If a mid-year holiday is on your upcoming agenda, you might want to make a date with one of the regions of Australia that usually depend heavily on overseas tourists. To encourage Aussies to enjoy a getaway at home, and to support areas of the country that have taken a huge tourism hit while the nation's international border is closed, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has today, Thursday, March 11, announced that the Federal Government is halving the cost of 800,000 flights to 13 spots over the next few months as part of a $1.2 billion package. Australians will be able to nab discounted fares to a range of scenic places. In Queensland, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, the Whitsundays and Cairns are all on the list; in the Northern Territory, the package focuses on the Lasseter region which includes Uluru, and Alice Springs; and in Tasmania, Launceston, Devonport and Burnie all feature. You can also head off to Broome in Western Australia, Avalon in Victoria, Merimbula in southern New South Wales and Kangaroo Island in South Australia. Exactly which routes will be included is still being decided, as is the number of tickets on each, but they'll be available from Thursday, April 1 through until July. It's expected that around 46,000 half-price flights will be on offer each week during that period, and that you'll be travelling with Qantas, Virgin and Jetstar. The tickets will go on sale via the respective airline websites and, if the demand is there, the Federal Government may add to the scheme later in the year — in terms of locations and routes. "I think we'll see more opportunities for this program," said the Prime Minister in today's press conference, when asked about future plans. As well as helping support the tourism industry in regions that usually rely upon international visitors — not just by getting folks there at a discounted price, but by leaving them more money in their budgets to spend on tours, attractions, venues, places to stay and hospitality, too — the plan will also provide an incentivised excuse for Aussies to take a local getaway while international travel is still off the cards. The cut in price will be delivered via a subsidy to the participating airlines, which'll receive government funds to cover the difference in fare. That's just one part of the overall package, with funding to keep 8600 of Qantas and Virgin's international flight employees in their jobs, extended financial support for zoos and aquariums, and loans for small- and medium-sized businesses also included. The 800,000 half-price flights will be available in weekly batches from Thursday, April 1. For further details, keep an eye on the Qantas, Virgin and Jetstar websites.
A favourite among inner west locals, the annual Mardi Gras Courtyard Sessions take place at dusk in the relaxed grounds of the Seymour Centre. Championing both established and emerging LGBTQIA+ artists, it's all about kicking back with a cold drink, some food, good people and live music. And it's free to attend. This year, the series is wrapping up with a night co-hosted by Sad Grrrls Club on Friday, February 28. Guests are in for an evening filled with funk, beats and pop, starting with progressive soul band Kadimakara. The Sydney-based trio is all about jazz, soul, funk and alt-rock. Then, hailing from Melbourne, self-proclaimed Queen daddy will bring smooth beats and vocals — and lots of daggy 90s dad vibes. Finally, Triple J Unearthed artist RACKETT will deliver energetic, experimental electro-punk. In between sets, Sad Grrrls Club DJs will keep the vibes going with classic R&B and hip hop tracks, while an outdoor bar and vintage games will keep you hydrated and entertained. The free courtyard gig will run from 6-9pm, when the Seymour Centre's Mardi Gras Festival Club will kick off its final night for 2020, with DJs, pop-up performances and dancing late into the night.
Put together in only nine days and watched by more than 1.4 million Australians, 2020's Music From the Home Front was the nationally televised music event created by late Australian music industry icon Michael Gudinski. Last year, the ANZAC Day home concert came about to bring live music into viewers' homes during the peak of the COVID-19 lockdown. Now, with Australians once again able to converge on concert venues together to watch music in-person, Music From the Home Front is not only returning to screens, but will also be happening live. Going down on Saturday, April 24, the live event will take place at Melbourne's Sidney Myer Music Bowl and be broadcast via Channel 9 and YouTube. Folks that physically head along will be treated to performances from some of the country's biggest talents including Amy Shark, Vance Joy, Tash Sultana and Lime Cordiale, plus Bliss n Eso performing with Kasey Chambers. All these performances will be broadcast live across the country, with home viewers also being treated to additional pre-recorded streamed performances from the likes of Tina Arena, You Am I, Gordi, The Kid Laroi, and both Jimmy and Mahalia Barnes. Gudinski had been planning the live concert until his tragic passing on Tuesday, March 2. Newly appointed Mushroom Music Group Chief Executive Officer Matt Gudinski — who is also Michael Gudinski's son — said his father was working on the event right up until his last day. "That we can bring to life a broadcast concert version from his hometown of Melbourne, supporting the industry he loved, in a city he long promoted as the leading music capital of Australia, resonates deeply with all of us at Mushroom." Tickets for the Sidney Myer Music Bowl concert start at $69 and will go on sale from Friday, April 16, with pre-sales from Wednesday, April 14. More acts are set to be announced, but you can find the full lineup for both the live and streamed events at present — as well as ticket details — on the event's website. [caption id="attachment_806979" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lime Cordiale[/caption] MUSIC FROM THE HOME FRONT LINEUP Performing live at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl: Amy Shark Bliss n Eso with Kasey Chambers Budjerah Jerome Farah Lime Cordiale Mia Wray Tash Sultana Royal Melbourne Hospital Scrub Choir The Rubens Vance Joy Streamed performances: Ben Lee Dean Lewis Gordi Hayley Mary Jess Hitchcock Jimmy Barnes Mahalia Barnes Sam Fischer The Kid Laroi Tina Arena You Am I Music From The Home Front 2021 will take place at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, and will be broadcast on Channel 9 and YouTube on Saturday, April 24. For further details and ticket information — and to buy tickets from Friday, April 16, with pre-sales from Wednesday, April 14 — head to the event's website. Top image: Wade Malligan.
Latest poster child for the makeover frenzy currently sweeping Sydney's pub scene, The Paddington Inn is set to reopen in early September, fresh from a six-month renovation. Following in the footsteps of other Oxford Street greats who've recently has refurbs, like The Unicorn, The Paddington and The Light Brigade, the Paddo mainstay has been given the full treatment and will unveil a brand new dining room, bar and open kitchen as part of its flash new look. Heading up the design is George Livissianis, who is renovating venues all over town at the moment — he was the one responsible for The Dolphin's cake icing design earlier this year, and he's also going to be redoing Matt Moran's Aria. Expect interiors that nod to the classic Sydney terrace house, with a traditional front bar leading through to a bright, modern dining space reflective of the contemporary food offering. One of Sydney's original and best-loved pub bistros back in the '80s and '90s (Moran actually worked in the kitchen for a time), The Paddington Inn is certainly shaking things up in the culinary department, with young gun Justin Schott (ex-Rockpool and Kitchen by Mike) rolling out a forward-thinking, seasonal menu that's as clever as it is unfussy. House-made goodies abound and interesting small plates make a case for sharing — you'll be tucking into the likes of a whole roasted Thirlmere duck teamed with fermented red cabbage, or potato bake fries jazzed up with a burnt onion mayo. The foodie fun continues on the bar menu, where tricked-up pub classics might include a new-school take on fish and chips, nostalgia-inducing jaffles, or salt cod pikelets. The drinks offering has enjoyed a spruce-up of its own too. The wine list a thoughtful mix of low-intervention drops and more interesting styles with a focus on NSW labels, while the cocktail offering heralds the impending arrival of balmier days, with a nice selection of aperitif-style drinks and small-batch Aussie spirits starring in a range of well-crafted classics. The Paddington Inn will open at 4pm on Friday, September 9 at 338 Oxford Street, Paddington. For more information including an exact opening date, keep an eye on paddingtoninn.com.au.
The full bloom of television should come as no surprise to pop culture junkies. TV isn't the new film. It's just TV — a mature medium capable of developing its own conventions and arcs. Just like film, the quality of the 2013 offering inevitably ranged from abysmal (Two Broke Girls) and 'meh' (Sex Box) to polarising (Girls) and breathtaking (Top of the Lake). But where the major movie studios indulged in a catalogue of cinematic idiocy in the form of sequels, threequels and movie-park adaptations, home viewers were part of the beautifully conceived conclusion of Breaking Bad and the continued excellence of Mad Men, Enlightened, Rake, Puberty Blues and Boardwalk Empire. After all, when were stories ever wholly defined by the medium of their communication — they're all just stories, and they're beamed via digital transit onto small screens as well as projected into cinemas. David Lynch and Michael Frost knew that a whole two decades ago, as did those who grieved for Laura Palmer and loved all the freaks of Twin Peaks. The existential angst of Travis Bickle lives on in Don Draper, the maudlin chaos of Woody Allen in Michael Bluth, and the bleak search for optimism of Lester Burnham in Louie. Hopefully we can start looking forward to full-blooded, cinematically conceptualised feature films that merely debut on TV, with the respect and glory of Steven Soderbergh's HBO work Behind the Candelabra, which scarcely fits the old-school notion of a 'telemovie'. It's 2014, and everything's up for grabs. Here's what looks good in 2014 from the vantage point of January. Gracepoint Although the human race is already surely inundated with gratuitous US remakes, the fact that original lead actor David Tennant is also starring in the American version is a good sign of what's to come. The British original, Broadchurch, has received cultish worship and critical adoration for its exploration of a beachside community in the aftermath of a boy's mysterious murder. How and Why Film's transportation to the medium of television may be well and truly complete with Charlie Kaufman's new FX comedy series. Starring Michael Cera (perfect!), and telling the "story of a man who can explain how and why a nuclear reactor works, but is clueless about life", the longform series could be the peak vehicle for the funny, deadpan, melancholic musings we know from Being John Malkovich and Adaptation. https://youtube.com/watch?v=dunRvRJIm18 Believe Mexican super-director Alfonso Cuaron and The Forgotten's Mark Friedman are writing and steering this sci-fi mystery, executive producing with Lost's J.J. Abrams. The ingredients for profound awesomeness are all there: behind-the-scenes talent, obligatory supernatural child character, potential alien subplots, a solid trailer. In the wake of Gravity's impact on Earth, let's hope Believe will showcase the same science-fiction combo of smart visual effects and big ideas (what are we doing here?!). Jonah Takalua This is a controversial one, given the division in opinion around this year's relentless Ja'mie: Private School Girl. But Jonah was always Chris Lilley's most rounded and interesting character — a disadvantaged, endearing ratbag with a foul mouth and a lost-boy need for affection (from his violent father and Gumnut Cottage remedial teacher, Jan Palmer). Jonah let Lilley flesh out the best and the worst aspects of high school: the boredom, the institution's carelessness, the ill-equipped teachers' frustration, the kids' inflamed sense of injustice and their diehard devotion to their friends. Lilley clearly hasn't forgotten that young people's problems (their social cliques, family, love affairs) are just as real and important to them as adults' problems (rent, career, social cliques, family, love affairs) are to adults. Jonah will be vital viewing. Sense8 More film heavyweights defect to television — in fact, internet television (Netflix)! Matrix directors Andy and Lana Wachowski's ability to create complex longform narratives, engaging characters, surprising cinematic visual worlds and innovative special effects (remember when 'bullet time' didn't even exist?) will be stretched by their ten-episode science-fiction drama, Sense8. A mass of ostensibly disparate characters are linked by a shared and violent vision (of the past, future, or another world?). After the confusing and disappointing narrative experimentation of the duo's last feature, Cloud Atlas, perhaps television will afford them the slow-unfolding freedom they need to realise their filmic aspirations. Also on our radar Better Call Saul (A Breaking Bad spinoff centring on Walter White's crooked lawyer Saul Goodman); the animated and clearly shambolic BoJack Horseman (voiced by Will Arnett with Aaron Paul aka Jesse Pinkman of Breaking Bad); The Secret River, an ABC adaptation of the landmark Australian novel and play; Utopia, a satire from the guys from Frontline that "explores that moment when bureaucracy and grand dreams collide"; and two (two!) untitled Tina Fey Projects to air on Fox and NBC and quench the hollowness in our post-30 Rock lives.
Throw us Sydneysiders a bit of sunshine and we'll take just about any inside activity to the great outdoors. Open-air moviegoing, however, is a clear favourite, so you'll be chuffed to learn that the Sydney Hills Outdoor Cinema is returning for a fourth year. Running for a month from January 11 to February 18 at the Castle Hill Showground, this al fresco event promises summertime cinema at its best. The 24-strong film program — which will show on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights — will cover both new releases and classics, across all kinds of genres. The season will kick off with the Christmas flick Daddy's Home 2 followed by a screening of Bad Moms 2 the next night, and finish up Pitch Perfect 3. But, really, the big screen stuff is just a tiny part of what this pop-up event has in store. Most importantly, the beach-themed bar will be pumping out Pimms and Epic Pizza will be on slice duty. There will also be popcorn and frozen yoghurt for anyone wanting to really ace that date night situation. Beanbags will ensure total tush comfort, but if you really want to luxe up your cinema experience, you can go VIP in Cabana Class, which gets you a king-sized bed to watch the movie on with three mates. Or you could get eight of your mates together, and shell out $300 for a VIP bell tent — you'll get your own private viewing courtyard, a private butler, cover and all the creature comforts you need to spend a luxe evening under the stars.
