Long-running music festivals aren't just events. They become more than just beloved dates on everyone's calendars, too. Attending a fest like Golden Plains is a ritual and a pilgrimage for devotees, and it unfolds in steps. Here's the first for 2025's three-day takeover of the Meredith Supernatural Amphitheatre: the launch of the Golden Plains ticket ballot. Come Saturday, March 8–Monday, March 10, 2025, it'll be time to dance among the autumn leaves in regional Victoria again, in the same place that Meredith Music Festival also calls home. While the lineup isn't here yet, you can now put your name down for the chance to nab tickets. This round of Golden Plains will mark the fest's 17th year. Your best clue as to what's to come is, as always, the brief description offered by the festival team while announcing the opening of the ballot. "A premium long weekend of music and nature, sense and non-sense, in the supernatural-est habitat on earth," starts the latest word from the Aunty team. "Party largesse at the one and only Meredith Supernatural Amphitheatre. Right size, right shape, with no commercial sponsors, free range camping, BYO, the No D---head Policy, and One Stage Fits All," it continues. The online ballot for Golden Plains 2025 remains open until 10.17pm AEDT on Monday, October 14, 2024, which means that clicking ASAP is recommended. Once the ballot is drawn, the lineup will be announced. Catering to 12,000 punters each year across three days and two nights, the fest has long proven a favourite for its one-stage setup, which skips the need for frantic timetabling. And, like Meredith Music Festival, its sibling, Golden Plains is also known for the Aunty crew's star-studded bills. If you're wondering how the roster of talent has shaped up in past years, 2023's fest boasted Bikini Kill, Carly Rae Jepsen, Soul II Soul and Four Tet, while 2024's featured The Streets, Yussef Dayes, King Stingray and Black Country, New Road — and plenty more. Golden Plains will return to the Meredith Supernatural Amphitheatre from Saturday, March 8–Monday, March 10, 2025. Head to the festival's website for further details, or to enter the ballot before 10.17pm AEDT on Monday, October 14, 2024. Images: Chip Mooney and Ben Fletcher.
If water pipes make you think of creepy clowns, then the latest tiny apartment design mightn't be for you. In Hong Kong, architect James Law has come up with a compact housing solution made out of old concrete tubing. A proposed solution to the country's affordability issues, they're cheap to construct — and, thanks to their shape, easily stackable too. Don't worry, these pipe-based abodes will be located above ground, so you can wipe your IT fears out of your mind. Called Opod, the proposed system is made from piping up to 2.5 metres in diameter, features between nine and eleven squares of cosy living space capable of housing one or two people, and comes complete with a bench that converts into a bed, a mini fridge, microwave, bathroom with shower and open-shelf storage. Currently on display and open to the Hong Kong public until April 1, it's envisioned that the former stormwater drains could be used in narrow spaces, and even on top of existing buildings, using space that's otherwise going to waste. Or, if you wanted to move, they could also be relocated to other sites or cities. https://www.instagram.com/p/BdNP0t1g4EL/?taken-by=cybertecture The cosy, circular homes are the latest innovative design in what's proving a growing field, with sustainability, affordability, eschewing mass consumerism via downsizing and embracing mobile living all motivators. An Australian start-up lets you stay in a tiny house in the wilderness, while flat-packed tiny homes are also available locally. Tiny mobile homes and Muji flat-pack houses and pre-fab huts can also take care of your compact needs. And, in the short-term accommodation arena, you can stay in New York's first shipping container home, seek out a portable shipping container hotel or head to a tiny house campsite in the US. Via Reuters. Images: James Law Cybertecture.
One of the planet's fastest growing problems is e-waste. In fact, it's piling up at a rate of 40 tonnes per year, which is particularly disturbing because of its potential to leak nasties — like mercury, lead and arsenic — into our environment. The good news is that the folks at Stockholm-based studio People People want to help in any way they can — via your personal sound system. So they're crowdfunding a transparent, wireless speaker that can be totally disassembled and repaired. Instead of throwing the whole thing in the garbage because one tiny part has conked out, you can simply replace it, put the speaker back together and keep the music going. What's more, internal sensors figure out when there's a glitch and promptly let you know — via a notification on your phone. Have a go at solving the problem yourself by pulling the speaker apart or, if you think it's safer to leave it to those genius Swedes, then send it to your nearest manufacturing location. All materials contained in the speaker can be repeatedly recycled to their original quality, creating a 'closed loop' system. "The challenge of our generation will be to stop trashing our planet, and leave it in a good shape for coming generations," the studio said on its Kickstarter page. "Consumer products are too quickly becoming waste and mostly dumped in landfills. In fact, there is a full football field of electronic waste generated every minute. This linear system has to stop." The speaker is available in white or black. And, thanks to its minimalist Scandi aesthetic, you won't have to worry about it throwing off your interior design. There's a knob for volume adjustment, a rocker-style on-off switch and a 3.5-millimetre jack, as well as WiFi and Bluetooth capability. Two 2.5-inch drivers, a passive bass radiator and a built-in amplifier with embedded digital signal processing (DSP) deliver cracking sound. People People are hoping to raise $250,000 to get the project off the ground. With 17 days to go, 319 backers have promised a total of $80,456. Pledges from $2 are welcome and, with $250, you can land yourself your own speaker. The Transparent Speaker is currently being funded on Kickstarter up until January 22. To pledge money or find out more, visit their campaign page.
The films of one of the most influential directors in motion picture history will be the subject of a special retrospective coming to Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra this year. Curated by beloved film critic and former Sydney Film Festival director David Stratton, the Essential Kurosawa lineup will showcase ten iconic films from Japan's legendary Akira Kurosawa, including several efforts that could contest the title of greatest film of all time. The retrospective — which is a collaboration between Sydney Film Festival, the Australian Centre for the Moving Image in Melbourne, and the National Film and Sound Archive in Canberra — will span almost the full length of Kurosawa's incredible career, from his groundbreaking Rashomon (1950) to his sweeping feudal war epic Ran (1985). Further highlights include Seven Samurai (1954), The Hidden Fortress (1958), Yojimbo (1961) and Kagemusha (1980). A number of titles will screen on specially imported 35mm film prints courtesy of The Japan Foundation and Toho Co. "The best of Kurosawa's films possess a grandeur combined with a common touch," said Stratton in a statement accompanying the announcement. "No-one filmed action scenes like he did – his use of multiple cameras, long lenses and intricate editing combined to make these sequences unforgettable." The films in Essential Kurosawa will screen at ACMI in Melbourne from May 26 to June 8 (ticket here), Dendy Opera Quays and the Art Gallery of New South Wales as part of Sydney Film Festival from June 7–18 (tickets here), and the NSFA in Canberra from June 14-30 (tickets here).
Six Hunter Valley winemakers will take to the road this month for New Generation's Caravan of Courage tour. The whistle stop trip will engage wine lovers in a series of pop-up bars and dinners held all along the east coast of Australia, from Melbourne to Noosa. The events will be hosted by the six winemakers themselves, a rogue crew of thrill-seeking, bus-dwelling winos. There is no doubt that they know their stuff when it comes to wine, though. Hailing from the famed Hunter wine region, each winemaker promises event-goers the very best of their product, straight out of their big green bus accomodations. The Caravan of Courage will be making stops in Sydney on May 11 and Brisbane on May 17, each held at a secret inner-city location. To win tickets for you and a friend, just make sure you are subscribed to Concrete Playground then email your city preference to hello@concreteplayground.com.au
Summer is literally only days away, but it seems that the sizzling weather has hit Sydney early in 2020. Temperatures have been climbing in recent days, heading up from 25 degrees on Wednesday, November 25 to a scorching 40.8 degrees on Saturday, November 28 — and, overnight as Saturday turned to Sunday, the city endured its hottest November night since records started being recorded. Feeling toasty? Obviously there's a very good reason for that — because the mercury only dipped to 25.3 degrees last night, at 1.09am, as recorded at Observatory Hill. That immensely warm temperature pipped the city's previous highest November minimum of 24.8 degrees, which dates back a huge 53 years to 1967. Unsurprisingly, the baking overnight minimum heralds another very hot day, with a top of 40 forecast. At the time of writing, Sydney has already hit 35.8 degrees at 10.50am. The Bureau of Meteorology says that the high temperatures are part of a heatwave, which is presently reaching severe conditions in southern Northern Territory, northeastern South Australia and southwest Queensland through to coastal New South Wales. It's also upping temps in western Queensland, northern NSW, the bulk of the NT, and the northeast parts of WA and SA, but it's considered a low-intensity heatwave in those spots. https://twitter.com/BOM_NSW/status/1332775671106588675 For Sydneysiders, things are expected to cool down significantly on Monday — just before summer officially lands, for those in need of a reprieve, aka everyone. Monday is forecast to only hit 24 degrees, jump up to 29 on Tuesday, then sit at 25 on Wednesday, 24 on Thursday and 26 on Friday. For more information about Sydney's weather, head to the Bureau of Meteorology website.
There's no end to innovative musical apps, but one of the most successful we've seen must be John Lennon: The Bermuda Tapes, a new iPad app that gorgeously visualises the creative process of a true legend. Made with input from Yoko Ono and with all proceeds going to the Imagine No Hunger campaign, the app is an interactive musical journey resurrecting Lennon’s unreleased demos from his mysterious trip to Bermuda in 1980. Here, he began writing material for the first time in five years and reworking earlier demos, cultivating inspiration from his new surroundings. It is this inspiration that director Michael Epstein has sought to harness, inviting you to steer Lennon’s yacht as he battles thrashing waves solo (in fact, he almost lost his life voyaging through these treacherous waters). Perhaps venture through Bermuda’s gardens and record your own musical fancies, or witness Lennon’s moment of realisation when he recognises Ono’s wailing vocals influencing the music of the B-52’s, pumping through '70s disco speakers. What has been referred to here as 'The Bermuda Tapes' blossomed into John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s final studio album, Double Fantasy. Released in 1980, the album received largely negative reviews for its perceived lapse into sentimentality and familial bliss. However, the shock murder of Lennon three weeks after the album’s release swiftly transformed these criticisms into tributes and reflections on a staggeringly influential career cut short. The fact that the album became coloured by the murder is something Epstein hopes to counter, aiming to reclaim some of the music and spark fresh appreciation untainted by the tragic circumstances. Contemplating what makes a successful album app, Catherine Moore, an associate professor of music business at New York University, told Time magazine.,“My feeling is that unless the app is visually really engaging, really fits with the music, that there’s better ways to spend your creative resources.” It may just be that John Lennon: The Bermuda Tapes meets this criteria. It is an impressive feat of digital storytelling, consisting of six chapters driven by interviews with Lennon and Ono, who comment on their being apart and how this impacted their artistic process. It is a searing portrait of the intimacy and dynamism of their relationship. The app errs more on the side of interactive storytelling than gameplay. There is a profound sense of nostalgia imbued in the gentle and harmonious rhythm of images constantly forming and reforming. Epstein has also achieved a skillful balance between narration, music and interaction — there is no one component that feels intrusive or overbearing. It is an appropriately exploratory aesthetic in accommodating these fragments of lost music and commentary. Epstein also insists upon the need to experience music in a new way, telling Fast Co.Create, "I think this is the logical evolution of the digital platform for music." John Lennon: The Bermuda Tapes offers the industry a much-needed injection of warmth and vitality. It is a technological revival and revamping of one of our most beloved artists and musicians — the best of the past and the future moulded into one. See more of Yoko Ono's works at her exhibition War Is Over! (If You Want It) is on at Sydney's Museum of Contemporary Art Australia until February 23, 2014. Via Fast Co.Create.
