Far from a paparazzi, photographer Robert Rosen was considered an "astute observer" of celebrities in Australia in the 1970s–90s. He spent decades documenting parties, concerts, fashion events and nightclubs across London, Europe and Australia. Through his networks, he was able to capture intimate portraits of the rich and famous, many of which have appeared in local and international publications throughout the past 40 years. His spontaneous photographs capture the likes of David Bowie, Andy Warhol, Cate Blanchett, Bob Hawke, Paul McCartney, Boy George and Dame Edna Everage — to name a few. And from August, you'll be able to see Rosen's social photography on full display in Robert Rosen: Glitterati, premiering at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney. Image: Paul & Linda McCartney, Abbey Rd Studios, London, 1982. Photograph: Robert Rosen
Last time that Australian actor-turned-director Damon Gameau brought a new project to the country's big screens, drought was blighting the country, the nation had just sweltered through its hottest summer on record, and severe storms were popping up with frequency in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. That was back in 2019, and eco-conscious documentary 2040 couldn't have felt timelier as a result. It explored how the country might change — and how it might adapt to tackle climate change — in the space of just 21 years, and found welcoming audiences at festivals locally and overseas, and in cinemas in general. Now, Gameau is back with a similar project. Given the wet and wild weather conditions of the past week in Queensland and New South Wales, his latest film also arrives at a time when the environment and the changing climate are firmly on everyone's minds. This time around, however, he's going shorter — in the doco's length, and in terms of how far ahead he's looking to the future. With documentary short Regenerating Australia, Gameau ponders how the nation could look in 2030, but only if we start transitioning to a fairer, cleaner, more community-focused economy now — and putting in place changes inspired by the country's residents. Produced in partnership with WWF-Australia, the 17-minute film is poised as a news bulletin on New Year's Eve 2029, looking back at everything that's been achieved over the decade prior. And if you're wondering where Gameau came up with the answers, Regenerating Australia is based on a four-month interview process with a diverse range of Aussies, who all offered their thoughts, hopes and dreams on what they'd love to see happen. As the just-dropped trailer shows, the short is constructed from fictional news reports and press conferences — but real-life high-profile journalists, politicians, business leaders and citizens such as Kerry O'Brien, Sandra Sully, Gorgi Coghlan, Patrick Abboud, Larissa Behrendt and David Pocock all feature. Headed to the big screen like 2040 before it — and also Gameau's That Sugar Film before that — Regenerating Australia will premiere in Sydney on Friday, March 4 at UNSW Roundhouse, complete with a Q&A afterwards. It's then doing the rounds of cinemas across the country on a one-night basis, also accompanied by Q&As with expert panelists and live entertainment from local artists. Also, all revenue from adult ticket sales will go direct to participating First Nations speakers and local artists, while under-18s get in free. Check out the Regenerating Australia trailer below: Regenerating Australia premieres at on Friday, March 4 at UNSW Roundhouse, Sydney, before touring the country throughout March, April and May. For further information, head to the film's website.
Every six years, pilgrims descend on the Ganges for either the Kumbh festival or Ardh Kumbh Mela, each larger than the yearly pilgrimage to Mecca. These two festivals are famous, as are the burial rites along the river's banks. With much of this culture along the river having a spiritual bent, some people along the river's banks focus much more on the spiritual aesthetics of people's present incarnations. These streetside artists at work tattooing the passers by are the focus of Lo-Fi Collective's latest endeavour at the Standard: Hindu Tattoo. Artists Sarah Murphy and Matt Feder were interested in the tattoos, the tattooed and the tattooers, and have assembled their images for this show — as well as a collection of custom frames — to give you a better look at the art-seekers by the banks of this sacred river. For a look into what people really value, tattoos show what moved them now, and what moved them before. The shifting meanings of old icons slips into view, making a living palimpsest of ideas or spirituality. And permanent though these tatts may seem, these photos won't be returning anytime soon. Image by Matt Feder.
You've gotta love it when people solve problems that you didn't even know you had. At the moment, you're probably just wearing regular shoes that anyone could buy in any old store. Soon, you could be stepping out in electronic sneakers, complete with inbuilt flexible LED screens and eight embedded sensors for maximum personalisation. Yep, you'll never don the same kicks as someone else ever again if New York-based fashion-tech startup Vixole has their way (or, you'll actually wear the exact same shoes, but no one will be able to tell). The company is currently running a crowdfunding campaign for what they're calling "the world's first customizable mid-top E-sneakers", with three different models available. So how do they work? Well, whether you select the basic, the plus or the OLED, you'll be able to deck out your Vixole Matrix shoes with thousands of designs, animations and even photos via your smartphone — or "design, code, or remix your sneaker", as Vixole puts it. Each item of footwear features a LED screen built into its surface and wrapped around the back of the shoe, and is then covered by composite half transparency material to make it waterproof and even capable of withstanding snow, apparently. You'll be able to strut your stuff in them for eight hours before they'll need recharging on a wireless pad for two hours to power back up. Then there's the plus model, which has been dubbed "the shoe from the future". Motion sensors collect data about your movements and change the design of your shoes accordingly, while sound sensors do the same by interacting with whatever music you might be playing. They even include a sensor that can communicate with other Matrix wearers, exchanging contact details just by touching the tips of your sneakers. And, they'll link up with your phone to act as a navigation tool (vibrating on either your left or right shoe to let you know which way to go), or notify you when you're getting a call (again, by vibrating). The limited-edition OLED version does all of this, and boasts a high-resolution colour display, rather than a monochrome one. In the rapidly evolving age of wearable technology, smart sneakers might just be the next big thing. If you're keen on pairing some with your Snapchat snap-taking specs, solar-powered clothes, vibrating leggings and VISA payment rings, you can pre-order a pair via Indiegogo from US$225 (and yes, they ship worldwide). The manufacturing process is slated to start in January 2017, with the shoes delivered from June. Via Digital Trends.
Next time that someone hands you a $50 note, you can be forgiven for thinking that it looks a little different — a new range of pineapples have just been released into circulation. Australia's banknotes have been getting a makeover since September 2016, when a different $5 note started doing the rounds. It was followed by a revamped $10 in 2017 and now a sparkling fresh $50, which hit the streets on Thursday, October 18. The upgraded design celebrates inventor David Unaipon, who was also the country's first published Aboriginal author, as well as Edith Cowan, Australia's first female member of parliament. They're both recognised in several ways on the new notes, with not only their portraits displayed prominently, but with microprint featuring excerpts of Unaipon's book Legendary Tales of the Australian Aborigines, plus Cowan's maiden speech to the Western Australian Parliament. [caption id="attachment_694389" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Reserve Bank of Australia via Flickr[/caption] As well as changed artwork (albeit keeping the same colour scheme as old notes), the new $50 boast the same improved security features as the new $5 and $10 notes, which are largely aimed to stop counterfeiting. A clear window running from top to bottom is the most obvious, and contains a number of features such as a reversing number and flying bird. The note also includes microprint, as well as a patch with rolling colour. And, in great news for the vision-impaired, the new series of legal tender has a tactile feature to help distinguish between different denominations. According to the Reserve Bank of Australia, the $50 is the most widely circulated Aussie note, so expect to see quite a bit of this shiny pineapple. As happened with the other denominations, the rollout will happen gradually, as will the withdrawal of old $50s — which you can obviously still keep using. While some issues occurred when the new $5 and $10 note hit, particularly with cash-handling machines like ATMs, the RBA has consulted with banknote equipment manufacturers, retail organisations and financial institutions to minimise problems. And as for the other two values of Aussie banknotes, the revamped $20 is due in 2019 and then the new $100 in 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ci9SMlO3Sow
It's been five years since the Yeah Yeah Yeahs last album, and a few more than that since you belted out the lyrics to 'Gold Lion' in your high school bedroom or beat-down first car. Admit it: everyone wanted to be Karen O at some point in their lives. Now, this phenomenal queen of indie rock has once again proven how swoon-worthy she really is. Not only has she made a debut solo album full of lo-fi love tunes, she's previewing the entire thing online now ahead of its release. We're not going to be offended if you leave us now to listen to it. Streaming as part of NPR's First Listen program, the soon to be released Crush Songs is far from the indie anthems and general kickassery of her time as lead singer of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Instead, it draws heavily on the work she's done for film soundtracks in recent years. From the uplifting style of 'All is Love' in Where the Wild Things Are to the delicate ukelele-backed 'Moon Song' from Her, Karen O's solo work has drawn surprising comparisons to the likes of Juno-famous Kimya Dawson. Although this is the singer's first solo album, Crush Songs was actually recorded way back in 2006 and 2007. A deeply personal collection of stories, Karen O recorded these songs in private aside from her work with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Drawing on the album's appropriate name, the songs explore the singer's fears she'll never find love because she has too many crushes. Officially released on September 9 in the US, Crush Songs will also feature original drawings and hand-written lyrics from the legendary singer. Even if you're a die-hard fan of her work in the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, this is worth a listen. All in all, it's nice to know that even bona fide rock legends once scribbled people's names in little hand-drawn hearts. Via NPR. Stream the whole album here.
