Our fair city is home to some cracking pubs, restaurants, cafes and stores — we'd even go as far to say they are some of the best in the country. But, as we saw much too pointedly last year, many of our faves are only as strong as our support. With many hospitality joints and retailers shut for some time last year, we saw a rise in amazing merch as an alternative way for small businesses to make ends meet. Thankfully, the trend continues, so we can hit up our favourite local spots to wine, dine and shop and go on reppin' them. Yep, we want you to wear your love of food, coffee, drinks and more on your sleeve. Not only will you look fresh as can be, but you'll be supporting local loud 'n' proud — just the way it should be. Together with American Express, we've rounded up some of the top branded wares around town, from cosy hoodies and easy breezy tees to kitchen equipment and sleek calico totes.
Light and bright is the best way to describe Shutters, a restaurant and bar inside the Crowne Plaza hotel on Coogee Beach. Sunlight streams through the venue's white shutters, keeping with the vibe of a poolside Miami lounge bar — and it's name. Inside, you'll find marble tables, velvet chairs and booths in pale pastels, white and gold art deco fixtures, and pops of green from the big leafy plants dotted around the space. On the menu, the influences of Corsica and Sardinia are evident, from starters like stracciatella with roasted tomato oil, basil and olives ($16) to the flaky limoncello mille feuille ($14) being served for dessert. It's all about a leisurely afternoon meal at Shutters, beginning with fresh oysters with mignonette, horseradish granita or lemon and sea foam ($24 for six; $46 for 12). You'll also find some charcuterie and a warm octopus salad complete with kipfler potato, chorizo and orange ($18). Next, you can move on to pasta — try the king prawn and goats curd ravioli ($26), or a twist on lasagne with confit chicken, sofrito, cashews and avocado ($24). There's also a handful of main dishes (covering steak, spatchcock, fish and vego options), all of which are served with unlimited fries (yes) and salad. You can round off the meal with an after dinner mint granita, dark chocolate sorbet and sponge cake ($16). The drinks list complements the food offering, covering a few classic cocktails, five spritz varieties (including a strawberry and basil mix that is almost too tempting, $18), a smattering of tap and bottled beers, plus juice and kombucha. Wine is the main event, with drops coming from Italy, France and around Australia in equal numbers. Shutters is the first of four "micro" venues to open in Coogee Beach's Crowne Plaza. Soon to follow will be Estate: a bar, restaurant, taco joint and hidden karaoke spot. We'll let you know more about those when they open.
Australians love big things. There are more than 150 big things across the country — from the five-metre high can of Tooheys New that crowns a pub in the outback town of Cobar, to the controversial Big Bogan of Nyngan, 190 kilometres northwest of Dubbo. Now, Hawke's Brewing is throwing its hat in the ring with the unveiling of a big gold prawn at the Bob Hawke Brewing and Leisure Centre. Named Shane Prawn, this huge golden structure has been erected to coincide with the restaurant's shift to opening for trade seven days a week. "It's been a fun seven months since we opened the doors of The Bob Hawke Beer & Leisure Centre but we all thought it was time to take it up a notch and move from five days of good beer, good leisure and Chinese meals to a glorious, non-stop, seven day," says co-founder of Hawke's Nathan Lennon. [caption id="attachment_854590" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jessie Ann[/caption] The prawn weighs a whopping 120-kilograms. Sporting spindly prawn arms and bready eyes, the eerily realistic-looking statue is situated right above The Lucky Prawn counter where you can order the 80s-influenced Australian-Chinese dishes that the Hawke's crew has created with the help of Nic Wong (Cho Cho San, Bodega). "We're incredibly grateful to everyone who's helped make the journey so rewarding, so to give some love (and hopefully luck) back to the community with a large, golden, waving prawn is the least we can do," Lennon continues. The change of hours now means the brewery and restaurant are open from midday on weekdays and 11am on weekends, so you can kick your week off with next-level prawn toast, san choy bao, honey king prawns and the mother of all nostalgic creations — deep-fried Viennetta for lunch or dinner. [caption id="attachment_848328" align="alignnone" width="1829"] The James Adams[/caption] The Bob Hawke Beer and Leisure Centre is located at 8–12 Sydney Street Marrickville. It's open midday–10pm Sunday–Tuesday, midday–11pm Wednesday and midday–midnight Thursday–Saturday. Top image: Nikki To
You eagerly await the arrival of summer. You picture yourself hitting the beach multiple times a week — sunrise walks, swims in your lunch break and sundowners at a waterside bar. Then suddenly the end of the sunny season is nigh and you realise you've not spent nearly as much time with sand between your toes as you'd hoped. It happens to the best of us. Thankfully, Sydney is blessed with dozens of beautiful beaches that'll help you enjoy those summer vibes a little longer. Exhibit A: Manly Beach. Even if Manly is your local, when's the last time you spent a full day enjoying what it has to offer? So, we've teamed up with White Claw to curate a sunrise to sunset itinerary to show how to pack the most into an excursion to the legendary Sydney beach. 7AM: GO FOR A SUNRISE SWIM You may have seen those bright pink swim caps on a rare sunrise stroll in Manly — or, more likely, you've seen them on Instagram. But since today is about changing up your routine, why not throw one on yourself and join the Bold and Beautiful Swim Squad for an early morning dip? The squad meets at 7am, seven days a week, in front of Manly Life Saving Club, before diving into the deep blue and making the journey to Shelly Beach and back — it's 750 metres each way. Who needs coffee when you can wake up with an ocean swim instead? [caption id="attachment_717595" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kitti Gould[/caption] 8AM: PICK UP A PASTRY AND COFFEE AT ROLLERS BAKEHOUSE You've likely worked up an appetite so, after you've dried off, make tracks to Rialto Lane where you'll find Rollers Bakehouse. This Palm Springs-inspired spot is home to some of the tastiest (and most decadent) pastries in Sydney, including sweet and savoury croissants, pies and scrolls. The flavours are constantly changing, but you can expect creative spins like sticky oat chai croissants, cereal milk cruffins and duck pancake sausage rolls. In fact, the options are so innovative that you'll struggle to select just one. Order a few — you've earned 'em — along with a batch brew or latte, nab a bench in the bright pink courtyard and enjoy. [caption id="attachment_784919" align="alignnone" width="1920"] NSW National Parks[/caption] 9AM: HEAD TO COLLINS FLAT BEACH FOR SOME LEISURELY BEACH TIME Instead of heading to Manly's main beach, opt for Collins Flat Beach, a tiny little harbour inlet that sits between North Head and Little Manly Cove. Here, you can have a splash in the calm, shallow waters and admire the views across the harbour to The Heads — all sans crowds. There's also a legit waterfall to enjoy. Though it feels quite remote, it's quite easy to get to Collins Flat. You can drive down Collins Beach Road and park near the Australian Institute of Police Management, which marks the start of a small track to the sand. Or you can drive or catch the free Hop Skip & Jump bus from Manly Council Chambers to Little Manly, walk down Stuart Street towards Skinner's Reserve and then follow the short track to Collins Flat. 11AM: TAKE A SURFING LESSON Is learning how to surf one of those things that has always been on your bucket list but you've never gotten around to actually doing it? There's no time like the present, friends. Manly Surf School runs lessons every single day for people of all ages and abilities. Adult lessons cost $75 per person (but get cheaper if you buy multiple) and last for 90 minutes. All equipment, including a surfboard and a wet suit or rash vest, is included. All you need is a towel, sunscreen and a good attitude. We're not going to sugar-coat it — it's pretty tricky. But it is also a whole lot of fun. And when you finally manage to stand up (and stay standing), the sense of achievement you'll feel is on par with winning an Olympic medal (we're guessing). [caption id="attachment_717428" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kitti Gould[/caption] 1PM: GET A LITTLE RETAIL THERAPY It's no secret that the water is Manly's main drawcard, but the beachside community has plenty more on offer, including several boutiques worthy of a visit. Spend a little time wandering the streets and poking your head into the retail stores that catch your eye. Looking for an outfit for a special occasion? Pop into Sir for chic minimalist designs or Coco and Lola to shop labels like Ena Pelly, Bec and Bridge and Manning Cartell. If you're more interested in dressing up your home, visit Nordic Fusion to browse chic Scandinavian-designed furniture, decor and accessories. And, of course, no trip to Manly is complete without a visit to boutique bottle-o Winona to replenish your stores of natural wine and craft beer. [caption id="attachment_715896" align="alignnone" width="1720"] Kitti Gould[/caption] 2PM: ENJOY A CONVIVIAL LUNCH AT CHICA BONITA We're not sure what it is about Mexican cuisine and salty sea air that pair so well together. But a long lunch at much-loved Chica Bonita may be the best way to figure it out — short of booking a flight to Cancun, that is. Settle in for lunch at this brightly coloured arcade bar to snack on guacamole, fish tacos and tuna tostadas before sinking your teeth into a hearty chicken burrito, loaded with black beans, red rice, chorizo and cheese. Or, you could opt for a bowl filled with crispy eggplant, chipotle, macadamia, caramelised carrot and quinoa. Pair your feast with a margarita — there are eight varieties to choose from. 3PM: CRUISE THE STREETS ON AN E-BIKE We know it's tempting, but try not to order that second serving of guacamole at lunch because the next activity is, well, active. Head to Manly Bikes on West Espalanade and hire a two-wheeler so you can spend the afternoon exploring more of the neighbourhood at your own pace. Of course, a cute aqua cruiser bike ($18 for one hour or $24 for two) will look the best against the beach backdrop but if you're feeling a little lazy after lunch, opt for an e-bike ($32 for one hour or $39 for two). The friendly staff will be happy to share route recommendations but we suggest pedalling along the beachfront from Manly Lagoon to Shelly Beach — then, if you have time, you could keep going all the way up to North Head and the Q Station. [caption id="attachment_827084" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Elliott Kramer[/caption] 5PM: DRINKS AT THE OFFICE If there's one quintessential Manly pasttime that needs to be on your hit list, it's sundowners at The Office. How the nickname for the small stretch of grass at East Esplanade Reserve came about is something of a mystery, but the main takeaway is this: between the hours of 8am–8pm, alcohol consumption is permitted. It's one of the very few outdoor spots in Manly where you can BYO booze, so it's best to take advantage. Swing by a bottle-o, grab a four-pack of White Claw hard seltzers and watch the ferries zip across the harbour as the sun begins to set. 7PM: WATCH THE SUN SET OVER DINNER You're coming to the end of your long day in the seaside suburb. If you're keen to grab one last drink and a bite to eat before waving goodbye, stop into the recently renovated Wharf Bar. Here, you can enjoy freshly shucked oysters, tiger prawns, salt 'n' pepper squid and sweet potato fries while watching the sun set over the harbour. Alternatively, you can extend the adventure by jumping on a ferry over to Watsons Bay (it takes just 15 minutes) to enjoy dinner and a boogie at the ever-reliable Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel. For more information on White Claw, head to the website. Top image: Paros Huckstepp
One of the best coastal walks in Sydney, Spit Bridge to Manly is all the better with your pup by your side. Unfortunately, your doggo is not allowed within the Sydney Harbour National Park section of the hike (at Dobroyd Head), but it's easily avoidable on this walk — and the rest of the trek is completely dog friendly. Start this nine-kilometre trip with a swim at Spit Reserve, where fur babies are welcome and allowed to roam off-leash at certain times. Then, cross the bridge and hike along the Fisher Bay Walk. Stop off for another sand run at Sandy Bay on the way, which is also a pooch's paradise. Instead of continuing along the coast on the Clontarf Track, turn into the lovely residential streets of Balgowlah Heights. From here, you can link back up with the coast (outside of the national park) and continue on your way to the Manly Wharf. Image: Destination NSW
In The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart, blooms are rarely out of sight and petals never evade attention. Adapted from Holly Ringland's 2018 novel, the seven-part Australian miniseries is set on a farm that cultivates native flora. It dubs the women who tend to them, an ensemble from various backgrounds largely seeking refuge from abusive pasts, "flowers" as well. Whether stem by stem or in bunches, its characters use florets as their own secret language. And yet, as much as bouquets linger, getting all things floral on the mind, star Sigourney Weaver burns rather than blossoms. Fire is another of the Prime Video newcomer's strong recurring motifs, so it's still fitting that its biggest name is as all-consuming as a blaze. As seen via streaming from Friday, August 4, Weaver needs to be that scorching: this is a story about endeavouring to survive while weathering woes that ignite everything in their path. She also draws upon almost five decades of thriving before the camera, often playing steely, smart and sometimes-raging women. Her on-screen career began sparking with Alien, the film that made her an instant icon. Since then, everyone has heard her performances scream. Weaver's resume also boasts the Ghostbusters franchise and fellow 80s hit Working Girl, everything from Copycat and Holes to Baby Mama and My Salinger Year, and the Avatar saga — playing a 14-year-old Na'vi girl in Avatar: The Way of Water included — and, in The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart, she's again dazzling. Flowers frequently surround Weaver's June Hart far and wide, and in all hues and shapes. With a carefully selected cutting — be it of wattle, Sturt's desert pea or other Australian natives — she can say all she needs to. Indeed, June is a woman of few words if she can help it. The shotgun-toting matriarch of Thornfield Flower Farm, she knows how to make her presence felt as much as the most striking bloom, and favours action over talk. That's what the eponymous Alice (Ayla Browne, Nine Perfect Strangers) quickly learns about her grandmother when she arrives at the property following a tragedy. She too becomes one of the farm's flowers, moving in after losing her pregnant mother Agnes (Tilda Cobham-Hervey, Hotel Mumbai) and violent father Clem (Charlie Vickers, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power). This is a tale about traumas, secrets and lies that lurk as deeply as the earth — about the choices and cycles that take root in such fraught soil, too. When nine-year-old Alice relocates fresh from hospital, her whole existence has been darkened by her dad's temper, but the determined June, her doting partner Twig (Leah Purcell, The Drover's Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson) and their adopted daughter Candy Blue (Frankie Adams, The Expanse) aim to shower the girl with sunlight in their own manners. You can't just bury problems, however, then hope that something vivid and colourful will grow over the top. Dedicating its first half to Alice's childhood and its second to 14 years later, when she's in her early twenties (Alycia Debnam-Carey, Fear the Walking Dead) and making her way away from Thornfield, The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart understands this immutable fact in its core. When it spends time with its namesake while she's young, The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart sees a slip of a kid who dreams of an escape, snatches what solace she can from borrowed books and loses her voice literally when fire sweeps in. The show's initial episodes witness the forces influencing Alice's life — some stormy, some luminous, many in-between — including as librarian Sally Morgan (Asher Keddie, Rams) and her police-officer husband John (Alexander England, Black Snow) contemplate battling June for custody. When it leaps forward to watch Alice flee all that she knows after a devastating revelation, it spies her heading to the Red Centre, collecting a stray pup along the journey, switching from floriography to being a park ranger, and falling for colleague Dylan (Sebastián Zurita, How to Survive Being Single). It also spots how the past keeps finding new routes to sprout no matter where she is or what she's doing. Add The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart alongside Deadloch, The English and Big Little Lies on the growing list of series that interrogate the brutality that too often surrounds women. Where Kate McCartney and Kate McLennan's excellent fellow Australian series adopted humour and satire, and the Emily Blunt-led series was a western, The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart joins Big Little Lies in embracing melodrama. Forget the term's soap-opera connotations; the best examples understand that some stories demand telling with heightened emotions and by plunging viewers into a world of feelings, but can also be relayed thoughtfully, smartly and sensitively. That's exactly what showrunner Sarah Lambert (Lambs of God), fellow writers Kim Wilson (A League of Their Own) and Kirsty Fisher (Deadloch), and director Glendyn Ivin (Penguin Bloom) perfect in a series that's constantly probing, pondering and empathising. Still, it's easy to see how a lesser version of The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart could've played out — and how formulaic, neat and straightforward it would've proven. Thankfully, the show that's reached streaming queues always digs in, flourishes in its own patch and turns its specific elements, familiar as some may be, into something powerful. There's no shying away from the horrors that haunt the series' characters, some passing down through generations, others tied to Australia's atrocious treatment of First Nations people and many sadly remaining far too prevalent IRL. There's no ignoring the potency of its mysteries as savage events beget long-hidden truths. And, there's no looking away from cinematographer Sam Chiplin's (The Stranger) meticulous imagery, which enthrals and immerses whether surveying the Australian landscape, focusing on minutiae, or peering intently at Weaver and her co-stars. As phenomenal as Weaver is, she isn't short on excellent company in a miniseries flowering with lived-in performances. Also portraying formidable women with harrowing histories that will never wilt, Purcell, Adams and Keddie always have pain and perseverance simmering in their eyes even when they're at their most caring. Conveying the fields upon fields of troubles and struggles shaping Alice via their expressions and physicality, Browne and Debnam-Carey are both exceptional — especially the former when nothing can be spoken, and the latter while navigating another fight to truly have a voice. Those blooms that are used to communicate? The farm's women have a dictionary, The Thornfield Language of Flowers, explaining them. With its cast, The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart takes a leaf out of that book, too, knowing how to say everything even when no one utters a thing. Check out the full trailer for The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart below: The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart streams via Prime Video from Friday, August 4. Images: H Stewart.