Even the most bitter of Valentines Day dissidents will find it hard not to get a little gushy about the late summer romance between Cake Wines and Tropfest. This month the two are getting pretty serious, with Cake named an official partner for the short film festival, and they're putting on another of their excellent pop-up bars to celebrate. Cake was founded in 2011 with the goal of cultivating those things that make the world a more interesting place. One of those things is wine, which is too frequently overcomplicated and marketed toward owners of sports utility vehicles, and one of those things is art. Cake gives 25 cents from each bottle to FBi Radio in Sydney and 4ZZZ in Brisbane, commissions artists to make the labels all pretty, and devised Australia's second most prestigious art prize — the Archi-bottle. One time they even made you a mix tape. This newest partnership is a natural extension of Cake's ethos (Tropfest is a grassroots cultural event) and the brand's rapidly escalating rep (Tropfest is also the largest short film festival in the world). As another testament to the latter, Cake has managed to secure some prime real estate in the form of a historic underground sandstone bunker in The Rocks. This they'll fill with seven varietals of South Australian deliciousness and 15 days of cultural goodness in the form of presentations, art, film, food, and music events. Highlights of the program include the Tropfest film night on February 7; the Dumbo Feather Conservation series led by Tropfest creator John Polson; a session of deep, soulful electronic music by Ze and aBillion; and the always popular Lovebombs dance party. Metro Screen are also putting on a speed networking event for film producers, and your favourite online culture portal (us) will be presenting Culture in the Rocks on February 9. Head to the Cake Wines calendar app on their Facebook page to see the complete list of events. You can also get access to priority tickets and complimentary wine. Go into the draw to win a Cake Wines picnic for you and five friends this Tropfest. You'll get to sit in the priority picnic area, enjoying catered food and Cake Wine. To be in the running, visit them on Facebook, 'like' their page, and share it with your friends.
Apologies to whatever piece of furniture sits in the centre of your lounge room at present. Once you've seen the Living Table, the place you currently put your warm beverages, remote controls and whatever is in your pockets is going to look pretty average. Turning the everyday item into an accessible and eye-catching indoor garden, it doesn't just brighten up any space — it transforms the humble coffee table into a living work of art. Available in two square sizes and ranging from US$850 to $1600 in price, the Living Table ensures that greenery is front and centre. Now that's something sticking a few pot plants in corners and on shelves definitely doesn't do. It's designed for low-growing ground cover plants that can grow and thrive without touching the table's glass surface, with manufacturers Habit Horticulture suggesting a list of ideal varieties. Don't go putting it in a dark corner, though; in fact, finding a spot that gets bright, indirect natural sunlight is recommended. As well as looking great and sparking many a conversation, the table is designed to copy the way that plants absorb water from the ground courtesy of a passive sub irrigation system. In other words, it layers the necessary materials — bio balls, felt, soil, plants and glass — without needing to include drainage outlets. And, even better than that, it means that the plants inside don't need much H20. If you've ever killed a piece of flora with some over-watering kindness, you'll be thrilled. Via inhabitat.
It’s that time of year. The sun is beating down, the heat has sapped everyone’s energy and you’d do something other than watch endless hours of cricket on the telly except it all seems too hard. What you need is a holiday – ideally, one by the beach, so that you can get in to the endless summer. We have teamed up with boutique travel experts Mr & Mrs Smith to bring you ten of the best local beach breaks – no passport required. 1. Pinctada Cable Beach Where: Broome, WA If your beachy dreams encompass sailing on pearl luggers, splashing with manta rays and riding camels along the shore, you might want to contemplate a trip to Pinctada Cable Beach boutique hotel in Broome, WA, where you can do all these things and more. Its 72 spacious rooms feature breezy decks, plantation shutters and Aboriginal art. Chill out at the Brizo Pool Bar before heading for Selene Brasserie with its blend of North African, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavours. 2. Saffire Where: Freycinet Peninsula, TAS Set on one of the most beautiful beaches you’ll ever lay your peepers on is luxury Freycinet Peninsula retreat Saffire, on Tasmania’s east coast. From your uber-swank and super-spacious suite – all minimalist Scandi styling and full-length windows – you can eye off pristine Coles Bay below. You’ll want to linger at Palate, the contemporary restaurant featuring local produce, and intimate Spa Saffire, but do tear yourself away. The water may be a little chilly for splashing, but you can don waders to explore an oyster farm, walk along the beach or observe it from the water either on a kayak or a luxury speedboat. Iconic Wineglass Bay is also just a hop away. 3. Annalilli Where: Byron Bay, NSW Byron Bay: it’s the preferred destination of surfers, city types who don’t like to go without decent coffee and faux hippies. Rustic Byron Bay self-catering stay Annalilli is tucked away in a quiet nature reserve five minutes’ drive from the town’s famous beaches, eateries and boutiques. With three bedrooms (it sleeps up to seven), a light-flooded living room and mod kitchen this restored Queenslander is great for a group. Be aware, however, there’s a noise curfew of 10pm, so it’s no party pad. 4. Palazzo Versace Where: Gold Coast, QLD Surfers Paradise can be a little unruly at times, but Gold Coast boutique resort Palazzo Versace, on marina-strewn Main Beach, is an exercise in refinement. It cost $300 million to build and you can see it in its finishes – richly textured and vibrantly coloured Versace fabrics and homewares, acres of marble, a string of lagoons making up the pool and a swathe of upmarket restaurants. When the luxury starts to blow your mind, you can go hang out at nearby Main Beach or scuba with the sharks at Sea World. 5. Port Elliot Beach House Where: Fleurieu Peninsula, SA If you’re feeling kinda lazy, you don’t even need to leave the living room at South Australian self-catering stay Port Elliot Beach House, a modern architectural gem on the Fleurieu Peninsula’s Boomer Beach. A huge window wall faces the ocean, as does a patch of lawn at the front of the house. Sleeping eight in four bedrooms – nab the downstairs master bedroom for sea and sky views from atop the vast expanse of linen – it’s a super-chic hideaway featuring polished concrete, Tasmanian oak, glass and stainless steel, as well as a sheltered deck with a gas barbecue. Top surfing beckons for active types. 6. Wilson Island Where: Great Barrier Reef, QLD The annual summer holiday in the tent with mum and dad was never like this. Just six luxurious canvas structures make up Great Barrier Reef glamping getaway Wilson Island. You’ll definitely get that Robinson Crusoe feeling as you nap in your hammock just outside your digs and metres from the ocean. Days are spent snoozing, snorkelling, playing bocce and chilling. An astonishing array of delicious meals is cooked on the barbecue at the communal Longhouse, where you can also help yourself to a cocktail. Watch out for cute baby turtles hatching from mid-January to April. 7. Zealandia Where: Mornington Peninsula, VIC It’s like stepping back into another era when you open the door to Portsea beach house Zealandia on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. This restored Fifties house, just a short stroll from Portsea village and its two beaches, is completely decked out in mid-century furniture, making it one stylish surfside getaway. There’s three double bedrooms, a smart kitchen, an expansive deck with a table for eight and a cool pool for groovy group getaways. 8. QT Port Douglas Where: Port Douglas, QLD The Far North gets a Miami makeover at QT Port Douglas boutique hotel, where pastel Hawaiian prints and surf memorabilia are de rigueur. Bask on the island in the centre of the pool, sip on coconut coladas – served in a scooped-out pineapple, natch – on the deck at Estilo bar, and book a table at Bazaar, a market-inspired buffet piled high with tasty local produce, including fresh seafood. Stunning Four Mile Beach is a five-minute walk away and Port Douglas’s main street is accessible by shuttle bus or the hotel’s cute retro bicycles. 9. Bells at Killcare Where: Central Coast, NSW Sometimes you want to be by the beach but you don’t want to have to eat fish and chips for three meals a day. For those breaks there’s Hardys Bay boutique hotel Bells at Killcare on the NSW Central Coast, part hotel, part chef’s-hatted-restaurant, part private retreat. Acclaimed Italian chef Stefano Manfredi is in charge of the kitchen, the 25 rooms have a chic country vibe and the entire estate is surrounding by English manor-style gardens. Go for a wander around Bouddi National Park, then head to Killcare Beach for a surf – you’ll definitely need to build up your appetite for that multi-course feast come dinnertime. 10. Alinghi Where: Great Barrier Reef, QLD It’s a bit of a hidden gem, the unlikely sounding town of Agnes Waters, 50 kilometres north of Bundaberg. Just five minutes away is Great Barrier Reef holiday house Alinghi, clinging to the cliff of Queensland’s Capricorn Coast. You’ll be blown away by the master bedroom – there are five in all, sleeping up to 14 – separated from the main house by an expansive travertine terrace. Every luxury and high-tech gadget is provided in this cutting-edge cedar, glass and steel property, allowing you to stock up on supplies before cutting yourself off from the real world. Spend time soaking up sea views or lolling about on Honeymoon Bay and Springs Beach, both a stroll from Alinghi.
