It's fair to say the whole world is ready to tune in to the final season of Netflix's Stranger Things. The gates to Hawkins, Indiana — and the Upside Down — are about to open for the final time. But the dark and dreary alternate dimension has bigger plans than just taking over your streaming queue, it's reaching into Sydney too. You may remember when a tentacled rift split open the sand on Bondi Beach. Strange sights are being reported all over Sydney this time, and Vecna's since lost a fight with a few teenagers, so he's back with a vengeance and a much bigger appetite. This time around he's setting his sights on Sydney Harbour. Tonight and tomorrow night (November 25–26) are your opportunities to grab your bike and your flashlights. You'll see something eerie lighting up the area at 8.30pm as the Upside Down breaks through the veil. Predictions are saying the Northern Wharf by the Overseas Passenger Terminal will have the best view of this otherworldly phenomenon. At the same time on Wednesday, November 26, the Harbour Bar at Squire's Landing will play host to a Hawkins hotspot, since the Upside Down is nothing without its real-world hunting grounds in the once-sleepy Indiana town. You'll be able to make the most of themed photo spots and a special viewing deck of the corruption down by the water. This all coincides with the premiere of Volume 1 of Stranger Things Season 5 on November 27, at midday AEDT. These last episodes — the remainder of which will be released in separate volumes on Boxing Day and New Year's Day — return us to Hawkins for the last time. It's 1987, scarred by Vecna's assault and the intrusion of the Upside Down, Hawkins is under quarantine and Eleven is once again on the run. The anniversary of Will Byer's disappearance is fast approaching, and our heroes have to reunite the party for one last fight, to finish what they started and complete the mission they've previously failed: find and kill Vecna, once and for all. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PssKpzB0Ah0[/embed] Watch 'Stranger Things' on Netflix, plans start at $9.99 a month. Images: Marty Rowney
The Southern Hemisphere's first-ever Ace Hotel opened in Sydney back in May. As expected, it's offering super-sleek accommodation in the heart of the city, but the Ace also boasts a range of dining options including a top-notch lobby bar and Mitch Orr's stunning new restaurant, plus fun pop-ups and residencies from the likes of Summer Camp and FBi Radio. The latest limited-time takeover of the hotel is a holiday market coming to its Foy Lane cafe and wine bar Good Chemistry. This end-of-year market arrives at the laneway venue for three days from Thursday, December 8–Saturday, December 10. The stallholders have been curated by local artisans Elke Studios and Muck Floral who will both be on-site selling their signature jewellery and ceramics, and one-of-a-kind bouquets respectively. Muck Floral will also be getting into the festive spirit with native Wooly Bush Christmas trees available. [caption id="attachment_881327" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Gohar World Candles[/caption] Joining them will be Rare Books Paris offering rare design books out of Japan and out-of-print magazines, summer-ready t-shirts and accessories from NK Essentials, and Gohar World's hyper-realistic food candles. Pick up a pink Life Well Lived t-shirt for your cousin, impress your design-loving uncle with a rare magazine or fill the Christmas table with a pineapple upside-down cake candle. The market will be live from 4–8pm on the Thursday and 10am–5pm on the Friday and Saturday. [caption id="attachment_881323" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Studio Elke[/caption] Top image: Nikki To
You know how in sit-coms people will walk into coffee shops and the barista will go: "Hey Tommy — the usual?" And you know how you always sort of hope that will happen to you? Well, going to Double Cross Espresso Bar is exactly like that — the staff welcome every customer who pops in, and know several by name. The Crows Nest cafe specialises in quality coffee and a unique Japanese spin on Australian cafe food. The shop opened in 2016 after co-owners Quinton Ng and Samuel Lee — who had had both been working in the hospitality industry for years — decided that it was time to run their own place. The cafe's name is representative of the owner's identities; Ng's family hails from both Hong Kong and Australia, while Lee is Korean–New Zealander. Designed with minimalism in mind, customers can order at the white marbled counter where there are maybe 100 stamped loyalty cards — a testament to the quality of the coffee on offer, and the number of return customers. Seating is available both inside and out, which is a perfect perch from which to people-watch during the lunch hours, which are less hectic than the mornings. At the very back of the cafe, two chefs work in a tiny kitchen. Some popular dishes include, the mentaiko pasta laden with fish roe and a 63-degree egg ($17), and the tonkatsu tamago sando: two small pork katsu rectangles wedged on a stick with kewpie mayo and katsu sauce ($13). Lastly, for a sweet treat, the creme brûlée french toast, a brioche bun topped with mascarpone custard, a mixed berry compote, and fresh fruit piled on top ($15). So if you're on the lower north shore and looking for a new place to try, Double Cross will not let you down. Images: Natalie Carroll.
