In Netflix's ongoing quest to keep our eyeballs glued to the small screen, the platform pumps out new original shows with frequency. There are now so many to choose from, you could easily watch nothing else. But, still, there are some that stand out from the crowd. Combine filmmaker David Fincher (Seven, Gone Girl), true-crime book Mindhunter: Inside the FBI's Elite Serial Crime Unit and a whole heap of real-life serial killer cases, and you get the best show the streamer has ever made. For two seasons between 2017–2019, Mindhunter has drawn on its factual source material to dramatise the origins and operations of the FBI's Behavioural Science Unit — aka the folks who interview mass murderers to understand how they think, then use the learnings to help stop other killings. The show's main characters are fictional, such as agents Holden Ford (Jonathan Groff) and Bill Tench (Holt McCallany) and psychologist Wendy Carr (Anna Torv), but the details they're delving into aren't. Also real: notorious figures such as Ed Kemper (played by Cameron Britton), David Berkowitz (Oliver Cooper) and Charles Manson (Damon Herriman), to name a few. It's the kind of concept that easily could span on forever — with plenty of killers and cases to cover — and still prove fascinating and gripping in this meticulously made show. Sadly, hopes for a third season now look as paltry as Holden Ford's social etiquette, with Netflix releasing the cast from its contracts, Deadline reports. The fact that Mindhunter wasn't swiftly renewed after its second season dropped last August has always been a worrying sign, which is compounded by the current news. The series hasn't been cancelled. Still, its cast is free to move onto other projects — so if Mindhunter does come back somewhere down the line, its stars mightn't be available to return because they're now working on something else. The show does boast a premise that could lend itself to an anthology format, though, so returning with a new bunch of characters taking on new cases wouldn't be the end of the world. Netflix let the cast's options expire due to Fincher's current workload, because he's quite busy making other things for them at present. As well as producing a second season of Love, Death and Robots, he's directing a Netflix film called Mank. Due to hit the platform sometime later this year, the biopic will focus on the feud between screenwriter Herman J Mankiewicz and innovative director Orson Welles over screenplay credit for a little movie called Citizen Kane, with Gary Oldman and The Souvenir's Tom Burke playing the two men. Already missing Mindhunter? Check out the trailer for its excellent second season below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHlJQCyqiaI Via Deadline.
In news that'll come as little surprise given Melbourne's status as Australia's coffee heartland — and its predilection for complete coffee snobbery, too — a barista from the Victorian capital has taken out top honours at the Australian Specialty Coffee Association (ASCA) National Coffee Championships. Anthony Douglas of Axil Coffee Roasters has nabbed the title of Australia's National Barista Champion for 2022. Douglas beat out scores of other Aussie hopefuls in the annual competition, which was held at North Melbourne's Meat Market last month. His winning offering on the day consisted of an espresso, a milk-based coffee and his own coffee-based signature drink — a concoction featuring pomegranate and feijoa syrup, a juniper reduction, barhee dates and honey. Your morning latte's got nothing on that bad boy. [caption id="attachment_869967" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anthony Douglas[/caption] The newly crowned coffee king will now go on to represent Australia at the World Barista Championship, which is happening at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from September 27–30. It's been seven years since Australia last claimed glory in the international competition, when Ona Coffee's Sasa Sestic was named World Barista Champion in 2015. Douglas has been in the coffee industry for 12 years, and names two-time National Barista Champion Dave Makin as his boss and mentor. Catch the World Barista Championship at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from September 27–30. Axil has a swag of cafe locations across Melbourne — find your local by jumping to the website. Top Image: Fahmi Fakhrudin via Unsplash
If you watched Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi's vampire sharehouse mockumentary What We Do in the Shadows back in 2014, then instantly found yourself yearning for more, that's understandable. Smart, silly and hilarious, the undead flick is one of the decade's best comedies. Thanks to two TV spinoffs, that dream has come true, letting viewers keep spending time in the movie's supernatural world — and that's not going to end any time soon. Last year, the New Zealand-made Wellington Paranormal made it to screens, following the movie's cops (Mike Minogue and Karen O'Leary) as they keep investigating the supernatural. It proved a hit, unsurprisingly, and has a second season in the works. This year, an American television version of What We Do in the Shadows also started airing, following a group of vampire flatmates living in Staten Island. Featuring Toast of London's Matt Berry, Four Lions' Kayvan Novak, British stand-up comedian Natasia Demetriou, The Magicians' Harvey Guillen, The Office's Mark Proksch and Lady Bird's Beanie Feldstein, it follows the same basic concept as the original movie, just with memorable new characters. And now it has been renewed for a second season as well. Created and co-written by Clement, and executive produced by the Flight of the Conchords star with Thor: Ragnarok's Waititi, the US take on What We Do in the Shadows was first hinted at back in 2017, and then confirmed in May 2018. While the duo don't star in the new-look series, Berry, Novak and company have been doing them proud as the next batch of ravenous — and comic — vamps. Novak plays the gang's self-appointed leader, 'Nandor The Relentless', who dates back to the Ottoman Empire days and is somewhat stuck in his ways. As for Berry's mischievous British dandy Laszlo and Demetriou's seductive Nadja, they're like a blood-sucking Bonnie and Clyde (but much funnier). Guillén plays Nandor's familiar, who'd do anything to join the undead, while Proksch's Colin is an 'energy vampire'. And Feldstein's Jenna is a college student with a new craving. If you haven't caught the series yet, here's one of the first season's trailers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWUiU3t5udM Can't wait to sink your fangs into more? The first season is still on the air at present, and the second season will continue the story — charting Nandor, Laszlo, Nadja and the group's undead antics in the New York borough. It wasn't easy being a centuries-old bloodsucker in Wellington in the movie, and it's just as tough (and amusing) on the other side of the world. What We Do in the Shadows' first season is currently airing on Foxtel's Showcase channel weekly at 8.30pm on Tuesdays. Expect the second season in 2020. Via Variety.
Take one secret Sydney location and one celebrated Perrier mixologist, and what do you have? Concrete Playground’s first covert cocktail, that’s what, brought to you from one of Sydney’s best kept hideaways: Wendy’s Secret Garden. Tomas Vikario is a beverage innovation manager and top mixologist from Croatia. He divides his time between New Zealand and Australia, working on new cocktail ideas for brands like Perrier. “The source was discovered a long time ago by the Romans,” Tomas tells us, “and today, it’s an iconic brand found in many of the world’s best bars and restaurants. Perrier, is great for mixology, because of the long-lasting bubbles. It’s 100% natural, from volcanic soil.” The mixologist, who is a little like the Adriano Zumbo of cocktail making, has been creating innovative drinks for 18 years in Europe and Australasia. He loves to travel, and says that he likes to take inspiration from the places he visits and convert the aromas and flavours from a place into a drink. For the first in a series of new cocktail recipes for Concrete Playground, Tomas is making a ‘Perrier Tea Break’ in the luscious surround of Wendy’s Secret Garden, Lavender Bay (here's a map). A formerly derelict space, owned by NSW Rail Corp, the public space was restored by Australian artist Wendy Whiteley, widow and former muse of the Archibald Prize-winning painter Brett Whiteley. Wendy removed old train carriages and dumped waste, creating a truly hidden spot that anyone can visit, at any time. After heading down the secluded path into the gardens, Tomas found a spot in the sun, overlooking Sydney Harbour, to show us how to make a ‘Perrier Tea Break’. “It’s like a garden,” he says, “oranges, apples and lemon... It’s easy to make and it’s romantic. I can imagine two people escaping to this garden, hiding away, and enjoying something like this. It’s very refreshing; perfect for a hot day.” In his picnic basket: 1 orange1 lemonOrange blossom water, or essential orange oil330ml bottle of Perrier water (chilled)Apple flavoured vodka (optional) Step 1 First, peel approximately 4cm of the zest of an orange. Using a knife, score the zest length-ways, then twist and squeeze over a glass or cup to release the fruit’s oils and aroma. (To look like a true pro, swirl the zest along the rim of the glass before popping it in the bottom of the cup). Step 2 Peel and score the zest of a lemon. Twist and squeeze the lemon zest, as with the orange in step one, to release the fruit’s oils and aroma. Place the lemon zest in a teapot or glass container. Step 3 Add two drops of orange blossom water, or essential orange oil, in to the teapot. If you don't have a nifty measuring pipette like Tomas, one or two teaspoons will work just as well. Step 4 Add one 330ml bottle of Perrier water and stir. For the best results, ensure the Perrier is chilled. (Perfect! No need to pack the ice). Step 5 (optional) To take this refreshing mocktail to a cocktail, simply add 60ml of flavoured vodka. Tomas uses Smirnoff’s apple vodka to create a his Perrier Tea Break, but he also recommends Belvedere orange or lemon flavoured vodkas. Enjoy! Finally, kick back and enjoy this refreshing, clean and fruity drink with sweet treats and sunshine. A glorious garden picnic!
Encompassing York, Clarence and Kent Street in Sydney's CBD, the Harbour City's YCK Precinct has just been recognised in an international pilot program as an outstanding hub of nightlife, becoming Australia's first designated Purple Flag district. The Purple Flag program is an international accreditation scheme dedicated to recognising nightlife areas that are diverse, vibrant and safe. Each recognised district must meet a set of criteria judging its public transport, street lighting, food and beverage offerings, and entertainment. YCK Precinct will join areas across England, Sweden and New Zealand as Purple Flag districts, as the program strives to highlight the best after-dark cultural spots the world has to offer. [caption id="attachment_654874" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Alana Dimou[/caption] "We are working to deliver a better night out for all and Purple Flag will boost Sydney's reputation as a global nightlife destination, creating a thriving 24-hour economy across the state as more precincts apply for accreditation," said New South Wales' 24-Hour Economy Commissioner Mike Rodrigues. "A collaborative and coordinated effort is required to build a vibrant and strong 24-hour economy and the YCK team has shown considered planning and a willingness to innovate in earning Purple Flag status." Boasting beloved and accomplished venues like Since I Left You, PS40, Esteban, Cash Only and The Prince of York, the YCK Precinct launched in 2021 in order to bring more attention to the three busy inner-city streets. Since then, it has worked to capitalise upon its venues, and the forces behind them, to promote the vitality of the Sydney CBD — and host several multi-day food, drink, music and arts festivals in the process. "Whether it's for some retail therapy, to visit one of the superb small bars, grab a late-night bite or enjoy one of our regular arts and cultural events, we are committed to delivering our patrons a safe, friendly and fun experience," YCK Laneways Association Vice President Karl Schlothauer said. Also in Sydney, the Purple Flag pilot program is still running in the Parramatta CBD, Haldon Street in Lakemba and Marrickville, with these three hotspots still yet to be given the official go-ahead as a Purple Flag district. Don't live in New South Wales? Sydney's latest accolade is bound to reignite Australia's capital-city rivalries. [caption id="attachment_805684" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Lobo[/caption] Learn more about the Purple Flag program in Sydney at the NSW Government's website.
Returning for a second year after a widely-publicised Parklife rebrand, national electronic dance music festival Listen Out has locked in dates for another year. Spearheaded by organisers and promoters Fuzzy (the team behind Field Day, Shore Thing and Harbourlife), Listen Out marked its debut last year to generally upward thumbs and rants about Azealia Banks' smokebomb. Stopping by Sydney, Perth, Melbourne and Brisbane in spring, Listen Out's so-called 'boutique' set-up will "showcase the best dance music in a small but perfectly formed setting," according to Fuzzy. The nationally-touring festival will return to Sydney's Centennial Park, Perth's Ozone Reserve and Melbourne's Observatory Precinct, with a change in Brisbane venue from Southbank's Cultural Forecourt to the Brisbane Showgrounds. Headlined by staggeringly popular UK duo Disclosure last year with highlights including Azealia Banks (very briefly), AlunaGeorge and Classixx, the roaring pub debates will simmer until the lineup announcement to come. LISTEN OUT 2014 DATES AND VENUES: SYDNEY — Saturday 27 September, Centennial Park PERTH — Sunday 28 September, Ozone Reserve MELBOURNE — Saturday 4 October, Observatory Precinct, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne BRISBANE — Sunday 5th October, The Avenues & Expo Place, Brisbane Showgrounds Full lineup announcement and ticket details to come. Image by Dominic Loneragan.
