With a slew of brewers on the beer manufacturing scene, nowadays, those crafting the hoppy delights have to work particularly hard to differentiate their beers and draw drinkers in. But you may not know that, long before craft brewers made seasonal releases hugely popular, Coopers was creating zeitgeist-capturing beers that reflected what beer fans wanted — and the Australian brewery has continued this tradition into 2018 with the release of this year's Coopers Vintage Ale. To celebrate the release of the 2018 vintage — which has, for the first time, been made using the malt from Coopers' own malting facility — we're looking into five current beer trends that brewers around the country, and the world, are embracing. [caption id="attachment_678613" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Flickr.[/caption] AGED BREWS Generally, beer should be consumed as fresh as possible — but there are some notable exceptions that prove wine isn't the only alcoholic beverage worth cellaring. Breaking with tradition, the Coopers Vintage Ale is brewed to be cellared — so, instead of popping it straight in the fridge, you're best to save it for a later date. Alongside this, local breweries have been ageing a number of small-batch brews in barrels. Oak barrels — previously used for chardonnay, shiraz and bourbon — impart subtle flavours of vanilla and light spice which can add new depths of flavour to already outstanding beers. PADDOCK-TO-PINT BREWING Ownership matters, as does knowing where your product has come from. Off the back of the paddock-to-plate movement in the culinary world, brewers and drinkers alike are embracing the paddock-to-pint mentality. Just this year, Coopers brought its malt production in-house — and, as such, the 2018 Vintage Ale will be the first vintage made using Coopers' own malt. Not only does this save Coopers the carbon impact of importing the malt from interstate and overseas, it also makes for a more consistent end brew. SEASONAL RELEASES Seasonal brews are limited release beers designed to be enjoyed at various points throughout the year. They are often based on what ingredients are most readily available at the time of brewing. The general trend among today's brewers is to do a dark ale, stout or porter in winter, and a light session beer for the warmer months. Coopers has been pumping out seasonal releases for 20 years now with its Coopers Vintage Ale. It favours the style of an English strong ale yet varies year-to-year based on the seasonal hops available. This year's offering is the first to use a house malt variety which will likely encourage rich honey, toffee and caramel malts — complemented by seasonal hop varieties that provide a balanced bitterness. Due to its strength, Coopers Vintage Ale is a great beer to age — the flavours develop and change over time, much like a fine wine. SESSIONABLE ALES There's no denying that Aussies like to congregate around a few cold ones, but a recent trend is leaning towards beers designed specifically for a drinking session. These beers are comparatively lower in strength than what many would be used to, often sitting around four percent. There was a time when less alcohol meant compromising on flavour — but, with the correct hopping regime and malt balance, we're seeing refreshing yet complex flavours finding their way into sessionables. The Coopers Session Ale, for example, is a 4.2-percent beer with plenty of fresh citrus notes. COLLABORATIVE BREWING Brewing brings people together — and we're seeing more and more breweries teaming up to create unique beers that reflect a union between the brewers and their idiosyncratic styles. For example, Batch Brewing Company recently recreated Scottish brewing powerhouse BrewDog's iconic Punk IPA for Australian shores. Collaborative brewing efforts are also seen in large-scale brewing companies like Coopers, which brews both New York City's Brooklyn Lager and Carlsberg under licence for Australian distribution. Collab brews are also popular with bars — a venue can create a brew with a brewer which speaks to its brand. SOUR BEERS Sours are the new IPAs — or that's what most beer geeks would have you believe. But sour beers are not exactly new, with recipes dating back to medieval times. Sour or wild ales can be soured with bacteria and yeast strains: lactobacillus gives sharp and acidic flavours, whereas brettanomyces gives tart and funky flavours. Sours are akin to fine wines in the depth and range of flavours they offer, hence they have found resonance with seasoned drinkers who enjoy high-quality beer. The flavour can be a bit intense at first — it's a bit of an acquired taste, but one that's definitely worth acquiring. Well, get with it — get your hands on some of the limited release Coopers Vintage Ale 2018 and try it yourself.
Sydney is not short on developments. Kings Cross has plans for a new theatre and a revamped station, the CBD will soon have another building defining its skyline with Event Cinemas George Street set to be torn down in favour of a 79-storey skyscraper and there is a new stadium and the $750 million Sydney Fish Market in the works, not to mention the (finally) finished light rail and the ongoing Sydney Metro project. Staying on trend, Aussie tech giant Atlassian has just unveiled designs for the world's tallest 'hybrid timber' tower atop Central Station. Yep, expect more cranes in the sky soon enough. The proposed Atlassian headquarters is set to take over the existing YHA site on Pitt Street with a sustainable 40-storey-high tower. Designed by New York architects Shop and Australian firm BVN, the energy-efficient project features a predominantly timber structure, with a glass and steel facade. It'll have a mix of indoor and openair areas, including elevated green spaces and a plant-filled terraced rooftop. With the aim of operating on 100 percent renewable energy and reaching net zero emissions, the building will have a vertical facade with built-in solar panels, as well as self-shade capabilities to control temperature. It's not all breaking news, however, with the development first mentioned back in 2018 when the NSW Government announced its proposed tech precinct which, when complete, will span from Central to Eveleigh. The inner city hub, dubbed Tech Central Precinct, has been pitted to be the "Silicon Valley of Australia" by NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, with 250,000 square metres of office space, of which 50,000 will be available as affordable space for startups. Now, keeping in line with Berejiklian's plans for NSW to recover from the COVID-19 recession by creating more jobs by way of developments, Atlassian has become the precinct's first anchor tenant. The construction of the tech company's headquarters will generate an additional 2500 jobs and just shy of $1 billion to the Australian economy. Once complete, the tower will house 4000 Atlassian staff. Atlassian will submit a development application for the tower in the coming months and, if approved, hopes to start construction in 2021. Atlassian's headquarters is slated for completion in 2025 as the first anchor tenant in NSW's Tech Central Precinct. For more information on Tech Central Precinct, head here.
Popping bubble wrap is one of those things which will never grow old. Regardless of who you are, where you are from, and what you do, bubble popping is a universally accepted means of entertainment. For all poppaholics, behold the Bubble Calendar — a poster-sized calendar with a bubble to pop every day. This 122cm x 26cm monolith of a calendar is sure to make up for any dull day of the year. Whether it's returning from a vacation or retreating back to your cave from a tough day at work, Bubble Calendar is sure to provide you with at least one thing to look forward to in the day. [Via Lost At E Minor]
If you were planning on catching the train this weekend, you're in for quite the journey. Not just because you may have a long weekend adventure, but because Sydney's trains will be reduced from Thursday, January 25 through to Sunday, January 28. According to a statement released this afternoon by Transport NSW, trains will run to a reduced timetable across the four days. As well as this, the Carlingford and Cumberland lines will be cancelled entirely, with buses running instead, and services will finish up earlier than usual on Sunday night. This poses a huge problem for those working on Thursday or over the weekend, with Transport for NSW suggesting commuters allow for "extra travel time" on both rail and the roads. Buses, ferries and the light rail will run as usual. This is because the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) cannot reach a negotiation with rail management — the same negotiations that have seen a 24-hour strike planned for Monday, January 29. Problems with staffing and conditions of the trains have been rife since a new, more extensive timetable was introduced in November last year. Commuters have been directly impacted by these issues this year, battling a string of delayed and cancelled services. The Monday strike is still planned to go ahead unless the RBTU can reach a fair agreement with the NSW Government and Sydney Trains. This is expected to be announced tomorrow. For more details and updates, check Transport for NSW. Image: Wikimedia Commons.
War on Waste, the ABC documentary series presented by The Chaser's Craig Reucassel, brought some shocking statistics into lounge rooms all over the country earlier this year. 1.6-million viewers discovered that Aussies use more than ten million plastic bags per day and chuck out 3.3 million tonnes of food waste per year. The good news is that the show seems to have triggered some action. In mid-July, Woolworths and Coles announced that, over the next twelve months, they'll be phasing out plastic bags. And, a few days ago, the City of Sydney pledged funding for the Responsible Cafes campaign, which is helping local cafes to get rid of disposable cups. Meanwhile, the City of Melbourne is running a project that transforms cigarette butts into plastic products. Every week, the council collects more than 200,000 butts from 367 dedicated bins across Melbourne. "[It's] litter that may otherwise end up being washed down drains and into the Yarra River," said Lord Mayor Robert Doyle AC. Unfortunately, cigarette butts are not biodegradable and take ages to break down. So, in collaboration with Enviropoles (who does the collecting) and TerraCycle (who does the recycling), the City is ensuring the butts are turned into usable items, including plastic furniture and shipping pallets. Funding comes from the Victorian Government, via the Litter Hotspots program. "[So far], we have collected 1.2-million butts from around Melbourne's universities and hospitals and busy CBD locations that can be repurposed," Lord Mayor Doyle said. To draw attention to the project, there's a Perspex box filled with cigarette butts in Queensbridge Square, on the banks of the Yarra. The initiative follows the lead of Vancouver, Canada, and New Orleans in the US. "Cities around the world are looking for new ways to reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfill," said Councillor Cathy Oke, Chair of the City of Melbourne's Environment portfolio. Photo via City of Melbourne.
Held in conjunction with the Sydney Writers' Festival 2012, the MCA's 5th annual Zine Fair has something for everyone, from the zine newbies to the old-hat experts. Buy, make, and talk about zines as you peruse the spread of these handmade, quirky, theme-specific magazines. Zines are generally self-published, with a limited number of issues, so be sure to arrive on time and snatch them up quick. The fair will also incorporate expert discussions and drop-in zine workshops.
First Melbourne hosted Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck, then Sydney got the upper hand by coaxing Rene Redzepi to bring his world-renowned restaurant Noma to Barangaroo for a few months. Now Melbourne has one-upped Australia's biggest city to take back the culinary crown, nabbing the rights to host next year's World's 50 Best Restaurants awards. The announcement was made by the World's 50 Best Restaurants group editor William Drew ahead the 2016 awards, which are being held in New York tomorrow night. It's a pretty big deal for little ol' Melbourne (and Tourism Australia) as it's only the second time the awards will be held outside of London. "After hosting 14 successful editions of The World's 50 Best Restaurants awards in London, we feel the time is right to make the event truly global," said Drew in a press release. "2017 in Australia will be the second time we have held the awards outside of London, following New York this year. There's so much international interest in Australia as a food destination, it's exciting for us to have the opportunity to take the events program to this unique country." Well, shucks. If you're not familiar with the awards, they're the ranking that everyone uses when talking about the best restaurants in the world. Last year Spain's El Celler de Can Roca was awarded the number one spot, while Noma has been a former list-topper multiple times. 2015 gave special mention to Melbourne's Attica and Brae, as well as Sydney's Quay and Sepia, which probably has a lot to do with why they've decided to come Down Under in 2017.
New year, new plans to eat healthier. Yes, we all know how resolutions go. And if you're kicking things off by ditching meat — altogether, or just by trying to work more plant-based options into your meals — but you don't want to cook each and every dish that you tuck into, Deliveroo has announced a handy special to start 2022. Until Monday, January 31, the delivery service is offering Australians free delivery from more than 1500 local restaurants, but only if you're ordering plant-based fare. Looking for an excuse to munch on a fried cauliflower burger from Mary's, one of Zeus Street Greek's pitas with plant-based lamb, Katsu King's vegan katsu curries or a classic vegan burg from Betty's Burgers? We've just found it. Other eateries involved include Huxtaburger, MadMex, Fishbowl, Grease Monkey and Grill'd, plus Oriental Teahouse, Royal Stacks, Grassfed, I Love Pizza and Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers. Obviously, the list goes on. Odds are that if you can think of a dish that doesn't include meat, it's part of the deal somewhere around the country. Of course, whichever plant-based dish you choose, you'll still need to pay for whatever you'd like to eat; however, you won't have to fork out more on top to get it brought to your door. Deliveroo is calling the special 'veganuary' — and, as you usually do, you'll need to place your order via the Deliveroo app. Deliveroo's free delivery on plant-based dishes on offer until Monday, January 31 Australia-wide via the Deliveroo app.