For most folks, Easter is about two things: chocolate and plenty of it, and enjoying at least a four-day break from the daily grind. However many sweet treats you have in your near future, and however you're planning to spend your time off, Virgin wants you to keep the holiday vibes going — dropping a pre-Easter sale with 350,000 discounted fares up for grabs. As the airline tends to, it's starting prices as cheap as $55, which will get you from Sydney to Byron Bay and vice versa. From there, the sale spans everywhere from the Hamilton Island, Tasmania and Darwin through to Tokyo, Bali, Fiji and Vanuatu. The low fare, more air sale runs until midnight AEST on Monday, April 3 — unless sold out earlier, with The Whitsundays, the Sunshine Coast, all the regular Australian capital cities, Queenstown and Samoa also covered. That means paying $75 one-way from Sydney to the Sunshine Coast, $89 from Adelaide to Launceston, $99 for a trip from Melbourne to the Gold Coast and $115 to get from Brisbane to Hamilton Island. Or, still on local deals, $89 from Melbourne to Adelaide, $115 from Sydney to Cairns, $219 from Melbourne to Darwin and $229 from Sydney to Perth. All legs are available in both directions. Internationally, return fares include the Gold Coast to Bali from $419, Sydney to Fiji from $459, Melbourne to Vanuatu from $539 and Cairns to Tokyo from $699. For folks in Sydney and Melbourne keen to head to Japan, the Tokyo trip costs $819 from each via Cairns. If you're wondering when you'll need to travel, the fares cover between Tuesday, March 9–Thursday, December 14, all varying per route. Inclusions also vary depending on your ticket and, as usual when it comes to flight sales, you'll need to get in quick if you're keen to stack your year with post-Easter getaways. Virgin's low fare, more air sale runs until midnight AEST on Monday, April 3 — unless sold out earlier. 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.
This article is sponsored by our partners, Rekorderlig. If there’s one good way to rest your over-worked ski muscles, it’s hanging out in a hot pool. The good news is that Rekordelig is bringing theirs back to Thredbo this year. And, once again, it’s not just an apres swim that’ll be on the cards, but a complete music, food and beverage indulgence. All you’ll need are your swimmers. The famous Swedish cider brand will provide everything else — from towels and umbrellas to blankets and illuminated trees. Even if you’re not too keen on taking the plunge, you’ll be welcome to while away the time poolside. Think kicking back in deckchairs and beanbags, losing yourself in alpine sunsets and contemplating which black runs you’re going to conquer in the morning. On the drinks menu are a couple of special, piping hot drops — warm winter cider and warm orange-ginger cider — as well as Rekorderlig staples passionfruit, pear and strawberry-lime. Both sampler platters and regular bottles will be served up. For tasty, energy-packed invigorating treats, there’ll be meatballs with Rekorderlig Winter Cider sauce and apple cinnamon donuts. Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night during the 12-week-long ski season, live entertainment will soundtrack the hot pool experience. The Rekorderlig Hot Pool is at the Thredbo Alpine Hotel, every weekend until September.
It's always the quiet ones. Members of the Concrete Playground team saw this unassuming audio-theatre piece by UK artists Ant Hampton and Tim Etchells in Utrecht and reported it to be phenomenal. Here now for the Sydney Festival, The Quiet Volume has you sit side by side with a partner in the Mitchell Library, each of you with headphones on and a stack of books at your elbow. The words on the page, the voice in your ear, and occasionally the companion at your table guide you through a journey that shakes up your understanding of the act of reading. The whispered, interactive work also makes for a great excuse to visit the library, an institution so many of us still have a great love for although rarely visit. Read our list of the 12 best things to see at the Sydney Festival in 2013.
When discount airlines started soaring into business, they made air travel both easier and much more affordable, drastically shaking up the aviation game. Now that you can routinely fly from Sydney to Melbourne for less than the cost of a degustation dinner, conquering longer flights, reducing the environmental impact and offering niche services have become the industry's new sources of inspiration. Think direct Australia-to-London journeys, trips fuelled by mustard seeds, and now an airline dedicated to art events. Launched by Chinese-American performer Qinmin Liu, Angelhaha Airline "promises to only fly to art," as its website explains. Its first flight will take off on December 6, travelling from New York to Miami for the latter's Art Basel event; however the artist and choreographer has further one-way trips planned for jaunts between Beijing and Hong Kong in March, London and Venice in May, and Berlin and Paris in October, among others. Each coincides with an exhibition, art month, art fair or something similar. In total, 25 flights are currently listed on the airline's website, though The Guardian reports that they don't come cheap. Tickets aren't available at present — although you can sign up to be notified when the next flight opens for bookings — but the maiden voyage, on a private plane taking nine passengers, is setting back travellers between $2,700-$3,500. https://www.instagram.com/p/BbmyuFdHKeH/?taken-by=qinmin_liu In addition to its specific destinations, Angelhaha also aims to turn flying through the sky into a happier experience. "Angelhaha will do everything to provide the happiest moment and environment to human beings," the website states. Just how it will achieve that task is yet to be revealed, but if France can start an airline for millennials, and Europe a service that only heads to ski fields, then the world can have a joy-spreading, art-loving carrier as well. Via The Guardian.
Did you forget Father's Day was coming up? Again? Okay, this year you have more of an excuse with everything that's been happening. But that doesn't change the fact that Father's Day is around the corner — on Sunday, September 6 — and you still haven't thought of what to get your dear old dad. And let's be honest, trying to figure out what to get him is more than half the battle. A bottle of his favourite spirit is always a safe bet — at least you know it's something he likes and will use, right? Unlike the shirt you bought him for Christmas that you've never seen him wear. So, if you're feeling a little guilty about a somewhat predictable gift, why not use it as a fun bonding exercise and host a cocktail making sesh? Here are four super-easy recipes that use Maker's Mark bourbon to get you started, and to help make this Father's Day one to remember. OLD FASHIONED This classic aperitif will have your dad feeling like the classy gentleman he wishes he really was. – 60ml Maker's Mark or Maker's 46 – 1 teaspoon sugar – 2 dashes bitters – 15ml water – Orange peel – Sphere ice or ice cubes Combine sugar and bitters with water in a mixing glass and stir until sugar is dissolved. Pour Maker's Mark, add ice and stir gently. Strain, pour over ice and garnish with orange peel. BOURBON AND GINGER A zingy, spritz-like tipple that's so easy to make, even you can't mess it up. – 45ml Maker's Mark – Ginger ale – Lime wedge Fill highball glass with ice. Add Maker's Mark and top with ginger ale to taste. Garnish with a lime wedge. FANCY BOURBON PUNCH This fruity, bubbly punch will help your dad feel a bit better about all his cancelled 2020 travel plans. – 1 litre Maker's Mark – 1 cup granulated sugar – Peels of three lemons and one orange – Juice of the peeled lemons and orange – 1 litre of strong sweetened tea (preferably green tea) – 250ml champagne or soda water Muddle the sugar and citrus peels in the bottom of a large punch bowl. Let sit for two hours. Stir in the juice of the peeled fruit, tea and Maker's Mark. Top with champagne or soda water just before serving and stir gently. HOT TODDY Serve this one to Pops on cold, wintry nights with a sweet treat — it's more fun than a cuppa. – 45ml Maker's Mark – 15ml lemon juice – 1 large teaspoon of honey – 1 cinnamon quill – 3 whole cloves – 1 lemon twist – Boiling water to top up Combine Maker's Mark, lemon juice and honey together in a heatproof mug. Stud your lemon peel with cloves and wrap it around cinnamon quill and add to mug. Top up mug with boiling water and stir until honey is dissolved. Find more Maker's Mark cocktail recipes by visiting the website here.
If you want to revolutionise the art world, what better way to do it than take it to the people? This September, a trans-American train will journey from New York City to San Francisco over the course of three weeks, showcasing art at nine stops along the way. Organised by artist Doug Aitken and sponsored by Levi's, the project, titled Station to Station, 'will connect leading figures and underground creators from the worlds of art, music, food, literature, and film for a series of cultural interventions and site-specific happenings.' Participating artists include Dan Deacon, Ariel Pink, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Rirkrit Tiravanija, Urs Fischer, Kenneth Anger and Carsten Holler. The train itself will function as a mobile, kinetic light sculpture, as visible in the above photograph. Funds raised through donations and ticket sales will be given to seven partner museums in various parts of the US, to support innovative, non-traditional programming. Aitken, born in California in 1968, is no stranger to colossal projects. He has repeatedly drawn international attention for his groundbreaking installations, which draw on film, sound, photography, architecture and sculpture. In 1999, his work Electric Earth won the International Prize at the Venice Biennale, and his 2007 exhibition at MoMA turned a whole city block into 'an expansive cinematic experience'. [via Springwise]
Chattanooga, Tennessee is poised for a creative comeback. After cleaning up its past image as a dirty city, and experiencing an influx of artistic talents, Chattanooga is on the cusp of a turnaround. D.J. Trischler, a local brand consultant, explains the missing component: "If you think of a brand as a story, [Chattanooga] has an amazing story. If you look at the visual brand, it doesn’t back up that story.” Trischler has recently joined forces with Chattanooga resident and typeface designer Jeremy Dooley to restore the city's look and feel by creating and applying a new font to city signage and print media. The concept of a distinguishing city typeface is common throughout Europe, yet has only been attempted (and failed) once in the United States. The efforts of Trischler and Dooley represent the first attempt to create this city-customized typeface at the grassroots level. The pair teamed up with a second typeface designer, Robbie de Villiers, and Trischner's business partner Jonathan Mansfield. Together, they consulted a local historian to gather inspiration for their Chattanooga-inspired font, including the old Cherokee Native American writing system and Coca-Cola's first bottling plant. The result was what the team describes as a "geometric slab serif", a font simultaneously industrial and futuristic. Chattanooga now had a Chatype. Public events have gathered community support and funding for the launch of Chatype, and the team expects residents to see the font popping up on signage, business cards and city government websites soon. Trischner and Dooley express hopes that Chatype will one day be seen on start-up businesses, road signs, fire trucks and police cars. [Via GOOD]
It’s only January, but already 2016 is shaping up to be a really good year for art in Australia. Melbourne's NGV is currently showing the epic Andy Warhol | Ai Wei Wei exhibition and a collection of Australian surrealist works with Lurid Beauty, with a tight line-up of Degas, surrealist works and Whistler’s Mother coming to the gallery later this year (not the original of course, we all know Mr Bean has that). Sydney is currently being graced by The Greats, Grayson Perry and will soon get to enjoy a more contemporary exhibition by Tatsuo Miyajima. Known for his immersive and dramatic tech-inspired pieces, the Japanese installation artist will be bringing his work to the Museum of Contemporary Art this November as part of the 2016-17 Sydney International Art Series (pencil it in, guys). It's his first solo exhibition in Australia, and it will include all of his significant pieces as well as some video and performance works. While Miyajima's work may appear slick and futuristic, his philosophy incorporates some really profound ideas about life and death. As he summarises it: "Keep changing, connect with everything, continue forever". His installations largely feature LED lights and counters that countdown from one to nine. However, they never reach zero as Miyajima believes zero is a meaningless, Western concept. As he told Frieze back in 1992, there is no physical zero. Buddhist philosophy is also a major influence on his art, as well as his ideas about zero and nothingness. "In Buddhist philosophy we have the word ku, which means emptiness — which is very different from zero," he says. "The word ku is realistic emptiness, physical emptiness…ku contains the cycle of life and death." His work is best consumed as a spiritual experience, and we've got plenty of time to prepare for it. The MCA's 2016-2017 International Art Series featuring Tatsuo Miyajima will run from November 3, 2016 – March 5, 2017. FOr more info, visit the MCA website.
