Bookending the month's activities is a closing night fiesta in the form of a suburb wide progressive party suggesting you test your celebratory stamina, taking you from Five Eliza, through the Sly Fox to the Factory Theatre closing party and on to the late night antics at Marrickville Bowling Club. This is far from the only attempt to get you to hit the pavement: Guided Fringe by Bicycle gets you around the best of the arts scene on Thursday nights, while the Pop Up Festival gives you some performance on the move and Decoration Wars gives you a whirl around made-over Enmore businesses. 2. Life in Minature It's the year for culture in close confines, with Brook Andrews' Travelling Colony at the Sydney Festival this year, and former Australia Council digital maven Fee Plumley funding her ambitious plan to bring arts to the country at large by kickstarting a bus. With this already in the works, Serena Chalker and Quindell Orton have brought their show and its caravan across to Sydney from the Perth Fringe. For dance act Life in Miniature, Chalker and Orton’s invites an audience of five to shuffle into said caravan’s interior while the two players dance around them. Not small enough? Umbrella Theatre’s show Captain My Captain also brings an even tinier puppetry space to the some of the Fringe’s outdoor venues. 3. In the Night Garden Last year's night garden at the back of St Peters' Tortuga Studios was one of the surprise finds of the 2011 Fringe. Returning after last year’s inaugural luminescent growth, In the Night Garden will make this back lane (roughly settled between Penguin Plays Rough and Mays Lane) into a low-key, glowing avenue of art. You can also wander down an iridescent May’s Lane to check out the Off the Wall light projections near St Peter’s station for most of the festival, curated by nearby I Heart Gallery. 4. Sydney Underground Film Festival The Sydney Underground Film Festival is an honest-to-God fringe festivity — an intelligently curated counter-culture weekend of weird, wack and unearthed cinephilia. The SUFF team pitches itself as "the purveyors of provocation, dissent and civil disobedience". And rightly so. They've pulled off some crazy-as-hell nights in the past, and this year's program looks just as great. Festival opening night is always excellent — not just great new films but a big party with delicious food and drinks. Francophenia (Or: Don't Kill Me, I Know Where the Baby is) is a hybrid doco/fiction which chronicles James Franco's work in General Hospital and the absurdity of celebrity culture. For politics junkies, there's Wikileaks: Secrets and Lies by UK director Patrick Forbes. And Mr Doodleburger, the murderous, redubbed alter-ego of Home and Away's Alf Stewart, will be unveiling his latest Summer Bay slaughter and doing a live Q&A. 5. Le Gateau Chocolat This Fringe Festival Sydney will be treated to a generous slice of Gateau when the operatic star of La Soiree returns to Sydney for his solo debut. Delivering moving renditions of songs branching everything from pop-rock and jazz to classical opera and fusing them with his own story, Le Gateau Chocolat manages to make the fact that he is a big Nigerian dude (one with a law degree, no less) dressed as a woman seem almost beside the point.It’s rare that a performer dressed in 160 pounds of false eyelashes and ostentatiously frothy tulle will be remembered primarily for mesmerising human stories rendered in an exquisite baritone voice, but Le Gateau Chocolat isn’t your average larger-than-life operatic diva with a penchant for glittery lycra. 6. Fringe Comedy The Festival is making it easier to pick your way through its packed comedy schedule by offering a series of compendium nights where you can get a parade of comedians at each others' elbows to try to lure you to their other shows. Jennifer Wong and Michael Hing headline A Series of Young Asian Comedians Not Doing Asian Jokes, the Fringe Comedy Showcase crams 8 acts into its four weekly nights of laughs, and Barely Legal showcases the comic talents of young stand-ups, former finalists in the Class Clowns competition down in Melbourne. 7. Fringe Music This year's musical line-up runs the gamut from silent film soundtrack with Stu Hunter's closing compositions to 1927 film Berlin, Marrickville Bowling Club's evening of underground electronic, Brouhaha!, and an Eastside FM takeover of former underground venue 505. Also on the cards, New Weird Australia takes a night of experimental tunes at Five Eliza, a little Tim Freedman and the Sonic Mayhem Orchestra perform Miles Davis performing Gershwin. 8. Fringe Theatre If the cramped theatre of Life in Miniature is a little too intimate, this year’s fringe is also running theatre across less crowded stages. 1980+ watches the lives of Chinese students in Australia bifurcate as some stay here and some return home in this english-subtitled, Mandarin production. Eclective Productions restage Philip Ridley's Pitchfork Disney, Erskineville performance space PACT program dance, luminescence and blood disorders, Gandhari offers up the Mahabharata in an hour and story teller Candy Royale helps take over the Rattler. In the Fringe's burlesque sideline, Esque will dress the form up in pretty words, while Bogan-Ville Burlesque does its level best to dress it down. 9. Mystery Bus The bicycle-free fringe tour on wheels returns for another year of busman's holidays around Sydney's grand festival of alternative arts. Mystery Bus invites you to board their omnibus at the Enmore Theatre before they whisk you away into a night of mystery and, inevitably, arts. The bus lays out (mostly) cryptic clues about its final destination on their fringe page, inviting you to guess about the evening's terminus. The adventures are listed as XXX (8 September), Editor's Choice (14 and 15 September), Cinematic Slap (20 September), Carnie Delight (22 September), Roll Em Girls (23 September), Dirty Diva (27 September) and Blind Tiger (September 29). Sharp-eyed attendees who know their local arts can probably work their cross-referencing magic against programs and listings to guess the destination. But really, wouldn't you rather be surprised? 10. Surprises When you land at the Fringe, you never knows how stunning, embarrassing or enigmatic its acts will be. Half the fun of turning up is finding gems in strange places: discovery is all. Will the Bard be better reinterpreted by Bard to the Bone or a steampunk Tempest? Will sometime radio star Anna Salleh lure you successfully to Brazil, or will understanding art finally leave you laughing? Perhaps you'll find an artistic match touring the Fringe's fringes in exotic Double Bay for Blue Beat Jazz, Chatswood for Urban Screen Shorts, Fringe Arts at the Forum in Leichhardt or another dose of dance in Annandale at Platform Shorts. There's only one way to find out, really. Leading image by Newtown Graffiti. Sydney Underground Film Festival by Lauren Carroll Harris. Le Gateau Chocolat by Hannah Ongley.
Enjoy a bespoke cocktail at Sydney’s latest pop-up bar, where it's Happy Hour all night long. The new outdoor appendage of The Governor’s Table in the CBD will serve premium bevs at markdown prices, making it the perfect place to unwind after a busy week at work. Launching today and open Thursdays and Fridays from 5pm to 8pm, The Governor’s Shout! is located on the corners of Bridge Street and Phillip Street, right outside The Governor’s Table, opposite the commemorative metal bust of Governor Arthur Phillip. And really, what better way to celebrate Sydney's colonial founding father than with cheap beverages right beside the Museum of Sydney? Each week, the pop-up will showcase a new bespoke cocktail, for the terribly reasonable price of $10 each. This week, it's The Forgotten Bridge, a blend of passionfruit, fresh lime, vanilla and a healthy dose of Pampero rum. The pop-up's drinks menu also features a wide selection of wines, including The Lane 'Lois' Blanc de Blanc, La Prova Pinot Grigio, Mt Macleod Pinot Noir, Voyager Cabernet Malbec and Laughing Jack Shiraz, all at just $6 a glass. Yep, that's $6 after-work wines. It gets better. Asahi and Sydney Cider will be available for just $5, and they’ll be serving an array of bar food and snacks to keep you tied over until your inevitable dinner at The Governor's Table. This is a very, very smart move from the Governor's team, timing-wise. Once the pop-up shuts its doors for the evening at 8pm, patrons have the option of heading indoors, where they can peruse the Governor’s Table dinner menu at their leisure. The bar has just announced the launch of their monthly Winemaker Dinner series, which pairs a selection of local wines with a five-course degustation. The first takes place on Thursday, March 4, with wines from Ross Hill in Orange and a dinner by Chef Marco Adler. Find The Governor's Shout! outside The Governor's Table on the corners of Bridge and Phillip Street, next to the Museum of Sydney in the CBD.
Sydney Contemporary, Carriageworks fourth annual celebration of all things art, will return from September 13–16 — and the fair lineup is so jam-packed that it's bursting at the finely-designed seams. Held during Sydney Art Week, the lineup is over-flowing with performances, exhibitions, tours, talks and openings that celebrate both homegrown and international art. The program will not only take place in Carriageworks, but also in partner venues across the city — most notably during the return of its night cap series at venues like the Bearded Tit, The Old Fitzroy and Artspace. We even have our hand in the after-hours happenings, with the opening night party presented by Concrete Playground. We've teamed up with Melbourne-based creative duo Prue Stent and Honey Long to take over The Royal Hotel from 9pm through midnight and bring you one helluva lineup of live performances, installations and DJs. We're keeping the details close to our chest for now, but we can say that it's a party you won't want to miss. Back at Carriageworks, the program features artist Patricia Piccinini, who will take over the Elston Room with her other-worldly survey show, The Field — which has been developed from its time at Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art. On the performance art side, they've got Taipei-born Parisian artist River Lin, vanishing art act Emily Parsons-Lord and sonic impulse explorer Michaela Davis. Installations range from Abdul Abdullah's emoji-scrawled portraits to the modern clay figures by the Girringun Aboriginal Art Centre, along with the interactive sound sculptures from Megan Cope. Plus, a moving image program directed by Melbourne-based Kelly Gellatly (Ian Potter Museum of Art) and tonnes of tours and artist talks are also scheduled. These include a free talk series for all ticket holders, following leading figures as they consider the controversial crossroads between contemporary art and culture — including with a panel of artists discussing the #MeToo movement's effect on the creative industries. The program will also extend once again as far as Barangaroo, where three large-scale commissions will take over the precinct from August 27 through September 24. This year, the installations will include an artistic shelter by Canadian-born Callum Morton, a movement based performance by Mel O'Callaghan and a wind-powered exhibition by Cameron Robbins. The food at Carriageworks will be nothing to scoff at either; though the full lineup of eats has not yet been announced, previous years have seen such Sydney heavy-hitters as Longrain, Billy Kwong and Kitchen by Mike run stalls. Other foodie events include a champagne and canapes brekkie with the artists in residence at Paddington's Sabbia Gallery. Sydney Contemporary runs from September 13–16 at Carriageworks. Visit the event website for the full program details, and to buy tickets.
