Taking weight from the claim that there’s now so much music out there it’s impossible to unearth the good stuff is UK producer Fantastic Mr Fox, who has managed to carve out a relatively successful career despite his name being decidedly Soundcloud-unfriendly thanks to the soundtrack from a 2009 stop-motion animation by one Wes Anderson. Fantastic Mr Fox the beat maker has been producing since the age of 14, long before Boggis, Bunce and Bean made it to the movies, but if eight-year-olds were into genre-bending electronica his stuff could be perfectly congruous with anthropomorphic farm animals and their late night shenanigans. The sinister intro to ‘Pascal’s Chorus’? Mr. Fox creeping around in the moonlight. That same track’s escalation to frenzied grime-tinged house? The post-thievery dash back to his hole. The warbling ‘Yesterday’s Fall’? Probably the part where he gets his tail shot off. Anyway, with props being received from the likes of The XX, James Blake, Jamie XX and Bjork, he’s not called Fantastic for nothing. Support on the night comes from Low Motion on Sunset's Preacha and Max Gosfod, plus the FBi Sunset DJ's Kato and Bad Ezzy.
Do you have the time to listen to Green Day live? Do you now have 'Basket Case' from the California-born band's iconic 1994 album Dookie stuck in your head? To celebrate three decades since releasing one of the records that defined the 90s, Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt and Tré Cool are returning to Australia to play it in its entirety — and to also bust out their American Idiot album from 2004 in full as well. If you're a Green Day fan, welcome to paradise come Monday, March 3, 2025, when the band will hit up Engie Stadium in Sydney. We hope you have the time of your life getting a blast of 90s and 00s nostalgia, complete with 'When I Come Around', 'Longview', 'She', 'Boulevard of Broken Dreams', 'Wake Me Up When September Ends', 'Holiday' and, yes, 'American Idiot' echoing. [caption id="attachment_972774" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Alice Baxley, Apple Music[/caption] While the visit is part of the group's global The Saviors Tour, which is named for their 14th studio album Saviors, they're clearly happy to keep working through their best-known tunes — and, while they aren't on either Dookie or American Idiot, 'Minority', 'Brain Stew' and 'Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)' have been on Green Day's recent setlist overseas. In support, also bringing the 90s and 00s to mind, fellow California-born group AFI will share the stage on Green Day's 2025 Aussie tour. [caption id="attachment_972777" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Raph_PH via Flickr.[/caption] Top images: Raph_PH via Flickr, Alice Baxley.
Whether you loved it or loathed it, high school definitely left its mark. From the hormones to the house parties, everyone is guaranteed to have a horror story or two, which makes you wonder just how filmmaker Ben C. Lucas fared on the playground, for his striking debut Wasted on the Young sure doesn’t pull any punches. Polished to a high gloss befitting Hollywood, Lucas has further borrowed a few well-trodden tropes from the high school movie catalogue, with an added Australian twist: the jocks all hark from the swim team, and everyone is kitted out in school uniforms (keep an eye out for the school bags with airplane belt buckle straps). But hierarchy and bullying, it seems, are universal, as Lucas navigates these treacherous waters with a coolly detached but discerning eye. The reigning king of the high school is swim team captain Zack (Alex Russell), who has a particularly nasty thug of a 2IC (T.J. Power) as well as a newly minted stepbrother Darren (Oliver Ackland), who proves useful for little more than homework assignments. But when Darren takes a shine to super cute Xandrie (Adelaide Clemens), Zack takes the opportunity to show them both their place in the pecking order. Xandrie is assaulted then essentially excommunicated from school society, and in this social wasteland she and Darren unite to contemplate morality, and revenge. Part romantic tragedy, part ruthless thriller, Wasted on the Young is an impressive but ultimately unsettling cinematic experience. Lucas, his cinematographer Dan Freene and production designer Sam Hobbs have crafted a seriously good looking specimen, while editor Leanne Cole works with Lucas’ script to work up some sharp and confounding temporal elisions. Similarly, the young cast put up impressive performances, with Ackland a fittingly effacing teen pushed to the edge and Power an amped up borderline sadist. With a rather flat affect, Russell is probably the weakest link, but Clemens is a real find, as her sweetness turns steely with scene-stealing results. In a film cleverly devoid of adults, the students of Wasted on the Young wreak enough havoc to start some high school worthy gossip. The problem is, these shenanigans cross some controversial boundaries, namely the massacres of Columbine and Virginia Tech, both of which are directly referenced en route to the revenge scenario. This distinctly muddies the film’s moral waters, which may well poison the viewing for some, or perhaps just seem disquietingly exploitative. Either way, this stylishly provocative film will get you talking, but hopefully not taking a similar trip down memory lane.
If you haven't heard of Fairgrounds — Australia's newest boutique music festival — consider this your introduction. A brand new addition to the summer festival season, the festival is sporting a mini-Meredith lineup, an outdoor cinema and an independent record market in one of Australia's prettiest coastal towns, Berry. And it's on this weekend. Taking cues from the always great Meredith lineup, Fairgrounds' folk, pop and garage-focused lineup will see LA-based crooner Father John Misty headline, alongside dream pop legends Mercury Rev, San Francisco's quirky characters Unknown Mortal Orchestra, folk-rocker Jessica Pratt, Sydney's immortal Royal Headache and the gospel dancehall blues of C.W. Stoneking. And in a much welcomed announcement, Brooklyn glitchy duo RATATAT will be along for the ride as well. It's been a long five years since RATATAT brought us some new music, so it's just as well that Magnifique completely lives up to its name. Brooklynites Mike Stroud and Evan Mast have returned to their guitar-driven, electronic rock music roots and the results have been well-received by fans and critics alike. Ratatat are on their way down to Oz for a slew of festival spots and sideshows, so we asked Evan Mast about the new album, their crazy live visuals, and just where the hell is Nightclub Amnesia? How was the writing process different for your latest album, Magnifique, than your last record, LP4? Well, it was much more broken up. We did a lot of different recording sessions over several years in different places. We were at a point where we wanted to take a substantial break from making records and touring those records. We had kind of a hiatus, not really planned ahead of time. It sort of just happened. Magnifique was recorded in Long Island, Brooklyn and Jamaica — what was the benefit of the change of scene? You just get inspired by new places, it's just exciting to be in a new spot. Anything can trigger new ideas when you find yourself in a new environment — you just end up feeling more creative. Do you think it lends itself to more opportunities to be inspired by things you wouldn't usually experience? Yeah, and it's more fun! The reason we went to Jamaica is because I think it was January (in the USA) and we wanted somewhere warm to record. We used to do a lot of winter recording sessions in Upstate New York, and it was just brutal at that time of year. There is certainly a return to a more guitar-focused sound on Magnifique, something similar to Classics. What drew you back to this? Our two previous records, LP3 and LP4 we did in a studio in Upstate New York, and the studio had collected tonnes of different keyboards and drums and all kinds of things. That was our first time being in an environment like that, with all this studio equipment that we had never used before. The most exciting thing to do with those records was to experiment with all these different sounds. We did two albums like that, then the pendulum swung the other way. We simplified some aspects of the music, which kind of made the songwriting more complicated. I heard something like 50 tracks ended up on the cutting room floor in creating Magnifique. Could these tracks be revisited later? I'm not really sure. There’s some tracks that I still feel a little bit attached to, even if they weren't right for the record. But usually when we get together to work on a new album it's much more exciting to start something fresh. I get that. So one of the tracks on your new album is called 'Nightclub Amnesia'. Where is this place? Have you partied there? [laughs] Well the sign that's on the single cover is in Costa Rica — but I think I drove by the place and it was burned down or a field now. I don’t think it exists anymore! For your video clip for 'Abrasive', you drew 4000 pictures to make the animations. What inspired you to do that? I had this idea in the back of my head to do some hand drawn animation for a while and I just started experimenting with it and doing rotoscoping. I did one or two of the individual clips and it took all day, and I thought, "there's no way I can actually get into this, it's too time consuming". But then it became this obsessive thing to go through, and I found myself going back and doing more. It took about 2-3 months to do the whole video. You also drew all the faces for the cover of Magnifique. What's the story there? We [Mast and bandmate Mike Stroud] have both always liked drawing, and there was one trip in particular when we were recording in Long Island and we just got really into it. We'd work on our music during the day and at night we'd sit around and do drawings, flicking through magazines and newspapers and find faces to draw. Just for fun. Your latest live show is big on the projections and lasers. How do you come up with the visual concepts for the live show? The show we have now is a combination of a lot of things we've been working on since we started the band. It has increased in complexity, so now it's got a pretty intense lighting element to it, lots of lasers and several channels of video happening. We always wanted to make the show hypervisual, something to accompany the music. It's probably because we don't have a singer — usually when you go to a show everyone watches the singer, so we wanted to put something on the stage to fill that space. From your catalogue of albums, which ones are the most fun to play live? The new one is really fun to play live, and so is Classics. They are both more guitar-focused, but they were probably the two most difficult albums to make! Do you think we will need to wait another five years for the next album? Or is it something you've even begun to think about? We haven't really made any concrete plans yet. I think we're both really eager to get back in the studio, but I can’t really make any promises! I hope it comes a lot sooner though.
Want to experience a slice of Jamaica in Sydney? Either way, there's a rum-fuelled adventure happening in Sydney over November and December you should lock into your diary. Fine purveyors and makers of rum for over 265 years, Appleton Estate have launched The Appleton Trail in Sydney, three weekends of rum-tasting, storytelling and celebration of Jamaica's long-loved spirit. After Paddington's Village Inn and Kings Cross's Sweethearts Rooftop Barbecue, the final stop of The Appleton Trail will be at Taylor’s Rooftop, located above the Republic Hotel in CBD. Like the other stops on the Trail, expect a Jamaican-themed pop-up hideaway with reggae tunes, specially-created rum cocktails, paired with Jamaican food, and hosted by a Jamaican dancer — all to make you feel like you’re finally on that well-deserved island holiday. You'll be able to try the Appleton Estate Signature Blend – the original Appleton Estate rum — alongside the Reserve Blend, Rare Blend 12 Year Old, 21 Year Old Jamaica Rum and 50 Year Old Jamaica Rum – the world’s oldest barrel-aged rum. Plus, Appleton have taken it upon themselves to create four signature cocktails for the event. If you’re looking for something to take a the sting out of a little too much sun, try the From Jamaica With Love, comprised of Appleton Estate Signature Blend, passionfruit, fresh citrus and pineapple. If you love a good Dark 'n' Stormy, try the Appleton rendition, the Jamaican Stormy (Appleton Estate Signature Blend, fresh lime and ginger beer). As well as the cocktails, Taylor’s will also have some additions to their menu just for the occasion — think jerk chicken pineapple salsa and jerk prawns for those looking for a jerk-fuelled feast. What better way to celebrate the first weekend of summer with a rum cocktail, jerk chicken and Jamaican beats as the sun sets over Sydney's CBD?
Christmas markets are always excellent for those of us who tend to leave gift purchasing until the last minute — and, thankfully, Etsy is setting up their markets all over Australia in the final weekend of November. Etsy Made Local is a grassroots initiative that celebrates crafters, collectors and artisans in local communities, and provides them with the opportunity to sell their creations both online and in a physical space. So whether you're on the hunt for handmade wares or vintage goods, these guys have got you covered. The markets will be held in Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra. Because each market focuses on the best local talent, each market will be filled with different stallholders and unique creations. Supporting creative small businesses and scoring a killer Christmas gift is a win for everyone involved, so head to the Seymour Centre on Saturday, November 28 and get your festive shopping done early, for once.
Is the story of the Presley family angling for a trilogy, each with a different cast, different acclaimed filmmaker at the helm and different person in the spotlight? After Baz Luhrmann's Elvis in 2022 and now the upcoming Priscilla by Sofia Coppola, that idea is two-thirds of the way there. Whether there'll also be a Lisa Marie movie is yet to be seen, but Coppola's take on the famous music name — which has A24 behind it — has just dropped its first teaser trailer. Coppola reteams with the coveted American distributor after The Bling Ring and On the Rocks to adapt Elvis and Me, Priscilla Presley's 1985 memoir that was co-written with Sandra Harmon. This isn't the first time that the book has hit the screen thanks to a 1988 TV movie, but it clearly has its namesake's approval given that she's one of the film's executive producers. (Another: Coppola's brother Roman.) The focus: the tale from when a teenage Priscilla Beaulieu met rock 'n' roll superstar Elvis Presley at a party, following their courtship and marriage. It's a well-told affair both on-screen and in the media, taking the couple from a a German army base to Graceland, with Coppola's version seeing its ups and downs — thrills and struggles, too — through Priscilla's rather than her hip-swinging husband's eyes. Playing the rock 'n' roll couple, thank you very much: Mare of Easttown, Devs, On the Basis of Sex, Bad Times at the El Royale and Pacific Rim: Uprising actor Cailee Spaeny as Priscilla, plus Australian Euphoria and The Kissing Booth star Jacob Elordi as Elvis. The first sneak peek at Priscilla teases its eponymous figure's well-known look, first moments with Elvis, arrival at Graceland, wedding, pregnancy and being a mother to Lisa Marie. Elvis' music stardom also features, including the singer at the piano, onstage and being snapped by photographers. Coppola writes and directs Priscilla, making her first film since 2020's On the Rocks, while Succession and Hello Tomorrow!'s Dagmara Dominczyk also stars. The movie is due in US cinemas in October, with release details Down Under yet to be announced. Check out the trailer for Priscilla below: Priscilla doesn't yet have a release date Down Under — we'll update you when one is announced.