A favourite at this year's Sundance and on our critics' best list from last month's Sydney Film Festival, you may have heard about A Ghost Story — the film where Casey Affleck stands around underneath a sheet. Reuniting this year's Manchester by the Sea best actor Oscar winner with his Ain't Them Bodies Saints co-star Rooney Mara and writer/director David Lowery (also of Pete's Dragon), Affleck's character dons the sheet after he is killed — but, despite that, it's still one of the best movies of the year so far. Moody and minimalistic (as a costume anyone could make gives away), the film breathes new (after)life into the idea of haunted houses in a thoughtful and emotion-filled manner. As Affleck's ghost lurks, the movie offers up an astute understanding of how mourning and memories linger over time, and remain forever intertwined with certain places. https://youtu.be/ui92Scs8Mns [competition]630133[/competition]
It's not that we'd generally encourage you to follow in the footsteps of Frank Underwood, House of Cards' Machiavellian White House manoeuvrer, but we can't begrudge you stopping to admire his footwear. And watch. And navy Burberry suiting. And the fearsome structural shifts and well-cut Tom Fords gathered around him. Here's your chance to get the coolly minimal House of Cards style, while boning up on all the manipulations, intrigues and usurpations of season two. Universal Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has brought on board stylists and personal shoppers A Good Man to help you dress like a total boss (however you define it). The men of A Good Man are James Gallichio and Julian Burak, who have been shopping for men's clothes every day for four years now. They know how to put together ensembles that are sleek and professional while incorporating modern, creative touches — and they know how to help others feel comfortable doing so. They can even explain layering with a gif. With the ethically dubious but sartorially excellent men of House of Cards as their starting point, they'll take the lucky winner of this competition on the shopping trip to end all shopping trips, no matter the budget. Now is the time to revisit (or finally get acquainted with) Netflix's groundbreaking, David Fincher-directed, Emmy- and Golden Globe-nominated series. The second season DVD comes in schmancy collectible packaging (from JB Hi-Fi and Sanity only) along with five bonus featurettes, including one exploring the differences between the original '90s British miniseries and the reinvented binge-watch hit of today. Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright reprise their roles as the mercilessly ambitious Frank and Claire Underwood, with Frank ascending to the coveted vice-presidency. But hey, why stop there? See more of A Good Man on their Facebook page. House of Cards season two is out on Blu-ray, DVD and DIGITAL with UltraViolet on June 19. Thanks to Universal Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, we're giving one reader the chance to win House of Cards seasons one and two on DVD, plus a two-hour 'Quick Shop' styling session with A Good Man, who'll show you how to shop like a boss whether you're on a budget or keen to indulge your expensive tastes. Fifteen runners up will receive House of Cards season two on DVD. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email us with your name and address. Sydney: win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au Melbourne: win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au
There are few things in this world more disappointing than turning 11 and not receiving your letter of acceptance to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. JK Rowling promised us more than that. There were supposed to be magic feasts, potions and robes we could splay out like bats. Learning the fact that this world was forever out of our reach was worse than our grief for Santa, the tooth fairy and the Easter Bunny combined. Now — though it may be several years too late — the creation of a new Massive Online Open Course (MOOC) promises a little restitution. Hogwarts is Here operates in exactly the same way as online universities (meaning it's the closest thing to legit we're ever going to get). The course offers nine-week classes that reportedly allow you to "progress through all seven years of schooling and be assigned a professor, homework assignments, quizzes and more". HiH has all your basics covered: after setting up an account at Gringotts and getting your textbooks from a virtual Diagon Alley, you can study everything from Transfiguration, Charms and Herbology to the all-important Defence Against the Dark Arts. Assignments are graded and, according to this student at Slate, it's harder to get Hermoine-level grades than you might first think. Of course, this isn't the first attempt to connect us to the wizarding world via virtual means. The official (read: copyright protected) Harry Potter online experience, Pottermore, has been around since 2009. However, with its primary focus on online roleplay, it's had mixed reviews. HiH allows users to stop with that fantasy crap and get down to some serious study. Sure, there are house dormitories and common rooms, but now that your childhood dreams have finally come true it's ultimately time to knuckle down and work. You owe it to your 11-year-old self.
He filled our hearts with joy with his gorgeous animated films, then broke them with his well-deserved farewell; however, it seems that Studio Ghibli's Hayao Miyazaki isn't done playing with our emotions — or making movies — just yet. One of Asia's biggest news agencies has reported that the master animator has officially stepped out of retirement and is preparing to direct his next feature. The new project was discussed by Ghibli producer Toshio Suzuki in a pre-Oscars interview, with the studio's co-production The Red Turtle in the running to take home the trophy for best animated feature. It's not the first we've heard about it, given that Miyazaki's eagerness to return to doing what he does best was first rumoured last year. Now, though, it's official. Best known for directing the iconic likes of Spirited Away, My Neighbour Totoro, Ponyo and more before he retired after 2014's The Wind Rises — aka, the retirement that actually stuck for a while, after previous plans didn't eventuate — the legendary filmmaker has reportedly been working on turning 12-minute computer-generated short Kemushi no Boro (Boro the Caterpillar) into full-length effort after becoming dissatisfied with the briefer version. Suzuki didn't elaborate as to whether that's the new feature he's talking about, but speculation is rife, of course. That film was expected to be finished in time for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020, so, once again, there are plenty of assumptions that the same will be the case with whatever Miyazaki's current effort turns out to be. To be honest, it's safe to say that Ghibli fans won't mind what he's making, or when it comes out — we're all too busy jumping for joy that we'll be getting to feast our eyes and hearts on one of his inimitable cinematic creations once again. Via Kotaku.
It's been 13 years since Danny Rogers and Jerome Borazio decided to fill a Melbourne alleyway with tunes in 2005. Thankfully, Laneway Festival has just confirmed it will be heading back to its collection of unconventional venues for another year, revealing it's 2018 dates and first two headliners. Returning to Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Fremantle, Auckland and Singapore next January and February, Laneway will raise a plastic cup to the middle of summer with what looks to be one heck of a lineup. Following on from sweltering sets from AB Original, Chet Faker, Tame Impala and Glass Animals last year, the festival has just announced two of 2018's headliners: California's inimitable Anderson .Paak with his live band The Free Nationals, and Canada's Mac DeMarco, who swayed, pashed and crowdsurfed through his slacker-rock set with about 20 of his buds (and his mum) at Laneway 2015. The full lineup is expected to be announced soon with a Via pre-sale happening this week and the rest of the tickets going on sale on September 18. But here's the dates so you can save the one in your city LANEWAY FESTIVAL 2018 DATES Singapore — Saturday, January 27 Auckland — Monday, January 29 Adelaide — Friday, February 2 Melbourne — Saturday, February 3 Sydney — Sunday, February 4 Brisbane — Saturday, February 10 Fremantle — Sunday, February 11 Image: Andy Fraser.
Collaboration is a fleeting thing. Gunning the creative engine so both muses fire to the same rhythm doesn't always catch, even if you have all the right parts in the right place. In the shadow of the city-wide laneway art projects around town, six street artists have braved joint artistry to fill up one of the laneways down the side of the Galeries. The narrow corridor will become a permanent home to art under the moniker of Lane Four, with its first show, Transient, an aMBUSH curated mash up of Sydney artists. Three oversized panels along the wall of Lane Four's airy hanging space each mix the styles of two matching artists. A calm Beastman creature is paired with a Phibbs three-colour face, Numskull's cellular geometry with Jumbo's leaky bird men and Max Berry's floating figures to complement Mark Alsweiler's naturalistic renderings. The results are large-scale works that seem to expand with dreams of colour, fauna and open plains. Lane Four is far from Sydney's only micro-gallery, but sitting on top of Town Hall station and easily discovered by a stray glance, it may prove to be the most accessible. Image by Jumbo and Numskull.
This article is sponsored by our partners, the Aroma Festival. If you had to choose one Sydney coffee to drink for the rest of your life, at the exclusion of all others, which would it be? That one from the cafe on the corner that you stumble into on the way to work? Or that post-lunch pick-me-up that revs you up for the second half of the day? Throughout July as part of the Aroma Festival, you’ll be able to judge Sydney’s baristas just like the pros do by making your vote count in the Aroma Cup, and, in the process, get yourself in line to win over $3,000 in prizes, including a Breville Oracle espresso machine. All you have to do is decide which of the participating cafes in The Rocks is serving up the best brew. You’ll need to then scan their QR code or jump online and vote before July 31. If you’re not familiar with the field, you might just have to indulge in a wee visit to the following: Appetito Restaurant (135 George Street), Cafe Rico (155 George Street), the Guylian Belgian Chocolate Cafe (127 George Street), Le Pain Quotidien (127 George Street), the Harbour Rocks Hotel (34 Harrington Street), Daniele Cafe (Shop 10, The Clock Tower Centre, 35–55 Harrington Street), La Renaissance Patisserie (47 Argyle Street), the MCA Cafe and Sculpture Terrace (Level 4, MCA, 140 George Street), Playfair Cafe (26-32 Playfair Street), Swagmans Post Courtyard Cafe (35 George Street), The Bakers Oven (121 George Street), The Fine Food Store (Corner Mill and Kendall Lanes) and The Rocks Cafe (99 George Street). In addition to the People’s Choice Prize, the Aroma Cup will also see an Industry Choice Award go to the best barista, as judged by the Australasian Specialty Coffee Association (ASCA).