There's only one thing wrong with the third season of Reservation Dogs: it's the show's last. After three years and 28 episodes spent with Muscogee Nation residents in Oklahoma — and also on a journey to California and back — this coming-of-age dramedy says farewell as sublimely and soulfully as it's said everything else since 2021. When Reservation Dogs initially arrived, including on Binge in Australia, its debut season delivered one of the best new TV shows of that year. Next, its second spin served up one of the best returning shows of 2022. The show's swansong achieves the same for 2023, and in a ten-episode run that takes many of the series' own messages to heart. There's a skill in recognising when something's time has come, as Reservation Dogs knows. As co-created, executive produced and written by Sterlin Harjo (Mekko) and Taika Waititi (Thor: Love and Thunder), this series is also well-aware that little lasts in life, but anything that's truly great always leaves an imprint and makes an impact. And, the show lives and breathes the idea that doing the best that you can with the time that you have is one of the noblest of purposes. Accordingly, while the teen-centric comedy about restless Indigenous North American adolescents feels like it could (and should) keep telling its stories forever, it wraps up with a season that's a rich and resonant goodbye — and continues to expand its slice-of-life tales, hero its distinctive perspectives and sink into minutiae that's seen nowhere else on television. Waititi gave Reservation Dogs its biggest name when it began with four Okern residents, aka the titular Rez Dogs, stealing a Flaming Flamers delivery truck to try to sell it to raise cash for their dream escape to the west coast. On the filmmaker's resume, it's one of a trio of brilliant half-hour comedies, premiering after the What We Do in the Shadows television spinoff was already a couple of seasons in and preceding pirate rom-com Our Flag Means Death. It's Harjo who is Reservation Dogs' guiding force, however, steering a series that couldn't be more original — and perfect. The casting, the cinematography, the equal parts dry and offbeat humour, the mix of clear-eyed reality and deeply felt spirituality, the thoughtfulness that swells through every touch: episode by episode, including in its masterful last season, these elements combine to make outstanding television. From its first-ever instalment, Reservation Dogs has hung out with its characters as they chase dreams and face truths, and realise that life is all about flitting between the two. So, it has enjoyed Bear (D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Fitting In), Elora (Devery Jacobs, Rutherford Falls), Willie Jack (Paulina Alexis, Ghostbusters: Afterlife) and Cheese's (Lane Factor, The Fabelmans) company as they learn about the transience of existence at every moment, whether they're striving to see more than the place that they've always called home, grappling with loss or pondering what the future means. Of course moving on was always going to come for this show, then. Of course it's finishing on its own terms, too. And of course its final season is more moving, ruminative and mesmerising than ever. When viewers last saw the Rez Dogs at the end of season two, the OG quartet plus Jackie (Elva Guerra, Dark Winds), their once-rival and now somewhat-reluctant newcomer to the group, had finally made the trip to California that they'd been working towards their entire lives — but with added urgency after the death of their friend Daniel. Season three picks up with the gang still far away from home, and still journeying even when they do return. Elora considers both her past and her future, complete with an excellent guest appearance by Ethan Hawke (Moon Knight) in an episode that Jacobs directed. Bear goes wandering on his own, including through several revelatory encounters (and with the spirit of The Battle of Little Big Horn warrior William Knifeman, as played by another Rutherford Falls alum in Dallas Goldtooth, still popping up). Both Cheese and Willie Jack keep discovering new learnings within their community. All continue to utter and inspire the term "shitass", all while navigating everything from grief to hope. Harjo remains unafraid to depart from his leads along the way, whether sliding into history to explore myths, traditions or horrors inflicted upon Indigenous children; hanging with the Rez Dogs' parents and elders now as well as in their younger days; and taking the revenge-fuelled Deer Lady (Kaniehtiio Horn, Alice, Darling) out of folklore and into a denim jumpsuit. A true portrait of community — and, of it teens embracing what it means to be a part of it — Reservation Dogs finds a story, be it big or small, for everyone within its frames. In season three, Bear's mother Rita (Sarah Podemski, Resident Alien) contemplates a big promotion that'll take her away from Okern, Elora's forever-20 mum Cookie (Janae Collins, Killers of the Flower Moon) still has messages to send as a spirit, and Jackie's aunt Bev (Rutherford Falls lead Jana Schmieding) has a spark with Officer Big (Zahn McClarnon, No Hard Feelings). Indeed, Reservation Dogs floats between characters as skilfully as it jumps between genres, in a series that can be anything in any given episode. During this last stretch, it's a road-trip awakening and an adventurous magical-realist odyssey. Then it dives into horror akin to Jordan Peele's work (see: Get Out, Us and Nope), as well as workplace comedy. Reservation Dogs flirts with 70s-set Dazed and Confused territory after that, plus an Ocean's-esque heist and sincere family drama as well. Harjo and his creative team nail each and every one — and ensure that every turn reinforces the show's survey of Native American life. This is a series that revels in the daily specifics, including the triumphs and joys; honours cultural conventions and how they're passed down; parodies cliches; and never forgets for a moment the plight that First Nations Americans have endured since colonial times. Everyday facts, ghostly visitors, decrying the worst of history, watching the next generation find its own way while balancing tradition and modernity, championing Indigenous talents emerging and experienced (including Killers of the Flower Moon's Lily Gladstone, Dead Man's Gary Farmer, The Last of the Mohicans' Wes Studi and Dances with Wolves' Graham Greene in the latter category): that's the juggling act that Reservation Dogs couldn't handle better. As Atlanta also achieved while similarly musing on race in the US, serving up surprises in every single episode and proving a creative masterpiece, it sees the moment-by-moment scene and the broader view. That both pictures take in the Oklahoma landscape also helps Reservation Dogs look like little else, as well as feel it. The show's legacy is equally pivotal; Bear, Elora, Willie Jack and Cheese especially will be deeply missed, but Woon-A-Tai, Jacobs, Alexis and Factor shouldn't ever be far from screens after this exceptional breakthrough. Check out the trailer for Reservation Dogs season three below: Reservation Dogs streams via Binge. Read our review of season two, too. Images: Shane Brown/FX.
If you've yet to nab your outfit for Mardi Gras parade night, London clothing brand Sparklebutt has you covered. The fabulous design label, which — if you haven't worked out from its name — makes sparkly pants, shorts, shirts and accessories, is taking over The Forresters on Saturday, March 2 from noon–7pm. This Surry Hills pop-up costume market is guaranteed to get you all sorted for one of Sydney's biggest nights out. Full-on makeovers will be on offer, from eco-glitter and braid bars to bedazzling workshops and threads aplenty. Apart from Sparklebutt, some of NSW's most colourful creators will be selling their wares, including Day By Day The Label, A Beautiful Weirdo Glitter Bar, Trash Vintage, Holosexual Wear, Kirgis Creations and Kat Margarita Designs. DJs will set the vibe while you get all dolled up, and they'll keep the partying going until 1am — with plenty of booze and food from the bar crew, too. Looking for more events to attend during Mardi Gras? Check out nine of our favourite here. Image: Mardi Gras, DNSW.
UPDATE, December 23, 2020: With Sydney's northern regions area currently under stay-at-home orders, Winona Wine is doing same-day deliveries of Christmas purchases if you order before 1pm on Wednesday, December 23. You can order online, and also arrange pick up within the hour if you'd prefer — for folks in the area, or for those elsewhere in Sydney who'd like to support northern beaches businesses. The natural wine craze has made it to the northern beaches in a big way with the opening of Winona Wine. The specialty bottle shop on Pittwater Road focuses on minimal intervention drops, craft beer, Junmai sake and artisanal spirits — and resembles an art gallery more than your local bottle-o. Winona is run by Elli and Cam Walsh, who founded The Funky Bunch in 2016 — a blog and natural wine party that has made its way around Manly — as well as Manly legends Luke Miller (Sunset Sabi, Chica Bonita) and Bo Hinzack (Rollers Bakehouse). "We are all passionate about natural wine, but we couldn't really get it anywhere in the northern beaches," says Walsh. "With The Funky Bunch, we ran these casual makers events that showcased natural wines — Winona is basically an extension of that concept and ethos, with the added expertise of our good friends Bo and Luke." The shop focuses on small producers, specifically working with organic, biodynamic or sustainable vineyards and minimal intervention winemakers. Expect drops from around the country and around the globe, including renowned Adelaide Hills winemaker Lucy Margaux and cult Austrian producer Gut Oggau. "We want to introduce locals to wines they haven't experienced before," says Walsh. "The kinds of wines we're stocking are very new to the northern beaches and we want to help people realise it's not too intimidating to try natural wines." Wild fermentation brewers will also be on show, including Tasmania's Two Metre Tall and Marrickville's Wildflower Brewing. And some very special artisanal spirits will line the shelves — at the moment, those include Syria's Aeijst gin, Mexico's El Jolgorio mezcal and Denmark's Klodsede Bjørn unfiltered vodka. Apart from all the booze, there's an impressive global collection of drinkware and wine accessories on offer, too. Think handblown decanters by Canberra glassblower Annette Blaire; tumblers made using recycled clay by Sydney ceramicist Bryce Malcom; handblown carafes and tumblers by New York artist Chad Davis; brass corkscrews from a small family run operation in Greece called Athanasios Babali; and even a few ceramic pieces from Walsh, who has a background in contemporary art. These pieces add to the art gallery aesthetic of the space, with the wine displayed more as works of art than bottles of booze. To further drive the minimal intervention message home, the team built most of the fit-out themselves, using handmade and natural materials. While the bottle-o is takeaway only, the shop will host regular tastings, meet-the-maker events and masterclasses. Keep an eye on the Winona Facebook for all upcoming event details. Images: Kitti Gould.
Tucked away on Lennox Street, along the Newtown side of Camperdown Memorial Rest Park, A Loft Story is a leafy oasis of a hair salon. Here, you can have your hair cut among plants aplenty, adding to the relaxing vibe that is so necessary at any salon. True to its Newtown home, these specialists offer up the latest, greatest and funkiest hairstyles around. The shop specialises in colouring, so expect to see patrons leaving the salon with turquoise and bright pink dos aplenty — along with the more typical platinum blondes, balayage and tints. Women's' cuts start at $100 and men's' from $75, with treatments starting at $120. And at 240-square-feet, the beautiful warehouse has plenty of space to spare, so it often hosts workshops, parties, gigs and other events. Images: Cassandra Hannagan
Designer stationery company Moleskine are getting into the hospitality game, with the launch of their first ever café, library, retail store and art gallery in Milan. With an aesthetic inspired by the brand's iconic notebook (think clean layout and plenty of neutral colours), the Moleskine Café is split into two levels. The ground floor will be home to the café and exhibition space, along with shared seating areas and an 'experience table' (yeah, alright guys) laden with various Moleskine products. The mezzanine level will be more secluded, featuring private seating and sofas for reading and studying. "We will provide our guests with an innovative retail experience, bringing the socialising dimensions of food, creativity and shopping to a single space designed to reflect the distinctive, clean aesthetics of Moleskine," said Moleskine CEO Arrio Berni. "I believe this vision fully reflects the growing interest people show for retail formats that go beyond the sheer act of shopping and I look forward to validating this concept for global expansion." The café in Milan comes on the back of a trial café in Geneva Airport. The brand is planning to open a number of other locations in major cities around the world, although they're remaining tight-lipped as to exactly which. Via Daily Coffee News and Design Week. Image: Moleskine/Interbrand.