In Stay of the Week, we explore some of the world's best and most unique accommodations — giving you a little inspiration for your next trip. In this instalment, we take you to the heart of Beechworth, Victoria, and honey country. We've teamed up with Maker's Mark and Beechworth Honey to offer a totally exclusive Concrete Playground Trips deal to stay at The Hive Apartment and enjoy the fruits of their new partnership: The Gold Rush Cocktail, a symphony of pure Australian honey and the bold flavours of bourbon. Celebrate the coming together of liquid golds for a cocktail that's rich in character and richer in history. If Beechworth looks like your ideal historical stay then head to Concrete Playground Trips, where you'll find our travel deal – including two night's stay at The Hive Apartment, a bespoke Makers Mark x Beechworth Honey gift pack (complete with everything you need to make a Gold Rush cocktail), an exclusive honey tasting experience and a dining voucher. WHAT'S SO SPECIAL? You can't get closer to the centre of Beechworth than The Hive Apartment. Owned and operated by Australian honey powerhouse Beechworth Honey, The Hive Apartment is your opportunity to explore historic Beechworth and stay in a piece of Australian history. The apartment is located in one of the most historic buildings in Victoria — originally built in 1856, it was actually the original residence of the bank manager of the Bank of New South Wales. Beechworth played a significant role in the Australian gold rush in the 1800s. Beechworth Honey pays homage to the town's gold rush past with a look to preserve the future. Stay in what was once the "Gold Office" where mined gold was stored and where a new liquid gold now calls home: honey. There are nods to honeybees everywhere from the bespoke breakfast basket (with a selection of Beechworth Honey samples) to bee-themed furnishings and gold elements throughout. THE ROOMS The self-contained apartment is situated on the first floor, providing an impressive outlook across Beechworth's two main streets, its historic buildings and its original architecture. It features a fully equipped kitchen and spacious dining and living room. You can look out over the Beechworth skyline from the comfort of the generous living room, cook up a feast in the kitchen and enjoy a meal in the dining room or on the couch while you take in a movie for a chill night in. The apartment can accommodate up to six guests across three bedrooms. The spacious king room offers a lovely light-filled space with windows on two sides overlooking Beechworth's iconic clock tower. The queen room offers its own private ensuite while the third bedroom is made up of two single beds, perfect for a family weekend away. The renovated master bathroom creates a sense of modern luxury, a place to relax and unwind from a day of exploring Beechworth's impressive sights. FOOD AND DRINK While guests can enjoy the homey Beechworth breakfast basket and kitchen amenities, there are also quaint cafes and rustic bistros footsteps from the apartment. Grab a meal at the historic Tanswell's Commercial Hotel — one of the earliest hotels opened in Beechworth and the first two-storey building in town. The menu is packed with local suppliers' produce, so guests can enjoy the best of what the local area has to offer. There's also a range of local wines, beers and spirits on offer to enjoy with your meal or alternatively to take away from the bottle shop — located in the pub's old safety deposit box. Another local favourite is The Ox and Hound Bistro, a relaxed and intimate spot along the main street that also heroes local produce. Chef (and owner) Sean Ford has stacked the menu with rustic French and Italian bistro classics including chicken liver parfait, goat cheese souffle, fettuccine with wild rabbit and the signature honey pannacotta — with cinder toffee, fresh honey and a lemon curd ice cream. Beechworth is also a small wine-producing region with local wineries producing fine examples of chardonnay and shiraz as well as some Italian varietals like sangiovese and nebbiolo. If beer is your preferred beverage, Beechworth is also home to one of Australia's oldest breweries: Billson's, founded in 1865. Settle in for lunch, a drink and a tour of the historic brewery site. [caption id="attachment_898228" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Beechworth, Gavin Green[/caption] THE LOCAL AREA The historic town of Beechworth is a treasure trove of iconic insights into the world that was. Visitors can follow the life and times of infamous bushranger Ned Kelly, starting at the Beechworth Historic Courthouse and Law Library — built in 1858 and in continuous service for 131 years — where the committal trial of Ned Kelly took place. Then move on to the HM Prison Beechworth — which held Ned Kelly as well as many of his sympathisers — and finish at the Beechworth Lockup where prisoners awaited trial. History enthusiasts will delight at the Burke Museum — named for the famous explorer and former Beechworth Superintendent of Police Robert O'Hara Burke — relive the Whatsapp of the past at the Telegraph Station, or pick up some bits and pieces at Dow's Pharmacy — a time capsule with over 4000 original items in its collection from the 19th and early 20th centuries. The Hive Apartment is located 300m meters from The Beechworth Honey Shop. Discover the wonderful world of Australian honey at Beechworth Honey's flagship store. With over 40 Australian single-varietal honey to taste, a working bee hive and a self-guided educational tour, your mind and tastebuds will be blown. The Beechworth Honey Shop is open 7 days, 9.00am–5.30pm — our Trips package includes a bespoke honey tasting at the iconic Beechworth Honey Shop. Don't forget to pack your walking boots as there's a range of walks, cycle tours and lookouts only a stone's throw from the apartment. The Beechworth Gorge is a popular walking, bike riding and driving loop with views to the Woolshed Valley and across the township. A little further afield, you can climb the 545-metre summit of Mount Pilot to enjoy 360-degree views of the surrounding countryside. THE EXTRAS The Hive Apartment is the perfect location from which to go back in time and explore Australia's Gold Rush era. And what better way to enjoy the stay than with a cocktail that celebrates the combination of two liquid golds the Maker's Mark and Beechworth Honey's Gold Rush cocktail? Book our Trips package and the Beechworth team will be on hand to ensure you have the sweetest and smoothest stay, from the private entrance and free parking to the bespoke honey breakfast package. Feeling inspired to book a truly unique getaway? Head to Concrete Playground Trips to explore a range of holidays curated by our editorial team. We've teamed up with all the best providers of flights, stays and experiences to bring you a series of unforgettable trips in destinations all over the world.
UPDATE, August 16, 2020: Cold War is available to stream via SBS On Demand, Google Play, YouTube and iTunes. "I knocked, I cried; she wouldn't open up," sing violin and bagpipe-playing musicians in Cold War's very first moments. What apt and evocative words they prove. Set in a decimated Europe as the Second World War gives way to the film's titular period, Pawel Pawlikowski's sweeping, melancholic romance is steeped in a place and a time where deeds, sobs and pleas for help go unnoticed. The writer-director's native Poland might sport a facade of recovery, and charge a folk ensemble with crooning appropriated music to set the requisite tone, but the nation remains an unforgiving master for those that walk its lands. When the movie spends much of its second half in the jazz-soaked bars of the Parisian music scene, it treads through just as complicated terrain. Meeting during an audition — she sings and confirms that she can dance; he decrees that she has "energy, spirit; she's original" — Cold War's star-crossed lovers navigate a rocky path that unfurls across the 50s and 60s. Music director Wiktor (Tomasz Kot) is soon desperate to leave the country, an action that's as simple as walking across the border while touring near East Berlin. As rumours about her background demonstrate, the youthful Zula (Joanna Kulig) is not one to comfortably submit to anyone or anything. Other than the strength of their feelings, nothing is easy about Zula and Wiktor's relationship. Nothing is easy, period. The movie jumps forward in fits and spurts, and yet three things stay constant: music that adds a haunting soundtrack to both hopeful and bleak days; unease that chips away at even the happiest of times; and Zula and Wiktor, who forever orbit around each other. Cold War may be a film where the yearnings of the many go unnoticed by the cruel, harsh world, but the same never applies to the deep-seeded bond between its protagonists. Wiktor notices every sentiment and sensation that courses through Zula's veins, and vice versa. Yet their love can't penetrate the fraught, uncaring environment they're living within. There's a resigned air to the movie, one mirrored by the changing tones and moods of the song that Zula's always singing. Pawlikowski may have based the picture's narrative on the most personal of stories — that of his parents, who share the characters' names and earn the film's dedication — but his gaze is clear. The winner of the Best Director award at this year's Cannes Film Festival is resolute in depicting the oppressive turbulence of the era, and in relaying the crushing vagaries of life in general. Making his first movie since the similarly exceptional Oscar-winner Ida, Pawlikowski retains his penchant for crisp, black-and-white visuals, all constrained within tight 4:3 frames. The boxed-in shape draws the eye just as Zula and Wiktor are repeatedly drawn together, and the smaller space makes every detail count. As sumptuously shot by cinematographer Łukasz Żal, the result is imagery so dense, luminous and intoxicating that it seems as if the filmmaker is painting every possible emotion across the screen. Visions of cavernous churches and busy clubs prove pregnant with feeling, and the expressions adorning Kulig and Kot's faces even more so. Where Cold War is at its aesthetic best, however, is when the camera floats and wanders and keeps pace with the picture's main players. A fluid late dance scene where Zula moves with abandon to 'Rock Around the Clock', the lens following along with her, is filmmaking at its most enthralling. It helps that Pawlikowski and his frames clearly adore Kulig and Kot. It helps, too, that the entrancing central pair don't so much invite but demand adoration. Whenever the camera shifts away from either, their absence is instantly felt, although this masterpiece never shifts away for very long. Zula and Wiktor's knocks and cries might largely remain silent, yelled with their eyes rather than their words, however Cold War's devastating lead performances convey the impact of every internalised ache and pain. Indeed, in a bittersweet finale that sears itself into memory like few celluloid moments ever manage, Kulig and Kot unburden a world of insights about simply trying to survive. And they do so while uttering the scantest — yet still most utterly perfect — of lines. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSYHHLk12x8
Uber has become a worldwide phenomenon, expanding across the globe to more than 70 cities in its brief five-year history. The mobile app and car sharing service, bankrolled by investors including Google and Goldman Sachs, has caused waves with its recent valuation of a hefty US $18.2 billion. With growing business as smartphone ownership continues to spread, those in need of a post-gig ride home are viewing Uber as a more convenient — and often cheaper — alternative to a taxi. Now, the cabbies have finally had enough. Claiming that the mobile app is affecting their livelihoods, taxi drivers in London, Paris, Madrid, Berlin and Rio de Janeiro protested in the streets. Blockading access to major CBDs and shopping districts across these cities for hours on end, cabbies demanded tougher regulations to be imposed on Uber drivers. Taxi drivers in Europe often pay between $200,000 and $300,000 for their license, while Uber promotes their ‘No Sign Up Fee’ policy openly on their website. How could a cabbie compete with that? Taxi drivers in London slowed traffic to a crawl near Trafalgar Square, continuing on to Dowling Street where they honked their horns as they passed Parliament and the Prime Minister’s address. Home to the iconic black cabs, London saw the most monumental protests, with more than 10,000 taxis participating in the demonstration. Ironically, Uber reported an increase in downloads of the app by 850 percent in the past week. That's 850 percent. Similarly, cabbies from the other European cities cited severe damage to their income and loose, easily manipulated laws for those working under the Uber umbrella. In Rio de Janeiro, taxi drivers participated in the demonstrations ahead of the World Cup — seemingly apprehensive of the possible impact it will have on what should be their highest payday yet. The protests overseas come shortly after contention in Australia over the parameters of ride-sharing cars. The Victorian government was dishing up fines of $1,700 a pop to Uber drivers. The company’s response was to pledge that they would cover any and all of these penalties. Last month, the NSW government claimed Uber drivers could face a charge of up to $110,000 for being in breach of state law. It seems Australia has been imposing the regulations taxi drivers overseas so dearly wish to see in their own regions, yet Uber continues to be a viable — and profitable — business for drivers across the country. Cabbies in Uber-inhabited regions around the globe are feeling the brute force of an evolving world. It seems the tides of change are causing an insurmountable swell for the humble taxi driver, with no sign of an end. Via Reuters and Fast Company. Images via Mashable and Business Week.