Six decades after first dancing its way across the big screen — and singing, too — a certain New York neighbourhood rivalry is returning to cinemas. It was back in 1961 that West Side Story first made the leap from theatre to film, and now it's repeating the feat this December. Yes, the Jets and the Sharks will be facing off again. This time around, Steven Spielberg is in the director's chair. Obviously, West Side Story's narrative will remain the same, though. In the Big Apple in 1957, a Romeo and Juliet-inspired love story will play out, as Tony (Ansel Elgort, The Goldfinch) and María (film debutant Rachel Zegler) fall head over heels despite their backgrounds — because Tony's best friend Riff (Mike Faist, Panic) leads the Jets, and María is the younger sister of Sharks head honcho Bernardo (David Alvarez). Also popping up among the cast: Ariana DeBose (The Prom), Josh Andrés Rivera, Ana Isabelle (Imprisoned), Corey Stoll (Ratched) and Brian d'Arcy James (Devs), plus the great Rita Moreno (One Day at a Time) — who also played the role of Anita, Bernardo's girlfriend, in the original movie. The film's long list of talent continues off-screen, too, with West Side Story circa 2021's screenplay penned by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winner Tony Kushner (Lincoln), and the choreography coming courtesy of fellow Tony-recipient Justin Peck. Spielberg and company are taking the original 1957 Broadway show rather than the 1961 movie adaptation as their basis and, as the just-dropped first teaser trailer shows, the results look vibrant and lively, but still with a classic old-school musical sheen. Thankfully — and unsurprisingly — it also looks worlds away from the filmmaker's last feature, Ready Player One. Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6xoDxf676w&feature=youtu.be West Side Story opens in Australian cinemas on December 9. Top image: Niko Tavernise, 2020 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
It's a problem anyone with a Netflix or Stan subscription can relate to: scrolling through a lengthy list of titles but still having trouble finding something to watch. And, it's a problem that gets worse if you're looking for homegrown content; however a new Aussie-focused streaming option is aiming to fix that. Meet Ozflix, the first video-on-demand service dedicated to Australian films. First announced back in 2015, it'll launch at 6pm on January 26 with a pay-per-view library of around 250 titles. With approximately 2000 Aussie-made films in existence, the streaming platform aims to become a one-stop-shop for local movies. "We are committed to making each and every Australian feature film available," says Ozflix CEO Ron V. Brown, who has been involved in the Australian screen industry since the 1970s. That includes the first works crafted in the 1900s, the newest releases, and everything from Newsfront to Strictly Ballroom, The Castle, Ten Canoes, Wolf Creek and The Dressmaker. The service will also feature three free original content shows that will delve into the history of local flicks, curate suggestions based on themes and directors, and discuss the careers of some of the country's most celebrated talent. Further original content is planned once Ozflix is up and running. Viewers will pay $6.79 to stream a new release, and $3.79 for all other films. A curated weekly selection will offer five films for $5.79, and Ozflix will provide 50% of each rental fee directly to the distributor or filmmaker. As well as promising an online home for Australian cinema fans both locally and around the world, the service comes with a hefty roster of high-profile support — actresses Deborah Mailman and Claudia Karvan, The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert director Stephan Elliott, and Animal Kingdom producer Liz Watts among them. "This is basically an art gallery for Australian cinema," said Mad Max: Fury Road filmmaker George Miller. Ozflix launches at 6pm on January 26, 2017. For more information, visit their website.
So there's a list. Like BRW or Fortune, it lists 100 of the most powerful people, but its subject is art. Put together by Art Review, spot number one is authority-challenging Chinese artist Ai Weiwei. Second only to him though is Julia Peyton-Jones. Director of London's Serpentine Gallery (sharing the number two accolade with its curator, Hans Ulrich Obrist), she's helped take the gallery from a small space with a small budget, to a small space with enormous artistic reputation. And she's bringing her perspective to you at the Sydney Architecture Festival in her 2011 Ann Lewis Contemporary Art Address. Established first in honour of, then in memory of, local Sydney art luminary Ann Lewis, the Address brings international art stars here to give us a piece of their minds. Apart from its exhibitions, Peyton-Jones' Serpentine builds from scratch and then demolishes a pavilion outside the main gallery every year, inviting any number of big architectural names like Liebeskind, Gehry or Hadid to design the form. She's been booked to talk in our own international architectural icon, the Opera House, where she'll be offering her thoughts on the 'Next Rennaissance'. Photo by John Swannell.
Forget the Hilton. These hotels market their unique, and occasionally bizarre, approach to hospitality. For adventurous travellers looking for more than just a memorable trip, these five hotels will guarantee that your accommodations are equally unforgettable. Caves of Civita Where: Sextantio, Italy Opened in 2009, Caves of Civita creates a primitive ambiance with 18 cave-like guest rooms. The walls are rock, linens are hand-sewn, and the furniture is furbished using ancient techniques. You certainly won't find a minibar or widescreen television here. The hotel blends near-seamlessly into the surrounding landscape and has earned a 4-star rating for its romantic hideaway feel. Hotel Alcatraz Where: London, UK The new Hotel Alcatraz opened its doors in London last week, completing the UKTV's marketing stunt to promote JJ Abrams' new television drama series, 'Alcatraz'. The hotel contains four 1.5 by 2.7 metre rooms which have been constructed to accurately represent cells of the infamous San Francisco prison, which closed in 1963. Each room is appropriately utilitarian, containing a mattress, sink, prison-style toilet and two shelves. Intrigued guests must pose for mug-shots upon check-in, and are then issued prison uniforms and metal food trays by the 'prison wardens' -- hotel staff. The new 'inmates' are also subjected to historical prison activities, including exercise sessions and tailoring. Capsule Hotel Where: Amsterdam, The Netherlands The Capsule Hotel in Amsterdam offers 1972 oil rig survival pods as overnight accommodation. It's a tight squeeze into these electric orange life rafts, perhaps not suitable to the claustrophobic traveler - or an arguing couple, for that matter. Sandcastle Hotel Where: Weymouth Beach, Dorset, UK Sculpted from 1000 tonnes of sand, the Sandcastle Hotel blows the sand creations of our childhood out of the water. A stunt to draw Brits back to the country's beaches, the hotel offered guests both a twin and a double sized bed, entirely made of sand - until rain washed the 100 hours of manpower away. Laterooms.com, which commissioned the sculpture, insists that if guests do not mind sandy toes (or sandy everything for that matter), a night spent stargazing in this open-roofed getaway would be perfectly romantic. Das Park Hotel Where: Ottensheim, Austria The charmingly utilitarian rooms at Das Park Hotel are snug inside re-imagined drainpipes. Providing guests will just enough space for a bed and for storage, these rooms are strictly minimalist; the only decor is the painting work of Austrian artist Thomas Latzel Ochoa. The accommodations are available for rental from May through to October under a "pay as you wish" policy; guests are encouraged to leave only as much as they can afford to support Das Park's project.
Heading off on holidays should feel like an adventure, right down to the place you choose to rest your head after a fun-filled day. With this in mind, London's Miller Kendrick Architects have come up with what might be one of the most imaginative and impressive hotels possible. Created for Visit Wales's 'Year of Legends 2017' design contest, not only does it celebrate the Welsh landscape, but it is inspired by the legend of King Arthur — and the cave him and his knights allegedly stayed in. As far as unique accommodation goes, the aptly named Arthur's Cave proves a two-for-one affair: soak in the natural surroundings in a cabin that really has been crafted to emulate a cave, and soak in a slice of British legend. It's also a case of blending the old with the new, namely all of the above with building materials and techniques. Inside the timber and glass structure — which uses locally sourced sheep's wool insulation for thermal insulation against the elements — you'll find a cosy sleeping space with a double bed, chair and woodburner, aka everything you need for snuggling up and staring out over the landscape around you. Don't spend all of your time looking outside, though; with the cabin made from plywood rib-like shapes that expand and contract, the undulating and sinuous interior is a sight to behold too. Sadly, Arthur's Cave is only available for a short season, taking bookings between now and mid-September in two sites: Snowdonia and Llŷn Peninsula. Stays range between £795 and £1995; however, you're not just getting somewhere to sleep — you're getting a one-of-a-kind pop-up glamping hotel that should be on everyone's travel bucket list. Via AWOL.
We don't recommend taking regularly life advice from cartoon characters, but ever since an animated crab sang about the joys of living under the sea, it's an idea that's been lodged in everyone's minds. Nearly three decades after The Little Mermaid told us "darling it's better down where it's wetter", we'll soon be able to see for ourselves like we've never been able to before. If you've ever wanted to make like Ariel and slumber surrounded by sea life, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is making that dream a reality — yes, they're building a lavish underwater hotel suite. Due to open in late 2018, the US$15 million space is being called the world's "first undersea residence" — and while a series of submerged villas in Dubai and a room at an African hotel might beg to differ, this still looks and sounds mighty impressive. Named The Muraka, which means coral in Dhivehi, the Maldives' local language, it's a two-level apartment that comes complete with sleeping and living quarters both above and five metres below the waterline. While the top floor boasts two bedrooms and bathrooms, including one with an ocean-facing tub; a powder room, gym, living room, kitchen, bar and dining area; two separate decks facing directly towards the sunrise and sunset; an infinity pool; and even butler's and private security quarters, it's the lower level that's the main attraction. Let's face it – you know that's exactly where everyone will head first. Down a spiral staircase, guests will find a king size bedroom, living area and bathroom, all surrounded by 180-degree panoramic views of the Indian Ocean's marine inhabitants. In total, the suite sleeps nine, making it a luxe destination for travelling groups with plenty of cash. Just how much it'll set you back hasn't yet been revealed, though you'd expect this latest underwater adventure won't come cheap. For the past 13 years, the resort has also been home to an undersea restaurant, so you can eat beneath the ocean's surface as well. Images: Conrad Hotels & Resorts.