Australia's hospitality scene continues to kick big goals when it comes to wining and dining; but of course, it's about much more than the food and the drink. Those venues have to look the part, too — and thanks to some talented local designers, stunning bars, eateries and hotels keep popping up on the regular. In fact, the cream of that crop has just been highlighted once again at the 2022 Eat Drink Design Awards. This year's pick of Australia's most stylish haunts were announced at a ceremony in North Melbourne, identifying a cast of beautiful spaces located right across the country. That said, Victoria reigned supreme among the list of finalists, with the state home to five out of the eight main award-winners. [caption id="attachment_877798" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Music Room by Earl Carter[/caption] Melbourne's latest certified stunners include Di Stasio's new Carlton outpost — a slick laneway venue by Hassell, which took out the title of Best Restaurant Design for its "flawless" fusion of the old and the new. Meanwhile, Dion Hall's vision for Music Room, located within HER, won the intimate space the award for Best Bar Design, applauded for its interactivity and considered detailing. Also in Melbourne, the work of Congrats Agency nabbed Rocco's Bologna Discoteca the title of Best Identity Design, while Baker Bleu Hawksburn (IF Architecture) and Pronto by Via Porta (Studio Esteta) shared the award for Best Retail Design. And, with 68 years under its belt, the legendary Pellegrini's — designed by Smith, Tracey, Lyon and Brock — was inducted into the Eat Drink Design Awards Hall of Fame. [caption id="attachment_854324" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ace Hotel[/caption] Best Cafe Design went to Brisbane Airport newcomer The Common, for its genre-bending Sullivan Skinner fitout; while Sydney's impressive new Ace Hotel — the first southern hemisphere outpost for the brand — was named Best Hotel Design courtesy of Flack Studio's minimalist yet warm interiors. Further afield, CO-AP's Adelaide Festival Pavilion commission The Summerhouse scored the title of Best Installation Design. The judging panel determining this year's awards was made up of some very familiar names in the hospitality and design space, including chef-restaurateur Shannon Bennett, March Studio Director Rodney Eggleston, Masterchef Australia's Melissa Leong, Fiona Lynch (founder of design studio Fiona Lynch Office) and Artichoke editor Cassie Hansen. [caption id="attachment_877794" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Common by David Chatfield[/caption] 2022 EAT DRINK DESIGN AWARD WINNERS: Best Bar Design: Music Room by Dion Hall (Melbourne, VIC) Best Restaurant Design: Di Stasio Carlton by Hassell (Carlton, VIC) Best Cafe Design: The Common by Sullivan Skinner (Brisbane Airport, QLD) Best Hotel Design: Ace Hotel Sydney by Flack Studio (Sydney, NSW) Best Installation Design: Adelaide Festival Pavilion — The Summerhouse by CO-AP (Adelaide, SA) Best Retail Design: Baker Bleu Hawksburn by IF Architecture (Prahran, VIC) and Pronto by Via Porta by Studio Esteta (Kew, VIC) Best Identity Design: Rocco's Bologna Discoteca by Congrats Agency (Fitzroy, VIC) Hall of Fame: Pellegrini's Espresso Bar (1954) by Smith, Tracey, Lyon and Brock (Melbourne VIC) [caption id="attachment_877801" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Baker Bleu by Sharyn Cairns[/caption] For the full list of winners and commendations at the 2022 Eat Drink Design Awards, head to the Eat Drink Design website. Top image: Di Stasio Carlton by Peter Bennetts.
Winter has come around again and brought along the sniffles, blue fingers and obscene heating bills. It's not all bad though; there's hot soup, knitted scarves and Winter Garden Sydney. This is your chance to see how our Canadian friends spend the chilliest months. There's a lot to do. Challenge your friends to see who can be more aerodynamic in their puffy winter coats and get down the inflatable slide first. For those not scared of bumps and bruises, grab a pair of skates and get out on the ice. If you're feeling a little tired after such rigorous exercise, recharge with some gourmet food and gluhwein at the Winter Garden Lounge. As for your wintery chocolate needs, they will be catered for by the Lindt Chocolate Cafe pop-up. Rug up like a fluffy marshmallow and come down to St Mary's Cathedral to enjoy a white winter. Image: Winter Garden, Australia
The sea spray will be hitting you thick and fast on this 40-minute coastal sightseeing tour. While you'll get to see the glorious Port Macquarie coastline and the occasional whale or dolphin visitor, this is no leisurely cruise. Port Jet Cruise Adventures runs one of the fastest commercial boats in NSW, which you can experience on the Ocean Blast tour. A 900-horsepower engine will rocket you out into the open ocean with the skipper pulling hairpin turns that'll send the bow skyward as you skid across the waves. Join the crew for $70 per person for the ultimate sea legs test.
Don't you hate it? You finish carving it up on the black run, having linked together some pretty sweet tricks, only for your buddy to claim his jumps were airier and his landings smoother. If only you had some way of objectively measuring just who was the more extreme… Perhaps you can. Nokia have teamed up with leading snowboard company Burton to develop Push Snowboarding, adding sensors to the board and rider that track your every action. Motion data and biometrics such as heart-rate and skin conductivity are collected wirelessly by the phone sitting in your pocket, allowing you to back up your bragging, or just monitor your progress. The development of 'connected' products can sometimes be an unnecessary gimmick, but in the sports world performance data is priceless for elite athletes. Innovatively, rather than keep the tech in-house and hush-hush, the platform is open to the boarding world, allowing the end-users to hack their own uses for the technology. It's a clever strategy from Nokia, effectively crowd-sourcing their customers to help develop ideas for the product. It could lead to purely entertaining uses, such as loading real runs up to video games, or improved safety features that aid in search and rescue. Whether it ends up as the next must-have accessory for the slopes, or is consigned to the tech junk heap along with the internet fridge, now rests in the hands of the boarders themselves. [via PSFK] https://youtube.com/watch?v=1y8nMUAUeKM
With a theme this year of "compulsory" fun, how could the Verge Arts Festival not be full of good times? (Otherwise that’s just false advertising now, isn’t it.) For 10 days the University of Sydney gets all arty on us, served up alongside some theatre, a dash of music and a sprinkling of comedy. If you’re a Sydney Uni student it’ll be hard to avoid, but for the rest of us, you’ll just need to make your way up to those sandstone buildings. There will even be artworks under your feet as you traverse Eastern Avenue on your way to class (or to the event), with the Colour My Campus pavement art project — just make sure you join in and leave a few doodlings. Most happenings will be in the Verge Festival Dome, a circus-syle tent (also on Eastern Avenue). When there isn’t something going on here, you can chill out on a couch and play video games, while pretending to study. Or you could just head to Manning Bar to see what’s on. Events in the program include the Musical Music of Disney, with the Sydney Youth Orchestra playing songs from Disney films to film footage, Harry Potter trivia, a comedy dance extravaganza, theatresports at the Cellar Theatre and even a seance — if you’re that way inclined. Just make sure you don’t miss the opening night party, where you’re encouraged to dress up all scary like and dance the monster mash.
It's December, so summer has been steaming up Australia for a week now. It's also predicted to be a particularly warm and wet season. So, you might think that snow is off the agenda for a few months. That's a reasonable view to hold. It's sensible, in fact. But it seems that the weather has other ideas, with New South Wales and Victoria's alpine regions getting more than a little frosty this week. Yes, it has been snowing in places such as Perisher and Mount Hotham. The former got down to -0.8 degrees overnight last night (as Monday, December 7 became Tuesday, December 8), as recorded by the Bureau of Meteorology. It's also forecast to hit a -1-degree minimum on Wednesday, December 9. At the latter, the mercury is only tipped to hit 7 degrees maximum on Tuesday, December 8, while Weatherzone reports that it got down to -1.4 degrees overnight. Numbers are all well and good, but if you want on-the-ground details — and images — a number of places in both areas have you covered. Perisher Resort and Hotham Alpine Resort have each posted videos to their social media showing the conditions. If you haven't seen snow in summer before, well, consider that a new 2020 achievement. https://twitter.com/PerisherResort/status/1336068906327318528 https://twitter.com/_hotham/status/1336079287091269632 As the Bureau of Meteorology in both NSW and Victoria have reported, wintry conditions are indeed on the cards in both state's alpine regions this week. Perisher is expected to have minimums between -1–3 degrees until Monday, with maximums between 9–17. At Mount Hotham, the corresponding ranges span -1–7 in terms of lows and 7–17 degrees in top temps. https://twitter.com/BOM_NSW/status/1335690118133321729 https://twitter.com/BOM_Vic/status/1335766642475880456 As for Sydney and Melbourne, it won't be anywhere near that frosty, unsurprisingly. But Sydney's maximums are due to stay mild, between 22–25, for most of the week. In Melbourne, the city isn't predicted to top 18 degrees either today or Wednesday — although temps will rise over the weekend, leading to a 32-degree maximum on Monday, December 14. Top image: Mount Hotham, Rob Blackburn.
There's nothing better than receiving a "guys, you've gotta see this!" message in your crew's group chat. Have they found elusive cheap return tickets to Tokyo? Did they finally pop the big question? Is there a new puppy about to join their family? Big life milestones aside, heading off on a trip with your mates is the next most special thing. It's a chance to switch off, escape the big smoke and explore our beautiful backyard. And the cooler months are the time when we all need a break from the daily grind with a long weekend or a well-earned week away. If you've done the cosy cabin retreat to death, why not shake things up with a bit of adventure this winter? Hit the slopes, strap on your helmet and gear up for a chance to try something new, from thrilling aerial adventures over World Heritage sites to snowy escapes filled with snowshoeing and fondue-ing. Partnering with Hugo Boss, we've whittled down the endless list of Aussie adventures to just five that will leave you feeling amped up and ready to take on the world — much like its newest fragrance, BOSS BOTTLED Infinite. Go on, give these pulse-racing sports a go and you'll get a new perspective on the stunning land of Oz. [caption id="attachment_720491" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland.[/caption] CAPE TRIBULATION HELICOPTER AND LAND ADVENTURE TOUR It's not every day you get to knock not one but two UNESCO World Heritage-listed areas off your bucket list. But then again, this ain't your average adventure tour. You'll spend a jam-packed day exploring the best of tropical north Queensland, including the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation. The tour kicks off with a two-hour scenic helicopter flight over world-class reefs and cascading waterfalls before touching down in the oldest living rainforest in the world. Then, the choice is yours: spend your afternoon on horseback as you weave through the Daintree to the ocean's edge, or head straight for the treetops with a zipline experience. Head to Red Balloon to book. [caption id="attachment_720598" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Luke Tscharke.[/caption] CRADLE MOUNTAIN HUT WALK: WINTER OVERLAND TRACK It takes guts (and possibly a swig of gin) to sign up for a multi-day trek through the icy terrain of Tasmania's Cradle Mountain in the dead of winter. There's no wifi out here, friends. Just ancient landscapes, frozen lakes and long nights enhanced by a glass or two of Tasmanian wine. The eight-day Cradle Mountain Huts Walk winter overland track is one of the most challenging routes that the Tasmanian Walking Company offer, but it comes with plenty of rewards. Climb the peaks of Cradle Mountain, explore Lake Will and finish at Lake St Clair, Australia's deepest natural lake. [caption id="attachment_720745" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Skydive Noosa.[/caption] SKYDIVE NOOSA Jumping out of a plane at 15,000 feet is one way to get the blood pumping in the morning. But when you're freefalling over the sparkling Sunshine Coast, the terrifying drop can't be that bad, right? Strap in for an adrenaline junkie's dream with Skydive Noosa. The experience sees you spend 60 seconds in freefall — a minute the company describes as "life-changing" — before your instructor opens the parachute and you gently cruise your way to solid ground while soaking in the views. [caption id="attachment_720600" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kane Naaraat and Pinkbike.com.[/caption] BLUE DERBY MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDING TRAILS The historic town of Derby in Tasmania's north-east hasn't always been known for its 125 kilometres of purpose-built mountain bike trails. It was tin mining that first put Derby on the map before the tragic bursting of Briseis Dam ended that. The town has been revitalised since the opening of the first section of the Blue Derby Trail Network in 2015. Today it boasts trails to suit every experience level, meaning it has something for you and all of your crew. HOTHAM SHOWSHOE TO FONDUE If exploring Australia's mountains and sleeping under the stars are on your to-do list, this is the tour to make it happen. Say hello to Alpine Nature Experience's Snowshoe to Fondue trip, an unforgettable overnight adventure set on the outskirts of Victoria's Alpine National Park. You'll snowshoe your way to your tipi-style eco-village accommodation before spending a night sipping hot glühwein, dipping your way through gooey French cheese fondue and soaking in the warmth of the outdoor campfire. When the sun comes up, the crew will make sure you leave fed and watered with a hearty warm breakfast. Hitting that work-life balance is hard. But shutting your laptop, splashing on some new BOSS BOTTLED Infinite and getting out in nature will help you seize the day and live your best life. Top image: Snowshoe to Fondue Experience.