It may be a severe case of FOMO, but for those a little more south than South by Southwest, this Austin-based festival seems like the dream. In just over a week, SXSW presents more than 800 sessions on technological innovation, hundreds of new and exciting films, and over 2000 musical acts. Unfortunately this year's festival was marred by terrible news — a tragedy that has little reason or sense. But the festival as a whole is a world-renowned celebration of ideas, art and culture in all their forms. Here's a few things we took away from it all. Films about Brooklyn hipsters are still, like, totally in Following in the steps of Lena 'voice of her generation' Dunham, first-time filmmakers Sarah-Violet Bill and Charles Rogers took out this year's Grand Jury Prize for Fort Tilden. Much like Dunham's prized 2010 film Tiny Furniture, Fort Tilden is the story of two Brooklyn women working their way through a quarter-life crisis. Unlike Tiny Furniture, they choose to deal with their problems with a madcap sojourn to the beach rather than lying on the floor and complaining. It may not have the emotional heft of last year's winner Short Term 12, but it does make sense in SXSW's long line of indie flicks that analyse the life of creative millenials (know your audience). Other honourable mentions go to Joe, a Nic Cage film where he may in fact play a normal human, and the premiere of the much-awaited Veronica Mars film. Apps are getting closer to making your favourite movies a reality Anyone who's seen Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind has thought at least one of two things. One: both Kirsten Dunst and Mark Ruffalo look amazing in their underwear. Two: breakups are incredibly traumatic. And, while it's hard to split the two, the latter is probably the one that struck home. While we're not quite up to speed with the technological memory erasure of this critically acclaimed 2004 film, this year's SXSW drew attention to its digital equivalent. KillSwitch is an app that manages the increasingly troublesome problem of breaking up in the digital age by deleting all traces of your relationship. Is Facebook always telling you to 'reconnect' with your ex? Are you sick of seeing their incessant humble brags and stalking their profile for any glimpse of an interaction with someone new? Let technology free you from your sickness. We shouldn't feel bad about not knowing all the bands SXSW is a mecca for music fans and, as the industry's tastemaker, it understandably draws some big names. Jay-Z and Kanye rekindled the magic of their Watch the Throne tour, Coldplay soothed a crowd of people who were presumably missing the early noughties, and Tyler the Creator allegedly started a riot. Julian Casablancas seized the moment to release some new material, and indie favourites like Warpaint and Washed Out drew big buzz, but, as always, the real action was flying beneath the radar. With over 2,000 acts on show, SXSW is all about discovering 'the next big thing', and there are thousands of people desperate to be the first in the know. In a repeat of his Coachella segment last year, Jimmy Kimmel took advantage of this in the above video. What we learnt from it all: never trust anyone with a camera. Good advice can come from very strange places People were a little shocked when Lady Gaga was announced as the keynote speaker for the music portion of the festival. This wasn't because she was the first woman in 15 years to take the gig, nor because she was the youngest speaker ever; it was more to do with the fact that she's Lady Gaga — a woman who let someone vomit on her during a performance and came to the keynote speech dressed like one of the bad guys from the The Matrix: Reloaded. Regardless, her speech was a thing of beauty. She analysed the state of creativity in a corporate market, she slagged off Katy Perry — her speech had it all. Watch the full thing here. Oreos are more delicious when they tell you the news 3D printing technology has a lot of potential. It's now used in medical breakthroughs, it can even be used to build a house pieced together like Lego, but I think it's just found its ultimate use — creating customised Oreos. In a joint venture between Oreo and Twitter, this year's SXSW featured a Trending Vending Lounge that created Oreos based on the trending news at each moment. With that, lucky festival-goers were actually able to taste the hashtag #SXSW. If we had to guess, it would be something like Texan