The 2025 Sydney Comedy Festival is taking over Bondi Pavilion for five nights of live comedy from Wednesday, May 14 to Sunday, May 18. Set against the iconic backdrop of Bondi Beach, this week-long showcase will transform the Pavilion's Level One Theatre, Seagull Room, Bar and Balcony into a dedicated comedy hub, complete with sets from international stars, rising local talent, and festival favourites. The lineup is stacked with comedy heavyweights, including He Huang, Ivan Aristeguieta, Luke Heggie, and Ian Bagg, along with a selection of hand-picked standouts in the Best of the Fest International and Sydney Comedy Festival Showcase events. Expect sharp wit, belly laughs, and unexpected punchlines from Jess Fuchs, Elouise Eftos, Alex Ward, Nick White, Sophie Duker, and Paul Coulter. Whether you're keen on razor-sharp satire, absurdist antics, or classic observational comedy, the Bondi Pavilion is the place to be. With ticket prices ranging from $24 to $49.90, you can plan the perfect night out with mates. Secure your tickets now and get ready for a week of unmissable performances. Sydney Comedy Festival at Bondi Pavilion runs from Wednesday, May 14 to Sunday, May 18. For more information or to book your tickets, visit the website. By Jacque Kennedy
The Sydney Harbour is spectacular. That's not exactly a hot new take but Sydney locals and long-time residents can often take it for granted. You might pass over it every day on the bridge, in the car, from the office or on the ferry but every summer you should experience it through the fresh eyes of a tourist. One way to do it is a luxe harbour cruise where you can soak it all in without lifting a finger. Journey Beyond Cruise Sydney offers cruises for every day and occasion aboard the 78ft vessel 'Spirit of Migloo' which follows a loop route that starts at King Street Wharf, goes out under the bridge past the Opera House and Garden Island to Watson's Bay – then back past Taronga Zoo and Kirribilli house to the wharf. All the best things come in threes and that also applies to harbour cruises. The lunch cruise is for you if you're looking for views of the many on-route attractions. On this two-and-a-half-hour adventure, you'll have your pick of the 365-degree views and an al a carte menu inspired by regional produce and made with local ingredients. The dinner cruise is more intimate — a three-hour journey that starts at sunset and goes into the night while you enjoy a three-course dinner. Both options include drinks and locally-sourced wines. Book a sundeck cruise if you need some summer sun on your bones. It's a daytime experience that kicks off with drinks on arrival (and served throughout) paired with regional tasting platters on the vessel's spacious top sundeck. The guest limits on this experience make it ideal for dates, trips with friends and sightseeing tours for first-time Sydney visitors. And if your needs aren't already met, you can also book out part of or the whole vessel for private charters and special event cruises. For more information on Journey Beyond Cruise Sydney and their harbour cruise packages and to make a booking, visit the website.
70s-era porn, but make it a slasher flick: when Ti West's X marked the big-screen spot in 2022, that's one of the tricks it pulled. The playful, smart and gory horror standout also arrived with an extra spurt of good news, with West debuting it as part of a trilogy. 30s- and 40s-period technicolour, plus 50s musicals and melodramas, but splatter them with kills, genre thrills and ample blood spills: that's what the filmmaker behind cult favourites The House of the Devil and The Innkeepers now serves up with X prequel Pearl. Shot back to back with its predecessor, sharing mesmerising star Mia Goth (Emma), and co-written by her and West — penned during their two-week COVID-19 quarantine period getting into New Zealand to make the initial movie, in fact — it's a gleaming companion piece. It's also a savvy deepening and recontextualising of a must-see scary-movie franchise that's as much about desire, dreams and determination as notching up deaths. In one of her X roles, Goth was magnetic as aspiring adult-film actor Maxine Minx, a part she'll reprise in the trilogy's upcoming third instalment MaXXXine. As she proved first up and does again in Pearl, she plays nascent, yearning, shrewd and resolute with not just potency, but with a pivotal clash between fortitude and vulnerability; when one of Goth's youthful X Universe characters says that they're special or have the X factor, they do so with an astute blend of certainty, good ol' fashioned wishing and hoping, and naked self-convincing. This second effort's namesake, who Goth also brought to the screen in her elder years in X, wants to make it in the pictures, too. Looking to dance on her feet instead of horizontally, stardom is an escape (again), but Pearl's cruel mother Ruth (Tandi Wright, Creamerie), a religiously devout immigrant from Germany turned bitter from looking after her ailing husband (Mathew Sunderland, The Stranger), laughs at the idea. This franchise hones in women who know what they want, aren't afraid to attempt to get it and snap after their fantasies as hungrily as an alligator (handily, the Texan ranch that both films so far are set on sports a lake with a large ravenous reptile). That said, the X-Pearl-MaXXXine realm also focuses on women who aren't just one thing, not for a second — being adamant about what they'd like to with their lives included. That's a key reason why X and Pearl alike offer more than merely well-executed carnage, although they each deliver that in visceral spades. West's screenplays, no matter who he is or isn't scripting with, see innocence and insidiousness lurking in the same pools, and spot them with the same clear eyes. In Pearl, they see them peering out from the same peepers as well. Indeed, this saga unpacks the fine line between competing forces, impulses, emotions and outcomes whenever and however it can. One such conflict: the existence that Pearl is told she should be happy with versus the lure of being a chorus girl that she can't shake. Actually, to say that Ruth wants her to be content with her lot in life is overstating it: Pearl's mum doesn't care if her daughter finds any joy in dutiful drudgery. So, the young woman steals away to the local cinema when she can, where the projectionist (David Corenswet, We Own This City) screens the dancers that she wants to be. When they're alone — when she warms to a rare dose of attention — he also screens an early skin flick. And, at home, Pearl works through her sexual appetite with a scarecrow (The Wizard of Oz, this isn't) and her bloodlust by feeding farm animals to said gator. But it's news of auditions for a travelling dance revue, which she pledges to try out for with her sister-in-law Mitsy (Emma Jenkins-Purro, One of Us Is Lying), that truly gets her desires pumping. Like X before it, Pearl's narrative is deeply steeped in its chosen era. This time around, it's 1918 rather than six decades later — a choice of year that isn't just about the maths needed to link to X. As the COVID-19 pandemic ensured that everyone knows, influenza was wreaking havoc. In a detail that mightn't be as well known, it was first recorded just two states up from Pearl's homestead. Also, the First World War was still being waged until November. Pearl's life is touched by both, with sickness an ever-present worry in her town — face masks are sighted — and its men, her husband Howard (Alistair Sewell, The Power of the Dog) among them, off in combat. Confronted by life's grimness several times over, and by a persistent fantasy of breaking free, how's a repressed and downtrodden gal to cope? This one does so with murder and mayhem. Back in the 50s, Douglas Sirk made an art out of 'women's pictures', as they were derisively called — pictures that surveyed the emotional turmoil simmering within unfulfilled female protagonists, and understood how such complex inner chaos could be tied to the times, class and societal structures, and the expectations and restrictions placed upon the fairer sex. The legacy that films like All That Heaven Allows and Imitation of Life have left is immense, and Pearl slots right in beside everything that's followed in those footsteps. Sirk definitely didn't make slashers, though. Neither did Carol's Todd Haynes when he crafted 2002's wonderful Far From Heaven, a drama firmly in the Sirkian mould. West and Goth pay loving tribute to all that cinema has allowed in these past greats, while also getting savagely subversive; their portrait of Pearl's namesake is a horror movie and a tragedy. Pearl is glorious on both Goth and returning X cinematographer Eliot Rockett's parts, too, with a lead performance and a look that could've wowed audiences in the mid-20th century. Goth isn't just the feature's star — she's its pulse, with every electrifying change of mood, expression and pace, often within the same scene, rippling through the film like a gusty farmyard breeze. Rockett unsurprisingly adores staring her way, making Goth as sumptuous a sight as the saturated colour palette around her (not that the High Life, Suspiria and A Cure for Wellness talent needs any help). Composers Tyler Bates (the John Wick films) and Tim Williams (Brightburn) provide a sweeping orchestral score that's equally as rich, harking back to old Hollywood in its swelling notes. West, doing his own editing as he usually does, winks with his use of retro wipes and dissolves as much as the movie's title font. There's grit to this flick, of course, thanks to its devilish rampages and making-of-a-villain origin story, but this is indeed a gem.
"Think of a powerful memory. Make it the happiest you can remember." They're Daniel Radcliffe's words, uttered in the opening moments of the trailer for Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts — and, just like the title for this HBO reunion special, they say it all. First announced in November, and headed to Binge in Australia on Saturday, January 1 and TVNZ On Demand in New Zealand on Sunday, January 2 — to start 2022 off with some magic, obviously — this nostalgic special will celebrate 20 years since the Harry Potter franchise first hit cinemas screens. Yes, HBO is doing with all things wizarding what it did with the cast of Friends earlier this year, in great news for everyone that's been chanting "accio more Harry Potter" for the past decade since the eight-film series wrapped up. Like the Friends special, this one will reteam all of Harry Potter's famous on-screen faces — Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson among them, because it wouldn't be worth going ahead if they weren't involved. Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts won't feature anyone in-character; however, they do indeed head back to everyone's favourite wizarding school, as the just-dropped full trailer for the special also shows. Also taking part is filmmaker Chris Columbus, who directed the franchise's first two movies. Plus, you can expect to spot a huge list of other actors from across the series, including Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Ralph Fiennes, Jason Isaacs, Gary Oldman and Tom Felton, plus James Phelps, Oliver Phelps, Mark Williams, Bonnie Wright, Alfred Enoch, Matthew Lewis, Evanna Lynch and Ian Hart. You'll notice some missing names — Maggie Smith and Robert Pattinson, for instance, to name just two — but clearly there'll be a whole lot of HP cast members reminiscing about their time in the wizarding world. Whether you're a muggle, a wannabe witch, or someone who spent far too much of their childhood reading the books and watching the flicks, you'll want to mark 7.01pm AEDT / 6.01pm AEST on Saturday, January 1 in your diary in Australia — and 7pm NZST on Sunday, January 2 in your calendar in New Zealand — as that's when the special will hit locally. In the interim, you can check out the full trailer for the Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts special below: HBO's Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts special will be available to stream in Australia via Binge from 7.01pm AEDT / 6.01pm AEST on Saturday, January 1, 2022 — and in New Zealand via TVNZ from 7pm NZST on Sunday, January 2. Top image: Binge / Warner Bros Entertainment Inc.
Sometimes an exhibition gets gallery patrons exploring one artist's work. Sometimes it pays tribute to a specific person, heads back to a certain chapter of the past, or fills walls and halls around a theme. A particular object might be in the spotlight, or a movie franchise. Then there's The NBA Exhibition, which will celebrate hoop dreams and all things basketball when it makes its first-ever Australian visit. After premiering in Warsaw, Poland in 2021, The NBA Exhibition will bounce into Brisbane from Thursday, November 9 — and bound through basketball history at the same time. Catnip for fans of Air and Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, this sports-focused showcase is big in scope and size, surveying the culture of hopping onto the court and the lifestyle that goes with basketball, too, in a hefty two-level display. Visitors will traverse 1000 square metres and make their way through 20 themed sections. Created with the National Basketball Association, The NBA Exhibition aims to lure in b-ball diehards, casual followers and folks that haven't thought about the sport since their school PE lessons alike — and attendees of all ages. Looking at basketball memorabilia is part of the presentation, but so is throwing a ball around yourself and, thanks to the virtual and augmented reality aspect of the showcase, taking snaps with your favourite NBA players. So, you can get a photo with the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy, too — aka the coveted prize that each year's NBA Finals' winner receives — and shoot hoops, see how far you can jump and test your reflexes as well. Fancy a picture showing that you can slam dunk, even if you can't? There's a section of The NBA Exhibition for that. Eager to watch NBA highlights using VR goggles? That's also on the agenda. Keen to get surrounded by iconic NBA moments? That's what the infinity room is for. With names like Michael Jordan and Shaquille O'Neal obviously featuring — and Kobe Bryant, Steph Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird as well — other elements of The NBA Exhibition include a heap of balls and shoes on display; footwear and hand prints from past and present players; art that was commissioned for a pop-up NBA Gallery exhibit in Sydney in 2022, featuring Australian and First Nations artists; and celebrating NBA players that've made the jump from Australia, which is likely to feature Patty Mills, Ben Simmons, Luc Longley, Andrew Gaze and more. Brisbane's Queens Plaza will host The NBA Exhibition's debut Aussie stop — just as it did with The Art of Banksy: Without Limits, which also hails from entertainment platform Fever, earlier in 2023 — with details of any future stints elsewhere around the country not yet revealed. The NBA Exhibition will display at Queens Plaza, 226 Queen Street, Brisbane from Thursday, November 9 — head to the exhibition's website for further details and to join the ticket waitlist.