Comforting colours are here to stay, at least for another year. For its Colour of the Year for 2025, the Pantone Colour Institute has gone with "a soft, warming brown" as its chosen hue — a tone that it says symbolises thoughtful indulgence, harmonious comfort and feelings of contentment. That shade: Mocha Mousse. Before every new year hits, the institute's colour experts select a hue for the 12 months ahead — the shade that you can expect to see popping up around the place, including in fashion and accessories, home decor, design and beauty, and more. For 2024, it also opted for a calming shade with Peach Fuzz, choosing for a tone between pink and orange. Now, it's going all in on mellow brown. Obviously given its pick, expect to see this hue in food and drink as well. "Underpinned by our desire for every day pleasures, Pantone 17-1230 Mocha Mousse expresses a level of thoughtful indulgence. Sophisticated and lush, yet at the same time an unpretentious classic, Pantone 17-1230 Mocha Mousse extends our perceptions of the browns from being humble and grounded to embrace aspirational and luxe," said Pantone Colour Institute Executive Director Leatrice Eiseman, announcing 2025's pick. "Infused with subtle elegance and earthy refinement, Pantone 17-1230 Mocha Mousse presents a discrete and tasteful touch of glamour. A flavourful brown shade, Pantone 17-1230 Mocha Mousse envelopes us with its sensorial warmth." This is the 26th year that Pantone has chosen a shade to encapsulate the year to come, and this time took cues from cacao, coffee and chocolate, as well as humanity's desire to connect to the natural world. "The everlasting search for harmony filters through into every aspect of our lives including our relationships, the work we do, our social connections and the natural environment that surrounds us. Harmony brings feelings of contentment, inspiring a positive state of inner peace, calm and balance as well as being tuned in with the world around us. Harmony embraces a culture of connection and unity as well as the synthesis of our mental, spiritual and physical well-being," Pantone Colour Institute Vice President Laurie Pressman expanded. "With that in mind, for Pantone Colour of the Year 2025 we look to a colour that progresses our embrace of the feeling of our Pantone Colour of the Year, Pantone 13-1023 Peach Fuzz, into another dimension, extending further into our desire for comfort, and the indulgence of simple pleasures that we can gift and share with others." The new shade follows not only 2024's Peach Fuzz, but also 2023's Viva Magenta, 2022's Very Peri, and 2021's Ultimate Gray and vibrant yellow Illuminating before that. In 2020, Pantone went with Classic Blue, while 2019's colour was Living Coral, 2018's was Ultra Violet and 2017's was Greenery. To find out more about Mocha Mousse — and to check out all of the previous Colours of the Year — head to the Pantone website.
If you're more of an indoor thrill-seeker or fantasy is the realm that really gets your heart pumping, you need to scoot to FREAK VR in Penrith — stat. Here, you'll experience the next generation of computer gameplay. If you've got a gang of four, get ready to choose your own adventure. As a quartet, you can roam freely in the arena, exploring your new reality at your leisure. Will you fight, dance, play laser tag, explore different worlds, solve mysteries, take on hordes of undead or hunt ghosts in an immersive experience of heart-stopping suspense? If you're more puzzle-inclined, choose the VR escape room and race against the clock in a vivid expansive realm that could include mysteries involving pirates, Egyptian tombs or even spaceships. For lovers of classic arcade games, book in for a solo session at the Virtual Arcade and take your pick from more than 30 of the most universally adored games. There's everything from Fruit Ninja to first-person shooters and fantasy archery — and the range is being updated constantly, so you're sure to find a winner. If you've got a need for speed, hop into the racing simulators in FREAK Drive, which are complete with hyper-realistic cars and real-world tracks.
Yearning to create pop music that has a little more depth than your standard dancefloor anthem is Sydney's Catcall. Catherine Kelleher, the woman behind the name, speaks to Kirstie Sequitin ahead of her debut album release and upcoming performance at Surrealism Up Late. How's The Warmer Side coming along? Yeah, it's good! We're kind of in the process of mixing it at the moment. There'll be a new single out in August, September hopefully. How long has that process been going for? It seems like you've been working on it for a while now. I put the EP out around 2008, and then I started writing for the album around the end of that year. Since then I've been kind of writing and recording and working on it. It's just taking a long time for the songs to develop to a point where we're all really happy with them, and then there was a lot of demoing done and a lot of songs disposed of. Then we had to work out how the record was going to be tied together and produced and recorded. All that kind of stuff just took a while to kind of grow into something strong, but now it's all kind of come together quickly in the last couple of months and it's at that point where we're just locking mixes off and whatnot. When it comes down to the writing process - I guess that was a while ago now - but do you focus on lyrics first or do you focus on the backing stuff first? I usually collaborate with people who start off by sending me either a simple thing with a bass line or some keys, and that inspires the vocal melody. They'll normally ask me, "What do you want to make?" and I usually tell them to make whatever they vibe. I don't like sending refs or anything saying "I want you to create me this!" It's not about creating the most interesting or exciting work; usually I just want the other person to do what they do best. They usually send me a beat or something and I'll write something over it and that'll always start with a vocal melody. From there the hardest part is basically just nutting out the lyrics and that's usually where all the time is spent, getting the lyrics perfect, because you need your meanings and you need to sing it and make sure it sounds good. Then we record and mix and get the production worked in. Do you have a specific vision in mind? I know that you said that you don't tell the collaborators what to do but do you have a template of how you want them to sound? Hm… not really - they've usually already heard something I've done. With Youth [Brisbane's Luke Foskey], he knew all of it, so he would just send me stuff. But with more recent collaborations in the past six months they do normally ask for refs and ask things like "What are you listening to at the moment?" and I'll say, "Oh, I'm really into Fleetwood Mac". But you can't get someone to truly create something that's like Fleetwood Mac, so I'll just tell them what I'm listening to, and send them stuff that I've already written and that usually forms what they'll do. Most of the time I just want them to do what they already do, and I collaborate with them because I've already heard their stuff. But they do always ask those kinds of questions like "What are you writing? Are you writing something slow or are you writing something fast?" because they want to know a point to start. Then I think, "Maybe we will go fast, maybe we'll go up-tempo" but usually I stop there because I want them to do what they do, because that's when the most exciting stuff happens. I've read that you have an emphasis on making things imperfect, can you elaborate on that? I don't want things to be necessarily perfect but just as strong as they can be, I guess. In terms of the quality of work, the show… I just want everything to have the best that I can bring it. I don't like the idea of putting something out there that's half-assed. Well, not half-assed but just something that feels like it's not finished, or complete, you know? Because I've already done that, I've put out work that's not complete, I've performed shows that have been really incomplete. Now this is my first record, and I'm going to start putting on a live show and playing regularly. I'm not a complete perfectionist but I just want everything to be the best that it can be. What it seems like to me is that you're trying to work on something that's a little more wholesome than other pop music that's coming out. Yeah, yeah, I want it to be substantial. I was at the APRA Awards the other day and I remember there were eight songwriters on one Katy Perry song and I was like, "That's why these records come out so quickly! There are eight people working on this!" It's like, there's a real formula with the production and it just feels really empty. I just want things to be soulful; I want people to connect with it and I don't think you can just do that if you do it without putting any thought or care into it. It takes a long time to write a really good record. It's so much harder than people assume. Pop records especially. I mean, good pop records. Not really forgettable, flimsy, soulless pop records. You've changed a lot in the past couple of years, how would you describe your developments? Your music style, how has that developed? I think I've become a better singer, a better vocalist, and that's opened up a lot more possibilities for me for what I can write. I've started paying more attention to song lyrics and what makes a really good song. Bry Jones and Toni Toni Lee, I think working with them has really helped me develop, and being open to criticism of what I'm doing and performances and writing. And spending a lot of time rewriting and looking at what I've done and thinking about what I've done and trying to make it better, rather than being satisfied with the first thing I put down, which is what I used to do. I used to be like "Yep, that's what we're going to do" and never edit myself or look back and think, "Hang on a second, there's so many different ways I can make this better". I think that has definitely made me a better songwriter and a better singer and a better performer all round. Catcall plays Surrealism Up Late at the Gallery of Modern Art on July 29. Thanks to GoMA we've got three double passes to give away - e-mail brisbane@concreteplayground.com.au with the subject line 'Water in my veins' by Monday July 25 for your chance to win.
It's all well and good to lock in a destination and start booking your itinerary, but when was the last time you thought about the devices and accessories that'll keep your trip running smoothly? Travelling is stressful enough, so make the journey as easy as possible with practical tech gadgets that'll help you deal with the noise of fellow passengers, having to re-wear dishevelled clothes or running out of charge at the worst possible time. From odour-reducing clothing steamers to powerful portable chargers, we partnered with Philips to put together a list of handy tools that'll take some of the hassle out of your next adventure. Philips Handheld Garment Steamer This portable tool will keep you looking (and smelling) your best throughout your holiday, so you can pack light and have plenty of room in your suitcase for shopping and souvenirs. At an affordable $79.95, the Philips Handheld Steamer 3000 Series is compact enough to throw in your luggage and safe to use on all types of iron-safe fabrics, including delicates like silk. As well as getting rid of wrinkles, the nifty gadget also removes odours and eliminates bacteria, which is ideal when you don't have easy access to a washing machine on your travels. Noise-Cancelling Headphones Ditch the tinny audio and discomfort of those complimentary airline headphones and upgrade to a pair of noise-cancelling headphones for your next flight. You might not think it makes a difference, but eliminating the background roar of the plane means that you don't have to crank up the volume and overstimulate your ears, and it also helps your chances of getting some sleep. There are a wide variety of options available, from the fancy Apple AirPods Max ($899) and Bose QuietComfort Ultra ($645.95) or the more affordable Space One by Soundcore ($135.99). And with the incredibly handy Airfly device ($54.99), you can connect to the in-flight entertainment using your own Bluetooth headphones. Portable Power Bank Imagine trying to navigate an unfamiliar city with only a 2% charge. Or arriving at a spectacular view but not having enough battery to take a photo. Don't let your phone add stress to your trip — throw a portable power bank in your bag so you can be out and about for the whole day. With wireless charging, two built-in cables, interchangeable power adaptors and additional cable outlets, the 5-in-1 Universal Travel Power Bank by Snap is worth the splurge ($169.95). You can also go for a cheaper option, like this power bank by Charmast ($47.99). It offers built-in cables and outputs to charge up to five devices at once and can charge your phone multiple times. E-Reader You don't want to waste precious suitcase space by packing multiple books for your holiday, but that doesn't mean your reading goals need to be put on hold. Both the Amazon Kindle and Rakuten Kobo are able to store more than 10,000 books and last over a month with a single charge. You can take notes, highlight important passages, adjust the font size and brightness, and even rent certain titles. At less than 170 grams, you won't even notice you're carrying it around, but it'll be on hand for those quiet moments when you're sipping coffee in a local cafe, lounging in a park or stuck in a long queue. Portable Fan If you're chasing summer in the northern hemisphere, you'll need an easy way to keep the temperature (and tempers) as cool as possible. Keep a handheld fan in your pocket for long days in the sun, like this water-spraying fan from Big W ($29.99) for a chilly boost or this multi-functional gadget from Amazon ($23.99), which includes a flashlight and power bank. There are also wearable options that keep your hands free, like this rechargeable neck fan ($50.99). The convenient tool disguises as a pair of headphones while circulating cool air across your face and back. With no danger of spinning blades, it is a great option for kids. Shop the Philips Handheld Steamer 3000 Series and other products on the website.
By the time October hits, 3600 Australian pharmacies will be administering COVID-19 vaccinations with the Moderna jab. It's the third coronavirus vax to be used in Australia after AstraZeneca and Pfizer, with doses of Moderna arriving on our shores in the past few days — and now being rolled out to chemists nationwide. During the week beginning yesterday, Monday, September 20, 1800 pharmacies will receive their batches and start getting Aussies to roll up their sleeves for Moderna. Next week, from Monday, September 27, that number again will join the Moderna rollout. So, if you haven't had your jabs yet, you now have more options — both in terms of which vaccination to receive and where to get it. Exactly how many pharmacies will be stocked with Moderna in each state varies; however, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews confirmed that 721 chemists across his state will be administering the shots from this week. Obviously, which pharmacists themselves are doing Moderna jabs also varies, but the Australian Government Department of Health's Vaccine Clinic Finder website lets you find where you can get it, or the other COVID-19 vaccines if that's what you'd prefer. Moderna's vax got the nod from Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration back in August, with the TGA advising that "the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine has shown strong efficacy preventing symptomatic COVID-19 and severe COVID-19 in clinical trials." In early September, it was approved for 12–17-year-olds, too, meaning that it's now approved for all Aussies over the age of 12. The Australian Government has an agreement with Moderna for 25 million doses of the vaccine, which includes 10 million this year and 15 million in 2022. Elsewhere around the world, Moderna's jab has also received approval or authorisation to use in emergency situations in countries such as United Kingdom, Canada, the European Union, the United States, Switzerland and Singapore. Partly funded by a donation from the one and only Dolly Parton, Moderna's vaccine is actually the fourth to get the nod in Australia, following AstraZeneca, Pfizer and a jab from Johnson & Johnson — the latter of which hasn't been included in the country's vaccine rollout so far. Like the Pfizer vaccine, the Moderna jab is an mRNA-based vaccine. So, it uses a synthetic genetic code called RNA, which tells the cells in our bodies how to make the coronavirus' unique spike protein. Then, once our bodies have done just that, making the protein that's encoded by the mRNA vaccine, we're able to recognise the spike protein as being foreign to our system and launch an immune response against it. Two doses of the Moderna vaccine are required — and while the AstraZeneca jabs are recommended four–12 weeks apart, and the Pfizer jabs three weeks apart, Moderna's should be administered within 28 days of each other. Wondering what that the Moderna approval means in terms of boosting Australia's vaccine ability (because actually getting a jab hasn't been particularly straightforward under the country's slow-moving rollout)? Back when the Moderna vax got the tick, Prime Minister Scott Morrison advised the 25 million doses would join the 125 million doses of Pfizer and 53 million doses of AstraZeneca that are already part of the vaccine campaign. "The first one million doses is on track to arrive next month and will go to pharmacies. Then we will have three million in October, three million in November and three million in December," the PM said. And if you'd like to keep an eye on the country's vaccination rates now that a third vax is in the mix — with those rates tied to easing restrictions nationally, and on a state by state level (as seen in the New South Wales and Victorian roadmaps out of lockdown) — we've rounded up where you can do just that. For more information about the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, head to the TGA website. To find out where you can get vaccinated, check out the Australian Government Department of Health's Vaccine Clinic Finder website.
Quiet achievers Little Dragon are a bit of an elusive bunch. Despite jamming together for nearly two decades, the Swedish quartet only gained a serious fan-base following their breakout hit 'Twice' in 2009. But these high school pals-turned-internationally touring chart-toppers are proof that sometimes the best things take time. Making their way around Australia for a string of Laneway Festival appearances, Little Dragon have squeezed in a couple of sneaky sideshows for those not festivaling. Channeling their signature blend of genre-bending beats, their latest fourth studio album Nabuma Rubberband sees a smooth set of dance tracks with strong electro-pop and R&B tendencies. Previous collaborations with the likes of the Gorillaz, SBTRKT and Big Boi have seen these guys go from virtual unknowns to a globally recognised act. With captivating vocals courtesy of Yukimi Nagano guaranteed to get audiences grooving, these performances won't disappoint.
If we had kept going with the stone age, bronze age, iron age system, we would be probably be somewhere in the plastic one, so it is little wonder that so many artists are passing over paintbrushes and kilns to experiment with the possibilities of inflation. In a case of perfect irony, plastic might just be the most digestible of contemporary art ingredients. At home and abroad artists are taking full advantage of your inner child that knows all good parties need a jumping castle and dreams of seeing Woody Woodpecker at the Thanksgiving Parade in NYC (remember Mr Pitt?). Or, if you were a serious eight-year-old, the arguments for making art with a human-made material that is choking the planet practically write themselves. Inspired by the current Mobile M+: Inflation! exhibition in Hong Kong, here is a mini-retrospective of our favourite inflatables. Inflatable Guantanamo Bay prison cell, 2008 Starting at the serious end of the scale, let's go back to 2008 when Bush and Cheney were still kicking around the White House and Phillip Toledano released his online installation, America the Giftstop. "We buy souvenirs at the end of a trip, to remind ourselves of the experience. What do we have to remind ourselves of the events of the last eight years?" Toledano said. An artist and photographer, Toledano's satirical selection of souvenirs from the War on Terror included this life-sized inflatable Guantanamo bay bouncy prison cell. You can imagine his satisfaction in creating a hard-hitting piece of art that is ostensibly a bouncing castle, but then again, that is probably the point. Complex Pile, 2007 Statement on art? A screw-you to exhibition organisers? Paul McCarthy's idea of a gag? Or, a case of beauty where you least expect it? The house-sized inflatable dog turd that caught everyone's attention in Hong Kong is testament to the permission new materials give the artist. This work is currently showing as 'Complex Pile', but certain corners of the internet remember when it had a four letter name. This is not a one-off for McCarthy, whose other inflatable works include a disembodied head of George W. Bush and pigs mid-coitus. Jumping Castle War Memorial, 2010 Aussie artists have also been dragging out the old air-pump. Remember Brook Andrews' Biennale offering a few years ago? Paying tribute to the humble jumping castle, this highly politicised artwork broke the hearts of Sydney’s children by reversing the age restriction to 16+ and popping in a sneaky nod to the old habits of the British Museum — Aboriginal heads — in the turrets. Jumping Castle War Memorial poses some harrowing questions: who would jump on a war memorial? Who can resist a jumping castle? And, where should the memorial end? Baby Ruth, 1966 Forget your definition of art, or decent human beings; Andy Warhol had a knack for picking trends. So, here is our nod to the father of Pop Art and his inflatable Baby Ruth bars. These bad boys also served as his wedding present to the bride and groom of Mod Wedding, part of his 1966 multimedia event Exploding Plastic Inevitable. Subway Sea Monster (The Lochness), 2008 Gorilla art and inflatables seem like a natural match, but the logistics must be alluding some of the smaller-scale art makers out there. NYC street artist Joshua Allen Harris has come up with his own solution: building sculptures with everyday plastics, like garbage bags, and then taping them to subway vents. Like Marilyn before them, Harris's pieces blow up as trains pass below them. Cool, huh? In an added bonus Harris also has a conscience and has used the attention payed to his Polar Bear piece to raise support for the fight against global warming. Rubber Duck, 2007 This international bath time adventurer had its first outing in 2007 and shows no signs of stopping, unless you count this pancake performance in Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour. Artist Florentijn Hofman describes his Rubber Duck as an exercise in ice breaking, a destroyer of barriers that knows no discrimination. He could be right: it is extremely accessible, and how much hate mongering could you do with a six-storey, bright yellow duck bobbing behind you? Hofman's Rubber Duck in happier times.