BBQ and Red Bull but, hey, whatever you're into... Famous people are exciting, even when they're Kevin Bacon When a world-class festival bases itself around the creative industries of innovation, film and music, it's understandably going to get some stars. This year, big waves were made by Lena Dunham and her keynote that focused on the gender inequalities of Hollywood; funny people like Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein, who gave an inside look into the world of Portlandia; and the cast of Game of Thrones, who dropped into their exhibit featuring the iron throne (did anyone else know Hodor is a DJ?). However, the unexpected highlight was a talk with that all but forgotten '80s dance king named after your favourite food: Kevin Bacon. After explaining that he once hated the game Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon, he went on to dish out a much-sought-after Bacon number of one to all the audience. For some reason, we're jealous. Grumpy Cat will still steal the show every time But all of this was nothing compared to the unrequited love shown to one feline friend. Marking her second year of SXSW domination, Grumpy Cat was undoubtedly the main attraction of SXSW Interactive. Not only did she steal the spotlight from the festival's biggest stars, she ruined the end of Game of Thrones and may have broken the internet in the process. Good one, Grumps.
Keen for an escape? The Kittawa Lodge strikes the ideal combination of rugged, remote bliss and immense luxury. Set on 96 pristine acres amid King Island – perched in the choppy waters between Tasmania and the Victorian mainland – this dramatic retreat offers a premium stay amongst the windswept dunes, perfect for when you need to add some more tranquility to your life. This lavish off-grid accommodation is stepping things up throughout winter with the return of its acclaimed Guest Chef Series. Making the trip to King Island are renowned culinary talents, Rosheen Kaul (Etta) and Stephen Nairn (Omnia, Yugen Dining, Yugen Tea Bar). Expect a three-night foodie retreat, as these experiences blend luxury, adventure and world-class dining in the heart of Tasmania's wild beauty. With a maximum of eight guests taking part at a time, this is your chance to indulge in ultra-exclusive dining in absolute peace. Featuring a menu designed by Kaul and Nairn, breakfasts, gourmet picnics and intimate dinners will spotlight local produce alongside Tasmanian wine pairings, signature snacks and curated cocktails. As the former Head Chef of Etta, not to mention an award-winning writer and food personality, Kaul has long been an influential name on the Australian culinary scene. Celebrating her Asian heritage through Australia's seasonal produce, her first cookbook, Chinese-ish, took home a prestigious James Beard Media Award. Meanwhile, Scottish-born Nairn is the current CEO and Culinary Director of LK Hospitality, where he plies his experience gathered in respected European kitchens and New York City's three Michelin-starred Eleven Madison Park. The return of the Guest Chef Series arrives on the back of a new launch – the Kittawa Retreat – representing a significant expansion to the Lodge's accommodation offering. Designed for shared trips without compromising privacy, this new two-bedroom stay is ideal for families, friend groups or even couples that want a little more space to spread out. Luxe inside and out, amenities include an open-air hot tub with panoramic ocean views and a private cellar stocked with top-quality tipples. Guests can also book bespoke experiences, from guided yoga to private four-course dinners. "Our vision for Kittawa Retreat was to create an experience that feels both deeply personal and uniquely Tasmanian. Every detail, from the curated artwork to the plush, layered interiors, has been designed to immerse guests in comfort, beauty, and the raw natural splendour of King Island," says Kittawa Lodge owners Aaron Suine and Nick Stead. If you decide to make the trip to King Island, there's no shortage of optional extras, like 60-minute in-lodge treatments and guided meditation sessions. If it's more adventure you seek, you can book in for a guided expedition to the south of the island or even rent an AWD vehicle to curate your own remote escape. The Kittawa Lodge Guest Chef Series runs across various dates from Wednesday, May 28–Tuesday, August 5. Head to the website for more information. Images: Oscar Sloane / Gareth Sobey.