From July 31 to August 4, Impro Australia and Theatresports present five days of improvisation, comedy and drama with the Impro Festival at New Theatre. The festival will open with The Whole Story, an evening of long-form improvisation directed by Marko Mustac. Wednesday will be double-feature night with Ewan Campbell's epic World War II comic drama, Churchill's Unmentionables, and Bard to the Bone, Shakespeare’s plays improvised under the guidance of Oli Burton. Thursday will see the return of one of Sydney's most revered improvised comedy shows, Cale Bain's The Director's Mind. Another double feature night will take place on the Friday, with Puppets vs People, returning from its national tour, and Impro Lab-Rinth, David Bowie's classic movie improvised. The festival will close on Saturday, August 4, with the Theatresports Cup Winners Cup, a battle between the winners of various theatresports cups, from the Cranston to the High School.
It's time to hit the galleries, as The National has returned. Having launched in 2017, the massive biennial showcase of contemporary Australian art exhibition is again happening across Carriageworks, the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia and the Art Gallery of NSW. This year, the program features works from 65 emerging, mid-career and established artists in three incredibly thought-provoking and impressive exhibitions. The showcase brings together artists from all over the country, with fresh perspectives on Australia that span culture, gender and place. Expect installations, performances, sculptures, videos, paintings and drawings that examine what it means to be Australian. Here are ten highlights that you can't miss. [caption id="attachment_714608" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Zan Wimberley.[/caption] GHOST LINE BY TOM MÙLLER, CARRIAGEWORKS When you're checking out the exhibition at Carriageworks, be sure to stand outside at 11am and 4pm, when Ghost Line is activated. The installation transports viewers back in time to the days when Carriageworks was the Eveleigh Railway Workshops. The entire laneway is flooded with smoke, to the point where your view of your surroundings is completely obscured. Suddenly, it really seems as if a steam train is about to pull in, making a grand return to the old tracks that still line the path. It's a surprisingly simple yet disorienting experience, making this site-specific performance a must-see. Ghost Line is activated at 11am and 4pm every day. [caption id="attachment_714595" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Zan Wimberley.[/caption] (DIS)ORDER BY EUGENIA RASKOPOULOS, CARRIAGEWORKS Eugenia Raskopoulos' (dis)order takes on many layers. Part projected performance and part installation, the artwork instantly draws the viewer into the scene. On a life-like projection, Raskopoulos hovers over a tower of domestic appliances, then throws them one at a time onto (what seems like) a growing pile of broken junk. Of course, this pile is not growing, but, you cannot help but cringe with each perfectly timed crash. On the wall opposite, a neon sign blinks between 'order' and 'disorder', showing the thin line between those two states. The overall effect is an immersive, timely and defiant feminist performance that will keep you watching for far too long. [caption id="attachment_714751" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Zan Wimberley.[/caption] SONG FOR VON GUÉRARD BY MARK SHORTER, CARRIAGEWORKS Hidden at the back down several pitch black corridors, Song For von Guérard is easy to miss — and, depending on how easily you're disturbed, you may wish you had. Mark Shorter's piece is inspired by the 1863 Australian landscape painting by Austrian painter Eugene von Guérard titled North-east view from the northern top of Mount Kosciusko. It's a comment on how modern Australian identity has been defined by exaggerated European ideas of our country. Traverse the cave-like rooms and you'll stumble into a dimly illuminated space where a replica of the painting spans an entire wall. But watch out, on performance days those dark chambers will be haunted by Shorter's time-travelling persona called Schleimgurgeln — he takes the disturbing form of a naked man covered in feathers with boiled eggs for eyes. The character will hold a lit match over the piece, physically destroying the colonial European gaze of Guérard's painting. It's strange, it's creepy and it challenges old notions of Australian identity. Performance times are noon–6pm on March 31; April 6, 20, 27; May 4, 18, 25; and June 1, 15, 22. [caption id="attachment_714637" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Photo by Jacquie Manning. Image courtesy of the artist and Mimili Maku Arts.[/caption] KAMANTAKU TJUKURPA WIYA BY KUNMANARA (MUMU MIKE) WILLIAMS, MCA Kamantaku Tjukurpa wiya is the last in a three-year series of paintings, all created on repurposed canvas mailbags. While this is the artist's largest work, its message is bigger still. A comment on the conflict between Commonwealth and Anangu law, the painting is an urgent demand for recognition of the enduring culture, languages, power and humanity of Tjukurpa — the religion, law and moral systems of the Anangu people. It's a politically charged work, centring on an outline of Australia that isn't restricted by state or territory. The words written in Pitjantjatjara need no translation — instead, these words call for respect of the language and for the true owners of the land. [caption id="attachment_714636" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Photo Jacquie Manning. Image courtesy of the artist and the MCA.[/caption] THE AUSTRALIAN UGLINESS BY EUGENIA LIM, MCA Remove your shoes and enter the domed 'fishbowl', in which a lineup of yellow bean bags imitate a mini-cinema. Lim's three-channel video installation The Australian Ugliness is a reinterpretation of Neptune's Fishbowl restaurant in South Yarra, designed by architect Robin Boyd. The film moves through 30 architectural sites in Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra and regional locations — these include the Sydney Opera House, the Sirius Building, the Melbourne Recital Centre and the Australian Islamic Centre. Apart from the buildings, the film's central figure is the gold-suited 'ambassador' of Lim's previous works Yellow Peril (2015) and The People's Currency (2017). In her work, Lim uses architecture to convey messages on gentrification and a loss of heritage, posing the question "who holds the right to design our spaces?" Her film calls on viewers to questions what architecture says about our culture and to learn to embody the spaces we inhabit. [caption id="attachment_714583" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Photo by Jacquie Manning. Image courtesy of the artist and the MCA.[/caption] FORT THUNDER BY LUCAS ABELA, MCA Fort Thunder: An Electro-Acoustic Playground is just what it sounds like. Artist Lucas Abela encourages participants to interact and quite literally play in his installation, which is a synthesiser that generates electronic noises as you touch it. These impromptu performances follow the artist's mantra that experiential music is meant to be played more than it is observed. The 'instrument' is best played with three points of contact, but is otherwise dependent on participants' creativity. Don't expect a trance-style sound to be emitted, either — it's more akin to an amplified rock 'n' roll guitar riff. This one is a loud and intense experience, but it's also a whole lot of fun. [caption id="attachment_712623" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Daniel Boud[/caption] LICK LICK BLINK BY WILLOH S. WEILAND, MCA Willoh S. Weiland's striking new work combines film, performance and breast-shaped gelato. Lick Lick Blink is a ten-minute cinema experience, that only one person can view at a time. The work is inspired by the #MeToo movement and examines how female images are consumed in film. Expect the screen to be solely occupied by women — a rarity in mainstream cinema. And, to take this experience to a more immersive level, Gelato Messina has created a range of breast-shaped, nipple-topped, milk-flavoured ice cream cones for participants to eat while figuratively devouring the female images on screen. The chocolate coating comes in a variety of shades, which is a reflection of the female diversity that is all too often absent in film. It's truly a trip to the movies like no other — make sure to check the performance schedule so you don't miss out on this one. Lick Lick Blink screenings are free, but booking is required in-person on the day at the MCA information desk (level one). For the full performance schedule, head online. [caption id="attachment_714586" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Photo by Jacquie Manning. Image courtesy of the artists and the MCA.[/caption] HEALA BY HANNAH BRONTË, MCA Hannah Brontë's powerful audio video installation Heala combines hip-hop with themes of trauma, Country and the womb. Brontë describes the installation as "swimming in one's grief, right down to the depths of it...[and] washing off our own trauma stories". The orange drapes are meant to replicate the light and feeling of being back in the womb, while a music video of sorts is projected in the centre. The work speaks to female trauma and empowerment within the First Nations communities and beyond. Her work examines traditions of First Nations women to tell a rhythmic story of what overcoming trauma can look like, and is a powerful reminder of female strength and resilience in the face of pain and loss. [caption id="attachment_714613" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Robert Andrew, Transitional text — Buru (2016).[/caption] A CONNECTIVE REVEAL BY ROBERT ANDREW, AGNSW This transient work changes throughout the exhibition's four months. The two soil pillars of A Connective Reveal each have a string attached, which is gradually pulling the pillars to pieces. As each layer is revealed, more and more soil falls to the ground around the work. The pillars speak to the ever-changing nature of First Nations cultures and identities, and challenge the assumptions that this culture is 'bound to the past'. Like the artwork, the First Nations past, present and future is in a constant state of motion. At the same time, the wall across from these pillars holds another artwork that gradually reveals the 'bleeding' Gadigal word buduwa — a term which refers to 'warming one's hands by the fire and then gently squeezing the fingers of another person'. The word marks a cultural refusal to be marginalised, stereotyped or ignored. As this piece develops slowly over time, it's best to view it several times throughout the exhibition months. The image above is of one of Andrew's previous works. [caption id="attachment_714770" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Photo by Mim Stirling. Image courtesy of the artist.[/caption] IRHAL (EXPEL), HOPE AND THE SORROW OF DISPLACEMENT BY RUSHDI ANWAR, AGNSW Rushdi Anwar's striking work speaks directly to his experience as a Kurdish refugee, having fled his hometown after a chemical massacre in 1988. Burnt chairs are piled unstably high, giving the sense that they could topple at any moment. The wreckage is a tribute to the ruin of displacement and a home denied. At the same time, the installation offers a message of hope, as the continually rising chairs resist their destruction — a show of strength and resilience. Anwar's installation is set against the only other artwork in the room, a series of collage prints by Eliza Hutchison, titled The difference between the eternal and the infinite. Her fractured images carry a pulse nearing chaos, creating a disorientation that then turns to confrontation in Anwar's work. Together, the two works create a dialogue about the precarious state of the modern world. The National runs from March 29–July 21 at the AGNSW and from March 29–June 23 at Carriageworks and the MCA. Top image: Mark Shorter, Song for von Guérard at Carriagworks. Photo by Zan Wimberley.
UPDATE: FRIDAY, JUNE 1 — To celebrate the release of the new batch of Bloody Shiraz Gin, Four Pillars will be giving keen drinkers a free taste of the stuff this Saturday, June 2 at bottle shops around the country. This includes the Oak Barrel, P&V Merchants and Paddington Cellars in Sydney; Mr West, Carwyn Cellars and Blackhearts & Sparrows in Melbourne; and The Cru and The Wine Emporium in Brisbane. See the full list (and tasting times) here. For the past three years, gin lovers across the country have tripped over themselves to get their spirit-loving fingers on a bottle of Four Pillars' Bloody Shiraz Gin — and that's before they've even had a sip of alcohol. The limited edition shiraz-infused concoction really is that good, so we thought you'd like to know that the next batch goes on sale this Friday, June 1. If you haven't come across the gin before, it's basically what it says on the label: gin infused with shiraz grapes. This gives the spirit a brilliant deep cerise colour and some sweet undertones (without a higher sugar content). That, along with its higher alcoholic content — 37.8 percent, compared to an average 25 percent in regular sloe gin — makes the Bloody Shiraz Gin a near-perfect specimen. Four Pillars created the game-changing gin back in 2015 when it came into a 250-kilogram load of shiraz grapes from the Yarra Valley. Experimenting, the Victorian distillers then steeped the grapes in their high-proof dry gin for eight weeks before pressing the fruit and blending it with the gin, and hoping like hell it would turn out well. It did. The last few batches have sold out really quick, so this year the distillery has acquired more shiraz to make more of the gin than ever before. Still, you'll need to move fast. The gin will go on sale for $85 this Friday, June 1 at selected bottle shops and online at fourpillarsgin.com.au. Godspeed.