Though it's true that nothing is really 'like' anything else, Eliza Doolittle gets compared to Lily Allen and Amy Winehouse an awful lot. Doolittle doesn't like it. And, though they sometimes share a producer, neither does Allen. In fact, Doolittle is probably closer to Norah Jones — a strong, clear new voice suddenly cutting its way out across the heavily engineered landscape of pop. Her song Pack Up samples a version of Pack Up Your Troubles and catchy Skinny Genes is a sweet, gentle lullaby about getting it on. Doolittle writes simple-sounding fifties tunes, and she tops the British charts while doing it. Though she's shown she can swear, her lyrics are usually so clean that she has her backup blokes whistle to cover up the rude bits, even while the subject matter of her songs is anything but clean. Tuesday night Eliza Doolittle will be headlining at the Oxford Art Factory, supported by Lanie Lane, who croons Andrews Sisters-style ukelele songs on her huge blues guitar, Betty. Doolittle's star is rising. Her next visit to Sydney probably won't be so low key, but if you're quick enough this week, you can say you heard her first. https://youtube.com/watch?v=qxqtnWwLxYI
Have you ever heard how Balmoral Beach is like Sydney's own version of a Greek Island oasis? No? Well, settle in at one of Kazzi Beach Greek's outdoor tables, order a bunch of mezze plates to share and enjoy the fresh harbour breeze — you may just be convinced. Inspired by the Greek island of Kastellorizo, this beachside eatery serves up classic Hellenic-style dishes from brekkie to dinner. We're talking haloumi drizzled with cardamom-infused honey, prawns saganaki, souvlaki wraps and spit-roasted meats. Inside, the restaurant has that classic Mediterranean look and feel — think white walls, tables and chairs with pops of cobalt blue to accessorise. It also offers takeaway if you really want to pretend you're living the Greek Island dream and eat it on the beach.
So you've experienced another Sydney winter — not that it was even that cold; the weather was simply beautiful. But nevertheless, it's safe to say we're all ready to shed our layers and head outdoors for some quality time in the sun. Instead of sticking to your favourite beach or local park in the warmer Sydney days ahead, why not venture a little further afield into the countryside? Spanning ocean and desert, NSW boasts an abundance of local food, live music and breath-taking nature to take in. From the lush Hunter Valley vineyards to the dusty flats of Broken Hill, there are festivals and events for every taste. And it's all happening in spring, the season that isn't as hot or busy as summer. Do you need any more convincing? Without some planning, however, your next three months are going to look a little dull. To help you out, we've pulled off our winter mittens for good, and teamed up with Destination NSW to put together a handy list of top things to do with your entourage just in time for the sun to reveal its glorious face.
Everyone knows that distance makes the heart grows fonder - and this notion now applies to the eye as well. The contours, shapes and colours that the topography the Earth's surface forms are breathtaking marvels not rivalled by any manmade images. Yet they are only truly visible from well above the Earth. Seeing the world from this mesmerizing angle puts the insignificance of humans, when compared to Earth's enormous size, into perspective. Here are some of the most magnificent aerial images of our planet. Guy Laliberté's Space Travels The mastermind behind Cirque Du Soleil, Guy Laliberté travelled on board a Russian Soyez Rocket through space in 2009. While the billionaire was on this trip, he did a bit of sightseeing and documented some of the stunning scenery of the Earth that he was privy to. David Maisel's Vertiginous Vistas David Maisel certainly knows how to poignantly capture the most fascinating and mystifying regions of the world from the vantage point of his four-seater plane. Sometimes the photographer even removes an entire window from his plane - which gets to altitudes between 5,000 and 12,000 feet - to secure that perfect shot. But looking at these two examples we can safely say the effort is well worth it. Landsat 7 Satellite Images These two stunning images depict the Bolivian deforestation and the Bogda Mountains in China. The former shows the destructive impact that deforestation can have on native forests by severely fragmenting the ecosystem, while the latter illustrates the mesmerizing mix of sand dunes and salt lakes of the Turpan Depression laying at the foot of China's mountain range. River Deltas Around the World Water not only serves as the major life source for all living things on Earth, but the patterns it creates when travelling in estuaries throughout the world also create enchanting images. These two photographs depict such beauty from the Betsiboka Estuary in Madagascar and the Ganges in Bangladesh. Satellite Photos of the Earth These enthralling images were also taken from a satellite from outer space. The vibrant colours of these terrains almost appear to be oil pastels, yet they have emerged from genuine landscapes of the Earth. The first shows the icy blue transposed against the blood red in the Malaspina Glacier of Alaska and the second shows the twists and turns of the water and land in our very own Carnegie, Australia. Earth from Above These photos appeared on the Flickr page of a photographer by the name of curiouser*curiouser. Both images were taken over the Zion National Park in Utah from the seat of an aeroplane traversing the region. The parks appear so much more unique and beautiful from this high vantage point, featuring ripples and explosions within the Earth's surface.
The 80s got a lot of things right: music, movies, big hair and knowing how to have a good time. Cyndi Lauper said it herself... "girls just wanna have fun". So, if that anthem resonates with you, get ready for a series of 80s–inspired, fun-filled nights this month in Sydney. Step back in time and embrace the spirit of the 80s at Now & Then, the underground cocktail bar hidden in the heart of Sydney's CBD. Every Tuesday throughout April, Now & Then will be teaming up with Grey Goose for a series of 80s-theme nights to transport you back to the era of big hair, neon and those irresistible synth grooves. The event series will feature a curated menu of Grey Goose cocktails for just $16 each. Sip on updated nostalgic classics including French Martinis, Cosmopolitans, and a seasonal Caprioska. To satisfy your food cravings, the kitchen will be dishing out a selection of $12 jaffles — the perfect snack to accompany you on the dance floor (which will feature 80s anthems courtesy of DJ Joey Santos). Plus, don't forget to dress up in your best 80s attire for the chance to win some exclusive merchandise and maybe even a couple of Grey Goose bottles to take home. So grab some friends and get out the old hair-crimper and leg warmers for a retro celebration at Now & Then this month.
When a beloved TV show ends, it doesn't always say goodbye forever. We live in a golden age of revivals, spinoffs, sequels and remakes on both the big and small screens, after all — and when a television series is a big hit, it rarely goes away quietly. Take Game of Thrones, for instance. Before it even came to an end back in 2019, HBO was looking at spending more time in Westeros. According to George RR Martin, however, the US cable network might be scaling down the future of the GoT franchise. In an end-of-year update posted to his blog to farewell 2022, the author who gave the world Game of Thrones to begin with — and who has been working on the sixth novel in the A Song of Fire and Ice series for more than a decade — announced that HBO has currently scrapped some of the floated GoT spinoffs. Mentioning "several of the other successor shows that we're developing with HBO" as part of a list of things he's working on in 2023, Martin said that "some of those are moving faster than others, as is always the case with development. None have been greenlit yet, though we are hoping… maybe soon". He continued: "a couple have been shelved, but I would not agree that they are dead. You can take something off the shelf as easily as you can put it on the shelf. All the changes at HBO Max have impacted us, certainly." That's all very vague, but plenty has been happening at HBO and its US streaming platform HBO Max since parent company WarnerMedia merged with Discovery in 2022. Previously renewed shows have been cancelled, such as Minx. Films already shot and nearing release have been axed, like Batgirl. And, HBO Max's online catalogue has also been getting smaller, even removing HBO series. Martin didn't reveal which potential Game of Thrones spinoffs aren't presently going ahead, although one is clearly safe: House of the Dragon. One of 2022's must-see and most-talked-about shows, it's been renewed for a second season, and that episode order looks likely to stick. Given that chatter about expanding Game of Thrones' on-screen world has been going for more than half a decade, and how many different new shows have been put forward over that time, needing a refresher on what could be in the works anyway with is understandable. That list includes a Jon Snow-focused spinoff with Kit Harington (Eternals) reprising his famous role, novella series Tales of Dunk and Egg and an animated GoT show. Beyond that, it's also been reported that another three prequels have been under consideration. Whichever of the above don't end up coming to fruition, our days of watching fiery fights between famous Westerosi names — and games over who gets tot sit on the Iron Throne — are still far from over. Game of Thrones was that much of a hit, and House of the Dragon has proven the same so far. Until House of the Dragon season two hits, or any other on-screen dances with dragons are confirmed, check out the season one trailer below: House of the Dragon streams Down Under via Foxtel and Binge in Australia, and SoHo, Sky Go and Neon in New Zealand. Images: HBO.
Goodbye golden arches, hello golden fries: that's McDonald's new makeover at its world-first fry-thru pop-up. And if you're wondering what a fry-thru is, that's the term that Macca's has coined to describe it's new fries-focused restaurant, which will make Tumbalong Park in Sydney's Darling Harbour its home for the duration of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. This fries-adoring McDonald's outlet won't just be serving up hot and crispy slivers of potato heaven in medium servings. It'll definitely be doing that, of course, but the space that it's selling them from is just as noteworthy. Head to the FIFA Women's World Cup Fan Festival to get some chips and you'll be ordering them from an eatery that's shaped like a giant packet of fries. If you've ever needed to see what a five-metre-tall version of Macca's potato slices looked like — and then get some fries from it — this is your chance. It's the dream that no chips lover ever realised they had, and it's coming true from Thursday, July 20–Sunday, August 20. Here, the question isn't "would you like fries from that?", because you're definitely getting fries. Instead, it's "would you like fries from that?". The giant packet of chips is pairing its medium fries with a couple of Macca's sauces of the world condiments, with outback barbecue sauce and wasabi-flavoured mayonnaise on offer to tie in with the Women's World Cup's participating countries. Not getting in on the fan fest fun but just want to drop by the restaurant? The fry-thru is open to both football fans hitting up the Fan Festival and the general public. Outside stadiums hosting Women's World Cup matches in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide, Macca's is also setting up an interactive photobooth that'll gives you a personalised collectable card, plus Macca's swings. [caption id="attachment_907652" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Johannes Simon - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images[/caption] Find the McDonald's fry-thru in Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour, Sydney, as part of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 Fan Festival from Thursday, July 20–Sunday, August 20.
Forget those boring corporate teamwork exercises involving straws, raw eggs or paper planes. A far better way to get the team working in harmony is by trapping them in a locked room with an increasingly tense hypothetical scenario and making them problem-solve their way out. Escape rooms have never been more popular and have a strong focus on successful collaboration, so they're basically professional development disguised as fun (which will make the boss happy). Social Escape in Alexandria has four different escape rooms, each with a unique theme and premise, from a Sherlock Holmes murder mystery to a bank heist with a diamond-filled vault.
Darlinghurst nightlife institution Club 77 will temporarily close in 2026 to undergo a major accessibility-focused redesign, made possible by Sound NSW's Venue Upgrade Grant. The venue will shut its doors on Monday, April 13, 2026, and aims to reopen on Thursday, June 4, 2026 with a completely reimagined space that prioritises inclusivity. "We believe inclusivity and accessibility are no longer just nice-to-haves, but essential components of any successful venue," the club said in a statement. The redesign will be led by Inochi Design Life, and will introduce a suite of new features: an accessible entrance with a wheelchair lift, upgraded bathrooms, an accessible bar with a lowered top, an inclusive DJ booth and live music area, accessible seating and 1.5 metres of wheelchair turning space throughout the venue. There'll also be a new dedicated sensory room, braille signage for blind and visually impaired patrons, and haptic vests available for deaf and hard of hearing guests to enhance their live music experience. Club 77's Music Director Dane Gorrel said, "It's been both a dream and mission of Club 77's long-term plan to make the venue accessible and truly inclusive. Thanks to Sound NSW, this dream is now becoming reality and we couldn't be more grateful. Everyone should be able to experience live music in an accessible, inclusive and safe environment." The upgrades have been developed with support from Accessible Arts, Electronic Music Conference, Night Time Industries Association, Green Music Australia, plus artists Aquenta of Crip Rave Theory and Transenergy director Sophie Forrest. [caption id="attachment_803921" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Club 77[/caption] A reopening party is already in the works in partnership with Crip Rave Theory, although details are yet to be announced. Images: Supplied.