The realisation that eventually comes to everyone underscores Once My Mother, one that dawned slowly upon filmmaker Sophia Turkiewicz. She grew up listening to stories her mother, Helen, would tell of her life, but could only see as far as the intersection with her involvement. More immediate family history weighed upon Sophia, driving a desire for distance as she grew from a girl into a woman. Unforgiving about time spent in an orphanage, she also demonstrated an unwillingness to look past the emotional scars of her upbringing. It follows that Once My Mother takes a universal process — that of discovering the real personality of our parents, of understanding the true impact of their past not just upon their lives but our own, and of showing compassion for any missteps along the way — and relates it to the audience in the only way possible: as a personal journey. Turkiewicz's documentary is dedicated to dissecting Helen's resilience through decades marked by difficulties of destruction, discrimination and displacement; however, it is also shaped by a daughter's burgeoning awakening to things only age and experience could help her appreciate. Read our full review here. Once My Mother is in cinemas on July 24, and thanks to Change Focus Media, we have ten double in-season passes to give away. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email us with your name and address. Sydney: win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au Melbourne: win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au Brisbane: win.brisbane@concreteplayground.com.au https://youtube.com/watch?v=-fos7dm2inE
If 11-time world champion surfer Kelly Slater wants to catch a wave, but doesn't feel like going to the beach, he can hop on a board at his inland surf ranch in Lemoore, California. Next time the surfing champ is in Australia, he'll be able to hang ten at a second facility on the Sunshine Coast. While no dates have been announced, the second surf ranch is set to open in Coolum, a 90-minute drive from Brisbane. It'll sprawl over a 510-hectare site, with 75 percent of the space dedicated to wetlands, public areas and lakes — although the surf ranch is clearly the main attraction. Like the Californian spot, the Sunny Coast's surf ranch will use the Kelly Slater Wave System — which, after taking ten years to develop, is crucial to the whole concept. It creates "repeatable man-made waves that convincingly deliver the power and shape of ocean waves most sought after by accomplished surfers, including a hollow barrel allowing for long tube rides". It was the impressiveness of these man-made waves that convinced surfing's governing body World Surf League (WSL) to acquire a majority stake in the Kelly Slater Wave Company (which created the wave technology and owns the Lemoore ranch) back in 2016. Opening more surf ranches was always part of WSL's plans — and, thankfully for us, it's launching the next one in Australia. [caption id="attachment_747864" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Kelly Slater surfing at World Surf League's surf ranch in Lemoore, California.[/caption] As well as serving up all of the waves and none of the rips, unpredictable conditions and not-so-friendly sea creatures, the $1.1 billion development surrounding WSL's first Aussie ranch will also feature an eco-resort, a hotel, shops, a 'farm to plate' restaurant, serviced apartments, a sports centre, a school and houses. That means that you can head by for a surfing vacation or, if you're super-dedicated and have always wanted an excuse to pretend that you're in Point Break, you can move into the residential area. Like the Lemoore facility, the surf resort will be used for both competitions and coaching purposes. And if you're wondering why WSL has Queensland on its radar, the reasons are twofold. Firstly, surfing is set to become an Olympic sport at the Tokyo games next year. Secondly, the Sunshine State is contemplating putting in a bid for the 2032 Olympics. Australia already has a few man-made surfing spots for the public in the works, with Urbnsurf Melbourne launching this summer, and a Sydney location due to open next year. An outfit called Surf Lakes has also built a prototype spot at Yeppoon in regional Queensland, but it's only for testing — although the ultimate hope is that commercial versions will follow. WSL Surf Ranch is set to open in Coolum, Sunshine Coast. We'll let you know when exact dates are announced. Images: WSL Surf Ranch in Lemoore, California.
Feeling creative this Mardi Gras? Head to The Winery for the return of its infamous Drinks & Doodles sessions, in collaboration with Darlinghurst Life Drawing. Hosted in the leafy surrounds of this urban oasis, the special evening of drinks is your chance to put your drawing skills to the test with a healthy dose of cheekiness. At the centre of it all, a stark naked male model will strike a range of poses, meaning you'll get to sketch them like one of your French guys. Guided by a professional life drawing instructor, you can let your creative juices flow whether you're a newbie illustrator or a budding artist. With this one-time event costing $55 per person, each ticket comes with a glass of beer or wine on arrival alongside all the art supplies needed to craft your masterpiece. As your drawing comes to life, servers will bring around delightful refreshments to inspire your creativity and make this Mardi Gras more special than most.
So, you've binged on The Jinx and Making a Murderer, and now you need another outlet for your factual film and television fix. Well, we predict you're about to get excited about the newest addition to Australia's film festival circuit: Hot Docs. Hot Docs isn't just your small-scale local documentary festival. Screening more than 200 films, it's North America’s largest doco-focused showcase, and has been running for 23 years. Given that it's also known as the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, you'd be forgiven for thinking that it is limited to the borders of the nation in its name; however, when it makes the leap to Australia in June this year, that'll no longer be the case. Thanks to the folks at Palace Cinemas — including the artistic director of the Australian offshoot, Richard Moore — this brand new doco onslaught will be shown on Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra screens this June and July. Indeed, Palace just keeps building their annual calendar of events, with this revelation following the announcement of a new festival dedicated to American independent cinema, which will kick off in May. The move is certainly timely, and is just the latest link between the festival's main Toronto base and our sunny shores. This year, the Canadian run has selected Australia as its special country of focus. And for its Aussie debut, it will screen a curated selection of festival hits and audience favourites, spanning premieres of both local and international content. Hot Docs will screen at Sydney's Chauvel Cinema from June 21 to July 3, Melbourne's Palace Westgarth from June 14 to 26, and Canberra's Palace Electric from June 15 to 26. For more information, keep an eye on the Palace Cinemas website and Hot Docs Oz Facebook page.
For a fortnight each May, one French city becomes the centre of the film world. If you're not lucky enough to be there, then you're likely to have a huge case of cinephile envy. Stars, scandals, movies that are applauded, flicks that half the theatre walks out on — that's the Cannes Film Festival each and every year. And, of course, 2018 didn't prove any different — even for those watching from afar. Indeed, taking place from May 8 to 19, this year's fest was filled with off-screen highlights. Firstly, the stacked main jury was led by Australia's own Cate Blanchett — alongside Kristen Stewart, Blue Is the Warmest Colour star Léa Seydoux, A Wrinkle in Time director Ava DuVernay and Blade Runner 2049 filmmaker Denis Villeneuve, among others. Then there was the 82-woman march, protesting the paltry number of female filmmakers who've had titles selected in the festival's competition (if you're wondering, 1866 movies directed by men have made the cut over Cannes' 71 years). Finally, Melancholia and Nymphomanic auteur Lars von Trier was allowed back after famously being banned in 2011, only to make a flick that caused throngs of people to leave. Oh, and Netflix was shut out and people weren't allowed to take selfies on the red carpet. That's all well and good, but it's what's on the festival's screens that really matters — and this year's program boasted plenty of movies to add to your must-see list. Some are definitely headed our way, with release dates already set, like Spike Lee's BlacKkKlansman. And some will show up at Sydney Film Festival this month (three on this list, in fact), with others bound to be announced in the Melbourne International Film Festival full lineup. Others we might have to cross our fingers for, including Jean-Luc Godard's Image Book. With all of that in mind, here's our top five to look out for. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rwcb5ki1f-4 SHOPLIFTERS One of Japan's most prolific and consistent filmmakers of late, Hirokazu Kore-eda is also one of the country's best — and he has the resume to prove it. His last movie, The Third Murder, only premiered at the Venice Film Festival last year and then went on to win six awards at Japan's version of the Oscars. His newest, Shoplifters, premiered at Cannes and is now this year's Palme d'Or winner. Well known for his thoughtful, emotionally resonant explorations of family life in films such as I Wish, Like Father, Like Son, Our Little Sister and After the Storm, he's up to his usual, wonderful tricks in Shoplifters, which tells of a family of small-time crooks who take in a young girl they find on the streets. Kore-eda's works always challenge their scenarios in unexpected ways, and by all reports, this applauded effort delivers. This film will screen at Sydney Film Festival 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwgUesU1pz4 UNDER THE SILVER LAKE It has been four years since David Robert Mitchell creeped everyone out with his smart, unsettling take on the horror genre. If you followed It Follows into Aussie cinemas, you'll want to follow his latest flick, Under the Silver Lake, there as well. This time around, the writer/director spins a Los Angeles-set mystery about a directionless 33-year-old (Andrew Garfield) suddenly caught up in the disappearance of his attractive neighbour (Riley Keough). If that doesn't intrigue you enough, then the fact that It Follows composer Disasterpiece will make another appearance should. As demonstrated in his last film, Mitchell knows how to nod to his influences but still deliver his distinctive sense of mood and tone, so seeing how he does just that with LA noir is certainly enticing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ij9C3Ej5CaE HAPPY AS LAZZARO Italian actress Alba Rohrwacher has already starred in one of the best movies doing the rounds of the international festival circuit this year, thanks to the Berlinale-bowing Daughter of Mine. Now, with Happy as Lazzaro, it seems like she might've featured in another. This year's winner of Cannes' best screenplay award — tying with 3 Faces — it was written and directed by her sister Alice Rohrwacher. And while the story might seem straightforward, the film has a few twists up its sleeves. The feature steps into the life of its titular character (Adriano Tardiolo), a peasant, who forms a bond with Tancredi (Tomasso Ragno), a nobleman. If you're keen on movies that start out one way and end up as something different, this sounds like it'll be right up your alley. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=85&v=wi6Kw7V8gXk BURNING Plenty of films won plenty of awards at this year's Cannes, as always, but Burning seems to have won the most hearts. It also took home the festival's FIPRESCI prize, which is awarded by a panel of film critics — so that should tell you how widely it was loved. Directed by South Korean filmmaker Lee Chang-dong (2010's Poetry, a best screenplay winner at Cannes) and featuring The Walking Dead's Steven Yeun, the slow-building effort focuses on three characters connected in different ways, with a romance between former neighbours only part of the ambiguous, enigmatic narrative. Plus, Burning is based on a Haruki Murakami short story — and while it also clocks in at 148 minutes, it'll be worth it. This film will screen at Sydney Film Festival 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNp0jlfbgqM CLIMAX Everyone has an opinion on Gaspar Noé. Indeed, his movies are nothing if not divisive. Irreversible, Enter the Void and Love all have their passionate fans and their avid haters, and Climax is bound to fall into the same camp. The French-based Argentinian filmmaker was reportedly annoyed that not enough people walked out of his latest picture, which featured in one of the Cannes Film Festival's sidebars, Directors' Fortnight. Its clearly provocative title aside, the movie has been called Noé's best, so perhaps that's why most of the audience stuck around. The Sofia Boutella (Atomic Blonde)-starring effort also been praised for the director's typically vivid visuals, in a film that's an ultra-violent dance movie as well as a lurid horror flick. It features acid-spiked sangria, which says plenty, really. This film will screen at Sydney Film Festival 2018.