They can't all be great. They can't all be good. They can't all even be watchable. Every year, cinemas and streaming queues fill up with new movies — and every year, that includes a whole heap of excellent films. But, as the annual Golden Raspberry Awards also recognise, it also spans awful flicks as well. While the Oscars and Golden Globes shower love on the best and brightest movies of the past year each time that they roll around, the Razzies do the opposite, handing nominations and gongs to the films it considers the worst of the annual bunch. 2023's accolades mark the awards' 43rd and they're aiming big, with high-profile titles such as Blonde, Morbius, Elvis and Disney's live-action Pinocchio among the contenders. Of course, just as naming ace flicks is subjective, so is shaming terrible ones. Expect Elvis to notch up Academy Award nods, too, for instance. But the Razzies has given Baz Luhrmann's film two nominations, and both for Tom Hanks: for Worst Supporting Actor and Worst Screen Couple with his latex makeup. Hanks isn't just one of the world's favourite actors, but one of the Razzies' this year, also picking up a Worst Actor nomination for playing Gepetto in Disney's Pinocchio. That film received six nods in total, coming third to Marilyn Monroe biopic Blonde with eight and Machine Gun Kelly's stoner comedy Good Mourning with seven. Also among the nominees: Pete Davidson twice, for Marmaduke and Good Mourning; the Firestarter remake's Ryan Kiera Armstrong for Worst Actress; filmmaker Judd Apatow for the pandemic-set supposed comedy The Bubble; and the two 365 Days sequels. And yes, it's morbin' time at the Razzies, with the Jared Leto-starring supervillain flick ranking fourth nominations-wise with five: for Leto for Worst Actor, Worst Picture, Worst Supporting Actress (for Adria Arjona), Worst Director (Daniel Espinosa) and Worst Screenplay. The 43rd Annual Razzie Award winners will be announced on Sunday, March 12, Australian and New Zealand time. Check out the full list of nominees below: GOLDEN RASPBERRY NOMINEES 2022: WORST PICTURE Blonde Disney's Pinocchio Good Mourning The King's Daughter Morbius WORST ACTOR Colson Baker (aka Machine Gun Kelly), Good Mourning Pete Davidson (voice only), Marmaduke Tom Hanks (as Gepetto), Disney's Pinocchio Jared Leto, Morbius Sylvester Stallone, Samaritan WORST ACTRESS Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Firestarter Bryce Dallas Howard, Jurassic Park Dominion Diane Keaton, Mack & Rita Kaya Scodelario, The King's Daughter Alicia Silverstone, The Requin WORST SUPPORTING ACTOR Pete Davidson (cameo role), Good Mourning Tom Hanks, Elvis Xavier Samuel, Blonde Mod Sun, Good Mourning Evan Williams, Blonde WORST SUPPORTING ACTRESS Adria Arjona, Morbius Lorraine Bracco (voice only), Disney's Pinocchio Penelope Cruz, The 355 Bingbing Fan, The 355 and The King's Daughter Mira Sorvino, Lamborghini: The Man Behind the Legend WORST SCREEN COMBO Colson Baker (aka Machine Gun Kelly) and Mod Sun, Good Mourning Both real life characters in the fallacious White House bedroom scene, Blonde Tom Hanks and his latex-laden face (and ludicrous Aaccent), Elvis Andrew Dominik and his issues with women, Blonde The two 365 Days sequels (both released in 2022) WORST DIRECTOR Judd Apatow, The Bubble Colson Baker (aka Machine Gun Kelly) and Mod Sun, Good Mourning Andrew Dominik, Blonde Daniel Espinosa, Morbius Robert Zemeckis, Disney's Pinocchio WORST REMAKE, RIPOFF or SEQUEL Blonde Both 365 Days sequels: 365 Days: This Day and The Next 365 Days Disney's Pinocchio Firestarter Jurassic World Dominion WORST SCREENPLAY Blonde Disney's Pinocchio Good Mourning Jurassic World Dominion Morbius
Ornette Coleman reckons Pharoah Sanders is "probably the best tenor [saxophone] player in the world". He moved to New York City from San Francisco in 1961, but, unable to make a living playing music, ended up working odd jobs and even sleeping in the subway. Three years later, Sanders was invited to play in John Coltrane's band. Fast forward 12 months and the two of them were revolutionising jazz — swapping old-school structures like functional harmony for a more open-ended approach that bordered on anarchy. Sanders' vital, expressionistic sound was crucial. Now 74, and with at least 33 recordings as band leader under his belt, he plays with more gentleness and lyricism — albeit no less intensity — than ever before. This living jazz legend will be performing his groundbreaking works as part of Vivid's Modulations program at Carriageworks.
Strolling through stunning lights as far as the eye can see, moseying beneath a canopy of glowing multi-coloured trees, wandering between ribbons of flashing beams, taking the most luminous 1.8-kilometre stroll through nature that you can imagine — you can do all of this again thanks to Lightscape's return to Sydney in 2024. If you went to the 2023 version, this second Lightscape stint in the New South Wales capital is also part of Vivid Sydney. For two years in a row, one dazzling event hosts another, then, with 2024's iteration running from Friday, May 24–Saturday, June 15. Once more, the after-dark light festival is taking over the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, beaming away from 5pm each night. Prepare to see the garden illuminated by immersive and large-scale installations scattered along that almost two-kilometre route, including sparkling trees, luminous walkways and bursts of colour that look like fireworks. A big highlight: large-scale works like giant flowers and glowing tunnels, both of which will make you feel like you're being bathed in radiance. But don't go thinking that you'll just be repeating what you saw last year, because 2024's Lightscape in Sydney has been reimagined. Standouts this year include Winter Cathedral, which is made out of glowing bulbs; Light a Wish, where dandelions will appear to defy gravity; Floraison, complete with suspended flowers; the blooming Blossom; the self-explanatory Neon Outline Trees; and the geometric Trapezoid. Lightscape first hit Australia in 2022 after initially taking over gardens across the United Kingdom and the United States. Developed by Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in the UK, it's understandably proven a huge success — and more than two-million people wandered along its glowing trails in a single season overseas. In the Harbour City, pop-up food and drink stalls are scattered throughout Lightscape at Royal Botanic Garden Sydney — selling, we hope, mulled wine to keep hands warm during the chilly winter nights. Images: Dianne Brooks.
If you've missed going to gigs as much as we have this year, we've got a new live music series that'll whet your musical appetite. Surry Hills pub The Beresford has teamed up with Byron Bay Brewery and Jameson to host a collection of intimate gigs with some of the hottest Aussie artists on the scene right now. This is an entirely seated event, so expect to see this homegrown talent in a more stripped-back setting where you can just soak in the sweet tunes — though we're sure a little chair dancing won't be discouraged. It's all kicking off with a night hosted by Lime Cordiale on Thursday, October 29 at 7pm. They've invited their mates Le Shiv and Carla Wehbe to perform, and the evening will end with a DJ set by the rock pop duo (and brothers) themselves. Next up, DJ Young Franco will perform on November 5 alongside Boomchild. The Babe Rainbow, soul queen Milan Ring, indie outfit Winterbourne and solo artist Touch Sensitive make up the rest of the six-week series lineup. [caption id="attachment_787684" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Milan Ring[/caption] Tickets to the gigs cost $50 per person, which includes a drink on arrival — your choice of a schooner of Byron Bay lager or a Jameson and dry with lime — and pizza and an antipasto board to share with your table. And if you want to order more food or drinks, you can do so via the Me&U app, which means no lining up and missing your favourite song. Live at the Table is running from Thursday, October 29 to Thursday, December 17 at The Beresford. To book your tickets, head this way. Images: Lime Cordiale; Milan Ring; Winterbourne.
On Sunday, July 29, you are invited to spoil your senses and escape into a mouth-watering world of coffee, chocolate, tea, and spice at The Rocks Aroma Festival. Split into four global regions, the Aroma Festival allows you to experience the world in a day: The Continent's Peugeot Piazza at the Overseas Passenger Terminal lets you soak up European flavours with award-winning coffee, French pastries, and premium gelato, while The Orient at Kendall Lane offers fresh dim sum, traditional Chinese candy and exotic loose-leaf tea. Enjoy Peruvian roasts, Spanish churros and Portuguese mousse in the Latin Quarter at First Fleet Park, and fill your lungs with the scent of apple tea, Turkish delight and gozleme at The Oasis in Hickson Road. With a host of acts, Asian music and dance companies, crafts, belly dancers, and more, there’s a near infinite timetable of things to experience, so loose that belt and get stuck in.
Back in 2023, word arrived that two nostalgic favourite flicks from decades back were getting sequels: Beetlejuice and Freaky Friday. If there's a way for Hollywood to revive a beloved hit, it always will — whether or not Tinseltown executives have had a disagreement with their past, received a fortune cookie predicting the future, felt an earthquake shudder and then woke up years earlier. So, in 2024, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice will hit cinemas. Then, in 2025, so will the as-yet-unnamed follow-up to 2003's mother-daughter body-swapping comedy. Just like the second Beetlejuice, the new Freaky Friday will feature familiar faces — and yes, that means reuniting Everything Everywhere All At Once Oscar-winner Jamie Lee Curtis with Lindsay Lohan (Irish Wish) two decades later. Production has just begun, with the pair back as Tess and Anna Coleman. Also returning: Mark Harmon (NCIS), Chad Michael Murray (Sullivan's Crossing), Christina Vidal Mitchell (The Terminal List), Haley Hudson (Queen Gorya), Lucille Soong (Raya and the Last Dragon), Stephen Tobolowsky (Hacks) and Rosalind Chao (3 Body Problem). Drinking, dancing, getting angry that your mum won't let you go to your band's big audition, eating those enchanted cookies — perhaps that'll all get worked in again, too. This time, Anna has a daughter herself and is about to gain a stepdaughter, with Disney teasing "a multigenerational twist". Will there be multiple swaps? Will kids be trading places with their grandmother? Other than the fact that two families merging will be at the heart of the tale and that more hijinks are in store, nothing else plot-wise has been revealed. On-screen, the returning gang will have Julia Butters (The Fabelmans), Sophia Hammons (The Absence of Eden), Manny Jacinto (The Acolyte) and Maitreyi Ramakrishnan (Never Have I Ever) for company. Behind the lens, Nisha Ganatra (The High Note, Late Night) is directing, with Curtis and Lohan among the executive producers. @disneystudiosThe band's back together and coming to theaters in 2025 🤘. The sequel to Freaky Friday is now in production!♬ original sound - Disney Studios The first Curtis and Lohan team-up didn't start the Freaky Friday franchise. Instead, it began with the 1972 book by Mary Rodgers, then the 1976 Jodie Foster (True Detective: Night Country)-starring first movie adaptation, and also a 1995 remake with Gaby Hoffman (Eric). After 2003's beloved Curtis- and Lohan-led take, horror flick Freaky gave the idea a spin in 2020. There's no footage yet from the Freaky Friday sequel, but check out the trailers for the 70s and 00s iterations below: The Freaky Friday sequel doesn't yet have an exact release date, but will hit cinemas in 2025 — we'll keep you updated when more details are announced. Top image: photo by Andrew Eccles. © 2024 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Sydney, it's no secret that you love a hunk of cheese. Be it delivered straight to your door, scraped onto potatoes and charcuterie or served melted in a box, the city's collective love for dairy is eternal and seemingly unwavering. So you know you're going to have to scramble for tickets when The Cheese Dome rolls into town. Yes, we just said the words 'cheese dome'. For four days in July, a seven-metre-tall semi-circular bubble will pop up next to the MCA — and it will be filled with French cheese and wine. That includes fondue and raclette stations, and a wine bar serving drops from the Rhône-Alpes region. You'll probably spend the whole time trying not to drop your bread in the fondue pot, but, if you look up, the dome's walls will be lit up with projections of French winter scenery. To enter, you'll have to pay $69 — which is not exactly pocket change, but it depends what price you put on cheese nirvana. Once inside, you'll have an hour and a half to eat as much fondue and and raclette as you can handle. Your vessels will be bread and potato, and you'll be given a ration of charcuterie, too. Wine will be available for $9 a glass. Bookings are available for 11am, 1pm, 5pm, 7pm and 9pm on Thursday, July 12 until Sunday, July 15. It's part of Circular Quay's annual Bastille Festival, which will also see a European-style winter market take over The Rocks.