When you're a fan of a particular band, there are plenty of ways to show your love. Listening to their tunes, seeing them live, buying and wearing their merchandise: they're all old favourites. If you're keen on Dune Rats, you can also add drinking Dunies Lager to your list. The Brisbane musos are fond of a collaboration — already this year, they teamed up with Volley on their own line of kicks — and now they're bringing back their boozy team-up with Young Henrys. It all started back in 2017, when the brewery and the band initially joined forces on a range of cold ones. The beer in question actually arose from a pub bet about whether the group's second album, The Kids Will Know It's Bullshit, could top the ARIA charts. "We hung out with our mates Young Henrys one arvo, and it came up that we were gunning for number one when our new album dropped," the band said at the time. "The fellas said 'if you get the top spot, we'll brew you your own beer'." Now, Dune Rats are about to release their fourth album, Real Rare Whale, on Friday, July 29 — and make the rounds of the country's stages, taking their new tracks on tour. That's clearly as good a time as any to bring back Dunies Lager, with Young Henrys now selling the brew via its website, and also pouring it at the band's upcoming gigs. That means that you'll be able to knock back a few in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide between Friday, July 29–Thursday, August 4 — or whenever you like if you nab a case online. For the brew's return outing, it's still a limited-edition tipple. It's around for a good time, not a long time, basically. Dunies Lager still sports a Dune Rats-yellow design by artist Lee McConnell, of course. And as for the brew itself, it's described as a "slightly hazy, year-round smasher" that "gives a feisty first impression" but mellows "into an easy going friend that drinks for days". "After the first batch of Dunies Lager finished, there was a gaping hole left in our stomachs. We weren't sure what happened but something was missing... until now. We are so fucking stoked to announce the return of Dunies Lager," the band said. DUNE RATS 2022 AUSTRALIAN TOUR: Friday, July 29 — Soundmerch, Melbourne Saturday, July 30 — White Horse Hotel, Sydney Sunday, July 31 — Coorparoo Bowls, Brisbane Thursday, August 4 — Lions Art Factory, Adelaide Dunies Lager is available to buy at Dune Rats' 2022 gigs, and via the Young Henrys website.
Alexandria's all-vegan brewery Yulli's Brews is dishing up an unlikely, but very welcome, combo when it hosts its first boozy greyhound adoption drive on Sunday, May 26. The usual lineup of brews and vegan pub food will have to step out of the spotlight for the afternoon as the the team at Greyhound Rescue will be there with a pop-up adoption station. If you're ready to add a new four-legged addition to your family, you'll be able to meet some orphaned doggos and start the process to meet your perfect fluffy match. Adoption fees will be reduced on the day. Even if you can't take on the responsibility of adopting a dog, you can still head along and donate some cash to the charity while drinking from the bar's karma keg. Or bring your own pup for a good old-fashioned doggy meetup. Pooches are allowed all throughout the venue.
The Italians. Good food, good wine, good catchphrases, and good looks. The Italians make the finest cheese, the sweetest pastries, and the heartiest of family feasts. The culture of eating and drinking Italian style is such an adored facet of Sydney's diverse dining scene that Concrete Playground has decided to showcase some of the best all in one place. Let us present to you our guide to Italian Sydney. 1. Best for group festas: Popolo Here's where punters can find some of the best Southern Italian cuisine in Sydney. Both owners are ex-Fratelli Paradiso staffers and retain from their previous employment the adage 'first in, best dressed'. Only half the restaurant's tables are bookable so we recommend you get in quick. Suited for a group celebration over a southern Italian feast or a solo excursion, Popolo is an insider tip for one of Sydney's best Italians. 50 McLachlan Avenue, Rushcutters Bay; 02 9361 6641; www.popolo.com.au 2. Best for Lovers: 121BC 121BC is the bar attached to the eponymously named boutique bottle shop in the wilds of Surry Hills. With a focus on regional Italian flavours, 121BC's wine list changes monthly, and is complemented by the menu of fresh, seasonal food which is uniformly delicious. The folks behind 121BC are also particularly concerned with 'bio-dynamic', natural wines, the kind that are preservative-free and linger on the tongue. One of Sydney's most exciting and authentically Italian wine bars. Do it. 4/50 Holt St (enter via Gladstone St), Surry Hills; 02 9699 1582; www.121bc.com.au 3. Best for gelato: Gelato Messina Gelato Messina is old school; it's been around since 2002 and they aim to make ice cream the way it was done a hundred years ago. More than 40 flavours are made daily on the premises and come at you via paper cup or waffle cone. "For traditionalists, Gelato Messina has all the staples of the classic gelato repertoire. There's vanilla bean, chocolate and all manner of fruit sorbets. But for the daring, the real specialty is Messina's conceptual ice cream flavours," says Gelato Messina's co-owner Declan Lee. 389 Crown Street, Surry Hills; www.gelatomessina.com 4. Best for pizza: Vacanza in the Hills Let us introduce you to the god of traditional southern Italian pizza. Vacanza in the Hills is the ticket. Emphasising the southern Italian connection, the kitchen staff are from the home country and slide out thin-based pizzas of the more traditional variety. The Vacanza is sprinkled with truffle oil and grated pecorino, Il Sacaceno peppered with prosciutto and parmesan, and Il Capitano laced with fennel sausage, goat's cheese, and roasted mushroom. 414 Bourke Street, Surry HIills; 02 8964 6414; www.vacanzainthehills.com.au 5. Best in the North: The Italian What a treat the north shore has been served. No longer must local Mediterranean enthusiasts trek to the inner west for fabulous Italian fare. Italian feels like the village trattoria you have in your Italy-inspired dreams. The pastas are named after their region of origin, the wine list extensive, and atmosphere aplenty. A food-focused team make this suburban gem zing, and the result is an authentic Italian experience with a distinctly local focus. 191 High Street, Willoughby; 02 9967 5468; www.theitalianwilloughby.com.au 6. Best for a Beautiful Life: Cafe Sopra Cafe Sopra, literally 'above' the original Frat Fresh in Waterloo, is another level of deliciously fresh delights. Sopra's policy is menu items that emphasise the best that Fratelli has to offer, focusing on fresh produce. The resulting dishes are light, fresh and exciting: a mix that is perhaps at its best in the morning hours. 7 Danks Street, Waterloo; 02 9699 3550; www.fratellifresh.com.au 7. Best for salumi & antipasti: Parma On a prime real estate corner on Crown Street sits Parma. Named after the north Italian town famed for parmigiano reggiano, prosciutto, and Barilla pasta, Parma has imported these flavours and a relaxed cafe/bar interior to Surry Hills. The menu is a large and diverse Italian spread offering entrees, mains, and desserts. Our go to? The Nutella panzerotto for an indulgent finish. 285A Crown Street, Surry Hills; 02 9332 4974; www.parmacucina.com.au 8. Best for Mama's cooking: Baccomatto Osteria You're unlikely to get authentic home-cooked Italian food unless your mama or papa is from the homeland, but hey you're in luck. Baccomatto, meaning "mad mouth" in Italian, isn't trying to be fancy pants fine dining, but a relaxed place to socialise. In doing so, with authentic regional dishes and sauces, it succeeds where other stuffier places fail, in good-natured service and a lack of omnipresent Buddha Bar ambient beats in the background. 212 Riley Street, Surry Hills; 02 9215 5104; www.baccomattoosteria.com.au 9. Best for long summer nights: North Bondi Italian This is a beachside trattoria. There are plenty of people who will get dressed up to be seen here. Yet, you don't have to. The placemats double as paper menus. You'll be fishing your cutlery out of a box on the table. The floorstaff are gadding about in denim aprons. The menu is split into formaggio, antipasti, salumi, insalate, verdure, pasta, panini, carpaccio, fruitti di mare, offal, carne, dolci, and 'roast of the day'. Italian Sydney, eat your heart out. 118-120 Ramsgate Avenue, North Bondi; 02 9300 4400; www.eqpg.com.au/ 10. Best for drama: Buffalo Dining Club The Buffalo Dining Club itself is quite laidback, but when they serve you your spaghetti from a giant wheel of cheese, you are guaranteed to gasp. It is a little piece of Campania dropped into the backstreets of Sydney's inner city. This time, it happens to be in trendy Darlinghurst. As you can probably guess, buffalo mozzarella and burata are the main attractions here. For $17, you order one of the cheeses and two vegetable sides — and with options like balsamic carrots, Portobello mushrooms, chargrilled broccolini, and marinated fennel, it's a hard choice. 116 Surrey Street, Darlinghurst; 02 9332 4052; www.facebook.com/BuffaloDiningClub By the Concrete Playground Sydney team.
After playing more than his fair share of stoners, Seth Rogen co-writes and lends his voice to a film that was probably thought up in a pot-toking, munchies-craving state. What if our food was sentient, aware of everything around it, and had feelings, thoughts, hopes and dreams? What if each edible item interacted with others, and their exchanges mimicked humanity's issues with sex, religion, race and class? That's the world Sausage Party brings to the cinema, from its opening sing-a-long to its climatic display of a very different kind of food porn. As far as Rogen and co-writers Evan Goldberg, Kyle Hunter and Ariel Shaffir are concerned, talking grocery products just want to get laid. Otherwise, they're generally happy conforming to cultural stereotypes and being kept in their place via a placating ideology. Turns out food isn't so different from the people who eat it. In case it's not clear, this film is for adults only, with directors Conrad Vernon and Greg Tiernan — best known for helming Madagascar 3 and episodes of Thomas & Friends, respectively — operating in much ruder, cruder territory than they're used to. A sausage by the name of Frank (Rogen) serves as the film's protagonist, whose primary goal in life is to consummate his relationship with his hot dog bun girlfriend Brenda (Kristen Wiig). As the Fourth of July approaches, they're both eager to leave the Shopwell's store they call home and move into the utopia of The Great Beyond. But things change after a jar of Honey Mustard (Danny McBride) returns from the supposed paradise outside, screaming that everything they thought they knew is a lie. Working his way around a shop also inhabited by a Jewish bagel (Edward Norton), an Arabic flatbread (David Krumholtz), an affectionate taco (Salma Hayek) and more, Frank sets out to discover the truth — all while an obnoxious, juiced-up douche (Nick Kroll) stalks the aisles. In waxing philosophical about the nature of belief systems, Sausage Party's premise proves surprisingly smart and thoughtful, with its characters forced to face the fact that their ultimate fate involves being eaten by the humans they consider gods. Unfortunately, the anti-Pixar flick also feels decidedly over-stuffed, bogged down by everything from endless food puns and hit-and-miss gags propped up by Scorsese-level swearing, to an over-reliance on bodily functions, drug use and pop-culture references to generate a laugh. Thankfully, a stacked cast of Rogen's male regulars, including Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, Paul Rudd and James Franco, helps keep Sausage Party bouncing merrily along. Everyone's clearly having fun spouting their inappropriate dialogue, even if their glee isn't always contagious. In that way, the film quickly becomes the movie equivalent of a tripped-out dinner party, one that boasts plenty of quality ingredients, but can't quite deliver a satisfying meal.
Talk about living the dream: when Adelaide-born twins Danny and Michael Philippou unveiled their debut feature Talk to Me in 2023, a new Aussie horror sensation took the genre, and the world, by the hand to share its entertainingly eerie energy. After the movie's huge success, including for cult-favourite distributor A24, sequel Talk 2 Me was quickly greenlit. But the filmmakers who started out their careers behind the camera as YouTubers RackaRacka now also have something else in the works. Horror? Tick. A24 onboard? Tick again. The non-Talk to Me flick that'll combine the two, and also the Philippous (of course), is called Bring Her Back. Deadline reports that it will star The Shape of Water Oscar-nominee — and Wonka, Spencer, Paddington and Godzilla: King of the Monsters actor — Sally Hawkins. But that's about where the details end for now. The movie's plot hasn't yet been revealed, and neither have any other cast members. Expect to see the end result sooner rather than later, though, with production due to start during Australia's winter this year. Whatever Bring Her Back is about, it'll join not only Talk to Me and eventually Talk 2 Me on A24's horror slate, but also Beau Is Afraid, Bodies Bodies Bodies, X, Pearl, Men, Lamb and Saint Maud just from the 2020s alone. A24 have gone all-in on the Philippous after picking up Talk to Me in a Sundance Film Festival bidding war, when the Aussie flick about shaking hands with an embalmed palm, feeling the rush while being haunted, having your mates watch and film it, and dealing with the spooky consequences initially started getting global attention. Danny and Michael made their leap to the big screen after racking up a huge following with RackaRacka's viral videos, and via behind-the-scenes work on Australian films such as The Babadook. Their debut feature has proven a big box-office success, taking in US$10 million on its opening weekend in America alone, which placed it second among A24's films after Hereditary. There's obviously no trailer for Bring Her Back yet, but you can check out the trailer for Talk to Me below: Bring Her Back doesn't yet have a release date — we'll update you when more details are announced. Read our review of Talk to Me, and our interview with Danny Philippou. Via Deadline.