Palm tree-lined beaches and World Heritage-listed rainforests aren't all that Tropical North Queensland has in abundance — there's an array of tasty treats to experience, too. From tropical twists on classics to award-winning cuisine, there is truly something for every culinary craving in this picturesque holiday destination. To help you curate your must-do dining destinations, we've uncovered ten places in the far north that the locals love. So whether you want a First Nations-led cultural experience, to peel piles of prawns on the back of a docked boat or to discover the delicious tropical fruits, bookmark this for all your food and drink needs in Tropical North Queensland. [caption id="attachment_829657" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] LEARN ABOUT NATIVE INGREDIENTS WITH FIRST NATIONS PEOPLES Walkabout Cultural Adventures is a 100-percent First Nations-owned and operated cultural tour company based on Kuku Yalanji Country, also known as Port Douglas and the Daintree. Owner Juan Walker has been working in the region for nearly two decades and prides himself on offering informative and personalised tours to all guests. Under Juan's expert guidance, you'll discover the wonders of Kuku Yalanji Country, including where two World Heritage-listed sites — the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef — meet. The half- or full-day tours will give you the opportunity to learn about food and medicines grown in the region and how Kuku Yalanji people have managed the land and its natural resources for millennia. You'll also get to sample bush foods, collect shellfish and try your luck at catching delicious mud crab. [caption id="attachment_829896" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland[/caption] TAKE YOUR PALATE TO PALM COVE FOR LUXE BEACHFRONT DINING If you're looking for beachfront dining while in Tropical North Queensland (and why wouldn't you be?), Palm Cove's Nu Nu Restaurant is a must. With stunning views of the Coral Sea and picture-perfect palm trees framing your vista, this beachfront restaurant will satisfy both your visual senses and your tastebuds. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the menu boasts a great selection of dishes that embrace locally grown produce. For brekkie, try the crab omelette with a zingy ginger caramel and white pepper broth or Nu Nu's take on bircher featuring pineapple and coconut cream-soaked muesli topped with mango, tropical fruit and toasted coconut. If you stop by for lunch or dinner we recommend starting with a tropical cocktail like the vanilla ginger mojito with Daintree vanilla sugar and a starter of Pacific oysters with finger lime. Then, follow it up with sake-poached octopus with pickled shiitake and spring onion oil or sugarcane-smoked duck with barbecued cabbage and rhubarb. [caption id="attachment_829658" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland / Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] LOAD UP ON FRESH PRODUCE AT THE LOCAL FARMERS' MARKETS A trip to the tropics isn't complete without a wander through Rusty's Markets in Cairns. Open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, at Rusty's you'll find everything from exotic fruits, tropical tasting plates, freshly baked bread and more. With over 45 years of trade under its belt and more than 180 stalls to visit, there are plenty of reasons locals love to load up on fresh food at this bustling marketplace. The top-tier produce found at Rusty's also attracts many of Tropical North Queensland's finest chefs who can often be spotted roaming the stalls as they source the best locally grown ingredients for their restaurants. Make sure you stock up on fresh fruit for your day exploring the local waterfalls — there's nothing quite like devouring your favourite fruit on a boulder before cooling off at a freshwater swimming hole. [caption id="attachment_829660" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] TASTE TROPICAL TWISTS ON AUSTRALIAN CLASSICS AT OCHRE Native ingredients take centre stage at Ochre, a Cairns institution that has been impressing diners with its creative cuisine for almost 30 years. It's a feast for the eyes, too, as its waterfront location on the Harbour Lights boardwalk offers picturesque views of the adjacent inlet and lush mountains beyond, serving as a reminder of the region's rich and abundant food sources. Take it all in as you tuck into signature dishes like salt and native pepper leaf prawn and crocodile with Vietnamese pickle and lemon aspen sambal; char-grilled kangaroo sirloin with sweet potato fritter, bok choy and a quandong and chilli sauce; and wattleseed pavlova with davidson plum sorbet and macadamia biscotti. The dedication to local is also showcased via the drinks offering, which includes an exclusively Australian wine list with over 30 available by the glass, as well as an impressive selection of Australian spirits. [caption id="attachment_829662" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] PIG OUT ON PRAWNS ON BOARD A PARKED FISHING TRAWLER If a tropical holiday gets you prawny for seafood, then push Prawn Star to the top of your culinary list when visiting Tropical North Queensland this summer. Serving fresh, locally sourced seafood right off the back of a repurposed fishing trawler, this fleet of four floating restaurants is an experience that reflects Cairns' laidback lifestyle. The succinct menu showcases the best seafood that Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef has to offer, and includes platters of prawns, bugs, crayfish and oysters that are best enjoyed with simple condiments or juicy chunks of fresh lime. Head to Prawn Star for lunch or dinner from 11am any day of the week and pair your seafood feast with its very own tap Prawn Beer or Prawn Cider available for $7 all day long. [caption id="attachment_829894" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland[/caption] DIG INTO DAIRY IN THE ATHERTON TABLELANDS The Mungalli Creek Dairy farm in the Atherton Tablelands is much more than cows and pasture — it's one big living organism. With over 30 years of organic biodynamic farming practices under its belt, this family-run farm has mastered the art of cultivating delicious dairy products for decades. At the heart of the property, you'll find The Farmhouse Cafe, which was once the house that owners and brothers Rob and Danny Watson grew up in. Take a seat on the cafe's verandah overlooking the Johnston River Gorge, World Heritage-listed rainforest and Bartle Frere — Queensland's highest mountain — and enjoy a meal loaded with the farm's biodynamic dairy products and locally sourced organic produce. The cafe is also BYO, so take a bottle of tropical wine to pair with one of its cheese platters. Hot tip: make sure you leave room for the crepes — they're a family recipe and are served with Mungalli's luxurious lactose- and gluten-free Broken Nose vanilla ice cream. TRY TROPICAL TREATS AT CHARLEY'S CHOCOLATE FACTORY Charley's name may invoke a well-known chocolatey tale, but the Mt Edna property is as unique as they come — it's home to Australia's only cocoa tree to chocolate bar experience. The concept of showcasing the full chocolate journey at Charley's is the brainchild of Chris and Lynn Jahnke, the husband and wife team who, a decade after uprooting themselves from Melbourne to farm cattle near Mission Beach, planted their first cocoa seeds in 2012. Since then, the pair have crafted a tour at Charley's that is hands-on, hugely informative and most importantly, includes tasting the delicious chocolatey treats. Charley's core products are single-origin 70 percent dark chocolates and milk chocolates with rare Tropical North Queensland flavour combinations like the davidson plum dark chocolate, lemon myrtle milk chocolate, tropical pineapple milk chocolate and beach coconut dark chocolate. [caption id="attachment_829659" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] SIP COCKTAILS BY THE SEA AT SALT HOUSE Salt House is a popular waterfront watering hole for locals seeking delicious cocktails by the sea. Marrying inspiration from a custom-built Argentinian wood-fired grill with fresh seafood and local fare, Salt House's menu aims to champion local produce and the exciting flavours of Tropical North Queensland. Sip on a refreshing rainforest sour packed with davidson plum jam before ordering a dozen fresh oysters, followed by mains like gnocchi with woodfired vegetables, ratatouille sauce, blistered tomatoes, coconut feta and pine nuts. If a seaside seafood feast is what you're craving, try the generous seafood sharing platter or the yellow curry loaded with mussels, local tiger prawns and wild barramundi. DINE IN DECADENCE AT TAMARIND If you're craving decadence after a day on the water, Tamarind Restaurant will put a fresh wind in your sails. The multi-award-winning restaurant combines Australian cuisine, local produce and exceptional service for dinner between Tuesday–Saturday. Start with the market fish ceviche and follow it up with the slow-braised duck curry loaded with lychee, caramel pumpkin and spiced peanuts or the abalone ravioli with roasted scallop, lemongrass and ginger. If making decisions is something you like to leave behind while on holiday, opt for the five-course tasting menu to take the work out of it. Want to extend your summer with a trip to the tropics? Time to book a holiday to Tropical North Queensland. For more information and to book your autumn getaway, visit the website. Top images: Tourism Tropical North Queensland
Just before winter takes over completely, Bar 1880 at Circular Quay has come up with a very good reason to stay out after work. It's launched tipple hour. Pop in on a Tuesday–Friday evening from 5–6pm and you'll be sipping on $14 cocktails and $8 beers in the cosy, dimly lit, 19th-century surroundings of a former newspaper house. More specifically, it's where The Bulletin — once one of Australia's most influential weeklies – was published in the 1800s. Tipple hour presents an excellent opportunity to try Bar 1880's new cocktail list at budget-friendly prices. The star of the show is undoubtedly the Berry Necessary: an electric red blend of gin, Chambord, cranberry juice, raspberry syrup and citric acid, served with a good dose of razzle dazzle. For a more comforting, cold weather-friendly creation, try the Golden Hour: a signature take on the Old Fashioned with burnt butter-infused bourbon, maple syrup and vanilla bitters. Then there's the Bitter Sweet Symphony, a smoky, caramelised interpretation of the negroni. Keep a look out, too, for the rotating monthly special.
Feeling like Kylo Ren but wish you could be as blissed out as Yoda? May the force — and may Headspace's new Star Wars collaboration — be with you. Yes, May the fourth is here for another year, which means celebrating like you're in a galaxy far, far away. Or, thanks to this new range of mindfulness tools, meditating like you're a jedi and falling to sleep to the sound of porgs. Already a go-to for mindfulness and meditation, Headspace has teamed up with the Star Wars franchise to mark the most important date there is for the space-opera saga's fans — and make sure that everyone's cool, calm and collected while doing so. If you're eager to de-stress, these are indeed the breathing exercises and sleepcasts you're looking for. On offer from Wednesday, May 4 — when else? — the one-to-five-minute breathing exercises all feature cute animated clips with either Yoda, Chewbacca, R2-D2 and BB-8. In the Yoda-led exercise, you'll find your focus while watching an X-Wing levitate. In the Chewie version, you'll be transported to his home planet Kashyyyk, and then use your breath to make the forest come to life. The R2-D2 exercise gets the cute little robot flashing as you inhale, recharge and reset — and the BB-8 one gets it rolling in much the same way. (Notice that C-3PO isn't included, because that droid can't help anyone relax.) Prefer banishing the dark side via sleepcasts? You have three options there, all of which use famous sounds that you'll recognise from the Star Wars movies. X-Wing Voyage is rather self-explanatory, taking you on a tour of the Star Wars galaxy in one of the eponymous vessels — and going to a different planet in each chapter. With Tatooine Sunset, you'll hone in on that particular planet instead, exploring everything from its endless sea of dunes to its moisture farms. And via Islands of Ahch-To, you'll fall asleep while visiting the very first jedi temple. If you've seen Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens, you'll remember that that's where Luke Skywalker ventured off to when he was in seclusion. And yes, you'll hear porgs. Of course you will. To access all of the above, you'll need to sign up for Headspace — but it's doing a limited-time 30-day free trial offer from Wednesday, May 4. And yes, this is answer to the plea you've never uttered: "help me Star Wars-themed Headspace content, you're my only hope for finding some bliss." To access Headspace's new Star Wars content from Wednesday, May 4, head to the service's website or app. Top image: Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker. (c) 2019 and TM Lucasfilm Ltd.
When seasons change, it can be a shock to the system. You're made to bid farewell to a lifestyle (goodbye beach days, hello heaters) and to crack open the other half of your wardrobe. This tough change can be made easier – Stockland has come through with a ton of treat-yo-self activities that are ideal for taking shelter on a particularly chilly day. Check them out below. Get a Beauty Crash Course It's so cold that the only thing you want to do is make your Oodie a plus-one and binge the new series of Bridgerton with the heater on full blast. But it really won't do your skin any favours. The perfect antidote is to book a self-care session at one of Stockland's pop-up beauty workshops, like the Make Up For Ever Mini Masterclass. Hosted by makeup artist and Australian Fashion Week veteran Andrea Damyon, this lesson will cover all bases (pun intended) for mastering the art of foundation. The cost is $15, redeemable towards any Make Up For Ever product purchased on the day. These are taking place at 11am and 1pm on Friday, May 31 and Friday, June 7, inside City Perfume at Stockland Merrylands. Alternatively, consider signing up for a Benefit Cosmetics Brow Masterclass. Led by Benefit's National Beauty and Brow Authority, this bespoke lesson delves into all things brows. You and the other attendees will leave with the expertise to perfect your brows like a pro at home. These sessions are happening at 11am, 12pm and 1pm on Saturday, June 1, at City Perfume in Stockland Merrylands and Saturday, June 8 at City Perfume in Stockland Wetherill Park. Score $1000 When You Stock up on a Stylish Winter Fit According to Pantone, the colours of the season are Tender Peach, Rose Violet and Red Orange. Winter Blues? Not so much (unless they're in the form of comfy denim jeans). Slip on your chunky loafers, strut on over to your nearest Stockland mall and stock up on some new pieces from Australia's best street-style brands, including Decjuba, Sheike and Specsavers. Whether your budget is basic or blowout, you're guaranteed to find a new look that'll convince you to swap your Saturday night in for something a little more special. Although if what you really want is a matching velour trackie to keep you warm while you stay in, there are plenty of those on offer, too. Got your eye on something fancy? The chance to win a $1000 gift card at Stockland Merrylands and Stockland Wetherill Park should make it just that bit easier to stretch your cents a little further as you lean into your fashion era. Treat Yourself to a Glorious Spa Day Beachside dips and lazy seaside strolls are probably not on the agenda any time soon. But what if we told you there was a way to experience all of the feels of a rejuvenating summer swim sans getting into the icy water? And that accessing this special treat is as simple as making a booking at one of Stockland's in-centre spas. From massages to melt away the stress of not making it to Europe for summer to rejuvenating facials to give you a glow so good you could probably fake an overseas trip anyway, your local Stockland can offer an escape of the Greek Island kind. For approximately $8,000 less. Upgrade Your Cosy Homewares Collection Remember all those times you promised yourself that you'd redecorate your bedroom, transform your bathroom or give your living room a makeover only for it to be 40 degrees and that Aperol Spritz just had your name all over it? Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but that excuse is now null and void. The good news is that winter is actually an excellent time to get in touch with your inner The Block-contestant and renovate your spaces. Given the current cost of living situation and rental circus, it's best to put your time and effort into making the most of the home you have. Your local Stockland is chock-full of affordable homewares stores (including My House, Bed Bath N' Table and the magic that is Kmart and its Anko range), you can invest in all the plush throw blankets, scented candles and pot plants you need. Find a New Hobby to Stay Busy on Rainy Days If your New Year's resolution to learn a new skill barely made it to February, allow us to introduce you to the sequel. Find a Hobby 2.0: The Winter Edition. In this version, our suggestions include upskilling with an Idiot's Guides book from your local News Express, investing in some wearable tech) from JB Hi-Fi so you can brush up on an educational podcast or hit one of Stockland's office supply stores to top up on pens, paints and paper to channel your inner Picasso. Your Fashion Era events and giveaways are taking place at Stockland shopping centres on various dates until Saturday, June 15, visit Stockland Merrylands or Stockland Wetherill Park for more information. Header image: Dragen Zigic via iStock
The much anticipated Graphic Festival at the Sydney Opera House is nearly upon us. A whole weekend dedicated to anime and animation, live performances, innovative visuals, inspiring talks and, no doubt a substantial dose of fun. And Silent Comics, a mini festival within the festival, is set to be one of its highlights. Silent Comics aims to celebrate the illustrated works in their purest form, where the narrative of the comic is entirely visually driven — no captions, no text, no words. And to add to your sensory pleasure, they have asked some seriously talented local and international musicians to come to the party too. Comics by artists such as Robert Crumb (Fritz the Cat), Jim Woodring (Frank), Peter Kuper (Spy vs Spy) and Nathan Jurevisius (Scarygirl), will be accompanied by ten minute sets of brand new music by Gotye, Plaid, Seekae, FourPlay, Captain Matchbox and Darth Vegas, in what is sure to be Sunday afternoon of visual and auditory goodness. For a chance to win one of five double passes to Silent Comic, just make sure you're subscribed to Concrete Playground then email us at hello@concreteplayground.com.au with your name and address.
As the name suggests, Treehouse Cafe feels like a secret hideaway. You'll find it in a former country cottage with timber floors and high ceilings, and just behind Ulladulla's legendary Funland, an old-school arcade packed with dodgems, pinball games and air hockey machines. Whether you're with your family, your dog or just yourself, there's plenty of room. The menu's all about generous, good-hearted fare, made with veggies from local farmers and ethically sourced meats. If you're there for brekkie, try the signature eggs Benedict, fancied up with turmeric, dill, capers, olives, paprika sweet potato, garlic mushrooms and wilted spinach. Come lunchtime, you're in for an internationally inspired feast. Head to the Bahamas with the Jamaican Bowl, crowded with spiced jerk-style chicken, brown rice herbed salad, grilled pineapple, cucumber and pickled ginger. Or stay closer to home with 12-hour lamb shoulder, accompanied by roasted fennel, herbed barley, smoked hummus, coconut and bacon flakes. The coffee comes from Young's Art of Espresso, where organic beans are bought directly from independent farmers. If you want to skip coffee, choose from a matcha latte, warmed golden almond milk (spiced with turmeric, ginger and cinnamon) and a bunch of Bodhi organic teas.
Sydneysiders, it's roadmap time — again. If you've been wondering how life throughout New South Wales will change as more people across the state get vaccinated, Premier Gladys Berejiklian has outlined the details today, Monday, September 27. And, you now have a few new double-jabbed thresholds to pop in your diary, plus some new dates as well. Back at the beginning of September, the Premier announced the first phase of New South Wales' roadmap out of lockdown, which focused on the 70-percent fully vaccinated threshold. That mark is fast approaching, and is expected to be hit by Monday, October 11. From there, more rules will ease again when 80-percent of NSW residents over the age of 16 have been doubled-jabbed. And, on Wednesday, December 1, restrictions will relax even further again. "I know people are counting down the minutes until we reach 70-percent double-dose and the freedoms that will provide, and today we are providing further certainty by announcing the 80-percent roadmap and future settings," said the Premier. "Vaccination remains our ticket to freedom, so we need to work even harder to get jabs in arms, to help stop the spread, minimise outbreaks and ensure people are protected when we open up," Berejiklian continued. [caption id="attachment_802757" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cassandra Hannagan[/caption] At the 80-percent double-dosed threshold, which is expected to arrive around two weeks after the 70-percent double-jabbed mark is hit — so, by the time October is out — the focus is still on the fully vaxxed. For everyone who has rolled up their sleeves twice, gatherings at home will go up to ten, and outdoors they'll increased to 20. At COVID-safe events, 200 people will be able to attend, with that number going up to 500 if it's seated and ticketed. Also, in hospitality venues, vertical consumption will be back indoors. Community sport will also be allowed again, retail will still be under the one person per four-square-metres rule that kicks in at 70-percent, and hairdressers, nail salons and other personal services businesses will be under the same density cap — but without the five-client limit that applies at the lower threshold. Gyms and indoor recreation facilities will still be under the same capacity requirement as well, hosting classes with up to 20 people. Sporting facilities and major recreation outdoor facilities — which spans stadiums, racecourses, theme parks and zoos — will also remain under the one person per four-square-metres rule with a 5000-person cap. At indoors venues such as cinemas, theatres, music halls, museums and galleries the one person per four-square-metres rule will still be in place, or they'll be able to fill to a maximum of 75-percent fixed seated capacity (whichever is larger). Weddings and funerals won't have any caps, but will have the one person per four-square-metres requirement. And, this is when domestic travel — which includes trips to regional NSW — will be permitted. It was originally going to kick in at 70-percent double-dosed, but has been pushed back to 80-percent. Caravan parks and camping grounds will be allowed to open, including for the unvaxxed. Also, carpooling will be on the cards again. Masks will still be required in all indoor public venues, including public transport, front-of-house hospitality, retail and business premises, on planes and at airports. Then, the next phase of the roadmap kicks in on Wednesday, December 1. This is the phase that Berejiklian is calling "COVID-normal". At this point, there'll be no limits on gatherings at home or outdoors, plus the density rule at venues and planned events will move to one person per two-square-metres — including in hospitality, retail and in gyms, at major recreation outdoor facilities, and at indoor entertainment sites. Amusement centres and nightclubs can reopen, too, but under the one person per four-square-metres rule. Indoor pools can reopen as well, under the one person per two-square-metres requirement. Plus, weddings and funerals will also move to the one person per two-square-metres cap. And, the roadmap will include unvaccinated people at the same settings from Wednesday, December 1 as well — so, when summer starts, the relaxed rules will apply to everyone. These just-announced plans for the 80-percent fully vaxxed mark and December 1 all build upon NSW's already-revealed outline for life at the 70-percent double-jabbed threshold — which is when fully vaccinated Sydneysiders will first be permitted to sip beers in pubs, eat meals in restaurants, have friends over to their homes and see movies in cinemas again. Hospitality venues will operate under the one person per four-square-metres rule inside and the one person per two-square-metres rule outside, with vertical consumption only outdoors. Most other venues will be under the same one person per four-square-metres cap, including retail, major recreation outdoor facilities and indoor sites. Also, that's when five-person at-home and 20-person outdoor gatherings will allowed as long as all adults are vaxxed. NSW recorded 787 new locally acquired cases of #COVID19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night. pic.twitter.com/8Qkdwzp9qA — NSW Health (@NSWHealth) September 27, 2021 It's worth noting that the national plan requires all of Australia to reach each vaccination threshold overall before an individual state or territory that's met that milestone can ease restrictions — but that hasn't been mentioned in NSW's roadmap. Also, what's set to happen with international travel hasn't yet been revealed, but the Federal Government has advised that heading overseas again is likely to return "by Christmas at the latest". Today's NSW announcement came as the state reported 787 new COVID-19 cases in the 24 hours to 8pm on Sunday, September 26. Wondering where you can currently get vaccinated? There's a handy online map that helps you find your nearest clinic. Keen to keep an eye on vaccination rates? A heap of online resources will help you do that as well. For more information about New South Wales' reopening roadmap, head to the NSW Government website. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in NSW, head to the NSW Health website. Top image: Cassandra Hannagan.