These days, having actual cash in your wallet is a real rarity. But it's probably not something you'll need to worry about when picking up your next copy of The Big Issue, with many of the charity magazine's street vendors accepting cashless payments from today. This move into the digital economy means customers can now purchase an edition of the magazine using a debit or credit card. Two cashless options are being rolled out by vendors across the country, including regular tap-and-go, and via mobile payment app Beem It, which can receive instant payments. The Big Issue street vendors are able to choose whether they'll offer one or both of the card options, or simply stick with the previous cash system. The fortnightly magazine, which provides work opportunities for homeless or disadvantaged people, without access to mainstream jobs, has been operating in Australia since 1996. It's hoped the new digital payment offering will boost sales of the magazine, reaching more customers and helping those selling it to increase their profits, putting more money back into the pockets of disadvantaged Aussies. As always, each of the fortnightly editions will sell for $7, with half of that kept by the vendor. The newest edition — aptly titled 'Cashless Revolution' — hits the streets today. Vendor images: Nicole Reed.
When Pantone's colour experts picked the shade they thought would define 2017, they went green. To be precise, they chose a hue called Greenery (PANTONE 15-0343) — a pick chosen to offer reassurance in trying times and symbolise the yearning to reconnect. Yep, we understand. Looking at it is one thing, however; setting foot in a house that brings the colour to life is quite another. Enter Airbnb and a London abode that's showering visitors in the "fresh and zesty yellow-green shade". Here, contrary to the advice Kermit the Frog has espoused for years, it is easy being green. Dubbed the 'Outside In' house, the Clerkenwell property casts aside traditional notions of internal and external spaces. How? Well, a plant-filled garden bedroom that even boasts a mown lawn and topiaries, herb garden kitchen, tropical lagoon bath, woodland reception area with a groundskeeper, and dining room that's actually an indoor greenhouse might just do the trick. It's designed to "provide an antidote to January blues and encourage all those who enter it to embrace 2017 with fresh optimism and excitement", and serves up more than just a unique, colour- and plant-centric place to stay. To promote Airbnb's new Experiences service, which endeavours to combine their accommodation offerings with ace things to see and do, guests can also take their pick from the house's greenery to build their own sustainable terrarium, learn the art of artisan printing using foliage, and pick tea leaves on-site for a tai chi and cuppa session. Sure, that all sounds good — but, if you like plant-based drinks, making your own gin is the definite highlight. Like the company's other attention-grabbing concepts — Dracula's castle, shark tanks, van Gogh's bedroom, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' secret lair , to name a few — the 'Outside In' house is only open for a small window of time: from January 27 to 30. For more information, visit the listing on Airbnb.
If things fall through with the whole politics schtick, President Obama has a future in stand-up. The lovable leader let the gags loose at the Annual White House Correspondents' Association Dinner over the weekend, beginning his address with a video spoof in which Steven Spielberg announced plans for a follow-up to Lincoln titled Obama. The president then pretended to be Daniel Day-Lewis reflecting on the difficulties of personifying Obama, beginning with the challenges of affixing oversized fake ears — "I don't know how he walks around with these things." The lolocoaster continued as the ultimate Renaissance man cracked jokes about his past as a "strapping young Muslim socialist", suggested the opposition should funnel funds into bribing him to drop out of the presidential race rather than spend money on negative advertising ("Michelle would have taken it. You think I'm joking") and even busted a move to DJ Khaled's 'All I Do Is Win'. Why can't Julia spend more time wining and dining the likes of Psy, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Kevin Spacey? Via BBC News.
Ever wished you could be spirited away into a Studio Ghibli film? Stop dreaming and start making travel plans. Turning movie magic into a real-life wonder, Japan's beloved animation house is opening its own My Neighbour Totoro theme park. Set to liven up the space known as Expo Park in Nagoya's Aichi Prefecture, the 200-hectare site will recreate the world of the 1988 film, building upon an existing attraction. Since 2005, the park has boasted a replica of Satsuki and Mei's house, the home of two characters from the movie. It'll stay, of course — and be joined by other, yet-to-be-revealed Totoro additions. Yes, we're all hoping for a cat bus, some susuwatari (those gorgeous little balls of floating soot), something umbrella shaped and tiny seeds sprouting into giant trees, in a place that'll basically transform that cute video of Ghibli characters out in the world into a reality. Here's hoping it'll nod to a few other Studio Ghibli greats too, although their current focus is understandable. Just try to go into a gift store in Japan without coming across a treasure trove of soft, cuddly Totoros that you can call your own — it's impossible. The park is scheduled to open in 2020, however, in the interim, Ghibli-loving visitors to Japan can still get their dose of animated joy at Tokyo's Ghibli Museum. Plus, back in 2015, it was announced that co-founder and all-round Ghibli legend Hayao Miyazaki was building his own park on Kume Island in the Okinawa Prefecture. Designed to preserve and celebrate nature, it's set to launch in 2018. Via Anime News Network.
It's pretty ironic that a YouTube clip criticising internet culture is going viral. Nonetheless this parody of The Wolf of Wall Street made by Half Day Today is pitch perfect. In a remake of the film's trailer, the hedonistic tale of American conman Jordan Belfort is transposed to the life of Buzzfeed CEO Jonah Peretti. Hilarity ensues. Everyone knows Buzzfeed is a bit of a black hole. You stumble across something in a Facebook newsfeed and suddenly you're falling into an internet-shaped abyss that no longer houses your study or work but only thousands of lists about Harry Styles, '90s cartoons and what '90s cartoons would looks like if they were recast with Harry Styles. This is your life now. And, while no one's saying it's directly Jonah Peretti's fault... it sure is nice to blame someone. "With these lists you can create a stupid GIF, write a nonsensical blob of text, and it will get retweeted millions of times without ever using an even number in your title," says the video's Peretti. Much like Jordan Belfort's dubious pathway to success using penny stocks, there seems to be something vaguely criminal about the Buzzfeed marketing strategy and it's somewhat confronting to see it played out in front of your eye. Still. We can't help ourselves. This is still 100 percent our reaction whenever we find a relatable listicle or a new viral video to share *coughcough*.
Playing ice hockey isn't a regular part of growing up Down Under, but watching a ragtag team of underdogs try their best on the ice has been a childhood staple since the 90s. The reason: the Mighty Ducks franchise. The three Emilio Estevez and Joshua Jackson-starring films hit screens between 1992–6, and have remained nostalgic favourites ever since. The trio of movies also spanned an animated show back in 1996; however, that's not the franchise's only leap into television. Because everything old is new again — including making that observation, because it just keeps proving relevant — Disney+ is bringing Mighty Ducks back courtesy of new series The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers. If Karate Kid can live on via the small screen, then so can this other beloved sports-focused saga, it seems. And like Cobra Kai, Game Changers is bringing back a familiar face when it debuts its ten-episode first season on Friday, March 26. That'd be Estevez, who reprises his role as Coach Gordon Bombay. Sadly, Jackson isn't involved this time around — but Gilmore Girls star Lauren Graham will feature as the mother of a hockey-loving boy who helps him create his own team. Aimed at all ages — so at kids just discovering Mighty Ducks for the first time, and adults with fond memories — the show looks set to follow the underdog formula established in the films, as both its first teaser trailer and its just-dropped full trailer illustrates. The series is set in Minnesota, where the Mighty Ducks are now a big deal, 12-year-old Evan Morrow (Brady Noon) gets cut from the team, and he and his mom (Graham) bring together their own crew in response — with the help of Bombay, of course. Check out the full trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZTouNvgPCM&feature=youtu.be The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers starts airing on Disney+ from Friday, March 26. Top image: Disney+.
Packing is no one's favourite part of going on holidays. If you're the kind of traveller who needs to cater for every occasion, stuffing your baggage is a massive task. If you like going light, whittling your outfits down but still ensuring that you've got the basics isn't as easy as it sounds. But, why not ditch all of that, and your suitcase? That's Japan Airlines' new solution thanks to its just-launched clothing rental service. Instead of tourists agonising over what to take to Japan with you — or stressing over what not to take — the carrier is offering a clothing sharing service with Sumitomo Corporation called Any Wear, Anywhere. You reserve a range of clothes, including choosing according to the season, and whether you're after a casual or smarter look. Then, that attire gets delivered to your hotel. When you're heading home, the rental clothes will be collected from wherever you're staying, too. And no, you don't have to do any laundry before handing them back over. The aim: not only to make travelling easier for tourists, but to do the environment a solid as well. If you're hiring clothes, less luggage needs to transported internationally. Japan Airlines will be monitoring the change in checked-in baggage weight thanks to the service, to see how it reduces the carrier's carbon emissions. Also, heroing the circular economy, the outfits on offer will be sourced from pre-owned clothing and excess stock from fashion stores. And, the airline is promoting the service as a way for tourists to support local options — not just for accommodation and food, but also for clothing. At this stage, Japan Airlines is trialling Any Wear, Anywhere from Wednesday, July 5, 2023 to Saturday, August 31, 2024 — and the service is only available for customers travelling to Japan via Japan Airlines. Price-wise, costs start at AU$42 / NZ$45 (¥4000) for a set of summer threads, which covers three tops and two bottoms. The most you'll pay is AU$73 / NZ $79 (¥4000), which gets you a winter range of six tops and three bottoms. You can keep the threads for up to two weeks, and bookings are available from a month before you travel. Wouldn't dream of travelling without a suitcase? Coming home, you can now fill it with souvenirs instead of dirty clothes. Japan Airlines and and Sumitomo Corporation's Any Wear, Anywhere clothing sharing service is being trialled until Saturday, August 31, 2024 — head to the Any Wear, Anywhere website for further details and bookings. 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.