Indulgence is an entire weekend dedicated to chocolate, and sometimes, that happens outside your own lounge room. Sydney's two-day chocolate extravaganza, the Smooth Festival of Chocolate, returns for 2017 with a weekend live demonstrations, specially crafted desserts and large-scale chocolate sculptures. Taking over the sidewalks, lawns and streets of The Rocks beside Circular Quay, the festival will bring together over 100 artisan chocolatiers, pastry chefs and ice creameries for a celebration of all things chocolate. Local favourites Gelato Messina and Black Star Pastry will be serving up their best, while the folks at Mr Black will host a pop-up espresso martini bar serving Espresso Jar-Tinis topped with Nutie doughnuts. There'll be a 'jungle' created entirely of chocolate, thanks to Josophan's Fine Chocolate, and chocolate beer, as well as Domuts for your furry friends. Chocoholics, expect a sweet weekend of decadence Willy Wonka himself would approve of.
One of Sydney's venues is going green this summer, celebrating a big pop-culture phenomenon that's still getting plenty of affection two decades after it first hit. Yes, after all this time, everyone still loves animated favourite Shrek. So, Oxford Art Factory is hosting the ultimate Shrek party for adults: Shrek Rave. Rediscover why it really isn't easy being an ogre while listening to a Shrek DJ set, and joining in on a Smash Mouth sing-along. Still remember the words to the band's version of 'I'm a Believer'? Of course you do, and you have the song stuck in your head right now. Also part of the fun: Shrek-themed drink specials including Shrek Juice, Donkey Drank and Farquaad Fizz; free green glow sticks; an all-green dress code (obviously); a free green glitter bar; and a prize for best Shrek-inspired outfit. Here, all that glitters is indeed gold — and green — with the party happening from 9pm on Saturday, January 14. Tickets cost $30.19 per person. And yes, there's an earlier event in November, but it has already sold out because Sydneysiders sure do adore Shrek that much.
Fans of The Handmaid's Tale have had to wait longer than expected for its fourth season, with the dystopian series' next batch of episodes among the many things that were postponed due to the pandemic. But, this coming week, that delay will come to an end — and yes, the word you're looking for is 'finally'. The new season will kick off Down Under on Thursday, April 29, airing weekly on SBS and streaming episodes via SBS On Demand in Australia and Neon in New Zealand. Based on the three trailers so far — a first teaser last year, a second glimpse early in 2021 and a third back in March — you can expect your anxiety levels to ramp up several notches while you're watching. Of course, viewing The Handmaid's Tale has never been a stress-free experience. Given its storyline, that was always going to be absolutely impossible. As seen in the sneak peeks so far, season four will see June (Elisabeth Moss, The Invisible Man) still battling against Gilead after season three's cliffhanger ending. In fact, after everything that the oppressive regime has done to her and her loved ones — and the ways in which it has changed life for women in general — she's firmly out for justice and revenge. That'll involve taking new risks, but that's what a rebel leader has to do, even if it threatens the relationships that she holds dear. So, that's what you'll be seeing play out on-screen when the new season hits. Fans will be watching where the show's narrative heads for some time to come, too, with a fifth season of The Handmaid's Tale green-lit before the fourth even airs. Toppling a totalitarian society that's taken over the former United States, tearing down its oppression of women under the guise of 'traditional values', and fighting for freedom and equality doesn't happen quickly, after all. Neither does exploring the tale initially started in Margaret Atwood's 1985 book via an award-winning TV series. Check out the latest season four trailer below: The fourth season of The Handmaid's Tale will hit start airing in Australia and New Zealand on Thursday, April 29 — on SBS TV, and to stream via SBS On Demand and Neon, with new episodes arriving weekly.
When you're after a truly special keepsake, this fine jeweller is the prime place to hit. Founded in 2015 by Russian-born, Sydney-based Alina Barlow, Alinka's pieces incorporate timeless diamonds with minimalistic-yet-playful designs, all made with 18-carat white, yellow and rose gold. Necklaces range from diamond-encrusted stars to simple diamond chains, while bracelets are embellished with evil eye motifs. You'll also find a classic tennis bracelets here, plus elegant rings, earrings and ear cuffs.
Fanfare has followed S'WICH wherever it has put down roots in Sydney, with both the 2019 Bellevue Hill pop-up and 2022 Bondi permanent digs seeing lines out the door; with hungry diners hankering for sandwiches, salads and snacks. Now the latest S'WICH venture is set to launch to a similar kind of fervour in the rapidly growing Wunderlich Lane precinct. Surrounded by an emerging dining and cultural scene, it's the ideal spot to call home for the foreseeable future. With an autumn opening on the cards, S'WICH will remain focused on the formula that has helped make its other venues such a success, while exploring ways to elevate its offering amidst a buzzy location. Fans and newcomers alike will find the made-to-order menu perfect for lunch or dinner. Plus, the concept puts on a strong emphasis on sips, with craft beers, natural wines, artisanal sodas and colourful cocktails just some of the refreshments on hand ready to round out your meal. Part of what has made S'WICH a go-to spot is how it effortlessly shifts from day to night. When the sun is up, it's a bright and bubbly space primed for grab-and-go lunches or a salad on your way home from the gym. Yet as the evening approaches, the lights go down and the volume from vinyl tunes gradually rises, as the team digs into crates of LPs searching for just the right house or disco tune to suit the mood. "S'WICH will bring a dynamic, upbeat vibe to Wunderlich Lane, perfectly complementing the other operators in the precinct," said co-owner, Jay Fink. "Our 1980s hi-fi sound system will fill the space with genre-defying music that doesn't just sound great, but feels great too." Just like the Bondi location, S'WICH's menu is designed for flexibility and customisation. The S'WICH Schnit is the go-to option for good reason, featuring pickled red onion, peanut chilli crack and sticky sweet chilli layered on crispy crumbed chicken. The Our Caesar is another stellar choice, as Bannockburn free-range chicken, baby cos, cucumber and avocado are taken to greater heights with parmigiano, jammy egg and garlic bread crumb. With the expansion to Wunderlich Lane, S'WICH will have excellent culinary pals for company. As the likes of Olympus, Island Radio, Saardé, and Regina La Pizzeria have already moved into the precinct, this all-star assortment of foodie destinations means the Redfern dining scene has never been better. To make your visit to S'WICH extra special, keep an eye out for a selection of menu items exclusive to the new location. S'WICH is expected to open at Wunderlich Lane in Redfern this autumn – check back soon for extra details. In the meantime, head to the website to learn more.
First it was clap lights. Then it was Siri. Then Amazon released the Echo, their wireless voice-activated device. Now, Google (in true Google style) has swept in, taken all these ideas, made them better, and announced their plans to release their own voice-controlled speaker and device: Google Home. Announced at Google's I/O developer conference in California last week, Google Home is a device that isn't meant to be a device, as such. You don't swipe it or tap it — it doesn't even have a screen. Basically, it's a really smart small speaker that can both play music and listen to what you're saying. It's got a series of always-listening far-field mics that can hear you from across the room, so you can ask it questions, control your connected devices and play music and video through Chromecast. It also looks like a giant salt shaker. So it'll blend right in to your benchtop (we assume that was Google's thinking). Home will be integrated with Google Assistant, Google's voice technology (and essentially their version of Siri). Assistant will pull info from the Internet to answer your questions — like 'what's the temperature today?' and 'do you love me, Google Assistant?' — and allow you to have two-way convos with an empty room. Apparently 20 percent of all queries on Google's mobile app and Android devices are voice searches so, y'know, it's a thing. Home is essentially the same product as Amazon Echo, but it looks as though Google's voice technology and sound quality could be of a higher calibre. All remains to be seen. There's no date set as to when Google Home will be available to buy, but you can sign up to get updates on the product here. Via The Next Web.
They topped Triple J's Hottest 100 in 2002. They've featured Dave Grohl on drums. Their third studio album Songs for the Death is one of the all-time-great 00s records. They're Queens of the Stone Age, of course, and now they're bringing their latest tour Down Under in 2024, with the band heading our way for the first time in six years. The Josh Homme-fronted group's The End Is Nero tour will be their first trip to Australasia since 2018, and comes after their eighth album In Times New Roman... released in June this year. Homme, Troy Van Leeuwen, Michael Shuman, Dean Fertita and Jon Theodore are giving their latest shows an apocalyptic theme, which fans can look forward to seeing at 11 stops in February and March. [caption id="attachment_923130" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Andreas Neumann[/caption] On the itinerary: kicking off the tour in Perth, then heading to Adelaide, Hobart, Torquay, Melbourne, Sydney, the Gold Coast and Brisbane — plus Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. The Hobart gig will take place on the Mona Lawns, with the date coinciding with Mona Foma 2024 — and yes, they're the Tasmanian fest's first act, with the rest of the event's lineup yet to be revealed. Concertgoers can look forward to a setlist that steps through QOTSA's 27-year history, including their Hottest 100 winner 'No One Knows', plus everything from 'Go with the Flow' and 'Make It Wit Chu' to 'Emotion Sickness' and 'The Lost Art of Keeping a Secret'. In support: Pond and Gut Health on most Australia shows, with The Chats, Spiderbait and Lola Scott joining them in Torquay and on the Gold Coast. In NZ, Pond and Earth Tongue will do the honours. [caption id="attachment_923129" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Wünderbrot via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Queens of the Stone Age formed in Seattle in 1996 after Homme's prior band Kyuss split up, is linked to the Palm Desert music scene and have seven Grammy nominations to their name. Despite the long gap since their last trip Down Under, they're no strangers to playing Australia, including a joint tour with Nine Inch Nails back in 2014. See QOTSA in February after catching Foo Fighters on their November–December Australian and New Zealand tour and you'll have quite the 00s rock experience. QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE 'THE END IS NERO' AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND TOUR 2024: Saturday, February 10 — Red Hill Auditorium, Perth Tuesday, February 13 — The Drive, Adelaide Friday, February 16 — Mona Lawns, Hobart Sunday, February 18 — Lookout, Torquay Common, Torquay Monday, February 19 — Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne Wednesday, February 21 — Hordern Pavilion, Sydney Saturday, February 24 — Lookout, Broadwater Parklands, Gold Coast Sunday, February 25–Monday, February 26 — Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane Thursday, February 29 — Spark Arena, Auckland Friday, March 1 — TSB Arena, Wellington Sunday, March 3 — Wolfbrook Arena, Christchurch Queens of the Stone Age are touring Australia and New Zealand in February and March 2024, with presales from 11am local time on Wednesday, October 25 and general ticket sales from 1pm local time on Monday, October 30 — head to the band's and ticketing websites for more information. Top image: Raph_PH via Wikimedia Commons.
Since 1983, Lucio's has brought together two of the best things in life — Italian food and art — in a beautiful terrace in Paddington. Owner Lucio Galletto OAM says the combination is like the air he breathes. The fare is of the Northern Italian variety, made with fresh, seasonal produce and pasta whipped up on-the-spot daily. To sample as many dishes as possible, go for the six-course degustation, and between the courses of hearty eats, feast your eyes on the stunning Australian artworks covering the walls. They're part of Lucio's private collection, and among them, you'll spot pieces by John Olsen, John Coburn, Tim Storrier, Charles Blackman and loads of others. Some even speculate that Lucio's could be one of the world's best art restaurants, along with New York City's Four Seasons, London's Sketches and Ivy and Provence's La Colombo d'Or. Image: Jesse Jaco.
Imagine if you could get a sneak peek of your next holiday destination before you arrived. No, looking at photos online and scrolling through Instagram doesn't count. Taking the concept of trying before you buy to the travel industry, a company called Navitaire has unveiled what they're calling "the world's first virtual reality travel search and booking experience". Their VR system places would-be jetsetters in a room with a globe, lets them spin away, pick a place somewhere on the planet and then dive right in. After wandering through their chosen location in a virtual sense — spying tourist attractions and seeing the general sights — users can then search for flights, walk through the plane to pick their seat, give a few rental cars a try and purchase their trip, all within the virtual reality realm. Down the track, Navitaire, which is owned by travel technology company Amadeus, hopes that touring and booking hotels, and sharing searching experiences via social media, will also be able to be incorporated into their VR platform. At the moment the project is still in development, with a patent pending. Plenty of other places have combined virtual reality with scoping out ace spots — Qantas has an app that lets you take a virtual tour of Australia, and the Sydney Opera House has their own that peers behind the scenes at the iconic venue — but doing all of that and then locking in a trip straight away might be the future.