New York City could soon be home to the world's longest skyscraper. No, not the tallest. The longest. An ultra-skinny, two-legged skyscraper that curves at its peak before returning back to earth, the fittingly named Big Bend would stretch 4,000 feet (1.22 kilometres) end to end, making quite a unique addition to Manhattan's already iconic skyline. The proposed luxury apartment block was designed by local studio Oiio. "The story of The Big Bend follows a recent trend that has appeared in New York City: the emergence of myriad tall and slender residential skyscrapers," explains the studio on its website. "But what if we substituted height with length? What if our buildings were long instead of tall? If we manage to bend our structure instead of bending the zoning rules of New York we would be able to create one of the most prestigious buildings in Manhattan." It's unclear exactly how narrow The Big Bend would be. According to The Telegraph, it would feature a lift that can travel both vertically and horizontally around the building's entire length. The proposed site for the super-long skyscraper lies around West 57th Street, just south of Central Park. Home to numerous luxury apartment complexes and high-rises, the area is sometimes referred to as Billionaire's Row. The Big Bend doesn't actually have planning permission as of yet. But you have to admit, it'd be a hell of a sight.
De Fruithaven, or The Fruit Harbour, sounds like the kind of place you'd find filled with healthy food. Located near a fruit markets in Rotterdam, that's not far from the truth, but it also only tells part of the story. Due to open on April 14, the warehouse space is actually a club that will host DJs, dance parties, festivals and other events, plus boast its own beach — and run on power generated by food waste. Here, there's no shortage of fruit and vegetables. Just don't expect to simply eat them. In addition to its own food waste, the club collects leftovers from nearby restaurants and importers, processes them in a bio fermenter and uses the methane that results for energy, while supplementing their power needs with solar panels. The bio fermentation system also produces organic fertiliser, and another creates plastic out of food waste, which is then run through a 3D printer and transformed into everything from the furniture patrons will sit on to the bar they'll stand at, plus coffee cups, phone cases and more. Ensuring that De Fruithaven produces zero waste is the name of the game, and it's a worthy goal. Who says running a fun place to hang out had to be bad for the planet? Not the club's masterminds Gilbert Curtessi and Fela Donker, who are actively trying to raise awareness about recycling and reducing food waste. Plenty of bars, pubs, clubs and other companies in the alcohol and nightlife industry have toyed with sustainability — Brisbane's Crowbar started phasing out plastic straws to help the environment, and New Zealand-based vodka company 42BELOW has been turning leftover bar garnishes into hand soap, for example — but few have adopted such a committed, whole-of-venue approach. Via MUNCHIES / AD.nl. Images: De Fruithaven / Laisa Maria.
Jenga's chunky wooden blocks and shifty sense of suspense have been reinvented as furniture. Studio Intussen's 'Pixel Table' functions much the same way as a Jenga tower. Shaped like a cube and comprised of bamboo slats, chunks of the table may be pushed in or pulled out. This creates a nook for storing magazines, and, on the other side, a little side tray for cocktails. If you no longer need the storage or extra space, the slats can be realigned into their original cube form. How convenient is that? Unlike the game which inspired it, however, the Pixel Table offers users some security. There is no need to anxiously await the tumbling demise of your table, for the outer bamboo layer has been secured with glue. Pssst, take that tactical note and save it for your next Jenga match. [via Gizmodo]
Is it possible to inspire awe without fear? Beastman's solo show Cosmic Nature says yes. Painting inconceivably large and dangerous creatures, he renders them comprehensible by the action of his brush, taking you briefly to a world where awe and terror part company. The creatures are frozen at the moment of dark revelation — Beastman has taken his inspiration from the work of H.P. Lovecraft, whose Cthulu mythos intimated a world of unspeakable inhuman creatures. Beastman brings this leviathan scale to his canvases in a verdant style, and mosaic of organic colours which combine to tug you to the edge of an awful, spiritual space. The show is divided in two along the gallery's two facing walls. The left-hand wall presents the nameless creatures in a kind of triptych: striding, observing and absorbed at ritual. A central somber face takes up the middle image. Either side, its companions face outward in Babylonian profile, their figures at play with radiating collections of limb and heavenly symbols. To one side, a creature takes a casual moment to fill his bowl with the drops of water ever present across all three canvases. It is a mix of the sacred and a trip to the shops. On the other side, a figure with one eye and too many teeth solemnly approaches a bare tree, a ritual moment at once awful and comforting. Between them are symbols of their observance: the tree, water drops and mountains of madness. Along the right-hand wall are the creature's faces in close up. These idly malevolent, jack-of-the-green countenances look like harsh adornments to the doors of some ancient temple. The portraits are massive, requiring you to stride across the room to see them properly. They sit contently, their thoughts drifting away from you. Headed nowhere benign. Kind of Gallery is open afternoons, Thursday to Sunday. Image 'The Descendent of Cosmic Nature' by Beastman
Good Food Month is nearly upon us and it's time to get those stomachs ready. A few weeks ago, we narrowed down the (frankly intimidating) list of events to our top ten favourites. But that wasn't the whole story. Good Food Month is also a chance for our lesser-known regional chefs, winemakers and producers to shine. From sustainable dining, farm and microbrewery tours to local farmers' markets, our regional foodie cousins are providing a host of events across NSW that are worth the day trip (or weekender). We've narrowed down the out-of-town events to five of the best. Pump up those gas tanks and ready yourself for a road trip. A Lunch in the Hothouse at Biota Voted by Good Food Guide as this year's Regional Restaurant of the Year and with two chef's hats under its belt, Biota Dining is gunning. Everything at Biota is done locally in Bowral — they have their own kitchen garden and source 60 percent of their produce from the surrounding area. For Good Food Month, they're hosting a languid 3.5hr lunch. For that little extra Biota twist, the chefs are employing primitive cooking techniques such as air-drying, charcoal-pit cooking and curing. October 25 from 11.30am-3pm, $160 ($45 extra with drinks). Reservations info@biotadining.com or phone (02) 4862 2005. Farm + Kitchen + Chef at Darling Mills Farm They've been behind some of Sydney's finest restaurants for the last 20 years. Darling Mills Farm supply produce — from salad leaves to microherbs — to top restaurants and have been a long-time staple at Growers' Markets. Now, owner Steve Adley is opening its doors for a chance to tour the greenhouses and walk along the farm's paddocks in Berrilee (near Berowra Waters). If the thought of all that exercise is making you hungry, well rejoice, because the tour is followed shortly by a three-course seasonal lunch. If this sounds totally up your alley, you might also want to check out Roberts Circa 1876's Spring Garden Party in Pokolbin, for a chance to tour the market garden and feast on three-courses of 'soul food' for just $75pp. October 3 & 5 from 11.30am-3.30pm, $125. Reservations (02) 9655 1339 or dmfarm@bigpond.com Orange Wine Festival Night Market If Sydney's Night Noodle Markets is anything to go by, Orange's Wine Festival Night Market is sure to be a triumph. Over 50 stalls will feature in Orange's biggest night market, in a collaborative effort from the area's winemakers, producers and chefs. Bask under the fairy lights and chill with some of the region's cool-climate wines, food and live music. October 24 from 5.30-9pm. Gold coin entry. Dishes and wine range from $6-10. Cider Sampler Lunch in Megalong It's hard to beat cider and pork when it comes to concocting a perfect marriage of flavours. Well, Blue Mountains' Cider Barn certainly got it right. As part of its launch, they're offering a chance to sample over 20 varieties of cider plus two courses of woodfired slow-cooked pork and pears poached in cider. Oh, and on top of that, there's also a cheese tasting. October 18 from 11.30am-2pm, $85 (including beverages and four cider samples). Reservations (02) 4787 8188, marketing@megalongcc.com.au or through the website. Dinner in the Brewery at Hopdog Touring a microbrewery isn't something you have the chance to do every week. Let alone dining while you're there. South Nowra's HopDog Beer — an ale-only producing brewery — is joining forces with chef Dave Campbell for a unique experience where you can do just that. Campbell, of Wharf Rd Restaurant, perhaps more known to the local crowd as the founder of Surry Hills' The Book Kitchen, has previously worked with Australian gastronomical trailblazers such as Neil Perry and Tetsuya Wakuda, while HopDog's Tim Thomas has over 13 years of professional brewing experience under his belt. October 10 from 6-9.30pm, $95. Reservations (02) 4422 6651 or enquiries@wharfrd.com.au. Top image: Roberts Circa 1876
Star Wars, but make it a murder-mystery thriller? If that's your dream for a galaxy far, far away, it's looks like it's coming true in The Acolyte, at least based on the upcoming show's just-released first trailer. The sixth live-action series in the George Lucas-started sprawling saga to hit Disney+, this eight-episode effort will plunge into a grim spree — someone is killing Jedi — when it joins your streaming queue this winter. Following a Jedi Master who is forced to face a mysterious warrior from his past, The Acolyte will initially debut with two instalments on Tuesday, June 4. Lee Jung-jae (Squid Game) and Amandla Stenberg (Bodies Bodies Bodies) play the figures in question, respectively, in a series that doesn't skimp on cast highlights. Manny Jacinto (Nine Perfect Strangers), Dafne Keen (His Dark Materials), Charlie Barnett (Russian Doll), Jodie Turner-Smith (Sex Education) and Rebecca Henderson (You Hurt My Feelings) also co-star, as do Dean-Charles Chapman (Game of Thrones), Joonas Suotamo (who played Chewbacca in Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens, Star Wars: Episode VIII — The Last Jedi, Solo: A Star Wars Story and Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker) and Carrie-Anne Moss (The Matrix Resurrections). The vibe in the newly revealed first glimpse at the series: moody, leaning into the dark side and filled with confrontation. Visually, there's a gloomier look to much of the trailer as well, with creator Leslye Headland (Russian Doll) adding something distinctive to the ever-expanding space-opera franchise. Also different is the fact that The Acolyte takes place during High Republic era, which means that its events precede Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace by a century. Don't got expecting a heap of familiar faces popping up, then, whether Stenberg's assassin is attempting to slay Moss' Jedi, lightsabers are being swung or a Wookiee is making an appearance. On the small screen, The Acolyte slips into the Star Wars realm after The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Andor and Ahsoka, all of which have arrived since 2019. Both Andor and Ahsoka also have second seasons on the way. Only one film in the saga has been released in that period, with The Rise of Skywalker closing out the third big-screen trilogy in the franchise just a month after The Mandalorian premiered. The next movie expected: The Mandalorian spinoff The Mandalorian & Grogu. Check out the first trailer for The Acolyte below: The Acolyte will stream via Disney+ from Tuesday, June 4, 2o24. Images: ©2024 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.