Injecting a little sparkle and shine into otherwise dull neighborhoods, these architectural designs celebrate all that glitters. Gilded in gold, sequins, crystals, and more, each structure looks fit to house a disco party, or perhaps a drag-queen. Peruse 10 of the world's most blinged-out buildings, and indulge in a little decadence, dahhhling. 1. Maison Martin Margiela @ Beverly Hills, US 2. Golden House @ Nuweiba, Egypt 3. 8 Woningen Kettingstraat @ The Hague, Netherlands 4. Zaha Hadid’s proposal for a new gold Lego-covered courtyard building at The Louvre @ Paris, France 5. Theresa Himmer's 'Glacier #01' @ Reykjavik, Iceland 6. Swarovski flagship store @ Tokyo, Japan 7. Copper sulphate crystal-covered abandoned housing estate @ London, England 8. Theresa Himmer's 'Volcano #01' @ Reykjavik, Iceland 9. Theresa Himmer's 'Waterfall #01' @ Reykjavik, Iceland 10. The Visionary Art Museum @ Baltimore, US [via Flavorwire]
Playing ice hockey isn't a regular part of growing up Down Under, but watching a ragtag team of underdogs try their best on the ice has been a childhood staple since the 90s. The reason: the Mighty Ducks franchise. The three Emilio Estevez and Joshua Jackson-starring films hit screens between 1992–6, and have remained nostalgic favourites ever since. The trio of movies also spanned an animated show back in 1996; however, that's not the franchise's only leap into television. Because everything old is new again — including making that observation, because it just keeps proving relevant — Disney+ is bringing Mighty Ducks back courtesy of new series The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers. If Karate Kid can live on via the small screen, then so can this other beloved sports-focused saga, it seems. And like Cobra Kai, Game Changers is bringing back a familiar face when it debuts its ten-episode first season on Friday, March 26. That'd be Estevez, who reprises his role as Coach Gordon Bombay. Sadly, Jackson isn't involved this time around — but Gilmore Girls star Lauren Graham will feature as the mother of a hockey-loving boy who helps him create his own team. Aimed at all ages — so at kids just discovering Mighty Ducks for the first time, and adults with fond memories — the show looks set to follow the underdog formula established in the films, as the first teaser trailer illustrates. It's set in Minnesota, where the Mighty Ducks are now a big deal, 12-year-old Evan Morrow (Brady Noon) gets cut from the team, and he and his mom (Graham) bring together their own crew in response — with the help of Bombay, of course. Check out the teaser trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zryz5mHXtw&feature=youtu.be The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers starts airing on Disney+ from Friday, March 26. Top image: Disney+.
Biding your time until the next seasons of Stranger Things and Orange Is the New Black start, or just looking for a fun new procrastination technique? Netflix's new online video game helps you do both — and outrun the Demogorgon, avoid prison cafeteria trays, send Pablo Escobar speeding through the Colombian jungle or Marco Polo dashing along a Chinese street. Four of the streaming service's popular original shows have been turned into levels in the free side-scrolling game Netflix Infinite Runner, and yes, the title is a great indication of what players will be doing. They each involve pressing the spacebar to send a running Mike Wheeler, Piper Chapman and company jumping over obstacles like Hawkins National Laboratory works and collecting items such as chickens. That's really all there is to it, but we all know that the simplest things can be the most addictive. Basically, don't underestimate how much time you're likely to spend playing them (and yes, we're talking from experience). Plus, in keeping with the low-res vibe, you'll also hear a version of each program's theme while you play. https://twitter.com/NetflixAsia/status/817263342838370311 Via The Verge.
Pakistani activist and history's youngest Nobel Prize laureate, Malala Yousafzai is heading Down Under, for two exclusive talks in Sydney and Melbourne this December. She'll appear as part of The Growth Faculty's thought-provoking Women World Changers speaker series — the same event that brought Hillary Clinton to Australia and New Zealand in May this year. Yousafzai was just 11 when she first launched her campaign to promote education for girls, penning a blog from her home city in Pakistan's Swat Valley. At 15, she survived an attack by the Taliban, and in 2014, went on to become the youngest person ever awarded the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize. Her remarkable story continues, as she sticks with the fight for education rights for every girl in the world. The activist co-founded the Malala Fund and currently studies at the University of Oxford. Now, for the first time, the inspirational 21-year-old will share her experiences with Australian audiences, speaking at Sydney's International Convention Centre on Monday, December 10, and at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre the following night. Catch An Evening with Malala Yousafzai at the International Convention Centre, Sydney, on Monday, December 10, and at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Melbourne, on Tuesday, December 11. Tickets are $99, available via The Growth Faculty's website.
A group of Yale University professors and students may have discovered an unconventional solution to the earth's growing waste problem: fungi. Participating in the university's Rainforest Expedition and Laboratory educational program, students engaged in discovery-based research, searching for plants and culturing the micro-organisms within their tissue. It was through this process that they came across fungi which can degrade and utilise the common plastic polyurethane. The fungus can survive solely off of this plastic, without any use of oxygen. As polyurethane is a large contributor to our waste issue, the introduction of this fungi could have real potential. The results of the study have been published in the 'Applied and Environmental Microbiology' journal. [via PSFK]
Thirty years' worth of PCBs, as well as heavy metals, sewage and urban runoff, have made the Hudson River a hazard for would-be swimmers for nearly a century. Clean-ups, initiated in the 1960s by Pete Seeger's Hudson River Sloop Clearwater organisation, and enforced since the 1980s by the US Environmental Protection Agency, have improved conditions significantly. Now, a new Kickstarter project, titled + POOL, promises to create a swimming basin in the Hudson's brother, the East River, right on the liquid doorstep of New York City. Fitted with an enormous layered filtration system, the pool will purify as much as half a million gallons of water daily. Consequently, New Yorkers will be able to swim in that part of the river, enjoying a level of cleanliness similar to 19th-century standards. Plus, of course, they’ll have the benefit of a 21st-century view. According to the project's creators, "+ POOL started with a simple goal: instead of trying to clean the entire river, what if you started by just cleaning a small piece of it? And what if you could change how New Yorkers see their rivers, just by giving them a chance to swim in it?" With 17 days of campaigning left to go, + POOL has raised US$120,360 of its initial US$250,000 goal, which will enable the construction of a 35' x 35' ‘Float Lab’ in August 2013. The final project is set to be completed in summer 2016, just before the Olympic Games. Donors receive rewards in the form of pool tiles and, so far, 1,328 people have pledged support. For US$25, you’ll see your name alongside seven others on a 'group tile'. For US$2500, you’ll earn yourself a 'graphic tile', featuring your logo, signature or any single-colour image of your choice, as well as 20 tickets to 'First Dips'. This means that you and 19 friends will be among the first individuals to jump into the pool, in the week leading up to its public opening.
George RR Martin is joining forces with art collective Meow Wolf to produce the most insanely magic art complex imaginable. Attempting to raise $100,000 on Kickstarter, the installation artists and the Game of Thrones mastermind want to build one epic art space: The Meow Wolf Art Complex in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Built within the site of an old bowling alley Martin bought specifically for the project, the complex will house 19 affordable artist studios, two rotating gallery spaces, and The David Loughridge Learning Center with arts education programming by local non-profit ARTsmart. But the real jaw-dropper here is Meow Wolf's plan for unprecedented 20,000 sq. ft. complex to be constructed by over 75 artists — dubbed The House of Eternal Return. Celebrated for their large-scale, immersive installation experiences, the Sante Fe-based collective Meow Wolf have just the ideas Martin was looking for when he bought the bowling alley. Following Meow Wolf's wildly successful interdimensional ship installation The Due Return in 2011, the team will likely be using most of the Kickstarter funds toward Meow Wolf's first permanent exhibition, The House of Eternal Return. Visitors will be able to crawl, climb and be immersed within the 'rooms' of the house, from trailer parks to crazy tree houses to spaceship-like condos. "The House of Eternal Return will be a radical new form of storytelling, where audiences are immersed within a multimedia art experience that unfolds through an interactive and magical narrative," says the team on their Kickstarter page. Here's their artist renditions of what's planned for the House: 'Crazy Tree Houses' 'Cactus Trailer Dream' 'Portals Bermuda' Martin and Meow Wolf have so far raised $45,654 of their $100,000 goal with 13 days to go. Martin intends to fully renovate the space ahead of Meow Wolf's 10-year lease on the property. Whattaguy. Check out the Kickstarter campaign here.
Halloween came to this country so late that it's not so much a brother to its American counterpart, but more of a distant cousin who rarely keeps in touch. We've taken most of the superstition and spookiness out of the day, and us adults have claimed it for our own. It's unsurprising then, that Halloween weekend marks the grown ups fancy dress occasion of the year — when else can you dress up as a cool ghost and blow the froth off a few cold ones? There is a huge amount of amazingly creepy events going on around town this weekend, but the question remains, who has the best beats? The slickest 'stumes? The best brews? In an attempt to provide you with the answers you so desperately deserve, we've put together our picks of where to get your ghostly groove on this weekend. Top image: Karina Nash.