Where's the harm in a little fantasy, right? From the creators of the weird and wonderful surrealist productions A Porthole into the Minds of the Vanquished and The Jinglists, and directed by Iain Sinclair, new black comedy thriller The Pork Stiletto delves into the hidden worlds of fetish and internet dating with a murderous twist. Written and performed by Warwick Allsopp and Tamlyn Henderson, the new play from Tamarama Rock Surfers and Garnet Productions tells the story of Emma (Louisa Mignone), an ambitious young psychologist who goes undercover to research the relationship between fantasy and online dating. As Emma and her assistant Damon (Henderson) venture deeper into the strange double lives afforded by the guise of the internet, and fetishes like altocalciphilia (the sexual desire of high heels - meat covered or not), the lines between fantasy and reality begin to blur. Premiering at The Old Fitz Theatre from 19 July to 11 August, Concrete Playground has five pairs of tickets to give away to this tantalising and sinister show. To be in for a chance to win to tickets, make sure you are subscribed to Concrete Playground then email your name and address to hello@concreteplayground.com.au
Television has delivered many great characters over the decades, but Leslie Knope is the best there is. As played to perfection by Amy Poehler, she's the determined, passionate and persistent local government employee and later politician — not to mention a huge fan of waffles and Joe Biden, too — that we all wish really existed. Where The Office turns a regular paper company's operations into must-see comedy, Parks and Recreation weaves the same magic with the titular department in the fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana. Creators Mike Schur and Greg Daniels worked on both shows, but P&R evolves into its own overwhelmingly good-natured, heartwarming, hilarious creation. If you wanted to call it literally the best TV comedy of the 21st century, Chris Traeger-style, we'd wholeheartedly agree with you. And yes, with Nick Offerman, Aubrey Plaza, Chris Pratt, Aziz Ansari, Adam Scott and Rob Lowe among its cast, it's the show that just keeps giving.
Saddle up, folks: Ghost Donkey, the Big Apple's beloved mezcal and Mexican bar, is set to gallop into Australia. The New York-born watering hole will open at Crown Melbourne on Friday, October 20, presenting the city with a rather lovely conundrum: how much mezcal is too much mezcal? Following expansions in Las Vegas, Denver, Phoenix and even across the ditch in New Zealand, Melbourne is the latest outpost for the popular bar. When its doors swing open, expect more than 35 kinds of mezcals and tequilas, served in either handmade copitas (and in generous pours) or shot glasses. Accompanying them will be the sort of fresh seasonal fruit and salts that'll make you wonder why you ever sipped the agave spirit any other way. As for food, expect Mexican but with a Ghost Donkey twist. Think: Baja kingfish tacos with a dash of ponzu and sambal, or perhaps nachos topped with wild mushroom and poblano salsa. And let's not forget the cocktails, because what's a bar without its signature drink? Ghost Donkey will serve its namesake cocktail, aka El Burro Fantasma, in a ceramic donkey cup (yes, really), topped with a zesty mix of fresh flowers — and featuring a blend of Pelotón de la Muerte mezcal and Aperol, plus agave, lime, pink grapefruit and chilli. Ghost Donkey isn't just a catchy name. It's an homage to the actual donkeys of mezcal production. In traditional processes, they lug heavy stones over agave hearts, crushing them pre-fermentation. So the bar isn't just a novelty — it's a celebration of Mexican heritage and tradition, splashed with an unapologetically electric design sure to enthral Melburnians and tourists alike. Whether you're a mezcal fiend, a taco enthusiast or simply looking to dip your hooves into something new, Ghost Donkey promises a dash of New York flair, a generous pour of Mexican tradition and a straight-up good time — all in a Yarraside location. Lovely. Ghost Donkey will open at Riverside at Crown (near Clarendon Street), 8 Whiteman Street, Southbank, on Friday, October 20.
The long-standing and much-loved Newtown branch of Berkelouw Books is set to close in the week commencing September 8. Despite being currently advertised as a "relocation" on the Berkelouw website, the branch is closing down permanently with no set relocation destination at this point in time. Berkelouw Newtown has been a familiar face on the inner-west literary block for many years and even though it survived the Great Gentrification of King Street and Surrounds in the late-noughties, the bookstore has failed to make the cut this financial year and will be shut by early September. As hard as this news is to swallow for bibliophiles everywhere, you will have a chance to pay your final respects at the 'relocation sale', beginning on Saturday, August 17, where you can find up to 50 percent off all new and secondhand books, stationery and gifts. As the store boasts a collection of over 50,000 used and rare books, the sale is a delicious invitation to broaden your belletristic horizons. While the vindictive among us may want to draw a correlation between this unfortunate termination and the sudden meiosis of frozen yoghurt franchises in Newtown recently, it may be comforting to take respite in the ongoing resilience of Gould's, Elizabeth's and Better Read Than Dead. Lest we forget.
Ageing Woody Grant (Bruce Dern) is convinced that he's won a fortune. A piece of junk mail tells him he must travel to Nebraska to collect his million dollars, and he refuses to believe that it might be less than the truth. When his family finally accepts that he's going to go no matter what, they grudgingly agree to accompany him, with his son David (Will Forte) taking him on the trip. Along the way, they encounter family members and old acquaintances, all of whom feel Woody owes them something. Woody's imagined fortune becomes the talk of the town, as old grievances and closeted skeletons make themselves known. Director Alexander Payne, who achieved critical attention with his films Citizen Ruth and Election, hits his stride with a mixtape of his biggest hits. Like About Schmidt, there is a self-centred patriarch on a journey; like The Descendants, the countryside is innately tied to familial secrets; like Sideways, there is a sudden heist to reclaim lost property. Nobody does family secrets like Payne, and Nebraska sees him at the peak of his powers. Dern, who has been a reliable supporting actor for decades, finally gets his shot at a starring role, and it's impossible to overstate how astonishingly good he is as Woody. There's no self-consciousness as he plays a vague, alcoholic man in search of a fortune he decides he's owed. Forte, best known for his turns on Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock, nails the knowing pathos of Woody's suffering son, and the casting of Breaking Bad's Bob Odenkirk as his older brother is inspired. June Squibb, who is probably best remembered as Jack Nicholson's ill-fated wife in About Schmidt, shines as Woody's wife: gossipy and accepting, dismissive and loyal. The more you examine these characters, the more it becomes clear that they are riddled with contradictions in the way that human beings often are but movie characters are not. This is the film's biggest triumph, and a testament to the combined efforts of Payne, the cast, and writer Bob Nelson's confident script. Also notable is the brilliant score by Mark Orton, which echoes the film's pared-back simplicity with a low-key soundtrack that manages to stick in your brain in the best way possible. Filmed in black and white, and dwelling on the uglier, blander side of middle America, Nebraska should be a depressing experience draped in award-grabbing worthiness. But it's not. In fact, it's laugh-out-loud funny throughout, and unexpectedly uplifting. There's a joyful tension that infuses every moment and makes this one of the most compelling, memorable, essential films of the year. https://youtube.com/watch?v=YvW_DmfKfSk
Some TV shows start with a wild and wonderful premise, such as strange things happening in a small town, teenage girls fighting to survive in the wilderness and solving mysteries across America because you're a human lie detector. Others stick with everyday scenarios, which is what Beef has chosen. So, if you've ever been involved in a road-rage incident, or witnessed one — if you've ever held a grudge against a stranger for a petty reason, too — you'll instantly empathise with this newcomer's concept. In the ten-episode Netflix and A24 dramedy — which marks the latest show from A24 after everything from Ramy and Euphoria to Mo and Irma Vep — Danny Cho (Steven Yeun, Nope) and Amy Lau (Ali Wong, Paper Girls) get in a fender bender, and neither handles it well. Cue a feud that they can't shake, infiltrating their lives and relationships. If their quest for revenge each other just fizzled out, there obviously wouldn't be a series. Part of Beef's ongoing beef stems from a comedy staple: putting opposites together and seeing what springs. Danny is struggling as a contractor and isn't happy about it, while Amy lives a seemingly idyllic life thanks to her success as an entrepreneur. They both share a need to get back at each other, though, as the just-dropped first trailer for the show makes clear. The series premiered at this year's SXSW — the OG version in the US, not Sydney's offshoot to come later in 2023 — before plunging streaming viewers into its faceoff on Netflix from Thursday, April 6. Yeun and Wong also executive produce, while Beef hails from creator and showrunner Lee Sung Jin (a veteran of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Dave and Silicon Valley). On-screen, as well as Minari Oscar-nominee Yeun and Always Be My Maybe's Wong, the series features Joseph Lee (Searching), Young Mazino (Prodigal Son), David Choe (The Mandalorian) and Patti Yasutake (Pretty Little Liars) — plus Maria Bello (NCIS), Ashley Park (Girls5eva), Justin H Min (After Yang), Mia Serafino (iCarly) and Remy Holt (The Afterparty). Check out the trailer for Beef below: Beef streams via Netflix from Thursday, April 6. Images: Netflix.
