Hong Kong’s North Point waterfront welcomes the twin-tower Hotel VIC

Adding substantial new character to Hong Kong’s picturesque North Point waterfront is a new twin-tower hotel – Hotel VIC on the Harbour – bringing the bustling precinct 671 guestrooms and suites, with every room boasting panoramic views of both the harbour and the city. With designs on catering to all types of travellers, the property…

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Michelin starred Cantonese restaurant Hakkasan is opening at Dubai’s lush Atlantis, The Palm

Dubai’s famous Atlantis, The Palm isn’t about resting on laurels when it comes to the destination resort’s highly regarded culinary scene. The luxury property, which is already home to Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen & Bar and Chef Noby Matsuhisa’s NOBU amongst others, will welcome the renowned Hakkasan Group later this year as they open…

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You can now communicate with Etihad Airways via WhatsApp

A new digital service which allows passengers to communicate with Etihad Airways via WhatsApp has been launched by the airline as part of an ongoing strategy designed to provide an enhanced offering to their premium guests. For now, the service is only open to guests at Abu Dhabi International Airport and allows them to chat…

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Bennelong the Big Winner at 2018 Helpmann Awards

“With an audience full of performers, you’d think they’d know how to take their seats on time!” This observation from my patient (?) plus-one came as the clock ticked past 8.05pm and Sydney’s Capitol Theatre was still only half full. It also perfectly summed up our experience of the 2018 Helpmann Awards. You see, while…

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Arnott’s have turned your favourite biscuits into mini cakes

Arnott’s have been doing a lot of crazy things lately. Last July they translated four of their most iconic biscuits [that aren’t Shapes] into ice creams, they recently opened a giant Shapes box, and now they’ve fattened some of their biscuits into indulgent mini cakes. And it’s the ones you would have asked for anyway:…

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Single of the Day: Slothrust – “Double Down” (2018)

I’ve been really getting into Boston trio Slothrust lately; their music brings up easy comparisons to acts like The Breeders, The Kills and Sleigh Bells – that sort of fun garage rock with a hint of pop sentiment that it’s hard not to love. They’ve already had three full length records, and fans of the FX…

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You have got to see this Uncharted fan film starring Nathan Fillion

Fans of Uncharted, Naughty Dog’s long-running series of Indiana Jones-esque action adventure games, have been demanding a feature film adaptation for many years. For a large number of those fans, the hope was always that Firefly and Castle actor Nathan Fillion would play the game’s hero, Nathan Drake, when the time came. A slickly produced fan film,…

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Games Review: Limbo (Switch, 2018): Doing a lot with very little

I can’t believe that eight years after its release, Limbo still holds up as well as it does. Ported to the Nintendo Switch alongside its Playdead stablemate Inside, the game makes the system its home with ease. Given its straightforward mechanics and stripped back, atmospheric presentation, this does not come as a surprise.

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The Breaker Uppers’ Directors Jackie Van Beek and Madeleine Sami Lead National Tour Down-Under With Q&A Screenings

Still hot from it’s box office success in New Zealand, the Taika Waititi (Thor: Ragnarok) executive produced comedy The Breaker Upperers is set to tour down under, with directors Jackie Van Beek (What We Do in the Shadows) and Madeleine Sami (Slow West) leading the charge of upcoming Q&A screenings across the country. The Breaker Upperers follows Mel and Jen,…

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Film Review: Her Sound, Her Story (Australia, 2018) is an eye-opening look at women in Australian music

In the nineties, The Go-Betweens’ Lindy Morrison made the documentary, Australian Women In Rock & Pop Music- Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves. Fast forward to 2018 and the film Her Sound, Her Story documents many of the same issues that are still relevant. Gender disparity in the music industry is a pervasive issue with…

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The In-n-Out Burger inspired Japanese Dumpling is real: It’s in Melbourne, and it’s really bloody good

Set in a 1887 heritage warehouse building on Chapel Street in Melbourne, the Morris Jones Restaurant & Cocktail Bar re-opened earlier this year with head chef Matthew Butcher‘s unique take on California-Japanese fusion cuisine sitting as the restaurant’s driving force; while a leafy, checkered refurb from AZBCreative, doubles down on the California-meets-Japan narrative. And the fusion doesn’t stop…

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First Impressions: Sacha Baron Cohen gets boldly political on Who Is America?

Ultimate troll Sacha Baron Cohen is back in form for his new show Who Is America?, screening for Australians exclusively from today on Stan, and this time he’s splitting his time between four characters. You’ve got the right-wing blogger for a fictitious website dubbed “truthbay.org”; a cis-gendered liberal who is so open-minded he watches his…

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Merivale trades Papi Chulo for Queen Chow on Manly Wharf (Sydney)

Based on the success of Merivale’s Enmore debut, the hospitality group have now opened a second location for their Cantonese kitchen Queen Chow, which moves into the former digs of waterfront meat-sweat haven Papi Chulo. Patrick Friesen and Eric Koh are aiming for “classic neighbourhood Cantonese” inspired by the way the diverse cuisine is recreated…

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Book Review: David Crystal’s Sounds Appealing is a learned look at English pronunciation

When you stop and think about pronunciation it’s very easy to break into a verse of “You sing potato and I sing potahto.” The academic, linguist, author and broadcaster, David Crystal certainly appreciates this. He has after all released the informative and scholarly guide: Sounds Appealing: The Passionate Story of English Pronunciation. Over the years Crystal…

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Interview: Argus and The Liar’s Joseph Duigan checks in ahead of Scouted in Adelaide

With only a few weeks to go, the Adelaide music community is gearing up for a night of live music unlike any other, with the Scouted music showcase series taking over the city. Rocket Bar is hosting the AU Review and an excellent list of artists – including Argus and The Liar. Find out some more about…