Sweet news: this spring and summer, your lips can taste like Gelato Messina no matter what you're eating. We can't all devour ice cream all day and night, sadly, but we can all slather our smackers with Messina's Lanolips collaboration — especially now that it comes in a dulce de leche version. Back in 2021, Messina and Lanolips first teamed up on their debut gelato-flavoured balm — a salted coconut and mango sorbet number that, yes, was always going to give you a constant craving for a few scoops. The pair have brought that popular version back in 2022, too, as well as the new dulce de leche balm. We said it a year ago and we'll say it again now: if you start eating more gelato as a result, you'll know why. How do you make a dulce de leche balm? It takes its cues from Messina's signature in-house Argentinean caramelised milk gelato flavour, and was inspired by a gelato-tasting session, naturally. As for the salted coconut and mango sorbet flavour, it still nods to Messina's most popular coconut milk sorbet — a flavour that features Murray River salt and Australian Kensington Pride mango salsa. In balm form, the two Aussie-made products are infused with lanolin from local sheep's wool, as well as coconut oil, vitamin E and natural flavour. You'll find the lip-smacking products in all Messina stores, Messina's online store, at Lanolips' website and at Mecca. And, while they're perfect for that obvious purpose, Messina and and Lanolips also advise that the multi-balms have one hundred other uses. Head to Messina to pick some up today, on Tuesday, September 27 — or buy one from Messina's website — and you'll also nab a free scoop while stocks last. For more information about Gelato Messina's new Lanolips balm — and to buy some — head to the chain's website.
Now that we all carry digital maps in our pockets, finding our way around is as simple as whipping out our smartphones, typing in a location and following the stated directions. And, with Google Maps featuring extensive real-life images of the globe's roads and spaces in its Street View mode, it couldn't be easier to double-check that the place in front of you is your intended destination. If the above describes your usual process when you're trying to navigate your way to somewhere new, then you'll also be keen on Google Maps' new Live View feature. Using augmented reality, it combines the service's directions with Street View, superimposing arrows, street names and directions over the actual view that's in front of you — rather than a map or photographic representation of it — literally pointing users in the right direction. Whether you've been distracted while walking around New York and ended up in the wrong place, or found Tokyo's busier districts a bit of a labyrinth, this'll help. The same applies if you're notorious for paying more attention to the sights and sounds around you instead of looking at where you're going, which, when travelling, is an experience we can all relate to. After testing Live View with its local guides and via Pixel phones over the past few months, Google is now expanding the feature — which is currently still in beta testing — to Android and iOS devices. To use it, your phone will need to support ARCore (the company's platform for building augmented reality experiences) and ARKit (Apple's equivalent). Then, after typing in a location into Google Maps, you'll just need to tap the directions button, select walking directions and look for the Live View option. The rollout comes part of the tech giant's broader suite of updates in the travel space. Users can now also use Google Maps to track hotel and flight bookings, find restaurants tailored to their tastes and use their Location History timeline to make notes on each place they visit. Google Maps' Live View is now available on Android and iOS devices. For more information, visit Google Maps.
Step inside a great hotel and the staff will make you feel welcome. Check in for a stay at QT Melbourne and you'll now be greeted by a very special (and adorable) employee: Russell the wellness dog-cierge. The accommodation chain's Victorian site has announced a partnership with Guide Dogs Victoria to enlist the help of a four-legged friend at the hotel — bringing cuteness, joy and companionship to patrons. If you know where QT Melbourne is located, then you'll know where this cute pooch gets his name. Russell Street's newest resident trained as a guide dog, but it was decided that he's better suited to aid with wellbeing due to his affectionate and friendly nature. While his job at the hotel from Thursday, February 27, 2025 involves being charming, greeting guests and leading walks, he also gives the venue a walking, tail-wagging tribute to the work done by Guide Dogs Victoria, even if he hasn't been dispatched to assist people with blindness or low vision. Consider this your latest reason to book in a staycation if you're a Melburnian — and great motivation to pick where to slumber on your next trip to the Victorian capital if you're located elsewhere. "We're incredibly proud to welcome Russell to QT Melbourne," said the hotel's General Manager Kristen Foat. "His presence represents not just a commitment to our guests' wellbeing, but also a deep appreciation for the important work Guide Dogs Victoria does in the community. Through this partnership, we're able to give back in a meaningful way while creating an environment of joy, connection and compassion." For more pup-centric fun, QT Melbourne is also launching a trio of experiences for or involving pooches, all of which will donate their proceeds Guide Dogs Victoria. Fancy bending and stretching on a rooftop with puppies in training to be guide dogs? Monthly Pups & Poses sessions have you covered. Keen to drop by with your own barking bestie instead? Puppacinos are on offer, as are pup staycations. You'll be heading to Deli QT, the hotel's sandwich bar, for a pup-friendly sip from 8am–3pm Monday–Saturday. And during pet-friendly sleepovers, your pooch will be able to get snacking thanks to the in-room menu for dogs. Russell joins QT Melbourne, 133 Russell Street, Melbourne from Thursday, February 27, 2025 — head to the hotel's website for bookings and more details.
We all know there are items we shouldn't be stockpiling right now, but when we're all spending more time at home than usual it's probably a wise idea to stock up on some creature comforts — whether that's making a long list of shows we're planning to binge watch or stocking up the cellar with our favourite wines. Online cellar door Naked Wines launched in 2012 with the aim of connecting at-home wine drinkers with winemakers across Australia and New Zealand. Since then it's grown to include more than 53 winemakers and more than 100,000 'wine angels' — people who pay $40 a month to their Naked Wines account to use as credit to support the wineries they like and to receive discounts on bottles of vino. And those winemakers include the likes of Enfant Terrible from Adelaide Hills, Le Petit Mort from Queensland's Granite Belt and Hilltops, NSW, plus Blindside from Margaret River. You can order cases of six, 12 or 15 bottles. If you're based in Sydney, Melbourne or Perth, Naked Wines could be winging their way to you by the next working day. For Adelaide, Brisbane and Canberra, delivery is within two-to-four business days. It's also free delivery for members if you're in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth, however there are delivery costs of up to $20 outside of those cities. And, as we're all in need of a little comfort right now, we've partnered with our friends at Naked Wines to offer first-time Naked Wines customers over 18 a $100-voucher to spend on your next case of wine. Simply head to this link to make your purchase and double-check the conditions below. To use the voucher you must be 18 years or older. The voucher entitles first-time Naked Wines customers to $100 off their first order of 12 bottles. All orders are a minimum of 12 bottles, and a minimum spend of $155.88. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer or promotion. *Next day delivery is available to Sydney, Melbourne and Perth metro areas for orders placed before 3pm. Naked Wines does not ship to Northern Territory. Delivery not included. Offer is subject to change. See website for full Terms and Conditions. This story includes affiliate links, which means Concrete Playground may receive a small commission if a reader clicks through and makes a purchase. This does not influence our editorial recommendations or content. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy.
It only takes one perfect record to make a musician a legend. For Ms Lauryn Hill, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill was that album. The American singer and rapper fronted The Fugees before dropping her only solo release. She starred in Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit as well. But come 1998, when the record that bears her name hit, it ensured that she'd always be an icon. 2023 marks 25 years since The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill first arrived — and to celebrate, Hill is touring. Down Under, she has locked in three stops: a headlining gig at Promiseland Festival on the Gold Coast, plus stadium shows in Melbourne and Sydney. Home to singles 'Doo Wop (That Thing)', 'Ex-Factor', 'Everything Is Everything', 'Lost Ones' and 'Can't Take My Eyes Off You', The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill was a smash on the charts, with critics and at the Grammys. It peaked at number two in Australia; has been named in oh-so-many lists of 90s, hip hop and rap records, as well as albums of all time and releases by women; and earned five Grammys from ten nominations. During her tour, Hill will play tracks from her time with The Fugees, too — killing audiences softly with the iconic cover that the band is best known for, plus 'Ready or Not', 'Fu-Gee-La' and more. On the Gold Coast, she's part of a two-day lineup that also includes Six60, L.A.B., Davido, Tems, Fiji, House of Shem, Koffee and Fireboy DML, all playing Doug Jennings Park across Saturday, September 30–Sunday, October 1. On her solo shows in New South Wales and Victoria, Koffee will be in support. "The Miseducation album has been a consistently special artwork that has allowed me to tour for 25 years, sharing the message and energy with its loyal appreciators. I'm not even sure if it feels like 25 years have gone by to me," said Hill, announcing the tour. "I'm excited to celebrate this landmark anniversary with the fans in Australia, and I look forward to this time capsule experience. The music itself was born to be anachronistic, at the same time reclaiming precious jewels from the past, and infusing them with the potency and energy of the present, in order to enrich it and the future. Revisiting the album live has renewed my love and appreciation for the music and the period in which it was born, when hip hop was ripe with potential and uncomplicated enthusiasm." MS LAURYN HILL'S THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MISEDUCATION OF LAURYN HILL TOUR: Sunday, October 1 — Promiseland Festival, Gold Coast Tuesday, October 3 — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Thursday, October 5 — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Ms Lauryn Hill will play three shows in Australia in October 2023, with tickets on-sale now — head to the Promiseland website and tour website for further details: Top image: Città di Parma via Wikimedia Commons.
It's easy to forget all about the Parramatta wing of the program when there's so much other Sydney Festival stuff going on. But you'll want to head west to check out the musical offerings of their Festival Garden in the Salon Perdu Spiegeltent. What's on? First up is nine-piece Melbourne Afro-inspired band Saskwatch (January 18, 7pm). Think Aretha Franklin and James Brown combined with a dash of contemporary New York-style soul. This one's standing tickets only — but we don’t think you'll be wanting to sit down. A few days later (January 20, 7pm) is something completely different with Leah Flanagan's Midnight Muses. It'll be a collection of songs, music, and stories arranged by Flanagan, backed by a five-piece band and inspired by poet Sam Wagan Watson. If that’s not your thing, then British singer and multi-instrumentalist Lianne La Havas (January 22-23, 7pm) might be more up your alley with her neo-soul and scuffed folk-pop. Then there’s New York’s indie, contemporary, and classical sextet yMusic (January 24,25 7pm). You might have heard some of their members performing with Björk, Jay Z, Dirty Projectors, Grizzly Bear, Bon Iver, Peter Gabriel, Vampire Weekend, or other groups. To finish up, there’s two-man show Norman Blake and Joe Pernice (January 26, 7pm; 27, 5pm), performing both their new material as well as stuff from as far back as their first show in a tavern in Toronto. You can fuel your adventure through one of the nearby Fast Festival Feast partners. Courtney's Brasserie and El-Phoenician are both offering two tailored courses for $55. Time to go west.
Have you spent a lot of time playing mini-golf lately? The popularity of Holey Moley Golf Club would suggest so. Well, here's your chance to make back the money you've spent on 'practising': the inaugural (and, surprisingly, very lucrative) Holey Moley Masters. Holey Moley — which has eight mini-golf clubs across the East Coast, including one in Melbourne, one in Brisbane and two in Sydney — is launching what's set to be the country's biggest ever mini-golf competition. Kicking off with round one on March 28, the tournament will end with the best team from each Holey Moley venue battling it out for national glory and a cool $10k at a Melbourne final. A series of DJ-fuelled competition nights will be held to find the champion team from each Holey Moley course. Then, on April 19, the winners will be flown to Melbourne to represent their states at a huge final celebration, with the winners scoring their own 'Golden Jackets', a home-course party in their honour and, of course, that sweet, sweet cheque. It's all very official for something that is, at its core, a novelty. Nonetheless, it could be an easy way to make some cash. If you want a shot at victory, start working on your golf game and head here to register by March 18.