Japanese minimalist homeware wizards Muji are moving into the architecture game with a series of new flat-pack houses that are giving us some serious FOMO and YOLO and all manner of acronym envy and inspiration. The best part? They’re economical in both price and space, giving hope to the current generation that perhaps we won’t always have to deal with landlords. Praise be to Muji! Unfortunately, for now, they’re only available in Japan. However, Muji have recently opened stores in Melbourne and Sydney, so surely it’s only a matter of time before they ship em’ into our waiting arms. The houses are incredibly cute and, in classic Muji style, effortlessly minimalist. There are three designs to choose from, starting at US$150,000 for the ‘Wooden House’, US$160,000 for the ‘Window House’, and US$215,000 for the tall, Tokyo-inspired ‘Vertical House’. Incredibly reasonable. The finishes are all white and blonde wood with elegant staircases and cosy nooks. And hey, it may be a bit cookie cutter but moving to Japan is surely better than selling all your internal organs to afford a house in Toorak or Double Bay right? The real estate game is a-changin’ though and other retailers are starting to cater for the penny-saving generation (i.e. us ;_; ). Ikea are experimenting with movable walls (not set to hit the market for a few years but keep at it Ikea) and there are many innovative Aussie architecture firms experimenting with non-traditional and environmentally friendly ways to bring down the cost of building a new home. Firms like iBuild (punny) and the slightly more upmarket modscape design, construct and deliver modular homes and extensions which cost much less than a contractor. And of course, there’s the shipping container community who do some spectacular things with discarded shipping containers. Then there's the slightly earthy young buyers and the Earthship movement, slowly but surely making its way through all the red tape into the Australian construction landscape. Earthship structures use passive heating and cooling techniques, are constructed from indigenous or local materials (including old tyres and glass bottles) and feature an in-house sewerage treatment system, making them somewhat off the grid and cheap to run in the long term. So have faith guys, there are houses in our future, don’t you worry. They just might not be the classic two-windows-one-door type most of us drew in preschool. Via Domain.
Gone are the days when showing your pop culture love meant being glued to a screen. That's still on the cards, of course, but there's an ever-growing list of ways that you can interact with your favourite movies and shows beyond simply watching them. Disney does cruises, balls inspired by Bridgerton have been popping up around the country, The Simpsons got the adults-only burlesque and drag treatment, and Shrek raves involve copious amounts of dancing and the colour green — to name just a few examples. So of course an interactive IRL game based on Beauty and the Beast that has fans running around the streets was going to materialise at some point. It's a tale as old as time, again, but in an escape room-meets-scavenger hunt way. This new game hails from CluedUpp, which has already busted out CSI, Jack the Ripper, and witchcraft and wizarding-themed activities around Australia — plus Alice in Wonderland games, too, with another based on The Smurfs also still to come. In a year that's set to deliver the Beauty and the Beast musical Down Under as well — in Sydney from June — CluedUpp wants you to be its guest to get sleuthing. Also arriving from the first month of winter onwards, its Beauty and the Beast game involves roaming around outdoors on an adventure that takes its cues from the classic 18th-century fairy tale that's earned such a folllowing, as combined with a whodunnit-style mystery. Beloved story? Tick. Inserting fans into said narrative? Tick again. Working in the ever-popular genre that is the whodunnit? Tick once more. Throw in the whole escape room and scavenger hunt elements, and it does sound like something that an algorithm would come up with — and a lot of fun. Hitting Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide on various dates, this spin on Beauty and the Beast starts with the latter getting cursed again. Forget love — this time, there's challenges to complete, clues to crack and fairy tale characters for you and your mates to interrogate. Participants get involved in teams of up to six, roaming around outdoors with their phones to help. And yes, if you want to dress up to fit the theme, you can. "We're committed to creating unique, outdoor experiences that bring people together and encourage them to have fun with family and friends," said Tref Griffiths, founder of CluedUpp Games. "With Beauty and the Beast, I'm confident people of all ages will love this magical mystery-solving adventure." CluedUpp's game isn't officially connected to Disney's movies, but if you want some costume inspiration, check out the trailer for the Emma Watson-starring version below: CluedUpp's Beauty and the Beast game will start taking over Australia's streets from June 2023 — head to the company's website for further details.