You might normally associate the rockstar lifestyle with big boozy nights and sure-fire hangovers, especially when you're talking about a band that actually owns a bar. But Peking Duk are completely bucking that trend with their latest project — the electro duo of Adam Hyde and Reuben Styles have just released their own booze-free brew, dubbed the Fake Magic Lager. Named after one of the ARIA Award-winning band's hit tracks, the new beer has been crafted in collaboration with the experts at First Nations non-alcoholic drinks company Sobah Beverages. "We've been riding the non-alcohol wave for a while now — especially when we're on tour and want to have a few pre-show drinks, without the headache," explained Styles in a statement. It's this lifestyle shift that inspired the pair to team up with Sobah, which has set out to destigmatise the art of socialising sober. Not only has it got some additional healthy connotations thanks to an infusion of lion's mane mushroom, but the limited-edition canned sip will be helping a great cause, with all proceeds going straight to supporting Sobah's work promoting First Nations' arts, culture, language and history. [caption id="attachment_874695" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Peking Duk with Sobah's Dr Clinton Schultz[/caption] If you're keen to try the booze-free beer, you've got just one place to head. The lager will be available exclusively via the new ING Good Finds Market — the banking company's new online store dedicated to social enterprises that are committed to doing good in the world. Think: The Social Outfit, TABOO Period Products, Juluqarly Art Group, Two Good Co, Kua Coffee and stacks more. Profits from all products sold on the site will be funnelled right back into the organisations' various causes and initiatives. It's designed to make it a whole lot easier for Aussies to shop from and support businesses with a conscience. Running across four Saturdays from October 29–November 19, the Good Finds Market will be launching three other exclusive collaboration products over the coming month. That includes a new limited-edition collection by Good Citizens Eyewear featuring all-recycled frames crafted from plastic bottles. Find the Fake Magic Lager exclusively online at the ING Good Finds Market from Saturday, October 29. It'll cost you $19 for a four-pack of tinnies, with a 24-pack coming in at $92.
Beloved cocktail and whisky bar Eau de Vie has added a new midweek event to their roster. At Wednesday Flight Night, you'll set out on a flight of fancy over a selection of drams pulled from the bar's 400-strong whisky collection. The evenings kick off on Wednesday, July 19 from 6pm and will be an ongoing weekly fixture at the bar. For $40, you'll get tot sample five whiskies during the evening, chosen to match closely with the week's selection of cured meats and cheeses from the Eau de Vie deli. The staff of whisky experts will be on hand to talk whisky fans through the pairings and you'll want to book in advance to ensure you nab a seat.
One of the most interesting fixtures on the increasingly crowded calendar of Sydney film festivals, Possible Worlds presents the best of Canadian cinema, and for the first time this year, the program has been expanded to also include some gems of American independent film. Run by Sydney non-profit company The Festivalists, who are also behind a series of film-related events including the excellent short film night Kino and Jurassic Lounge, this year's program is a strong and diverse selection. Here are our picks of the best films to catch. https://youtube.com/watch?v=YBn5dgXFMis Frances Ha An apprentice dancer living in New York, the titular Frances (Greta Gerwig) is thrown into a kind of turmoil when her best friend and enabler Sophia (Mickey Summer) moves out. Cue affecting riffs on friendship and the creative life and a rambling but immensely likeable tale of finding a new place and staying true to your impulsive self in the face of career malaise. Shot in gorgeous black and white, this is new high water mark for its indie darling star and co-writer. Friday, 9 August, 6.30pm, Dendy Newtown https://youtube.com/watch?v=j8QyS9RjJKk Stories We Tell Already a critical and popular hit on the festival circuit, Stories We Tell is Canadian actor/director Sarah Polley's very personal documentary about her family history. The man she grew up believing to be her father turns out not to be her biological parent and she sets about uncovering the truth in a gripping, moving and constantly surprising film which is as much about the art of narration and who has ownership of a story as much as it is about the particular subject matter. Probably one of those works where the viewer actually benefits from knowing little about it going in, rest assured this is a film you will not easily forget. Thursday, 8 August, 6.30pm, Dendy Opera Quays https://youtube.com/watch?v=Uj5gwL6tH9U You Make Me Feel So Young For anyone who loved Like Crazy, this impressionistic, black-and-white slice of life is one not to miss. The loose story sees Justine (Justine Eister) and Zach (director Zach Weinstraub) move to a new town where the latter has landed a job at a cinematheque. Slowly, their relationship starts to fray, with subtle emotional shifts captured by experimental camera work which often focuses on small details as the action or the dialogue takes place off screen. With naturalistic, improvised sounding dialogue and an artfully ambivalent narrative, this is cinema as pure voyeurism. Friday, 9 August, 6.30pm, Dendy Newtown https://youtube.com/watch?v=JfNsJTRkbQM The Fruit Hunters Beyond the mass-produced apples and oranges that populate supermarket shelves, there exists a 'secret paradise' of exotic fruits. Montreal director Yung Chang uncovers a subculture of obsessives (including actor Bill Pullman) who travel the world in pursuit of unusual and often beautiful fruits, bid at auctions for prize delicacies and meticulously tend to their own boutique orchids. The historical shifts in how we produce and consume fruit are also explored in this unexpectedly fascinating and sumptuously shot documentary. Thursday, 15 August, 6.30pm, Dendy Newtown The Wait After her mother dies, a grief-stricken Emma (Chloe Sevigny) receives a mysterious phone call claiming she will return. Believing this means she will come back to life, she decides to keep the corpse at the family home, where she lives with Angela (Jena Malone). Angela is recovering from a breakup and her fortunes seem to be on the improve when she meets lugubrious local Ben (Luke Grimes), though he too gets drawn into the strangeness in this unsettling affair, which is bolstered by terrific performances from its two stars and a pretty, sweeping score from Owen Pallett. Friday, 16 August, 8.30pm Dendy Newtown Possible Worlds is on from August 8-18 at the Dendy Newtown and Opera Quays. Check out the full program and buy tickets on the festival website.
If you've been kicking yourself because you can't make Billy Bragg's rare solo showcase in Sydney this weekend, you can now give your legs a rest. The maverick song writer has just announced that he'll be back in March 2014. For a national tour. With his entire band. That's right, every State and one of the Territories (sorry, NT) will be treated to a show, and he'll also be popping over to New Zealand for a couple of appearances. In Sydney, he'll be playing the Opera House for the first time ever. The tour is largely about bringing Bragg's new LP, Tooth and Nail, to Antipodean audiences. Bragg's first album since 2008, it was recorded in California last year. He was invited to the basement studio of Grammy-winning producer Joe Henry, where he holed up with some of the world's most in-demand session musicians — Greg Leisz (Bon Iver), Patrick Warren (Lana Del Rey), Jay Bellrose (Regina Spektor) and David Piltch (Ramblin' Jack Eliott) — and was urged to sing live. Bragg has described the album as "the follow-up to Mermaid Avenue I never made". Influenced by soul, folk and country, Tooth and Nail is more personal than some of his previous offerings. "Most people, when they hear my name, think of polemical anthems born in struggle," Bragg says. "I often find myself having to remind people that I am also the Sherpa of Heartbreak, writing songs about the struggle to maintain our relationships with those we love the most." Tickets are on sale on Tuesday, 16 September, at 9am. The full tour dates are: Sunday 8 March – Perth Concert Hall – Perth www.ticketek.com.au Monday 10 March – Womad Festival – Adelaide www.womadelaide.com.au Wednesday 12 March – Federation Hall – Hobart www.tso.com.au Tuesday 13 March – Palais Theatre – Melbourne www.ticketmaster.com.au Sunday 16 March – Sydney Opera House – Sydney www.sydneyoperahouse.com Wednesday 19 October – Canberra Theatre – Canberra www.canberratheatrecentre.com.au Thursday 20 March – Tivoli – Brisbane www.ticketmaster.com.au
UPDATE 17 March, 2017: The first hip hop yoga class sold out in less than five hours. Luckily, we've released a second (and final) session. Get tickets here, quick. Some things were meant to be combined—for example, hip hop and yoga. After All of the Tights sold out two hip hop yoga sessions in Sydney and Melbourne (and you went crazy for the idea), we decided that we wanted to get involved and host a hip hop yoga session of our very own. On Tuesday March 28 we're presenting a session of All of the Tights at Beach Road Hotel in Bondi. Sydney-based yogi Naya Marie will teach the class and sassy Instagram superstar FlexMami will be the DJ. Expect to hear music from Kanye, Drake, Chance The Rapper, Beyoncé and Rihanna as well as inspirational prose from DJ Khaled—listen to the playlist below to get an idea. Even better than finding inner zen to Drake's 'Started At The Bottom' is the fact that 10% of the profits from the night will go to The Rough Period—a Sydney-based initiative providing women who are sleeping rough on the streets with safe and clean sanitary items. There will be a donation box at the event, so bring along any travel-size products you would like to give to someone in need—shampoo, conditioner, body wash, soap etc. If you're a dude and you're in need of some leggings for the session, high-fashion leggings brand Kapow Meggings are coming on board to sponsor the night, and the solid gold 24-carat style they'll be selling on the door for $20 (RRP is $50) are perfect. The below playlist might seem a little hectic for something so zen, but don't worry, the class will cater for yoga beginners as well as the more experienced. Be sure to bring water, a towel and a yoga mat (if you really don't have one, there will be a limited number available for purchase at the door). Tickets are $25 and limited—head here to snap one up quick smart. Poster: Jesse Hodge. Photography: Ian Laidlaw.
You don't need to be Charlie Sheen to think that you could do a bit better than the occasional TV producer. You also don't need to have a painful-to-watch, public breakdown to get the point across. When you sit in front of the box thinking "I could do a better family cop-cum-dance show than this", there's been a place for you to put your money where your mouth is. The Optus One80 Project has been taking 180-second short entries in a competition of 'pitches' to win a fully-produced pilot to screen on MTV. Sunday March 20, they'll be showing the finalists in Prince Albert Park, before announcing the winner at a festival featuring a shortlist of the ten best pitches. Phone companies' efforts to engage the community aren't always this successful. While you can judge for yourself how well the festival supports the local talent, the talent is definitely there. This year's entries have themes touching on family, crime and desolation. Pitches feature prohibition, gold-digging, the apocolypse and the criminal proceeds of acting. As well as the films, the Festival will put on a musical line-up, featuring a DJ set from Mark Ronson and perfomances from locals Bag Raiders and Softwar. Original image by Daquella manera.
In May 2012, enigmatic Brooklyn-based duo MS MR seduced Tumblr disciples with their debut EP, Candy Bar Creep Show. Featuring more nostalgic Americana, sex and death than even Lana Del Rey could pack into three-and-a-half minutes, the video to the second track, ‘Hurricane’, went viral. Sony signed MS MR within weeks. Tours with Marina and the Diamonds and Grouplove soon followed. Given that self-produced music is erupting from the underground at a speed with which listeners can’t keep pace, what has propelled MS MR into the spotlight? A hypnotic intermingling of simmering beats, psychologically explorative lyrics and familiar-sounding hooks. ‘Welcome to the inner workings of my mind/So dark and foul I can’t disguise’ confesses vocalist Lizzy Plapinger in ‘Hurricane’, lamenting the destruction of a relationship through fear and self-doubt. Her clear, authentic vocal stylings have inspired comparisons to Florence Welch and Natasha Khan. MS MR will debut in Australia at the 2013 Laneway Festival. Satellite shows in Sydney and Melbourne will feature Brisbane-based YesYou as support act.
At this point, it's not really a surprise when Uber announces some strange, attention grabbing promotion. Sometimes they bring you ice cream. Other times, it's puppies. And this Australia Day/Invasion Day/January 26, they're delivering the most important (and oft-forgotten) addition to any barbecue: bags of ice. Now, there's a heap of things to do for tomorrow's public holiday — we've put together a handy list for Sydneysiders, Melburnians and Brisbanites. You can attend one of the rallies happening around the country, head to a Survival Day festival, take the opportunity to learn up on Australian history or simply go to see an Australian film (Lion just got a heap of Oscar noms), but if you're attending a barbecue, this delivery service might come in handy — especially when you run out of ice and all your mates are already four beers in. Starting from 11am on January 26, UberEATS users in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide will be able to log onto the app and, by typing 'backyard hero', see all the locations selling bags of ice and order one. If you've never used Uber before, use the code 'backyard hero' for free ice — otherwise it'll cost you $10. By Tom Clift and Lauren Vadnjal.
How better to warm up in winter than with a seriously good boogie? Get out of the cold and into Public House Petersham every Saturday night over the next month to nab a spot at one of the excellent house parties they're throwing with the party experts at Undr CTRL. Running every Saturday until July 9 from 5pm-late, a stacked lineup of musicians and DJs will be providing the tunes, while the PHP team supplies the beers and atmosphere. And the best part? There's none of that pesky morning-after cleanup that usually comes with a house party. You can just lie in bed in peace. It's free to attend and a first in, best-dressed kind of deal, so get down there early enough so you make it through the doors. Check out the pub's website for the full DJ lineup.