Vulcan is a tiny planet that a French mathematician discovered in the 19th century, but was shortly after discovered to have not actually been discovered as it did not really exist. So what does Sophia Hewson see as being like that, but sad? There are three works in this show: downstairs, a life-sized Neanderthal Christ in a passionate pose and an oversized icon, Help Me Saint Teresa of Avila, are hand-carved from polyurethane and coated in hundreds-and-thousands and varnish. Upstairs, a photoreal Madonna (the Virgin Mary kind) with junk-shop symbolic accoutrements is rendered in oil and resin in a piece called I can feel myself forming (my borrowed rib), But like a slug I am to mighty men. These works don't come across as specifically religious, despite their subjects and Hewson's evident familiarity with various conventions of religious representation. Nor are they irreverent in any inflammatory sense — the reconfiguration of the traditional iconographic elements and media of the composition aren't satirical. Instead, the layering of knowledge and subversion, and the use and representation the mass-manufactured, combine into a contemplative aesthetic in which the 'longing' of the title references unknowability and the means by which it is almost impossible to fully accept or reject this as an element of one's thought.
From towering silos to inner-city suburban landmarks, Melbourne-based street artist Rone has always been pretty creative about where he paints his large-scale murals. But for the last 12 months, he's been hiding away in the lush community of Sherbrooke, in the Dandenong Ranges, transforming the dilapidated art deco mansion Burnham Beeches into an artsy dreamland. Famous for his massive portraits that combine elements of beauty and ruin, alongside concepts of new and old, Empire is Rone's most ambitious project to date. It's set in the 'decaying glory' of the 1930s estate, which has periodically acted as a family home, research facility, children's hospital and luxury hotel. The mansion is now owned by the Vue Group but has been vacant for over 20 years. Empire spans 12 (previously empty) rooms over multiple storeys and centres around a series of the artist's signature 'Jane Doe' monochrome portraits — the muse for which is actress Lily Sullivan (Mental, Picnic at Hanging Rock). Apart from the murals, the art deco-era furnishings are courtesy of interior stylist Carly Spooner (Fitzroy's The Establishment Studios), who also worked on Rone's The Omega Project. The rooms have been furnished with over 500 antique pieces, including a moss-covered grand piano — which was left exposed in the open garden for several weeks to attain an aged effect. The four seasons play a major role in Empire, and this varying atmosphere was accomplished by a team of specialists — flairs of art, vision, sound, light, virtual reality, scent and botanical design will take visitors on an immersive multi-sensory experience. Expect a hauntingly beautiful vibe of an era-gone-by, as Rone seeks to create an ambiguous storyline that can be felt by each guest individually. Rone takes personal inspiration for the space from the Mark Romanek-directed music video for the Johnny Cash cover of Hurt (originally by Nine Inch Nails) — which should give a sense of what you're in for. Empire will run from Wednesday, March 6 to Monday, April 22 at Burnham Beeches. Tickets start at $15 and can be purchased here.
Have you ever felt in over your head? Sold your kidney for an iPad? Made a deal you regret? Years ago, Michael Gow's opus Away became part of an educational pact with the board of studies — selected as an HSC example of clear structure and character development. Now Gow is directing a new arrangement of the classic deal-with-the-devil play Faustus for the Bell Shakespeare Company, starring John Bell as the devil himself. There are lots of endings for Faustus. Some with damnation, some redemption. Faustus himself (Ben Winspear) — based on real life doctor (or quack) John Faustus — trades his afterlife and soul with a devil named Mephistopheles (John Bell) for 24 years of earthly knowledge and power. There is some Frankenstein here, with a fear of new kinds of learning, and of new kinds of sciences, as though these things touch the mind of God with the gloves off. Gow has adapted this version from Shakespeare's contemporary Kit Marlowe, but given that he's also worked in elements from Goethe's happier Urfaust, who's to say where this Faustus is going in the end.
What does it mean to see our world from a female perspective? This question is answered in myriad ways by the short films of both upcoming and established women filmmakers from all over the world, gathered together for the 19th WOW Film Festival. Taking place over 10 days, the event's line-up promises an array of narrative moods, from the confessional to the humorous, as well as discussions (one with Margaret Pomeranz and Gillian Armstrong has already sold out). It's presented by nonprofit Women in Film and Television NSW, which supports women working in the screen industries. The Festival opens with the Australian debut of Moeder, a documentary film by emerging director Roma Hope D'Arrietta. Splicing up original Super 8 scenes with contemporary footage, Moeder (Mother) recounts the vicissitudes of life as experienced by D'Arrietta's mother, Sacha de Vries, whose story spans post-war Europe to contemporary Australia. Sacha's own mother suicided, leaving Sacha at 14 to seek out a new life as an international model and stylist with a secret burden of grief. D'Arrietta's exploration of how this family history impacts on her own understanding of life makes for a poignant filmic experience. The festival's many other interesting films interpreting the world through a woman's eyes can be scoped out here.
True crime and Cluedo collide with the launch of CluedUpp in Australia. The interactive detective game is coming to Sydney on Saturday, November 23, and brings the classic board game to life on the streets of the city — with a slight twist. The outdoor adventure will take you back to 1960s London to solve the double murder of the famous Kray twins. While the Kray twins were very real, very notorious British gangsters, they were not murdered IRL, just in this murder mystery. Forget Colonel Mustard with the candlestick in the study, this event will bring you and your friends closer to reality and out onto the streets to solve the case. The game will kick off at a secret Sydney location at 10am and, depending how good of a detective you are, will finish between midday and 2pm. The best news of all, however, is that the event is dog friendly — and there are prizes to be won by both human and canine detectives. All you need to play is some friends and your phone. Dressing up as 1960s gangsters is encouraged, so you can really get yourself into character. A ticket will set you back $65 per team of six, but you only need two humans to play. With only 100 teams available, get in quick for your chance to solve the mystery.
In sad news, Bourke Street Bakery is moving out of Potts Point. However, the space won't stay dormant for long, as the folks behind Redfern's Moon Park, which closed in September 2016, will be moving in from July. And their new venture, Paper Bird, will be bringing you all-day eats, from, not only Korea, but Japan and China, too. So, if you've been missing that fried chicken with soy and maple syrup sauce, you'll soon be scoffing it again. Also making a comeback will be rice cakes with peanuts and gochujang (a savoury, sweet and spicy chilli paste). Among new arrivals, you'll find rice, clams and nori served in a stoneware bowl and Xi'an cumin lamb sausage rolls with cumin and black vinegar — a slight heart pang for Bourke Street Bakery fans. Paper Bird will open from 7am till midnight, which means breakfast will be served. "The breakfast dishes will be familiar, but with an Asian twist," says Ned Brooks, who co-owns the eatery with head chefs Ben Sears and Eun Hee An. "Singapore barbecue bacon, smashed avo and eggs on toast with dried fish, toasted muesli and persimmon ... It's often about swapping one European ingredient with an Asian one." On the drinks menu, you'll find about 100 wines, with 20 or so available by the glass. Brooks, who'll be running the bar, says, "Around 50 percent are Australian and 50 percent international, from France, Italy, Spain and America." There's also a high-end sake list, a bunch of craft beers and cocktails. Single Origin will be taking care of the coffee. Going against Sydney's current obsession with guttings and renovations, the team won't be tearing the site apart. "The fitout is already lovely," Brooks says. "It was made by craftsmen and we don't want to touch it too much. We don't want to see a beautiful bar top and dark wooden banquettes get ripped out and turned into landfill ... Sydney is an expensive city, but people still want to go out to drink and eat. One way to reduce prices is to spend less money on renovations." So, the space won't be getting much more than a lick of paint, some sound attenuation and some lighting, designed in collaboration with Phillip Arnold. There'll be indoor seating for about 60, including 10 spots at the bar, plus 15 places outside. Paper Bird will open in July 2017 at 46A Macleay Street (enter via Crick Avenue). Opening hours will be Monday to Saturday 7am–midnight, Sunday 8am–3pm. Image: Nikki To.