Snow place like home, right? Here at CP, we're excited for winter playtime. Whether you can't wait to hit the slopes again or you're a curious first-timer, we know just the snow-covered playground that will hit the spot: Thredbo. Just a 5 and a 1/2 hour drive from Sydney, winter holiday goers congregate to the alpine village in their masses for the longest ski runs in Australia (when the mountain is fully covered in snow). And we've got the lowdown: where to stay, where to re-fuel, and where to party in your snow boots. Athol Got a lot of friends? This cosy, rustic self-contained chalet sleeps up to 12 people with a perfect communal layout for a big group. Gather round the open fire, sprawl out on the balcony and dig in to some hearty food at the canteen-style dining table. Diggings Terrance, Thredbo Village; Athol website Banjo Townhouses Each townhouse is a modern apartment with one or two bedrooms and beautiful views of the mountains. Loft units have their own slow-burning wood fire: lush! Banjo Drive, Thredbo Village; stayz.com.au/93085 Bernti’s Mountain Inn Bernti's is restaurant, hotel and nightlife all rolled into one. This European-style boutique inn has 30 rooms (and a rather entertaining host in Donna), gourmet food and a popular al fresco deck. Why would you ever leave? 4 Mowamba Place, Thredbo Village; (02) 6457 6332; berntis.com.au Black Bear Inn In the heart of Thredbo, and at the centre of all the action, this traditional lodge and restaurant has rooms to rent from single to family-sized. It’s a stone’s throw from the shuttle stop, plus never-ending German beer at the Inn. 30 Diggins Terrace, Thredbo Village; (02) 6457 6216; blackbearinn.com.au Thredbo Alpine Hotel Thredbo Alpine Hotel is boutique accommodation with the pick of rooms or chalets for an easy, comfortable stay at the base of the Kosciuszko chairlift. Thredbo Resort Centre, Thredbo Village; 1300 020 589; Thredbo Alpine Hotel Moonbah Hut A short 30 minute drive from Thredbo, and 15 minutes from Jindabyne town, Moonbah Hut is in a whole world of its own. This completely isolated, unique stone hut is fully equipped with underfloor heating, a rocking chair and fluffy robes for a romantic getaway. Jindabyne; (02) 6457 8311; moonbahhut.com Paringa Self contained, all the mod-cons and a shuttle bus on your doorstep, Paringa apartments are two bed units plus loft space, the obligatory balcony BBQ and a Swedish sauna. (02) 6457 7030; skiinskiout.com.au River Inn Priding itself on being a ski-in, ski-out hotel, River Inn has modern rooms and suites with plenty of extras, like wireless, a heated indoor pool and laundry service. 4 Friday Drive, Thredbo Alpine Village; (02) 9369 3010; riverinn.com.au Rockpool Lodge Like a little luxe? When only 5 star will do, Rockpool Lodge is a good pick. It’s got the spa, faux fur throws, sauna and champagne on chill (okay, we can’t guarantee the last one, but you get the picture). (02) 6457 7132; rockpoollodge.com.au Kareela Hutte Breakfast, coffee, champagne or cellar door, Kareela Hutte is a well-loved haunt for skiers and boarders on their up or down the mountain. On the Supertrail at 1810m altitude; (02) 6457 6099; kareelahutte.com.au Merritts Mountain House On-slope marketplace dining, from fresh juices and salads to stews, soups and strudel. Merritts uses artisan produce to create lovingly homemade food, conveniently located between slopes. Top of Merritts chairlift at 1660m altitude; (02) 6457 6084; merritts.com.au Black Sallee's Nestled amongst the gum trees off Crackenback Supertrail, Black Sallee's is famous for its hot chocolate, European beer selection (try the Maisel's Weisse) and schnapps. The service is quick, so you’ll be shoop shooping again in no time. At the top of Snowgums chairlift; (02) 6457 6439; Black Sallee's Bullwheel Bar & Bistro Laying claim to being Australia’s highest bar and bistro, Bullwheel has quick snacks and warming drinks, as well as German wheat beers, gluhwein and schnapps. At the top of Kosciuszko chairlift at 1937m altitude; (02) 6457 6019; Bullwheel Bar & Bistro Bernti’s Tapas Bar Serving a