Ready, set, subscribe. Sydney's theatre companies have started rolling out their plans for season 2012, and they have us excited already. Belvoir launched their new season on the weekend, inviting back many of their favourite players from this year and mixing in some vital new blood. Resident director Simon Stone (The Wild Duck, Baal) will adapt and direct two more classics for the stage: Eugene O'Neill's epic Strange Interlude (starring Emily Barclay) and Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman (with Colin Friels). The production that brought the young director to everyone's attention in the first place, Thyestes, from the Hayloft Project, will finally get a Sydney outing, too, at CarriageWorks during the Sydney Festival. Artistic director Ralph Myers will make his Belvoir directing debut (set design is normally his bag) with Noel Coward's Private Lives, utilising the very charming Toby Schmitz and Eloise Mignon as his barb-slinging divorcees, while Benedict Andrews (The Seagull, Measure for Measure) is also trying out a new role, having written the intriguing Every Breath, which he'll also direct. Other highlights include the collaboration of playwright Rita Kalnejais and director Eamon Flack — both dazzling, young and clever — for Babyteeth, and in the Downstairs Theatre, a version of Medea that promises to do for the Euripides classic what Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead did for Hamlet. See the full program here. Over at the SBW Stables, the Griffin Theatre vision — to present the best in new and canonical Australian playwriting and support artists from inspiration through development to the stage — is written all over their 2012 season. They've extended their main season from five to six productions, making room for an encore run of Paul Capsis's sweet matriarchal ode, Angela's Kitchen. But first they'll kick things off with a headline piece of Griffin heritage, The Boys, in association with the Sydney Festival. Artistic director Sam Strong will direct this hypnotising, terrifying portrait of male rage that swagged so many AWGIEs and AFIs, and he'll also helm the later Between Two Waves, Ian Meadows' climate change/relationship drama, the first production to grow out of the Griffin Studio development program. Rounding out the main stage programming, The Story of Mary Maclane by Herself will bring together musician Tim Rogers and a historical wild woman, while the 2011 Griffin Award-winning A Hoax (coproduced with La Boite and directed by Lee Lewis) will rip into the culture of celebrity and the commodification of abuse. Meanwhile, the independent season (shows picked by Griffin to play but produced by others, both emerging and established) will bring The New Electric Ballroom in association with the Siren Theatre Company (As You Like It), Porn Cake with Michael Sieders and The Sea Project with Arthur. Finally, Tim Roseman from London's cutting-edge Theatre503 will come over to help pull off Rapid Write, for which writers will only start pitching their most of-the-now ideas a few weeks before opening. Can't wait for next year? Check out Griffin's Smashed and Belvoir's Human Interest Story right now.
In cinemas, 2024 will feature fewer superheroes than normal. Marvel is only releasing Deadpool & Wolverine, while DC is taking the year off as it prepares to start its franchise anew. On the small screen, there mightn't be as many Marvel Cinematic Universe TV shows, either. But if you like your caped-crusader fix to be as chaotic as possible — and if you have a big dose of superhero fatigue with the usual sprawling sagas — you'll be pleased to know that The Boys will be back in your streaming queue midyear. After college-set spinoff Gen V arrived in 2023, earning a season-two renewal in the process, The Boys itself will return for season four from Thursday, June 13, 2024. The exact release date comes after a first trailer for the new season was dropped in December, teasing plenty of mayhem — to the utter lack of surprise of viewers of 2019's first season, 2020's second effort and 2022's third go-around. When The Boys makes its comeback, it'll see the world dealing with Homelander (Antony Starr, Guy Ritchie's The Covenant)-versus-Starlight (Erin Moriarty, Captain Fantastic) factionalism, and just being ready to tear itself apart in general. Victoria Neuman (Claudia Doumit, Where'd You Go, Bernadette) is getting closer to the Oval Office, too, with Homelander pulling the strings. Also on the way: no-nonsense Brit Billy Butcher (Karl Urban, Thor: Ragnarok) dealing with the fact that he's only got months left, and that he's no longer leading The Boys — aka the eponymous ragtag team intent on bringing down Vought International, Homelander, and the company's caped-crusader industry and dominance. And, there's a new face, with Jeffrey Dean Morgan (The Walking Dead) joining the cast, adding another Supernatural link after Jensen Ackles did the same in season three. The Boys focuses on a group of caped crusaders, like most things seem to these days; however, in a world where viewers have been conditioned to lap up narratives about powerful folks who are supposedly better than most, this series both satirises and questions that very idea. Here, superheroes work for Vought. They're still the main form of entertainment, but they're real, the most famous celebrities there are and inescapable in daily life, too. The absolute top talent is known as The Seven, but most are hardly role models when the public isn't looking. That has made quite the change from the usual cinematic universes as the Prime Video show has kept notching up the seasons, all coming to the small screen after being adapted from Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson's comic book series of the same name. As well as Starr, Moriarty, Doumit and Urban, Jack Quaid (Oppenheimer), Jessie T Usher (Smile), Laz Alonso (Wrath of Man), Chace Crawford (Gossip Girl), Tomer Capone (One on One), Karen Fukuhara (Bullet Train), Colby Minifie (I'm Thinking of Ending Things) and Cameron Crovetti (Goodnight Mommy) will all return — with Susan Heyward (Hello Tomorrow!) and Valorie Curry (The Lost Symbol) also set to be season four newcomers. Check out the first trailer for The Boys season four below: The fourth season of The Boys will start streaming via Prime Video from Thursday, June 13, 2024. Read our reviews of The Boys season three and Gen V.
In Jack White’s eyes, “Vinyl is the real deal. I’ve always felt like, until you buy the vinyl record, you don’t really own the album. And it’s not just me or a little pet thing or some kind of retro romantic thing from the past. It is still alive.” UNDR ctrl thinks so too. That’s why they’ll be ushering in the Queen’s Birthday in style, with Strictly Vinyl 002, the B-Side to the inaugural event, held at Easter. From 9pm on Sunday June 8, crowds at The Cliff Dive, Darlinghurst, will be treated to six hours of vinyl spinning — not a CD, laptop, USB or touch screen in sight. Leading the lineup will be Touch Sensitive (aka Michael Di Francesco), owner of no fewer than 5,000 records and the man behind ‘Pizza Guy’. He’ll be spinning the funk, disco and Italo tracks that inspire his sound. Next up, there’ll be John Fuzzy, producer of epic festivals Parklife, Listen Out, Harbourlife and Field Day, whose collection exceeds 20,000 vinyls. He’s promised to play “some super rare ‘80s disco that [he’s] never heard out before, plus some Balearic and UK soul from ’89-’92.” And rounding the night off will be Ariane, resident at Goodgod, Flinders and beyond, and expert in all things late ‘90s and early 2000s house.
We're understandably sceptical about most tech things that are promised to us. Australians are always the last to get blockbuster films and critically-acclaimed television shows, we're geo-blocked from most great things online, and we pay depressingly more than the rest of the world for all our tech and entertainment goodies. It's a tough hand we've been dealt; one so bad we've taken to just skirting the system completely and either sneakily paying for overseas services like Netflix or becoming all-out pirates. But here's some good news: it looks as though the latest streaming service being shoved in our faces won't completely suck. Joining the iffy selection of commercial Australian streaming services like Quickflix and Foxtel's Presto, Fairfax and Channel Nine's new venture looks like a winner. Launching in February 2015, it's been announced the service will offer on demand viewing with no ads and no contract, it will have a fixed fee of about $10 per month, and it'll be exclusively airing the much-anticipated Breaking Bad spin-off, Better Call Saul at the same time as the US. High fives all 'round, people. This is all every sneaky Australian Netflix user has ever wanted. In fact, to put some icing on the already spectacularly delicious cake, this new platform will also have all five seasons of Breaking Bad in its catalogue and will be revealing one more awesome show every week 'til its launch next year. If there's one thing that's holding it back, it's the name. Though it was previously referred to as StreamCo, today it was announced that this new platform will officially be called Stan. That's right, your new favourite late-night best bud/ultimate time waster will share a name with a melodramatic late '90s rap collaboration from Eminem and Dido. "[We wanted a name] that consumers could actually associate with and actually have a character with," said CEO Mike Sneesby. "Stan is not going to be a character in itself but a brand that will build its own character in being truly Australian." Regardless of that ridiculous logic, this is still a service we can get behind. Though details of the Australian Netflix launch have not yet been announced, at $10 a month Stan would actually be competitive with the US version of Netflix which Australians currently (somewhat dubiously) access for around $9. These price points are also well below the $29.99 fee Quickflix users fork over monthly. So really, it's not so bad. It's not so bad.
Whether you use them for cleansing, decompressing or just some well-earned R 'n' R, spas have been a ubiquitous part of the tourism industry since the Ancient Greeks and Romans set them up all over Europe. Yet that hour of spa-induced tranquility you spent on your last weekend away often represents millions of dollars of investment and some seriously big returns, with hotels and getaway locations increasingly competing to come up with the most extravagant and unique means of relaxation. By combining experimental remedies such as red wine baths, snake massages and bird poo facials with some seriously beautiful locations and a whole lot of steaming hot water, these ten unusual spas promise tourists some bizarre and truly once-in-a-lifetime relaxation experiences. Floating Garden Spa, Amsterdam Resembling something between the Garden of Eden and an LSD fantasy, Amsterdam's Floating Garden Spa is an entire island created for the very purpose of tourist requiescence. Designed by Dutch architects Studio Noach and Anne Holtrop, the island's lush greenery is covered with healing baths, saunas, and various treatment rooms and populated by ecosystems of birds and butterflies. The island is not only a relaxation paradise but a truly remarkable architectural feat, constructed from recycled polystyrene that allows the island to float and continually regulate its own temperature. Healing Salt Caves, Chicago Chicago's Healing Salt Caves are just about the closest you can get to experiencing what it would be like to wander into an underwater palace. These shimmering pink caves attempt to imitate the healing effects of the Black Sea, with salt from the iodine rich Chicago area artificially crystallised to produce an authentic ocean microclimate. Ada Barak's Carnivorous Plant Farm & Spa, Israel Not for the squeamish nor the weak of heart, Israel's most famous spa uses perhaps the most unorthodox of relaxation techniques: snake massages. While it may sound like something out of an Indiana Jones film, the spa's founder, Ada Barak, swears by her collection of non-venomous king snakes, claiming they relieve stress and muscle-tension. If this isn't enough, the spa is also home to an exotic range of carnivorous plants that munch on everything from small mammals to schnitzels, providing a suitably freaky backdrop for the massages, which include up to six snakes slithering on your face and back at any one time. Shizuka Day Spa, New York If snakes aren't your cup of tea, perhaps New York's famous Shikuza Day Spa will sound more appealing. Their specialty: facials made from nightingale excrement. The treatment has been employed for hundreds of years by Japanese Geisha girls, who would use the enzymes in the pungent face mask to cleanse their skin. Shizuka has now perfected the recipe, sanitising the droppings with UV rays and condensing it into a fine powder and costing their many celebrity clients upwards of $180 for a single session. Hakone Kowakien Yunessun, Japan Hakone Kowakien Yunessun costs its many clientele a small fortune to bathe in everything from green-tea, sake, coffee and, most popularly, Beaujolais Nouveau red wine. Since the Japanese resort opened in 2005 it has become a bit of a local phenomenon with the red wine allegedly having a rejuvenating effect on the body and mind. Geometric Mountain Wellness Center, Switzerland Buried within the Swiss Alps this striking structure combines first-class spa treatment with the tranquility of the mountain setting to provide clients with an escapist fantasy. The remarkable design, modeled by architect Mario Botta on the shapes of trees and vegetables, uses enormous glass windows to light the four floors of the Wellness Center and unite its clientele with the serenity of the surrounding village and the epic mountain landscape. Underwater Tropical Spa, The Maldives Located in the soothing and sensual context of a room entirely submerged by water, the Underwater Spa at Huvafen Fushi in the Maldives is a massage experience like no other. This luxurious spa features the rhythmic melody of the ocean gently caressing the windows of the underwater spa room, tropical aquatic life swimming only inches away from you and soft cushions and fabrics resembling the marine life surrounding the room. If this massage and spa doesn't revitalize the soul, we don't know what would. The Blue Lagoon, Iceland There's a reason the Blue Lagoon in Iceland was voted the 'best medial spa' worldwide by Conde Nast Traveller and has been awarded the Blue Flag environmental recognition five years in a row. This natural wonder holds a massive 6 million litres of geothermal seawater, which originates from depths of 2,000m below the Earth's surface, where the temperatures are 240°C and the pressure is 36 times greater than it is on the Earth's surface. The resulting 37-39°C water, which is high in silica and salinity and contains no common bacteria, is renowned for it magnificent natural rejuvenating and healing powers found only at the Blue Lagoon. Geomagnetic Vortex Desert Spa, Mojave Desert A fusion of the awesome power of the Mojave Desert's geomagnetic vortex with the architectural perfection of this UFO-like dome, the 'Integratron' transforms sound into an incredible spiritual and physical healing tool. The 60-minute sonic healing session held inside this acoustically perfect, resonant high-energy dome is described as 'kindergarten naptime for grown-ups in a sound sphere'. Throughout the sound bath, quartz crystal singing bowls are played out to induce heightened awareness and intense rejuvenation and introspection. The Hershey's Chocolate Spa, Pennsylvania Rejuvenate your mind, body and spirit with chocolate at the Hotel Hershey in Pennsylvania. We don't simply mean by eating it though - we mean taking a bath or rubbing your face in it. Hershey's method of spa and massage treatment may be somewhat peculiar, yet it is a delightfully decadent way to pamper yourself and try something new in the process. With options ranging from the Chocolate Bean Polish, to the Fondue wrap, the Whipped Cocoa Bath or the Cocoa Facial Experience, there's sure to be a charming chocolate experience to suit everybody's taste.