There's more than beaches and beautiful weather to draw you to Queensland. The Sunshine State's art scene has become one of the most vibrant in Australia, and 2023 is shaping up to be a non-stop calendar of festivals, exhibitions and cultural events that you'll want to lock in ASAP. And it's not just Brisbane: the quintessentially Queensland beachside towns and rural cities come alive all year long as well. You'll find everything from boundary-pushing urban installations that merge art and science to world-first exhibitions of iconic artworks, celebrations of First Nations creators, new interpretations of classic performance pieces and international music acts satisfying all your boot-scootin' and blues-rockin' needs. Together with Queensland, we've rounded up nine stand-out arts and culture events that warrant a trip to the tropics all on their own. Book your flights and pack your sense of artistic appreciation, culture vultures — the north awaits. [caption id="attachment_876729" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Aerocene 2 and Aerocene 1.2, Studio Tomás Saraceno[/caption] 'AIR' AT GOMA, BRISBANE Until Sunday, April 23, 2023, the entire ground floor of GOMA will be given over to a sprawling exhibition exploring the ethereal element we breathe — aptly titled Air. Through the themes of atmosphere, burn, shared, invisible and change, diverse artworks will explore this vital, intimate and at times dangerous element that is core to our existence. The exhibition features Australian and international artists, including collection pieces from Ron Mueck and Jonathan Jone, plus commissions from Jemima Wyman and Tomás Saraceno. The artworks address weighty issues like climate change and the pandemic, as well as evocations and meditations on the place of wind and breath in the natural world. Encounter Air through a broad range of artistic mediums, from solid light installations to moving sculptures, the release of scents and art made from breath and pigment. 'Air' at GOMA, Saturday, November 26 till Sunday, April 23, 2023 [caption id="attachment_880980" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lizzie Himmel, Jean-Michel Basquiat 1985. Artwork ©️ Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat. Licensed by Artestar, New York.[/caption] 'POP MASTERS: ART FROM THE MUGRABI COLLECTION, NEW YORK' AT HOTA, GOLD COAST For 15 weeks, the Gold Coast's Home of the Arts (HOTA) will play host to an exclusive, world-first exhibition of pop art. Pop Masters will take over the Sunshine State from Saturday, February 18 till Sunday, June 4, 2023. What's on show? Renowned works from the icons of the artistic movement that emerged during the late 50s — the likes of Andy Warhol will get cosy alongside the great Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat. Characterised by playful, incisive creative conversation with popular culture, these pieces have been selected from the private New York collection of Jose Mugrabi. More than 40 works will span the 60 year history of pop art — there will be legacy pieces from the original artists of the 70s and 80s, and those they inspired up until now. Don't miss the rare chance to see these works in person on Australian shores. 'Pop Masters: Art from the Mugrabi Collection, New York' at HOTA, Saturday, February 18 till Sunday, June 4, 2023 [caption id="attachment_853020" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Markus Ravik[/caption] WORLD SCIENCE FESTIVAL ft. CURIOCITY BRISBANE, BRISBANE Open your minds and feed your desire for new knowledge, insights and thought-provoking art at the World Science Festival. Presented by the Queensland Museum Network, the program offers a stellar lineup of live events across STEM, education and art, with activities for all ages and curiosities. From Wednesday, March 22 till Sunday, March 26, 2023, the festival will hit locations through the Queensland Museum precinct, South Bank and the city, before it takes a tour of locations in regional Queensland. Curiocity Brisbane is back too. From Wednesday, March 22 till Sunday, April 2, 2023, the city will transform into a landscape of wonder, strange encounters and eye-opening experiences, where an intersection of science, technology and art come to life in installations throughout the urban playground. World Science Festival ft. Curiocity Brisbane, Wednesday, March 22 till Sunday, April 2, 2023 [caption id="attachment_878012" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dave Kan[/caption] CMC ROCKS QLD, IPSWICH Pull out the cowboy boots and grab your Stetson, Australia's biggest international country music festival is boot-scootin' its way back to Ipswich. Over three days (March 17–19, 2023), Rebel and Stampede — the two main stages — will keep up a non-stop musical program of epic shows. Past years have brought big name talents — think The Dixie Chicks, Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw and Troy Cassar-Daley — and 2023 is no different. Next year's fest is hosting the finest country acts from here and abroad. Morgan Wallen and Kip Moore will be joined by the exclusive chance to witness the Zac Brown Band perform Down Under. Expect yeehaws of all kinds: old-school classic country, alt and pop-country. Camp onsite and come join the good country people for a hoedown and/or hootenanny. CMC Rocks QLD, Friday, March 17 till Sunday, March 19, 2023 BLUES ON BROADBEACH, GOLD COAST Now in its 22nd year, Blues on Broadbeach always draws a lineup of big-name artists and the best local talent in blues, rock and soul to its sunny locale. Ever-popular and packed with fans of good tunes, good grooves and good times, this free fest will run from Thursday, May 18 till Sunday, May 21, 2023. Those that've been know the fun they're in for. First time? It's massive: gigs take place throughout Broadbeach, from the seaside parklands to favourite venues, with around 20 different spots for you to catch a performance. Make a holiday of it — stay a few nights, explore the area, eat and drink delicious local things. You're free to get up and dance the trip away, or simply sit on the grass with a brew while soaking in the beachy energy of this seaside blues party. Blues on Broadbeach, Thursday, May 18 till Sunday, May 21, 2023 [caption id="attachment_879295" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Blue Click Photography[/caption] CAIRNS INDIGENOUS ART FAIR, CAIRNS AND GREAT BARRIER REEF The annual Cairns Indigenous Art Fair is both a leading ethical art market place and a true celebration of First Nations culture. From Thursday, July 13 till Sunday, July 16, 2023, the event provides an opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to exhibit, collaborate and connect with each other and wider Australian audiences. Next year's theme, 'Weaving Our Future: Claiming Our Sovereignty', highlights the crucial point of time we're in, on the edge of wide-scale change, bringing the narratives and lived experiences of Queensland's First Peoples into national discourse and uplifting their voices. The festival is comprised of both free and ticketed events, with stages at the Cairns Convention Centre precinct and other venues throughout Gimuy (Cairns) featuring art, music, fashion, comedy, food, crafts, conversations and more. It's an optimal time to book a trip to the tropical north — sun, sea and a showcase of stand-out Australian art. Cairns Indigenous Art Fair, Thursday, July 13 till Sunday, July 16, 2023 TOOWOOMBA CARNIVAL OF FLOWERS, SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND COUNTRY Toowoomba will burst into bloom again for the much-loved, endlessly photographable, month-long Carnival of Flowers from Friday, September 1 till Saturday, September 30, 2023. Expect citywide floral displays, tours and activities, from a glorious swathe of natural colour taking over 25 hectares of Queens Park, to the floral floats and street performers of the Grand Central Floral Parade and the private gardens of proud Toowoomba residents in the Chronicle Garden Competition. By night, take a twilight tour through the magical grounds of Laurel Bank Park or explore the illuminated Botanic Gardens. It's not all buds and petals: there are foodie experiences, pub tours, and a food and wine mini-fest of Southern Queensland Country producers — plus music, local markets and a ferris wheel. Explore Toowoomba at its most lush with a trip next September. Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers, Friday, September 1 till Saturday, September 30, 2023 BRISBANE FESTIVAL, BRISBANE Brisbane Festival is the vibrant celebration that hits the city annually, bringing bold art, boundary-pushing performances and installations throughout the city. With a focus on challenging, disruptive and bold art, the popular fest spotlights international, local and First Nations creators and collaborators. Although official dates are yet to be released, it's set to run through September 2023. Expect to be able to head to free events, live concerts and interactive hands-on activities — in past years, there's been Naughty Nights Out, magic shows straight from the streets of Tokyo, all-out block parties, blow-out burlesque performances — even rollerskating. The starter? The famous Riverfire display over the waters of the Brisbane River. Brisbane Festival, September 2023 THE RING CYCLE, BRISBANE There's no opera quite like Wagner's Ring Cycle. Totalling 15 hours, you're in for four nights of powerful, operatic wonder. But even if you've seen it before, we're sure you've not seen anything like the upcoming rendition by Opera Australia. Hitting QPAC from Friday, December 1 till Saturday, December 23, 2023, the production comes from Chinese director Chen Shi-Zheng, and brings together performers from here and abroad. The version places Wagner's classic interpretation of Germanic mythology into a futuristic, parallel-universe setting, using digital art to create virtual landscapes. Breathtakingly original, the music is led by French conductor Philippe Auguin, who has headed up The Ring Cycle on numerous occasions. If you're an opera buff or just a fan of fantasy, futurism, timeless tales and truly epic theatre, this is an unmissable cultural event. The Ring Cycle, Friday, December 1 till Saturday, December 23, 2023 To explore more arts and culture events taking over Queensland in 2023, head to the website.
Ever wanted to spend a night in Surry Hills' fancy Paramount House Hotel? Has eating at Adelaide's award-winning Africola restaurant been on the top of your bucket list for yonks? Been meaning to top up your wine collection post-holidays with some tasty new drops from Drnks? Buy a ticket for this Bushfire Relief Raffle — for just $50, mind you — and you could win one of them. Plus, a whole heap more. Running until Friday, January 31, the raffle is run by Buffet Digital, a creative content studio for some of Australia's best bars, restaurants and hotels. Which means, it has contacts — and those contacts have donated some pretty incredible prizes for you to win. [caption id="attachment_660514" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Paramount House Hotel by Tom Ross.[/caption] As well as the aforementioned three, the 29 raffle prizes include $200 to spend at Sydney's new pasta and wine bar Ragazzi; five pilates classes at St Peters studio Scout; a box of hot sauces from Condimental; breakfast, lunch and dinner across the three Bills restaurants; a $400 voucher for Cornersmith workshops (so, you can finally learn to make kombucha or bread); Archie Rose gin; a whopping $500 dinner at The Apollo; and a year's supply of coffee from The Little Marionette. The list goes on, too — you can check out all of the tasty prizes over here. If you don't win, you'll be happy knowing your hard-earned cash is going to a good cause. All money from tickets sold will be split equally between the NSW RFS, WIRES and the Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund. This isn't your run-of-the-mill meat raffle, folks. Winners of the Buffet Bushfire Relief Raffle will be drawn at 12pm on Friday, January 31. Top image: Ragazzi by Nikki To
If you're keen to attack the Chinese New Year with some serious stamina, then get yourself along to Happy D's in Redfern, on Saturday 17 February. From midday, the much-adored neighbourhood dumpling house will be serving up all-you-can-eat dumplings. All you have to do is hand over 30 bucks, settle onto a bar stool and get ready to binge. The entire menu will be available, from prawn gow gee to barbecue pork buns to chicken dim sims. And, as usual, a steady stream of disco beats will be pumping out of the stereo. The feast will be available at lunch, from midday till 3pm, then again at dinner, from 5.30pm till close. Should you miss out on a table this weekend — despair not. Happy D's is offering unlimited dumplings every Saturday for the foreseeable future.
Batman. Superman. Wonder Woman. Aquaman. Ask someone to name a DC superhero and one of these figures might be their first response. They're the characters that've also been anchoring the big screen's DC Extended Universe for the past decade. Shazam, Harley Quinn, Black Adam and The Flash each scored movies bearing their monikers over that period — some have popped up in Justice League and not one but two Suicide Squad flicks as well — but the franchise's best-recognised players still remain unchanged. Enter Blue Beetle, which brings a lesser-known caped crusader to picture palaces, but one that dates back 84 years on the page to 1939. The DCEU's 14th entry also achieves a feat that no other caped-crusader film has before it, among the company's own flicks or the rival Marvel Cinematic Universe. It shouldn't have taken a decade since this specific franchise began, and 15 years after the MCU initially arrived, for the first live-action superhero movie with a Latino lead to hit. This important achievement shouldn't be forgotten from here on in, either. Blue Beetle's significance isn't lost on filmmaker Ángel Manuel Soto, who leaps from 2015 Puerto Rican drama La Granja and 2020 Sundance Film Festival standout Charm City Kings to helming Hollywood history. It isn't the type of feature he ever saw himself making, but it's an opportunity that he's wholeheartedly embraced. As he tells Jaime Reyes' (Xolo Maridueña, Cobra Kai) tale, charting his journey from ordinary Mexican American twenty something to Spider-Man-meets-Venom-meets-Iron Man-style hero, he tells of Latinx culture, of the importance of family, and of everyday experiences and struggles. Indeed, as he explains to Concrete Playground, that's the only way he could ever envisage spinning this story. Accordingly, this is a caped-crusader flick that nods to 90s telenovela María la del Barrio, shoots a crucial scene like an immigration raid and knows how difficult keeping secrets can be in close Latinx families where the bonds of blood are everything. In dialogue around Jaime's name, it references Ángel's own experience having his moniker mispronounced daily. With a scientist played by What We Do in the Shadows' Harvey Guillén, it calls out racist tendencies to give everyone from a particular culture the same term. Again and again, Blue Beetle grounds its narrative in authentic details, all as Jaime comes into contact with an alien gadget that turns him into the titular figure. And, it does so with its protagonist's mother Rocio (Elpidia Carrillo, Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities), father Alberto (Damián Alcázar, Acapulco), sister Milagro (Belissa Escobedo, Hocus Pocus 2), Nana (Adriana Barraza, Penny Dreadful: City of Angels) and uncle Rudy (George Lopez, Lopez vs Lopez) always by his side. With Blue Beetle in cinemas Down Under, we chatted to Soto about his journey from adoring cinema to his latest film, his approach to introducing a Latino lead to the superhero genre, building in that crucial authenticity and making a family drama as much as a save-the-world feature. ON THE JOURNEY FROM GROWING UP LOVING MOVIES TO DIRECTING A SUPERHERO FILM "I never saw myself making a movie like this. It's still — I have to pinch myself all the time because after Charm City Kings, I didn't know it was going to cause the impact that it did, and I didn't know it was going to draw that much attention. Because at the end of the day, I try to do everything out of love and and passion, especially for the communities that I represent in my films. Having a movie like this happen was very humbling. Being able to also tell stories that I want to tell within the superhero genre is something that I'm going to be forever grateful for to the guys at DC, because they respected the stories that I wanted to tell. At the same time, it gave me another another stepping stone in in my career to explore this passion that I have for my craft in a genre that's so beloved by many." ON MAKING THE THE FIRST LIVE-ACTION SUPERHERO MOVIE WITH A LATINO LEAD "That that was probably the reason why I accepted to do it — because it was introducing a Latino character to the DC world. It being the first live-action Latino superhero [film], I felt a great responsibility and an opportunity at the same time to be able to tell our stories in a way that is reflected through the lens and the eyes of a Latino as well. It helped a lot to have the writer, Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer, be from Querétaro in Mexico. And he bringing his own authenticity to the script, and me coming with my experiences from Puerto Rico. And working together to create something that felt authentic to our experiences growing up — and translating that into Jaime Reyes and Blue Beetle, that made it very easy for us. The whole team was onboard, and casting the right talents, and having them be from Mexico as well, was part of the plan. So we wanted to do it the right way. We cannot tell the story of of every Latino in the world, because one, we're not a monolith, and two, we're too many. But being able to tell at least one story of those, our hope is to hear and see and enjoy other stories from all over Latin America as well." [caption id="attachment_918339" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Blue Beetle[/caption] ON BUILDING AUTHENTICITY INTO EVEN THE SMALLEST OF EXCHANGES AND DETAILS "Well, the truth is that the ongoing joke with Jaime is something that I experience daily. My name is Ángel. Some people call me Angel [Ángel pronounces it like the spiritual being]. Some people call me 'on-hell'. Some people call me Angel [Ángel pronounces it 'angle']. And the whole thing of trying to explain my name and how to pronounce it phonetically, it's a daily thing, so we wanted to to have fun with that and show what we have to deal with all the time. Also, the way Victoria Kord [Blue Beetle's villainous CEO, as played by Maybe I Do's Susan Sarandon] treats Sanchez [her chief scientist, as played by Guillén] is something that as Latinos — and this happens with other communities as well — sometimes they they try to minimise us by calling us one name. You know, like "hey Jose, come here Jose", with a little bit of a racist, biased joke behind them. But we wanted to to really showcase in the case Doctor Sanchez that there is power to our name. And there's an individual power that everybody has, and our name carries that. Because our name comes from, especially in our culture — like, I go through Ángel Manuel Soto Vázquez — we have both our parents names. For us that means a lot because we honour our ancestors, and we try to go as far back as we can and wear that name with pride because we would never be where we are without them. So it was very important to to give Doctor Sanchez that arc, because when he says his name, that's when he gets empowered, and that's when he actually becomes his hero of his story." ON MAKING A FAMILY DRAMA AS MUCH AS A SUPERHERO FILM "It was definitely very important for us to to tell the story of the whole family. We wanted to do a fresh take on the superhero origin story. And the writer and I, we were very keen to treat the first act like Latin cinema, where we spend time with our characters, with their environment, where you get to know bits and pieces of everyone so that before all the action starts to happen you're already invested — not only in in our superhero, not only in our main character Jaime, you're also invested with the family. Because how they relate and everything that they're going to end up giving to the story and to the character of Blue Beetle, it's as important as the hero himself. Another thing that we wanted to flip on its head a little bit is the fact that most superheroes, what happens to them happens in secret. And they keep this secret from their family, you know to protect them — and it does make sense. But both the writer and my experience is that it's very hard to keep a secret from a Latino mother — and my parents and my family, they're very nosy. They still are. It was crazy for us to think that the family wouldn't have any involvement in the creation of the superhero. Like I mentioned before, what our parents and our ancestors have done for us make us who we are, and we wanted to honour that. So we really felt that that was something that we wanted to protect — and not just in terms of like teachings or mentorship; we also wanted them to have an active participation in the success of our hero, giving them all heroic arcs as they end up protecting and saving Jaime. Part of that comes from the fact that we feel that way about our family. They're not just passive bystanders, they're actually active components to who we are and how far we're able to go. But also in this whole family adventure, we wanted every single family member from the youngest sister to the oldest grandfather to see themselves also in a movie that treats them with respect, but also sees them as heroes — so they can see themselves as heroes, too. And to that end, we really focused it on trying to be like 'let's make this into a family adventure that does have these superhero elements'. And as an introduction to the world of Jaime and Blue Beetle, we felt like this is a beautiful first act to what his whole journey is going to be." Blue Beetle opened in Australian and New Zealand cinemas on July 27. Read our review.