gourmet selection of international tapas, from smoked trout bruschetta to veal schnitzel, Bernti’s has al fresco dining and plenty of wine and beer to wash it down with. 4 Mowamba Place, Thredbo Village; (02) 6457 6332; berntis.com.au/tapas-bar The Knickerbocker Pan fried market fish, duck confit, spinach and ricotta dumplings... Yum! Riverside Cabins, Diggings Terrace, Thredbo; (02) 6457 6844; theknickerbocker.com.au The Terrace Relaxed fine dining: head chef Karen Forsstrom, formerly of Sydney’s Kingsleys restaurant, cooks up the finest ingredients to serve up her handcrafted menu. The Denman Hotel, 21 Diggings Terrace, Thredbo; (02) 6457 6222; thedenman.com.au The Wildbrumby Open daily for breakfast and lunch, the kitchen at Wildbrumby schnapps distillery door has a hearty selection of soups, pates, sandwiches and burgers - all created using local produce. Cnr of Wollondibby Rd and Alpine Way, Jindabyne; (02) 6457 1447; wildbrumby.com Apres Bar For a sophisticated start to the night, head to Apres Bar at The Denman. Cocktails, retro decor and tapas. The Denman, 21 Diggins Terrace, Thredbo Village; (02) 6457 6222; thedenman.com.au/bar Schuss Bar A little more laid-back, the Schuss Bar has live music and entertainment every night throughout winter. Threadbo Village Resort, Alpine Way; (02) 6459 4200. Thredbo Alpine Lounge Bar From 12 noon to midnight, the Alpine Lounge Bar is the place to kick-back and enjoy a coffee (or something stronger) beside the fire. Relaxed vibe, live music and great views. Thredbo Village Resort, Alpine Way; (02) 6459 4200. The Keller Looking to party late into the night? Revellers migrate to Thredbo’s famous nightclub. Thredbo Village Resort, Alpine Way; (02) 6459 4200.
When Sydney Film Festival rolls around each year, screening impressive movies from all around the world isn't the only highlight. The fest has to play those flicks somewhere, so it settles into a heap of picture palaces around the city, giving attendees a tour of the town's best movie-watching spots. One such place: the Art Gallery of NSW's cinema, which has been showing films for 22 years now. And, when SFF is over for 2022, the picture-going spot will relaunch its huge (and free) weekly movie program. To celebrate the 340-seat theatre's birthday, AGNSW is also focusing on flicks that've released since its projectors first starting whirring, with more than 30 set to show between Wednesday, June 22–Sunday, October 16. Each year during that period is catered for, sometimes with one title, sometimes with more. As usual, you'll be seeing them on Wednesdays and Sundays, and you won't be paying a thing to do so. Called Feeling 22, for obvious reasons, the program reads like a must-see snapshot of the millennium-era cinema — starting with Wong Kar-wai's gorgeous and glorious In the Mood for Love. Proceeding in chronological order, it also includes Bong Joon-ho's wonderful Barking Dogs Never Bite from 2000, then hops through everything from David Lynch's Mulholland Drive and Lynne Ramsay's Morven Callar to Jordan Peele's Get Out and Céline Sciamma's Portrait of a Lady on Fire. Also showing: Michael Haneke's Caché, Pedro Almodóvar's Volver, Paul Thomas Anderson's There Will Be Blood, Kenneth Lonergan's Margaret, Leos Carax's Holy Motors and Hong Sang-soo's Yourself and Yours. Or, get excited about big-screen sessions of Aussie gems Lake Mungo, Mad Max: Fury Road and Sweet Country, as well as Soda Jerk's phenomenal Terror Nullius — and an afternoon in praise of the late David Gulpilil, including Crocodile Dreaming and Ten Canoes. Yes, it's basically a who's who list of the very best filmmakers of the past 22 years, and their career standouts. Yes, the list goes on. And yes, Sydney cinemas celebrating their birthdays is the current big trend. The season will wrap up a mystery movie, if you're wondering how 2022 will be represented. The Art Gallery of NSW's cinema reopens for free weekly screenings from Wednesday, June 22. Feeling 22 runs from Wednesday, June 22–Sunday, October 16. For more information, or to reserve free tickets, head to the AGNSW website.