How do you follow up a festival that boasted Black Mirror's Charlie Brooker, plus Australian icons Nicole Kidman and Naomi Watts, all talking about their experiences in film and television — and the world-premiere of a documentary about The Wiggles, too? That's the task at hand for the screen-focused side of SXSW Sydney, which is currently in the process of compiling exactly that lineup for its second run. The event's October 2024 dates are still months away, but it keeps dropping details, including Australian filmmaker Warwick Thornton and composer Jed Kurzel newly joining the lineup. The director behind Samson & Delilah, Sweet Country and The New Boy, Thornton will take to the stage to give audiences a live director's commentary of one of his features. Which movie it'll be — he's also helmed The Darkside and documentary We Don't Need a Map — hasn't yet been revealed. Kurzel's filmography doesn't just include his brother Justin's Snowtown, Macbeth, Assassin's Creed, True History of the Kelly Gang and Nitram, but also everything from The Babadook and The Nightingale to Alien: Covenant and Dev Patel's directorial debut Monkey Man. He'll be doing a live commentary as well, talking through how he scores opening sequences. [caption id="attachment_861204" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mark Rogers[/caption] Thornton and Kurzel are two big names in Australia's film industry — and they have impressive company in the latest round of SXSW Sydney 2024 announcements, as the fest's Monday, October 14–Sunday, October 20 dates get closer. From Margot Robbie's production company LuckyChap Entertainment, Barbie executive producer Josey McNamara will chat about the organisation's recent flicks, which also spans Promising Young Woman and Saltburn. And Mark Andrews, who co-helmed Pixar's Brave, will discuss his work at independent animation studio Floating Rock. With Mortal Kombat director Simon McQuoid already on the lineup, plus Heartbreak High star Ayesha Madon on the music bill, and also Westworld and Bosch & Rockit star Luke Hemsworth — albeit the latter hosting the session Better Than a Hollywood Movie: The Highs, Lows, Epic Moments and Colossal Steps Forward in Bringing Back the Tasmanian Tiger, so not talking about his screen career — the 2024 fest's roster of big movie and TV names just keeps growing. SXSW Sydney has just added a heap of other talks, too, covering Floating Rock's origin story, women in VFX and animation, film distribution in Australia and what it means to have your work screen at the OG SXSW in Austin. Keen for a crash course in the industry? That's where 90-Minute Film School will come in, debuting with a focus on five aspects of filmmaking. A screen mentorship program will also join the Sydney program for the first time. [caption id="attachment_967878" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jaimi Joy[/caption] There's no new word on what will be getting projectors rolling, however, so watch this space if you're keen to glue your eyes to the the latests flicks and TV shows. As part of its many lineup drops so far — a first batch came in May, then a second round in June, then two others earlier in July — the festival has already revealed that documentary The Most Australian Band Ever! about the Hard-Ons sits on the roster. So does S/He Is Still Her/e: The Official Genesis P-Orridge, which is executive produced by Against Me!'s Laura Jane Grace — and also Alien Weaponry: Kua Tupu Te Ara, about thrash metal in the Māori language. Firmly a must-see from past announcements: Slice of Life: The American Dream. In Former Pizza Huts. The latest documentary from Barbecue and We Don't Deserve Dogs' Matthew Salleh and Rose Tucker, who are no strangers to SXSW in Austin, it sees the Australian-born, Brooklyn-based duo explore the US today through former Pizza Hut buildings. [caption id="attachment_967880" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brendon Thorne/Getty Images for SXSW Sydney.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_967879" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brendon Thorne/Getty Images for SXSW Sydney[/caption] [caption id="attachment_953711" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jaimi Joy[/caption] [caption id="attachment_953720" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Katje Ford[/caption] SXSW Sydney 2024 will run from Monday, October 14–Sunday, October 20 at various Sydney venues. Head to the SXSW Sydney website for further details. Top image: Jami Joy.
Teacher-turned-indie goddess Alexis Krauss and waiter-turned-beats master Derek Miller will return to Australia next month. The duo's stentorian synthesis of driving riffs, shredding guitar and rhapsodic melodic hooks has been on high rotation for many a punk rock devotee since M.I.A. signed them to N.E.E.T. Recordings in October 2009. February 2012 brought the release of Reign of Terror, the follow-up to 2010 debut Treats. The sophomore album sees Sleigh Bells ascend to louder, heavier musical heights, but also carries them through deeper lyrical explorations. Krauss, a curious combination of Joan Jett street tough and Cindy Lauper airiness, croons, moans and belts her way through stories of suicide, brutality and loss. Krauss has described Reign of Terror as "innately much more melodic and guitar-oriented" and "more intimate" than their debut. As deducible from Reign's live opening track, 'True Shred Guitar', Sleigh Bells' shows are raw, feverish, dynamic affairs, powered by Krauss's relentless energy and Miller's rock-fuelled sound explosions. https://youtube.com/watch?v=YiwcUdX7XMw
Next time you slather your hands with sanitiser, you could be covering them with your favourite booze as well. With alcohol a crucial ingredient in the now-essential product — especially sanitiser that's effective against COVID-19 — distilleries and breweries are doing their part to help boost supplies. To the delight of rum lovers, that now includes Queensland's iconic Beenleigh Rum and Bundaberg Rum. While gin aficionados can splash their digits with Manly Spirits Co's gin-infused hand sanitiser — and plenty of other boozy outfits are jumping on the trend, too — fans of fermented and distilled sugarcane juice can look forward to freshening their fingers with their preferred tipple. Well, in a way. Australia's oldest distillery, Beenleigh Rum is whipping up its own sanitiser and selling it online; however, the end product doesn't feature any of its branding. Still, if you order a carton of Wheel & Barrow hand sanitiser, you'll be ordering sanitiser made by Beenleigh Rum — with online orders available now, by the carton, for delivery from Friday, March 27. Beenleigh Distillery owner Angelo Kotses originally just planned to start making sanitiser to keep the company's own workers safe, but decided to pump out more when asked by the Queensland Government. The distillery will also provide the state with a supply of the product for schools and frontline workers. If you're a Bundaberg Rum devotee, the Coral Coast-based operation is focusing on producing ethanol for use in hand sanitiser. It won't be making sanitiser itself — so you won't see bottles all over the place with Bundy Rum's bear logo — but it is donating 100,000 litres of ethanol to the Queensland Government to be used in making sanitiser, which will produce around 500,000 bottles. Although there's no word yet on how the government will be using the Bundy-infused sanitiser, fingers crossed that it'll be made available to the public — given how much Bundy Rum is drunk across the state, it's certain to be popular. To buy Beenleigh Rum-produced hand sanitiser, visit the distillery's website. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website.