One half of the makers of Jafflechutes, Adam Grant, has set up shop with a new endeavour. But fear not, it's just as ridiculous and strangely excellent as his first. Pimp My Myki is a glittery service Grant operates from his home that offers to decorate your Myki or Opal cards. For the low, low price of a postage stamp, your Myki could be transformed into a majestic eagle or a fierce black bear. Something to ward off ticket inspectors at the very least. The process is simple. Just post your current card to a PO Box in Fitzroy (or pay $12 for a new one to be delivered), and wait in glitterless anticipation for it to be deposited in your mailbox within the week! If you'd like a little more certainty in the process, Grant also operates a service called Bearki (or Bearpal) — for those who would just rather have a bear on their cards and be done with it. Now, this obviously isn't for everyone. Understandably some people love their snot-green Mykis. Its resemblance to the mucus-olive pack of smokes in their pocket offers a security in the fact that the world is both dreary and horrible. For the rest of us, a pimped Myki is a little pick-me-up to the 86 tram or a way to daydream about a more exciting trip. Needless to say, renowned dementors Public Transport Victoria are not happy. Despite the fact the cards still clearly display serial numbers and remain entirely functional, representatives have claimed "A Myki that has been altered or defaced in any way is an invalid ticket." In reply, Grant said, "I understand from an official standpoint they might have to say this for whatever reason, but it doesn't bother me a great deal." If a ticket inspector gets in your face about it, let's hope the picture of a cute panda bear is enough to calm them down. For more information head to Pimp My Myki, Bearki, or Pimp My Opal.
The group of competitors vying for drag glory isn't the only thing that's changing when RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under returns for its fourth season in 2024. That very moniker is also getting a makeover, with the series now called Drag Race Down Under — because the Drag Race franchise's namesake is sashaying away from hosting duties. When Australian and New Zealand queens next battle it out to become Down Under's Next Drag Superstar — which will happen sometime in 2024 — they'll do so with Michelle Visage fronting the proceedings. Visage has been involved in the Drag Race world as a judge since the OG show's third season, and also been a producer on the series since season 11. Down Under, she continued her judging role from the spinoff's debut in 2021, but will now host season four. RuPaul will remain an executive producer on Drag Race Down Under. "It has been my great honour to bring Drag Race to Australasia. I can't wait to see the franchise flourish under the leadership of the incredible Michelle Visage," RuPaul advised. "Thank you RuPaul for entrusting me with one of your beloved shows. The colour, humour and outrageousness of Down Under drag holds a special place in my heart. I'm ready to do everything in my power to encourage these beautiful queens to believe in themselves and let their inner light shine through," said Visage. There's no exact return date for Drag Race Down Under yet, but season four will hit streaming — via Stan in Australia and TVNZ in New Zealand — later this year. RuPaul mightn't be back, but Rhys Nicholson will be — again as a judge. He'll be joined by drag royalty from across Australia and Aotearoa, which marks the first time that the show has enlisted Down Under queens to mentor contestants. The fellow judges will rotate, with details of who'll be taking to the stage also still to be announced. Similarly in that category: which drag queens will strutting their stuff in 2024, and also which special celebrity guests will also pop up. Of course, there's no trailer yet for Drag Race Down Under season four, but check out clips from past seasons below: Drag Race Down Under season four doesn't yet have a release date, but will stream via Stan and TVNZ when it returns — we'll update you with an exact date when one is announced.
Think you know Tropfest? On the eve of its 21st birthday, see the iconic short film festival in a whole new, more mature light with this ultimate VIP package, up for grabs in both Sydney and Melbourne. You and a friend can get off the grass and enjoy pre-drinks at the Cake Wines / Tropfest pop-up bar in The Rocks, where you'll be treated to two bottles of wine and a matching cheese platter. You'll then head to Tropfest with VIP red carpet tickets, which let you watch the competition unfold from the comfort of the invite-only marquee. End the night sleeping in style at the Vibe Hotel Rushcutters. It's Tropfest how (we imagine) the celebs do it. The film festival that began in Darlinghurst's Tropicana Cafe has captured the world's imagination like few others. A lot of the appeal lies in the festival's 'signature item', around which all the entrants must tailor their maximum-seven-minute films. This year it's 'balloon', so whimsy suggests itself, but the unexpected will reap reward. To be in the running for this VIP experience, subscribe to our newsletter (unless you're subscribed already) and then email sydney@concreteplayground.com.au with your name and address. Tropfest is held on Sunday, February 17, at The Domain. The competition is subject to these terms and conditions.
These days, it seems you can glamp anywhere your comfort-loving heart desires — from Taronga Zoo to Cockatoo Island to right next door to a fine dining restaurant. Now, the possibilities have been extended even further, with the introduction of fancy-pants tents smack-bang in the middle of lush vineyards at Balgownie Estate, Bendigo, Victoria. That's right, you can spend your next weekender sipping top-notch wines on an outdoor lounge on your own private deck, soaking up sunset-flooded rural views — all safe in the knowledge that a linen-covered, queen-sized bed is just a stumble away. The tents, of which there are 15, are also set up with rugs, lighting, furnishings, aircon, tea-and-coffee making gear and bar fridges. One even has its own hot tub. There are three types on offer. The Bell Tent offers room for two, the Bell Tent Twin can accommodate four and the Luxury Safari Tent comes with a few glamorous extras, including an indoor couch, a four-poster queen-sized bed and a kitchenette. Also on the property is Balgownie Estate's restaurant, open for brekkie, lunch and dinner. And, if you can be bothered moving, downtown Bendigo is home to bars, cafes, restaurants and art galleries galore. Or, you can time your stay with the next Grapest wine-tasting fun run, which will take place on the winery's grounds. Balgownie Estate glamping will open for visitors from 1 February 2018. Bookings are available now via www.balgownieestatebendigo.com.
The country's next big natural wine event is coming to the Sapphire Coast this August — and it'll be anything but ordinary. Nattie by Nature will transform a sprawling heritage estate into a blowout bash with lots of wine, live music, craft spirits, local produce and party vibes aplenty. It's run by Shady Pines' long-time manager Alen Nikolovski, who recently moved down to Merimbula, and his Sapphire Coast mates Ryde Pennefather and Di McDonald. "We all love drinking booze but hate boring tastings, so we decided to put on a tasting event with a party atmosphere," says Nikolovski. "It started out as just a small thing, but has grown to fit 300 people." This army of wine fans will be hosted in South Pambula's Historic Grange, a stunning 1850s heritage estate that extends across 13 acres. The space is owned — and was fitted out — by Jason Scott (formerly of the Swillhouse Group), so expect design elements reminiscent of both Baxter Inn and Shady Pines to accompany the country barn stylings. The Nattie by Nature team has gathered its favourite winemakers from around the country for this one. Drops on offer will include Greek-style wines from Southern Highlands' Ari's Natural Wine Co, small batch vinos from Clunes' Jilly Wines and certified biodynamic bottles from Adelaide Hills' Ngeringa. Plus, the Otway Ranges' Chevre Wines, Geelong's Livewire Wines, Whitlands' Konpira Maru and Canberra's Mallaluka will all host stalls, too. Enmore's P&V Merchants will make its way down south, too, as will boutique distributor Whole Bunch Wines. Apart from all the wines, the event will feature a tinnie bar by Yulli's Brews, a bloody marys stand by Patio Beverages and a gin bar by Sapphire Coast local North Eden Gin — who will also put on a live gin distillation. For eats, both Merimbula and Sydney producers will join the party. You'll be able to snag Pambula oysters from Broadwater, smoked seafood platters from Eden Smokehouse and baked goods from Wild Ryes Bakery, which is creating three pie and wine pairings just for the event. Local cheese gurus Tilba will also team up with LP's Quality Meats for some next-level charcuterie boards. And since it isn't a party without live music, soul and R&B band Immy & The Hookup will take the stage and a vinyl DJ will finish off the night with funky tunes. Located six hours' drive south of Sydney (or a one hour flight) and seven hours north of Melbourne, you'll likely want to make a weekend of it. We recommend Woodbine Park Eco Cabins and Coast Resort Merimbula, or these stunning homes on Airbnb. The inaugural Nattie by Nature will take place on August 3 at the Historic Grange, 15A Northview Drive, South Pambula. It'll run from noon–8pm and there will be a free shuttle bus between Merimbula and Pambula all day long. Tickets are $35.50 a pop and on sale now.
Sydney Fringe Festival is back for another year with 30 days of performances, exhibitions, music, theatre, comedy, visual arts, film, dance, circus, literature and poetry. Running throughout September, the program is absolutely jam-packed, which can be a little overwhelming — with multiple showstopping productions and performances popping up every single day of the festival. Thankfully, we've enlisted the help of the talented and ever-funny Jenna Suffern (Two Queers Walk Into a Bar, Hot Mess) to guide you through her picks for the program. Suffern is too humble to include herself in the picks, but her show It's Not Funny, It's Private is a must-catch at the festival. Running between Friday, September 1–Monday, September 11 at KXT Vault on Broadway, the show guides audiences through a turbulent time in Suffern's life. "It's Not Funny, It's Private is based on the very real week of my life where I performed my first stand-up gig on the Sunday (yay), was made redundant from my full-time job on the Monday (boo), then dumped by my girlfriend that I lived with on the Thursday (double boo)," says Suffern. "I've always been an oversharer and find it incredibly cathartic to get up on stage and make light of shitty situations that I've gone through." "Us humans are just little rats, stumbling through life, hoping that everyone else is going through the same shit. So what I hope from this show is that at least one person will go: 'damn, I've done that, I now feel less alone. I'm going to give Jenna one million dollars and a standing ovation'." Anyway, here are the Jenna Suffern-approved picks for the Sydney Fringe Festival 2023. BIG THICK ENERGY Saturday, September 16 — Riverside Parramatta Jenna: I would follow Demon Derriere to the pits of hell, and if you're not across everything they're doing, you better be now! Big Thick Energy is the brain-child of performance artist and booty manipulator Demon Derriere and has been curated to promote body positivity and liberation through movement, creativity and community. It's a jam-packed day involving pop-up markets from local businesses, workshops run by curvy babes and a wild night of badass performances from burlesque, drag, dancing, DJs and a whole lot of sweaty booty juice. BRIDGET HASSED: DUMBASS Wednesday, September 6 and Friday, September 8 — Factory Theatre Jenna: Bridget is one of those incredible humans whose dry, relatable humour can just tickle you in the exact spot you can't reach. Plus, this is their DEBUT solo show! J'adore. Dumbass is Bridget's work-in-progress show about existing in the world when you're a fricken idiot (but, rest assured, so is everybody else). [caption id="attachment_842389" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rosie Hastie[/caption] COIL Thursday, September 7 and Friday, September 8 — Bondi Pavilion Theatre Jenna: Coil is a nostalgic homage to the glory days of the video store. It celebrates the communities that were made within these humble stores built around the wonders of videotapes. So like, obvi, all of us 90s kids have to see this one. ANGE LAVOIPIERRE AND JANE WATT: JAZZ OR A BUCKET OF BLOOD Tuesday, September 12, Thursday, September 16 and Saturday, September 16 — 107 Redfern Jenna: Currently charming audiences over at Edinburgh Fringe, Ange and Jane are a force to be reckoned with. Plus, they're super weird, which is a huge win in my books. The duo grew up as classic childhood frenemies in country NSW. Jazz or a Bucket of Blood sees them face off against each other as they look to entertain you, but can't agree on how. Blood, Billy Joel's 'Piano Man' and Bunnings — they all make appearances while Ange and Jane pit the entire genre of jazz against a bucket of very nice blood. Sydney Fringe Festival 2023 will take place from Friday, September 1–Saturday, September 30, with the event's full program set to be announced in the coming months. For further information in the interim, head to the fest's website.