For many Sydneysiders, the CBD was synonymous with two things: tourists and office workers. This year, things changed. With those two elements stripped right back, we can see more clearly than ever what makes the CBD such a special part of Sydney: its small businesses. We're talking about the hole-in-the-wall joint that serves your life-giving morning latte, the reliable boutique shop that's become your go-to for last-minute gifts, and the bar you head to for a post-work cocktail and boogie. Every encounter you have with a local vendor contributes to why you love living in Sydney. And they need your patronage more than ever. So, we teamed up with City of Sydney to ask you — Concrete Playground readers — what businesses you love to visit in the CBD, from the beating heart of the city to the harbourside, Barangaroo and The Rocks. And you came up with some absolute gems. Read on to discover some of the most popular picks to visit during the day. Then, flick the switch above and we'll dim the lights to show your favourite things to do once the sun goes down.
Winter is coming. And while that might send shivers down the spine of some, the silver lining is the abundance of winter food to warm you from the inside out. Soup season is a great time to branch out or revisit some old favourites, be it a steaming broth, hearty laksa or super-rich ramen. Together with American Express, we've put together a list of belly-warming noodle soups you should seek out in Sydney as the days grow shorter and you find yourself needing a bowl of nourishing comfort to brighten your day.
No one loves choosing between two of their favourite foods. Also, everyone likes pies. They're two of the truths behind Banjo's Bakery Cafe's range of culinary hybrids, and it has just come up with another: the spaghetti bolognese pie. After introducing Australian tastebuds to the lasagne pie and the double cheeseburger pie — plus Tasmanian scallop pies, bangers and mash pies, and chicken parmigiana pies, too — the Banjo's team has launched another Frankenstein's monster of a snack. Pastry is a feature, as usual. This time, though, it encases angel hair spaghetti and meaty bolognese sauce, and is then topped with melted cheese and parsley. Yes, they're exactly what they sound like. Yes, your tastebuds now want to devour them ASAP. Yes, being unable to think of anything else until you eat one of these creations is completely understandable. The aim: to satisfy your cravings when you just can't bring yourself to pick between a pie and some spag bog, obviously. If you're a little indecisive when it comes to choosing what to eat in general, you're probably already a big fan of food mashups that find ways to combine two popular dishes — so this is an easy must-try. The spaghetti bolognese pies have joined Banjo's signature range, alongside the aforementioned other creative varieties — but only for a limited time. They'll be available from the company's stores from today, Wednesday, June 8, as well as via online click-and-collect orders and delivery services. In NSW, you'll need to head north to Glendale to get your fix. In Victoria, stores are located in Mornington, Traralgon and Mildura. Queenslanders can pick from ten spots, including Darra, Cleveland, Park Ridge and Redcliffe, while pie-loving SA residents can hit up Glenelg — and there's 27 stores in Tasmania. Banjo's Bakery Cafe's spaghetti bolognese pie is on the menu at the chain's stores nationally from Wednesday, June 8. To find your nearest location, visit the company's website.