Let's admit it: us coffee lovers have always had that ambitious plan of becoming a skilled barista in our own homes every morning just like the pros. Ain't nothing wrong with that either. For many, however, the desire to tamp, extract and pour before the work commute becomes all but a distant reality when that fancy coffee machine bought in a flurry of caffeine-fuelled enthusiasm becomes but a dust collector on the kitchen bench. Contrary to the general misconception that your local barista actually cares about your hangover, office politics, how beautiful your cat is and your dramatic love life, it's more than likely they've got better and more relevant things to think about. It's time to give these guys a break from the earful we give them every morning, and we've just the plan. The gastrodome of the inner west, The Grounds of the Alexandria, has launched barista training workshops that will run throughout 2013. Jack Hanna, master roaster and 2007 National Latte Art champion, is interested in pinning down some barista basics at home without any complicated scientific prerequisites necessary. The classes run for two hours and are held at The Grounds' 'research facility' — just a fancy name for the venue's cafe space. Hanna's approach is straightforward and honest with no coffee-geek dictionary necessary. "There are many factors that contribute to a good cup of coffee; however, it's very simple and anyone can do it," says Hanna. "Everything takes practice and you need to play around with a few things before you get it right." Hanna demonstrates the process step-by-step on the machine, starting from the grind right up to steaming the milk to achieve that silky consistency. He emphasises that a warm, clean machine and glasses are key aspects to good coffee. "The coffee will lose flavour instantly if it hits a cold cup!" he says. Apparently, another essential component is dosage. Too much coffee or a grind that's too fine can result in over-extraction and bitter coffee. Hanna suggests tasting as you go, "This way, you know what you’re doing right and wrong." Once you've mastered the dosage and crema, it's time for some milk steaming and latte art. "What you're basically doing is stretching the milk, putting foam in it and bringing it to a temperature of about 65-68 degrees," says Hanna. What about the latte art part? Well, let's just say there's bound to be plenty of laughs at some of the shapes students come up with. All part of the experience, we say. And lest we forget to mention that students may even be lucky enough to witness Jack's flawless technique as he pours some R-rated latte art. We're pretty sure there'd be a couple of shocked pram pushers if he sent these out of a Saturday morning service. Most importantly, Hanna's classes are nurturing; he doesn't use convoluted idioms and you can count on him to ensure everyone can see and understand what's happening. As Hanna says, quite simply, "Coffee is fun!" *Classes cost $80 and run for approximately 1.5-2 hours. *Private, corporate and more advanced classes are available, as well as Roasting and Cupping Workshops. *All workshops held at The Grounds of Alexandria; Building 7A, 2 Huntley Street, Alexandria; 02 (02) 9699 2225; www.groundsroasters.com.
Now before you say anything, this isn’t another fold-up bike. Let’s be honest, fold-up bikes can often be kind of awkward — even if they're as small as your umbrella. Indian company Lucid Design have created a conceptual 'Bike in a Bag' that would quickly disassemble into separate parts so you could fit it into your bag. The Kit Bike would be made up of 21 parts and assembled by twisting joints together using a rotating mechanism and secured with an Allen key. The diamond-shaped frame would be made up of hollow aluminium tubes and powder-coated white for a minimal, classic look. The bike would even come with its own circular leather bag designed specifically to carry the parts — wheels go on the sides and the extras in the middle compartment. "Conventional bikes are awkward in every way except when you ride them," says creative director of Lucid Design, Amit Mirchandani. "The Kit Bike was designed to make problems of shipping, traveling with and commuting with a bike, a thing of the past." Yes, there would be some challenges if you left home without your Allen key, and we have to admit we’d be a little worried about a detachable bike coming undone on our way to work, but there’s also great benefits to consider if you're travelling and you want to take in the sights on your own two wheels. Think about it. Just to clarify, this bike is not yet in production. It did receive a Red Dot 2014 Design Award earlier this year for the concept, but the comments left on the original Dezeen post show not everyone's as impressed: "Nice looking but I don't see it being sturdy enough." "It's awful, any design student can make a CAD model of a bike. No thought has gone into this design at all. Look how flimsy it is — does the designer even know what a bike is? Do they understand stress and material properties?" "Just look at that ridiculous gear ratio. Good luck pedalling over 10 mph on this thing... although I probably wouldn't feel safe riding it much faster." "People complain if they have to assemble an Ikea chair made of six pieces. Have fun assembling and disassembling your 20 piece bike every day, when commuting to work." "Never seen such bullsh*t." Watch this space, maybe Lucid Design can prove the haters wrong. Via Dezeen.
AMENDMENT: JANUARY 8, 2020 — Since publication of this story, it has come to Concrete Playground's attention that United Cinemas is taking over the Opera Quays site. The below text has been updated to reflect this information. In big news for Sydney cinephiles — especially those who like seeing films at a harbourside cinema — the projectors at Opera Quays are about to change hands. After 20 years operating in the prime CBD location, Dendy Cinemas will will close the curtains on its Circular Quay venue in February as the site undergoes a total refurbishment. In a statement, the Australian chain announced that its lease at Opera Quays had not been renewed, forcing the site to shut its doors. Those keen to head to the basement-level picture palace for a last movie at the cinema as it is will have until Wednesday, February 26 to visit. Dendy's other Sydney cinema in Newtown isn't affected by the closure, and will continue screening films in its King Street digs. https://www.facebook.com/DendyCinemasOperaQuays/posts/2834490089905734?__xts__[0]=68.ARAQZ9XFKCmHpC_3LnUxB1seu-lmvpZzVhoWPu9jCbtUgdWcc9Ld1ULn02g_qNaDG_IVNSYdeC7teFttekKMiUu8ElQ2N8JIbKXr3KtPNQvOWbqwfIePb67JBqpHVBwbz1qBixfioaCxSgYgtrvr4gARrRh7o577G9ArDy4bp5taGY96EHR1_j3rqYLQOkhJ7zBX1shYSN7fykmym9rfaTaXz6gxNIOsntBVgYG67TrKM81BXzrg-F7-vTJtKr7BvO3iihVebMhyVuna3xENz3geKY2tn-YCmTnYSnEakB1BBijf0zmDI9zP6a8D3sKOmsBCbDMP9fQ-r0ikAcS7POjPfw&__tn__=-R It's not all bad news, though — the three-cinema complex will be taken over by United Cinemas, which currently runs three venues on the northern beaches as well as a few others across the country. In a Facebook post earlier this year, the group announced it will be completely refurbishing the site, promising a "grand lux" cinema experience. Opera Quays currently plays host to a number of Sydney's film festivals — including the annual Sydney Film Festival each June and the Korean Film Festival in Australia in August — but it remains to be seen if it will continue to do so under new ownership. Circular Quay has been undergoing quite the facelift in recent years. A huge dining precinct opened back in 2016, while another is slated to launch late this year — and a new public square has also been mooted. Find Dendy Opera Quays at Shop 9, 2 East Circular Quay, Sydney until Wednesday, February 26. From February 27, it will operate as United Cinemas Opera Quays.
Spring is here, the sun is out, and everything is 500 times more whimsical. Now times that whimsy by infinity. Studio Ghibli is bringing a showcase to our shores in October and it's touring all over the nation's cinemas. Celebrating renowned filmmakers Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, the showcase will feature four films and two documentaries that explore the intricacies and beauty of their craft. If you haven't had a chance to get acquainted with the work of these two cult favourites before, this will be the perfect opportunity to get up to date. Work your way through much-loved classics with screenings of both My Neighbour Totoro and Grave of the Fireflies. Then explore new terrain with The Tale of the Princess Kaguya and the critically-acclaimed historical anime feature The Wind Rises. Though the Japanese animation studio has 20 feature films to its name, the Australian showcase will feature just these four — a refined look at the old versus the new. But this won't just be for the newbies. Seasoned anime pros can get an inside look into the craft with screenings of both Isao Takahta and His Tale of the Princess Kaguya and The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness. Though the documentaries have had separate screenings at local film festivals this year, this will be their first standalone showing on Australian screens. Either way, whether you're a die-hard anime fanatic or have never even seen Spirited Away, there's always room in your life for a little whimsy and wonder. Get lost in the cinema for a few hours and discover an exciting new world. The Tale of Studio Ghibli Showcase will run at select cinemas in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Brisbane from October 9-22. The films will be screening in Perth from November 6-19, and in Adelaide from November 27 - December 10.
Australia's best interiors for 2025 have been revealed — and a theatrical Brisbane restaurant has nabbed top honours. Central, the subterranean restaurant by J.AR Office, claimed the prestigious Premier Award for Australian Interior Design at this year's Australian Interior Design Awards. Celebrated for its moody, immersive atmosphere and inventive use of constraints, the venue also won the Hospitality Design Award and Best of State Commercial for Queensland. The annual awards, now in their 22nd year, recognise excellence across residential, hospitality, retail, installation, public and workplace design, as well as achievements in sustainability and emerging practice. The program is a collaboration between the Design Institute of Australia and Architecture Media's InteriorsAu, with this year's entries honouring aesthetic impact and user-centred thinking. [caption id="attachment_1010109" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Central by J.AR Office[/caption] The jury praised Central as a "highly inventive project" that's "executed with a level of cleverness that uses constraints to its advantage". In a year defined by refined aesthetics and clear design narratives, the 80-seat, Hong Kong-inspired Central stood out for its emotive interiors, with low lighting and cleverly juxtaposed accents of granite, timber and exposed rock, which all set the stage for a singular experience. Elsewhere, southern states swept the residential awards — Montage Apartments by Studio Prineas in Sydney's Double Bay received both the Residential Design and Best of State Residential for New South Wales accolades, commended for its "strong and nuanced colour palette and detailing", while the "joyful, sophisticated and colourful" Panorama House by Sally Caroline won the Residential Decoration Award and Best of State Residential for Victoria. Design Office claimed Retail Design honours for Vic's Meats in Chatswood Chase, Sydney — the project was also awarded Best of State Commercial in NSW for its "bold and highly distinctive design" that "honour[s] the tradition of the butcher's craft through a contemporary expression". [caption id="attachment_1010110" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Coopers Brand Home by studio gram[/caption] In the Public Design category, Studio SC was recognised for its moving and detailed interior at the new Australian War Memorial entrance in Canberra, which also took home Best of State Commercial in the ACT. The jury was split down the middle for the Workplace Design award, with top honours shared by both Cox Architecture's Adelaide Studio (which also won Best of State Commercial for South Australia) and the Arup Workplace Perth/Boorloo by Hames Sharley with Arup and Peter Farmer Designs — the latter also received the Sustainability Advancement Award for its conscious use of resources and sensitivity to human interaction. The jury noted that this year's awards represented "an opportunity for our industry to stand back, take it all in and genuinely celebrate the quality of interior design being produced in Australia today". And they're confident that the future is in good hands, too: "We can give ourselves a collective pat on the back as we continue to produce work that is inventive and sophisticated." [caption id="attachment_1010111" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Good Luck Restaurant Bar by Akin Atelier[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1010112" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Good Luck Restaurant Bar by Akin Atelier[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1010113" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Melbourne Place by Kennedy Nolan[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1010114" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Melbourne Place by Kennedy Nolan[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1010115" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Melbourne Place by Kennedy Nolan[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1010116" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Palace Coffee by Kerry Kounnapis Architecture Practice[/caption] For more information on the Australian Interior Design Awards 2025 and the full list of winners, head to the awards' website.