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Exclusive Album Premiere: Porpoise Spit – GOD YEAH! (2018 EP)

Melbourne’s Porpoise Spit have finally arrived at the point many of their fans have been waiting for – EP release day! The band’s debut effort comes in the form of the enthusiastically titled GOD YEAH!, an apt culmination of the kickin’ year the band has had in developing their craft. Confidentially harnessing catchy melodies and great rock…

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Live Review: Pale Waves’ glistening goth pop dazzles The Lair in Sydney

Clad in black with dark lipstick, a curly bob of black hair on lead sing Heather Baron-Gracie. Ian Curtis baggy trousers and plain black shirt on guitarist Hugo Silvani, jet black EP and single covers, morose The Cure inspired lyrics about broken hearts; but bright glistening pop. Pale Waves crave to combine the two distinct…

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Review: Mamma Mia! The Musical brings the party to Melbourne’s Princess Theatre (to September 30th)

Even if you don’t love ABBA, I dare you to listen to ‘Dancing Queen’ and not to get out of your chair and dance! Now add colourful boas, a sun kissed set, chiselled men dancing in flippers and an all-star cast- and you will have absolutely have no choice but to jiggly your body. Mamma…

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Bistro Rex is tracking this year’s Le Tour de France with a new concept menu (Sydney)

With Bastille Day rolling through Sydney (and the world) this weekend there’s going to be plenty of celebrations throughout the city geared towards all things French dining. And seeing as French cuisine is one of the most diverse and technique-heavy in the world, that’s not a bad reason to get out and eat your way…

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Interview: Suzanne Walker of Primo! (Melbourne) talks new album Amici ahead of hometown launch

Melbourne’s PRIMO! are band worthy of the added exclamation mark; with a rallying pop punk flair, the band have been making their mark on the local scene with the lead up to their new album Amici generating much excitement. Already, there is an European tour in the works, taking the girls from Melbourne – where they’ll launch the…

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Playlist: Halcyon Drive share a list of their Most Listened to tunes ahead of August tour!

Melbourne’s Halcyon Drive have earned themselves a solid reputation as a killer live act across the country over the last few years; the trio have definitely earned their stripes as favourites on the home front and in August, fans will be able to get another dose of their show, with a hyped gig (secret location, of…

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Harlem comes to Melbourne for special MEL&NYC edition of ‘Nocturnal’

The Melbourne Museum’s Nocturnal program is a favourite of many punters in the city; an opportunity to see some of the best mixing it up amongst the exhibitions. As part of the MEL&NYC event that has seen the likes of Ilana Glazer, Ronan Farrow and Regina Spektor chart visits to Melbourne, Nocturnal is throwing a party of…

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Exclusive Music Video Premiere: Luke Carlino ft. Daydream Fever “Minute” (2018)

Now calling Melbourne home, Adelaide songwriter Luke Carlino has been bringing his latest single “Minute” to life over the last week or two on stage, a slow burner of a track that continues to grow in its impact with each listen. Teaming up with Daydream Fever and VIIV on raps and production respectively, “Minute” is a strong release from Carlino,…

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Sydney’s Burgers by Josh Launch World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth Inspired Menu

World of Warcraft‘s newest expansion, Battle for Azeroth, is set to release worldwide of August 14th. The ancient conflict between the Horde and the Alliance explodes once more, and it’s time for you and your allies to pick a side. In partnership with Blizzard Entertainment, Sydney’s favourite burger restaurant, Burgers by Josh, has launched a…

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WWE 2K19 Gets Rowdy With Pre-Order Bonus Character Ronda Rousey

WWE’s newest superstar and ‘The Baddest Woman on the Planet’ is set to join WWE 2K19‘s roster as one of two playable pre-order characters, alongside WWE legend Rey Mysterio. After putting the women’s division on notice at a surprise Royal Rumble appearance earlier this year, Rousey will make her WWE video game debut, continuing a…

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Tech Review: Logitech G Powerplay Wireless Charging System: Free to play

There is a pervasive assumption among PC gaming hobbyists that wireless accessories like mice are going to be a problem. That corded solutions are always the way to go. For a long time, this rather conventional wisdom was correct, but its getting harder and harder for it to stand up under scrutiny. Devices like Logitech’s…

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Blu-Ray Review: Game Night (USA, 2018) brings the laughs from start to finish

Whether it’s an old-fashioned detective story (Murder on the Orient Express), a children’s adventure (Young Sherlock Holmes), a romantic farce (Blind Detective) or a flat-out comedy (Clue), the murder mystery is the type of genre staple that can result in lots of fun, particularly if it involves audience participation. If 2018’s latest comedy Game Night can…

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Games Review: Octopath Traveler (Switch, 2018): Looking back, moving forward

I have a rule when it comes to playing games for review: Remain objective, even when the game is in a genre you aren’t crazy about. Last week, I broke that rule. I had assumed I would detest Octopath Traveler. I had resigned myself to reviewing yet another JRPG, despite my long and well-documented history…

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Interview: Rachael Blake & Vince Colosimo digest The Second, Stan’s debut Australian feature film

This month, Stan and Screen Queensland celebrate the release of a milestone production – The Second. As the first feature film project developed for the streaming service, The Second is a shining example of not only an Australian film in its best, unfiltered form, but it’s also a cracking ride. A sexy psychological thriller featuring a selection of…

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NYC Restaurant Week announces 2018 program, opens for reservations

The most exciting time for foodies to visit New York City is once again upon us; the 26th annual NYC Restaurant Week is set to make a huge return, stretching from 23rd July to 17th August with the admirable aim of making 380 of the city’s greatest restaurants, of all ranges, a platform for culinary…

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