They're taking the hobbits to Amazon — and, in just over a year, fans of Lord of the Rings will be able to see the end result. Mark Friday, September 2, 2022 in your diary, as that's when you'll be trekking back to Middle-earth via Amazon Prime Video's new LOTR show. It's called The Lord of the Rings, too, but it isn't just serving up a rehash. The series' existence shouldn't be new news, given that the streaming platform first announced it back in 2017, and then gave it the official go-ahead in mid-2018. Since then, the LOTR show has sat at the top of fans' most-anticipated list, obviously. Over the years, we've also heard that it wouldn't just remake Peter Jackson's movies, and learned a few concrete details regarding what it's about as well. Now, however, there's a specific date to look forward to — albeit a year later than when it was originally expected to drop, with sometime in 2021 initially floated. That was before the pandemic, though, and we all now know how much havoc COVID-19 has played on, well, everything, Amazon Prime Video announced the 2022 premiere date to mark the end of filming the show's initial batch of episodes. If you're wondering how it'll look — and how New Zealand's scenic landscape will be used this time around — the streaming service also dropped a first image from the series. Greenery abounds, naturally, as does a towering city surrounded by mountains, as well as a glowing sky. Also wondering what the series will cover if it's not retelling the events of JRR Tolkien's The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings books? The show will spend time in Middle-earth's Second Age — and bring that era from the LOTR realm to the screen for the very first time. According to the official synopsis, it'll follow "the heroic legends of the fabled Second Age of Middle-earth's history," with the action set thousands of years before the novels and movies we've all read and watched. The series will also "take viewers back to an era in which great powers were forged, kingdoms rose to glory and fell to ruin, unlikely heroes were tested, hope hung by the finest of threads, and the greatest villain that ever flowed from Tolkien's pen threatened to cover all the world in darkness." https://twitter.com/LOTRonPrime/status/1349519737655611392 If you're a little rusty on your LOTR lore, the Second Age lasted for 3441 years, and saw the initial rise and fall of Sauron, as well as a spate of wars over the coveted rings. Elves feature prominently, and there's plenty to cover, even if Tolkien's works didn't spend that much time on the period — largely outlining the main events in an appendix to the popular trilogy. Naturally, you can expect Sauron to feature in the new show, and to give its main figures some trouble. "Beginning in a time of relative peace, the series follows an ensemble cast of characters, both familiar and new, as they confront the long-feared re-emergence of evil to Middle-earth," the official synopsis continues. "From the darkest depths of the Misty Mountains, to the majestic forests of the elf-capital of Lindon, to the breathtaking island kingdom of Númenor, to the furthest reaches of the map, these kingdoms and characters will carve out legacies that live on long after they are gone," it also advises. In terms of stars, LOTR will feature an unsurprisingly large cast — and some impressive talent behind the scenes. Among the actors traversing Middle-earth are Tom Budge (Judy & Punch), Morfydd Clark (Saint Maud), Ismael Cruz Córdova (The Undoing), Joseph Mawle (Game of Thrones), Cynthia Addai-Robinson (The Accountant), Maxim Baldry (Years and Years), Peter Mullan (Westworld), Benjamin Walker (The Underground Railroad) and comedian Lenny Henry. And, the series is being overseen by showrunners and executive producers JD Payne and Patrick McKay, while filmmaker JA Bayona (A Monster Calls, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom) directs the first two episodes. Amazon's new Lord of the Rings series will premiere on Friday, September 2, 2022.
Not content with hosting the Brisbane Comedy Festival, queer culture fest Melt, and a jam-packed calendar of other events all year every year — and just adding a new outdoor venue, too — Brisbane Powerhouse is gifting music and art fans a brand-new boundary-pushing celebration of sound, tunes and performance. Meet ΩHM (pronounced "ohm"), a fresh venture that's all about getting adventurous. The New Farm venue has dubbed the event a "festival of other music", with a growing lineup that includes Peaches, Future Islands and Hear My Eyes doing Pan's Labyrinth to back up that statement. Across February and March 2023, ΩHM will take over the riverside spot with a program curated by Room40's Lawrence English alongside Brisbane Powerhouse Arts Program Director Brad Spolding, serving up a mix of big-name international headliners and emerging local acts — and gigs, cutting-edge shows and immersive installations. Peaches does the honours while she's in the country for Mona Foma, and Future Islands hits the fest as part of their first Aussie tour since 2017. Those two impressive headliners are part of ΩHM's previously announced first lineup drop, which also spans Monolake + Electric Indigo and The Chills, as well as Kae Tempest, Nakhane and black midi. There's more where that list of acts came from, too, with ΩHM turning its second program announcement into its big launch. Just announced today, Tuesday, November 29, ΩHM is screening Guillermo del Toro's Pan's Labyrinth like viewers have never seen it before — with a brand-new live score by Sleep D. This premiere performance marks Hear My Eyes' return to Brisbane, and continues its spate of stunning film-and-music combos (see: its take on Chopper in 2022 in Sydney and Melbourne, plus past tours of No Country for Old Men with Tropical F*ck Storm and Suspiria with King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard). Also joining the bill are audiovisual artist Robin Fox, Los Angeles-based composer Yann Novak and Iranian sound artist mHz, who'll serve up a triple bill of audiovisual performances. ΩHM will host the Australian premiere of Fox's Triptych straight from UNSOUND KRAKOW, featuring three RGB laser projectors working in synchronicity. If you've seen his past works — Night Sky for Brisbane Festival, Aqua Luma for Mona Foma 2021, BEACON for Mona Foma 2022 and MONOCHORD for Rising Festival 2022, for instance — you'll know you're in for something special. As for Novak, he'll be using sound and light to explore how both can focus one's awareness on their experiences, as informed by his partial colour blindness and dyslexia. And, New Zealand-based Iranian sound artist mHz will take inspiration from material and architecture to hone in on sound and light production. [caption id="attachment_880277" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Robin Fox, Single Origin, Diego Figueroa.[/caption] Also, Swiss artist Zimoun will present two installations, both Australian premieres and exclusive to Brisbane. His ΩHM berth marks his debut exhibiting to Aussie audiences in general, and will showcase his work with everyday and industrial materials to mix sound and architecture. "Works like Zimoun's kinetic sound sculptures, Robin Fox's expansive audiovisual laser environments and Hear My Eyes: Pan's Labyrinth x Sleep D exist at a special nexus of sight, sound and space," said English, announcing ΩHM's new additions. "These dynamic pieces capture intensity and energy matched with a fearless sense of focus. The works are simply mind-blowing." ΩHM runs throughout February and March at Brisbane Powerhouse, 119 Lamington Street, New Farm. For more information and to buy tickets, head to the Powerhouse website. Top image: Hadley Hudson.
If there's one thing that 2020 could use to help distract us from the year's struggles, it's a big dose of rampaging, ravenous dinosaurs. That's the Jurassic Park franchise's remit, of course, and while it won't release its latest live-action big-screen outing until 2021, the series is expanding to Netflix via an animated show. Yes, when it comes to an island filled with dinosaurs, humanity just won't learn. Since Michael Crichton's Jurassic Park hit bookstores in 1990, spawning not only Steven Spielberg's 1993 blockbuster film, but two direct sequels and the recent Jurassic World movies, people just keep clamouring to share the same landmass as re-animated prehistoric beasts. That remains the case in Netflix's Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous, which links in with the events of 2015's initial Jurassic World flick — and to the franchise's familiar setting, Isla Nublar. This time, six teenagers have been chosen to attend a new adventure camp on the other side of the remote deathtrap. If you've seen the movie, you already know that the dinos break loose, because of course they do. That leaves the plucky youths fighting to survive. As for what happens next (hint: it'll involve stampeding beasts and fleeing humans), you'll find that out when Camp Cretaceous hits the streaming platform on September 18. Executive produced by Spielberg — as well as Jurassic World executive producer Frank Marshall, plus two-time series director Colin Trevorrow — the show is aimed to help fill the gap until Jurassic World: Dominion film releases in 2021. You're probably already excited about that movie, given that it brings back Sam Neill, Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum; however no one is going to complain about more excuses to watch out-of-control dinosaurs. Camp Cretaceous forms part of Netflix's family slate, so you can probably expect less scares than usual — although the official teaser below is a little creepy. And as for who is voicing Camp Cretaceous' characters, the cast includes Paul-Mikél Williams, Jenna Ortega, Ryan Potter, Raini Rodriguez, Sean Giambrone and Kausar Mohammed as the campers — as well as The Good Place's Jameela Jamil and Set It Up's Glen Powell as camp counsellors. Check out the official teaser trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKJwbsx1BSc Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous will hit Netflix on September 18, 2020.
It can be hard to connect with a story happening a world away — until you see a photograph that makes it feel like it's taking place next door. Sydney's Reportage Photo Festival, back for its 10th year and held across the National Art School East Sydney and the Australian Centre for Photography, celebrates this moment of insight from photographers around the world. In the exhibition Guantanamo: If the Lights Go Out, the UK's Edmund Clark captures the environment of the Guantanamo Bay detention centre in stark and surprising compositions. Not only that, he juxtaposes these images with those of homes the inmates have returned to as well as the naval base that is home to the American personnel. The contrast of the domestic, military and eerie imparts its own meanings on the trauma of imprisonment. Alongside, Stephen Dupont's Afghanistan: The Perils of Freedom 1993-2009 takes a long, intimate and knowing view of a country in turmoil. This year Reportage will also be exploring the impact of new online media platforms on documentary photography. In a unique project, photographer Billy Plummer will curate a selection of Flickr's best — a tough task from among millions of users uploading some 5000 images per minute. Irreverent portraiture and computer-friendly square formatting are trends highlighted in the exhibition, titled Reportage Without a Cause: The Rise of Flickr. If you've missed this festival's first decade, you can get acquainted with highlights such as Adam Ward's images of the 2005 Cronulla Riots and Jack Picone's photography of Burmese refugees at Reportage: A Retrospective 1999-2009, a free, outdoor exhibition at the National Art School. You can also catch the projections photo essay series, talks, masterclasses with Stephen Dupont and Jack Picone and the big-time, internationally touring and very worthwhile Annie Liebovitz: A Photographer's Life, 1990-2005 at the MCA. Image by Edmund Clark.
Australians, it's finally time to drop it like it's hot again — because Snoop Dogg is coming back to our shores. For the first time since 2014, the rapper is hitting stages Down Under as part of this new 'I Wanna Thank Me' tour, which'll be playing arenas in Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide in February and March 2023. If this sounds familiar, that's because this tour was initially due to happen in 2022, only to be postponed. Now, Snoop Dogg has locked in the rescheduled dates, complete with extra shows in both Sydney and Melbourne — and adding Adelaide to his tour itinerary. Clearly, fans of the musician/actor/cook book author/wrestling MC/wine brand owner will be breaking out the gin and juice as he raps his way through the RAC Arena, Qudos Bank Arena, Rod Laver Arena, Brisbane Entertainment Centre and Adelaide Entertainment Centre. Snoop will also be inspiring hip hop aficionados to be the life of the party and, if you can remember his time as Snoop Doggy Dog and Snoop Lion across his career, to ask about his name as well. Yes, you can expect to hear singles such as 'What's My Name?', 'Gin and Juice', 'Drop It Like It's Hot' and 'Snoop's Upside Ya Head', as well as tracks from his last few albums — with his 17th record from 2019, I Wanna Thank Me, sharing its moniker with the tour. Since then, he's also dropped two more albums: From tha Streets 2 tha Suites in 2021 and BODR in 2022, with another, Missionary, also in the works. SNOOP DOGG 'I WANNA THANK ME' 2023 AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES Monday, February 27 — RAC Arena, Perth Wednesday, March 1–Thursday, March 2 — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Saturday, March 4–Sunday, March 5 — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Tuesday, March 7 — Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane Wednesday, March 8 — Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide Snoop Dogg is touring Australia in February and March 2023 — visit the tour website for tickets and further details.
Golf courses have always tried to mimic the natural: undulating hills, thick forests, deep water and unforgiving sand. It's been a trend of recent years to flip this, instead opting for the unusual: whether that be the lush greens and rolling sand dunes of Dubai's desert golf, the foreboding doom presented by a recently dormant volcano at Lanzarote or the thrill (chill?) of ice golf in Uummannaq in Greenland. So we really shouldn't be surprised to discover a recent venture from Troon Golf and Dutch Docklands to create an 18-hole floating golf course in the Maldives, should we? A series of man-made floating platforms containing a number of holes each will be linked together by underwater tunnels. Although seemingly an exercise in extravagance, it is not without conscience. The project will be entirely carbon neutral, using solar energy, sustainable desalination and water cooling technology. The Maldives approval of the project is more than just a cash grab. With rising sea levels, precipitated by climate change, predicted to submerge a series of the Maldives islands, the government is looking offshore for solutions. President Mahamed Nasheed is even looking to purchase new land in other countries to house his people. The verdict is still out on the project, drawing out such loaded terms as 'obscene' and 'indulgent' but also 'responsible' and 'socially inclusive'.