The 90s were great. That shouldn't be a controversial opinion. Whether you lived through them or have spent the last couple of decades wishing you did — aka binging on 90s pop culture — this shindig at the Oxford Art Factory will indulge your retro urges. Drinks, tunes, fashion — expect all of the above at the No Scrubs: 90s and Early 00s party from 9pm on Thursday, April 1. Of course, it's up to you to make sure the clothing side of thing is covered, and to get into the spirit of the party. If you want to use Mariah Carey as a style icon, it'd be fitting. Expect to unleash your inner Spice Girl and Backstreet Boy too. TLC, Destiny's Child, Savage Garden, Usher, Blink-182, No Doubt — we'd keep listing artists, but you all know what you're getting yourselves into. Entry costs $20, with the fun running through until 3am. And yes, because dancing will be allowed again in Sydney from Monday, March 29, you'll be cutting a rug while getting nostalgic. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WEtxJ4-sh4 Image: Destination NSW.
Sydney Festival 2022 has already been and gone, and next January's event is still months away. But sometimes there's something on the citywide fest's bill that's just too exciting to hold back until its next season. Yes, filling the Oxford Street Precinct with nine-metre screens showcasing stunning aerial industrial landscape images from a renowned photographer is one such event. Those photos hail from acclaimed Canadian photographer Edward Burtynsky and, from Friday, August 26 until Sunday, September 18, they'll be on display in Sydney's Taylor Square. Sydney Festival is setting up three screens as part of an installation called In the Wake of Progress, a free outdoor immersive multimedia piece which'll span 40 years of Burtynsky's work. Whether you're now keen to stop by specifically to see In the Wake of Progress, or you know you'll be walking past daily anyway, Sydneysiders are in for a huge and spectacular art treat — which comes to Australia after premiering at Luminato Festival Toronto in June this year. Burtynsky's snaps focus on a topic that should be near and dear to everyone's hearts: humanity's impact upon the planet, the legacy we're leaving and the chance to create a more sustainable future. Accordingly, expect to peer at everything from scenes of shipbreaking in Bangladesh through to hazardous nickel tailings in Ontario. As well as the photographer's powerful imagery, In the Wake of Progress includes an original score by composer Phil Strong, and is co-produced by Bob Ezrin (who has worked with Pink Floyd, Peter Gabriel, Lou Reed and more). That means that making a date to take in the full moving 22-minute sensory experience is highly recommended. Don't worry about rushing after work— presentations begin every 30 minutes, starting from 5pm with the last presentation at 9.30pm. The artist is also coming to Sydney for a series of talks co-presented by the Australian Museum and Sydney Festival between Thursday, September 1–Saturday, September 3, for Sydneysiders keen to hear more about his work and the impact that photography can have in exploring nature and the earth. There will also be talks spanning topics from the environmental challenges of fast fashion to achieving net zero with speakers including The Chaser's Craig Reucassel, fashion designer Bianca Spender, and Daniel Browning of Indigenous Radio ABC and Radio National's The Art Show. If you're keen to check out jaw-dropping photographs, head to Taylor Square between 5pm and 10pm any day from August 28 — September 18, and head to the Sydney Festival website for more information on the event and supporting talks. [caption id="attachment_865564" align="alignnone" width="1920"] In the Wake of Progress at COCT. © Jim Pano.[/caption] Top images: Edward Burtynsky, Dyralaekir River on Myrdalssandur, Iceland, 2012 ; Edward Burtynsky Aqueduct 1, Los Angeles, California, USA, 2009
The lower end of Crown Street did it tough in 2018, with a large number of empty shopfronts littered along the block between Cleveland and Devonshire streets, long-time residents Mr Fox and Cafe Mint closing down, and Bishop Sessa forced to change from fine dining to a more casual affair. But, in good news, one of those spaces has re-opened, with 4 Pines Brewing Company taking over Mr Fox's former abode. As first announced back in November, the Crown Street joint marks the brewery's fourth venue — and its first off the north shore. The new spot isn't just about brews, but about loaded burgers too. Thirsty patrons will find the full 4 Pines core range and limited releases flowing through the taps, alongside some seriously stacked combos of meat and bread. Think dishes like cornflake-coated buttermilk fried chicken burgers with chilli and peanut butter; sweet and sour pork belly topped with Asian slaw, 15 fresh chillies, yuzu mayo and pickles; and both a regular cheeseburger made with Angus beef and a double-sized version that also features smoked bacon. Sides-wise, you can opt for panko-fried IPA jalapenos, a serve of chicken wings, falafels with yoghurt and pickled chillies, and spiced pulled pork croquetas. Apart from beer, there's also a modest supply of wines and spirits on offer, plus a five-strong cocktail menu that makes ample use of ginger beer. The new bar has a similar fit-out to the brewery's other instalments, which include the Manly Brewpub, Brookvale Truck Bar and the Newport barrel-aged outpost — plus the Manly ferry bars and the SCG craft beer stall which opened in April last year. Find 4 Pines Surry Hills at 557 Crown Street, Surry Hills, open Monday to Thursday from 4pm until late, Fridays and Saturdays from 12pm until late, and Sundays fro: 12–10pm. Images: StevenWoodburn.
When you go to the movies to watch a flick on the big screen, you abide by the usual cinema etiquette rules. You don't kick the seat in front of you, you refrain from checking your phone and lighting up the darkened theatre with its bright glow, and you don't natter away through the feature and annoy everyone around you, for instance. Also, you wear clothes. Well, usually. If you're going to the Randwick Ritz's special nude session of Nude Tuesday, however, disrobing is highly encouraged. Yes, you read that correctly. When the New Zealand comedy hits screens Down Under this winter, it's baring all, and the Ritz wants you to join in. Featuring Flight of the Conchords' Jemaine Clement, his What We Do in the Shadows co-star Jackie van Beek, and Aussie Mindhunter and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood actor Damon Herriman, Nude Tuesday follows an unhappy couple who are gifted a trip to a remote couples' retreat to help save their marriage — a spot where getting in the buff often is recommended — after all. Attendees are asked to strip down for the session (or just wear their underwear) at 4pm on Sunday, June 26. There are a few ground rules, though. Photography is completely off limits, you'll need to bring a towel to sit on, only patrons over the age of 18 can attend and you're asked to respect your fellow movie-goers' personal space. You also need to rock up fully clothed, and then disrobe inside the cinema. And, if you have to go to the bathroom during the movie — or want something from the candy bar — you'll need to get dressed again. This isn't the Ritz's first clothing-optional session — or its first involving Clement, for that matter. Fans might remember that the venue did the same for another comedy called Patrick last year.
The pandemic has been going for more than 18 months. August has just started and Greater Sydney is in the middle of an ongoing Delta outbreak while Brisbane's initial three-day lockdown has been extended until Sunday. So much — and so many small businesses — are relying on the vaccine rollout, so some heroes are offering rewards to those who get jabbed, as a thank you and to encourage the community to book an appointment. In Melbourne, the Prince Alfred Hotel is offering free pints to folks who've been vaccinated and now Marrickville craft brewer Hawke's Brewing Co is taking things up a notch. Deemed the 'Jab & Slab', the inner west beer-maker is offering full slabs of its fan favourite Hawke's Larger to the first 250 Sydneysiders who prove they've been vaccinated. All you have to do is book your first vaccination appointment with a healthcare provider and post a photo of you with your freshly jabbed arm to Instagram, tag Hawke's in the post and if you're within the first 250 people to post, the brewery will send you a slab of Marrickville's finest. "We should have been breaking vaccination records months ago. But apparently, it wasn't a race and now half the country has been impacted by lockdown again. If Bob [Hawke] was still with us and calling the shots, we'd be well on the way," David Gibson, Hawke's co-founder says. Of course, you have to be of legal drinking age to participate and Hawke's will check your vaccination record once they've confirmed you're one of the first 250. The full info on how to participate is available on Hawke's Instagram page. Australia's vaccination efforts have been plagued by plenty of issues since the beginning of the year. Recommendations around who should get the AstraZeneca and Pfizer shots have changed a few times, but at this point, all adults living in Sydney are encouraged to contact their GP and receive their first dose of either vaccine. At the time of writing, just 15.7 percent of Aussies have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, while 17.7 percent of the population have had one dose. Follow Hawke's Brewing Co on Instagram for more information on the 'Jab & Slab' campaign.
Can you think of a better way to start the new year than sipping cocktails at a seaside tropical oasis? How about following that up by soaring across Sydney Harbour in a seaplane? Luckily, Rose Bay's Empire Lounge will be transforming into a tropical oasis that'll be offering you both of those luxe experiences for the ultimate summer Sunday session. From Sunday, February 6, The Empire Lounge will present Casa Aperol — a summery Sunday series loaded with incredible drinks, delicious food and live tunes. The waterfront venue has teamed up with Aperol and Australia's number one cocktail bar, Maybe Sammy to bring you an exclusive cocktail menu designed to be sipped between tasty eats by chef Faheem Noor. But the fun doesn't stop there. You can finish on a high note — literally — by taking flight in the Casa Aperol x Maybe Sammy seaplane for an incredible tour of Sydney Harbour. Flights will be available for a discounted price at $180, or you can try your luck at winning a sky-high trip with the weekly door prize. Ready to stretch out your weekend at this Sunday session? Casa Aperol will be running from midday until 9pm every Sunday from February 6 till April 24 at Empire Lounge, Rose Bay. No bookings are required. Simply walk in and enjoy the fun. For more information, visit the website.