Start prepping your prank calls: Moe’s Tavern is coming to town. From May 23-30, the first floor of the Woolloomooloo Bay Hotel will turn into Homer Simpson's favourite drinking den. And, of course, the go-to destination for Krusty Burgers, Duffalo Wings, Lard Lad Donuts and Duff Beer. The pop-up is in honour of the fact that Australia is about to add Duff Beer — the official version — to its bottle shop shelves. You may well have seen fakes masquerading about the place, but this is the real thing. It’s being described as “superbly crafted with a perfect balance of flavour and refreshment featuring a deep golden colour with caramel aromatics and a hint of fruit”. It’s perhaps a more poetic description than Homer might have conjured up. His song of praise went something along the lines of, “I enjoy the great taste of Duff; Yes, Duff is the only beer for me; Smooth, creamy Duff ... Zzzzzzzz.” From May 28, you’ll be able to take it home (and write your own verse), for $17 a six-pack of 355ml cans and/or $45 a case. You’ll find it at BWS or Dan Murphy's. Via 2Day FM.
With a subject matter perfectly suited to his progressive taste and creative bent, chef Grant King has created the Game Of Thrones-inspired 'King's Landing' feast. Available at Gastro Park between March 7 - April 7, to coincide with the DVD release of this HBO darling on March 7, this menu is not for the faint of heart (vegetarians beware). Fans of the series will expect a fair amount of gore, and this four course dinner won't disappoint. Spoiler alert: expect eyeballs, arrows, ravens' feet, dragons' eggs and liquid gold. The feast is $100 per head, with a table of at least four required to dig in. We expect it shouldn't be too difficult to find fans to participate. Make sure you brush up on the series before you go though - the references are almost as enjoyable as the food.
First birthdays are not all pleasant. Banal observations like "I can't believe it's only been a year!" fly out of people's mouths as unwelcomely as the projectile vomit now covering your brand new button-up (thanks, birthday boy). But upon hearing that Spotify Australia turned one today, we couldn't help but join the chorus of disbelief. It's only been a year? Really? It's hard to remember life before Spotify. The days of trying to 'unmax out' your maxed-out credit card before clicking 'purchase'. Of artists watching through tears as their life's work is torrented to the masses. A year later, it's hard to imagine anything other than clicking that little green button to soak our ears in unlimited, legal music juice. We might not yet have struck the perfect balance between access for audiences versus payment for artists, but it feels like we're getting closer. So for that we'd like to say 'Happy Birthday, Spotify'. Now today, just like the last occasion on which you celebrated a first birthday, is all about gushing and goggling over pretty pictures. And, proud mother that she is, Spotify Australia has shared this super-amazing infographic which you just have to see. The stats are pretty friggen incredible — Australian Spotify users have streamed a mammoth 42.5 million hours of music and have created over 14 million playlists over the past 12 months. (That's over 4000 years of music — which, if played in order, would take about 50 generations to finish. We're talking 6013, guys.) Of those 14 million playlists, over 240,000 playlists have been created about love, romance and/or sex; 150,000 for exercise; and 65,000 for getting through the work day. Also, a whopping 230,000 were created for travel. So if you've ever wanted to scream, "I get it, arts student, your European experience makes you singularly unique", you at least have proof that their playlist probably wasn't. American duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis and Icelandic indie-pop-folksters Of Monsters and Men dominated our listening habits, taking out Most Streamed Artist and Most Streamed Track/Album respectively. We can now also confirm that Australians like Flume. A lot. Not only was he the most streamed local artist, but he took out three of the top five local tracks of 2012/13. This had little to do with the Spotify habits of Prime Minister Julia Gillard, who eschewed the young producer for the likes of Bruce Springsteen and Midnight Oil. We can't confirm if Julia actually enjoys Midnight Oil or is just playlisting them for the unity of the federal front bench.
Australia has hosted some seriously heavy-hitting theatre shows of late. This year, we put on productions of internationally acclaimed musicals Book of Mormon, Chicago, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Saturday Night Fever — and next year is shaping up to be even more impressive. We have five more award-winning productions landing on our shores in 2020 — including a childhood favourite reimagined and one on a floating stage — though not all of them will make the rounds through Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. So, if you can score tickets before they sell out, each and every one is worth travelling interstate for. HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD, PRINCESS THEATRE, MELBOURNE To say that Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has been a success so far would be an understatement. Everyone's scrambling for tickets to the show at Melbourne's Princess Theatre, which has resulted in the season being extended for a second time — right up until May 17, 2020. And, if you haven't yet seen it, another round of tickets will go on sale at 11am on Thursday, July 18 (yes, this week). So, with all this hype, what exactly is The Cursed Child about? Well, it picks up 19 years after Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and that abominably cheery epilogue on Platform 9 3/4. Harry is now an overworked Ministry of Magic employee, and the play focuses on both him and his youngest son Albus Severus Potter as they grapple with the past and future. The production is presented in two parts, so you'll have to book into two performances — there's the option to do so either on the same day (matinee and evening) or on consecutive evenings. Each part runs for about two and a half hours. If you've waited this long, the next round of ticket sales could very well be the last, so head to the website and prep yourself to book — interstate flights can come later. When? Until March 2020 [caption id="attachment_729348" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Handa Opera's 2012 'La Traviata' by Lightbox Photography[/caption] LA TRAVIATA, HANDA OPERA ON SYDNEY HARBOUR, SYDNEY Opera on a regular stage is one thing, but opera performed on a floating openair theatre atop Sydney Harbour, under the stars? Well, that's some unforgettable stuff. Especially when it's Giuseppe Verdi's famed classic La Traviata that's being given the overwater treatment — it tells the famously heartbreaking tale of a free-spirited Parisian courtesan and her tragic love affair with a nobleman. The glamorous three-act show is the latest production announced as part of Opera Australia's Handa Opera series, set to return to this unique stage in March and April 2020. Handa Opera has pulled over 400,000 guests since debuting with La Traviata back in 2012 — and its mix of drinking and dining options, breathtaking views and nightly fireworks making it one of Sydney's must-try cultural offerings. It's also considered one of the world's best openair opera venues. Tickets go on sale from the Opera Australia Box Office this Tuesday, July 16, so grab a couple and start planning your trip to Sydney. When? March–April 2020 [caption id="attachment_726234" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Shrek the Musical by Helen Maybanks[/caption] SHREK THE MUSICAL, THE LYRIC THEATRE, BRISBANE Fancy reliving your childhood film favourites on the stage? That seems to be the current trend. Next up, Shrek the Musical is bringing its all-singing, all-dancing version of the animated movie franchise to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Expect plenty of green when this Tony and Grammy award-nominated stage show finally makes its way to our shores, after first premiering on Broadway back in 2008. While Australian cast details haven't been revealed, Shrek lovers can expect a whopping 19 songs, an obvious colour scheme and plenty of other fairy tale references. The musical will first hit Sydney in January, but we're especially excited to see it round out its Aussie reign at Brisbane's Lyric Theatre. Those 2020 dates haven't been announced just yet, but you can join the waitlist here. We reckon its the perfect excuse for a Brisbane weekender. When? 2020 [caption id="attachment_672845" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Waitress by Joan Marcus[/caption] WAITRESS, SYDNEY LYRIC THEATRE, SYDNEY Perhaps in an effort to rival Melbourne's theatre scene — which nabbed the Australian 2019 premiere of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child — Sydney has clearly upped its commitment to theatre this year. Another we're especially excited about is Waitress. It first hit Broadway in 2016 and has gone on to gain stellar reviews, numerous Tony nominations and sold-out shows night after night. Based on the 2007 movie of the same name, Waitress tells the story of Jenna, a waitress and expert pie maker who dreams of a way out of her small town and loveless marriage. Waitress won't be here until 2020 and tickets are not yet on sale, but you can get on the waitlist over here. As of now it's only coming to Sydney, but interstate patrons won't regret flying in for this one. When? 2020 HAMILTON, SYDNEY LYRIC THEATRE, SYDNEY It's won 11 Tony Awards and is one of the Obamas' favourite musical, and now Lin-Manuel Miranda's game-changing musical Hamilton is finally coming to Australia. The critically acclaimed hip hop musical, for which Miranda wrote the music, lyrics and the book, is about the life of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, as well as inclusion and politics in current-day America. As well as its many Tony Awards, which include Best Musical, it has nabbed a Grammy Award and even a Pulitzer Prize. Hamilton will make its Australian premiere at the Sydney Lyric Theatre in March 2021. Which is a little further away than the others, but it's still worth planning for. You can sign-up for pre-sale tickets now. There's no word yet on whether it'll head to other Aussie cities later on — so, if you don't want to risk it, those located interstate should to start planning a trip ASAP — we think it'll be more than worth it. When? 2021 Top image: Handa Opera by Hamilton Lund; Hamilton by Joan Marcus.
Brad Pitt almost unrecognisable as Henry Spencer from Eraserhead. Ryan Gosling as The Invisible Man. Viola Davis as Nurse Ratched from One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. If this has you intrigued, you're going to love the video exhibition that the New York Times Magazine has put together, directed by Alex Prager. In part an homage to the greatest villains from film and a showcase of some of the most talented actors we see on our screens today, each vignette is a carefully crafted moment exploring the darker side of these wicked characters. No actor speaks in the vignettes, but repetitive, spine-tingling music plays, reflected in the sinister, depraved look in each character's eyes. The camera creeps up Kirsten Dunst's body as she holds a green apple close to her lips; Glenn Close is a mysterious, almost ghostly version of Theda Bara, the silent film star. If you're a budding movie director, this could well serve as inspiration for your next horror short... See the exhibition, A Touch of Evil, here and the mood board that inspired it.
What's big, spiky and attracts tourists from all over? Whether you grew up in the shadow of one of south-east Queensland's great tourist attractions, made the trek to the Sunshine Coast to marvel an oversized fake fruit, or always thought you'd snap a pic next to the pineapple to end all pineapples, you know the answer. Soon, however, you might be able to do more than just visit, take photos, browse the markets, meet some monkeys and eat the sweet, juicy food in question — you might be able to sleep there. Yes, glamping could be coming to the one and only Big Pineapple. If that's not news that'll make you hightail it to Nambour, then we don't know what is. With the iconic site under new ownership, the folks in charge are thinking big — well, bigger than the previous owners did, including the people responsible for building such a massive monument to a particular tropical fruit. Among the additions mooted for the 165-hectare site: a family fun park, an RV park, walking trails, outdoor sport and recreation facilities, and fancy, fancy tents so that you can stay the night. The plans are designed to help bring the Big Pineapple back to its former glory, with the 16-metre-high attraction's tourist trade not quite at previous booming levels. Since opening in 1971, the heritage-listed fruit tower has seen a few changes, opening and closing over the years, undergoing several revamps, and introducing the annual Big Pineapple Music Festival in 2013. "What we want to do is make a food-based and eco-tourism-based destination that incorporates the existing big pineapple, but adds other things ... and has outlets for local produce," co-owner Peter Kendall told ABC Sunshine Coast. "There's rainforest on the land that would lend itself to eco-walks [and] we've talked about things like zip lining." Existing favourites, such as the animal hospital and train, will be retained. And, for anyone who feels strongly about just what the Big Pineapple should add to the site, an open day will be held on February 18 for interested parties to offer their input into the new proposals. Via: ABC Sunshine Coast. Image: Holiday Point.