More than 80 years after it was first sung and heard, Billie Holiday's 'Strange Fruit' still isn't easily forgotten. Drawn from a poem penned to protest lynchings, it's meant to shock and haunt. It's designed to galvanise and mobilise, too, as drawing attention to the extrajudicial killings of Black Americans should. Indeed, so vivid is the song in its language — "Black bodies swingin' in the southern breeze" describes the third line — US authorities demanded that Holiday stop performing it. She refused repeatedly, so there were repercussions. Concerned that the track would spark change, inspire Holiday's fans to fight for civil rights and justice, and perhaps motivate riots against against oppression and discrimination as well, the US Treasury Department's Federal Bureau of Narcotics went after the musician for her drug use. If it couldn't get her to cease crooning the controversial tune via other means, such as overt warnings and a prominent police presence at her shows, it'd do whatever it could to keep her from reaching the stage night after night. So tells The United States vs Billie Holiday, the latest Oscar-nominated biopic to step through its namesake's life. Back in 1972, Lady Sings the Blues loosely adapted Holiday's autobiography of the same name, enlisting Diana Ross to play the singer — but, in taking inspiration instead from Johann Hari's non-fiction book Chasing the Scream: The First and Last Days of the War on Drugs, this latest big-screen vision of the music icon's story adopts its own angle. Holiday's troubled childhood and youth has its part in this tale, which is scripted for the screen by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks. Her addiction, and the personal woes that she tried to blot out, clearly don't escape filmmaker Lee Daniels' (The Butler) attention, either. But The United States vs Billie Holiday also falls in alongside Seberg, MLK/FBI and Judas and the Black Messiah in interrogating bleak truths about mid-20th century America. That includes the misplaced priorities of its government during multiple administrations, and the blatant determination shown by an array of agencies under various presidents to undermine, persecute and silence those considered a supposedly un-American threat to the status quo. Framed by a late 50s interview between Holiday (Andra Day, Marshall) and a gossip journalist (Leslie Jordan, Will & Grace), Daniels' film flits back and forth through the former's life. Her career heyday takes pride of place, but complexity seethes through every facet of her existence — whether she's ignoring commands not to sing 'Strange Fruit' in the 40s, being sentenced to prison for narcotics towards the decade's end, making a sold-out comeback at Carnegie Hall, cycling through relationships with several abusive men or peering back at memories of her unhappy upbringing. The narrative anchor: Jimmy Fletcher (Trevante Rhodes, Moonlight). Tasked by crusading Federal Bureau of Narcotics head Harry Anslinger (Garrett Hedlund, Dreamland) to infiltrate Holiday's inner circle, he becomes a pal, a lover and also one of the key figures responsible for her incarceration. He's regarded warily by Holiday's dutiful entourage, which spans her best friend Roslyn (Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Kajillionaire), stylist Miss Freddy (Miss Lawrence, Star) and saxophonist Lester Young (Tyler James Williams, Detroit). And yet, Holiday consistently warms to Fletcher, including both before and after he starts questioning his real purpose. Holiday's status as a legend will never be diminished. Despite the US Government's concerted efforts otherwise, 'Strange Fruit' has cemented its place in history, too. But even given The United States vs Billie Holiday's iconic point of focus, her vitally important song, and the crucial and committed approach taken to both, the film that results here often feels little more than standard. It adheres to the biographical drama playbook, and uses Anslinger as a cartoonish villain. Its arrival on-screen in such close proximity to the aforementioned Seberg and Judas and the Black Messiah also imparts an unshakeable air of familiarity. The United States vs Billie Holiday is often rousing and moving. It tells an essential story, and tracks the tragedies and the triumphs alike. But it remains forcefully wedded to convention, to the extent that almost every second of the narrative plays out as expected, and every filmmaking choice as well — regardless of whether viewers already know the minutiae of Holiday's life intimately or are learning it anew. That well-worn sensation applies to most areas of the movie, except one. Day took her stage name from Billie Holiday's nickname, with Young dubbing the icon Lady Day — and in her first lead role, the 'Rise Up' singer turns in an absolute powerhouse performance. A Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture — Drama has already come her way, along with a Best Actress Oscar nomination, because this is an intense, impassioned, career-defining portrayal. Even when the feature itself becomes unfocused, including through Daniels' erratic stylistic flourishes, Day is simply mesmerising. She sings Holiday's songs flawlessly, and she also conveys the lifetime of struggle that lingers behind every word. She mirrors the star's presence, too; when she's centre stage, or placed in the centre of cinematographer Andrew Dunn's (The Children Act) frame, everything else seems to fade away. Day's rendition of 'Strange Fruit' isn't easily forgotten, fittingly; however, neither is anything about her performance. The raspiness of her voice expresses Holiday's pain, even when just uttering a single word. The fixed gaze her character continually directs Fletcher's way manages to be equally withering and melting, and the complicated rapport she shares with the also-excellent Rhodes makes for many of the movie's best moments. But if Day constantly vividly and memorably honours the woman she's playing — and she does, especially when she's belting out her songs — The United States vs Billie Holiday can't always claim to do the same. No one's life story should feel like it's ticking boxes, and Holiday's certainly didn't, but Daniels seems to forget that more often than anyone should. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGLmTd8q3Ec Image: Takashi Seida.
It's times like these that you can add a big summer gig to your diary, with Foo Fighters coming to Sydney in December. The Dave Grohl-fronted rockers will embark on their first headline tour of Australia since 2018. It's also their first visit Down Under since drummer Taylor Hawkins passed away in March 2022. Foo Fighters were last in Australia that same month and year, playing a huge Geelong show to help launch Victoria's post-COVID-19 lockdowns live music program. The band unsurprisingly took a break from touring after Hawkins' death, only returning to live gigs in 2023. In Sydney, they're headed to Accor Stadium on Saturday, December 9 with The Chats and Hot Milk in support — and more tickets are going on sale at 3pm AEDT on Friday, October 13. [caption id="attachment_903613" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Scarlet Page[/caption] Picking up the sticks: ex-The Vandals, Devo, Guns N' Roses and A Perfect Circle drummer Josh Freese, taking on the likely-daunting task of being the touring drummer in a band led by Nirvana drummer Grohl. Freese's stint with the band was announced in May, ahead of their first tour dates. When they hit our shores, the new-look Foo Fighters will weave in tunes from their new record But Here We Are, which released in June. Of course, all the hits from across their career will get a whirl, with their current setlist including everything from 'This Is a Call', 'Big Me' and 'Monkey Wrench' through to 'Learn to Fly', 'The Pretender' and 'Best of You'. And, yes, 'Everlong', because it wouldn't be a Foo Fighters show without it. 'I'll Stick Around', which is also on the list, isn't just a song title from the group's first album. Given that their new tour comes 28 years after that debut release in 1995, it perfectly sums up Foo Fighters' longevity. Over the years, they've made it Down Under a heap of times, released 11 studio albums including the just-dropped But Here We Are, and made 2022 horror movie Studio 666. [caption id="attachment_903619" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mr Rossi vi Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Top image: Jo via Wikimedia Commons.
Among the many challenges that Australians have faced over the past year, our love of travel has been hit hard. Domestic border restrictions keep changing with frequency in response to new cases and clusters in different states, meaning that planning a holiday beyond your own city has been more than a little tricky. This was particularly true over Christmas and NYE, when an outbreak on Sydney's northern beaches saw many states quickly shut their borders to NSW — including Victoria. On January 1, 2021, Victoria closed its borders to all of NSW. Since then, it has reopened to regional NSW and all but ten Greater Sydney LGAs. From 6pm tonight, Friday, January 22, it's reopening to a further nine Greater Sydney LGAs — which means, only Cumberland will remain a 'red zone'. As part of Victoria's traffic light-style system, travellers from an 'orange zone' — which, from tonight, will include all of Greater Sydney (but Cumberland), Wollongong and the Blue Mountains — can enter Victoria, but they'll need to isolate on arrival and get tested within 72 hours, then when they receive a negative result they're free to leave isolation. They also have to apply for a permit before entry, too — like all Australians. Last week, Victoria introduced compulsory permits for anyone who wants to enter the state. If you try and enter Victoria without a valid permit, you risk being fined $4957. You can apply for one over here. Travellers who have been in the Cumberland LGA in the past 14 days, which is still a 'red zone', cannot enter Victoria. Folks who've been in a 'red zone' can apply to receive an exemption or a specified worker permit. The former covers instances such as emergency relocations, funerals, essential medical care, and people needing to return home for health, wellbeing, care or compassionate reasons. https://twitter.com/VicGovDHHS/status/1348469170472509440 From 6pm tonight, the rest of regional NSW (apart from the aforementioned orange zones) and Greater Brisbane will also be redesignated as 'green zones'. Travellers entering Victoria from a 'green zone' still need to apply for a permit, but do not need to get tested or isolate on arrival, unless they develop symptoms. The loosened border restrictions come as Victoria records its 16th consecutive day of zero new cases of community transmission. Overnight, the state did record one new cases in hotel quarantine. https://twitter.com/VicGovDHHS/status/1352361271946059788 As result of this long run of doughnut days, Premier Daniel Andrews has also announced that from 11.59pm tonight, Friday, January 22, Victoria will revert back to pre-NYE gathering restrictions, which means you are allowed up to 30 visitors at your home, double the current limit of 15. For more information on Victoria's new permit system — or to apply for one — head to the Department of Health and Human Services website.
There are under two months left in the year (???) and before we finally leave 2020 behind us, we've still got the holiday season to look forward to. You might be starting to stress about what to get your relatives, friends or partner this holiday season, but stress no more. Marimekko has organised all of its best homewares, furnishings and clothes into a handy gift guide designed to make purchasing your holiday gifts as easy as possible. The gift guide is organised into six simple categories: under $50, under $150, under $300, clothing, home and bags and accessories. For under $50, you can pick up a variety of mugs, bowls, tea towels and other kitchenware. For under $150, you'll be able to gift a sleek serving plate featuring a leather handle or some of Marimekko's distinct glassware, and, if you're looking to splurge on someone special, the under $300 category features a range of designer clothes including a couple of immensely stylish yet comfortable bathrobes. One highlight of the online gift guide (and Marimekko's new 2020 home collection) is Swedish designer Carina Seth Andersson's new mouth-blown glass candleholders and beloved minimalist vases. The new line of candleholders come in subtle tones of powder pink, green and warm amber. While you're perusing the gift guide, you might find a self-gift and something to spruce up your own household before the end of the year. To check out Marimekko's gift guide and its new 2020 home collection, head to the website. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy.
For those of you who secretly pat yourself on the back with every Facebook notification and retweet, meet your self-esteem boosting sidekicks: Molly and Olly. In case you needed reminding of just how popular you are, these mini robotic siblings are here to stroke your ego by releasing a sweet scent or treat upon every post, mention or retweet received. Created by software developing agency MintDigital, Molly and Olly bring social media interaction to another level. Once plugged into your computer, adorable Olly may be synced with any online network. When you receive a comment or a post, Olly will release a scent into the room; the more online notifications, the more aromatic your room. Molly, the slightly larger of the two, may similarly be synced to any network of your choosing. Instead of dispensing scents to congratulate you on a notification, however, this robot will give you your sugar fix by dispensing an edible treat. Social networking success never tasted (or smelled) so sweet. [via That's Like, Whoa!]
We all have a family story to tell, but we can't all tell it like Sarah Polley. The actor known for such films as Dawn of the Dead and Splice and director of quietly acclaimed features Take This Waltz and Away From Her has turned her hand to documentary with Stories We Tell, and it's been demanding attention from festival audiences around the world. Unfortunately, it's one of those films that it's best to know as little of as possible when you go in, so this is going to be a short article. Suffice to say, Polley's primary interest is her mother, Diane Polley, an actress and extrovert who relished the escape from home life that came with roles on the stage. She died in 1990, when Sarah was 11, leaving behind a web of secrets that lay hidden for many years — until her daughter grew up and started to pull at the threads. Polley has a great cast of characters in her life to work with (every member of her family is interviewed), but the magic of this movie is ultimately in her storytelling. It's wittily edited, warm and makes some rather uncanny use of Super 8. The result is probably the most enthralling and entertaining family memoir around. Stories We Tell is in cinemas on September 26. Thanks to Palace Films, we have ten double advance screening passes to give away, valid from September 13-22. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email hello@concreteplayground.com.au with your name and address.