If it's true that the things that don't kill you only serve to make you stronger, we can all expect Melbourne's Rising festival to come out fighting fit for its long-awaited premiere run this year. After COVID-19 unravelled its planned 2020 debut, then returned to cancel all but opening night of its 2021 program, the blockbuster citywide multi-arts festival will this year, finally, get its moment. As announced today, Rising is set to descend on Melbourne from Wednesday, June 1–Sunday, June 12. Determined to make this third time a charm, the festival is delivering a hefty, carefully-honed program of art, music and performance. "Overall, we're expecting one million people to experience Rising across 225 events, with over 800 artists involved," festival co-director Gideon Obarzanek tells Concrete Playground. Over 12 days and nights, those artists will transform the streets and spaces of Melbourne into their canvases and stages, serving up a diverse, supersized culture fix to kickstart winter. With borders reopened, a stack more international names have been able to join the bill, too. [caption id="attachment_846653" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Wilds, 2021[/caption] While the program has evolved and morphed since last year, some of its key experiences are built on return concepts. "The Wilds and Golden Square are the two big pillar pieces," explains co-director Hannah Fox. "But a lot of the content within those projects is new." The Wilds will return to the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, this time dishing up a fluorescent-tinged fusion of art, sound and flavour courtesy of renowned New York-based Aussie artists Tin & Ed. It'll play host to performances, quirky large-scale structures, and an ice-skating rink beating to the sound of 80s and 90s bangers. Exceptional eats here include snacks from the likes of 1800 Lasagne and Smith & Daughters, and a 'glowing glasshouse bistro' manned by celebrated chefs David Moyle, Jo Barrett and Matt Stone. [caption id="attachment_846649" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Paul Yore's 2018 work 'It's All Wrong But It's Alright'. Credit Rémi Chauvin.[/caption] Golden Square will again transform a multi-storey Chinatown carpark into a vibrant, sensorial art park, featuring parades, rooftop bars and a compelling site-wide exhibition from artists like Paul Yore, Scotty So, Atong Atem and Jason Phu. Patricia Piccinini's otherworldy exhibition A Miracle Constantly Repeated will continue its popular run, gracing the Flinders Street Ballroom until the festival's end on June 12. Leading audio-visual artist Robin Fox is also creating a mesmerising laser and sound work, Monochord, that will beam one kilometre along the Yarra each night. And, thanks to Keith Courtney, one of the folks behind House of Mirrors and 1000 Doors, a 20-metre-long kaleidoscopic labyrinth will invite attendees to immerse themselves in a playground of mazes and light. [caption id="attachment_846648" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Robin Fox's work MONOCHORD[/caption] Gig-starved music-lovers can expect a smorgasbord of sonic delights throughout the fest, as international names like Moses Sumney, Welsh electro star Kelly Lee Owens and the multi-talented Andy Shauf join homegrown talent including renowned drummer Jim White, Tkay Maidza, Harvey Sutherland and the legendary Sampa the Great. Meanwhile, a diverse program of dance performances will share stories from around the world, with unmissable works from the likes of Stephanie Lake Company, Denmark's Mette Ingvartsen, Indonesian choreographer Rianto and Uruguay's Tamara Cubas. Legendary text-based artist Jenny Holzer will transform a 19th-century building facade with her six-storey projection work I CONJURE, too — and for The Invisible Opera, the constant buzz of Federation Square will be mapped in real-time, creating an immersive multi-disciplinary performance piece. [caption id="attachment_846654" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tkay Maidza[/caption] Jurrungu ngan-ga (meaning 'straight talk') explores refugee detention and the overrepresentation of Indigenous people in custody via a captivating, culture-bridging dance performance by the Marrugeku crew. Plus, the return of the famed Melbourne Art Trams will showcase six trams emblazoned with designs by First Peoples artists, alongside a reproduction of the 1991 tram work by acclaimed artist, painter and sculptor Lin Onus. And, nodding to one of the city's greatest sporting loves, there's the work that has Hannah Fox most excited, Still Lives. "It's a performance we commissioned back in 2020, which is now going to take place in the NGV, in the Great Hall," the festival director explains. "It's essentially two artists, Luke George and Daniel Kok, who are working with five retired AFL players to suspend them in rope bondage from the ceiling… in the form of an iconic mark from the AFL's history. Yeah, I'm very excited for that." Rising will run from Wednesday, June 1–Sunday, June 12 at venues and public spaces across Melbourne. Presale tickets are available from 12pm on Monday, March 21, with regular tickets selling from 12pm on Friday, March 25.
Gauchito Gil is Argentina's Robin Hood. As such, it seems fitting that Australia's own Malbec World Day has been borrowed from the South American country, where the majority of the world's Malbec comes from. If this day is a donation from the grape god, it's one we're happy to accept. After a successful debut in 2016, Gauchito Gil is bringing Malbec Day to Sydney for a third time with a five-hour wine bonanza at Carriageworks on Sunday, April 15. The event comes from the organisers of the Pinot Palooza and Game of Rhones, and mirrors the free-reign tasting set-up. Your $60 ticket will include a wine glass, and from there you'll be able to move around, sampling over 90 Australian, Argentinian and French malbec varietals. Other events have been known to get a little boozy, so to soak up all that wine there will be top-notch empanadas from Porteño, charcuterie from La Bastide and alfajores (soft shortbread-like cookies filled with dulce de leche) from Alfamores. It really doesn't matter if you know everything there is about Malbec or if you don't know much at all, because Malbec Day is about education and celebration of the Argentine grape. And what better way to celebrate than with an bottomless glass of wine?
One of the most beautiful things about photography is its ability to capture the emotion present in magical meetings and moments time, and to allow us, the audience, to share in those experiences in an intimate way despite being neither personally involved nor present at that moment. A series of such powerful images were captured by Turkish-born Australian photographer/photojournalist Vedat Acikalin on the 75th Anniversary of the battle at Gallipoli in World War 1. We are all aware to some degree of the moving story of the brave ANZACS and Turkish soldiers fighting on the Gallipoli Peninsula, but these photographs convey a more personal story of the men who fought there and the incomprehensible bond that they formed, no matter which side they were on all those years ago, through their shared experiences of war. The images tell the story of these men meeting, remembering and mourning, and most interestingly finding solace and friendship in yesterday’s enemies. Vedat grew up in Turkey and later moved to Australia and the duality of perspective this has afforded him is perfectly conveyed in the images he has produced. This is loving stuff.
Attention all coffee-seekers: you may have just found the new brew — or brews — you've been searching for. Beloved Melbourne-based Padre Coffee has finally arrived in Sydney, bringing naturally-processed Colombian blends to its first ever NSW setup at Paddington's Five Ways. After growing a cult-like following at its flagships in Melbourne and Noosa, it's time to discover what all the hype is about. Padre on Glenmore Road features a storefront for the brand's coffee blends and home-brewing equipment, as well as a spacious espresso bar and cafe boasting a range of freshly-baked treats to accompany your coffee. Sample the pastries and bread supplied by Staple Bread & Necessities, cookies from Cut Lunch Deli and the famous Portuguese tarts from Clovelly's Tuga Pastries. "We're absolutely thrilled to share the Padre Coffee vision and brand with Sydney coffee lovers," said the NSW head of Padre Coffee, Ben White. "Our blends have garnered a strong following with online buyers across the city's eastern suburbs and CBD, so we're looking forward to now having a dedicated space for our coffee drinkers to enjoy their daily cup." The store, located not far from the The Royal Hotel and Tequila Mockingbird, is serving up limited edition flavours to celebrate its launch, including adventurous and fruity caffeinated sips such as cherry, raspberry, strawberry and rose. You'll want to get sipping on these rare brews before they sell out completely. You'll find Padre Coffee's Sydney outpost at 241A-241B Glenmore Road in Paddington — grab your special brew from 7am to 3pm Monday to Sunday.
Is hip-hop alternative? Or does it just have trouble getting gigs at the Opera House? Whether you’re up to speed or yet to be sold on the genre, the Platform Hip Hop Festival is returning to the Carriageworks' concrete halls for its fourth year to educate your senses. With Nick Power in the papers calmly elucidating the heritage of strong women in Aussie hip-hop, and lithe Sydney Dance Company director Rafael Bonachela praising breakdancing’s vitality on the same page, it seems a lot less like alternative, and more like the rest of Sydney has finally caught up. If you're new to the genre, there's plenty of room to learn as you go.The festival offers a series of free Hip Hop classes every Saturday, with sessions for dance and beat-boxing. If you're past just getting started, you also can check out the masterclasses run by B*Boy Storm. There's photography in the foyer, Saturday Graffiti tours around Newtown and Redfern if you prefer your art in situ, and all-day festivals-within-the-festival Freak the Technique and Platform Rocks the Block. Most events are free, all of them appeal and none leave much excuse for missing out.
This modern, clean pottery studio offers up an open learning space where you can dabble in the age-old art of handbuilding and wheel-thrown pottery. Classes come in a bunch of different formats to suit everyone from novices to pros, including an evening taster (a one-off intro into wheel throwing); a date night for couples or a DIY keep cup class. You can also commit to one of the workshops, where you hone your skills across four, six or ten weeks by throwing, cutting, firing and glazing your pieces from scratch.
When a hit show comes to an end, the network behind it often tries to fill the gap with something similar. It's the situation that HBO found itself in last year when Game of Thrones wrapped up, with the US cable channel quickly launching new fantasy series His Dark Materials and committing to making a GoT spinoff called House of the Dragon. And, with Big Little Lies looking like it's also all done and dusted, the station seems to be in the same predicament in the star-studded murder mystery genre as well. Enter The Undoing. Starring Nicole Kidman, and written and produced by Big Little Lies' David E. Kelley, it's definitely a case of HBO sticking with what they know. Kidman plays a successful therapist who appears to have the perfect life, with a loving husband (Hugh Grant), a son (Honey Boy's Noah Jupe) attending an elite school and her first book about to be published. Then a violent death sparks a chain of revelations that shatters her life as she knows it. Also part of the plot, as seen in the show's first teaser, its second teaser as well and now its just-dropped new full trailer: a missing spouse, plenty of public attention, a heap of interrogations and a plethora of tough choices for Kidman's Grace Fraser. It'll all play out as a once-off limited series — although that was originally the case with Big Little Lies before it came back for a second season. Based on the novel You Should Have Known by Jean Hanff Korelitz, The Undoing also features The Burnt Orange Heresy's Donald Sutherland and American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace's Edgar Ramirez — with Bird Box director Susanne Bier behind the camera on every episode, just as she was on excellent Emmy-winning mini-series The Night Manager. As for when you'll be able to watch it, it was originally set to premiere sometime in May; however now it'll launch on Monday, October 26. In Australia, it'll screen via Foxtel, Foxtel Now and Binge. Check out the latest teaser below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWoiNlLqLR8&feature=emb_logo The Undoing will screen in Australia via Foxtel and Binge, with episodes airing weekly from Monday, October 26. Top image: Niko Tavernise/HBO.
If you've been dreaming of a white Christmas in July, this isn't for you. This year, The Kraken Black Spiced Rum is turning tradition on its head by transforming popular Sydney haunt Porteño's Cleveland Street event space into a deep, dark, mysterious wonderland for one evening only. On arrival, you'll be led down a black carpet, immersed in the sounds of a violin being played live within a giant snow globe. You'll then be met with a warming Spiced Egg Fogg. The cocktail is a take on traditional eggnog, spiked with orange marmalade and — you guessed it — The Kraken Black Spiced Rum. Next up is an enigmatic feast, featuring dishes infused with black or blackened ingredients. Among Porteño's offerings, you'll find mulled wine-braised octopus with cuttlefish rice, spiced black pudding with Kraken kraut and ash rum baba with liquorice cream. Three adventurous cocktails — a Sucker Punch, Sea Spector and Kraken Espresso Martini — will be available to enjoy with dishes. And they're not the only surprises. The plan is to keep you entirely ensconced in The Kraken's wintry abyss with a scattering of unexpected events. We can tell you, however, to look out for snow and listen for a cappella carollers. Your ticket includes absolutely everything: cocktails, the feast, live happenings and a farewell gift to take home. Kraken Kristmas in July will take place on Friday, July 13 from 8pm-11pm. This is an 18+ event and you can snag a ticket here.
Down a darkened alley off Clarence Street there sits an ambitious, reimagined 1800s British tavern. The aptly named Duke of Clarence is rich in its design — lots of mahogany, red velvet and antique wares — and in its food and drink offering. Traditional pub fare is paired with a lengthy list of cask ales and more than 500 spirits. It's one of the restaurants featured in our New in Town series, where we uncover the newest and most anticipated restaurant openings around Sydney in partnership with Zantac. To celebrate the launch of the new CBD hotspot, we threw an epic ol' English feast. It featured British favourites like mini pork pies, Yorkshire puddings and fish fingers, and ales, wines and creative cocktails to match. It let us escape reality for a little bit. Here are the photos. Images: Kitti Smallbone. Keen to check out more newbies? Have a sift through the newest crop of Sydney openings. To find out more about Zantac, visit the website. Zantac relieves heartburn. Always read the label. Use only as directed. If symptoms persist consult your health professional.