Fans of alliteration and Mexican culture will want to mark this one in their diaries; it combines fiery food, Latin music and a street party in Macquarie Place. Having previously won awards for Sydney's Best Tacos, the La Lupita team have moved permanently into The Basement and this event celebrates their authentic approach to Mexican cuisine. Check out the rest of our top ten picks of Good Food Month here.
A new, family-run distillery in Byron Bay is committed to two important missions. The first is to bring you an outstanding gin, made with native rainforest botanicals under the watchful eye of master distiller Jim McEwan. The second is to regenerate the rainforest that provides these very ingredients. For you, this is a win-win situation. You get to sit back and linger over a world-class drop, while doing your bit for the environment. And, even more exciting is that the distillery's first release was made possible thanks to crowdfunding dollars raised via Pozible. Cape Byron Distillery's home is a family property in Byron Bay's hinterland. It's where co-founder Eddie Brook grew up and where his parents, Pam and Martin, have been regenerating rainforest for years. "[The land] used to be part of a giant rainforest that stretched from Lismore in the south, past Byron Bay, up to the Nightcap Ranges. Today there is less than one percent of that rainforest left," Martin says. A few years ago, Eddie, who's worked in alcohol and hospitality all his life, ran a sold-out Australian whisky tour starring Jim McEwan. The two got chatting about the Brook's passion for rainforest and came up with the idea of creating a rainforest-infused gin. "I'd idolised Jim McEwan. I learned about whisky, watching his YouTube videos," Eddie says. "It was amazing to develop a friendship with him." Fast forward to 2016. McEwan and Eddie have a built a distillery and – after numerous trials and tastings – put their first bottle on the market. It's a signature gin called Brookie's Byron Dry Gin. "We're passionate about creating products that really represent our area," Eddie says. "We used 18 native botanicals, including Davidson plum, aniseed myrtle and cinnamon myrtle. They're not just native to Australia, but to the Northern Rivers region." A percentage of profits from every sale goes to rainforest regeneration efforts, as well as to Big Scrub Landcare. Eddie describes it as a "great foundation", which is "protecting remnants of rainforest ... bringing corridors back to life". Brookie's Byron Dry Gin is currently available in and around Byron Bay. For online orders, go mybottleshop.com. UPDATE 25 JULY 2017: Cape Byron Distillery has just opened up its doors for public tours every Friday and Saturday. It includes a gin tasting of Brookie's two gins, a G&T and a tour of the surrounding rainforest. Tours cost $35 and can be booked here.
The Chaser team recently cut the red tape on the Giant Dwarf, the restored Cleveland Street Theatre, as a hub for satirists. Enter the self-proclaimed '#QandA on crack', A Rational Fear, who'll be taking on one of Australian politics' most talked about former ministers of late: Bob Carr. Led by Dan Ilic of Hungry Beast and Can of Worms, the politically-focused comedy outlet takes to Giant Dwarf monthly with some of the wittiest minds around taking on today's top stories. ARF recently hit a $50,000 funding goal on Pozible, so expect slow-burning world domination (or at least Australian daily political satire domination) to follow, as A Rational Fear becomes a ten-week digital comedy series. Following the release of his controversial autobiography Diary of a Foreign Minister, the former federal Labor minister Bob Carr will be this month's special guest; to be grilled by Ilic and the ARF panel about everything from ICAC to pyjamas. This month's instalment will also feature Greg Fleet, Lewis Hobba (triple j, Spicks and Specks), James Colley (Junkee) and Hannah May Reilly (Girls Gone Mild). If you can't make it to Giant Dwarf on Monday, April 28 or if you can't muster the 20 clams for a ticket, FBi Radio will be broadcasting the show live from 8pm. The next instalment won't land until early June, so don't sit on your hands.
Loosen your grasp on the truth and prepare to embrace a bit of deception, because this year's Sydney's Writers' Festival is all about lies. Returning for its 22nd edition from Monday, April 29, to Sunday, May 5, the internationally renowned literary event will take over venues across the city, bringing with it a dazzling program of local and international writers. This year, they'll examine the ways in which writing can be used as a tool of deceit in today's world — for good and evil — with the theme of 'Lie to Me'. An exciting lineup of literary talent is coming to play, kicking off with opening night's acclaimed trio: bestselling US author of The Interestings, The Wife and The Female Persuasion, Meg Wolitzer; Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, who's the mind behind dystopian short story collection Friday Black; and award-winning writer of Grief is the Thing with Feathers and Lanny, Max Porter. A star-studded cast of literary talent appears throughout the rest of this year's program, too. Flying the flag for the Aussie writing scene are the likes of Leigh Sales (Any Ordinary Day), Trent Dalton (Boy Swallows Universe), Mark Brandi (The Rip), Clare Wright (You Daughters of Freedom) and Candice Fox (Gone By Midnight). They're joined by a stack of international names, like lauded Pakistani author Fatima Bhutto (The Runaways, Songs of Blood and Sword), who'll be exploring current shifts surrounding politics, gender and race, along with writers like Susan Orlean (The Library Book) and Andrew Sean Greer (Less). Man Booker Prize winner George Saunders (whose novel Lincoln in the Bardo, which has a staggering 166 narrators, was one of our favourite books of 2017) will also be taking to the stage in the City Recital Hall. The festival's also dishing up a range of special events — the Curiosity Lecture Series covers quirky topics from witches to the subculture of 'chilli-heads', Eddie Sharp's Erotic Fan Fiction makes its hotly anticipated and cheeky return, and an assortment of festival guests share stories of their own queer literary heroes in a segment called Gay For Page. While the Sydney Writers' Festival hub will remain at Carriageworks, events will be held across the city — stretching from Sydney Town Hall across to Penrith and down to Wollongong. Sydney Writers' Festival returns from April 29–May 5. Tickets go on sale at 9am on Friday, March 15. Images: Prudence Upton
You probably recognise Lea DeLaria from her role on Netflix's Orange Is the New Black. But while she's best known for playing inmate Big Boo, the truth is she's been around a hell of a lot longer than that. The first openly gay comic to appear on American television, DeLaria has been appearing on stage and screen for more than three decades, and will on Saturday, June 9 appear at the City Recital Hall for an evening of stand-up and song. Part of this year's Vivid festival, Lea DeLaria Live In Concert will see the singer, actor and comedian – who has five jazz records to her name, by the way – perform songs from her latest album, House of David. If the name didn't give it away, it lovingly reimagines the music of the late great David Bowie, so you'll be getting two icons for the price of one.
Home to raindrop cakes, Nutella gyoza and salted caramel gyoza, Harajuku Gyoza clearly likes getting creative with its menu. The chain is fond of trying out new things with its dumpling range in particular, as its experiments with mac 'n' cheese, pepperoni pizza and marshmallow versions have demonstrated. But mixing things up isn't only about stuffing gyoza with different kinds of ingredients. That's all well and good — and tasty — but the Australian brand likes to get creative elsewhere, too. Now on the chain's winter menu: charcoal karaage chicken fondue. All of those words really do describe exactly what you'll be eating, so get ready to dip charcoal-coated bite-sized pieces of karaage chicken into a hot pot of oh-so-gooey cheese. If your stomach isn't already rumbling, it really should be. Just how long the new addition to the menu will be hanging around for your dipping pleasure hasn't yet been revealed, but a serving will cost you $14. And if you fancy pairing the new charcoal karaage chicken fondue with any of the chain's other inventive dishes — or after devouring cheeseburger gyoza, which is stuffed with burger pieces, aged cheddar, onion, pickles, mustard and tomato sauce; and mozzarella gyoza, which is filled with the obvious, then deep-fried and sprinkled with Twisties salt — that's up to you. Harajuku Gyoza's charcoal karaage chicken fondue is now available at all Australian stores — at Darling Harbour in Sydney; at South Bank and the CBD in Brisbane; and in Broadbeach on the Gold Coast.
If the stones and shopfronts of Lygon Street could talk, they'd surely do so in Italian. Sometimes referred to as Melbourne's Little Italy, the iconic Carlton thoroughfare has played a major role in Australia's cultural and gastronomical development over the past 60 years, and it is now the subject of a new home-grown documentary: Lygon Street – Si parla Italiano. The story begins in the years following World War II, during which time millions of migrants left Europe in search of new beginnings. Of those that made the long journey to Australia, one in six were from Italy, many of whom came based on the promise of jobs that in reality didn't exist. At first, the government funnelled them into migrant centres (viewers are left to draw their own parallels to the treatment of asylum seekers today). The conditions were shabby and the means of entertainment scarce, but the biggest sticking point for the Italians was the terrible quality of the food. Soon, the migrants flooded out into the community in search of a place where they could call their own. As if by fate, they settled on a street named Lygon. Before long, the road was littered with restaurants, coffee bars, grocers and delicatessens, many of them with written signs in the window reading 'Si parla Italiano', meaning 'we speak Italian'. Locals were suspicious of the settlers at first, but were soon won over by the quality of their cooking. By the '80s, Lygon Street was one of the hottest night spots in the city, home to bars, clubs and theatres, not to mention, the scene of raucous celebration in the wake of Italy's 1986 World Cup victory. Silky narration by Anthony LaPaglia keeps the film from feeling too much like a history lesson. Directors Shannon Swan and Angelo Pricolo combine archival footage and traditional talking heads with a more flavoursome approach to storytelling by inviting some of the street's oldest pioneers — the owners of establishments like L'Alba and University Cafe — out for dinner. Over plates of pasta, the old friends recall stories from their past, laughing and shouting over the top of each other as they argue about which one owned the first espresso machine in Australia. It's an ingenious way of making viewers feel included — a Saturday night dinner in one of Lygon's bustling eateries. Admittedly, it's hard to imagine Si parla Italiano being as interesting to anyone from outside of certain areas of Melbourne (although the film has just scored a limited release nationwide). Locals will be thoroughly charmed, particularly when factoring in the rather surreal experience of exiting the theatre onto the boulevard they've just been watching. If nothing else, the doco is a savvy marketing tool for traders. No one's likely to walk out of the film not craving an Italian meal. https://youtube.com/watch?v=WOsIFtJTkiE
For fans of beautifully made things, there can never be too many design markets. Now, the women behind Authentic Design Alliance and Factory Design District have announced another. DESIGN-MADE will span over three days from October 27–29 and focus on genuinely original, accessible and sustainable design pieces. For co-founders Kobe Johns and Anne-Maree Sargeant, the market has been some time in the making. They have each been in the sustainable design scene for years, both in various capacities. Johns is the one-woman show behind Factory Design District, a three-day exhibition of new and established Aussie designers which has formed the basis of DESIGN-MADE. Sargeant, a designer herself, has been attending and curating design markets since 1987. In her position as director of the Authentic Design Alliance, she's a strong advocate for originality in design and the ADA is also attempting to outlaw the grossly prevalent counterfeit trade that is hamstringing the Aussie furniture design scene. The event will be held across two venues — SUNSTUDIOS and the Fisher and Paykel Experience Centre — and is more than just a market. While the phrase 'a celebration of Australian design' is a little cheesy, it's probably more accurate. You can expect educational talks, book signings, workshops, installations and 'meet the maker' forums. Of course, there will also be craft beer, organic wine, yum cha and food trucks to fuel your browsing. Exhibitors include: CULT, Designer Rugs, Dinosaur Designs, Hava Studio, MUD Australia, Spence & Lyda, Archer Objects, Fresh Prince, Ilanel, Jonathan West, Tom Fereday and Tom Skeehan, along with installations from LOCAL DESIGN and Interpretations V, a design collective created by Andrew Simpson featuring eight leading Australian designers. Image: Fiona Susanto.