Among Australia's most applauded movies of 2023, Warwick Thornton teaming up with Cate Blanchett, a thrilling horror debut and an extremely personal story about resilience have topped the nominations for the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards. On TV, a stellar media drama, excellent page-to-screen hit, glorious rom-com and the latest from The Kates have achieved the same feat. Yes, it's been a good year on screens big and small Down Under. That means that The New Boy (12 nominations), Talk to Me (11), Shayda (nine), The Newsreader (15), The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart (12), Colin From Accounts (ten) and Deadloch (ten) all lead the way at Australia's annual accolades for the best movies and TV shows of the past year. The winners will be revealed in 2024, on Thursday, February 8 and Saturday, February 10, 2024 at HOTA, Home of the Arts on the Gold Coast, in tandem with a brand-new four-day festival also celebrating Aussie film and television. Previously called the AFI Awards, the AACTA Awards have spread the love to a heap of other productions, giving the aforementioned titles a heap of company. In the Best Film field, Of an Age, Sweet As and The Royal Hotel are up against Shayda, Talk to Me and The New Boy. Also on the big screen, the Best Indie Film category spans A Savage Christmas, Limbo, Monolith Streets of Colour, The Rooster and The Survival of Kindness. Among TV's big hitters, Best Drama Series spans Bay of Fires, Black Snow, Bump, Erotic Stories, Love Me and The Newsreader — and Best Narrative Comedy Series features Colin From Accounts, Deadloch, Fisk, Gold Diggers, Upright and Utopia. And, for shows that only run for one season, Best Miniseries covers Bad Behaviour, In Our Blood, Safe Home, The Clearing, The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart and While The Men Are Away. Need something to watch over the holidays? You can also consider the 2023 AACTA Award nominations a list of must-see homegrown movies and TV shows, with everything from tender queer coming-of-age tales, outback thrillers and noir-ish detective stories to family-focused comedies, relationship dramas and jumps to the past covered. Among the highlights, the Best Director field overflows with talent, including Jub Clerc for Sweet As, Kitty Green for The Royal Hotel, Noora Niasari for Shayda, Danny Philippou and Michael Philippou for Talk to Me, Goran Stolevski for Of an Age and Warwick Thornton for The New Boy — but the same can be said for every category. And yes, the Matildas even earned some love, as they have been everywhere in 2023, this time for engaging documentary series Matildas: The World at Our Feet. Here's a selection of this year's major AACTA nominations, ahead of the awards' ceremonies on Thursday, February 8 and Saturday, February 10, 2024 at HOTA, Home of the Arts on the Gold Coast — and you can check out the full list on AACTA's website: AACTA NOMINEES 2023: FILM AWARDS: BEST FILM Of an Age Shayda Sweet As Talk to Me The New Boy The Royal Hotel BEST INDIE FILM A Savage Christmas Limbo Monolith Streets of Colour The Rooster The Survival of Kindness BEST DIRECTION Jub Clerc, Sweet As Kitty Green, The Royal Hotel Noora Niasari, Shayda, Danny Philippou, Michael Philippou, Talk to Me Goran Stolevski, Of an Age Warwick Thornton, The New Boy BEST LEAD ACTRESS Zar Amir Ebrahimi, Shayda Shantae Barnes-Cowan, Sweet As Cate Blanchett, The New Boy Julia Garner, The Royal Hotel Sarah Snook, Run Rabbit Run Sophie Wilde, Talk to Me BEST LEAD ACTOR Elias Anton, Of an Age Simon Baker, Limbo Thom Green, Of an Age Phoenix Raei, The Rooster Aswan Reid, The New Boy Osamah Sami, Shayda BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS Alex Jensen, Talk to Me Deborah Mailman, The New Boy Tasma Walton, Sweet As Mia Wasikowska, Blueback Ursula Yovich, The Royal Hotel Selina Zahednia, Shayda BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR Mojean Aria, Shayda Eric Bana, Blueback Wayne Blair, The New Boy Rob Collins, Limbo Zoe Terakes, Talk to Me Hugo Weaving, The Rooster BEST SCREENPLAY Kitty Green, Oscar Redding, The Royal Hotel Noora Niasari, Shayda Danny Philippou, Bill Hinzman, Talk to Me Goran Stolevski, Of an Age Warwick Thornton, The New Boy BEST DOCUMENTARY Ego: The Michael Gudinski Story Harley & Katya John Farnham: Finding the Voice The Dark Emu Story The Giants The Last Daughter This Is Going to Be Big To Never Forget BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY Carl Allison, Godless: The Eastfield Exorcism Sherwin Akbarzadeh, Shayda Aaron McLisky, Talk to Me Katie Milwright, Sweet As Warwick Thornton, The New Boy BEST EDITING Dany Cooper, Carmen Katie Flaxman, Sweet As Geoff Lamb, Talk to Me Michelle McGilvray, Matt Villa, Courtney Teixera, Scarygirl Nick Meyers, The New Boy BEST SHORT FILM An Ostrich Told Me the World is Fake and I Think I Believe It Ashes Finding Addison Jia Mud Crab Not Dark Yet TELEVISION AWARDS: BEST DRAMA SERIES Bay of Fires Black Snow Bump Erotic Stories Love Me The Newsreader BEST NARRATIVE COMEDY SERIES Colin From Accounts Deadloch Fisk Gold Diggers Upright Utopia BEST MINISERIES Bad Behaviour In Our Blood Safe Home The Clearing The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart While The Men Are Away BEST LEAD ACTOR IN A TELEVISION DRAMA Tim Draxl, In Our Blood Travis Fimmel, Black Snow Joel Lago, Erotic Stories Sam Reid, The Newsreader Richard Roxburgh, Bali 2002 Hugo Weaving, Love Me BEST LEAD ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION DRAMA Kate Box, Erotic Stories Aisha Dee, Safe Home Bojana Novakovic, Love Me Teresa Palmer, The Clearing Anna Torv, The Newsreader Sigourney Weaver, The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart BEST ACTING IN A COMEDY Celeste Barber, Wellmania Kate Box, Deadloch Patrick Brammall, Colin From Accounts Harriet Dyer, Colin From Accounts Kitty Flanagan, Fisk Nina Oyama, Deadloch Helen Thomson, Colin From Accounts Julia Zemiro, Fisk BEST COMEDY PERFORMER Tom Gleeson, Hard Quiz Jim Jefferies, The 1% Club Luke McGregor, Taskmaster Australia Rhys Nicholson, RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under Nina Oyama, Taskmaster Australia Charlie Pickering, The Weekly with Charlie Pickering Natalie Tran, The Great Australian Bake Off Cal Wilson, The Great Australian Bake Off BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION DRAMA Alycia Debnam-Carey, The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart Marg Downey, The Newsreader Michelle Lim Davidson, The Newsreader Heather Mitchell, Love Me Leah Purcell, The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart Brooke Satchwell, Black Snow BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A TELEVISION DRAMA Tim Draxl, Erotic Stories Alexander England, Black Snow William McInnes, The Newsreader Bob Morley, Love Me Hunter Page-Lochard, The Newsreader Guy Pearce, The Clearing BEST DIRECTION IN A DRAMA OR COMEDY Ben Chessell, Deadloch (episode one) Emma Freeman, The Newsreader (episode four) Glendyn Ivin, The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart (episode one) Matt Moore, Colin From Accounts (episode six) Trent O'Donnell, Colin From Accounts (episode three) BEST DIRECTION IN NON-FICTION TELEVISION Katie Bender Wynn, Matildas: The World at Our Feet (episode two) Stamatia Maroupas, Queerstralia (episode one) Josh Martin, Adam and Poh's Great Australian Bites (episode one) Rachel Perkins, Dylan River, Tov Belling, The Australian Wars (episode one) Henry Stone, Aaron Chen: If Weren't Filmed, Nobody Would Believe BEST SCREENPLAY IN TELEVISION Patrick Brammall, Colin From Accounts (episode six) Harriet Dyer, Colin From Accounts (episode three) Kate McCartney, Kate McLennan, Deadloch (episode one) Adrian Russell Wills, The Newsreader (episode four) Lucas Taylor, Black Snow (episode one) BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY IN TELEVISION Sam Chiplin, The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart (episode one) Earle Dresner, The Newsreader (episode four) Aaron Farrugia, Aunty Donna's Coffee Cafe (episode one) Tania Lambert, Erotic Stories (episode two) Katie Milwright, Deadloch (episode one) BEST EDITING IN TELEVISION Peter Bennett, Aunty Donna's Coffee Cafe (episode one) Danielle Boesenberg, Colin From Accounts (episode three) Angie Higgins, Deadloch (episode one) Angie Higgins, The Newsreader (episode four) Deborah Peart, The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart (episode one) Deborah Peart, Dany Cooper, The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart (episode six) BEST ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAM Dancing with the Stars Eurovision Song Contest 2023 Lego Masters: Grand Masters Mastermind The 1% Club The Amazing Race Australia: Celebrity Edition BEST COMEDY ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAM Hard Quiz RocKwiz Taskmaster Australia Thank God You're Here The Cheap Seats The Weekly with Charlie Pickering BEST FACTUAL ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAM Alone Australia Gogglebox Australia Kitchen Cabinet Old People's Home for Teenagers Take 5 with Zan Rowe Who The Bloody Hell Are We? BEST DOCUMENTARY OR FACTUAL PROGRAM Matildas: The World at Our Feet Ningaloo Nyinggulu Queerstralia The Australian Wars War on Waste Who Do You Think You Are BEST CHILDREN'S PROGRAM Barrumbi Kids Beep and Mort Bluey Crazy Fun Park The PM's Daughter Turn Up the Volume BEST STANDUP SPECIAL Aaron Chen: If Weren't Filmed, Nobody Would Believe Celeste Barber: Fine, thanks Hannah Gadsby: Something Special Jim Jefferies: High & Dry Lizzy Hoo: Hoo Cares!? Rhys Nicholson's Big Queer Comedy Concert BEST LIFESTYLE PROGRAM Adam and Poh's Great Australian Bites Gardening Australia Grand Designs Australia Love It or List It Australia Selling Houses Australia The Great Australian Bake Off BEST REALITY PROGRAM Australian Survivor: Heroes v Villains FBOY Island Australia Hunted Australia MasterChef Australia Real Housewives of Sydney RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under BEST ONLINE DRAMA OR COMEDY Appetite Latecomers Me & Her(pes) Monologue The Disposables The Future of Everything
So many places to visit, only so much cash in the bank. When Australia starts to reopen its borders both domestically and internationally, that's the situation we'll all face. So, if you're looking to save some money on airfares once you can start heading off on holidays again, that's understandable. Enter Bonza, the new Aussie low-cost airline that's set to launch early next year. An exact date hasn't been revealed as yet, but sometime in 2022, you'll have another choice when it comes to flying across this country of ours. The new independent carrier will focus on local flights with low fares — and on opening up routes to more of regional Australia. "Bonza's mission is to encourage more travel by providing more choices and ultra-low fares, particularly into leisure destinations where travel is now often limited to connections via major cities," said Bonza founder and CEO Tim Jordan, who comes to the airline with 25-plus years experience in low-cost carriers such as Virgin Blue, Cebu Pacific in The Philippines and central Asia's FlyArystan. While the airline's list of destinations hasn't yet been announced yet either, the aim is to service "regional communities by providing new routes and greater travel opportunities," Jordan continued. The airline will base its headquarters in a yet-to-be -revealed part of regional Australia, too. Wherever it ends up heading, Bonza will fly Boeing 737-8 aircraft. Fare prices and inclusions — such as baggage, meals and snacks, and selecting your own seat — haven't been mentioned as yet, with the airline still working through the regulatory process. When it launches, the carrier will take to the skies with the backing of US private investment firm 777 Partners, which also has a hand in Canada's Flair Airlines and the Southeast Asian-based Value Alliance. And yes, this now means that your 2022 Aussie holidays just got a whole lot cheaper — and that, alongside Jetstar, Qantas and Virgin Australia, you'll have more airline options. Bonza is set to start flying sometime in 2022. For more information, head to the airline's website.
The annual Parramatta Lanes festival is returning for its ninth year, bringing the finest feasts to the streets of the west. This year, thanks to COVID-19, the Paramatta palooza is moving its program online, but you can still expect the usual lineup of eats, beats and art. First up, the food aspect will be a bunch of virtual cooking demonstrations from some local favourites such as fried chicken institution Butter Parramatta, Japanese-inspired salad bar Fishbowl, Aussie burger chain Betty's and KOI, owned by Masterchef Australia's Reynold. You can also head to any of the festival's participating restaurants for a feed, or order in and have the Parramatta Lanes experience brought to your living room. Live tunes will be happening at various Parramatta venues, which you can also live-stream via the Parramatta Lanes website, with the likes of Donny Benet, Nardean, Youngn Lipz, Kwame, Milan Ring, Mariam Sawires and more on the bill. Beyond that, there'll also be a bunch of art-based videos — think poetry readings against a backdrop of three-dimensional visuals, a feature on Aboriginal artists from Boomalli Gallery, drag and numerous dance performances. Check out Parramatta Lanes' full online program here.