For more than four decades, Storm Boy has been an essential part of the Australian primary school experience. If you didn't read Colin Thiele's novella, losing yourself in its pages, then you watched the wonderful 1976 film adaptation. Perhaps you did both — or maybe you saw the stage version from the 90s onwards. Both then and now, Storm Boy has always told a timeless tale, but its 2019 remake might've benefited from arriving a few years earlier. The central narrative remains just as affecting, focusing on a young boy and the lively pelican he comes to call his best friend. The movie's new additions and its big-name star, however, don't fare as well. In much of the film, the story of a pre-teen Mike Kingley (Finn Little) scampers across the screen, just as the boy himself scampers along South Australia's sandy Coorong coastline. Other than his fisherman dad "Hideaway" Tom (Jai Courtney), Mike's days are largely free from human contact. When he meets another of the region's reclusive figures in local Indigenous man Fingerbone Bill (Trevor Jamieson), he makes a rare pal. The two bond over a trio of other lonely creatures: three baby pelicans whose mother is shot and killed by hunters. Naming them Mr Percival, Mr Proud and Mr Ponder, Mike takes the helpless chicks under his wing, cares for them and watches the birds grow. From Lassie's yearning to return home, to Kes' combination of a kid and a kestrel, to the recent version of Pete's Dragon, accounts of humanity's connection with animals have long inspired movie magic. In pictures such as E.T. the Extra Terrestrial and the recent Transformers prequel Bumblebee as well, the same themes and emotions apply. Sometimes the genre tugs a little too hard on the heartstrings, and sometimes it's happy being a tad too cheesy, but when it works, it brings tears and tender feelings in equal measure. And in Storm Boy, it works. Watching Mike escort his grown pelicans back into the wild, then watching Mr Percival make his return, proves moving in all of the right ways. The path their tale charts from there also evokes a genuine reaction. There's a sunny but never blindly optimistic glow to these 1950s-set scenes, as paired with warm performances from the effortlessly naturalistic Little, Courtney putting in his best work in years, and the engaging Jamieson stepping into David Gulpilil's shoes. Making his first movie since 2008's Two Fists, One Heart, director Shawn Seet finds the right mood and tone even when he dials up the sentiment to obvious heights, while also filling the main section of the film with sweeping images. Alas, unlike its predecessor, the young Mike's exploits with Mr Percival only comprise part of the picture. Wrapped around Storm Boy's compassionate core is a contemporary story, following Mike as a weary, wealthy grandfather played by Geoffrey Rush. Summoned to a board meeting for the family company that's now run by his son-in-law (Erik Thomson), the ageing character relays his childhood memories to his teenage granddaughter (Morgana Davies), who's firmly against her father's latest plans. These additions by screenwriter Justin Monjo (Jungle) come saddled with a well-meaning environmental statement that brings modern-day relevance, but the end product is as forceful and clumsy as it sounds. They also push Rush to centre stage for a significant portion of the movie, a move that feels unnecessary given how engaging the flashback scenes are — and also feels uncomfortable after the recent allegations of sexual harassment levelled against the actor, which he denies. As a result, Storm Boy is both a gorgeous film and a wayward one. Its soaring heights are a delight, and its awkward depths are an unwanted distraction. One will melt even the hardest of hearts, the other will test even the most patient of viewers. Our advice: focus on the titular tyke and the pelican, although you'll wish the filmmakers had heeded the same words. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cBOvn18yeQ
Mark your calendar: if you like free ice cream, as everyone should, then you have a date with a Ben & Jerry's store in April. Each year, the dessert brand chooses one day per year to give everyone a treat without paying a cent. In 2024, that day is Tuesday, April 16. If there's one thing this chain loves above all else, it's the obvious: ice cream in a huge array of ridiculously named flavours. It's the brand behind Chunky Monkey, Cherry Garcia, Phish Food and The Tonight Dough — and has been responsible for Liz Lemon Greek Frozen Yoghurt, Stephen Colbert's AmeriCone Dream and Schweddy Balls, too. But, to the delight of your sweet treat-loving tastebuds, on Free Cone Day it loves giving away free scoops just as much. The occasion is exactly what it sounds like: a day where your ice cream is on the house. It ran annually since 1979 until the pandemic, then took a break for obvious reasons — returning in 2023 for the first time since 2019, and now backing it up in 2024. Here's how it works: if you adore ice cream as much as Ben & Jerry's adores ice cream, then you just need to hit up your local participating store (which is most stores) between 12–8pm. You can choose whichever flavour you like, and you can also line up for a free cone as many times as you like within that eight-hour period. Free Cone Day is happening in both Australia and New Zealand — worldwide, too, in more than 35 countries — at Ben & Jerry's Scoop Stores. Last year, the brand gave away 970,000 scoops around the world, with 180,000 of those Down Under. This year, it wants to top one million free scoops globally, and also beat its Aussie and Aotearoa figure. In Sydney, you'll be hitting up Manly, Bondi Beach and Parramatta, for starters. Melburnians have St Kilda, Flinders Lane and Burwood East stores to choose from, while Brisbanites can head to South Brisbane. In Western Australia, Fremantle, Hillarys and Northbridge Scoop Shops are taking part. Ben & Jerry's also has stores in some Hoyts cinemas — so you might be able to join in when you're seeing a movie, such as at Hoyts Norwood in South Australia. Across Australia, these four spots aren't on the list, sadly: Adelaide Oval, Melbourne Zoo, Werribee Zoo and Healesville Zoo. Over in Aotearoa, options for a free ice cream include Commercial Bay and Ponsonby in Auckland, plus Cuba Street and the airport in Wellington. Free Cone Day runs from 12–8pm on Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at Ben & Jerry's Australian and New Zealand stores. Head to the brand's website for further details.
Let's all be honest with ourselves for a minute. New Year's Eve can traditionally be a bit of a disappointment. There's always plenty of commotion surrounding grand plans to be with all of your friends and share the magical moment when we are welcomed by a new year and a fresh start. You make a few resolutions about how you're going to finally sort your life out, and promise yourself that the coming year will be nothing like the last. However, New Year's Eve plans have a tendency to dissolve at the last minute, and before midnight strikes you're starting to wish you spent the evening drinking alone on your dilapidated couch, watching the fireworks on television. Here we have compiled a handful of events that will help you escape your yearly routine of New Year's Eve letdowns. Kickstart 2012 with a bang and head to one of these venues for a momentous start to the new year. Peats Ridge Festival Just a short drive from Sydney City, Peats Ridge Festival is located in the harmonious wilderness of the Glenworth Valley. Escape the urban rush with a four-day eco-friendly festival featuring the world's leading indie artists. These include the socially-aware singer Xavier Rudd, ambient electronic sounds from rising Sydney sensation Oliver Tank, and the acoustic stylings of Jim Ward, former guitarist of the legendary post-hardcore outfit At The Drive-In. Aside from the music there are organic food stalls, an Indigenous festival and a Masquerade ball on New Year's Eve. Unlike many festivals, Peats Ridge Festival is all ages, so feel free to bring your little siblings along. Read more 11.12 You Only Live Once is a premium collective bringing together some of the main figures and minds behind electro group Sneaky Sound System, fashion icons Ksubi and world-renowned restaurant Icebergs. To welcome in 2012 they have presented 11.12 — a New Year's Eve event with the goal of bringing "the best house party at the best house in the world." They've done this by choosing a location which can't be beaten: the Sydney Opera House. They've also enlisted help from the godfathers of house music, Frankie Knuckles and Jamie Principle. In support will be Riton, Beni and Dangerous Dan. Read more GoodGod NYE: The Last Resort The fact that GoodGod is located in Chinatown only adds to the wonderful irony of their "trailer trash" themed New Year's Eve party. They promise to transform the club into a "pig huntin', tobacco chewin', knee slappin' resort." Tunes will be provided by garage-punk outfit Royal headache, as well as DJ King Opp. Tickets to this event are only $18, which means you can spend more money on rounds of straight Kentucky bourbon. Grab your oldest flannelette shirt and start styling that mullet for what is set to be a rowdy and rambunctious night. Read more Camping on Cockatoo Island Grab your own 4x4 metre slice of paradise with the opportunity to camp on Cockatoo Island. This family-friendly event gives you the best possible view of the world-famous fireworks, and all without the hassle of the intense crowds that horde the CBD. Catch an early ferry to grab yourself a good spot, and perfect your own tent to make yourself feel right at home. This camping experience gives you an escape without the need to travel outside the city. Babies under 1 year of age score with free entry, so they're the real winners here. Read more Summer Opener NYE: Sun Studios This year's Summer Opener takes place at Sun Studios, a recently renovated warehouse in Alexandria. With walls stretching up to 25 feet high and equipped with superb sound and lighting features, this is the perfect venue to host one huge New Year's Eve party. The line-up is fronted by Emerson Todd, a Berlin-based DJ who has also found considerable success in Australia. His popularity has been reflected in his work with the likes of Pnau and The Sleepy Jackson, as well as appearances on the festival circuit at We Love Sounds and Future Music Festival. He will be supported by Ft Mode, Eoin Brosnan and The Amateur DJs. Read more Rhythm and Vines Festival, New Zealand If you're feeling a little more adventurous this New Year's Eve, hop over the Tasman to our close neighbours in New Zealand for the Rhythm and Vines festival. Stretching over the last three days of December, Rhythm and Vines helps you welcome the new year with one of the biggest line-ups to grace the festival circuit in 2011. This installment is headlined by Australia's biggest drum and bass export, Pendulum, whilst Calvin Harris brings his incredibly infectious sound to eager audiences. Others acts include Grandmaster Flash, Skream and Benga, and Erick Morillo. And courtesy of our friends at Stolen Rum, Concrete Playground has a double-pass three-day Club Stolen VIP Package up for grabs. Read more Guillaume at Bennelong If you're feeling especially expensive and swanky this New Year's Eve, then Guillaume may have a suitable option for you and that special someone. This restaurant is run by the esteemed Guillaume Brahimi, who offers Australian cuisine with a twist from our friends in France. On New Year's Eve, canapes and drinks are only the beginning, as guests will then be treated to a seven course degustation menu with wines. Furthermore, located at the Opera House, this restaurant experience will be coupled with an equally memorable view of the fireworks. Read more Field Day 2012 From hosting the massive Shore Thing on New Year's Eve, festival promoters Fuzzy get straight back to business on New Year's Day with Field Day. Fuzzy will bring Sydney the biggest and best party to kickstart the mainstream festival circuit in 2012. This line-up sees the return of French electro giants Justice, who will bring a live show on the back of their new album, Audio Video, Disco. Other acts include quirky indie-pop singer Gotye, experimental electronic act Crystal Castles and rising star Example. Also performing is Young MC. Remember that guy? Throw on a retro neon windbreaker and a chunky gold chain for his set. Read more
For those, like us, who like their festivals a little more niche and boutique, you can't go past St. Jerome's Laneway Festival. From its modest debut in a Melbourne back alley, the festival has grown to tour nationally and has consistently provided audiences with the newest and most innovative independent artists. After last year's successful international launch in Singapore, St. Jerome's Laneway Festival returns in 2012 with another instalment that is sure to please. French electronic project M83 is the festival's greatest drawcard, fresh off the release of his widely-praised album Hurry Up, We're Dreaming. Combining a beautifully mellow sound with pop appeal, M83 will close the festival in spectacular fashion. A refreshing break from the brash sounds associated with the dubstep genre, British producer SBTRKT will perform his brand of deep bass music behind his trademark mask in February. SBTRKT has recently remixed the likes of Basement Jaxx and Franz Ferdinand, and labelmates Young Turks Sound System will also be in attendance. After a four-year hiatus, Feist returns to treat audiences at St. Jerome's Laneway Festival once again. With the recent release of her album Metals, audiences can expect a powerful performance from this Canadian songstress. Jonti will grace audiences with his diverse instrumentation and distinct arrangements, while he has collaborated with the likes of Santigold and Mark Ronson prior to even releasing an album. The renowned musician, deisgner and photographer Toro Y Moi will bring his live show to Australia, which has been described as "a flashy, sex-fueled 80s rooftop fiesta." Need I say more? Pitchfork and NME heroes Girls will also make an appearance. Begin ironing your vintage-print shirts in excitement, because St. Jerome's Laneway Festival is not to be missed. Want to win a double pass to St. Jerome's Laneway Festival in Sydney? To go in the running , just make sure you are subscribed to Concrete Playground then email your name and postal address through to hello@concreteplayground.com.au by 5pm on Wednesday, February 1.
That beloved, giant yellow legend of a floating rubber duck is missing. The 59-foot, one-tonne inflatable sculpture by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman was apparently swept away by furious floodwaters in China's south-west Guizhou Province on Wednesday. The duck's exhibition team saw our giant inflatable hero unleashed from its ten-tonne metal platform on Guiyang's Nanming River, The Wall Street Journal's China Real Time blog has reported. "The duck flopped over and was flushed away really quickly by the torrential flood," said exhibition co-ordinator Yan Jianxin. "It disappeared right in front of me." Touring hasn't been kind to the giant inflatable hero. Popping up everywhere from Sydney to Sao Paulo since 2007, the team of giant ducks have quite the rambunctious tour diary. Just months earlier, one duck exploded in the middle of a port in Taiwan. Collapsing only 11 days after installation at Keelung, the mystery behind the duck's demise was never solved. "Organisers are unsure as to the cause of its demise, but one theory is that it was attacked by eagles," reported the BBC. Another duck then went on to casually deflate in Hong Kong. But now our noble, buoyant adventurer is nowhere to be found. Local radio stations are rallying local citizens to the hunt — "If you live along the river and see an 18-metre tall big yellow duck, please call 5961027." Like looking for a giant yellow duck in a watery haystack, the search could be a tough one. If only the duck was brightly coloured, able to float and unbelievably oversized. Wait. Via BBC, Gawker and WSJ. Images by Trey Ratcliff, Zuma Press, AP Photo, Kin Cheung, Reuters.