In this age of seemingly endless streaming platforms — with newcomers vying for your eyeballs every week, or so it seems — there's never a shortage of things to watch. New movies hit the likes of Netflix, Stan, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV+ and DocPlay all the time, as well as the plethora of other online viewing services, all ready to be watched and enjoyed by your ravenous eyeballs. With such an ongoing onslaught of content fighting for everyone's attention, it's easy to miss the highlights. Or, to put a new film in your queue, then keep watching Tiger King and completely forget all about it. To help, we round up the best streaming highlights each and every month. But, in case you've missed any of our movie picks, we've also compiled a list of the standout flicks we've recommended over the past year that are still available for you to stream — and are well worth your attention — this very moment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTfJp2Ts9X8 UNCUT GEMS The best film of 2020, based on Australian release dates, might only screen on Netflix on our shores. That might seem a big call, but the anxiety-dripping, riveting Uncut Gems is a stone-cold masterpiece, complete with one of the greatest performances of Adam Sandler's career (alongside Punch-Drunk Love and The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected)). Far, far removed from his Netflix comedies of late, the actor is all hustle and bustle as Jewish American diamond-district jeweller Howard Ratner. A compulsive gambler who is deeply in debt, about to get divorced and being shaken down by a loan shark (Eric Bogosian) he's related to by marriage, he's always trying to lure in high-profile clientele. When he comes into possession of a rare black opal — the uncut gem of the title — basketballer Kevin Garnett becomes interested, sparking a wild chain of events. Writer/directors Josh and Benny Safdie last worked their gritty, vivid and relentlessly tense magic with the Robert Pattinson-starring Good Time to exhilarating and mesmerising effect, and this uncompromisingly chaotic thriller and all-round exceptional character study is even better. Uncut Gems is available to stream via Netflix. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ul5GFfMAvtg THE REPORT One of 2019's late highlights is based on a US Senate Intelligence Committee report on CIA torture. No, that's not a sentence that comes up very often. Directed by Contagion, Side Effects and The Laundromat screenwriter Scott Z. Burns, The Report recreates the experiences of real-life Senate staffer Daniel Jones, who, from 2009–2015, delved into the scandalous treatment of terrorist suspects by America's key intelligence agency. It mightn't sound riveting on the page, but as Jones dives deeper into a dark part of recent American history, weathers hefty opposition and dedicates himself to ascertaining the truth, The Report makes for gripping viewing. Adam Driver serves up his latest stellar performance as the committed investigator and, while the film belongs to its star and its subject matter, Annette Bening, Jon Hamm, Michael C. Hall and Corey Stoll also leave an imprint. The Report is available to stream via Amazon Prime Video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9YEKRJ4TA4 I LOST MY BODY Forget the latest version of The Addams Family — the best movie to feature a detached hand scrambling around on its own five fingers is French animation I Lost My Body. A deserved winner of the Critics' Week Grand Prize at last year's Cannes Film Festival, Jérémy Clapin's rich and textured picture adapts a novel by Amelie screenwriter Guillaume Laurant's and intertwines two narrative threads. Imbued with a bittersweet mood, the film charts the efforts of pizza delivery pizza Naofel (Hakim Faris) to earn the attention of young librarian Gabrielle (Victoire Du Bois), while also following the exploits of the aforementioned autonomous appendage as it roams around town. The imagery, including visuals framed from the hand's perspective, is sumptuous. The emotional journey, complete with thrills, spills and ample melancholy, finds the balance between whimsical and weighty. Poetic, ruminative and entertaining, this is the best animated movie of the year. I Lost My Body is available to stream via Netflix. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Td0oBCWO_I4 THE ART OF SELF-DEFENSE Talk about perfect casting. If you're going to make a movie about a meek, mild-mannered accountant who spends the bulk of his time alone, doesn't fit in with his frat boy co-workers and is struggling to cope with being violently attacked — and you're making a black comedy that firmly and sharply skewers toxic masculinity, too — then you want Jesse Eisenberg as your lead. Drawing upon experience in the likes of The Social Network and the Zombieland films, he's pitch-perfect as the aforementioned Casey, including when he seems to find solace in the teachings and classes of a local karate dojo. Also starring Imogen Poots (Eisenberg's co-star in Vivarium), and written and directed by filmmaker Riley Stearns (Faults), this smart blend of satire, statement and thrills never makes the obvious choice; however it does drum up plenty of laughs. The Art of Self-Defense is available to stream via Amazon Prime Video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JLUn2DFW4w EL CAMINO: A BREAKING BAD MOVIE Six years after he was last seen driving off into the night, Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul) finally made a comeback. That's how long it was for Breaking Bad fans; however, for the character, absolutely no time passed. Picking up where the show's grim finale left off, El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie explores what comes next for Walter White (Bryan Cranston)'s former meth-cooking partner. The cops are on his trail, but Skinny Pete (Charles Barker) and Badger (Matt Jones) are on hand to help. As Jesse tries to find a way forward, plenty of flashbacks also flesh out and reshape his story. While El Camino might be superfluous — Jesse didn't really need this lap of honour, and viewers didn't really need such a definitive conclusion — it's still an immense pleasure to return to the Breaking Bad realm, especially with series creator Vince Gilligan at the helm. Of course, Better Call Saul has been letting audiences do that since 2015, but every BB aficionado has a soft spot for Jesse, his love of saying "yo", and his fondness for science and magnets. El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie is available to stream via Netflix. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHBcWHY9lN4 ALWAYS BE MY MAYBE It's a little unfair to say that Always Be My Maybe is worth watching for Keanu Reeves. He's not the film's star, with those honours going to writers and comedians Ali Wong and Randall Park; however, he's an unmissable force of nature not only playing the man who could thwart the movie's central romance, but also playing a heightened, exaggerated, ultra sensual version of himself. Yes, it's as glorious as it sounds. Always Be My Maybe is never as entertainingly chaotic when Reeves isn't around, but it's a charming, topical rom-com from start to finish, albeit one that hits familiar genre beats. A little charisma goes a long way, however, and Wong and Park (and Reeves, obviously) have it in spades in a movie that also marks the film directorial debut of Don't Trust the Bitch in Apartment 23's Nahnatchka Khan. Always Be My Maybe is available to stream via Netflix. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMfyueM-ZBQ TOGO As moving a dog-focused movie as you're ever likely to see, Togo tells an extraordinary true tale. You might've already heard of Balto, the sled dog who came to fame for running 53 miles in a snow storm to help fetch diphtheria anti-toxin for a small Alaskan town back in 1925. That canine is clearly a hero — but another Siberian Husky named Togo actually led the pack that ran the bulk of the distance, covering a huge 260 miles over ice and snow. So, this heartfelt and action-packed movie tells the latter's story. Starring Willem Dafoe as his owner Leonhard Seppala, it's endearing from start to finish. In earnest mode, Dafoe is typically excellent, while the cute pooch acting is first-rate as well. And while director Ericson Core did a terrible job of 2015's needless Point Break remake, he does exactly what he needs to here. Togo is available to stream via Disney+. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q57D6kF5B1k THE PERFECTION With Get Out and now The Perfection, Allison Williams appears to have an on-screen type, playing ambitious women who'll do whatever it takes to get what they want, including getting their hands dirty. But this Netflix horror film doesn't just throw the Girls star into familiar territory and ask her to follow in her own footsteps, even if that's how it initially seems. Williams plays cello prodigy Charlotte Willmore, who, after her career is cut short, befriends her replacement Lizzie (Logan Browning) during a trip to China. Where the narrative twists and turns from there is best discovered by watching, but filmmaker Richard Shepard has made a feistily immersive genre piece with thrills, body horror and a timely statement. The Perfection is available to stream via Netflix. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5Vm_Awe3bw MINDING THE GAP When Free Solo took out this year's Academy Award for Best Documentary, it was a thoroughly deserving winner, as anyone who's sweated through the true rock-climbing tale can attest. If the trophy had been handed to Minding the Gap instead, however, the Oscars wouldn't have made a mistake. Directed by Bing Liu and also featuring the filmmaker on-screen, this intimate doco steps into the lives of three Illinois residents as they cope with life's stresses, endeavour to find solace in skateboarding, and wrestle with society's expectations of them as young men. While every kickflip and ollie looks and feels equally raw and astonishing, the action footage has nothing on the film's real rollercoaster ride: the film's three subjects and their stories of domestic and substance abuse, living on the margins, and trying to navigate both economic and racial oppression. Minding the Gap is available to stream via DocPlay. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEoJuTRZDjk EARTHQUAKE BIRD After exploring the life of writer Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette in last year's Keira Knightley-starring biopic Colette, British writer/director Wash Westmoreland jumps from late 19th- and early 20th-century France to Tokyo circa 1989. That's where Swedish expat Lucy Fly (Alicia Vikander) lives, works and starts to date Japanese photographer Teiji (Naoki Kobayashi). And, with the film framed through a police interrogation, that's where she also becomes a suspect in a missing persons case that could also be a murder. Based on Susanna Jones' 2001 novel of the same name, Earthquake Bird charts the fallout after American Lily Bridges (Riley Keough) arrives in town, befriends Lucy and then disappears — after getting close to Teiji. The film takes its time to solve its central mystery, but that patient approach comes packaged with sumptuous visuals, appropriately contrasting portrayals by its female stars (Vikander is icy and restrained, Keough is lively and vibrant), and a considerable command over its slow-burn thrills and tension. Earthquake Bird is available to stream via Netflix. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDQm70Q9hKI GUAVA ISLAND Last year, when Coachella hit, Donald Glover delivered audiences everywhere a treat — whether you were at the Californian festival or not. The artist also known as Childish Gambino teamed up with his Atlanta director Hiro Murai, his screenwriter brother Stephen Glover, Black Panther's Letitia Wright, Game of Thrones' Nonso Anozie and, oh, none other than Rihanna, for a new film called Guava Island. Filled with Glover's music (naturally), it premiered at a specially built theatre at the fest to tie in with Glover's headlining set, and it's also available to stream via Amazon's streaming platform. The thoughtful and delightful film follows Deni Maroon (Glover), a Cuban musician trying to put on a festival on the titular island, all while battling his tyrannical employer. Guava Island is available to stream via Amazon Prime Video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WT4bnfULz2s THE KING Since he came to widespread fame in Call Me By Your Name, Timothée Chalamet has become cinematic royalty. In The King, he embraces that status. Stepping into both historical and Shakespearean territory, he plays Hal, aka King Henry V, in a slow-building but astute drama based on the Bard's Henriad plays. Perfectly content never to take 15th-century England's top job, Hal nonetheless finds himself donning the crown — and, thanks to a war with France, following in his father's (Ben Mendelsohn) footsteps in more ways than one. Directed by Australian filmmaker David Michod and co-written with his Animal Kingdom star Joel Edgerton, The King plays up the internal and external conflict, tones down the language and, when it comes to political manoeuvring, finds much to muse on. Michod and cinematographer Adam Arkapaw particularly revel in the film's battle scenes, while, cast-wise, the sight of Chalamet facing off against a long-haired, French-accented, almost-comedic Robert Pattinson is the stuff that the internet's dreams are made of. Edgerton, Sean Harris (Mission: Impossible – Fallout ), Thomasin McKenzie (Leave No Trace) and Lily-Rose Depp all also make an impact. The King is available to stream via Netflix.
In the spirit of celebrating inspirational ladies — and because it was such a massive hit in Melbourne — the Emerging Writers' Festival are bringing their storytelling event Amazing Babes to Sydney for a one-night celebration of women who inspire, either in a wordy way, or in a general good-human-being kind of way. Amazing Babes was originally inspired by the Amazing Babes book — Eliza Sarlos' "picture book for kids and adults". It's a compilation of stories about the lives of impressive, intelligent, game-changing women, from Audre Lorde to Tavi Gevinson. The Sydney event will feature a swoon-worthy lineup of super cool and talented Australian writers. The list includes poet and Penguin Plays Rough storyteller, Pip Smith; founder of Canberra literary collective Scissors Paper Pen and author of this (pretty incredible) essay about menstruation, Rosanna Stevens; and novelist and founding member of SWEATSHOP collective, Tamar Chnorhokian. On the night, they'll all be reading about an equally swoon-worthy batch of babes they admire. Can I get a hell yeah for sisterhood and solidarity? This event is running as part of the Emerging Writers' Festival Roadshow. Read more about that over here.
For a while there, it seemed like every hip hop tour to Australia was doomed to fail. Poor ticket sales, high-profile artists that don't show up, lazy and greedy managers and a general lack of any business savvy whatsoever have conspired to kill off a handful of festivals and some major tours in just the last year or two. But in the midst of all that, Rap City has not only gone ahead, it has thrived. Since its inception in 2010 the single-stage mini-festival has brought out some of the all-time greats of the game, from Ghostface Killah and DOOM to The Beatnuts and Masta Ace. This time around, Rap City will be headlined by none other than Talib Kweli, one of the most thoughtful, socially aware and lyrically gifted MCs around. His 1998 collaboration album with Mos Def — Mos Def and Talib Kweli Are Black Star — remains a masterpiece of politically and socially conscious hip hop, but over 15 years and half-a-dozen albums Kweli has proved time and again that he is one of the most gifted lyricists of his generation. With a new album, Prisoner of Conscious, recently released featuring Miguel, Curren$y, Kendrick Lamar, Marsha Ambrosius and Busta Rhymes, Kweli is sure to be at his energetic, eloquent best. Joining Kweli will be Homeboy Sandman, the rapidly rising star signed to Stones Throw Records (home to the likes of DOOM, Peanut Butter Wolf, Madlib, Australia's own Jonti and the late, great J Dilla). His praises as a lyricist and intellect have been sung by XXL, The Source, NPR, Rolling Stone and everyone in between, but his beats have a groove so good you almost don't notice that Homeboy's lyrics challenge almost every thought you have ever had. And if that weren't enough, these twin lyrical titans are being joined by Trademark 'Da Skydiver', the next big thing from the Jet Life Crew label — home to the likes of Curren$y, Smoke DZA and Sir Michael Rocks (formerly of The Cool Kids). With a handful of rapturously received mixtapes under his belt, Trademark is currently putting his finishing touches on his highly anticipated album Flamingo Barnes 2, which is due on the eve of his Australian Rap City tour. If anyone ever told you hip hop was dead, make sure you drag them along to Rap City and shut them up. MELBOURNE – Thursday October 3 @ The Hi-Fi PERTH – Friday October 4 @ Villa BRISBANE – Saturday October 5th @ The Hi-Fi SYDNEY – Sunday (Long Weekend) October 6 @ The Hi-Fi Tickets go on sale on Monday, 12 August, via Moshtix and OZTIX.