With an extensive schedule awaiting them, Sydney four-piece The Jezabels are stopping off at Hordern Pavilion with Lights and Snakadaktal ahead of a year that sees them playing shows across Australia as well as in the UK, USA, Germany, The Netherlands, Canada and Ireland. The Jezabels play a blend of alternative rock, indie rock and discopop delivered by the feminine fury of frontwoman Hayley Mary. Described as a "cocktail of power and elegance" the band won the Australian Music Prize last year and, with their debut album, Prisoner, peaking at number two and earning gold certification, they have a bright future ahead of them. Perhaps more famous than The Jezabels in other parts of the world, Canadian electropop singer/songwriter Lights won the title of best new artist at the prestigious Juno Awards in 2009. With two top 10, gold-certified albums she's sure to be a blinding support. Last year the madly named Snakadaktal won Triple J's Unearthed High competition with their track 'Chimera' and, with their debut EP reaching number 26 in the digital ARIA chart, have more than earned their place on this tour. https://youtube.com/watch?v=IvCr1UAcPc4
Remember those hastily scrawled notes of yesteryear, slipped to your friend just as the teacher's back was turned? The folks at Moleskine do. To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the text message, Moleskine has reintroduced the concept of 'shooting' your friend a message with their classic notebooks. Featuring a graduated cover, these Moleskine editions let you measure how far you can catapult a note, using the notebook's band as a makeshift slingshot. Created by Italian designer Pietro Corraini, the SMS (Shooting Method System) tribute packs also include a set of pre-written notes, including a coy 'Call me', to use as ammunition. Think of it as the grown up version of the 'I like you' note you sent your 3rd grade crush. https://youtube.com/watch?v=IxKRpjv51AI
Ten years ago, Jordan Peele had just premiered his now-iconic sketch comedy series with Keegan-Michael Key. Key & Peele was exactly three episodes in on this exact date back in 2012, in fact, and was still eight months away from professing its love for Liam Neeson. Today, Peele has an Oscar to his name for Get Out, directed two of the best horror movies of the past decade thanks to that unnerving standout and the equally exceptional Us, and had a hand in bringing everything from BlacKkKlansman and the ace latest Candyman flick to Hunters and Lovecraft Country to our eyeballs. And, he's just dropped the trailer for his third big-screen directorial effort, Nope. That's a glorious name for what to looks to be a gloriously eerie film — based on the initial sneak peek, at least. When a trailer has Get Out star and Judas and the Black Messiah Oscar-winner Daniel Kaluuya ask "what's a bad miracle?", things get creepy quickly. The setup: the Haywood ranch is proudly run by the only Black-owned horse trainers in Hollywood (played by Kaluuya and Hustlers' Keke Palmer), whose connection to show business dates back to the very birth of cinema. But their remote patch of inland California soon becomes home to a disturbing discovery — and the fact that everyone spends a fair amount of time either looking up in horror or running away from something chilling in the sky says plenty. As with all of Peele's celluloid nightmares so far, the less you know going in, the better. That said, the trailer does a fantastic job of teasing all of the unsettling imagery that the filmmaker is about to get lodged in your brain, including fields of colourful inflatable tube men waving in the breeze. Steven Yeun (Minari) also stars in what's already the must-see horror movie of the year — and the cast also spans Michael Wincott (Veni Vidi Vici) and Brandon Perea (The OA) — although film fans will need to wait till July to see how Peele's latest horror epic turns out. Check out the trailer for Nope below: Nope will release in cinemas Down Under on July 21, 2022.
When Hercule Poirot returned to cinema screens in Murder on the Orient Express, the infamous Agatha Christie-penned sleuth was always going to hang around. Hollywood loves a franchise, and, on the page, the fictional Belgian detective has featured in more than 80 tales. Accordingly, a sequel to the Kenneth Branagh-starring and directed movie was always inevitable. A recreation on a train? Well, that wasn't quite as expected. Finnish Railways aren't just ushering eager puzzle-solvers into a carriage for a few hours of escape room fun, however. They're getting them onboard for a 13-hour, 800-kilometre-plus trip from Helsinki to Rovaniemi, complete with a 14-room setup built by Finland's InsideOut Escape Games. As the passengers journey towards the capital of Lapland, they'll navigate mysteries, scour the train for clues and put themselves in Poirot's shoes — all while the game is live-streamed, with the viewing audience also able to influence the action as it's happening. Before you go searching for your monocle and pipe, clearing your calendar for December 13 and setting off for Scandinavia, seats on the Escape Train will be filled via a competition that's only open to Finnish residents. If you don't fall into that category and you'd rather solve puzzles somewhere warmer, start crossing your fingers that something similar happens for the next Poirot flick, Death on the Nile. Via Lonely Planet.
No matter how many times you let them up on the couch, how will your pet truly know you love them unless you've got their furry little face emblazoned on your togs and beach towel? Well, you might soon be able to turn that slightly weird dream into a reality, thanks to a Sydney company called Petflair and its range of customisable swimwear. Currently funding on Kickstarter, the project will allow devoted pet owners to upload an image of their animal and have it splashed across one of Petflair's colourful swimsuit designs. It isn't all indulgence either — Petflair has been created to support local rescue and re-homing charity Pound Paws, who aim to encourage Australians to adopt from shelters and pounds. So not only will you get to spend the summer swanning around with your pooch, kitty, bunny or bird printed on your swimmers, but you'll be doing it for an excellent cause. The team's designed swim briefs for guys and a trio of women's one-pieces, all crafted from durable Italian fabrics, as well as a beach towel and a canvas beach bag. They've even got some nifty sticker sets, if, for some reason, you want a slightly more subtle homage to your four-legged mate. If after reading this you've already taken out your credit card, you can donate to Petflair's Kickstarter campaign up until October 12. At the moment they need to raise $5000 to reach their goal of $15,000.
When November and December hit, one sale tends to follow another. Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Christmas, Boxing Day: bargains usually await for all four. So, after Jetstar discounted a heap of fares for Black Friday, of course the Australian airline is backing it up with Cyber Monday specials, this time with fares from $35 for domestic trips and beginning at $149 if you're holidaying internationally. You only have two days, until 11.59pm AEDT Tuesday, December 3, to get booking — or not even that long if tickets are snapped up earlier. The cheapest route within Australia is Sydney to Byron Bay and Ballina, which is where the $35 price comes in. Overseas, that $149 fare will get you from Perth to Singapore. As always, prices obviously vary depending on where you're flying from and to, but other domestic options include Melbourne to Launceston from $40, Sydney to Gold Coast from $50, Brisbane to Melbourne from $75 and Cairns to Brisbane from $84 — plus Adelaide to Gold Coast from $94, Adelaide to the Whitsunday Coast from $114, Darwin to Sydney from $144 and Perth to Adelaide for the same price. With fares to Fiji, New Zealand, Vanuatu, Bali, Japan, Hawaii, Thailand and South Korea also covered, overseas bargains include Melbourne to Nadi from $179, Gold Coast to Auckland from $182, Sydney to Port Vila from $199, Perth to Phuket from $205, Adelaide to Bali from $222, Cairns to Osaka from $249, Brisbane to Seoul from $269, Sydney to Honolulu from $282 and Brisbane to Tokyo from $339. You'll be travelling within Australia from mid-January to mid-June 2025, and from late-January to mid-October 2025 if you're going global. The caveats: all prices apply to one-way fares; checked baggage is not included, so you'll want to travel super light or pay extra to take a suitcase; and dates vary according to the route. If you're a Club Jetstar member, you can score even more discounts, starting with Sydney to Byron Bay and Ballina from $29. Helped by its Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, Jetstar expects to sell 12-million-plus fares for under $100 and 21-million-plus for less than $200 in 2024. Jetstar's 2024 Cyber Monday 'fare frenzy' sale runs until 11.59pm AEDT Tuesday, December 3 — or until sold out prior. 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.
Everybody loves treehouses. Don't let anyone tell you that timber structures in branches are just for kids — living in your own sky-high hideaway amongst the greenery is an urge that you never grow out of. Thankfully, from plane-shaped buildings to entire apartment blocks to Australia's finest treetop spaces, there's no shortage of spots to climb up to. And while they all come with great views, Italy's latest addition to the fold is taking the concept up a few notches. Located in the Dolomites, the two Pigna treehouses overlook the alpine range from their lofty spot — and look like they've always been there. Suspended ten metres above the ground, and measuring eight-and-a-half metres in height and six in width, the cosy, three-level holiday homes are built to resemble pinecones, using larch shingles made from wood from Central Europe's Alpe-Adria region. Inside, those spending the night will find 360-degree vantages over the gorgeous scenery, a living area with a kitchenette, and a top-floor bedroom complete with a skylight. Nestled into fir trees, the treehouses are accessible by individual bridges, with every aspect designed to provide "a journey to discover the sounds, smells and scenery of nature." The project, which was finished this year, was originally conceived by architect Luca Beltrame as part of the ArchTriump competition in 2014. Via Dezeen. Images: DomusGaia / Malga Priu Ugovizza / Luca Beltrame + Laura Tessaro.