Remember the good old days when you'd meet up with your mate for a beer at the pub, grab a late-night feed and dance till dawn all in one night? Yeah, us too. But just because we can't go out right now and enjoy our city's best restaurants and bars doesn't mean you have to live life in the slow lane. You can still bring the good times to your living room. Want to take your cooking game to the next level? Now's the time to get creative in the kitchen — with some expert guidance, of course. Or you could order a DIY meal kit from your favourite dining spot so you can just worry about all the fun times to be had. Because, when you're at home, you make the rules. If you don't know where to start when it comes to customising your best night in, we've got you covered. We've partnered with Miller Design Lab to celebrate creativity and self-expression when it comes to dining (and drinking) at home. Miller Design Lab is a space built by Australia's leading minds in design, art, technology, fashion and, of course, culinary geniuses. Together, we're celebrating our nightlife and its impact on culture by bringing exceptional experiences to you — like turning your crib into a fine dining restaurant. So, pop on your apron, grab a cold one from the fridge and look no further. [caption id="attachment_505797" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Dinosaur Designs[/caption] START WITH THE ESSENTIALS First up, having the right tools is non-negotiable. Sure, you may have the skills, but you can't create the Sistine Chapel without any paint — and same goes in the kitchen. If you're looking to become a whiz with a wok or perfect the art of baking, you best invest in some good cooking utensils. That said, we're assuming you can cook an egg and peel a potato, so we'll rush through a list of staples: pots, pans, spatula, chopping board, a strainer, vegetable peeler, can opener, cutlery and a wooden spoon. You get the idea. And, unless you plan on turning everything into soup, you'll need a good set of knives. According to Momofuku master David Chang, you only really need three knives: a paring knife, a serrated bread knife and a chef's knife. The first two can be bought pretty cheaply, but you'll want to fork out a bit more on the chef's knife. And as tempting as it may be after MasterChef, don't even think about buying an ice cream machine until you have the basics. Now, the fun stuff. You'll need some nice-looking plates and glassware to take your feast to the next level. There are a bunch of local ceramicists and designers making stunning tableware, including Mud, Studio Enti, Dinosaur Designs and Maison Balzac's colourful goblets and fun champagne flutes, plus independent potters such as Milly Dent, Sarah Schembri and Hayden Youlley. [caption id="attachment_724464" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dan Hong by Nikki To[/caption] SHARPEN UP YOUR SKILLS WITH A TOP CHEF No matter if you're a kitchen novice or know your way around a Le Creuset, we can all learn some tips and tricks from some of the world's most creative chefs. Massimo Bottura is currently hosting nightly cooking tutorials. While the Michelin-starred chef behind Italy's famed Osteria Francescana is in lockdown, he's teaching you the joys of Italian cooking for free with his Kitchen Quarantine lessons. Designed to help spread feelings of connectivity, curb boredom and teach a few new tricks at a time when an increasing chunk of the world's population is in lockdown, self-isolation or self-distancing, these cooking tutorials go beyond textbook cooking. And of course, with Bottura's famously cheery personality, the guy's just a total joy to watch. Because Italian cuisine is the ultimate at-home comfort food, you should learn how to make pasta from a well-seasoned cook: nonna. Actually two nonnas, Nonna Nerina and Nonna Giuseppa. For a lesson on Australian home cooking, turn to Aussie legend and culinary icon Maggie Beer, who is also live streaming every day. Dubbed Cooking with Maggie, the free series of videos show you how to make an easy rustic-style dish in under 20 minutes — from eggplant and eggs to a caramelised onion and persian feta side dish. Another Aussie chef dishing up the goods is Dan Hong (Mr Wong, Ms G's, Queen Chow) via his Instagram. Tune in and you'll learn how to make his famed cheeseburger spring rolls, salt and pepper squid and slow-roasted short rib. For any other kitchen-related (and entertaining) content, check out these eight tasty food podcasts. [caption id="attachment_718506" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Southside Charmers by Kitti Gould[/caption] TRACK DOWN THE BEST (FREE) RECIPES Now that you've learnt from some of the best, you'll want to pick a recipe to tackle on your own. After all, it's time for you to add your own flavour. But before you attempt the best gnocchi ever made or bake even more sourdough, you'll want to do your research. Luckily, you don't have to look too far to find recipes. But, not all are created equal — so, it's about where to look. US-based Bon Appétit — as the name suggests — is a go-to for any culinary query, including a bunch of lip-smacking recipes. Feel like a lobster roll for dinner? No problem, it's got it here. Craving a mean steak? It's got a whole dedicated section. New York Times Cooking also has thousands of the best recipes from the global newspaper. You'll find food editor Sam Sifton's suggestions — from earl grey madeleines to a weeknight fried rice and trini chana and aloo (chickpea and potato curry) — plus a heap of pantry, slow cooker, easy-to-bake and essential Indian recipes. Basically, whatever you've got a hankering for, chances are it's got it. For something more local, podcast Highly Enthused often has a round-up of good recipes. You can listen to it here. [caption id="attachment_751198" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Quattro Deli by Trent van der Jagt[/caption] GET THOSE HARD-TO-FIND INGREDIENTS You're spicing things up, which means you'll probably have some things on your grocery list that you won't find at Woolies or Coles. From artisanal cheeses to Lao Gan Ma chilli sauce and rare spices, such ingredients require you to know where to track them down. At the moment, Sydneysiders can head to Two Providores's Marrickville warehouse every Saturday to pick up everything from top-notch oils to bacon jam, New York-style rare roast beef and hard-to-find flours. For fresh seasonal produce, it's hard to go past Glebe mainstay Galluzzo Fruiterers, which is currently delivering to locals every Monday–Friday. Quattro Deli in Chatswood is dedicated to sourcing the best local and imported specialty items — think Italian gorgonzola, buffalo mozzarella, mortadella, olives, spreads and even vino — and is delivering deli-to-door at the moment. And for all things cheese, Penny's Cheese Shop and Paesanella Food Emporium are great go-tos. For Asian groceries, your best bets are Boon Cafe at Jarern Chai Grocer and Thai Kee IGA Supermarket. For those in Melbourne, a good one-stop-spot is South Melbourne Market, which has launched a drive-thru pick up point. Vegans will find pretty much everything imaginable in Shannon Martinez's and Mo Wyse's spin-off vegan New York-style delicatessen, Smith & Deli. You can place orders for pick up or delivery via Mr Yum. For charcuterie, Obelix & Co has got you pretty well covered and is offering local delivery and if you're after some fancy fromage to go with it, hit up Milk the Cow, which is delivering also. Asian grocers such as TANG, Hometown Asian Supermarket and Minh Phat are all open and well-stocked, too. In Brisbane, Hong Lan Asian Food & Seafoods is one of the best Asian grocers in town. Rosalie Gourmet Market is an institution for a reason — it's packed with everything from oils to pastries, chocolates and fresh flowers. Black Pearl Epicure has your cheese needs sorted with over 300 types and for Italian goods, head to Amici Deli in Chermside. Plus, a bunch of restaurants in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne have turned into mini grocers, many supplying the goods usually saved for industrial kitchens. If you can't leave the house right now, Simon Johnson is delivering across Sydney and Melbourne, too. ORDER IN — AND SKIP STRAIGHT TO THE GOOD TIMES In Sydney, you're spoiled for choice when it comes to DIY meal packs. Ragazzi — the CBD's new pasta bar by the Love, Tilly Devine crew — has ready-to-cook pasta and wine packs (serves two), which are available for pick or delivery within five kilometres of the restaurant. Chippendale's fine diner Ester has weekly takeaway packs, offering a range of ready-to-eat and almost ready meals — with the likes of steamed blood sausage buns, shallot and sichuan pepper tart tartin and leftover sourdough ice cream on the menu. You can pick it up from the restaurant every Saturday between 3–5pm. Mr Wong's, Bert's and Fred's also have packs available for delivery across Sydney metro. Melburnians can order restaurant-quality oysters straight to their door thanks to supplier Mimosa Rock Oysters. They come live though, so you'll have to know (or learn) how to shuck. If you can venture out of the house, you'll find a raft of 'heat and eat' food packages available at Neptune Food & Wine. And while not exactly DIY, Attica — one of the top restaurants in the country — is now offering takeaway and has opened a pop-up bakeshop. If you're in the mood for a big warming bowl of noodles and live in Brisbane, Taro's has DIY ramen packs to go. It even has a how-to video if you need. King Street's French fine diner, Montrachet, is offering a selection of semi-prepared dishes in takeaway packs that can be collected from its Bowen Hills digs (orders must be made before 7pm for collection the next day). Plus, The Balfour Kitchen has a stack of ready-made meals like a Burmese pork curry, spaghetti with Korean bolognese, prawn and ginger wontons and thrice-cooked duck fat potatoes. For dessert, a bunch of spots across Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are slinging some top-notch cookie dough for those of us who aren't the next Betty Crocker. To see where you can pick some up, head here. For more ways to celebrate your city's nightlife and recreate its energy in your own space, head this way.
Comedian Kyle Ayers was enjoying the view from the rooftop of his New York City apartment one day with some neighbours when a couple in the midst of a heated squabble suddenly appeared. So what did Ayers do? Politely look the other way and mind his own business? Of course not. Like any good social (media) Samaritan, he whipped out his smartphone and started tweeting about the whole ordeal. His series of live-tweets of the couple's retorts caused quite a buzz in the Twittersphere and was traceable by the fitting tag, #roofbreakup. He started the sequence on Saturday evening, saying "A couple is breaking up on my roof right now. I was just trying to enjoy the view. Now I will live tweet the breakup." Rapidly reporting the exchange between 'guy' and 'girl' (who we later learnt was named Rachel), Ayers captured their dislikes of friends, questions of moving in together and accusations of infidelity. Highlights include: "Say something else about my fucking wardrobe" -guy #roofbreakup — Kyle Ayers (@kyleayers) November 17, 2013 "I'm not looking for marriage, just what's right below marriage" -girl #roofbreakup — Kyle Ayers (@kyleayers) November 17, 2013 "Your roommates are fucking assholes" -guy #roofbreakup — Kyle Ayers (@kyleayers) November 17, 2013 "You think I'm immature? Calling people immature is immature!" -guy #roofbreakup — Kyle Ayers (@kyleayers) November 17, 2013 "Do you love me?" -girl (OH BOY HERE WE GO, PEOPLE) #roofbreakup — Kyle Ayers (@kyleayers) November 17, 2013 "My roommates are always like 'wheres your boyfriend?' And I'm like 'hmm' and stuff." -girl #roofbreakup — Kyle Ayers (@kyleayers) November 17, 2013 This guy is four cigs deep right now. #roofbreakup #teamrachel — Kyle Ayers (@kyleayers) November 17, 2013 "I don't think we need to talk about this up here with some random guy over there." -guy (uh oh, I'm that guy over here) #roofbreak — Kyle Ayers (@kyleayers) November 17, 2013 "He's just sitting on his fucking phone he doesn't care (talking about me). Answer my question." -girl (hahahahahahaha) #roofbreakup — Kyle Ayers (@kyleayers) November 17, 2013 and the royal cherry on top: "Are we getting pizza or what? I don't mean to change the subject but are we?" -guy #roofbreakup — Kyle Ayers (@kyleayers) November 17, 2013 The guy, who was furiously chain-smoking the entire time, finally declared "I'm not talking about love on a roof in Brooklyn." Clearly, this is the 21st century's adaptation of Clark Gable's famous retort, "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn." How debonair. Read the full #roofbreakup tweets on Storify. Via Huffington Post.
If sitting in darkened rooms watching movies on the big screen is your favourite way to fill your spare time, the past couple of years have been trickier than usual, with cinemas closing temporarily and film festivals moving online due to the pandemic. But here's one wonderful silver lining to emerge from the recent chaos: not one but two Sydney Film Festivals in a mere eight months. 2021's fest went ahead in November, after being postponed from June and August. Now, 2022's event is fast approaching, with the event slotting back into its usual midyear timeslot. Following the bumps of the last couple of years, this upcoming festival — SFF's whopping 69th iteration — is set to return to business as usual. That means catching 200-plus movies on silver screens all around Sydney between Wednesday, June 8–Sunday, June 19 (including at the glorious State Theatre, of course). Overseen by Festival Director Nashen Moodley for the 11th time, this year's SFF unveiled its first 22 movies back in April, and has announced a few other details since — such as a retrospective focusing on the documentaries of American filmmaker Frederick Wiseman, plus Pacific First Nations anthology We Are Still Here in the coveted opening night slot. But that was only a taste of the just-dropped entire lineup, which is hefty and impressive as always, and spans 101 features, 53 documentaries and a whole heap of short films from 64-plus countries. (And 27 world premieres as well.) Highlights include the entire Official Competition lineup, aka the movies vying for SFF's big cash prize for films that are "audacious, cutting-edge and courageous". That's where you'll find this year's Berlinale Golden Bear-winner Alcarràs, a family drama from Spain; Blaze, a blend of live-action, puppetry and animation directed by acclaimed Aussie artist Del Kathryn Barton; and supernatural witch flick You Won't Be Alone, which stars Noomi Rapace (Lamb). And, it's home to a number of titles arriving straight from playing Cannes, too — such as Godland from Icelandic filmmaker Hlynur Pálmason (A White, White Day); Close, a teen-focused drama by Girl filmaker Lukas Dhont; and All the People I'll Never Be, about a French woman's quest to discover her Korean roots. Other big-name inclusions across the rest of the program span New Zealand comedy Nude Tuesday, which'll enjoy its world premiere at SFF; Australia's own Seriously Red, a SXSW hit about a Dolly Parton impersonator; One Fine Morning, from acclaimed French filmmaker Mia Hansen-Løve (Bergman Island); the Dakota Johnson (The Lost Daughter)-starring rom-com Cha Cha Real Smooth, which earned plenty of fans at Sundance; and Good Luck To You, Leo Grande, where Emma Thompson (Cruella) plays an older women who hires a sex worker — with 52 Tuesdays and Animals filmmaker Sophie Hyde behind the lens. Or, there's queer comedy Fire Island, about a group of friends on a wild summer holiday; Aubrey Plaza (Best Sellers)-led heist film Emily the Criminal; Cannes 2021 Jury Prize-winner Ahed's Knee, the latest from Synonyms' director Nadav Lapid; time-travel romp Incredible But True, as directed by Rubber and Deerskin's Quentin Dupieux; and One Year, One Night, which features Portrait of a Lady on Fire's Noémie Merlant. Also on the must-watch list: Norwegian action movie The Burning Sea; Finnish thriller The Man Who Didn't Want to See Titanic (which, yes, focuses on a film buff); Hommage, a South Korean mystery starring Parasite's Lee Jeong-eun; Japanese folklore-glam-rock-musical-anime epic Inuh-Oh; and Millie Lies Low, a NZ caper about impostor syndrome. Plus, from the documentary slate, there's Sundance Audience Award-winner Navalny, about the Russian opposition leader poisoned with a nerve agent; Lynch/Oz, which takes a yellow brick road through David Lynch's filmography; Dreaming Walls: Inside the Chelsea Hotel, a step inside New York's iconic Chelsea Hotel; and stranger-than-fiction effort My Old School, where Alan Cumming (Schmigadoon!) lip-synchs to audio recordings of Scottish con-artist Brandon Lee. SFF's full lineup also covers the usual returning favourites among its strands — so its ten-film focus on female directors from Europe is back, as is its selection of movies about music, its weird and wonderful horror and genre flicks, a range of family-friendly fare, a celebration of filmmaking talent with disability, and twelve titles from First Nations creatives. The latter includes all six episodes of Mystery Road: Origins, the new prequel series that focuses on Indigenous police officer Jay Swan, which is one of the fest's massive local highlights. Another: a big-screen showing of the newly restored 4K version of Baz Luhrmann's Strictly Ballroom, arriving just before his new movie Elvis reaches cinemas. The program still goes on, so if you're keen on seeing Park Chan-wook's Oldboy on the big screen again, or the nine Aussie docos competing for the annual Documentary Australia Award, you're in luck. Whatever's now on your must-see roster, you'd best soak in all the sunshine you can during May — because you'll be spending most of June in a cinema. The 2022 Sydney Film Festival will run between Wednesday, June 8–Sunday, June 19 at the State Theatre, Event Cinemas George Street, Dendy Newtown, Palace Central, Palace Norton Street, Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace Cremorne, Ritz Cinemas Randwick, Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre and Art Gallery of NSW. To check out the event's full program, or to buy tickets (from 9am on Wednesday, May 11 for flexipass holders and 12pm for single tickets), head to the festival's website.
Two locally acquired cases of COVID-19 have been identified in Sydney, involving a man in his 50s and his wife — and, as a result, the New South Wales Government is bringing back a number of restrictions in the Greater Sydney region. Come 5pm today, Thursday, May 6, Sydneysiders will need to scale back their at-home gatherings, and also wear masks in indoor settings. In addition, singing and dancing indoors will be off the cards again. Announced this morning by NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, the changes only apply to the Greater Sydney area, which includes the Central Coast, Wollongong, the Blue Mountains and the region down to Illawarra. The new rules will be in effect until 12am on Monday, May 10 morning, too — and the Premier has advised that anyone who can adopt the new restrictions before 5pm today should do so. Within homes in Greater Sydney, only 20 people will be allowed, including children. "We know that transmission in the family home is a high risk," said Premier Berejiklian. She continued: "I appreciate that it's Mother's Day, but we also appreciate that 20 people within the home is manageable for people to celebrate that important day." Outside of the house, masks will be mandatory again in all indoor spaces. That includes public transport, supermarkets, retail stores, theatres and any indoor events. It also applies to workers in the hospitality industry — so, while no space, capacity or patron restrictions are being implemented in cafes, restaurants, pubs and bars as part of these new changes, folks will need to wear masks in hospitality venues for the next three days. And, if you're having a beverage in a bar, you're being asked to sit down. So yes, vertical drinking at pubs, clubs, restaurants and the like has been scrapped again, too. Plus, although dancing has only been back on the cards since late March, it'll be banned in indoor venues once again until Monday. Singing will be as well. At weddings, dance floors will still be able to operate, but they'll only be able to accommodate 20 people at once. https://twitter.com/NSWHealth/status/1390115056969404421 Premier Berejiklian said that the NSW Government isn't asking people to change their weekend plans. "Enjoy Mother's Day. Do what you would normally do. This is the opposite approach. We're saying to businesses to keep doors open," she advised. The restrictions are being put back in place after the two new NSW cases occurred in people who haven't been overseas recently, and don't work in hotel quarantine, border or health roles. NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said that the sequence from the new case matches a case in a returned overseas traveller, but NSW Health hasn't been able to directly connect the two people as yet. "What we're concerned about is that there is a missing link — that there is someone, because there is no direct contact that we've been able to establish yet, between the cases," Dr Chant noted. Sydneysiders are also asked to continue to frequently check NSW Health's long list of locations and venues that positive coronavirus cases have visited over the past week — and, if you've been to anywhere listed on the specific dates and times, get tested immediately and self-isolate for 14 days after your visit. In terms of symptoms, you should be looking out for coughs, fever, sore or scratchy throat, shortness of breath, or loss of smell or taste — and getting tested at a clinic if you have any. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in NSW, head to the NSW Health website.