First came 2018's The Haunting of Hill House. Then, in 2020, The Haunting of Bly Manor arrived. 2021 had Midnight Mass and 2022 dropped The Midnight Club. Spring scares just as Halloween approaches and new Mike Flanagan-created Netflix series just keep going hand in hand, it seems. The Fall of the House of Usher is set to keep the trend going — and serve up another unsettling streaming show from the filmmaker also behind Oculus, Hush, Ouija: Origin of Evil, Gerald's Game and Doctor Sleep. This time, Flanagan is taking inspiration from none other than iconic horror author Edgar Allan Poe, with The Fall of the House of Usher sharing its name with one of the writer's short stories from back in 1840. On the page, the tale steps into the lives of the Usher family — and on the screen, that's Flanagan's approach as well. He's drawing upon Poe's works more broadly, however, while sticking with the killer The Fall of the House of Usher moniker. As the just-released first trailer for the series makes plain — with the sneak peek dropping ahead of the eight-episode show's Thursday, October 12 arrival — there's a touch of Succession to The Fall of the House of Usher as a miniseries as well. The Ushers are wealthy and powerful. Roderick Usher (Bruce Greenwood, The Resident) has children who think they should go next at running the family business. Of course, Succession didn't then start offing said heirs in creepy, eerie and downright gory ways, as happens here. What's the CEO of pharmaceutical company, and a shady one at that, to do when a strange woman starts getting murderous with his own flesh and blood? That's this series — which, based on the trailer, isn't afraid to get unhinged. As well as horror in general and his recent spate of spooky Netflix efforts, Flanagan is known for bringing back his go-to actors again and again. Greenwood was in both Gerald's Game and The Haunting of Hill House, while Carla Gugino (Gerald's Game, The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor, Midnight Mass), Henry Thomas (Ouija: Origin of Evil, Doctor Sleep, The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor, Midnight Mass, The Midnight Club), Carl Lumbly (Doctor Sleep), T'Nia Miller (The Haunting of Bly Manor), Rahul Kohli (The Haunting of Bly Manor, Midnight Mass, The Midnight Club) and Samantha Sloyan (Hush, The Haunting of Hill House, Midnight Madness) are among the talents that've all stepped in front of the filmmaker's camera before. The Fall of the House of Usher also stars Star Wars legend Mark Hamill — and also Mary McDonnell (Veronica Mars) as Madeline Usher, Roderick's twin sister. Check out the trailer for The Fall of the House of Usher below: The Fall of the House of Usher streams via Netflix from Thursday, October 12. Images: Eike Schroter / Netflix.
Woolloomooloo's favourite craft beer basement, The Old Growler, has announced a brand spanking new menu and entertainment lineup launching in February. Newly appointed chef Chris Hulm has joined forces with head chef Alexander Watts to whip up food offerings designed to complement the venue's pared-back vibe. Meat lovers will be pleased by pub food like fried chicken wings with lime and aioli and grass fed beef burgers alongside a few fancier options like hickory smoked pork belly with apple, fennel, dates and candied walnuts. It goes without saying that a craft beer or two is the perfect accompaniment to any dish, with a weekly rotation of beers from local craft breweries on offer. Live music will also be a feature, from blues to funk to gypsy jazz. Venue owner Jack Brown says, "We really feel we've identified what the locals in the area want and need after trading and collating their feedback for over a year." One of the really positive forces in the culture of Kings Cross, Old Growler has an atmosphere that's part Italian trattoria, part industrial saloon, part inviting cave. Its focus on sustainability and local community makes it a place we'll always come back to. Thanks to the Old Growler, we have two $50 food and drink vouchers to give away. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au with your name and address.
Sydney Theatre Company artistic directors Cate Blanchett and Andrew Upton have taken inspiration from movies, novels, the preoccupations of the world and the ingenuity of local artists to create a 2012 season where you can see My Fair Lady with an Aussie soap star in place of Audrey, commune with the numerous townsfolk of Dylan Thomas's literary Llareggub and lose yourself in a magic realist world freshly sown by Tim Winton. If there's a centrepiece, it may be Never Did Me Any Harm, a new Australian work by Kate Champion and her physical theatre company, Force Majeure. Bouncing off Christos Tsiolkas's The Slap and the abundance of opinions everyone has on parenting, it promises to visit Australian suburbia, and it might not be the most polite houseguest. Unmissable and alliterative directors Simon Stone (The Wild Duck, Baal) and Sam Strong (Speaking in Tongues) each helm a play: Stone Face to Face, a co-adaptation with Upton from the classic Ingmar Bergman film about the nightmares that come to intrude upon a woman's life; and Strong Les Liaisons Dangereuses, which casts Hugo Weaving and Pamela Rabe as its manipulative, feuding Marquise and Vicomte (yes, this story was once incarnated as Cruel Intentions). Following in the footsteps of the phenomenal August: Osage County and Terminus, the international slot in 2012 will be filled by Edinburgh's Traverse Theatre with their Midsummer (a play with songs), apparently a romantic comedy you can enjoy without irony or shame. Outside the main stage program, there's also an all-male Pirates of Penzance and a new collaboration from Ontroerend Goed (Once and for all we’re gonna tell you who we are so shut up and listen) and STC's Residents to look forward to. Check out the full program at the STC website.
FOMO — Australia's clash-free, one-day summer festival — is back for a fifth year. This year, it's making its return to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, and it has just dropped its full lineup. Texas-via-California rap collective Brockhampton is the first of multiple international acts to be announced for the event, which has previously hosted the likes of Nicki Minaj, Post Malone and Kali Uchis. Led by Kevin Abstract, and formed through an online forum, Brockhampton is a modern day boyband made up of rappers, directors, photographers, engineers, producers, graphic designers and DJs. The group last performed here in 2018, touring the country with Listen Out festival. [caption id="attachment_724680" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brockhampton[/caption] Joining Brockhampton will be Canadian producer Kaytranada, who's set to drop a new album before heading down under, and US rapper Lizzo, who'll be bringing her catchy hits 'Juice' and 'Truth Hurts' — as well as other bangers off her just-released album Cuz I Love You — to Aus for the first time ever in January. Other big names on the lineup include French singer Madeon, UK rapper Octavian and, from the local contingent, hip-hop artist Chillinit and Sydney producer Ninajirachi. While we've just hit winter here in Aus, we've also just hit festival announcement season, so expect a heap more summer music events to drop their lineups in the upcoming weeks — Spilt Milk and Grapevine Gathering have already dropped theirs, too. FOMO 2020 LINEUP Brockhampton Kaytranada Lizzo Madeon Jax Jones Octavian Rico Nasty Meduza Chillinit Whipped Cream Dombresky Ninajirachi Plus triple j Unearthed and local artists TBA FOMO 2020 DATES Saturday, January 4 — Brisbane Showgrounds, Brisbane Sunday, January 5 — Elder Park, Adelaide Saturday, January 11 — Parramatta Park, Sydney Sunday, January 12 — Melbourne Showgrounds, Melbourne FOMO will take place in January 2020. Pre-sale tickets are available from 9am on Wednesday, July 3 — you can sign-up for those here. GA Tickets will drop at 9am on Monday, July 8. Top images: Jordan Munns. Updated July 1.
Vivid is not something you should do on an empty stomach. If you're at could-eat stage before you embark on your citywide tour of Sydney's biggest light installation, then you're sure to surpass cranky-starving-sore feet stage by the time you're done. Luckily, the good folks at Westfield Sydney are staying open late Thursday to Saturday during the festival with a food court full of food and seats to let you rest your weary legs. So in between catching a gig at the Opera House, completing the Light Walk or partying with Björk, you can pop into the Pitt Street shopping centre for some dumplings at Din Tai Fung or New Shanghai, smash a bowl of ramen at Ippudo, snack on pork buns at Tim Ho Wan or grab a rice bowl to go from Rice Workshop. On levels five and six, Westfield Sydney will also have an enchanted forest light installation set up. Out in Pitt Street Mall, they'll also have a 3D sculpture in the shape of a sodium chloride crystal. Named True Life, the installation will be lit up with images of larvae and coral cells as seen under a lens in real time, giving you an insight into what true life consists of. From a practical standpoint, Westfield Sydney is also offering valet parking throughout the festival. Something to keep in mind when you're circling the city trying to find a park. You can access it via 135 King Street, Sydney.
As the slow TV trend has already taught us, staring at one gradually moving sight for an extended period can be extremely relaxing. As anyone who has ever visited an aquarium or had their own fish tank knows, watching sea creatures swim around also fits that description. Combine the two, and you have Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium's pandemic-era online resources: a series of calming videos designed to help Melburnians — and everyone, really — cope with everything that the past 14 months or so has thrown at us. Whether you're a Victorian back in lockdown, or you're located elsewhere throughout the country, we're certain that your day — and your daily routine — could use the kind of splash that only ocean critters can provide. On offer as part of 'Marine Mindfulness' are a range videos split across two sections, spanning guided meditation and slow TV. With the guided meditation clips, you have two choices: peer at luminous jellyfish for ten minutes, or spend six minutes with the creatures in Melbourne Aquarium's 2.2-million-litre oceanarium. Whichever you opt for, you'll also listen to soothing narration which tells you more about the marine life you're looking at. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FBVO7zrVZg&feature=emb_logo Prefer just watching and soaking in some peaceful music? The slow TV lineup has you covered. Spend 20 minutes watching the inhabitants of the aquarium's coral atoll, or 13 minutes peering at penguins, lizards, sharks, rays, fish and eels — and a pumpkin treat — last Halloween. There's also a 20-minute look at life in the oceanarium, as well as a 17-minute clownfish video. Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium's 'Marine Mindfulness' videos are available to view online. This article was first published on April 22, 2020, and was updated on May 29, 2021 with the most up-to-date information.