Bummed you didn't get a Splendour ticket? Angry you bought dozens of Splendour tickets so you could scalp them, and now find yourself holding hundreds of dollars' worth of paper after organisers shut down the re-sale facility over the weekend? Decided not to go this year, thinking you could totally see all the bands you wanted to see when they did their sideshows? Well whoever you are, it's time to whip out those diaries and start making plans — we found the mother of all emails in our inboxes this morning, bursting with sideshow goodness. Listed below are all the details you need for nine bands — electronica wunderkind James Blake, old Splendour favourites Cold War Kids, so-hot-right-now sister act HAIM, MS MR (described to me as "Florence + the Machine, plus Lana Del Rey, with some Kavinsky thrown in"), the R&B-ish indie of Mancunians Everything Everything, Next Big Thing Jake Bugg, LA noise merchants FIDLAR, fast-rising Poms Palma Violets and kings of Florida chill Surfer Blood. And those are just nine of the eleventy-billion bands (we counted!) announced on the full Splendour lineup just a couple of weeks ago. More shows will be announced for the other bands as we get closer to the date. (Though sadly not for The National, Mumford & Sons or TV on the Radio, who are playing their only Australian shows at the festival.) Full ticketing information is on the Secret Sounds website. JAMES BLAKE Fri 26 July – Astor Theatre, Perth Tues 30 July – Sydney Opera House, Sydney Wed 31 July – Palais Theatre, Melbourne Fri 2 Aug – Town Hall, Auckland www.jamesblakemusic.com COLD WAR KIDS Monday 29 July – Metro Theatre, Sydney Tuesday 30 July – The HiFi, Melbourne Thursday 1 August – The Gov, Adelaide Friday 2 August – Capitol, Perth www.coldwarkids.com HAIM Wed 24 July – The Hi-Fi, Sydney Thu 25 July – The Hi-Fi, Melbourne www.HAIMtheband.com MS MR Fri 26 July – The Metro, Sydney Mon 29 July – The Hi-Fi, Melbourne www.msmrsounds.com EVERYTHING EVERYTHING Fri 26 July – The Corner, Melbourne Sat 27 July – The Metro, Sydney www.everything-everything.co.uk JAKE BUGG Thurs 25 July – Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney Sun 28 July – The Corner, Melbourne www.jakebugg.com FIDLAR Mon 29 July – The Corner, Melbourne Wed 31 July – Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney Fri 2 August – Spinoff Festival, Adelaide Sat 3 August – The Bakery, Perth www.fidlarmusic.com PALMA VIOLETS Mon 29 July – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne Tues 30 July – Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney www.palmaviolets.co.uk SURFER BLOOD Wed 24 July – The Corner, Melbourne Fri 26 July – Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney www.surferblood.com
If you were planning to start your hot girl summer by catching Megan Thee Stallion's first-ever live shows in Australia, Festival X comes bearing bad news: the American rapper is no longer heading Down Under. Mere days out from the event's first 2022 stop, organisers have announced that the performer is no longer on the bill, and that she won't be replaced. "Due to unforeseen circumstances, Megan Thee Stallion will not be able to travel to Australia to perform at Festival X," the Festival X team advised in a statement. "Whilst our goal is to present the best experience for fans, despite our best efforts, it will not be possible to find a replacement at such short notice. However, with over 30 artists making up this year's line-up — including Calvin Harris, Don Toliver, Boys Noize, Green Velvet, Nina Kraviz and so many more — we are looking forward to catching you on the dancefloor for Festival X and officially kicking off summer 2022!" View this post on Instagram A post shared by Festival X (@festivalxworld) The lineup change comes after a chaotic few years for Festival X, which debuted back in 2019 with Calvin Harris leading the bill, but hasn't been able to return since until now due to the pandemic. The Scottish DJ headlines the 2022 fest again, joined by Don Toliver. Festival X has five stops in its sights between Saturday, November 26–Sunday, December 4, all huge outdoor gigs — playing Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast, Bonython Park in Adelaide, Sydney Showground and Perth's Claremont Showground. Anyone with ticketing concerns due to Megan Thee Stallion's cancellation is advised to submit a request to Moshtix customer service before 5pm on Friday, November 25. Tickets are still available for all five Festival X dates around the country — and you can check out the current lineup below: FESTIVAL X 2022 LINEUP: Calvin Harris Don Toliver Boys Noize Green Velvet John Summit Luude MaRLo Nina Kraviz Sub Focus (DJ set and ID) Tchami Wilkinson (DJ set) Anna Lunoe Babyface Mal Badrapper Blastoyz Choomba Cosmic Gate Franky Rizardo Haliene Key4050 featuring John O'Callaghan and Bryan Kearney Laura King Len Faki Nifra Nora En Pure Prospa Sunset Bros Taglo Tyson O'Brien FESTIVAL X 2022 DATES: Saturday, November 26 — Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne Sunday, November 27 — Metricon Stadium, Gold Coast Friday, December 2 — Bonython Park, Adelaide Saturday, December 3 — Sydney Showground, Sydney Sunday, December 4 — Claremont Showground, Perth Festival X 2022 tours the country from Saturday, November 26–Sunday, December 4. For more information or to buy tickets, head to the festival website.
Since arriving in Potts Point in 2013, Harajuku Gyoza has always kept things simple: gyoza and beer. Now, the Japanese eatery is opening a new eatery and craft brewery in Darling Harbour next week. Harajuku Gyoza Beer Stadium will throw open its doors on Friday, November 9. As the name suggests, it's a behemoth. The harbourside spot will feature 'stadium'-style stepped seating as well as booths, a mezzanine level and outdoor spots. Expect a Harajuku aesthetic with lots of the brand's signature red. It'll be the second 'stadium' in Australia — one opened on the Gold Coast in mid-2017. Beer is the feature here. On walking in, you'll notice four massive beer tanks behind the bar. Each 1200-litre vessel will hold one of six Japanese drops brewed on-site under the watchful eye of Yoyogi, a Japanese brewery that's been operating in Australia in 2015 and in Kyoto, Japan, for over a century. Joining them at the taps will be another six brews, bringing the total available at any one time to 12. Meanwhile, the menu will be the selfsame one that's been attracting ravenous hordes to Potts Point. Among the dishes are nine types of gyoza, fried chicken, chicken ramen and salmon sashimi poke. The venue's signature desserts will feature, too, including its raindrop cake and salted caramel and Nutella gyoza. The Beer Stadium will join a raft of other small breweries nearby, including the neighbouring All Hands Brewing and James Squire brewhouse at the Overseas Passenger Terminal. Harajuku Gyoza Beer Stadium will open at Darling Harbour next Friday, November 9.
When you spend 12 days hopping between Sydney's cinemas trying to watch as many movies as possible, you learn a few things. You learn that some films demand a second viewing, that Twilight stars keep making ace post-vampire-romance choices, and that there's a whole heap of people that are really rather fond of chickens. You also learn that simply watching tourists walk around can be both heartbreaking and revealing, that some Netflix flicks demand the big screen treatment, and that the Australian film industry should have a new multicultural hit on its hand. And, you realise that Sydney Film Festival is the best time of year for the city's movie lovers — but, you already knew that, didn't you? Our film critics Sarah Ward and Tom Clift discovered all of the above at this year's SFF, and, now they've emerged from their massive movie marathon, they've shared the results. Whittling down their huge viewing lists to these 12 standouts, here's what they loved, were surprised by and utterly embraced the strangeness of — that is, the best, weirdest and most unexpected films of the 2017 Sydney Film Festival. BEST: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iT9m2huUTgA ALI'S WEDDING If there's any justice, the delightful Ali's Wedding will be one of the breakout hits of 2017. Inspired by the disastrous arranged marriage of screenwriter and lead actor Osamah Sami, the film, which has been billed as Australia's first Muslim rom-com, follows a young man who must navigate the expectations of his religious community after falling in love with a woman other than his betrothed. Shot in and around Melbourne, the movie is at once a vital portrait of life in multicultural Australia, a deeply moving love story, and one of the funniest local productions of the past few years. It's in cinemas in August. Tell your friends. — Tom Clift https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVyGCxHZ_Ko GOOD TIME Folks, thank the film gods for Twilight. Do it. Without it, we wouldn't have two of today's most talented actors making such interesting — and excellent — projects. SFF 2016 might've been all about Kristen Stewart, but SFF 2014 guest Robert Pattinson jumps back into the festival's spotlight with Good Time. The fast-paced flick mightn't offer a good time for his character, a low-level crim running around New York trying to rustle up some cash to get his brother out of jail after a bank robbery, but it's a mighty good time for audiences. Directing duo Josh and Ben Safdie (the latter of which also stars as Pattinson's brother) ramp up the energy and tension, shoot with gritty vividness, and bring Jennifer Jason Leigh and Captain Phillips Oscar nominee Barkhad Abdi along for the ride. And then there's the pulsating score — trust us, Oneohtrix Point Never won the soundtrack award at this year's Cannes Film Festival for a damn good reason. — Sarah Ward https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A95a94CVxlg THE BEGUILED With The Beguiled, Sofia Coppola won a directing gong at Cannes, making her the first woman in more than 50 years to do so. After viewing the film at this year's Sydney Film Festival, it's easy to understand why. An immaculately shot Southern gothic thriller, the movie takes place in an all-girls boarding school during the dying days of the American Civil War, where life is suddenly thrown into turmoil by the arrival of a wounded Yankee soldier. Seething with sexual tension, and surprisingly funny, The Beguiled also benefits from an absolutely stellar cast, with Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst, Elle Fanning and Colin Farrell all operating at the top of their game. — TC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ui92Scs8Mns A GHOST STORY A Ghost Story is always going to be known as that film where Casey Affleck stands around underneath a sheet. And, that description is apt. Reuniting this year's Manchester by the Sea best actor Oscar winner with his Ain't Them Bodies Saints co-star Rooney Mara and writer/director David Lowery (also of Pete's Dragon), he does just that after his character is killed — but, if you didn't think it'd make for one of the best movies of the year so far, think again. Moody and minimalistic (as a costume anyone could make gives away), the film breathes new (after)life into the idea of haunted houses in a thoughtful and emotion-filled manner. As Affleck's ghost lurks, the movie offers up an astute understanding of how mourning and memories linger over time, and remain forever intertwined with certain places. — SW https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgDhpy9Z-NM A FANTASTIC WOMAN A Fantastic Woman? Yes, this sensitive drama places one front and centre. A fantastic film? You bet. After using a compassionate gaze to explore the world of an older lady trying to find happiness in Gloria, Chilean filmmaker Sebastián Lelio turns his attention to Marina (Daniela Vega), a waitress and singer whose life is thrown into disarray when tragedy strikes. The family of her much older lover is horrified, judging her transgender status rather than daring to let her into their lives — or let her mourn. The movie doesn't make the same mistake, in an effort that proves empathetic and engaging from start to finish, complete with an exceptional lead performance and one perfect song cue. — SW CALL ME BY YOUR NAME We were mighty excited about Call Me By Your Name when it screened at Sundance, we loved it at the Berlinale, and we still love it now. Oh boy, does Luca Guadagnino's (A Bigger Splash) latest and best feature to date more than deliver. Let us put it this way: when you're watching a 17-year-old become infatuated with his father's handsome research assistant, played by Armie Hammer, you're feeling every single emotion he's feeling. And, you're falling head over heels for everything about this masterpiece as well. Call Me By Your Name is the kind of effort that couldn't be more seductive, from the sumptuous sights of its scenic Italian setting to the summertime heat — and sizzling sentiments to match — that radiate from the screen. Keep an eye on Timothée Chalamet, too, who plays the teenager in question. If this movie is any guide, he should become one of cinema's next big things. — SW WEIRDEST https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojoVppEADyU OKJA Very few filmmakers would even conceive of a movie as unusual as Okja. And perhaps only South Korea's Bong Joon-ho, who previously helmed Snowpiercer, would be able to pull it off. A Netflix production about a precocious little girl who must save her hippopotamus-sized 'super pig' from a nefarious multinational, the film is a scathing corporate satire wrapped up in a rollicking adventure — and despite outward appearances, it is definitely not suitable for children. Tilda Swinton, Paul Dano and Jake Gyllenhaal lead an impressive English-speaking cast, but the real star is South Korean newcomer Ahn Seo-hyeon, as well as the flawless special effects that bring her enormous friend to life. As strangely wonderful as it is wonderfully strange, Okja is well worth your attention when it hits Netflix at the end of June. — TC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nw3fHdL_D68 THE SQUARE Sometimes, films prove odd purely due to the way they approach their topic. Sometimes, it's the little things — having Elisabeth Moss' character share her apartment with a chimpanzee — for example. This year's Cannes Film Festival Palme d'Or winner, The Square does both, as well as litter its frames with performance art that's both intentionally staged and organically shows how the boundaries between life and theatricality can all-too-easily blur. At face value, it's a satire of the creative world, but everything about the society surrounding contemporary art galleries comes under the microscope in what proves a dense and disarming effort. Director Ruben Östlund last made audiences squirm with relationship drama Force Majeure, and he's up to his brilliant tricks again here, as aided by a standout lead performance by Danish actor Claes Bang. — SW https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjA7irNL-no CHICKEN PEOPLE Who would have guessed that one of the year's most emotional movies would be set in the high stakes world of competitive chicken rearing? Directed by Nicole Lucas Haimes, Chicken People chronicles a year in the life of three diehard chicken breeders as they prepare their best birds for the prestigious Ohio National Poultry Show. Like the best documentaries about obsessive individuals, the film is funny without ever making fun of its subjects. By the time the end credits roll, you'll be a chicken person too. — TC MOST UNEXPECTED https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSv99sd_A5o AUSTERLITZ On paper, Austerlitz sounds oh-so-simple. Filmmaker Sergei Loznitsa places his camera at certain spots throughout two former German concentration camps, lets it roll, and records tourists as they walk through the sites. He doesn't offer move his frame to follow or zoom in on anyone, provide explanatory voiceover or intertitles, or direct the audience's attention in any way. That means you're forced to peer and probe, and to see and scrutinise, as these visitors wander through places known for such horrific atrocities while wearing "Cool Story Bro" shirts and staring at their mobile phones. Prepare to draw plenty of conclusions about and insights into human nature from their ordinary exploits, including many that you won't expect. — SW BETTER WATCH OUT Picket fences, a blonde babysitter and a psychotic killer: on paper Better Watch Out sounds like the most stereotypical slasher movie imaginable. And for most of its first act, it is. But just when you think you've seen it all before, the film pivots wildly and suddenly all bets are off. Mixing genuine scares with knowing black humour — not to mention some pretty spot on commentary about how young men and boys are conditioned to think about women — this US-Australia co-production from writer-director Chris Peckover is one of the best meta horror films we've seen in quite some time. — TC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0xDZy8ejTk BRIGSBY BEAR There's a reason that Brigsby Bear made SFF's top five audience favourites this year — and it's not just because, having voted Ali's Wedding and Call Me By Your Name into the top two spots, festival attendees clearly have great taste. Rarely has a movie been so endearingly earnest without ever overplaying its hand, or devolving into triteness or schmaltz, particularly one that toys around with such a been-there, seen-that, still-living-it topic as pop culture obsession. Following a grown man still attached to his favourite TV show for reasons best discovered by watching, the film from Saturday Night Live writer/director Dave McCary and performer Kyle Mooney will make you want to give it the biggest hug possible. Mark Hamill, Claire Danes, Greg Kinnear and Andy Samberg also pop up, but Mooney and his furry best friend well and truly steal the show. — SW By Sarah Ward and Tom Clift.