Few Australian actors just starting out — not even half a decade into their resumes, in fact — have enjoyed the jump into the spotlight that Eliza Scanlen did between 2018–2020. After a 15-episode run on Home and Away in 2016, Scanlen made her international debut on HBO's Sharp Objects, so in a miniseries based on a novel by Gone Girl author Gillian Flynn, and starring Amy Adams (Nightbitch) and Patricia Clarkson (She Said). Her initial role in a US film came next as one of the March sisters, Beth, in Greta Gerwig's (Barbie) adaptation of Little Women, with Scanlen starring alongside Saoirse Ronan (Blitz), Florence Pugh (We Live in Time), Emma Watson (The Circle), Timothée Chalamet (A Complete Unknown), Laura Dern (Lonely Planet) and Meryl Streep (Only Murders in the Building). Then, for her first Aussie movie, she earned a well-deserved AACTA Best Actress Award for Babyteeth, where she played a 16-year-old navigating a cancer diagnosis; Essie Davis (Apple Cider Vinegar) and Ben Mendelsohn (The New Look) portrayed her parents. Amid those impressive television and film parts, Scanlen also hit the stage at home, featuring in Sydney Theatre Company's 2019 production of Lord of the Flies with Mia Wasikowska (Blueback), Yerin Ha (Dune: Prophecy, and soon to be seen in Bridgerton's fourth season) and Daniel Monks (Kaos). On Broadway that very year, she did the same, but in To Kill a Mockingbird with Ed Harris (Love Lies Bleeding) and Nick Robinson (Damsel). 2025 sees the screen and stage sides of Scanlen's career collide. After past movies The Devil All the Time, Old, The Starling Girl and Caddo Lake, plus TV's Fires, The First Lady and Dope Girls, Scanlen is back in Australian cinemas thanks to her theatre work. From late November 2024–late January this year, the Aussie actor trod the boards in London in National Theatre's glorious new staging of The Importance of Being Earnest. Down Under, viewers can now watch Scanlen as Cecily Cardew in the Oscar Wilde-penned farce via NT Live. The British theatre company's love of recording its productions and beaming them around the world has long been an initiative to celebrate, and the reason that stunning works such as Danny Boyle's (Yesterday) version of Frankenstein with Benedict Cumberbatch (Eric) and Jonny Lee Miller (Guy Ritchie's The Covenant) alternating between Victor Frankenstein and his monster, the Carey Mulligan (Spaceman)- and Bill Nighy (That Christmas)-starring Skylight, and Jodie Comer (The Bikeriders) in Prima Facie have been accessible to audiences who couldn't attend the live shows in the UK. Add The Importance of Being Earnest to NT Live's must-sees and sparkling gems, with Scanlen joined by Ncuti Gatwa (Doctor Who) as Algernon Moncrieff, Hugh Skinner (Wicked Little Letters) as Jack Worthing, Sharon D Clarke (Wicked) as Lady Bracknell and Ronkẹ Adékọluẹ́jọ́ (Alex Rider) as Gwendolen Fairfax. Director Max Webster — who also helmed National Theatre's Macbeth, Life of Pi and Henry V, all of which enjoyed the NT Live treatment — couldn't be having more fun with Wilde's now 130-year-old work. Neither could Scanlen and her co-stars, visibly so from the moment that this iteration opens with Gatwa in a hot pink dress. The last play by its author, premiering mere months before his imprisonment for homosexual acts and clearly drawing upon Wilde's own experiences as it tells of living double lives, The Importance of Being Earnest has always possessed queer subtext. Webster pushes that further forward, alongside the search for identity, plus what it means to be your own person and break free of expectations. This is still "a trivial comedy", as its originator himself dubbed it. It remains a story about impersonation and romance, too. No one has brought it to the stage like this before, however. Of course, the narrative still charts Jack's attempts to be an upstanding custodian to his ward Cecily in his country existence, only to live it up in town under a different name with his friend Algernon — and the latter's own similar scheme, aka "Bunburying", aka making up a fictitious ailing friend that often needs his attention as an excuse to ditch the city. And, this The Importance of Being Earnest remains the tale of two young women, Cecily and Gwendolen, with their sights set on married futures, but the reality of their hopes and dreams impacted by Jack and Algernon's duplicity. What's Scanlen's take on Cecily's journey? When the character falls in love with Jack's made-up brother Ernest, "I think she knows that deep down that he might not exist, but she's so invested in this imaginary world that she's built for herself to escape the boredom of her life in the country that she's willing to do anything to will this person into existence," she tells Concrete Playground. "And so when Algernon shows up at her home, she assumes him to be Ernest, her fiancé. I guess he represents to her freedom, an escape from the boredom of her life, and a promise of wealth and fun. I think she's a kindred spirit with Algernon in the play." Asked if her path to here, to acting on the London stage in a famous farce that's now screening in cinemas afterwards, was something that she could've imagined when she booked her stint in Summer Bay almost a decade ago now, and Scanlen notes that "never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I'd be onstage playing Cecily at the National Theatre. I think that is pretty special". She continues: "I don't think I was looking that far ahead. I knew that my heart was in films and television, and I knew that I wanted to make films, too. But I did find acting through theatre originally, so theatre has always had a special place in my heart — and I returned to theatre when I was 19, I think, at Sydney Theatre Company." "I guess with this career, it's not really something that you can plan. You just have to give yourself up to whatever happens, and I'm really lucky to find myself here," Scanlen also advises. "I can't see myself doing anything else. I've been doing it for so long now that the idea of pivoting careers seems crazy to me. I can't really see my life without acting and film and TV and theatre. I've just followed my curiosity along the way, and I don't really know exactly where I'm going, but I think that's how it works. You just have to stay inspired and stay curious. And I've been lucky enough that it's taken me to some just some wonderful places and I've met some wonderful people along the way." One of those people: Gerwig. Taking inspiration from her Little Women director is part of the reason that Scanlen is in The Importance of Being Earnest at all — and Gerwig came to see her in the production during its London stage season. The actor-turned-filmmaker's influence on Scanlen's career; the excitement of playing Cecily; Webster's vision for the play; being part of such a phenomenal cast; what she looks for in roles; the experience of that whirlwind Sharp Objects, Little Women and Babyteeth run: we also dug into them all with Scanlen, among other topics. On What Excited Scanlen About Being Part of The Importance of Being Earnest Onstage "It didn't take much — it didn't take anything for me to audition for this. When I heard that the National Theatre was putting on The Importance of Being Earnest, I was so excited to take a crack at it. And I auditioned and it was quite daunting, because it's such a well-known play and the language is quite challenging. And physically, too — the physical comedy is quite specific. So going into the audition, there was a lot I was thinking about. And I think also this play can be interpreted in a number of different ways, depending on what lens you're looking at it through, so I didn't really know what Max, the director, wanted to do with it at that point. So I was just taking a shot and I just gave it my best, and it worked out." On Getting Into Cecily's Mindset in Webster's Version of the Play "I guess Oscar Wilde wrote Cecily as this farcical character. Cecily is based on this farcical character of the time, which was this bloomer-wearing, cigarette-smoking, bicycle-riding, independent woman. And I guess in this play, all the characters in the play are based on tropes and stereotypes of characters at the time, and he sets them up to subvert them. So Cecily is illustrated as this young, innocent woman, but she's actually very much in charge of her own destiny and makes all the decisions. To get into character, it felt like to get into the head of Cecily, I had to do a lot of mental gymnastics — because Cecily, she doesn't feel real sometimes. And her way of seeing the world is quite convoluted because of her diary. I think Cecily is usually seen as a fantasist, but I don't think that's the most-helpful way for an actor to access the character. So I did a lot of mental gymnastics trying to understand what Cecily wanted, and why she is so attached to her diary. And she spent so much time with her diary that now her diary is the compass for truth and reality, so anything that diverges from what she's written in her diary is false. She's got a very specific worldview, I suppose. I think a lot of getting into character for this play, though, was just having fun and enjoying the surface-level nature of the play. And also interacting with the audience. The audience is really important for this play and we had very direct contact with them whilst we were performing. So just getting comfortable acknowledging the audience and getting the audience onside. It was a huge learning experience for me." On Working with the Rest of The Importance of Being Earnest's Cast "It was such a joy to come in every day and be onstage with this group of people. It's a very special time that I know I won't get back. And I think that the beauty of theatre is that it's all so temporary, but what we created together was beautiful. Honestly, I don't really know any other way to describe it other than pure joy. It was just a joy to be onstage with the company every day. Obviously, there's days where you're tired and maybe you didn't sleep well or someone's sick, but you can't really do this play without having fun. So even if you rocked up in a bad mood, you're bound to come out of it in a good mood." On NT Live Bringing the Production Beyond London and Broadening the Show's Audience "I think it's incredible. I think it's the closest thing to being there and the technology has improved so much that what NT Live is bringing out to the world is incredible and hugely impactful, too. I think theatre can feel inaccessible at times, and what NT Live does is make it really accessible, and people from all around the world can watch this play. I also think that this play has a really important message to share about being yourself and expressing yourself. And queer pride, queer joy, all of those things, I think are really important for younger audiences, and it makes me really excited to know that this play can be seen by so many school kids around the world, too. This play, it's been done many, many times before, but it's for a reason, and I'm really happy that it's been immortalised. It's really cool." On Digging Into the Play's Interrogation of Identity and Breaking Free of Expectations "I think that was a really important theme to our interpretation of the play. In the past, other versions of this play feel quite stuffy, and it is more about the snobbery of high society than it is about identity and expression and queerness. And we wanted to make it feel fresh and use the queer lens more than anything. This play is about young people inventing themselves in virtuosic expression.The opening of the play, too, the dance sequence that we put in the opening of the play, I think really represents that. It's the dream. We wanted it to be feel like an empowering play rather than weighed down by the satire of it." On the Experience of Starring in Sharp Objects, Little Women and Babyteeth in Such Short Succession at the Start of Scanlen's Career "It was pretty overwhelming. I'm aware that most people, it doesn't happen in such quick succession, usually. And I did find it quite overwhelming and felt the urge to withdraw from it all, but knew that I couldn't — and was very aware that the opportunities I was getting were really special and it would be silly not to ride the wave. But I was very young, and I think I handled it as well as I could've. But now that I'm older and I have a bit more experience and am probably a bit more mature, I can look back on that time and think to myself 'how did I do that?'. I would say that now I feel a bit more robust and in control. I think I'd be more prepared if something like that happened again. But I wouldn't change it for the world, though." On Scanlen's Trend of Starring in Adaptations, Screen and Stage, of Classic Works "It's not something that's intentional, but I feel really honoured that I'm a part of these incredible classic texts. I did To Kill a Mockingbird onstage as well, and I studied To Kill a Mockingbird in high school, so it's really cool to be able to return to these texts as an actor — and there's still so much to be learnt from these texts. I guess I'm really lucky." On What Being Cast in Little Women Meant to Scanlen — and the Influence It Still Has "It was pretty life-changing being a part of that film. Looking back now, I realise that getting roles like that are few and far between, and to be that excited about a role is pretty rare. And to get no-brainer roles as well, it's very rare. Again, I was so young, and spent a lot of time watching other people and learning. And obviously that's a text that most young women have read and have a relationship with. I think Greta, in particular, was a huge inspiration for me, because I really am inspired by the way she's moved into writing and directing, and that's something I want to keep exploring. I remember being on set on that film and thinking about going into theatre, and she was super encouraging. And so I went on to do that. I think she had a huge part to play in how I made decisions on my career and made decisions on what I wanted to do. And she actually came and saw The Importance of Being Earnest, and it felt like a really special full-circle moment." [caption id="attachment_997124" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Max[/caption] On What Else Inspires Scanlen's Choice of Roles — Other Than Gerwig "My choices on roles are informed by a few different things, but usually the question I ask myself 'is have I done this before?'. I think that's a question that most actors ask themselves. And I know I'm in a privileged position to be able to ask myself that question and not have to take every job, but I think that I'm at a stage in my career where I feel like I'm having to resist, a bit, falling into stereotypes or falling into typecasting. And I'm constantly looking for things that push myself as an actor. I felt like, for example, The Importance of Being Earnest was a huge challenge for me. I'd never done a comedy before. And I had never been entrusted with a character as substantial as Cecily and as iconic as Cecily onstage. So I felt like I was really stretched as an actor in the rehearsal room, and I guess that's the kind of thing that I'm looking for. But it's hard. It's really hard, especially in film and TV. There's so many things that need to fall into place for a film or a show to happen, and it's really hard for all of those things to be right. But I guess that's how I see things." On the Joy of Making Babyteeth in Scanlen's Home Town, and What She Looks for in Australian Projects "I love making things at home. It's an incredibly special experience. And what I loved about Babyteeth was that we shot it in my home town, so it was an incredible experience seeing a city I know so well become a set for a film. And there's parts of Sydney that I now look at in a completely different way because of it — and I just think that's really amazing. But I'm not looking for anything in particular. I think the script is obviously incredibly important, and I would love to make a film here next. But I guess I'm just waiting for the right thing to come along — but I'm desperate to work in Australia again." NT Live's The Importance of Being Earnest opened in Australian cinemas on Thursday, March 27, 2025. The Importance of Being Earnest images: Marc Brenner.