We were greeted on the morning of day one with blue skies (and barrels) that would see the ultimate start to our Splendour experience. However, it wasn't always going to be that smooth, as a shock hail storm struck as we were walking in, and this would be the last time we saw any grass at Splendour. No doubt this provided a huge spike in gumboot sales for the northern New South Wales retail sector and it remains the best $50 spent for me, essentially providing a $15-$20 per day accommodation for my feet. The blue skies would return no sooner than 30 minutes later, but the mud had taken over the grass. Thanks to Virgin Mobile, we were provided with the best possible experience to witness one of Australia's top three-day festivals. There was no doubt a number of personal highlights, including Miike Snow, Tame Impala, Azelia Banks, The Gossip and Yuksek, but the main aspect that impressed me, and essentially was the reason why we were there, was seeing what a brand can do to to enhance the experience for festival attendees, management and artists alike, while ultimately delivering value back to its coffers. Below is a summary of the highlights from our Virgin experience of Splendour in the Grass. Looking at things from a festival organiser's point of view, Virgin's sponsorship made the ultimate festival wishlists come true, from Live Streaming, Mobile Applications, through to customer benefits such as the Posh Pits and Wristband technology. Live Stream We were taken on a tour of the backstage area where the Live Stream was conducted like a broadcast that you would expect to see at a major sporting event. With a cost that runs into six figures, you can see why sponsors play a pivotal role in a Festival's product mix. Watch the rest of the Live Streaming here, including artist interviews and live performances. The results of this year's live streaming proved to be the second largest in Australia's history. Some key numbers from the livestream include: 457,000 live views20 different cameras used to capture the action 405 minutes of live music being recorded 3500 frames of high definition digital festival footage being captured 4kms of cable being run 4 separate crews recording 2 live stages 8 interviews in the Virgin Mobile interview area back stage 37 crew members working a total of 1940 hours Mobile Application Mobile Applications at Festivals have become somewhat of the norm these days, especially the bigger, multi-day events. However, a good one is hard to come by, and most of them tend to get too confusing to use. However, the SITG app, in cahoots with Virgin Mobile, was the first one I relied heavily on at an event, providing the much needed planner functionality and the basic map (for the first day). The torch application was also handy at times. There were a couple of flaws, namely, the push notification didn't show the name of the acts playing. Channel V Recovery Party After Day One, we, along with Virgin Mobile customers, were invited to the exclusive Channel V Recovery Party at The Beach Hotel. This included (and was a compulsory part of our Virgin experience) beers from 9:30am and/or Not So Virgin Bloody Marys. It also provided us with a sneak peek at Billy Corgan, which caused a buzz amongst the lucky few that were gracing the famous beer garden. This was once again another great activation and provided the necessary motivation for us to kick day two off. Posh Pits What looked more like a Mosh Pit when we first turned up (due to the hail storm), the value of the Posh Pit was realised as the mud slowly took over the festival. Exclusive to Virgin Mobile customers, we continued to find ourselves turning up back at the Posh Pit due to the lack of queues for the toilets. Star Treatment Stop Probably the least valuable activation (but a nice touch all the same) was the Star Treatment Stop in Broadwater, approximately an hour away from Byron. It provided an excellent bump of excitement as we neared the festival. Coffee, some lollies and great chat with Virgin Angels were included too. However, not sure being man-handled was what we were expecting, although it is clear that this didn't matter in the photo above. Sponsored post
Decked out in full Bavarian beer hall splendour, Frenchies Bistro and Brewery invites you to don your finest dirndl dresses and lederhosen this weekend. So, prepare to party like you're backpacking through Germany at the award-winning microbrewery, housed in Rosebery's The Cannery this weekend. In honour of his German heritage, head brewer Vincent de Soyres has whipped up a limited-edition beer for the occasion. Sitting alongside the brewery's other German drops — the Buckeburger Pils and Hefeweizen — Frenchies' newest beer, Festbier, has been brewed using Bavarian ingredients and is sure to go down a treat with the food that'll be on offer at its Oktoberfeast this Saturday, October 19. For $20, you'll be rubbing elbows with fellow bier lovers while sitting on long tables, drinking a one-litre stein (included with entry) and tucking into a mean German feast. All your favourite Bavarian dishes will be on the menu, with Frenchies' chef Thomas Cauquil dishing up everything from pretzels to potato salad, smoky hendl (roast chicken) and a whole bunch of German sausages. For dessert, there'll be heavenly sweets like apple strudel, kaiserschmarrn (shredded pancakes) and gingerbread. The good times aren't just down to the food and booze, either. There'll be plenty of live tunes, games and competitions, including ping pong and stein races for the kidults and face painting and balloon animals for the kids (who get in for free). Oktoberfeast will kick off at noon and run until 9pm and will take over not only Frenchies, but also The Cannery, meaning you could be celebrating with up to 600 beer-loving punters. Tickets are $20 (or $25 on the door) and include a Frenchies one-litre take-home souvenir stein glass. Food can be purchased separately. Plus, Frenchies will be providing free buses to and from Green Square, so you can get home easy.
Sydney can be a little bit manic this time of year. The shops become mini mosh-pits. Your calendar is filled with more shindigs than the previous ten months combined. So, on occasion, you might find yourself glancing at the door plotting a hasty retreat. Situated just 90 minutes from Sydney, Bowral can be that retreat — an antidote to the metro hustle and bustle for a day or weekend. And if you find yourself hiding out there on a Sunday, stop by Biota Dining for a feast before you head back to the bedlam. Throughout the summer months, Biota is making the most of its newly-landscaped 'parklands' with a Sunday barbecue series. With Biota's longstanding two-hatted status, expect this to be a few notches above the classic backyard barbie. For $58 per head, you can tuck into quality Southern Highlands produce prepared on a local stone BBQ in the outdoor sanctuary. No Aussie BBQ is complete without a beer or two, so for an additional $15 you can sample some wild ales courtesy of Wildflower. If the journey back to Sydney sounds slightly daunting in your post-feast state, remember that Biota also offers accomodation. The Biota Dining BBQ series runs every Sunday through summer from November 12, 2017. Bookings are essential.
After a night of festivities there's nothing worse than waking up to an abode with chip-trodden carpet, questionable wall smears and a never-ending sea of empties ultimately destined to inhabit your (and your neighbour's) rubbish bins for the weeks following. Such a scene is what initiated Morning-After Maids, a new Auckland startup set to take the hassle out of the weekend clean-up by delivering "an exceptional 'post-party' cleaning service". As well as the lesson in hygiene, the maids will go the extra mile by cooking up a quintessential fresh breakfast too. They have two menus available: one clean and one greasy. The blessed hangover angels also offer fast food runs, coffee, chocolate milk and all those little extras you always wish you'd thought of stocking up on the night before (blue Powerade, fried chicken, Panadol, etc.). The service is only available in Auckland at the moment, and seems like a more niche version of Airtasker or Sydney's Whizz. Their prices seem ridiculously cheap, with two cleaners costing just $30 per hour along with a mileage fee. Do note that you'll have to shell out $10 extra for every pile of vomit they have to deal with, and if you need an emergency clean up, it'll be $50 on top of other cleaning charges. Also, their price list mentions they can provide puppy cuddles free of charge. Puppies.
For the two past pandemic-affected years, the Melbourne International Film Festival has beamed its lineup to movie lovers online rather than in cinemas. Turning 70 in 2022, however, it's returning to where it has always belonged. After expanding its audience and going national with its virtual programs, MIFF isn't ditching its digital screenings — but once again showing hundreds of the latest and greatest titles in international cinema in Melbourne picture palaces is firmly the star of this year's show. That's the first piece of great news for Melbourne movie buffs. The second: while MIFF will grace the screens at a heap of inner-city favourites between Thursday, August 4–Sunday, August 21 — such as ACMI, The Capitol, Forum Melbourne, Hoyts Melbourne Central, IMAX, Kino Cinema and Cinema Nova — it'll also show in suburban Melbourne cinemas The Astor, Lido, Pentridge and Sun Theatre from Friday, August 12–Sunday, August 21, too. Throw in the online component as well, which runs from Thursday, August 11–Sunday, August 28, and that's almost an entire month of MIFFing to look forward to. Also among the ace announcements: the first 33 films that cinephiles can put on their must-see lists, whether on screens big or small. That includes homegrown titles to both open and close MIFF 2022, with the fest launching with the world premiere of coming-of-age feature Of an Age by director Goran Stolevski — then wrapping up with the Aussie premiere of documentary Clean, about Melbourne 'trauma cleaner' Sandra Pankhurst. Other highlights span 2022 Berlinale Golden Bear-winner Alcarràs; Australian docu-drama The Plains, which hones in on daily life and picked up an award in Rotterdam; Dual, the Aaron Paul (Westworld) and Karen Gillan (Avengers: Endgame)-starring latest by The Art of Self-Defense's Riley Stearns; and Aubrey Plaza (Best Sellers) slipping into the thriller genre in Emily the Criminal. Or, there's horror-comedy Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon from A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night's Ana Lily Amirpour, which focuses on a telekinetic young woman; Where Is Anne Frank, the first feature film in eight years by Waltz with Bashir director Ari Folman; and doco Jane by Charlotte, with actor Charlotte Gainsbourg (Nymphomaniac) exploring the life of her iconic mother Jane Birkin. It wouldn't be a MIFF without a film by South Korean filmmaker Hong Sang-soo (The Woman Who Ran, On the Beach at Night Alone), which is where the Berlinale Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize-winning The Novelist's Film comes in. And, other standouts include New York-focused music documentary Meet Me in the Bathroom, about the 00s music scene; fellow doco Fire of Love, a Sundance-winner that surveys the lives of volcanologists Katia and Maurice Krafft; and Reflection, about a man's experiences in post-Maidan Ukraine. Thanks to the MIFF Premiere Fund, which helps financially support local flicks, the Australian contingent also covers ten more titles so far. Among the must-sees: Greenhouse by Joost, a documentary about zero-waste pioneer Joost Bakker and chefs Matt Stone and Jo Barrett making a self-sufficient, eco-friendly residence; the Western Australian-shot Sweet As, starring Tasma Walton (How to Please a Woman), Mark Coles Smith (Occupation: Rainfall) and Shantae Barnes-Cowan (Firebite); and the film student-focused Petrol, from Strange Colours' director Alena Lodkina. Plus, there's Under Cover, a Margot Robbie (The Suicide Squad)-narrated doco that focuses on women aged over 55 facing homelessness — and Moja Vesna, a drama about the impact of grief upon a Melbourne immigrant family that first premiered in Berlin. The list goes on — and, it'll only grow, with the entire program will be revealed on Tuesday, July 12. That's when exactly what'll screen in MIFF's new competition, which'll boast a $140,000 Best Film Award, will also be unveiled. In the interim, start steeling yourself for almost a month spent in darkened rooms, basking in the glow of the silver screen, committing the fest's ads to memory, and doing the usual dash up and down Swanson Street. Or, for checking out the program in Melbourne's suburbs — or online nationally. The 2022 Melbourne International Film Festival runs from Thursday, August 4–Sunday, August 28 at a variety of venues around Melbourne and Victoria, and online. For further details, including the full program from Tuesday, July 12, visit the MIFF website.