Aussie music sensation and multiple ARIA-award-winning artist Jessica Mauboy is set to grace the stage at the upcoming FIFA Fan Festival™ for one night only: Friday, July 21 at 8pm, at Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour. This is a free event for fans of soccer, sports and fantastic music. The Australian Idol alum has cemented her status as one of the nation's most beloved entertainers. She has released six Top 10 albums and 16 Top 20 singles and her music has garnered over 200 million streams worldwide. Recognised for her exceptional talent, Mauboy has been honoured with two ARIA Awards, 21 Platinum accreditations, and nine Gold accreditations. She made history as the first Indigenous Australian artist to debut at number one on the ARIA Album Chart. She's been praised for her stellar performances in The Sapphires, Bran Nue Dae, and as a coach on The Voice Australia. Plus, she has earned accolades such as the AACTA Award, APRA Award, Australian of the Year Award, MTV Europe Music Award, and MTV Australia Music Award — phew. Jessica is performing as part of the FIFA Women's World Cup Fan Festival™, entry to the festival is free but live music acts (especially Jessica's) are expected to be very popular so be sure to get in on time to catch her performance. The FIFA Women's World Cup Fan Festival™ takes place from Thursday, July 20 till Sunday, August 20 at Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour. Check out the website for the full schedule of events.
Lovers of Die Hard references and 'title of your sex tape' jokes, rejoice — and start planning your next Halloween heist. Brooklyn Nine-Nine, the beloved sitcom that all of the above gags form an important part of, has just been renewed. And if this feels a little like deja vu, there's a good reason for that. Basically, what a difference 18 months can make. This time back in May 2018, the show was cancelled after its fifth season by Fox, its original American network. An outcry followed, so rival US channel NBC came to the rescue, picking up the series just 31 hours later and committing to a sixth season of cop comedy. It was the latest tense move in the B99's history, with the threat of axing looming over the show since it premiered in 2013. Now, much to delight of fans, that's no longer the case — at least for the next two seasons. Back in March, the series was renewed for a 13-episode seventh season. Just last week, it was announced that those new episodes (and gags) will hit screens in both the US and Australia from early February. But there's even more exciting news in store for the fine fictional detectives of Brooklyn's 99th precinct, with NBC now renewing the series for an eighth season even before the seventh season airs. It seems that the network is rather fond of Jake Peralta (Andy Samberg), Amy Santiago (Melissa Fumero), Rosa Diaz (Stephanie Beatriz), Charles Boyle (Joe Lo Truglio), Terry Jeffords (Terry Crews) and Raymond Holt (Andre Braugher) — and even Hitchcock (Dirk Blocker) and Scully (Joel McKinnon Miller). https://twitter.com/nbcbrooklyn99/status/1195037124342378497?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Enews%7Ctwgr%5Etweet Yes, Brooklyn Nine-Nine fans can't utter "noice" fast or often enough. Or, as Peralta would say: cool cool cool. Expect season eight to air during the 2020–21 US TV season — although just when it'll screen obviously hasn't been revealed this far in advance. We do have season seven to get through first, after all. Aussie fans have been very fortunate in recent years, with SBS dropping new episodes in line with their US screenings, and that'll continue with season seven from February 2020. Here's hoping the same proves the case when season eight rolls around. As always, there are plenty of B99-appropriate ways to mark this development. Breaking out a celebratory yoghurt, Terry Jeffords-style, is definitely in order. If you're more like Captain Raymond Holt, perhaps you'd like to treat yourself to a trip to a barrel museum. Or you could channel your inner Gina Linetti and dance about your happy feelings. Brooklyn Nine-Nine's eighth season will air sometime in 2020 or 2021. Before that, the show's seventh season will start screeening from Friday, February 7, 2020, Australian time on SBS Viceland. Via Variety.
Rumours are fun, but knowing which bands are confirmed to play at Australia’s premier music festival is even better. The lineup for Splendour in the Grass was fed to early risers on Thursday morning via the Triple J Breakfast Show, quashing some rumours, verifying others and turning Coachella, Prince and holographic Tupac into nothing but distant memories. Generally regarded as Australia's biggest winter music festival, Splendour originated in 2001 at Belongil Fields outside of Byron Bay. The 2010 and 2011 festivals were relocated to Woodford, Queensland due to Byron Bay area restrictions, but this year's festival will return to its spiritual home. The three day festival, which this year takes place July 27-29, has a history of legendary line-ups, with past festivals including music greats like Kanye West, The Strokes and PJ Harvey. Tough acts to follow, but 2012's list won't disappoint. Headlining the 2012 festival will be Jack White, Bloc Party, Smashing Pumpkins, At The Drive-In and The Shins. Feast your eyes on the full lineup below and start saving your coin (is anyone still reading this anyway?). The lineup for Splendour in the Grass 2012: Jack White, Bloc Party, Smashing Pumpkins, At The Drive-In, Lana Del Rey, Azealia Banks, The Shins, Hilltop Hoods, The Kooks, Gossip, Miike Snow, Dirty Three, 360, Tame Impala, Explosions In The Sky, Ladyhawke, The Afghan Whigs, Missy Higgins, Wolfmother, Metric, Kimbra, Mudhoney, Band Of Skulls, Spiderbait, Django Django, Gypsy & The Cat, San Cisco, Last Dinosaurs, Electric Guest, Muscles, Angus Stone, DZ Deathrays, Howler, Lanie Lane, Wolf & Cub, Fun., Big Scary, Michael Kiwanuka, Seekae, Friends, Yacht Club Dj's, Bertie Blackman, Jinja Safari, Blue King Brown, Youth Lagoon, Pond, The Beautiful Girls, Yuksek, Tijuana Cartel, Ball Park Music, The Rubens, Ben Howard, Bleeding Knees Club, Zulu Winter, The Medics, Shihad, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Husky, Kate Miller-Heidke, Father John Misty, Emma Louise, Chet Faker, Here We Go Magic, Parachute Youth, Mosman Alder, The Cast Of Cheers, Gossling, Beni, Sampology (AV/DJ show), Canyons (DJ Set), Nina Las Vegas, Danny T, Alison Wonderland, Nice and Ego (AV/DJ show) Flume, Gloves, Luke Million, Harris Robotis, Alley Oop. Festival dates: Friday 27, Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 July. For more info check the Splendour in the Grass website. Words by Hannah Ongley and Anya Krenicki
The cliche saying that the greatest things come in the smallest packages isn't always proven true, but it seems to be the case for a new musical development in nanotechnology, the Nano Guitar. Researchers at Cornell University, Dustin W Carr and Professor Harold G Craighead launched the project in order to show skeptics how advanced and precise (and cool) nanotechnology is. The microscopic instrument is made of crystalline silicon and is 10,000 nanometres long, which is about the size of a single human red blood cell or one-twentieth the size of the width of a strand of hair. Can it be played like a full-sized guitar? Well, its six strings are each only 100 atoms wide, so tiny that they can only be plucked by sending miniature lasers through an atomic force microscope to produce one of the highest pitches to ever be recorded. The sound is a 40 megahertz signal 130,000 times higher than that of a regular guitar, unable to be picked up by the even most sensitive microphones. The Nano Guitar has sparked new discoveries in nanotechnology, including a new method of manipulating laser beams to aid in fibre optic communications. Big things do come in small packages.
Home to an abundance of wildlife, beautiful flora and a stunning estuary, Narrabeen Lagoon is one of the northern beaches' great natural assets. There are a bunch of activities you can do at Narrabeen Lagoon including bush walking, kayaking, paddle boarding, pedal boating and relaxing with a picnic lunch or BBQ. Popular with trail runners and bike riders, the 8.4km Narrabeen Lagoon circuit will take you around the perimeter of the lake through varied ecosystems and historical and cultural sites. Keep a look out for rare bird species, marsupials and lizards. There are also playgrounds for kids, plenty of parking available and boat ramps dotted around the lagoon, too. Images: Mel Koutchavlis
Stop what you're doing (particularly if what you're doing is re-watching old Seinfeld episodes for the 33rd time), because Jerry Seinfeld, the man himself, is finally coming to Australia. Announced just this morning, the comedian will be gracing our shores with a five-date national stand-up tour of our capital cities — his first visit Down Under in almost 20 years. Yowsa. The Seinfeld Live tour — which will visit Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney's soon-to-open International Conference Centre — is booked in for August of next year. So you'll have ample time to rewatch seasons one through nine at least twice. It's Seinfeld's first visit to Australia since 1998, when he toured the country just after the show wrapped. On that visit he called Melbourne the "anus" of the world — we'll see what he has to say about it this time round. SEINFELD LIVE 2017 TOUR DATES PERTH: Friday, August 4 – Perth Arena ADELAIDE: Saturday, August 5 – Adelaide Entertainment Centre MELBOURNE: Sunday, August 6 – Hisense Arena BRISBANE: Wednesday, August 9 – Brisbane Entertainment Centre SYDNEY: Friday, August 11 – ICC Sydney Theatre, Darling Harbour Seinfeld Live will tour Australia in August 2017. Tickets go on sale at 10am on Monday, November 14 via Ticketek.
Before you complete that huge spring clean, chucking out all the 'useless junk' that is taking up space, stop and think for a second if it could be transformed into something of use. Upcycling is all about using old materials to create new, useful and often beautiful products. These pieces of upcycled furniture have taken pieces of trash and turned them into treasure, with inventive designs that will be sure to get you rummaging through your storage or local warehouses. Milk Crate Staircase Danish architecture firm Lendager Arkitekter created this milk crate staircase as a key feature of their million dollar 'Upcycled House', and is made entirely from milk boxes and OBD boards. Washing Machine Drum Stools Knit Knacks is the new range from the designers Junk Munkez - creative designers with a green conscience - located in Beirut. These nifty little creations emerged from washing machine drums to create colourful and fun embroidered stools. Ski Chandelier Helsinki-based travel agency Elamysmatkat were searching for an interior design that reflected their philosophy that snow travel should be fun and daring. Enter Dutch designer Willem Heeffer, who created this chandelier, created from skis donated by Heeffer's Facebook friends and fans. Magazine Stool This innovative design, The Hockenheimer by German company NJU Studio, provides an original piece of seating from a stack of old magazines. Sea Chair British designers Studio Swine collect plastic from the UK's most polluted beach, Porthtowan, and compress this waste to create a series of beautiful and functional Sea Chairs. Nautical Mat Sophie Aschauer founded SerpentSea in 2011 after a sailing trip in which she started weaving mats by hand out of reclaimed marine ropes. The mats use four style of knots each named after the most infamous pirates from the 17th Century - Bonnie, Drake, Morgan and Killigrew. Suitcase Medicine Cabinet Give an old suitcase new purpose by hanging one up on your bathroom wall and transforming it into a medicine cabinet. Add some shelves inside and a mirror on the outside and you've got yourself a fancy wall feature to store your toiletries in. Watering Can Shower Jazz up your shower to make the daily ritual more exciting with an old watering can. The Interweb Chair The Interweb Chair comes from BRC Designs, a studio in South Carolina fronted by mastermind Benjamin Rollins Caldwell. The 1cm blue plastic sheets that frame the chair were originally bathroom dividers in an old mill. Binary Table The Binary Table is an assemblage of old computer and electronic parts that were discarded in a warehouse and rendered obsolete. The table is decked out with motherboards, CDs, computer chips, hard disc drives and LED screens held together by sheet metal screws.
After announcing the controversial closure of renowned Opera House restaurant Guillaume at Bennelong in July last year, owner Guillaume Brahimi will be opening the doors of his new culinary venture, simply titled Guillaume, on August 2. The newly renovated site sits on Paddington's Hargrave Street and was the former home of Italian restaurant Darcy's for more than 38 years. The French-born chef has stated that he intends for this 90-seat restaurant to be a more "personalised food experience" than his other culinary projects. Brahimi has chosen a fitting location for Guillaume. The three-storey heritage building will sit alongside other Paddington greats such as 10 William Street, Buon Ricordo and the Four in Hand. Guillaume has stuck to his vision of a fine dining experience, and this is exactly what you can expect of the menu. Food options will be produce driven — a mix of favourites from the previous Guillaume at Bennelong and new dishes especially created for this restaurant. Drinks-wise, the primary focus will be on Australian influenced wine, all of which will be housed in the underground cellar of the restaurant. Bookings for the new restaurant will open on July 9, and will be taken two months in advance. To enquire about reservations and events call (02) 9302 5222 or email reservations@guillaumes.com.au. Guillaume will open its doors at 92 Hargrave Street, Paddington a month later, on August 2.