Erth, the creators of the immersive plant and sculpture exhibition currently running out of Royal Botanic Garden's The Calyx, is winding the clock back 65 million years with a series of dinosaur-heavy picnics in two lush Sydney spots. Popping up at the Royal Botanic Gardens and Parramatta Park, Erth's Prehistoric Picnic will bring a series of huge dinosaur puppets and inflatables to these green spaces for an hour of dino wonder. These dinosaur recreations will stretch their legs and wander their way around the picnics to the delight of adults and children alike. Included in the roster of millennium-old creatures is the newest edition to Erth's repertoire: a set of three-metre tall thunderbirds that will be strutting their stuff across the prehistoric events. Entry costs $30 and doesn't come with a picnic included, so it's recommended you break out the new blanket you bought at the end of the last lockdown and pack an array of snacks for the whole group. Sessions are running from Saturday, January 8–Friday, January 14 at Parramatta Park and from Saturday, January 15–Sunday, January 30 at the Royal Botanic Gardens, with 9am and 11am time slots available.
Like the rest of 2020, New Year's Eve is going to be a little different this year. Well, significantly different. In a bid to contain the northern beaches outbreak, and a new Croydon park cluster, new restrictions have been implemented in Greater Sydney for the final night of the year. For New Year's Eve, Greater Sydney has been broken into five areas: the northern part of the northern beaches; the southern part of the northern beaches; a green zone, which encompasses the main fireworks vantage points in the CBD and North Sydney; a yellow zone, which encompasses more of North Sydney and the CBD; and the rest of Greater Sydney, which includes Wollongong, the Blue Mountains and the Central Coast. Depending on what zone you're in, you're allowed to do different things. Here, we've broken down exactly how you can watch the fireworks and catch up with friends. HOW CAN I WATCH THE FIREWORKS? All residents of Greater Sydney are encouraged to watch the seven-minute midnight fireworks display on TV, where it will be live streamed on ABC. "My strong message to everyone in Greater Sydney this year is to watch the fireworks on TV," Premier Gladys Berejiklian said in a statement. If you're in either of the northern beaches zones, which are both under stay-at-home orders, you'll have no choice but to watch them from home. For the rest of Greater Sydney, those who'd like to go out can watch the fireworks from the designated green zones along the harbour foreshore in Circular Quay and North Sydney (shown in the map below) — but only if you have a permit. You can only get one of these permits if you are a resident of the green zone, are visiting a resident in the green zone or have a reservation at a bar, hotel or restaurant in the green zone. You can apply for a permit over at Service NSW. North Sydney Council has announced that no businesses within the green zone will be open on NYE. You don't need a permit to visit the yellow zone, but the NSW Government has warned that "people gathering in these areas in large numbers may be moved on by police". That said, many councils, including North Sydney, City of Sydney and the Inner West, have closed parks along the foreshore — both inside and outside the yellow and green zones. CAN I HAVE PEOPLE OVER TO MY HOUSE? Yes, but only five. For all of Greater Sydney — including the northern and southern northern beaches zones — you are allowed five visitors in your home (including children and adults) per day. This new limit is down from the previously announced ten for Greater Sydney and the southern part of the northern beaches and will remain in place "until further notice". If you are in the northern beaches, however, you must stay in your zone. So, you can't have visitors from the other northern beaches zone or from other parts of Greater Sydney. You can check out a map of the two zones below. Those located in the remainder of NSW can have up to 50 people in their homes. CAN I CATCH UP WITH PEOPLE OUTDOORS? Yes, but there are different numbers depending whereabouts in the city you are. Those in the northern half of the northern beaches, can have gatherings of up to five people outside, while those in the south can have gatherings of up to ten. Once again, you cannot leave your zone, so outdoor gatherings can only be with people from your area. A reminder here that under the stay-at-home orders, northern beaches residents can leave there homes for four reasons: shop for food or other goods and services; travel for work or education, where you cannot work or learn from home; to get medical care or supplies, or to fulfil carer's responsibilities; and for exercise and outdoor recreation. Outdoor recreation includes picnics, golf, tennis, swimming, boating, jet-skiing, fishing and paddle boarding. You can find a full list here. For the rest of Greater Sydney, outdoor gatherings of 30 people are allowed, at places like public parks, reserves, beaches, public gardens and spaces. But, keep in mind, to reduce the risk of large gatherings, some councils have closed certain parks and beaches — including North Sydney, City of Sydney and the Inner West. If you're located in regional NSW — outside of Greater Sydney, the Central Coast, Blue Mountains and Wollongong — outdoor public gatherings of up to 100 people are allowed. ARE THERE ANY TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE TO HARBOURSIDE EVENTS? Surprisingly, there are. You can enjoy the fireworks side-by-side with giraffes at the Taronga Zoo's New Year's Eve celebrations, with panoramic views of Sydney Harbour, live entertainment and a visit to see the animals. Some harbourside restaurants still have reservations available, too, including Bar Ombre, which is pairing the fireworks with a five-course Italian feast and free-flowing booze; and Sydney Tower's Bar 83, where you can watch the lights from 83 levels up. O Bar also hosting a sky-high NYE event — and reservations are still available. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in NSW and current restrictions, head to NSW Health.
Can you think of a better way to spend a muggy, summer night than with an outdoor movie and quality food by the harbour? From October 31 to December 8, you can do just that when American Express brings back its outdoor cinema to Sydney's inner city coastline. The Pyrmont spot is just one of the cinema's ten pop-ups that'll be held across Australia and New Zealand this year. Movies on this big screen will include just-released hits like It: Chapter 2 (fittingly held on Halloween), Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Joaquin Phoenix-starring Joker and Bill Murray zombie comedy The Dead Don't Die, as well as classics — including Elf and Love Actually. Food truck Mr Papa will be supplying the movie snacks, with a menu of Peruvian street food, burgers, loaded fries and grazing plates, and drinks will be on offer from Giesen Wines, 4Pines and Pimm's. Every Wednesday, Giesen will be giving out free tasters of its wine and selling discounted bottles — a very compelling option for date night. In addition to all this, there'll be live music performances and DJs every night from 6pm (when the doors open) before the film starts after sunset. Oh, and it's a dog-friendly space, so you don't need to leave part of your family at home. Plus if you're an Amex user you'll get 15 percent off selected tickets, plus a blanket. American Express Openair Cinemas will also pop-up in Sydney's inner west (Jan 4–Feb 2) and Bondi (Feb 6–Mar 15)
As the federal government continues to drag its feet resettling refugees fleeing the Syrian conflict (Australia had managed about 6000 by last November. Canada by comparison, was at well over 30,000), it falls once more to the non-political professions to show the government where the hands go on the humanitarian clock. This time, it's hospitality's turn. On February 27, UNICEF Australia will partner with ten of the country's best chefs for a charity dinner celebrating Syria's strong culinary tradition. Three Blue Ducks in Roseberry will host the posse of gastronomers as they prepare a banquet comprising their signature dishes with a few Syrian flourishes. If you've never been at the mercy of za'atar, pomegranate, Aleppo pepper or tamarind, this could well be a revelation. Tickets are a steep $320 per person (plus booking fee), which includes canapés, cocktails on arrival, a shared Syrian-inspired feast and wine. It may seem on the surface like you're paying for the food, but ten professional chefs jammed into a single kitchen also suggests a night of great theatre. Bennelong's Pete Gilmore, Long Chim's David Thompson and The Bridge Room's Ross Lusted will be in the fray, with Paul Carmichael from Momofuku Seiobo and Ester's Matt Lindsay contending for next use of the colander with equal ferocity. If you've ever wanted to see Kylie Kwong trying to slice potato with steel wool or fighting a pitched battle for the top shelf of the oven, this could well be your chance. While the top guns will have their turn on February 27, UNICEF Australia is encouraging anyone with passing knowledge of an oven to contribute. Restaurants and cafes can produce a limited edition 'Syria' version of a favourite dish, of which a portion of the proceeds will go to UNICEF. For those who deal in culinary delight on a slightly smaller scale, bakes sales are your recommended course. While you're waiting for the oven to pre-heat, there's more information here.
Parlour Song is an exercise in suburban surrealism, the stuff of American Beauty and Desperate Housewives. Exploring the tangled web between three neighbours in two couples, the plot swerves between the utterly unbelievable and the eerily relatable. Dale is a lovable larrikin, responsible for a car wash chain and the mental stability of his eccentric friend, Ned. Ned's difficulties stem from a deteriorating relationship with his wife and the absurdity of his belongings consistently disappearing without explanation. The plot thickens as Dale becomes entangled in Ned and Joy's relationship, making it impossible for him to keep his feet firmly planted on the ground. Imagery permeates the script as well as the production, with recurring references to lemons, scrabble and demolition. Carefully constructed soundscapes interact with projected video, turning what could be a tacky YouTube-watching section into a strangely moving experience. Matt Dyktynski channels his stand-up comedy skills in his portrayal of Dale, an often hilarious performance which serves as the linchpin of this production — but the star is the script itself. English playwright Jez Butterworth's reputation precedes him; the twists, turns and tender moments of Parlour Song prove it's all deserved. Image by Patrick Boland.
Woodford Folk Festival is a veritable smorgasbord of all things music, performance, creativity and so much more, with this year's lineup boasting over 400 events and 2000 performers over six days that straddle this year and the next. With artists making the trek to the small town of Woodford from all over the world, the festival presents the best that Australia and the world have to offer in the broad category of folk. The town of Woodford, about 70km north of Brisbane, boasts a population of just over two and a half thousand people, so rather than blow that number out of the water for a few days every year, the festival is held about five minutes out of Woodford, on the 500-acre headquarters of Woodfordia, a not-for-profit organisation that produces the festival. The region is a quiet, rural area, nestled in some truly beautiful surroundings and not too far from the beaches at Moreton Bay. With that in mind, why not take a detour from your routine, and build an itinerary that includes the festival, as well as a few other side quests that you wouldn't normally set out on. We've teamed up with our pals at Mazda3 to get your ideas going for where to stay, what to eat and what to do while you're in town. [caption id="attachment_642063" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image credit: Woodford Folk Festival via Flickr.[/caption] EAT AND DRINK While at the festival, you'd be mad to not gorge yourself on the slew of food on offer within the festival itself. Far from your classic dagwood dog and can of Fanta combo, the streets of the festival village are filled with the scents of cuisine from all over the world. From Mexican to Indian, German to Vietnamese, you can get your fix for any hankering in the festival's boundaries. There are cafes for the mornings and bars for the evening, so whatever your poison, the Festival of Food's got you covered. For the remainder of your stay, however, it's worth taking a few trips off the beaten track to find somewhere more unique to eat and, with rugged mountains providing the stunning backdrop to the areas surrounding Woodford, there's no harm in chasing a good view to wash it down with. Perched atop Mount Mee and enjoying views that range from farms to beaches, Birches Restaurant serves classic bistro food with an emphasis on seafood, a trait not uncommon throughout the region. A little further south, in Ocean View, you'll also find Ocean View Estates, a local winery with a cellar door and restaurant thrown in for good measure. As well as a menu drawing influence from Japan and French cuisines, the winery also added craft beer to their acumen only last year, so it's a just chance to check out the local brews, too. Given that Woodford and its neighbours ride the boundary line between inland rural and coastal beaches, it's not surprising that the region is home to some excellent country pubs. Not that inner-city-bar-pretending-to-be-a-country-pub sort of pub, but an actual pub in the country where the aesthetic is legitimate. So, if the winery hasn't slaked your thirst, sit yourself down at the nearest local and blow the froth off a couple. The Village Garden Bar & Grill in Woodford Village Hotel, for example, provides exactly what it says on the label, dishing out pub grub and beverages in a lovely beer garden. DO The Woodford Folk Festival is more than just a few bands performing over a few days. It's more like a Mary Poppins bag bursting with workshops, comedy, cabaret, talks and debates, a film festival, art, meditation, dance, circus and a whole manner of sins. As well as live musical acts like Sampa the Great, Husky, Montaigne, Kate Miller-Heidke, John Butler and Rising Appalachia, the full program offers a million ways to explore the festival. Brisbane-based slam poet Anisa Nandaula will be in attendance, discussing her own brand of political lyricism, and executive director of the Climate Foundation Dr Brian von Herzen will be discussing a range of issues — and potential solutions to them — facing marine life. From the Circadia circus workshops to 80s dance workshops, Chenda Melam's traditional music from southern India to Kim Kirman and Brian Martin with the Seraphim Baroque ensemble, there's never a dull moment, drinking in traditional folk culture from around the world. And, if you feel like getting out of the throng and into the calm embrace of Mother Nature, there's even the option of an organised walk to check out the local mushrooms. [caption id="attachment_642064" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] D'aguilar National Park, Troy Bell via Flickr.[/caption] Beyond the festival, it would be a sin to pass up the abundant bushlands and national parks that run through Woodford and the surrounding towns. It's a quick drive from town into the D'Aguilar National Park that runs almost all the way south to Brisbane. In addition to a spot of bushwalking, the park also allows four-wheel driving, trail bike riding, and horse riding. The Somerset Trail, which crawls up Mount Mee, is perfect for pretty much everyone who might be down to see the diverse ecology of the area and is pretty close to Woodford. It's an easy track that takes about three to four hours, so if you've brought kids along for the trip, they'll be able to handle it, no worries. The trail takes you through scribbly gum groves, rainforests and ultimately to a lookout that gives an incredible view over the whole Moreton Bay region. STAY With such a huge swathe of land available for the festival, camping is, of course, the traditional method of experiencing the festival. If you're the kind of person who already owns camping stuff, you can bring that along, and the General Store in town will have most things you might not have. Alternatively, there's the option of the Tent Motel, where you can just rent out a pre-erected tent for the duration of your stay. Shower facilities are available for all campers because even though we're sleeping outside, we don't have to be animals. If, however, you're the kind of person who prefers to sleep in a bed, in a room, in a building, there are still places to rest your weary head around the area. The nearby town of D'Aguilar is home to the freshly renovated Dag Pub and Motel, for example, with reasonably priced rooms and a bar and bistro with solid eats and a penchant for memorabilia. If you're making the road trip, it's always good for a city kid to dive into some greener scenery, and a trip to the Moreton Bay area is the perfect opportunity to do just that. With so many national parks such a short drive away, perhaps an unwinding couple of nights at Conondale's Eco Retreat might get you a little bit more in touch with nature. But, if you're looking to get even closer to the trees and the mountains, a stay at Glass on Glasshouse might be the ticket, where your accommodation is a cabin made of floor-to-ceiling windows, snug among the rainforest itself. Woodford Folk Festival takes place at Woodfordia from December 27 to January 1. Top image: Woodford Folk Festival via Flickr. Personalise your next adventure via The Playmaker, driven by Mazda3.