When it comes to design, there's minimalism and there's 'WTF-that-thing-defies-physics', and this is definitely the latter. Designer Peter Bristol's Cut Chair looks like an ordinary white chair that somebody sliced big diagonal chunks out of across the legs and back, leaving the seat seemingly unconnected to the front legs. Also, is it just us or is it weirdly cute that he made the cut parts red so it looks like the chair's bleeding? It probably would have been tempting to leave people scratching their heads, but Bristol decided to reveal the secret behind the illusion on his website — the answer lies underneath the rug that the chair's sitting on, and it's surprisingly simple. The rug conceals a metal plate that the legs are all welded to, cantilevering the chair so you can sit on it. And if big grey shaggy rugs aren't your style, the rug part is customisable — it basically just has to cover the plate to complete the illusion. The chair is available for purchase, but it'll set you back US$4000 — although if you had the money, seeing people's confused expressions when you offer them a seat would be priceless. Via Fast Company.
Bluesfest has lifted the lid on its first artist announcement for 2020 and heading the stampede are famed American singer Patti Smith, rockers Dave Matthews Band and the legendary Crowded House. All three are repeat Bluesfest offenders, with Patti Smith and her band returning after a standout performance in 2017, the "magical and unmissable" Dave Matthews Band heading back for their third festival and Crowded House once again trekking up the coast — this time for an exclusive Australian performance. Expect to hear plenty of huge tunes from the likes of Smith's 'Because the Night' to Matthews' 'Crash Into Me' and the anthem that is 'Don't Dream It's Over'. Other acts to hit the stage over the weekend include the multi Grammy Award-winning George Benson, American singer Brandi Carlile, Aussie favourites The Cat Empire, British trip-hop band Morcheeba and John Butler. The festival will return to Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm — just outside Byron Bay — for 2020 despite Festival Director Peter Noble threatening to leave NSW earlier this year because of the State Government's strict new music festival licensing regime. An inquiry into the licence is currently underway. Better start making Easter plans because tickets are already on sale. Anyway, here's the full lineup (so far). [caption id="attachment_737186" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dave Matthews Band[/caption] BLUESFEST 2020 LINEUP Dave Matthews Band Patti Smith and Her Band Crowded House George Benson Brandi Carlile John Butler Xavier Rudd The Cat Empire Morcheeba John Prine Jenny Lewis Frank Turner John Mayall Buffy Sainte-Marie The Marcus Kind Band Walter Trout Christone 'Kingfish' Ingram Greensky Bluegrass Larkin Poe The War & Treaty Bluesfest 2020 will run April 9–13 at Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, Byron Bay. Tickets are on sale now via Moshtix.
When Little Lord opened in late 2015, it wooed patrons with its simple approach and comfy vibes. Two years on, owners Graham and Jax Alexander are shaking things up a little, migrating to a full vegetarian menu. The motivation for the switch is the eatery's cooking facilities, confined to the bench space surrounding the coffee machine. "We kind of got stuck in a rut... we were limited in what meat we could use anyway," Graham says. "Besides, it's way more exciting to cook with vegetables. The flavours are so different." Graham sees this shift as a positive challenge, allowing seasonal produce to dictate the cafe's offering. In this vein, Little Lord has also done away with paper menus, instead opting to display the ever-changing menu on a set of old-school chalkboards — supplied courtesy of good mates Two Chaps — behind the front counter. Their menu might've had a refresh, but Little Lord's approach to food remains, serving up high-quality produce with personal flair — such as their homemade pickles, preserves and hot sauces, which are also available to purchase. Smoked olive oil, from a 4-litre barrel in the backyard, injects an earthy flavour into several new dishes. At the moment, the selection includes two rolls, one boasting poached egg, kale, homemade zucchini pickles, cheddar and homemade salsa verde; the other with roasted broccoli, melted cheddar and fermented chilli aioli. There's also a bruschetta featuring white beetroot, smoked berlotti beans, and fermented chilli and lemon dressing. Admirers of Little Lord's three-cheese toastie, never fear. It's still around, albeit with a slight twist. Grana padano will be replaced with pecorino — "for more funk," Graham says. If your tastebuds crave something sweeter, there's homemade granola with lavender yoghurt and poached plums. Or, perhaps sample one of the homemade cakes, from a range that'll also change regularly based on fruit seasonality. Throw in a couple of creative salads, such as sugar snap peas with miso butter and white sesame, and you have a lineup that even the most vehement carnivores might just salivate over. Aside from the re-jigged food, the cafe is still a welcoming haven that'll remind you of your nanna's house: retro furniture, knick-knacks and china all included. Coffee comes courtesy of local roaster Sample and bread is by Two Chaps. In short: it's the cosy Camperdown cafe that inner-west locals already know and love, just with an ethical twist. Find Little Lord at 102 Salisbury Road, Camperdown, or head to their Facebook page for further details.
We'll be the first to admit that we'd love to get our hands on our favourite chefs' little black books of go-to restaurants. What does Matt Moran have saved in his Notes app under RESTAURANTS TO TRY? Where does Ben Shewry go on the nights he's not harvesting cabbages at Attica? Who does George Calombaris send food emojis to to set up a post-MasterChef feed? We bet it's some dingy, CBD dumpling bar where they let you bring in bottles of vintage from your resto for $1 corkage per person. Or maybe a tiny Italian restaurant in the suburbs run by a nonno-nonna dream team with bad tablecloths and amazing tagliatelle. Right? Evidently, that's what The Australian Financial Review thought too when they set up Australia's Top 100 Restaurants as voted by chefs and restaurateurs last year. But 2016's Top 100 was announced last night at The Star in Sydney, and you know where our top chefs eat? Exactly the same places as us. Taking out top place was the very same establishment that's been named Australia's best in The World's 50 Best Restaurants, Attica. Fellow Victorian Brae came in second for Dan Hunter's regional cuisine, and in third were last year's winners Sepia, which is run by Sydneysiders Martin Benn and Vicki Wild. How surprising. Rounding out the top ten were Sydney restaurants Quay, Sixpenny and the Opera House's Bennelong. Rockpool also got a look in, as did Hobart's Franklin and newcomers Ester and Automata. So either chef's only go to their mates' fancy restaurants, or, if they do go to dingy dumpling joints, they're keeping those ones to themselves.
Booked a stay in someone else's home throughout New South Wales? Hosted a traveller in your spare room? Opened your whole Sydney house or apartment to a paying stranger? If you've done any of the above via Airbnb or a similar online sharing platform, then you've been skirting the law; however a new report looks set to change that. Due to be tabled in NSW parliament on October 19, the report follows an 18-month inquiry into the short-term rental market, which was sparked by the growing number of dwellings listed on services such as Airbnb. It recommends letting home owners rent out their rooms and homes, but also suggests that people who list their main place of residence and those who try to lease out an investment property should abide by different rules. To put it simply, if you fall into the former category, you won't have to seek council permission. If you're in the latter camp, you'll have to get the official go-head and abide by a code of conduct. The report further proposes differentiating between commercial businesses renting out places and everyday folks with an empty property, as well as enacting provisions to deal with houses that are frequently used for parties. If the new rules are implemented, they'll have the support of the City of Sydney, who made a submission in favour of Airbnb-like accommodation services to the inquiry. And, they'll continue the state's tick of approval to sharing services in general, after Uber became legal in NSW in late 2015. Yep, soon, you might be able to both stay in someone else's digs and ride their in a stranger's car — and pay for both, of course — with a clear conscience. Via The Sydney Morning Herald.
Chippendale's art gallery and party venue Freda's is throwing another all-out bash this Feb — but this time it's for charity. Make it Rain lets you party into the wee hours, all while fundraising for WIRES and the Fire Relief Fund for First Nations Communities. It'll all go down on Saturday, February 1 and feature live music, art auctions, market stalls and talks. Doors open at 6pm, with a Yikes! panel discussion starting at 6.30pm — this environmentally minded collective has gathered special guests Lucy Mann (CEO of 350.org Australia) and Glenn Morris (Farmers for Climate Action) for the night. Then, from 8pm–4am, a range of live acts will take the stage. Headliners include Babitha, Side Hustle, Keep it Disco and Dary & Lex Deluxe, to name a very few. Freda's basement art space Down/Under will also play host to an art auction for the night. It features local Sydney artists Natalie Synnott, Presley Joy Paget and Nadia Hernandez and photographers Andrew Kaineder, Stephanie Simcox and Saskia Wilson — plus a special Freda's collab with artist Carla Uriarte. There will also be food and designer stalls, and donated merch from the likes of Misfit Shapes and Holiday The Label. All proceeds from any of these sales will go toward the charity. Ten percent of the bar earnings will be donated, as well as all door entry fees. Entry will cost a tenner between 6–9pm and $15 thereafter. For those looking to give more, donation bins will also be scattered across the venue. Image: Kitti Gould.
Very serious media outlet The Betoota Advocate will hit the road this summer, spreading its particular brand of satire and wit throughout the country. Hitting all capital cities (as well as Townsville, Toowoomba, Gold Coast, Newcastle and Wollongong), The Betoota Advocate's travelling show will partly be in response to big lay-offs from the major players in Australian media, and the merging of media brands. How have they managed to keep a media outlet in business in the current day and age of readership decrease and draining funds? How did they gain such a cult-like following? Where exactly is "Betoota"? All these questions will be answered and more, when The Betoota Advocate founders Clancy Overell and Errol Parker (and a special guest) take to the stage for a 90-minute satirical presentation about how they've ended up where they are, and how they run on a daily basis. With millions of hits online per month, the Advocate is certainly doing something right — even if that something is turning the zeitgeist completely on its head. If you're reading this wondering who they are and what they write about — well, best get acquainted. Past headlines include "Australia Enjoys Another Peaceful Day Under Oppressive Gun Control Regime", and "21-Year-Old Disappointed To Learn He's Too Old And Out-Of-Touch To Be A SoundCloud Rapper". It's a riot. Since the website has birthed endless confused texts from parents — asking, for example, whether the Australian Citizen Test really includes a question on how to mix cordial properly — we suggest you bring them along. Get your tickets from 12pm Wednesday, August 1, here. THE BETOOTA ADVOCATE ROADSHOW Townsville — Saturday, November 3 Darwin — Sunday, November 4 Toowoomba — Tuesday, November 6 Brisbane — Thursday, November 8 Gold Coast — Friday, November 9 Wollongong — Sunday, November 11 Newcastle — Tuesday, November 13 Perth — Friday, November 16 Melbourne — Saturday, November 17 Hobart — Sunday, November 18 Adelaide — Thursday, November 22 Canberra — Friday, November 30 Sydney — Saturday, December 1
Do you feel guilty every time you leave the house and leave your four-legged best friend home alone? Have you ever wondered what your favourite canine gets up to when you're out? Maybe you've just stepped inside one day to find that your pet has turned the television on and is sitting there staring it at. It happens. Whichever category you fall into, making sure your doggo isn't bored when you're out can be an enormous source of stress for pet owners — but a new collection of audiobooks wants to help. Whether your woofer has shown a love for literature (bringing in the newspaper or munching on a few books, perhaps?) or just likes the sound of someone's voice, Audible for Dogs has been specially curated for pooches left on their lonesome. It's inspired by a UK study that suggests that canines in kennels respond better to audiobooks than music, with the doggo-centric library featuring tales that have been "chosen for their calming narration and evenly paced narrative". And no, Marley and Me definitely isn't one of them. That said, there are a number of dog-focused titles in the collection, such as Red Dog, Working Dog Heroes and The Spotted Dog — which, along with Tim Winton's Cloudstreet, form Audible for Dogs' Aussie Collection. Other books available include Pride and Prejudice, David Copperfield, Anne of Green Gables and The Great Gatsby as part of the Classics Collection, so you can expose your fluffy friend to the greats (and maybe even listen to a few with them). Your four-legged bestie can also relax to Big Little Lies, Sherlock Holmes and The Lord of the Rings — and hopefully it won't start searching for precious things after the latter. The range of titles also comes with plenty of high-profile voices doing the narration, spanning everyone from Stephen Fry to Rachel McAdams to Jake Gyllenhaal. Audible for Dogs' selection has been chosen by animal behaviourist Dr. Susan Hazel, as well as Aussie media personality and dog-lover Osher Günsberg — and if you buy one of its audiobooks between now and November 2, 2019, $1 from each purchase will go to the Sydney Dogs and Cats Home. The two special doggy bundles each cost $19.95, while general Audible membership costs $16.45 per month. For more information, visit the Audible for Dogs website.