It's been a long wait in Australia if you want to rock 'n' roll with AC/DC live. 2025 marks ten years since the iconic Sydney-formed band last took to the stage Down Under. It's also the year, thankfully, that they're making their Aussie concert return. After kicking off in 2024, the group's Power Up tour has finally locked in Australian dates, with Brian Johnson, Angus Young and company hitting up five cities in November and December 2025. Getting thunderstruck: Melbourne to kick off the Aussie leg on Wednesday, November 12; Sydney on Friday, November 21; Adelaide on Sunday, November 30; Perth on Thursday, December 4; and Brisbane to wrap up the Australian shows on Sunday, December 14. As one of the biggest bands that the country has ever produced, AC/DC are putting on huge gigs at every one of their homegrown dates. Let there be rock at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Accor Stadium, the bp Adelaide Grand Final, Optus Stadium and Suncorp Stadium, then. This is the first time that the legendary Australian rockers have toured Down Under since their 2015 'Rock or Bust' world tour. For this run of dates, Amyl and The Sniffers are onboard in support to make these massive Aussie concerts even more so, and to give attendees a taste of two different generations of Aussie rockstars. Playing Sydney isn't just part of a fitting homecoming for AC/DC, but comes more than half a century since the band played their first-ever show in the Harbour City. Their 2025 gig will be just over a month and a half short of 52 years since that 1973 debut. Power Up is also the name of the group's 2020 album, their most-recent record — which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, made multiple best-of lists for that year and scored Grammy nominations. For those about to rock, AC/DC's high-voltage current set list spans their entire career, however, including everything from 'If You Want Blood (You've Got It)', 'Back in Black' and 'Hells Bells' to 'Highway to Hell', 'Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap' and 'You Shook Me All Night Long'. So far, the Power Up tour has played Europe and North America, selling more than two-million tickets across 24 shows in the former and notching up ten soldout gigs in the latter. AC/DC will be back in Europe, hitting the Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, Spain, Italy, Estonia, Sweden, Norway, France and Scotland, before their Aussie dates. AC/DC Power Up 2025 Australian Tour Wednesday, November 12 — Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne Friday, November 21 — Accor Stadium, Sydney Sunday, November 30 — bp Adelaide Grand Final, Adelaide Thursday, December 4 — Optus Stadium, Perth Sunday, December 14 — Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane AC/DC are touring Australia in November and December 2025, with tickets on sale from Thursday, June 26, 2025 — at 9am AEST for Sydney, 10am ACST for Adelaide, 11am AEST for Brisbane, 1pm AEST for Melbourne and 1pm AWST for Perth. Head to the tour website for further details. Images: Christie Goodwin.
A 129-year-old boot factory in Sydney's eastern suburbs is being given a huge revamp by the Waverley Council, creating a meeting place for the community and for innovators in the area. Initially built in 1892, the three-level factory will be restored and upgraded, turning it into a civic innovation hub. The transformed space is being created with the intention of supporting and encouraging collaboration between industry, universities, government and members of the community in Bondi Junction and the surrounding eastern suburbs. "Our restoration and upgrade project, which showcases our commitment to repurposing old buildings, will breathe new life into this important precinct in Bondi Junction and bring this heritage building into the 21st century to be used by generations to come," said Mayor of Waverley Paul Masselos. Located at 27–33 Spring Street, at the rear of Norman Lee Place, the factory was originally built for the shoe manufacturer William Sidaway and Son, who produced Sally Smart footwear for David Jones. After also serving as the base for the Inventors Association of Australia and other community organisations in the 60s and 70s, the building was acquired by Waverley Council in 1984 for its heritage value — it's one of the last remaining Victorian industrial buildings in the area. It's been vacant since 2007. [caption id="attachment_808183" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Boot Factory circa 1911[/caption] The restoration will include work on the factory's roof and masonry perimeter walls, new floors and an interior fitout. Following this, flexible community spaces will be created, as will a new cafe, and the Norman Lee Place courtyard will be beautified. As part of the restoration project, the adjacent Mill Hill Community Centre is also being renovated, with the two buildings set to be connected and share facilities such as lifts and accessible amenities. The council has enlisted construction company Lloyd Group to complete the restorations and renovations. Work on the factory has already begun, and the full restoration and upgrade is expected to be complete in March 2022. The Boot Factory is located at the rear of Norman Lee Place at 27–33 Spring Street, Bondi Junction. For further information about the site's revamp, head to the Waverley Council website. Top image: artist impression of the civic innovation hub.
Need a little swing in your step? Whether you feel like you were born to jive, or you're just after a fun activity that's a bit different, swing dancing could be the answer. Each Monday, Swing Patrol holds swing dance classes in the Church Hall of St Stephens. Head to the beginners class at 7pm for the basics of swing dancing and once you have those down, the intermediate class at 8.15pm will up your game will more challenging routines. Swing Patrol has built a huge community over the years with students performing at markets, parties, and events all over the world. Even if your aspirations are less global and more just getting a dose of wholesome retro fun, at just $16 a pop, these classes are a good place to look.
Back in May, it was announced that beloved Sydney pub and live music stalwart The Lansdowne had been saved from closure after long-time custodians Mary's stepped away from the venue. Taking over the reins would be the team behind another Sydney favourite, the Oxford Art Factory. To celebrate the continued safety of this Sydney icon, the new Lansdowne team is throwing a free 12-hour party on Saturday, June 25 with a hefty lineup in tow. Headling the party is Winston Surfshirt, who will be bringing their catalog of genre-bending hits to The Lansdowne's stage. Joining them will be a host of fan-favourite local Sydney and Australian acts like Donny Benet, RVG, Caitlin Harnett and the Pony Boys, First Beige and Hayley Mary. There's also a stack of talented musicians tackling the DJ decks throughout the night including the beloved duo Stereogamous, the Motorik team, Baby Beef, Tasker, Joey P, Salarymen and Dead Witch. The cherry on top of this jam-packed free event is free beer and food for those that get down early. The gig will be kicking off at 5pm and staying true to The Lansdowne's reputation for late-night kick-ons, continuing through the night until 5am. Entry is free with registration via Moshtix. [caption id="attachment_757840" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Lansdowne Hotel[/caption]
Just like Ross and Rachel and all the other sitcom couples we've been way too invested in, the on-again off-again relationship between Uber and technical legality is the love affair of our time. And in the newest chapter of the saga, Uber is very much on again in NSW after the Baird government moved to legalise the beloved service. Yep, from midnight tonight Uber will be legal in the state of NSW, but not without some compromises. According to The Daily Telegraph, the taxi companies — playing the role of the jealous love rival in this narrative — will be compensated $20,000 per registered number plate. This might seem excessive, but the current cost to register as a cab is bonkers — in Victoria, metropolitan taxi rego currently sits at $22,703 per year. Under the new rule, Uber drivers will have to pay a license fee, although, how much that fee will be is yet to be determined. Normal taxis also get complete dibs of cab ranks (naturally) and Sydney Airport pick-ups. Guess we're still gonna have to drag out suitcases to the boundary of the airport to wait for an Uber, after all. NSW is the second Australian state to legalise Uber, following the ACT's ruling in October. It's a stark contrast to the other side of the border, where the Victorian government have just set a legal precedent that may effectively outlaw the ridesharing app. Although, there have been no signs of change yet — as all Victorian Uber users know, apart from some surging immediately after the news broke, the service has generally gone on unaffected. So what's going to happen to the landscape of private transport love now that Uber is a genuine competitor in NSW? What dramatic twists and turns can we expect next season? Stay tuned to find out. Via The Daily Telegraph.
Thanks to the franchise's increasingly over-the-top sequels, it's easy to dismiss John Rambo as an idiotic and cartoonish action hero whose movies readily employ more bullets than brain cells. That would be to forget how pointed and politically charged First Blood was when it came out in 1982. Grappling with issues such as the hidden wounds of post-traumatic stress disorder and the disenfranchisement of Vietnam vets, the original film presented Rambo as a tragic figure simply trying (and failing) to slip silently through society's cracks as a harmless and withdrawn loner. In the original cut, he actually committed suicide, only for test audiences to declare the ending too disheartening and morose — hardly the stuff of action heroes. So it was that a franchise was born — one in which Rambo was slowly reinvented as a one-man killing machine and poster child for US military might. Politics and social themes were still in there, but the emphasis shifted with each instalment. First Blood Part II held mostly true to its origins, showing the secret abandonment of American prisoners-of-war and the disposability of assets like Rambo by the very government they vowed to serve. By Rambo III, however, the villain was now the Soviet Union, with the film concluding with a dedication to "the gallant people of Afghanistan". Yet even with the third movie's souped-up action, Stallone continued to present Rambo as a tragic figure, suffering in silence, tormented by demons, seeking penance wherever opportunity presents and as uncomfortable as ever over his god-given gift: dealing death better than anyone else. Rambo, coming out 20 years after its immediate predecessor in 2008, focused its politics on the atrocities of the army in Myanmar, however it also introduced a level of violence and gore that went far beyond anything previously seen in the franchise. There was a bloodlust to it, taking it out of harmless action-movie fun, and into something uncomfortable and almost voyeuristic. There were still some great moments, but it was clear that the franchise and character had changed forever. Which brings us to Rambo: Last Blood — a film that aspires to be Logan, yet lands somewhere closer to The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Plot-wise, the trailers intimated something to do with hidden secrets coming back to claim their dues. Not so. Co-written by Stallone and directed by Adrian Grunberg (Get the Gringo), this is essentially Taken, Mexico-style. Rambo's niece Gabrielle (Yvette Monreal) is drugged, kidnapped and groomed as a sex slave south of the border, compelling him to use his "very particular set of skills, skills... acquired over a very long career, skills that make [him] a nightmare for people like [cartels]" (as Liam Neeson would put it) until he baits his new enemies to chase him back to Arizona. It's a bizarre mishmash of storylines, all trying to ground themselves in Rambo's ongoing PTSD. Sometimes that's done well, revealing that he sleeps underground in a Viet Cong-styled network of tunnels beneath his family ranch — or when he admits he never got better, but rather he's just trying to "keep a lid on it". Most of the time, though, the film feels rushed and clumsy. Cheap, even. Rambo is still softly spoken and withdrawn, but the nuance is no longer apparent. He abhors violence, yet maintains a terrifying arsenal of knives, guns and explosives. And beneath that picturesque ranch is a straight-up house of horrors, physically and psychologically. But is the film still enjoyable? Mostly, no. Last Blood's quiet moments feel forced compared to the surprisingly tender or revealing offerings from earlier instalments, and the action is heavily abbreviated for most of the movie — no doubt because Stallone is now 73. The ending, however, is a different story. It's at once insanely silly and confessedly satisfying: a veritable smorgasbord of gruesome deaths packed into a tight 10-minute sequence, culminating in one of cinema's most gory finishes. Suffice it to say, the audience in the press screening was both hiding behind its hands and cheering amidst horrified laughter. It's one of those rare cinematic experiences that brings a room of strangers together in a weird but wonderful way. And as for this being Rambo's Logan moment... we'll save the spoilers and leave it up to you to find out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83nGns3pErk
Sydney has no shortage of speakeasies. Some of the city's best bars are hidden in basements, down unmarked laneways or behind decoy shopfronts. What sets the secret 1920s-inspired hotel bar Brooksy apart is the opulence that it lavishes upon those lucky enough to find it — this is a speakeasy so glamorous, it could make a Gatsby blush. Parquet floors, marble countertops and deep-pile velvet upholstery. Chevrons, curves and polished wood finishes. A palette of corals, umbers, moss greens and midnight blues. Add them all together and Brooksy's luxurious decor is a full-throated love song to the art deco and bauhaus movements, down to the last draped curtain and brushed-brass light fixture. Hidden on the ground floor of the Amora Hotel on Jamison Street in the CBD, it's a space that summons the spirit of the Roaring Twenties, with just a little 21st-century license. And the decadence doesn't stop with the fitout. The cocktail list, designed by award-winning bartender Brendon Hill, is an ode to the golden age of travel — a time when globetrotting socialites crossed continents in search of adventures. Each concoction marks a stop on a grand global itinerary, taking in Australia, Asia, Europe, North and South America, and even the Caribbean. For example, the Uluru (a blend of green grapes, lemon, Campari, gin and white vermouth) seeks to evoke the wonder of exploring the outback, while the Amalfi Coast-inspired Saluti hopes to whisk you away on an Mediterranean retreat via a mingle of house-made citruscello, peach granita and prosecco. Sticking with the theme of 1920s excess, you'll also find absinthe fountains, a roving premium whisky cart and oysters shucked tableside on the menu. The theatrical flourishes continue with the bar's entertainment offering, with live music performances and palm readings by fortune tellers on the billing. If all that excitement has helped you work up an appetite, executive chef Hemant Dadlani's menu of bar snacks is at the ready. It also takes its cues from Hill's international concept, with yuzu scallops with zippy hits of ikura and wasabi, Glacier 51 toothfish served shiro miso and cucumber salsa, and fiery Jamaican jerk chicken sliders among the dishes on offer. A thirst for discovery underpins any speakeasy experience, but Brooksy is upping the ante with the cryptic promise of "hidden offerings and giveaways throughout the bar for those looking closely for clues." And yet, for all its OTT extravagance and luxury trappings, this 70-seat venue is compact enough to still feel intimate and cosy. Find Brooksy at 19 Jamison Street, Sydney, open 5pm–late Tuesday–Saturday — head to the venue's website for more details. Images: Chad Konik.