It's one of Australia's iconic novels. It has won a swag of awards, sold a heap of copies and been turned into a play. It's a Brisbane-set story that trod those boards in Brissie, and now it's a Netflix series that was shot in the River City, too. Boy Swallows Universe has been on its way to the small screen for some time, complete with behind-the-scenes glimpses of the production to prove it — and you can check out the TV adaptation's just-dropped first teaser trailer. Harper Collins sold the television rights to the novel back in 2019, with Aussie actor and filmmaker Joel Edgerton (The Stranger) set to produce the resulting series since then. Netflix announced its involvement in 2022. After originally stating that the show would arrive in 2023, the streaming platform hasn't attached a date to its debut sneak peek at Boy Swallows Universe — but it's firmly on its way. Written by Trent Dalton, the novel won the Book of the Year, Literary Book of the Year and Audio Book of the Year at the 2019 Australian Book Industry Awards — and was longlisted for Australia's most prestigious literature prize, the Miles Franklin Award when it hit the page — for spinning a story about a young boy, his prophetic brother and his jailbreaking best friend as they navigate the heroin-filled underworld of 80s Queensland. Also included: Eli Bell's (Felix Cameron, Penguin Bloom) attempt to understand how to be a good person, with his plight spanning a lost father, a criminal for a babysitter, a mum recovering from addiction, a mute brother and a stepfather who deals. Netflix's adaptation span eight episodes, running as a self-contained limited series, as it tells a coming-of-age tale caught between childhood's magic and adulthood's reality. Travis Fimmel (Black Snow) also stars as Lyle Orlik, while the cast includes Simon Baker (Limbo) as Robert Bell and Phoebe Tonkin (Babylon) as Frances Bell — plus Lee Tiger Halley (The Heights) as Gus Bell. Also featuring: Bryan Brown (Hungry Ghosts) as Slim Halliday, Anthony LaPaglia (Nitram) as Tytus Broz, and Sophie Wilde (Talk to Me) as Caitlyn Spies, plus Christopher James Baker (Ozark) as Ivan Kroll, HaiHa Le (Spooky Files) as Bich Dang and Deborah Mailman (The New Boy) as Poppy Birkbeck. And, you'll see Ben O'Toole (Barons) as Teddy, Zachary Wan (Never Too Late) as Darren Dang, and Millie Donaldson (Jack Irish) and Eloise Rothfield as Shelley Huffman (aged 17 and 13, respectively). Boy Swallows Universe is directed by Bharat Nalluri (The Man Who Invented Christmas), Jocelyn Moorhouse (The Dressmaker) and Kim Mordaunt (The Rocket), and scripted by screenwriter John Collee (Master and Commander, Happy Feet, Hotel Mumbai). The impressive names involved extend to the show's executive producers, too, which include Troy Lum (The Water Diviner, Saving Mr Banks, Mao's Last Dancer), Andrew Mason (The Matrix, The Water Diviner), Sophie Gardiner (Howard's End, Chimerica), Kerry Roberts (Foe, Boy Erased), and Edgerton. Check out the trailer for Boy Swallows Universe below: Boy Swallows Universe will stream via Netflix, but doesn't yet have a release date — we'll update you when it's announced.
If it feels like you've been seeing a lot of Benedict Cumberbatch lately, there's a reason for that. On screens big and small, the British actor has featured in no fewer than five movies in 2021. Thanks to The Power of the Dog, he even looks poised to collect an Oscar for the best of them — and, with Spider-Man: No Way Home, he's also a significant part of the flick that's certain to be crowned the biggest box office hit of the entire year. Cumberbatch popped his Doctor Strange cloak back on in the hit web-slinging movie and, as anyone with an interest in the Marvel Cinematic Universe will know — anyone who watched No Way Home, too — he's set to reprise the role next May. That's when Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will reach cinemas, in what's both a sequel to 2016's Doctor Strange and the 28th movie in the MCU. As the just-dropped first trailer shows, this new dive into the mystic arts promises to live up to its name. In No Way Home, Doctor Strange was asked to cast a spell to make the world forget it knew Spider-Man's true identity — and that had big repercussions in that film, exposing the MCU to the multiverse. Those consequences will flow over to Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, as will trippy Inception-style imagery, Strange's brooding demeanour and Marvel's usual world-in-peril shenanigans. Few MCU movies ever just feature one of the franchise's superheroes, so a post-WandaVision Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) also pops up — alongside Benedict Wong (Nine Days) as Wong, Rachel McAdams (Game Night) as Strange's ex Dr Christine Palmer and Chiwetel Ejiofor (Locked Down) as fellow Master of the Mystic Arts Mordo. In one of Marvel's nice pieces of symmetry, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness marks the MCU filmmaking debut of acclaimed Evil Dead franchise director Sam Raimi — the man who helmed the original three Spider-Man movies in the 00s, way back before the Marvel Cinematic Universe was even a glimmer in the comic book company's eye, and obviously long before Doctor Strange and Tom Holland's Spider-Man became pals. Check out the Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness trailer below: Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness releases in cinemas Down Under on May 5, 2022. Images: Photos courtesy of Marvel Studios. ©Marvel Studios 2022. All Rights Reserved.
In season one of Netflix's Ugly Delicious, Momofuku founder David Chang and his cohort of famous chefs, comedians and street artists ate pizza in Naples, streetside tacos in LA, hot chicken in Nashville and deer tendons in Beijing. In season two of the non-fiction food show, which hits the streaming platform on March 6, Chang and co are heading Down Under. The four-episode second season will see Chang travel around Istanbul, Tokyo, Mumbai and Sydney with actors Nick Kroll and Danny McBride, comedian Aziz Ansari, Top Chef host Padma Lakshmi, food writers Helen Rosner and Chris Ying, and street artist Dave Choe, among others. While the just-dropped trailer doesn't give too much away in terms of Sydney locations, it does feature a Crocodile Dundee 'that's not a knife' gag at an Outback Steakhouse. It's possible Chang visited one of the 700-plus Australian-themed, American chain stores located in the US, but it's also possible he tracked down one of the eight scattered around the countryside in Australia — for the sake of, perhaps, authenticity. You also see a flash of Paul Carmichael, head chef at Sydney's Momofuku Seiobo, and taking into account how often Chang waxes lyrical about Golden Century's pipis in XO on Instagram, you can assume the chef will head to both of those spots, too. It also looks like the show will dive into Chang's personal life a little, with the trailer teasing discussions about his and wife Grace's nearly one-year-old baby Hugo. Chang will do a bit of a Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution, too, and cook a meal for schoolchildren. While you wait for the second season to hit Netflix next month, you can wait the trailer below. https://youtu.be/1eyFq3addMs Ugly Delicious 2 hits Netflix on March 6.
If you think of famous artists, you may recall the likes of Picasso, Dalí, Monet, Michelangelo, Rothko and Warhol. One thing these artists have in common is none of them are Australian. Another is that they're all men. They are, undoubtedly, some of the greats. But this year the National Gallery of Australia is turning its focus to the Aussie women who have greatly contributed to the arts with an upcoming exhibition. Dubbed Know My Name: Australian Women Artists 1900 to Now, the free exhibition kicks off on Friday, November 13 and will run till Sunday, July 4— so you'll have plenty of time to catch it. The blockbuster exhibition is part of the gallery's ongoing initiative to increase the representation of female artists. As the name suggests, it'll showcase works by artists from the early 1900s to the present day, including some brand-spanking-new commissions. By bringing together artists of different times, as well as cultures, practices and places, the exhibition challenges the assumption of Australian art being male-dominated. There'll be more than 350 works on display, featuring everything from paintings to performance art and a floor-to-ceiling presentation of the artists' portraits. Highlights include a commission by the Tjanpi Desert Weavers; performance art by Bonita Ely and Jill Orr; Tracey Moffatt's key series of photographs, Something more; a huge painting by the Ken Family Collaborative; and an installation by Justene Williams. You can also expect works by KuKu and Erub/Mer artist Destiny Deacon, leading modernist painter Grace Cossington Smith, famed printmaker Margaret Preston, photographer Rosemary Laing, Anmatyerr artist Emily Kame Kngwarreye and contemporary painter Anne Wallace. [caption id="attachment_775540" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anne Wallace, 'She Is' 2001 , oil on canvas, National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, Purchased 2002, © Anne Wallace[/caption] Coinciding with the exhibition's launch will be a three-day conference, which will bring together established and emerging artists, curators and academics to discuss everything from creative practice to women and gender equity in the arts. The conference will run from November 11–13. Know My Name: Australian Women Artists 1900 to Now is showing at the NGA from November 13 through July 4, 2021. The gallery is open from 10am–5pm daily and entry is free. Top images: Yvette Coppersmith, 'Nude selfportrait, after Rah Fizelle' 2016, oil on linen, Private collection, ©Yvette Coppersmith; Roma Butler and Yangi Yangi Fox, from Irrunytju in Western Australia, with their sculptures, 2017, photo: Rhett Hammerton; and Grace Cossington Smith, 'The Bridge in building' 1929, oil on pulboard, National Gallery of Australia,Canberra, Gift of Ellen Waugh 2005. For the latest info on ACT border restrictions, head here.
Hold onto your hats, kids. The 19th Biennale of Sydney has just announced its 2014 lineup and it's shaping up to be a cracker. Along with the usual slew of international art superstars — Tacita Dean OBE, Roni Horn and Ugo Rondinone — artistic director Juliana Engberg has focused on lesser-known, younger artists and special, one-of-a-kind works commissioned for the event. The list of artists slated to show works is impressive. Martin Boyce, the Scottish artist who made a big splash at the 2009 Venice Biennale is one to look out for, as is Australia's TV Moore and Susan Norrie. The Biennale will be staged in various venues across the city, and each locale will offer a different experience. Cockatoo Island will once again be overcome by larger, site-specific works, many of which will be targeted at families and children. The Art Gallery of NSW will host, among other pieces, a performative installation by Yingmei Duan, who will live, for the duration of the Biennale, in a 'forest' built inside the gallery. As part of Happy Yingmei, the artist will interact with visitors, before retreating back into the forest to retrieve little notes dispensing advice and observations to them, in what Engberg described as a nexus between the practices of Yoko Ono and Marina Abramovic. Another key venue, the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, will feature works responding to its surroundings of 'air and water', and what those elements represent in the human psyche. Look out for the large-scale multimedia installation Phantom (2011), by Scottish artist Douglas Gordon (the first video artist to win the Turner Prize) and featuring the heartbreaking vocals of Rufus Wainwright. Meanwhile, Artspace in Woolloomooloo will display 'flights of fancy', presenting works from several artists including Maxime Rossi and Henna-Riikka Halonen. The recently renovated space at Carriageworks will also house works, including a large-scale installation Dutch artist Gabriel Lester, who will offer a piece which responds to the architecture of the building. This fascinating work will explore the idea of cinematic and multimedia art as the 'new readymade'. Engberg is a sensational choice to man the helm of the Biennale, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. Her excitement is palpable as she reveals details of a "happy anarchy" to be released upon unsuspecting Sydneysiders on March 21, 2014. The Sydney Biennale is one of the world’s oldest and longest running biennial art fairs. It's also one of the few biennales offering free entry to visitors. Every edition of the event brings together some of the world's most exciting contemporary artists in a vibrant celebration of Australian and international visual art. Each year, the works are curated around a specific theme. In 2014, that will be 'You Imagine What You Desire'. This "optimistic" Biennale takes its cue from a George Bernard Shaw quote: "Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine and at last you create what you will." Images: Henna-Riikka Halonen, Moderate Manipulations, 2012 (video still) and Yael Bartana, Inferno, 2013 (production still).