This isn't new news to anyone, but 2020 has been a big year for television. With everyone spending more time indoors due to the COVID-19 pandemic, TV has been a trusty go-to to help while away the hours, days and months — whether it's beamed into your home the old-fashioned way or streamed to your chosen device. If you've spent the past few months bingeing your way through a dark superhero tale, stepping back to 50s and 60s-era New York and watching a media mogul's personal and professional dramas, it seems that this year's Emmy Awards are on the same wavelength. Announcing the nominees for the 2020 ceremony, the Television Academy showered plenty of love on Watchmen, The Marvelous Mrs Maisel and Succession, which notched up 26, 20 and 18 nods respectively. Also doing well was Ozark, which scored 18 nominations — while The Mandalorian, Saturday Night Live and Schitt's Creek all earned 15 nods apiece. From there, everything from The Crown, Westworld and The Handmaid's Tale to Unorthodox, What We Do in the Shadows and even Tiger King earned a mention. It's worth noting that the Emmys hand out a hefty number of awards, with its full nominee list spanning 61 pages — and Netflix picking up a huge 160 nominations across the entire spectrum — so odds are that your favourite show popped up somewhere. Notably for talent from Down Under, Hugh Jackman was recognised for Outstanding Actor in a Limited Series or Television Movie, for Bad Education; Cate Blanchett received a nomination for Outstanding Actress in the same category for Mrs America; and Toni Collette nabbed a Outstanding Supporting Actress nod, also in the same field, for Unbelievable. Plus, Succession's Sarah Snook earned a nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, Hannah Gadsby's Douglas picked up noms for Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded) and Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special, and Taika Waititi scored an Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance nod for The Mandalorian. Both on the local front and in general, there were snubs, too. It wouldn't be a list of newly revealed award nominees without them. Russell Crowe's performance in last year's The Loudest Voice went unrewarded — and the fact that Better Call Saul's Bob Odenkirk, Rhea Seehorn and Jonathan Banks were ignored for their exceptional work isn't just surprising, but astonishing. This year's nominations did recognise The Good Place's Ted Danson and William Jackson Harper, though, as well as Brooklyn Nine-Nine's Andre Braugher. So, like all awards nominations from all awards bodies every single time they're announced, it's a mixed bag. [caption id="attachment_756726" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Succession[/caption] The 72nd Emmy Awards will take place on Monday, September 20, Australian time. Here's a rundown of the major nominations — and you can check out the full 61-page list of nominees on the Emmys' website: EMMY NOMINEES 2020 OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES Better Call Saul The Crown The Handmaid's Tale Killing Eve The Mandalorian Ozark Stranger Things Succession OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES Curb Your Enthusiasm Dead to Me The Good Place Insecure The Kominsky Method The Marvelous Mrs Maisel Schitt's Creek What We Do in the Shadows OUTSTANDING LIMITED SERIES Little Fires Everywhere Mrs America Unbelievable Unorthodox Watchmen OUTSTANDING TELEVISION MOVIE American Son Bad Education Dolly Parton's Heartstrings: These Old Bones El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs The Reverend OUTSTANDING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES Jason Bateman, Ozark Sterling K. Brown, This Is Us Steve Carell, The Morning Show Brian Cox, Succession Billy Porter, Pose Jeremy Strong, Succession OUTSTANDING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES Jennifer Aniston, The Morning Show Olivia Colman, The Crown Jodie Comer, Killing Eve Laura Linney, Ozark Sandra Oh, Killing Eve Zendaya, Euphoria OUTSTANDING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES Anthony Anderson, Black-ish Don Cheadle, Black Monday Ted Danson, The Good Place Michael Douglas, The Kominsky Method Eugene Levy, Schitt's Creek Ramy Youssef, Ramy OUTSTANDING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES Christina Applegate, Dead to Me Rachel Brosnahan, The Marvelous Mrs Maisel Linda Cardellini, Dead to Me Catherine O'Hara, Schitt's Creek Issa Rae, Insecure Tracee Ellis Ross, Black-ish OUTSTANDING ACTOR IN A LIMITED SERIES OR TELEVISION MOVIE Jeremy Irons, Watchmen Hugh Jackman, Bad Education Paul Mescal, Normal People Jeremy Pope, Hollywood Mark Ruffalo, I Know This Much Is True OUTSTANDING ACTRESS IN A LIMITED SERIES OR TELEVISION MOVIE Cate Blanchett, Mrs America Shira Haas, Unorthodox Regina King, Watchmen Octavia Spencer, Self Made Kerry Washington, Little Fires Everywhere OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES Giancarlo Esposito, Better Call Saul Bradley Whitford, The Handmaid's Tale Billy Crudup, The Morning Show Mark Duplass, The Morning Show Nicholas Braun, Succession Kieran Culkin, Succession Matthew Macfadyen, Succession Jeffrey Wright, Westworld OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES Laura Dern, Big Little Lies Meryl Streep, Big Little Lies Helena Bonham Carter, The Crown Samira Wiley, The Handmaid's Tale Fiona Shaw, Killing Eve Julia Garner, Ozark Sarah Snook, Succession Thandie Newton, Westworld OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES Andre Braugher, Brooklyn Nine-Nine William Jackson Harper, The Good Place Alan Arkin, The Kominsky Method Sterling K. Brown, The Marvelous Mrs Maisel Tony Shalhoub, The Marvelous Mrs Maisel Mahershala Ali, Ramy Kenan Thompson, Saturday Night Live Daniel Levy, Schitt's Creek OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES Betty Gilpin, GLOW D'Arcy Carden, The Good Place Yvonne Orji, Insecure Alex Borstein, The Marvelous Mrs Maisel Marin Hinkle, The Marvelous Mrs Maisel Kate McKinnon, Saturday Night Live Cecily Strong, Saturday Night Live Annie Murphy, Schitt's Creek OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING IN A LIMITED SERIES OR TELEVISION MOVIE Dylan McDermott, Hollywood Jim Parsons, Hollywood Tituss Burgess, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs The Reverend Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Watchmen Jovan Adepo, Watchmen Louis Gossett Jr, Watchmen OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A LIMITED SERIES OR TELEVISION MOVIE Holland Taylor, Hollywood Uzo Aduba, Mrs America Margo Martindale, Mrs America Tracey Ullman, Mrs America Toni Collette, Unbelievable Jean Smart, Watchmen Top image: Watchmen, Mark Hill/HBO
A lot can happen in 18 days. Relationships can crumble, local football teams can try to break the mould and huge celebratory balls can be held. If you're an avid cinephile, you've probably spotted the connection — they're what this year's Melbourne International Film Festival opening, centrepiece and closing flicks were all about. With the city's annual celebration of cinema taking over the town between August 2 and 19, film buffs also witnessed everything from zombie invasions and giant rock-climbing feats to unlikely heists and high-stakes rap battles. And Italian crime waves, pioneering female rockers and tense murder cases, too. Plus, they did so from the comfort of their cinema seats (although seasoned MIFF-goers will tell you that some chairs are more comfortable than others). From all of that and more, Concrete Playground film critics Sarah Ward and Tom Clift went, watched and came up with a wealth of highlights — movies that, if you didn't see them yourself, you should definitely pop on your must-see list. Many are downright wonderful. Others are weird in a heap of ways. Some couldn't be more surprising. And a few particularly ace flicks hit all three categories. BEST https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCF5Y8dQpR4 FIRST REFORMED Ethan Hawke featured in four films in the 2018 MIFF program, and directed one of them. That's an impressive haul; however, only one of the above movies ranks among the highlights not only of his year, but his career. In First Reformed, the actor is at his devastating best as a lonely pastor grappling with the complexities of faith as one of his parishioners (Amanda Seyfried) asks for his help — and as his health woes and his general malaise escalate. With the intensity that's made him such a compelling screen presence for decades now, Hawke wears his character's growing uncertainty and unhappiness like a weathered second skin, one that hasn't felt a warm embrace for some time. He also hits every nuanced, delicate note in Paul Schrader's screenplay, which might just mark the writer/director's weightiest, most sombre and still most daring effort on a resume that includes scripting Taxi Driver, Raging Bull and The Last Temptation of Christ. — Sarah Ward https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRF290gedLs SORRY ANGEL At last year's MIFF, BPM (Beats Per Minute) broke hearts and burrowed into souls with its depiction of 1990s Paris — a time when queer men loved passionately and fought proudly for their place in the world, but always found their existence lingering under a cloud. Consider Christophe Honoré's Sorry Angel not quite its successor, but its dance partner, with the two films sashaying through similar space while unleashing their own moves. Here, writer Jacques (Pierre Deladonchamps) meets student Arthur (Vincent Lacoste), and as a bond grows between them, the former's illness and the latter's idealism shape their relationship. Sublimely blue in its bittersweet mood and its exacting colour scheme, the end result is a layered, almost novel-like, always tender and touching study of life and love. — SW https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efz1ESCpcLo TIGERS ARE NOT AFRAID An enchanting and empathetic debut from writer/director Issa López, Tigers Are Not Afraid tackles a familiar topic in an imaginative manner, seeing the Mexican drug war through the eyes of the children it leaves orphaned. Ten-year-old Estrella (Paola Lara) is one of them, proving at a loss when her mother disappears at the hands of the local cartel, and banding up with a group of similarly abandoned boys in an effort to survive. More than that, however, she's driven to track down the men responsible for their misery — driven by ghostly whisperings from her mum. Spanish-language cinema is thrillingly filled with dark fairytales that unpack the ills of childhood, as Guillermo del Toro has demonstrated more than once, but López's effort is a worthy, moving and mesmerising addition to the fold; one that's as heartwarming as it is heartbreaking. — SW https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgE8e6QBtt0 BIRDS OF PASSAGE Drug warfare films sometimes feel like a dime a dozen, but this multigenerational crime saga couldn't be more distinctive. The latest feature from Embrace of the Serpent's Ciro Guerra — directing with producer, editor and first-time filmmaker Cristina Gallego — chronicles the choices and consequences when one of Colombia's indigenous Wayúu families wades into the illegal trafficking trade. And, it does so with the same ethnographic approach that shaped the helmers' previous effort; think strikingly vivid images that highlight traditional locations and costumes, plus a genuine desire to immerse viewers in a specific way of life that's rarely seen on screen. Following a cyclical battle for power and wealth that descends into death and bloodshed, it's a gorgeous gut-punch of a movie, almost like Gabriel García Márquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude tinted with bleakness and set in a unique gangster world. — SW https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCHx2m_hQc4 ACUTE MISFORTUNE On paper, it hardly sounds riveting: a young journalist profiles an acclaimed but controversial Australian artist. When Erik Jensen met Adam Cullen, it gave rise to a Sydney Morning Herald article, and then an offer to write a book — and now this astonishing, extraordinarily accomplished filmmaking debut from Thomas M. Wright. Even if you're familiar with both figures (the former is now the editor of The Saturday Paper; the latter won the Archibald prize and courted much attention before his death in 2012), nothing about Acute Misfortune sticks to the expected path. As excellent an Australian film as the country can claim in recent years, this is a fearless dissection of two men, their unconventional relationship, and the stories they both spun and starred in. It also features a powerhouse performance from Daniel Henshall as Cullen, who is as unnervingly, menacingly exceptional here as he was in Snowtown. — SW https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7TcFMkShpI APOSTASY In this intimate British drama, the titular term looms large over its three protagonists — a devoutly religious mother and the now-grown daughters she has brought up as Jehovah's Witnesses. There seems little chance that Ivanna (Siobhan Finneran) would ever abandon her faith, although two incidents test her devotion, and her family's: 18-year-old Alex's (Molly Wright) need for a blood transfusion, a procedure that's forbidden by their beliefs; and 21-year-old Luisa's (Sacha Parkinson) embrace of the secular world. Debut writer/director Daniel Kokotajlo was brought up in the church himself, and treads through this fraught territory with both authenticity and a no-holds-barred understanding of the complexities of the situation. Shot with clear-eyed naturalism befitting its premise, the film is also a showcase for its trio of actors, who each seethe with internalised conflict. — SW https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lqgxmq24qE SHOPLIFTERS Hirokazu Kore-eda has long been fascinated by questions of family. From Our Little Sister to Like Father, Like Son, the Japanese writer-director has probed and prodded at the indelible connection between siblings, spouses, parents and grandparents, crafting exquisite, often heart-wrenching dramas in the process. His latest film, Shoplifters, concerns an unconventional Tokyo family who must resort of petty theft in order to survive. We won't reveal where the story goes from there, but suffice it to say there's a good reason this funny, moving, quietly provocative film won the Palme d'Or at this year's Cannes Film Festival. — Tom Clift WEIRDEST https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKsZlwq19mE MANDY Two words: cheddar goblin. That'll make more sense once you've seen Mandy, and if it doesn't make you want to watch this out-there genre effort, then the movie mightn't be for you. Starring Nicolas Cage at his most Nicolas Cage-like, the film sees the inimitable star play a lumberjack happily in love with his titular partner (Andrea Riseborough) until a cult and their demonic demon bikers decide to snatch her up. Needless to say, things get strange, bloody and unhinged, with director Panos Cosmatos (Beyond the Black Rainbow) making an 80s-set mind-bender that would've even seemed excessive if it came out three decades ago. We mean that in the best possible manner, with everything from the feature's colour-saturated visuals, to its ferocious score, to Cage's glorious performance all hitting the mark — and, perhaps surprisingly, the movie's melancholy tone as well. — SW https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLZQfnFyelTBOQ15kmHSgEbdjzLMWzZpL7&v=DTvdgwQfewM KNIFE + HEART It's 1979. Someone is savagely murdering gay porn stars, all of whom work for successful, ruthless producer Anne (Vanessa Paradis). And, as she tries to keep making movies while her actors keep dropping like flies, she's coping with the end of her relationship with her editor. Kudos to writer/director Yann Gonzalez for Knife + Heart's exceptional premise, which also features films within films, creepy legends, spooky woods and rather inventive weapons. Still, it's his lurid execution that makes this a weird and wonderful delight. In his hands, nothing is too much — and we mean nothing. The end result is an assault on the senses that's as brutal as its slasher set-up and as theatrical as its campy tone. — SW https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNp0jlfbgqM CLIMAX How do you follow a divisive relationship drama full of gratuitous 3D sex scenes? If you're writer-director Gaspar Noe, with a mesmerising cocktail of carnage, music and sangria. A late addition to this year's Sydney Film Festival line-up, Climax takes place at a dance rehearsal after-party, where petty squabbles and personal baggage spin violently out of control when somebody spikes the punch. Those who are familiar with Noe's previous films such as Irreversible, Enter the Void and Love will recognise all of his trademarks: a pulsating soundtrack, floating camerawork and sequences of exhilarating beauty that make subsequent moments that much more disturbing. Love it or hate it, you certainly won't forget it in a hurry. — TC MOST UNEXPECTED https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfCqeoIP0bY THE DESERTED Forget everything you think you know about virtual reality. With The Deserted, the medium reaches its most immersive, all thanks to Taiwanese filmmaker Tsai Ming-liang. If you've seen the director's previous features, such as Journey to the West and Stray Dogs, then you'll know that he's known for his slow cinematic approach and penchant for patient long takes — touches that couldn't be better suited for his first VR effort. Across 55 minutes, you'll inhabit the same space as a lonely man and the spirits of his mother and neighbour. You'll peer around crumbling buildings and earthy gardens, and you'll even sit in the bathtub with the film's protagonist, too. Thanks to all of the above, you'll float along with this ethereal, intricate treatise on isolation, and you'll devour every stunning sight and sound. More than that, you won't want it to end. — SW https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CDKr6n0KDE THE WORLD IS YOURS There are heist films, and there are heist films. The World Is Yours has earned comparisons to Guy Ritchie and Quentin Tarantino's work; however it's no mere derivative take on a well-worn genre. Instead, it's a splashy, stylish, skilfully executed and supremely entertaining effort in its own right, and a mighty fun time at the cinema. Perhaps best known for making music videos for M.I.A., Simian Mobile Disco, Kanye West and Jay-Z, and Jamie xx, French filmmaker Romain Gavras turns this account of small-time gangsters dreaming big into a cool, comic and confidently engaging caper that drips with energy and charm from start to finish. Veterans Isabelle Adjani and Vincent Cassel take to their roles with glee, but it's A Prophet's Karim Leklou who stands out among the movie's stars — playing the son of a seasoned grifter who just wants to pull one last job so he can sell icy poles in North Africa. — SW A final note: if you're wondering why some of this year's other excellent MIFF efforts aren't on our list, that's because we've already showered them with love. We were keen on The Green Fog, Profile, An Elephant Sitting Still, Transit, Museum and Aga at Berlinale, plus Leave No Trace, The Rider, Burning, Searching, Cold War, The Guilty and Tyrel at Sydney Film Festival. Then, we fell head-over-heels for Let the Corpses Tan, You Were Never Really Here, Caniba and Zama at Queensland Film Festival, and adored Angels Wear White, Skate Kitchen, Lean on Pete and Strange Colours before MIFF even started.
The former PM most closely associated with the love of a cold one has today launched his own brewery, Hawke's Brewing. Yes, Bob Hawke has taken the only logical step post-the SCG skulling session of 2012, launching his maiden beverage this afternoon in Sydney. Hawke's Brewing has been established in conjunction with Hawke and David Gibson and Nathan Lennon. As well as producing a brew or two, the brand is also committed to furthering free market solutions to environmental issues, with a cut of all the profits going towards Landcare, a non-profit organisation that Hawke helped establish during his time as Prime Minister. "Mr. Hawke played an important role in the establishment of Landcare nationally almost 30 years ago," Tessa Jakszewicz, Landcare Australia's CEO said. "And it's really great to see his continued support of the movement today." The first drop out of the brewery, Hawke's Lager, is also crafted from 100 percent Australian ingredients, and Mr. Hawke won't take a penny from the profits — every cent of his share is going straight to Landcare. It will be available at 11 select venues, including Surry Hills' The Clock, Petersham Public House, Manly's New Brighton Hotel and The Courthouse in Newtown, across Sydney as of April 20. Cans of the lager will be available to buy from Camperdown Cellars from April 25, before rolling out across other bottle shops, restaurants and bars across the country. Gibson and Lennon came up with the idea for the brew during a frosty Australia Day in New York. They floated the proposal to Mr. Hawke, who took to it like a polly to a yard glass. Just over two and a half years later, the brew is set to hit our shelves. When asked how it felt to have his own beer, he said it felt "bloody good".
There's a time for coffee and there's a time for cocktails — and, sometimes, there's a time in the day when you want both. Australia's caffeinated booze expert Mr Black ticks both boxes with the release of its new bottled beverage: a pre-batched coffee negroni. The company's first bottled cocktail, the coffee negroni is made with Mr Black coffee liqueur, Campari, sweet vermouth and Moore's dry gin, which is produced at the same distillery as Mr Black, Distillery Botanica. Each bottle is going for $49 and can be used to make five cocktails (yes, that's a very reasonably $9.80 a drink). To make said cocktail, you just need to pour 100 millilitres of the sweet stuff into a glass over ice and garnish with a citrus twist — if you want to get a little fancy. No stirring (or shaking) required. It's the second new product the Mr Black team has released during lockdown, with the company launching a hand sanitiser in late March. As well as selling thousands (and thousands) of bottles to the public, the team donated hundreds to front-line medical workers, not-for-profits, testing clinics and medical centres. It's not the only distillery to launch its own hand sanitiser during COVID-19, either, with Queensland icon Bundaberg and Sydney rum distillery Brix, among others, also jumping on the trend. To get your hands on a bottle of coffee negroni, which, knowing Mr Black's track record, will sell out fast, head over to the Mr Black website. It's currently offering free shopping on all orders over $80. Mr Black's coffee negroni is on sale now for $49.