Coffee is a complicated game. You need to source the right beans, grind them correctly, filter them for the specified time, perhaps froth the milk to that just-right temp and you need some pure-ass water. That's because coffee is 98 percent H2O, so some average water will mean your coffee will taste average — which is a damn shame if you've shelled out for some luxe Panama Geisha beans. Specialty coffee cafes are all over this and filter their water extensively, but baby home baristas aren't so diligent. So, to ensure they don't waste those beans on sub-par water, some genius has created a type of purified water specifically for making coffee. It's called Aquiem, and it's labelled its product as 'enhanced water'. While that sounds like total wank, it's essentially water that's been distilled to take all the extra stuff out of it. Then, a blend of good minerals that are supposedly meant to enhance the flavour of coffee are added back in. Then they're packaged and sold for a couple of dollars a pop. "What you definitely do not want is to have things like zinc and lead, fluoride, chlorine and large amounts of calcium in the water. All of that effects the taste of the coffee," co-founder Rob Vidacovich told Daily Coffee News. "What does have a favourable effect on coffee are things like magnesium, potassium, and a certain right blend of calcium." The whole idea is to allow non-pro baristas to make the most of their beans and drink a damn good cup of coffee every time. The Louisiana-based company has been working on the product for six years, but officially launched at the start of this year. Aquiem is currently sold in retailers in the state, but can be ordered online. Via Daily Coffee News.
Reign is ringing in World Chardonnay Day with a spectacular Chardy Party on Friday, May 24. The evening event will see 15 esteemed wine producers set up a tasting trail at the venue, along with an oyster station, lavish grazing tables, engaging masterclasses and live music. It doesn't stop there — all Trippas White Group venues will offer Chardonnay flights and a tempting 49 percent discount on select bottles throughout the week leading up to World Chardonnay Day on Thursday, May 23. Led by Trippas White Group sommeliers Louella Mathews and Luigi Celiento, the Chardy Party will feature renowned producers like Handpicked Wines and House of Arras. Guests will be able to engage with winery representatives, sample an array of wines and feast on freshly shucked Sydney Rock Oysters courtesy of East 33 at the oyster and Chablis station. Tickets for this exclusive soirée start at $89. VIP tickets are priced at $109, which comes with a masterclass with House of Arras, a tasting of Handpicked's acclaimed 2022 Wombat Creek Yarra Valley Chardonnay and a Plumm sensory experience.
Your summer harbourside dining adventures have just jumped up a notch. Pier One Sydney has officially announced that The Gantry Restaurant and Bar will open in mid-December. And, by way of appetiser, they've released a handful of images, allowing you to take a sneaky peek before the real thing swings into action. Holding fast to The Rocks' heritage charm, The Gantry simultaneously takes on a modern vibe. Think plenty of wood, including polished floorboards; mellow blues and off-whites; and floor-to-ceiling glass windows, maximising water views. The design references Pier One's original structures, which played an important role in connecting North Sydney with the CBD, way back before the Sydney Harbour Bridge existed. "The Gantry will be an incomparable indoor and outdoor restaurant and bar," says owner Robert Magid. "It will blend contemporary design with the noble features of its past. As the signature restaurant of Australia’s inaugural Autograph Collection hotel, we look forward to offering guests an unsurpassed dining and drinking experience combined with the finest views Sydney has to offer." It should be noted, too, that The Gantry is in a brilliant spot for arts lovers, with the Sydney Theatre Company, Bangarra Dance Theatre and Sydney Dance Company just a few hundred metres away. As far as the menu goes, you can expect fresh, seasonal produce, delivered with a rustic touch and an interactive element. You'll be able watch much of the cooking up close, with a chef's table to be located in the dining room, and the main kitchen to be of the large, open variety. Plus, if you're ordering seafood, you’ll be invited to choose your own dinner at a dedicated bar. The Gantry Restaurant and Bar will open at Pier One in mid-December. Image credit: Jarrad Seng.
Everybody on deck at Sydney's most glamorous floating venue for a New Year's extravaganza. After finally opening to the public after months of delays, Seadeck is gearing up for a big year next year – and what better way to start the next 365 days on the right foot than with the mother of all blowouts on Sydney Harbour? Sydney's hyped-up party ship is throwing their very first public NYE event. For a cool $595, ticketholders can enjoy astounding views of the New Year's fireworks while kicking back and enjoying the various amenities on board. With multiple decks, palm trees and cast iron fittings, it doesn't get much swankier than this – and that's to say nothing of the booze and roaming canapés. Live entertainment on the night (and into the early hours of 2017) will come courtesy of Kaz James, Kate Elsworth, Marc Jarvin and Jungle Snake.
Contemporary artist Justene Williams is known for her ambitious pieces — her 2014 work, Santa Was a Psychopomp, involved constructing a giant snow dome from a range of materials — but the new work, She Conjured the Clouds, might be her most daring project yet. The world premiere work, taking place at Campbelltown Art Centre, is part of Sydney Festival and each 40-minute session is part live-performance, part installation. As you watch, you'll follow two children on an adventure to meet swamp creatures and ghost bats in a tactile world where you can eat parts of the scenery. Williams brings to life a series of characters that communicate through sonic costumes, from a gang of native motorbike frogs to a ball of fairy floss. She's not the only person to perform. Yellow Wiggle Emma Watkins, who has extraordinary skills in AUSLAN, is the work's choreographer and one of the team of performers, which includes Deaf dancer Elvin Lam. She Conjured the Clouds has been designed for audiences of all ages and abilities, including those in the Deaf and hard of hearing communities. The work also features video animation, recorded and live music, costumes, dance, aerial performance, sculptural objects and the smell and taste of popcorn. Plus, there will be an audio description performance, a tactile tour and a relaxed performance, all on Friday, January 17. Images: Rafaela Pandolfini; Justene Williams, She Conjured the Clouds, 2020.
After the disrupted and predominantly domestic-only ski seasons in 2020 and 2021, thrill-seekers from both sides of the ditch could be hitting New Zealand's pristine slopes from as early as June. That means it's less than 70 days until some of our major fields, including Coronet Peak and The Remarkables in Queenstown and Canterbury's Mount Hutt, are up and running for winter. If you're making the trip across the ditch, you're in luck: there's plenty set for this season, including new trails and night-skiing events. Mount Hutt is set to be the first to open from Friday, June 10 until Sunday, October 16. It will be open seven days a week, with capacity on the mountain having increased thanks to the last year's recently opened Nor'west Express eight-seat chairlift. With a ride time of only two minutes, the lift has the capacity to carry up to 3000 skiers per hour. It also features a loading carpet to assist those who are new to using chairlifts. The field's full moon skiing event will also return on Saturday, June 11. [caption id="attachment_849337" align="alignnone" width="1920"] NZSki[/caption] Coronet Peak will be open from Friday, June 17 right through until Sunday, September 25. The ski field plans to operate its popular after-hours night skiing nights every Wednesday and Friday from June 22 onwards. The 48th dog derby is also on the cards. Fellow Queenstown favourite The Remarkables will be open every day of the week from Saturday, June 18 through to Sunday, October 16. The mountain's Sugar Bowl development includes two recently opened trails and a new snowmaking system, which means better snow coverage on the Serpentine side of the mountain. [caption id="attachment_849335" align="alignnone" width="1920"] NZSki[/caption] Cardrona Alpine Resort's Olympic-sized superpipe will be open from Saturday, June 11 until Sunday, October 16. The ski field also added another chairlift to its network last year, which opened up a new major section of skiable terrain on the southern face. Sibling ski field Treble Cone is scheduled to open from Saturday, June 25 until Sunday, September 25, and for cross-country skiers and snow-shoers, Cardrona's Snow Farm is intending to open for the 2022 winter from mid-June — dates are yet to be confirmed. The largest ski area in the nation, Mt Ruapehu, is preparing to open its Happy Valley (Thursday, June 23), Turoa (Saturday, July 9) and Whakapapa (Friday, July 8) fields, too, which will give skiers and snowboarders access to the mountain's natural pipes, steep chutes and a vertical drop of 722 metres. The alpine village says the opening will be subject to snow conditions. With the borders set to open, quarantine-free, to Australian tourists from Tuesday, April 12, this ski season will definitely see a rise in visitor numbers across all the country's fields. Tourists will be required to test negative for COVID-19 with a PCR or RAT before leaving for New Zealand, then provide negative tests on day one and day five of their stay. If you need a refresher on the rules, check out the Government's COVID-19 website. All ski field 2022 season plans are dependent on snow conditions, as well as COVID-19 guidelines and expectations set out by the New Zealand Government. Images: NZSki.
Were you planning on spending the long weekend wrapped in a blanket cocoon with a season of Keeping Up with the Kardashians and a packet of Malteser mini eggs? Well, even if you weren't, here's a good enough reason to do just that: an all-reality TV streaming service is launching in Australia on Tuesday, March 22. hayu is the latest subscription video on-demand service to launch in Australia, and it's essentially Netflix but purely for reality TV. The service is part of NBCUniversal International, and will pull from their massive back catalogue of content to offer full 'box sets' of over 3000 episodes of shows like the Kardashians, Real Housewives and Made in Chelsea. Most new episodes will be available on the same day as their US release, and the platform will allow you to share snippets (i.e. Kardashian quotes) directly to your Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. It's either your worst nightmare or a vision of heaven you never thought would be socially realised. "We're excited to be unveiling March 22 as the launch date for hayu in Australia," said NBCUniversal's Jay McNamara, EVP Strategy Development and Analysis. "Curated by reality experts for reality fans, hayu is fully integrated with news feeds and social media and, uniquely, its next-generation functionality will enable Australian fans to share some of the content they love." Binge watchers of reality TV will be ecstatic (if not just secretly) over this news. As for all the haters.. hayu will launch on Tuesday, March 22. You'll be able to get a 30-day free trial, with the subscription costing $5.99 per month thereafter. For more info, visit hayu.com.