On March 14, Cyberdyne presented an exhibit at the 2011 Cybernics International Forum. The invention: HAL, an exoskeleton robot suit powered by electric motors that enhances physical strength and allows users to defy typical human capabilities. Creepy or cool? A little bit of both, I'd say. At first glance, it's perplexing to think that someone can slip on this suit and instantly inherit superhuman strength. The likes of Iron Man are revered in comic books and robots are cool in sci-fi movies, but to give humans that power in real life is both scary and a bit weird. Between these robot suits and the latest thought-controlled cars, the distinction between man and machine is starting to get blurred. But if you look deeper, HAL was designed to do more than just transform humans into cyborgs. Creators of HAL had a high-tech advance in industrial work in mind. The contraptions, that come in many forms, from a full-body suit to a "lite" single arm version, were initially aimed at helping factory workers who had to lift heavy objects on a daily basis. HAL would prevent joint pain and stress on the body, especially for older workers and those with limited joint function, and also aid people with reduced mobility. In addition, in light of the many recent natural disasters, developers have been thinking that robot assistance may have a future with the military, with firefighters or other rescue personnel. A group of firefighters with the ability to lift rubble on their own after an earthquake seems too good to be true, but with HAL it is a very real possibility. Yes, it is still somewhat creepy that a human being can now strap on a suit and basically turn into a cyborg. But if it can help save lives, then it's pretty damn cool. [via FastCompany]
We’ve known for a while that Public Enemy are headlining the eighth Golden Plains Festival next year, so we knew it would probably kick a fair few arses. But we had no idea it would be this many. The lineup includes such a tasty smorgasbord of local and international artists that the March long weekend can’t come quick enough. The overseas contingent boasts some of the world’s finest, including the soulful, confusing and perpetually beautiful Neko Case, Japanese funk legends Osaka Monaurail and Kiwi super-dub soldiers Fat Freddy’s Drop. The home crowd is just as exciting, with rock stalwarts You Am I leading the charge, followed closely by new rave pioneers Cut Copy and the supernatural soul crew that has earned Questlove’s glowing endorsement, Hiatus Kaiyote. The lineup is an eclectic mix of dance, funk, soul, blues and good ol’ rock 'n' roll, all spaced out with care over a long weekend in the country. Hot damn, we say to Golden Plains. Hot damn to the promise of a chilled-out festival in the middle of nowhere with a lineup that’s got something for everyone, and then a little more. Words cannot express. For the full lineup, check out the Golden Plains website. The ballot is open now for tickets.
Another year, another version of Batman. The Dark Knight doesn't get a new famous face quite that often, but you can be forgiven for thinking that it feels that way. Following in the footsteps of Adam West, Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer, George Clooney, Christian Bale and Ben Affleck, Robert Pattinson is now the latest actor to don the recognisable cape and mask — all thanks to upcoming superhero flick The Batman. No one really needs a plot synopsis for flicks about the Gotham City-dwelling character, because yes, we've all seen multiple versions of Batman over the years. This one is meant to stand completely apart from the most recent Affleck-starring DC Extended Universe version of the character, though. So, basically, what DC Films and Warner Bros Pictures did with Joker in 2019 — serving up a grimmer, grittier iteration of the infamous figure that has absolutely nothing to do with the rightfully hated Jared Leto version — they're endeavouring to do for Batman now. Also following the same playbook: enlisting a top-notch star in the lead role. Remember, it was only last that Joaquin Phoenix won an Oscar for playing the clown prince of crime. As well as Pattison as the titular character and his alter-ego Bruce Wayne, The Batman stars Zoe Kravitz (Big Little Lies) as Catwoman, Paul Dano (Escape at Dannemora) as the Riddler, Colin Farrell (Voyagers) as the Penguin, Jeffrey Wright (Westworld) as Commissioner Gordon and Andy Serkis (Long Shot) as Alfred Pennyworth. Plenty of these figures have popped on screens large and small multiple times, too — but Farrell's version of the Penguin certainly stands out in the film's just-dropped (and suitably dark, brooding and violent) full trailer. Originally slated to release this year, The Batman is one of the many movies that've been delayed due to the pandemic. And yes, you have gleaned a sneak peek before, with the movie dropping its first teaser trailer more than a year ago. Pattinson did just star in the Christopher Nolan-helmed Tenet in 2020, so perhaps it makes sense for him to play a character that Nolan helped bring back to cinemas 16 years ago. This time around, however, Cloverfield, Let Me In, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and War for the Planet of the Apes filmmaker Matt Reeves is in the director's chair. Check out the full trailer for The Batman below: The Batman is currently due to release in Australian cinemas on March 3, 2022. Images: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures/ ™ & © DC Comics.
After a couple of years spent staring at screens our brains are pretty thirsty for some lush green scenery. We are in the mood for tumbling waterfalls, secluded swimming spots and remote rainforest hikes that make us feel like we're living in an endless summer. Luckily for us, Tropical North Queensland fits the bill nicely — and you won't have to renew your passport to get there. In this part of the world, summer lives on a little longer with refreshing tropical rains and warm autumn days. The national parks are a little quieter and the waterways run a little deeper during this time of year, making it the ultimate time to explore the rainforest from top to bottom. From canopy walks, to castles and kayaking — there are plenty of ways to experience the rainforest this autumn.
If this isn't a golden ticket to a great night on the couch, then we don't know what is: the delightful Willy Wonka prequel starring Timothée Chalamet (Bones and All) and directed by the Paddington films' Paul King is now spreading its sweetness to your couch. Although it's still playing in cinemas after opening in mid-December 2023, Wonka has been fast-tracked to digital so that you can get chocolate cravings at home. And you will be have a hankering for desserts as Chalamet sings, twirls around an umbrella, and talks about making weird and wonderful treats — and as a childhood favourite gets a prequel. Our tip: choose your movie-watching snacks accordingly. Otherwise, your stomach will start grumbling amid the songs, dancing and Hugh Grant (Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves) stealing scenes as an Oompa-Loompa. Wonka hitting digital helps add to any pre-Dune: Part Two Timmy C marathons that you might be planning before the latter film reaches the big screen at the end of February. With King writing and directing, the first with co-scribe Simon Farnaby, this new stint with Roald Dahl's chocolatier gives the character an origin story starring the actor who has had his heart broken during a lusty Italian summer, romanced Saoirse Ronan in a Greta Gerwig film not once but twice, spiced up his life in a sci-fi saga and sported a taste for human flesh. Here, Chalamet croons his way through a whimsical world of sugar and pure imagination. First gracing the page almost six decades back, in 1964 when Charlie and the Chocolate Factory initially hit print, Willy Wonka has made the leap to cinemas before with Gene Wilder playing the part in 1971, then Johnny Depp in 2005. The difference this time: not just Chalamet, but a film that swirls in the details of Wonka's life before the events that've already been laid out in books and filled those two movies. The picture's main man has a dream — and, after spending the past seven years travelling the world perfect his craft, he's willing to get inventive to make it come true. Starting a chocolate business isn't easy, especially when the chocolate cartel doesn't take kindly to newcomers, selling choccies at an affordable price and sharing their wares with the masses. From there, brainwaves, optimism, determination, Wonka inventions and life-changing choices all spring, plus big vats of chocolate, chocolate that makes you fly and Willy's dedication to making the greatest chocolate shop the world has ever seen. Beyond Chalamet and Grant, Wonka's cast is as jam-packed as a lolly bag, with the pair joined by Farnaby (The Phantom of the Open), as well as Olivia Colman (Heartstopper), Sally Hawkins (The Lost King), Keegan-Michael Key (The Super Mario Bros Movie), Rowan Atkinson (Man vs Bee), Jim Carter (Downton Abbey: A New Era) and Natasha Rothwell (Sonic the Hedgehog 2). And the magical tone sprinkled throughout Wonka doesn't just fit the tale — it's exactly what King and Farnaby spun when they were celebrating a marmalade-loving bear. King helmed and penned both Paddington movies, while Farnaby also did the latter on the second (and acted in each). The duo worked together on wonderful and underseen 2009 film Bunny and the Bull as well, and on The Mighty Boosh, of which King directed 20 episodes. Check out the trailer for Wonka below: Wonka is available to stream via platforms such as YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. It's also still showing in cinemas Down Under. Read our review.
Redfern is now home to its very own craft beer bar. Occupying the former Angry Pirate digs, The Noble Hops is the suburb's new go-to for all things craft. Owner Joe Wee self-proclaims the amount of craft beer on offer as epic. "Redfern is an awesome suburb, all it really needs a neighbourhood bar that focuses on beer," says Wee. Previous owner Peter Groom will remain as manager for the time being and the two will welcome both existing and new patrons to their craft beer den. Positioned as the next neighbourhood haunt, the bar's ten taps will be reserved for local brewers above all else. "My philosophy is Noble Hops should be a neighbourhood, inner west bar and there are plenty of good beers around the neighbourhood to create this" says Wee. Wayward and Shenanigan's will both sit on tap this month, along with SA's La Sirene. Local and Australian brews aren't the only kind you'll find here though. Wee is also sourcing kegs and bottles of craft from around the world, including Victory Brewing Company and Sierra Nevada, which will both be on tap for the opening weeks. For the local guys, Wee is planning tap takeovers, brewers' nights and potentially a Noble Hops collaboration brew. "I'd love to create a beer just for Redfern. The neighbourhood deserves its own beer," says Wee. A home brewer, Wee won last year's People's Choice Award at Uncle Hop's SCBW home brewer's competition. While the bar doesn't have a kitchen, patrons are encouraged to bring in takeaway from the new La Coppola Sicilian pizzeria that just opened across the street. "There's no better combination than wood fire pizza and beer," says Wee. The rustic interior has a big focus on timber, making it quite the warm and cosy place to grab a pint. It will surely be a welcome addition as winter's chill starts to descend upon Sydney. Images: Cassandra Hannagan
Winter might still be months away, but the final series of Game of Thrones is set to air on April 14. If the show's comeback will have you spiralling into an all-consuming GoT hole, then you will probably want to get in on Sydney's latest themed event. Call your banners and get ready for an immersive medieval-style banquet reminiscent of the series. Prepare for a meal that not only replicates the fascinating and often terrifying world of GoT that so many have come to depend on for meaning in life, but will include a brunch feast, lots of ale, and some murderous entertainment. Many details of the event are still shrouded in mystery (much like the eventual outcome of the series), including the date and price. The location hasn't been announced, but will be somewhere in inner Sydney. But we can guess the specific theme. Taking its cues from a particularly notorious episode of HBO's hit series, this immersive banquet will surely be styled after the Red Wedding. Yes, you can assume there'll be some recreations of scenes from George R. R. Martin's saga — although here's hoping there's no regicide at this one. If, like Jon Snow, you know nothing, then you're in for an entertaining feast. Costumes are welcome, but no pretend (or real) weaponry. The banquet will happen in Sydney later this year. Further details — and tickets — will be released soon. We'll let you know when they are.
There are two ways that you can add some extra flavour to your next boozy beverage. Mix your drink of choice with a heap of other ingredients and you've got yourself a cocktail, of course — or, you can opt for one of the many varieties of spirits that don't just stick to the usual recipe. Australia's newest vodka falls into the second category. And if you like lamingtons, which everyone should, then you're going to want to add a bottle to your liquor cabinet. Made by Gold Coast-based distillery Wildflower Gin, the limited-edition lamington-flavoured tipple appears as crystal clear as every other vodka. But it's made using local strawberries, cocoa and coconut, so you'll taste all of the above while you're sipping. Obviously, if you'd like to pair it with an actual lamington as well, that's encouraged. And if you're just keen on knocking back drinks that taste like dessert, that's fine as well. The strawberries, cocoa and coconut are all distilled with water from Tamborine Mountain, to help create a smooth beverage — which you can then drink neat by itself, pair with some soda water or add to a cocktail. If you're keen, you'll need to get in fast, because only 200 bottles are available online and at the distillery's Varsity Lakes home. Wildflower Gin's lamington vodka is available to order online for $75 — or, if you're near the Gold Coast, you can pick up a bottle at the distillery at 2/486 Scottsdale Drive, Varsity Lakes.