When the first images of Lily James playing Pamela Anderson in new miniseries Pam & Tommy dropped, they captured an astonishing transformation. The Pursuit of Love star didn't just look like herself dressed up as the famed Baywatch actor; thanks to the show's hair, makeup and costuming teams, she appeared as if she'd leapt into Anderson's body Being John Malkovich-style. That feeling only grew as several trailers arrived. In the finished product, her performance borders on uncanny. It needs to, and not merely to ensure that James never just seems like she's simply slipping into a red swimsuit for an easy impersonation. Now streaming on Disney+, with its first three episodes hitting the platform at once and the remaining five set to drop weekly going forward, Pam & Tommy focuses on Anderson's marriage to Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee (Sebastian Stan, The 355) in the 90s. It's all about the pair's sex tape as a result, because that intimate recording was the pop-culture scandal of the 90s, and it's impossible to step into Anderson and Lee's romance without it. Indeed, the show knows that it's spinning a wild story, even by celebrity terms. It's well aware that everyone watching will hit play with their own ideas already formed about the incident, and about the central duo's larger-than-life public personalities as well. Pam & Tommy leans into that exact certainty to begin with — talking penis and all — but, as James' performance demonstrates, it never sees the tale it's telling as a joke. [caption id="attachment_841923" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Erin Simkin/Hulu[/caption] First, that chattering genitalia. After meeting Anderson at a club, clicking instantly and enjoying a boozy night, Lee is smitten — and his junk (voiced by Brooklyn Nine-Nine's Jason Mantzoukas) audibly helps him talk through his feelings. It's an attention-grabbing moment, and one that Pam & Tommy will always be known for; yes, this is now and always will be the prattling package show. But the immediately memorable scene also serves up the risqué with a side of heart, and makes one of its OTT subjects — as Anderson and Lee have long been regarded in the public eye, at least — more human in the process. It's even a little cheesy: he's a guy falling for a girl and working through his excitement by talking to himself, as plenty of rom-coms have lapped up over the years. Pam & Tommy is both a romance and a comedy at times. Crucially, though, it's a piece of recognition that Anderson and Lee's plight isn't quite the narrative it's been immortalised as for the past quarter-century. It isn't a coincidence that Australian-born director Craig Gillespie helms some of the series' episodes, because he unpacked a sordid real-life story that solidified a famous woman's reputation in I, Tonya, too. That's the real point of focus here, although the fact the series went ahead without Anderson's approval undercuts its aims more than a little. Still, on-screen, there's no doubting Pam & Tommy's quest to expose how unfairly Anderson was treated after carpenter Rand Gauthier (Seth Rogen, An American Pickle) stole footage of private moments with her then-husband. [caption id="attachment_841925" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kelsey McNeal/Hulu[/caption] Lee might get to converse with his dick — with Stan playing that scene, and his entire role, with as much commitment as James displays over and over again (and with as much helpful TV styling) — but he's also painted as a dick as first. Gauthier is one of the contractors helping build the ultimate bedroom for Lee's newly wedded bliss, and the rocker is a jerk of a customer. He keeps changing his mind about what he wants, blaming everyone else and, when he decides he's unhappy, refuses to pay or return Gauthier's tools. So, the disgruntled ex-employee hatches a plan to make off with Lee's safe, not knowing what it holds inside. When he finds the tape along with guns and cash, he's still so eager to get revenge on Lee that he enlists porn-producing pal Miltie (Nick Offerman, Devs) to help make it public, which he sees as his new payday. Pam & Tommy wants you to side with mullet-wearing Gauthier initially — including when Lee pulls a gun on him while he's just trying to get his work equipment back — but its real allegiance lies with Anderson. Its tender heart, too, something that the show shares with Lee and his chatterbox of an appendage. As it charts the path that Anderson and Lee's tape takes from their safe to Gauthier to eagerly paying customers, and then to the internet in online porn's early days, the series keeps returning to the fallout for the Baywatch and Barb Wire star. As she explains to Lee and to their lawyers more than once, things aren't the same for a man caught getting intimate on camera as they are for a woman, and the way that this true tale has already played out IRL has made that plain several times over. Come for the scandal, for the talking penis that everyone's babbling about, and for a show that always knows it's a rollicking ride, but stay for a far more thoughtful retelling and interrogation of a tabloid-fodder incident that changed multiple lives — and one more than most — weaved in, too. Also stay for the series' eagerness to spend time with its eponymous duo exposed as real people, and as victims of a crime, rather than as pop-culture punchlines. Stay for the magnificent performances by James and Stan as well, with both actors investing remarkable depth into figures who've rarely been allowed to be seen as such. And, obviously keep sticking around for the dripping 90s nostalgia in the process, including the outfits and soundtrack (because Yellowjackets isn't the only new show revelling in the decades' tunes). Check out the Pam & Tommy trailer below: The first three episodes of Pam & Tommy are currently available to stream via Disney+, with new episodes dropping each Wednesday. Top image: Erin Simkin/Hulu.
A book described as "a modern story of sex, erotica and passion. How the sexiest sales girl in business earns her huge bonus by being the best at removing her high heels," might not be anything to write home about. But what if the author of said book was someone's dad, and that someone decided it would be hilarious to read a chapter every week to the entire world, with some incredibly funny friends providing commentary? Jamie Morton did just that with his father's (pen name: Rocky Flinstone) erotic 'novels', the Belinda Blinked series. And so the audacious and pants-wettingly hilarious podcast My Dad Wrote a Porno was born. Since its premiere in 2015, the podcast about "the best/worst erotica ever written" has racked up over 150 million downloads. And now, off the back of an HBO Original Series featuring a "lost chapter", Morton and his pals James Cooper and Alice Levine are bringing their hilarious smut back to Sydney in 2020. As part of a huge world tour, the live show will treat 'Belinkers' to two shows at the Sydney Opera House on Wednesday, January 8 and Thursday, January 9 (with the second added due to overwhelming demand). Team Porno will read unreleased material from the erotic saga while throwing in a few surprises and interactive elements. Now four books deep — with the fifth due to be cracked opened on Monday, September 9, 2019 — the series follows the sexual escapades of Belinda Blumenthal who works in the sales and marketing department of a pots and pans company. There have been leather rooms and nipples as big as Titanic rivets, anti-erotic ridiculousness with sales reps and young-ish men, references to pomegranates and the popping of vaginal lids, and one truly disgusting flaking prosthetic appendage. If you're a fan of the show, the live incarnation should make you very happy. As Belinda says, "When you get what you want, you feel great." Tickets go on sale at 1pm on Thursday, July 18, 2019
A mainstay in the Sydney live music scene, The Metro Theatre is an independent venue that has hosted some of the world's best rock n' roll acts — both local and international. The grungy space has been rocking for decades now and has seen the likes of Muse, Placebo, The Eels, Alex Lloyd and The Dandy Warhols take the stage. More often than not, the theatre focuses on emerging talent, but you can catch bigger acts there from time to time, too. If you're looking to impress for your next gathering, you can even hire out The Metro for all of your nearest and dearest mates.
If you're the type of traveller who chooses their hotels for the perks and extra inclusions, then you'll be particularly excited about an upcoming new addition to Melbourne's accommodation offerings. Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne on Spencer is set to launch sometime this May, marking the Swiss brand's second site in Australia, after Mövenpick Hotel Hobart opened earlier in the year — and if either the chain's name or its country of origin have you thinking of sweet treats, yes, they're part of the hotel's menu. For starters, Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne will be celebrating chocolate hour every afternoon. Going on the Hobart setup, that's when you'll receive a free dessert — such as an eclair, brownie or truffle — when you purchase a chocolate-flavoured cocktail, mocktail or affogato. Mövenpick's hotels all serve the brand's line of food and beverages as well, which means that Mövenpick ice cream is also available. The menu doesn't just cater to your sweet tooth, though. At breakfast, guests can choose to enjoy juice-blended energy shots, along with a range of health-focused and nutritious options available to eat in or grab-and-go. One of more than 80 of the brand's accommodation sites worldwide and run in collaboration with Accor, Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne will boast 172 guest rooms housed within the new 78-storey Premier Tower development on Spencer Street. It's decked out with boutique interiors, and comes complete with a 25-metre swimming pool, sauna and gym. The new hotel will also be home to a southeast Asian restaurant and bar, which'll rock a contemporary fitout courtesy of design agency Greymatters. It's slated to plate up traditional Asian grill and barbecue dishes, and will open daily for lunch and dinner. Find Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne on Spencer at 160 Spencer Street, Melbourne, from May 2021. Head to the Accor website for bookings and other information. Images: artists impressions of Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne on Spencer.
Music festival fans, it's time to take your horse to the old town road — hat down, cross-town, livin' like a rock star. New South Wales end-of-year staple Lost Paradise has announced its return for 2022, and it's making a comeback with two huge headliners: Lil Nas X, clearly, as well as Arctic Monkeys. Since first unleashing its specific flavour of festival fun back in 2014, Lost Paradise has become an end-of-year staple — and the Glenworth Valley event returns from Wednesday, December 28–Sunday, January 1 for another packed year. Joining Lil Nas X and Arctic Monkeys will be a massive lineup of genre-diverse artists ranging from local up-and-coming bands, powerhouse international DJs, Tik Tok sensations and festival favourites. Across the festival's four stages you can catch the likes of Jamie xx, Ocean Alley, Spacey Jane, Ben Bohmer, G Flip, PinkPantheress, Cub Sport and Genesis Owusu performing live, as well as Peggy Gou, Mall Grab, Folamour, DJ Boring, HAAi, TSHA, Ebony Boadu, CC:Disco!, Dameeeela and Latifa Tee jumping on the decks. [caption id="attachment_687549" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jordan Munns[/caption] Also on the lineup: Young Franco, The Vanns, May-A, KiNK, Furnace and the Fundamentals, King Stingray, 1300, Big Twisty & the Funknasty, Elsy Wameyo, Heidi, X Club, Flava D, Telanova, Lazywax, and Wongo DJing back-to-back with Little Fritter. Outside of the music, there will be talks from Dr Karl and Dancewize, DJing workshops with Luen, a full yoga program, hula hooping sessions, and a whole lot more — all as part of a four-day camping festival. So, there's plenty to get excited about and to tempt you to make the journey an hour out of Sydney. Lost Paradise 2022 will introduce a ban on single-use plastics, too — which'll mean that you'll need to acknowledge the 'Paradisian Pledge' to minimise pollution and leave the campsite with no waste in order to purchase tickets. Also, this year's event will only use building materials built from 100-percent recyclable materials, and produce zero landfill. [caption id="attachment_687550" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jordan Munns[/caption] LOST PARADISE 2022 LINEUP Music: Arctic Monkeys Lil Nas X Jamie xx Ocean Alley Spacey Jane G Flip Pinkpantheress Cub Sport Genesis Owusu Young Franco The Vanns MAY-A Furnace & The Fundamentals King Stingray Pacific Avenue Telenova 1300 Stumps Big Twisty & The Funknasty Egoism Yung Mtyr Lazywax Elsy Wamayo Eagle Eye Jones Abby Bella May Greatest Hits Sweetie Liyah Knight Coconut Cream Liquid Time Casual Fan Peggy Gou Mall Grab Ben Böhmer Folamour DJ Boring KiNK HAAi TSHA CC:DISCO! Heidi X Club. Flava D Shanti Celeste Moxie Loods Wax'o Paradiso Wongo Little Fritter Merve Luen Ebony Boadu Ayebatonye Crush3d James Pepper Elijah Something Latifa Tee Willo Dameeeela Mincy Conspiracy Crew Luke Alessi Troy Beman Mintox Waxlily Uncle Ru Girlthing Dj's Cleo Clutch 4 Love Roxy Lotz Madami Shambhala Fields: Yoga Sharing Loving Energy with Simon Borg-olivier Restorative Yin Acro Yoga Laughter Yoga Primal Flow Intro to Vedic Meditation Mindfulness Mastering the Handstand Workshops Move & Manifest with Mimi DJing 101 With Luen Effigies & Idols Pottery Hula Hooping Re-Wilding Women and the Feminime Soul Drumming Foraging & Bushcraft Skills Breathwork Cacao Love Ritual Samba Reggae Belly & Bootydance Love Out Loud Movement Talks Messages of Good Hope With Dr Karl A Human's Guide to the Future Party Safe with Dancewize Nsw Transformational Mindsets & Rites Of Passage Ai And the Future of Humanity Open Up With One Eighty Culture Weaving Workshop Wyappa Wurk: Aboriginal Yoga & Movement Seeds Of Peace with Uncle Phil Indigenous Dance Moving Beyond Sustainability Yidaki (Didgeridoo) Sound Of Moon & Healing Healing Haven Remedial Massage Tarot & Astrology Reiki Healing Energetic Healing Ambience After Dark Baran Yildiz Dave Leha AKA Radical Son Billsbry Luminous Sounds With Sati Delojaan: Sydney Sufi Ensemble Nye Cacao Ceremony Top images: Ruby Boland