The rapidly evolving landscape of the Sydney CBD continues to gain international recognition, raking in three nominations at this year's annual awards given by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH). The well-regarded, Chicago-based competition rewards outstanding design, planning and construction of tall buildings, and remains an influencer in future building projects worldwide. The most notable finalist are the International Towers at Barangaroo, which have been shortlisted in the 'Best Tall Building: Asia & Australasia' category. They will compete against eight office buildings and hotels in the region — including four in China, three in Singapore and one in South Korea. If awarded, Barangaroo will then go up against the three additional regional winners from the Americas, Europe and Middle East & Africa categories to be judged for the title of '2018 Best Tall Building Worldwide'. Sydney is not new to this honour, with One Central Park taking home the gold back in 2014. But the plaudits doesn't stop there, with two George Street buildings also in the running for lesser awards. The EY Centre is up for the Best Construction Award, making the final cut with five other buildings from New York City, Salt Lake City and Shenzhen (China). This building already gained national recognition in 2017, winning the Harry Seidler Award for Commercial Architecture at last year's National Architecture Awards. In the Ten Year Award, residential complex Lumiere is a finalist against international designs in the States, the UK, Dubai, China and Bahrain. The award is bestowed on buildings that prove valuable to their cities over a period of time In all categories, the winning projects must display innovative designs that enhance their respective cities. The winners will be announced May 30-31 at the inaugural Tall + Urban Innovation Conference in Chicago, which will celebrate the best in international design innovation, technologies and construction. Via Commercial Real Estate and Architecture AU. Feature image via Wikimedia.
It's about to get a whole lot harder for any NSW driver to get away with using their mobile phone while driving — and it's thanks to a world-first move by the NSW Government, which has agreed to adopt speed camera-style technology to detect the illegal behaviour. As reported by The Sydney Morning Herald, the legislation giving the tech the go-ahead was passed in NSW parliament this week. It's hoped the decision to use the cameras will have a huge positive impact on the number of road fatalities — much like when breath testing was introduced back in 1982 and slashed fatal accidents by almost 50 percent. "The community wants safer roads and better driver behaviour," NSW Minister for Roads Melinda Pavey told The Sydney Morning Herald. "Three quarters of those surveyed supported the use of cameras to enforce illegal mobile phone use." But the technology doesn't actually exist yet. The government will now put the call-out to companies who are interested in providing the technology. Whatever that technology may be. Most drivers will probably see this as a cash grab — fully licensed drivers are looking at a $330 fine and four demerit points if caught — but Mrs Pavey said that money raised from the camera fines will go back into a Community Road Safety Fund. And considering that the dangerous use of phones involved in 184 crashes between 2012 and 2017, it's not hard to see why the decision's got so much backing. Via The Sydney Morning Herald.
It's Nicole Kidman's next miniseries role after The Undoing. It's based on the 2018 novel penned by Big Little Lies author Liane Moriarty. It also stars everyone from Melissa McCarthy (Thunder Force) and Michael Shannon (Knives Out) to Luke Evans (Crisis) and Asher Keddie (Rams). And, it brought all of the above famous faces — and Bobby Cannavale (Superintelligence), Regina Hall (Little), Samara Weaving (Bill & Ted Face the Music), Melvin Gregg (The United States vs Billie Holiday), Asher Keddie (Rams), Grace Van Patten (Under the Silver Lake), Tiffany Boone (The Midnight Sky) and Manny Jacinto (The Good Place) as well — to Byron Bay, where it was shot. Yes, Nine Perfect Strangers was always going to be one of 2021's big TV shows — and viewers Down Under can now look forward to watching it on Amazon Prime Video. When the series dropped its first teaser trailer back in April, exactly where folks in Australia and New Zealand would be able to watch the eagerly anticipated program hadn't yet been revealed. Now, the streaming service has announced that it'll be airing it on our shores. It hasn't advised exactly when, though, so don't go pencilling a date into your calendar just yet. That said, Nine Perfect Strangers is due to start streaming week-to-week via Hulu in the US from August 18, so fingers crossed that Amazon will make it available here around the same time. Story-wise, Perfect Strangers casts Kidman as a wellness guru. She's unlikely to leave anyone feeling relaxed, however. Her character Masha oversees a resort that promises to transform nine city dwellers, and you can bet that things aren't going to turn out as planned for the show's titular figures. As with Big Little Lies and The Undoing, David E Kelley (LA Law, Ally McBeal, Mr Mercedes) is leading the charge behind the scenes. He's the show's co-writer and co-showrunner, with Long Shot's Jonathan Levine directing every episode. And yes, Byron Bay seems to be quite the TV hub at the moment, given that Stan's upcoming mystery-drama series Eden also shot in the area, and that Netflix is working on a docu-soap about Byron Bay influencers. Check out Hulu's new date announcement teaser trailer for Nine Perfect Strangers below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sv3fA0D2cAk Nine Perfect Strangers is slated to air in the US on Hulu from August 18; however, Amazon Prime Video is yet to announce a streaming date for Australia and New Zealand. We'll update you when one is announced.
This year has taught us many things, but one of the best lessons has been how to find joy in the little things. With big moments that normally punctuate our lives — like overseas holidays, massive parties and gigs — stripped away, we've had to look elsewhere for those dopamine kicks that improve our day-to-day. But it wasn't as hard as we thought. Even in this altered state of 'normal', our city is brimming with quick pick-me-ups — if you know where to look. To give you some inspiration, we've teamed up with Oporto to bring you a 'small win' for each day of the working week. Give these a go and the weekend will be here before you know it. [caption id="attachment_619427" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Andrew 'Boy' Charlton Pool[/caption] MONDAY: TAKE AN EARLY MORNING DIP Monday mornings are rough. After two full days of sleep-ins, socialising and sipping cocktails, you now have to face five days of full-blown adulting. And while this suggestion will require you to sacrifice a bit more of that precious sleep, we swear it's worth it. There's something restorative about submerging yourself in cold water (and if you don't believe us, believe Gwyneth) making it the perfect way to start the day and week. Whether you decide to parlay this activity into your weekly exercise quota with a few laps at Andrew 'Boy' Charlton Pool, do a little snorkelling in Clovelly or just have a bob in Bilgola's ocean pool, it'll make popping on your business attire or customer service smile much less painful. [caption id="attachment_622123" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ritz Cinemas, Kimberly Low[/caption] TUESDAY: CATCH A CHEAP MOVIE Thanks to streaming services, going to the cinema has increasingly felt like a novelty over the last few years, but never more so than now. Rather than turning straight to your Netflix queue after work, take advantage of the long-running discounted ticket deals on Tuesdays and see the latest blockbuster for less. Not that keen on any of the big-name new releases? Hit up one of Sydney's independent or smaller cinemas, like The Hayden Orpheum, Ritz Cinemas and Palace Cinemas, which often screen more obscure titles, film festival favourites and retrospectives. [caption id="attachment_770822" align="alignnone" width="2000"] White Rabbit Gallery, Kimberley Low[/caption] WEDNESDAY: GET YOUR MIDWEEK CULTURAL KICKS If last night's film didn't quite fill your cultural quota for the week, we suggest spending your lunch break immersed in art. At the Art Gallery of NSW, you can catch Some Mysterious Process until September 13, before the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes 2020 exhibition opens on September 26. Meanwhile, October 2 sees the unveiling of Lindy Lee: Moon in a dew drop at the Museum of Contemporary Art, and Chippendale's White Rabbit Gallery is still running its huge retrospective And Now (which you can check out for zero dollars). Can't make it anywhere in person? Check out Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre's digital program, which includes a 3D virtual tour of Pulse of the Dragon, backstage tours and archive footage of past events and interviews. [caption id="attachment_772332" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Chinese Garden of Friendship[/caption] THURSDAY: EAT LUNCH IN A PARK When the endless emails, looming deadlines or impolite customer interactions have you feeling a little jaded, take a proper midday break. Remind yourself that there's beauty in the world by having an impromptu picnic in the park. We're partial to the serene Chinese Garden of Friendship, which feels like a true oasis within the city. If you can't justify the entry fee, the Royal Botanic Garden is, of course, free and just as beautiful. A bit further out of the CBD, we recommend Wendy Whiteley's Secret Garden in Lavender Bay, the sprawling Centennial Park or Camperdown Memorial Rest Park. All of these spots are within walking distance of an Oporto, so make your to-go lunch the new Halloumi and Chicken Rappa, packed with fresh, flavourful ingredients including grilled halloumi and chicken, creamy mayo, mixed lettuce, avocado and tomato capsicum relish. [caption id="attachment_689129" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cork & Chroma[/caption] FRIDAY: FLEX YOUR CREATIVITY There are two things we all want at the end of a long week. The first is to see our mates, and the second is to turn off our work brains ASAP. Combine the two by planning a catch up with your crew over a creative class, where you can put those weary feet up, chat about fun stuff and let your creative juices flow. There are plenty of options to choose between — from boozy painting classes at Cork & Chroma and ceramics workshops at The Pottery Shed to cheesemaking classes at Omnom. Check out Oporto's full Rappa Range here, then make tracks to your closest store — or order online. Top image: White Rabbit Gallery, Kimberley Low
Erskineville's historic LGBTQIA+ haunt The Imperial is once again doing it big for Mardi Gras. This year, The Impy has partnered with the folks behind Broken Heel Festival to bring Sydneysiders a whopping 15 events that span a full week (March 2–7). Think drag comps, costume and makeup workshops, Drag N Dine brunches and countless performances — all culminating in an official Mardi Gras Parade day bash. There's bingo on Tuesday, March 2, trivia on Wednesday, March 3, a costume 'werqshop' on Thursday, March 4 and a makeup edition on Friday. A massive two-day drag competition will also take over the Basement. On Saturday, March 6, every floor of Imperial will be raging. If you're looking for a Mardi Gras that's a bit extra, opt for the VIP experience, taking place on the venue's rooftop, Imperial Up. It'll turn into a tequila lounge for the occasion, complete with rainbow margarita slushies, five hours of bottomless booze and an Italian-style grazing package. But there are only a few bookings left, so get on it. Images: Imperial Up
Aussie Aussie Aussie! ...No? We don't do that for literary awards? Regardless, Tasmanian author Richard Flanagan won the Man Booker Prize last night in London, and we couldn't be more proud. Commended for his harrowing POW story The Narrow Road to the Deep North, Flanagan is just the third Australian to ever win the prestigious award. In related news: the first book on your summer reading list is now sorted. The Man Booker, for those not in the know, is one of the most respected awards in the industry. Established in 1968, past winners of the prize have included J.M. Coetzee, Peter Carey, Margaret Atwood, and last year's NZ-born recipient Eleanor Catton. The award (and the $88,000 in prize money) is given to the author with the best book published in English in the UK each year. Though previously reserved for those in the Commonwealth, 2014 was the first year the prize was opened up to authors of any nationality. Because of this Flanagan beat not only a few Brits, but a couple of Americans to win the top prize. Though Neel Mukherjee was tipped to win for his story of family life in Calcutta The Lives of Others, Flanagan prevailed. The Narrow Road to the Deep North is the third consecutive Man Booker winner with a historical focus. Inspired by the hardships of his father, Flanagan's story is about prisoners of war on the Burma Railway. His father died on the day he finished the book. We suggest heading to a bookstore soon, this little Tasmanian gem will be flying off the shelves. If all else fails, a free sample of the book is available via Random House. Happy reading. Via SMH and ABC.