As far as the team at WOHA is concerned, green cities are the future. Their latest project, Singapore's Park Royal Hotel, is evidence of how it's done. As a result of the building's construction, the site's capacity for natural growth has doubled. Comprised of twelve storeys that overlook Singapore's CBD, the Park Royal is not just a hotel, it's an oasis - not merely another building, but a kind of extension of the adjacent park. Elevated gardens, filled with palm trees, frangipanis and rambling tropical flora, extend from every fourth level. Inside, the green theme continues, with plants and water features forming an inherent part of the interior design. On the top floor, the Hotel's club lounge offers panoramic views, and on the fifth, the spa area features an expansive pool and a 300-metre long botanic 'strip'. All rooms are northward facing, looking over the elevated gardens and/or the park. Energy efficiency is prioritised throughout, with maximised natural lighting, self-shading, harvesting of rainwater, thorough recycling systems and motion-stimulated sensors. Where much of Singapore's architecture tends towards the insipid, faceless and generic, WOHA's bold, environmentally aware design represents a mighty gesture. In the view of architectural photographer and writer, Patrick Bingham-Hall, '...finally the city has a uniquely expressive landmark that reinterprets and reinvigorates its location...The Park Royal on Pickering is a purely commercial development...But as with many of WOHA's projects built throughout Asia over the last decade, the hotel performs unambiguously as a public building...proposing that commercial architecture must respond to the city as its civic duty.' Previously, WOHA has won three Green Good Design Awards from the Chicago Athenaeum and the European Centre for Architecture, Art, Design and Urban Studies - for the Sanya Intercontinental Hotel, China; the Hansar Rajdamri, Bangkok, Thailand; and the Wilkie Edge, Singapore. [Via Inhabitat]
Since 2024, the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Awards doesn't just give out awards when its annual ceremony celebrating the best of the year's big- and small-screen output rolls around. When the accolades moved its night of nights to the Gold Coast, it turned the whole event into a festival, getting the folks behind — and starring in — Aussie movies and TV shows, plus homegrown talents enjoying success overseas, chatting at sessions open to the public. That's the AACTA Festival setup — and when the nation's screen academy promised that the fest would be bigger this year, it meant it. The lineup for the event from Wednesday, February 5–Sunday, February 9, 2025 has just expanded again, after the initial program details were revealed in November 2024, then more highlights were added in December. One impressive new inclusion is Oscar-winning Memoir of a Snail animator Adam Elliot talking about his work and career, including his latest delight (which, fingers crossed, could be an Academy Award-nominee by then, too). Another is the return of Talk to Me filmmakers Danny and Michael Philippou after they were involved in 2024, this time with ONEFOUR to discuss challenging stereotypes via both horror and drill music. AACTA Festival is also hosting Actor on Actor talks, first teaming up Lee Tiger Halley from Boy Swallows Universe with Alyla Browne from Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga and Sting, then getting Better Man and How to Make Gravy co-stars Kate Mulvany and Damon Herriman talking. [caption id="attachment_986977" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jono Searle/Getty Images for AFI[/caption] If you're keen to find out more about Binge's upcoming The Last Anniversary, which is based on a novel from Big Little Lies author Liane Moriarty and stars Teresa Palmer (The Fall Guy), the latter will be in attendance with some of the show's team — including director John Polson (Law & Order: Organised Crime) — to dig into the adaptation. Heard about snake-movie remake The Anaconda with Jack Black (Dear Santa) and Paul Rudd (Only Murders in the Building) that's being shot in Queensland?. US film producers Brad Fuller and Andrew Form (A Quiet Place: Day One) are heading along to dive into it, and the topic of bringing making blockbuster films in general. Aussie acting icon Jack Thompson (Runt) is also on the lineup, with 1975 classic Sunday Too Far Away celebrating its 50th anniversary. Thomas Horton, the VFX producer/supervisor on House of the Dragon, will explore bringing Westeros to life as well. And, as part of the screening program — and giving some love to film and TV successes in general — Wicked is receiving a free outdoor showing. The current additions join already-revealed sessions with The Invisible Man and Wolf Man writer/director Leigh Whannell, Better Man and The Greatest Showman filmmaker Michael Gracey, a live How to Make Gravy concert featuring Paul Kelly, Colin and Cameron Cairnes talking Late Night with the Devil and a behind-the-scenes look at Netflix's ripped-from-the-headlines Aussie series Apple Cider Vinegar. In still-huge news, the Working Dog team, aka Santo Cilauro, Tom Gleisner, Jane Kennedy, Michael Hirsh and Rob Sitch, are coming together for an in-conversation session that's bound to touch upon everything from The Castle, Frontline, Thank God You're Here and Utopia to The Dish, The Hollowmen and Have You Been Paying Attention?. The Dish is also the screening program, and the Working Dog team will receive the prestigious AACTA Longford Lyell Award. Australian cinematographer Greig Fraser, who won an Oscar for Dune and is highly tipped for another one for Dune: Part Two, is another significant inclusion, chatting about his Hollywood work. Also in the same category: John Seale, who took home an Academy Award for The English Patient, and was nominated for Witness, Rain Man, Cold Mountain and Mad Max: Fury Road. Everyone can also look forward to authors Trent Dalton and Holly Ringland returning from 2024's lineup, talking about Boy Swallows Universe and The Lost Flowers of Alice on the small screen, respectively; a dive into the Heartbreak High soundtrack; a panel on queer storytelling with RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under season two winner Spankie Jackzon and Deadloch's Nina Oyama; and a session with First Nations filmmakers. And if you're keen to watch movies, Gettin' Square followup Spit will enjoy its Queensland premiere, complete with star David Wenham (Fake) diving into the feature's journey; Looney Tunes: The Day The Earth Blew Up will make its Australian debut, at Movie World, of course; and upcoming action film Homeward with Nathan Phillips (Kid Snow) and Jake Ryan (Territory) will take viewers behind the scenes. [caption id="attachment_926549" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Moshcam[/caption] [caption id="attachment_985262" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Courtesy of Netflix © 2024[/caption] AACTA Festival will run from Wednesday, February 5–Sunday, February 9, 2025 at HOTA, Home of the Arts, 135 Bundall Road, Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast. For further details, head to the fest's website.
As well as offering up alternative places to stay and opening up the holiday accommodation market, Airbnb has proven a gift to anyone interested in architecture and interior design. While you're sleeping in someone else's house, you're getting a glimpse of different styles and trends. Sure, you can also flick through house and garden-focused magazines, but looking at pics isn't the same as actually seeing design in action. At PlansMatter, bunking down in a space that demonstrates ace architecture isn't just an added bonus — it's the entire point of the Airbnb-like house-sharing service. Started in 2016 by architects Connie Lindor and Scott Muellner, it only offers up "places that have architectural intention and a story to tell," according to their statement on the service's website. Each listing provides a thorough description, runs through the usual features and also includes a rundown of why it's included on the site. In fact, as well as simply browsing through a sizeable list of eye-catching architectural beauties — which not only include spaces in the US, where PlansMatter is based, but in Canada, Austria, the UK, Portugal, Sri Lanka, Denmark, Japan, Germany and Australia as well — users can also search for somewhere to stay based on the amazing designers behind the houses. If you've ever dreamed of kipping in a home designed by famous American architect Frank Lloyd Wright, or in artist James Turrell's Japanese House of Light, here's your chance. Of course, getting to live out your architecture nerd dreams doesn't come cheap, but if you're going to fork out a hefty stack of cash for a few nights away, there are much, much worse ways to spend it. For those keen on checking out the service close to home, a night in Magney House on the New South Wales south coast — and in a structure that was once featured on an Aussie stamp — will set you back $250 per night. Fairhaven Beach's landmark Pole House, which really is a house on a pole, starts at $434 per evening. Via Fast Co Design. Image: PlansMatter/Tsutomu Yamada.
One of the most powerful players in the media game, Arianna Huffington, is coming to Carriageworks. Discussing her brand new book Thrive with the equally formidable political gun Annabel Crabb, Huffington is one of the planet's most kickass women, after launching the Huffington Post in 2005 and casually taking out one of Time's 100 Most Influential People just one year later. Being the first online-only outlet to take home a Pulitzer Prize for reporting, Huffington Post is undeniably one of the world's most widely referred-to sites (you've probably checked it today already). Huffington herself has spearheaded the whole escapade, currently the chair, president and editor-in-chief for the Huffington Post Media Group — a long way from her not-so-humble Cambridge graduate beginnings as a nationally-syndicated columnist. After all these years, the 64-year-old (!) can spin some pretty epic tales, like that casual meditation session she held with Deepak Chopra, being able to get a word in with Bill O'Reilly and running against Arnold Schwartzenegger in the 2003 recall election. Taking multitasking next level, the Greek-American powerhouse has penned her own lengthily-titled book, Thrive: The Third Metric to Redefining Success and Creating a Life of Well-Being, Wisdom and Wonder. Somehow, in the midst of managing coverage of ebola breakouts, the Gaza-Israel conflict and the fact that Americans are totally over fast food burgers, Huffington now schedules in rest, mindfulness and health to her day (much more rewarding outcomes than all that money and power in her pocket). As part of the Sydney Opera House's Ideas at the House program, Huffington and Crabb will delve into the media heavyweight's rise and how success has affected her both positively and negatively. "We are thrilled to be presenting Arianna Huffington, she’s a visionary leader and one of the most influential women in media who continues to inspire," said Ideas at the House senior producer, Danielle Harvey . If you're after a much-needed 'stop sitting on your hands' type of wake-up call, throw some dosh on a ticket to this one-off meeting of total bosses.
Things are changing at Central Station. If the multibillion-dollar tech towers and expansive rooftop renovations weren't enough, a new multi-dimensional precinct is taking over the northern end of the station. Opening on Thursday, November 24, EDDY will facilitate 13 new temporary tenants ranging from candlemakers and florists; to radio stations and a new neighbourhood bar from Golden Age. Nonna's Grocer is one of the many exciting tenants. For the uninitiated, the concept candle-maker creates highly sought-after candles that look wonderfully similar to fruits, vegetables and pantry items. Pick up a candle in the shape of an heirloom tomato or a stick of butter to spruce up your dining table. Other exciting local organisations taking over the shopfronts include musical tastemakers Nomad Radio, Condimental's flagship store Picnic Central, a lighting and furniture shop from Australian Design & Co, sneaker laundry service Shoebox, florist Dust Flowers and recording studio Planet Trip Records. [caption id="attachment_825044" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nonna's Grocer[/caption] Pop-up pizza party-starters Oltra Pizza will be serving up cheese rounds and Poor Toms gin in a new restaurant as part of EDDY as well. Named City Oltra, the pizza joint will feature hits from the Oltra team's many pop-ups that have previously included a Porcine pork special and thick bready tomato pies. As for the previously mentioned neighbourhood bar, SHADES is still a little while off, with a rough open day set for mid-December. As with the original Golden Age Cinema & Bar, food, wine, cocktails, music and film will all collide at the new venue. Here, the action will be spread across two areas, a 50-capacity front bar and a 100-person warehouse-style arts space. "It's rare and exciting to be opening this kind of experimental venue in a location like Central," says co-founder of Golden Age Cinema & Bar Chris Barton. "Cities are unique because of their different layers and this is a great opportunity to provide something that we feel is missing in this part of town." Behind the project is urban strategy organisation Right Angle, who have worked on projects like Paramount House, Sydney Olympic Park, Golden Age and Barangaroo South. "The purpose of EDDY is to reanimate Central Railway Station by using a dormant retail space and filling it with a great mix of local retail and cultural experiences," reads a statement on Right Angle's website. If you want to find out more about EDDY, the precinct is opening with a celebratory party this Thursday, November 24. The opening day will feature giveaways, discounts, demonstrations, music, food and drinks throughout the day including Nomad Radio DJs from 6–10pm and a pop-up bar from SHADES. [caption id="attachment_879237" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Saskia Wilson[/caption] EDDY is officially opening at Eddy Avenue on Thursday, November 24. Head along to the opening day to check it out. Images: Right Angle
Once known as New Buffalo, Sally Seltmann's collaborated with Feist, Beth Orton, Jim White (Dirty Three), Holly Throsby, Sarah Blasko and hubby Darren Seltmann (The Avalanches). And now the singer-songwriter can add another feat to her CV — her fourth full-length album. Out on February 28 through Caroline Label Services, Hey Daydreamer will coincide with a round of Australian tour dates. The intimate performances will see the Sydney muso return from her new home in LA to play alongside multi-instrumentalist Bree van Reyk, and opening act Wintercoats, Melbourne's orchestral pop pedlars. Check out the mesmerising animated video for 'Catch of the Day', the first single from Hey Daydreamer, below. Running all through April, Seltmann's tour will reach Kincumber, Sydney, Katoomba, Brisbane and Melbourne. Tickets available through each venue. Sally Seltmann's 2014 Tour Dates: Thursday April 3 – Lizottes, Kincumber Friday April 4 – The Vanguard, Sydney Saturday April 5 – The Clarendon Hotel, Katoomba Thursday April 10 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane Friday April 11 – Caravan Music Club, Oakleigh, Melbourne Sunday April 13 – Kelvin Club, Melbourne https://youtube.com/watch?v=aeYWAuHsMEQ