Sometimes ice cream speaks louder than words. And on the topic of marriage equality, where words of support from 72 percent of Australians hasn't made much of an impact on policy makers, making a statement with frozen dessert is worth a shot. That's what Ben & Jerry's are doing with their latest push in the campaign for Australian marriage equality. They've partnered with The Equality Campaign (formerly Australian Marriage Equality) to ban punters ordering two scoops of the same flavour in their Australian stores until marriage equality is achieved. That's right: no more double scoops of New York Super Fudge Chunk. Using its scoops as a symbol, the ice cream giant is also offering an in-store postal service across their 26 stores nationwide, allowing patrons to write a message in support of marriage equality to their MP — these will then be hand-delivered by the Ben & Jerry's team. The in-store service will only be available from May 22 through June 9, but you can also have your message faxed to your local MP through The Equality Campaign website, which directs you to your specific MP by area code. This small, yet timely move is made in advance of the next parliamentary sitting on June 13 and is meant to keep marriage equality at the forefront of parliamentary debate and make it easier for Aussies to communicate their support of LGBTQI+ rights to the government. The Ben & Jerry's brand has a history of commitment to social justice and has been particularly focused on marriage equality in recent years, notably with their 2013 launch of the I Dough, I Dough ice cream flavour and campaign. The flavour will be back in stores this month to further hit the message home — but only one scoop at a time. The debate around marriage equality has continues to garner support from big brands, with Airbnb's 'incomplete' rings, Skyy Vodka's Cheers to Equality campaign and Qantas CEO Alan Joyce confirming the airline's support of the issue. And, on the opposite side of the equation, let's not forget the consumer boycott against Coopers after The Bible Society released a tone-deaf video trivialising marriage equality. Maybe losing the freedom to choose our own ice cream flavours will force some policy makers to spring into action. The Ben & Jerry's same-flavour ban will be instated across their 26 Australian stores. You can drop off a letter to your local MP at your nearest store until June 9 or send it over via The Equality Campaign website.
'May you live in interesting times.' Ancient Chinese curse Interesting times indeed. As the world collectively bites its nails while watching the US government sink, literally by the second, further and further into unfathomable debt, Apple is doing OK. Really OK, in fact. Latest figures show that while the US government has an operating cash balance of US$73.7 billion dollars (they are currently spending 200 billion dollars more a month than they are collecting), Apple has US$76.4 billion in its piggy bank. That's right — Apple officially has more money than the US government. Apple's success is mostly due to their recent iPhone sales, with an estimated 20 million units shipped in the last quarter. As the US government is estimated to finish the year with a US$15 trillion debt, Apple predicts to be bringing in about 25 billion dollars. So while there may be no government money to pay for pensions, schools and hospital, you can rest assured that we will still be able to text. And if you want to get your head around just how much a 15 trillion dollars is but find the endless zeros confusing, these visuals should help. We'll never think about the Statue of Liberty in quite the same way again.
Ridley Scott directs an all-star cast in The Counselor, the first original screenplay from Cormac McCarthy. Fans of the gritty, unflinching writing behind The Road will definitely want to check out this soon-to-be released drama-thriller. It stars man of the moment Michael Fassbender (currently generating praise for his turn in 12 Years a Slave) as a hotshot lawyer who gets involved in the dangerous world of drug trafficking and, quelle surprise, throws his near-perfect life (good job, beautiful fiance) into chaos. It's worth seeing for Javier Bardem alone, who demonstrates yet again just how well he can play the bad guy and rock an unsettling hairstyle. Although his 'do this time round doesn't quite live up to his No Country for Old Men coiffure in the creep-o-metre stakes. There are also performances from Penelope Cruz, Brad Pitt and Cameron Diaz in a surprisingly hard-edged role that looks set to showcase her dramatic range outside of comedy. The Counsellor is in cinemas on November 7, and thanks to Twentieth Century Fox, we have ten double in-season passes per state to give away. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email us with your name and address. Sydney: win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au Melbourne: win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au Brisbane: win.brisbane@concreteplayground.com.au
Earlier this week, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) continued its court battle versus Apple; the controversy has been waging since the March release of Apple's latest iPad. Despite product advertising that markets the new iPad as equipped with "Wi-Fi + 4G", it has proven incompatible with Australia's 4G network. As such, the ACCC has asserted that Apple is currently engaging in false marketing and should change the title of the iPad (formally known as the iPad/4G) when it is sold locally. According to the SMH, Apple and the ACCC met on April 16 in Sydney at a mediation session which resulted in "no resolution". The pair were set to meet later that day in Melbourne for a directions hearing to determine the course of action going forward. As of right now, Apple has agreed to refund Australian customers who bought the new iPad under the illusion that they could utilise its 4G network. The company has also posted signage is stores where the device is sold to warn customers of its lack of 4G. The ACCC, however, is still pushing for an official device name change. This case could prove monumental to Apple, the technology company giant which has established a remarkably reputable name for itself. Not only will a court case loss force Apple to admit the shortcomings of one of its most-prized products, but it may set a precedent for how Apple markets is products in different parts of the globe. Already, in the UK, the advertising standards group ASA has begun exploring similar consumer complaints regarding the iPad's 4G capabilities. https://youtube.com/watch?v=BqbRxoF-Oc4
Where: Numerous venues around Sydney When: January 8-30, 2012 (tickets on sale November 9) Web: www.sydneyfestival.org.au The reinvigorated Sydney Festival has completely transformed our city in summer (note the flagpoles which every year proclaim just that) and it’s made Sydney a truly amazing place to be in January. The whole city is turned into a summer wonderland, there’s something amazing to do every single night, and people flood The Domain to see sophisticated performances while merrily sipping beer, cider, goon or all three. But mostly what the Sydney Festival does is bring us some truly spectacular performers – Sufjan Stevens, Grizzly Bear, Emmylou Harris, Camera Obscura and this year's headliner, PJ Harvey – whose artistic merit is second only to their ability to entertain. The Sydney Festival now has a total audience of about 1 million, making it the most attended cultural event in Australia. Every year the festival grows and improves, and with the state government recently giving the Festival a heap of cash to extend their program, it makes the prospects for this summer’s partying very exciting indeed. Concrete Playground has compiled a short list of musical, theatrical and artistic must-sees and -dos during Sydney Festival 2012. Click on the images below to read on...
Exercise comes easy in the Harry Potter world. Between playing quidditch, evading dementors, waving wands about, bounding after Hagrid and hunting down horcruxes, Harry, Ron, Hermione and company have plenty of opportunities to get active — even when they're not hopping on a broom or apparating between places. And while the rest of us can't join them, we can imagine otherwise while wearing enchanting activewear. In their latest pop culture-themed range, Brisbane's BlackMilk Clothing is releasing a treasure trove of Harry Potter items for wizarding fans to spend their galleons on. It's the real, official deal, and it's their second HP-centric line this year. But, where their Hogwarts collection included Great Hall and Marauder's Map skater dressers, Daily Prophet leggings and house-themed high-waisted leggings, this time you can get kitted out in Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff or Slytherin tanks, tights and tunics, and pretend you're training for the Triwizard Tournament. A full preview of the 16-piece range is available on the BlackMilk website, with the magical selection going on sale on December 19. If it's a Harry Potter Christmas you're after, it'd make the perfect gift — or something to wear when you're doing Harry Potter yoga, watching the films with a live orchestra, watching The Cursed Child or waiting for the Pokemon Go-like Harry Potter game to come out. For more information about BlackMilk Clothing's Harry Potter activewear range, head to their website.
Fine dining institution Nel restaurant is bringing a whole new world of nostalgia to Sydney, with the return of its Once Upon a Time degustation. The Disney-themed feast was first created by Executive Chef Nelly Robinson — and the third iteration, which was meant to take place in mid-2021 until lockdown hit, is it's most fanciful yet. Available from Tuesday, January 18–Saturday, April 9, the 11-course menu features the 'Hundred Acre Wood', a honey-glazed confit pork belly with a Winnie the Pooh-themed twist — and 'Boo's Best Friend', a white chocolate and mint parfait that's designed to resemble Monster Inc protagonists Mike and Sully. Drifting away from the animated classics, the 'Dead Man's Chest; serves up red squid marinated in spiced beetroot juice and topped with a black garlic emulsion. And if all that isn't enough, you can also opt for a drinks package, which includes paired cocktails and wines for $105. While the menu is inspired by your childhood, you'll need that adult salary to enjoy it, with food setting you back $145 per person. The Once Upon a Time menu is available for dinner Tuesday–Saturday and for lunch on Saturday. [caption id="attachment_816116" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dead Man's Chest[/caption]
Finally we have proof that Hogwarts exists, and it is in the shape of 400,000 Lego blocks. Alice Finch, a mother of two from Seattle who became a Lego aficionado after building blocks with her son, has unveiled her completed scale rendition of Hogwarts, and it is arguably the largest Lego structure built by a single person, measuring 4m in length. This is impressive enough, but when you look inside and uncover the magic of intricately detailed rooms and scenes from the world of Harry Potter, you can see that no block has been left untouched. Finch’s masterpiece took a painstaking 12 months of building, but that time let her perfect her Hogwarts by allowing her to research the books, films, and sets of the magical series to record the finest detail, from moving staircases right down to the old-fashioned slide projector in Lupin's Defence Against the Dark Arts class. This effort has not gone unrecognised either, with Finch taking home both the People's Choice and Best in Show Awards at Brick-Con 2012 — two awards much deserved for continuing the magic that J.K. Rowling first started more than 15 years ago. And why did she do it? "I wanted my kids to be able to play in all the spaces where the story takes place," she told Brick Brothers. You may not be able to play with your own giant Hogwarts, but you can visit Alice's by looking through the Mirror of Erised (your computer screen) at her photoset here. We've picked out a few of the best pictures below. Hogwarts exterior Feasting in the Great Hall. Durmstrang students enter Hogwarts Potions class Gryffindor noticeboard Gryffindor common room The greenhouses Astronomy towers and Ravenclaw