Throughout 2021, Marvel and Disney+ have been showering viewers with new TV series, all featuring characters we all know and love from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. So, you've probably watched Loki get up to his trickster antics in Loki, and seen The Falcon and The Winter Soldier team up in The Falcon and The Winter Soldier. And, you likely now have Hawkeye's next adventures in the upcoming Hawkeye on your radar as well. Yes, these MCU streaming series couldn't have more straightforward names. Yes, Marvel has now turned watching TV into big-screen homework, given that its movie franchise keeps hitting cinemas (thanks to Black Widow and Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings already this year, and with Eternals and Spider-Man: No Way Home still to come before 2021 is out). And yes, the first of these new MCU Disney+ shows finally made everyone take notice of the always-great Kathryn Hahn, who stole every scene she was in each and every time she popped up in WandaVision. Obviously, WandaVision was about Marvel characters Wanda and Vision, with Avengers: Endgame's Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany reprising their roles. But Hahn also played a significant part as neighbour-slash-witch Agatha Harkness, even nabbing an Emmy nomination for her efforts. So, because she was such a fan favourite, she's now getting her own show. Variety reports that the series will be a dark comedy about Agatha, starring Hahn; however, details beyond that are currently under wraps. But the character has a considerable history, only some of which WandaVision dived into. In comic books, she's been around since the 70s — and, story-wise, her tale dates back to the Salem witch trials. The news — and the world's reaction to the glorious Hahn — won't come as a surprise if you've been watching the exceptional actor throughout her pre-Marvel career. She stole scenes in Parks and Recreation, Transparent and I Know This Much Is True as well, and made an impact in movies as varied as Revolutionary Road, Our Idiot Brother and the Bad Moms flicks. And, she's also exceptional in Netflix film Private Life as well. Exactly when Marvel and Disney+'s Hahn-led Agatha Harkness spinoff will arrive hasn't been revealed. But, you can get the Emmy-winning 'Agatha All Along' tune stuck in your head again now until more news drops: WandaVision is currently available to stream via Disney+. When Marvel and Disney+'s Agatha Harkness spinoff will drop hasn't yet been revealed — we'll update you when more information is announced. Via Variety. Image: Suzanne Tenner, Marvel Studios.
10x10 is a youth- and volunteer-led organisation encouraging the next generation to get involved in philanthropy. How it does this, however, is a little different — it raises money for charities by hosting interactive, live crowdfunding events. And it's next one is happening in Sydney on Thursday, April 19. The organisation was started four years ago by a group of young people who wanted to make a difference. Since then, it has raised over $1.2 million for 108 different charities across Australia, UK, Hong Kong and the USA. The events — which are held biannually in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide — are broken into three parts. First, you head to 10x10's website to make a pledge of $100 or more (this amount will be converted into "Charity Dollars" and is also your ticket). Next, you rock up to the event, where three different start-up charities will pitch their causes to the crowd. Finally, you decide what charity you want your pledge, or "Charity Dollars", to go to and bam — a little more goodness is created in the world and a charity nabs some much-needed funds. You'll also have the chance to sip wine, snack on complimentary bites and chat to like-minded, philanthropic folk at the event. So think of it as a fundraiser-meets-cocktail party (without the starched collars and ballgowns). Pitching on the night will be Barayamal, an organisation supporting Indigenous youth; The John Mac Foundation, who works to empower refugees and others impacted by war; and the Dandelion Support Network, who organises physical donations for young families in need. If you feel any of these are more in need of your dollars than you and your avocado toast (they are), get amongst it — you can make your pledges here and they're 100-percent tax-deductible.
Come early 2021, the Gold Coast will boast yet another attraction, and it doesn't involve sun, surf, sand or theme park rides. Southeast Queensland's popular tourist destination will become home to a $60.5 million, six-level art gallery — the country's largest art gallery outside of a capital city. Currently under construction at Surfers Paradise's HOTA, Home of the Arts, the gallery will include a 1000-square-metre main exhibition space that'll be used for touring exhibitions, plus 900 square metres of permanent collection space across three levels, a children's gallery, and another 1000 square metres for storing works that aren't on display. Simply called the HOTA gallery, it's being built at the top of the site's new concert lawn, and will overlook HOTA's outdoor stage. View-wise, for those keen to gaze at something other than the pieces gracing the walls, the building's rooftop will also be open to the public — and, with a bar part of the plans, it'll serve up plenty of drinks to go with the 270-degree vantage over both the city skyline and natural vistas. Going in the opposite direction, a ground-floor restaurant will also feature. With linking with HOTA's outdoor grounds a key component of the site — with the gallery both spilling out onto the landscape and incorporating the garden into its internal spaces — the structure's design and construction is being overseen by Hansen Yuncken, who managed the same process for Hobart's Museum of Old and New Art (MONA). From late 2019, HOTA will also boast a brand new 130-metre green bridge over the Nerang River, connecting it with the rest of Surfer's Paradise via Chevron Island, and making it easier for pedestrians and cyclists to get to the arts centre. HOTA Gallery is set to open at HOTA, Home of the Arts, 135 Bundall Road, Surfers Paradise from early 2021. For more information, visit the HOTA website. Image: HOTA, Home of the Arts.
Looking for the perfect way to sport your mo in spirit of Movember? Grand Royal Barbers (locations in Darlinghurst, Taylor Square, and the City) will give your mo style and flare for a $10 donation to Movember. They hope to raise $5000 for the cause so they need 500 'mo bros' to help out. And as an added bonus to your new and stylish moustache, every participant will receive an American Crew pack of products and a $10 shave voucher for your next visit to Grand Royal Barbers. Be sure to check out their Facebook page here for more pictures of mo styles, plus details about the Movember charity drive and giveaways. Concrete Playground has 5 gift packs and 5 haircut/shave vouchers (valued at $130) for Grand Royal Barbers to give away. To go in the running, just subscribe to Concrete Playground (if you haven't already) then email hello@concreteplayground.com.au
Art Month doesn't just involve looking at art, doing art and dressing yourself in art, it also involves talking about it. Because, let’s face it, as much as art can be good plain fun, it can also be confusing, angering and perplexing. That’s whether you’re a consumer of art who doesn’t always agree with the critics’ picks, an artist who wants to talk about your latest work or a Sydney resident who wonders where the city’s relentless creativity comes from — and what more we can do to foster our artists. So, get yourself along to one of Art Month’s many, many chats. At Who Gets To Call It Art Anyway?, you’ll watch a film about Henry Geldzahler, curator of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Barry Keldoulis speak. At Ceramics Killed the Video Star, you’ll learn all about how and why ceramics are the hottest thing since Prince’s first music video. And at Starting a Collection 101, you’ll find out what it takes to begin an art collection from scratch. Other talks include Saabia Gallery, What the Kids Think, ACP Beachin, Brock Elbank and Collective Histories: Nostalgia in Contemporary Art.
The folks at the Sydney Fringe Festival have unveiled a fresh swathe of 2017 highlights and you should promptly get around them. Among the standouts is this year's opening weekend extravaganza — an enormous 'masqueerade' that promises to turn the brand new festival hub "into a world of mystery and disguise where reality is suspended and art becomes real life". The bash is the brainchild of the team from Heaps Gay so it's sure to be one hell of a good time, with the warehouse party rocking over two nights on September 2 and 3. This year's mysterious dress theme is transform/disguise and, in the party group's usual fashion, the location will be kept secret. Meanwhile, Kensington Street in Chippendale will be the site of the official launch party, taking over shops, bars, restaurants and footpaths with music acts curated by Sydney-based songstress Ngaiire. Other highlights include a world first GIF-iti exhibition from UK artist INSA, a voyeuristic stage experience dubbed Silent Theatre, and a massive musical collaboration at Sydney Town Hall between Lah Lah's Big Live Band and the Sydney Youth Orchestra. SFF has also announced its 2017 festival ambassadors: The Whitlams' lead singer Tim Freedman, Archibald prize-winning artist Ben Quilty, writer and social commentator Benjamin Law, performance artist Betty Grumble and performer, poet and activist Candy Royalle. We previously had a taste of what this year's Fringe had in store when they dropped their first wave of programming back in May. Standouts in that announcement included Digital Dinner — billed as "an immersive dining experience" featuring food, art, music, installations and digital media — and Cirque Africa, an explosive circus show featuring 38 performers from six African countries, all backed by a live African band. And, somehow, there's still more to come, with the full SFF program unveiled on August 1. Yeah, it's going to be massive. The full Sydney Fringe Festival program will be unveiled on August 1. For more information visit the Sydney Fringe website.
When Australia was saying goodbye to border restrictions, the country's various states started giving away vouchers and incentives to get folks travelling around the nation again. Those days are gone, but Queensland still wants everyone — Queenslanders, interstate residents and New Zealanders alike alike — to make holiday plans in the Sunshine State. To help, it's giving away five impressive getaways over five weeks. The catch: you will need to actually answer your phone. If you're the kind of person who always texts about everything over calling, you'll need to change your ways if you want to score a free vacation. First, you'll need to register online, too, to be on the Sunshine State's call list. Then, it's time to wait for the phone to ring. [caption id="attachment_842401" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland[/caption] On offer: a different free getaway each week, starting with a 12-night road trip for two through Queensland's outback. The first holiday focuses on the Sunshine State leg of the Savannah Way, and will see you start off in Mount Isa, get a 4x4 hire vehicle with rooftop tent for hitting the bitumen, camp in Burketown and Croydon, go up in a hot air balloon, spend two nights in Karumba, glamp (and soak) at Talaroo Hot Springs, stay at (and tour) Undara Volcanic National Park, then end with an evening at Crystalbrook Flynn in Cairns before flying home. You'll need to be able to go between July 8–21. After that, you could nab an island-hopping stint in the Torres Strait for four nights, which covers four people and will happen from May 28–June 1; a four-night Sunshine Coast Hinterland trip for two that's all about artisanal experiences, and runs from July 28–August 1; and six nights in the Bundaberg and Capricorn regions, including hiking the Carnarvon Gorge, from August 15–21. [caption id="attachment_650357" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] Or, there's a gather-the-gang getaway in the Granite Belt wine region, flying you and five mates to Brisbane, then sending you out Stanthorpe way. Running from July 14–17, it includes three nights staying at the Barrel View Luxury Cabins. Tourism and Events Queensland is teaming up with Virgin Australia, Air New Zealand, Webjet, MyQueensland, Accor, Helloworld, Luxury Escapes, Expedia/Wotif and Experience Oz on the giveaways, which folks from around Australia and in New Zealand can enter. Do so once and you're in the draw for all five holidays — or however many are left after you sign up before 5pm AEST on Wednesday, April 19. You can only win one, however, and you don't get to choose. Also, if you get lucky, you will be up for some costs such as food. [caption id="attachment_702568" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland / Jewels Lynch[/caption] To go in the running for the Queensland Is Calling giveaways, sign up online — and find out more via the Queensland.com website, too. Top image: Talaroo Hot Springs. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