Yulli's Brews finally opened its own (100-percent vegan) Alexandria taproom back in July 2018, and now it's giving Sydney's inner west another reason to celebrate with its monthly markets. Each season, the brewery will invite local merchants, artisans and independent makers to display an array of homewares, smallgoods and other handmade items. After kicking off back in November with monthly events, Yulli's Brewery Markets will now run seasonally with the next one scheduled for Sunday, July 14. Among the products for sale will be indoor plants, eco-friendly clothing, and heaps of preserves, condiments and jarred goodies. Yulli's own eats will be up for grabs too, including ready-made dumplings, kimchi and other pickled veg (all vegan, of course). The market opens at 9am, with a barbecue of vegan hot dogs welcoming guests alongside the stallholders. But the day really kicks into gear at 11am when live acts take the stage and the bar starts slinging its namesake brews. The full brewery menu is available from noon, too. Updated: May 16, 2019.
When it comes to exploring Broome (Rubibi) and the Kimberley, we recommend packing your sense of adventure. This vast, varied stretch of country holds some of the most breathtaking landscapes and unique experiences in the world. There's ocean wilderness and colourful coral wonderlands, Aboriginal cultural sites and places of ancient, enduring story and significance. You'll see otherworldly rock forms, lush greenery and sprawling lakes, optical lunar illusions and sideways — yes, sideways — waterfalls. There's nowhere like it, and there are so many ways you can explore. Whatever way you want to adventure, we've got a standout spread of activities here to choose from — and a few ready-to-go trips if you're already packed and ready. It's time to choose your own quest out west.
With 28 heritage-listed sites, Parramatta is home to more history than most Sydney neighbourhoods. Here, you'll find some of Australia's oldest buildings and earliest European farms. It's also where the Battle of Parramatta occurred when resistance leader Pemulwuy, backed by a 100-strong group of Bidjigal warriors, attacked Government Farm in March 1797. However much you think you know about Parramatta's storied past, there's plenty more fascinating (and sometimes dark) history to discover. You could easily spend weeks travelling through time by surrounding yourself with beautiful sandstone architecture, wandering through century-old parklands and checking out Indigenous artworks. Here are eight places to get you started. PARRAMATTA GAOL Chances are, you've seen Parramatta Gaol on TV. And it's no wonder: built between 1835 and 1842, its spooky sandstone makes for dramatic TV settings. Having closed in 2012, Parramatta Gaol was the longest-serving gaol in Australia. Over the years, several prisoners have escaped by scaling the walls. But more unusual is the story of ex-prisoner Anthes, who, in 1926, tried to break in. These days, Parramatta Gaol is empty. Well, except for the ghosts, who you may get to meet on a ghost tour. Apart from that, get a good view of the gaol from the outside and keep an eye out for special events, including open days. DAIRY COTTAGE One of Parramatta's prettiest spots is Parramatta Park, an 85-hectare greenery escape on the river. Within it, you'll find Dairy Cottage, which was built in 1798 and is one of Australia's earliest houses. The first person to live here was a convict of the Second Fleet, who turned the surrounding land into a farm. It was later transformed into a dairy to meet the milk and cheese needs of the governor. You can take an online tour via virtual reality, thanks to Google Arts and Culture. Or, to see Dairy Cottage in real life, visit the park and partake in a self-guided or professional tour. [caption id="attachment_747886" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] ELIZABETH FARM You can step back in time at Elizabeth Farm. Built in 1793 for wool farmer John Macarthur and his wife, Elizabeth, this retreat is one of the oldest houses in Australia. It has since been transformed into a hands-on museum where you can access all areas, touch the furnishings and generally make yourself at home. There's an old-school tea room that serves up sandwiches, Devonshire tea and baked treats, but you're also welcome to bring a picnic, borrow a picnic blanket and relax in the garden among lilies, roses, eucalypts and veggies. After your bite to eat, you can explore nearby cottages Experiment Farm Cottage and Hambledon Cottage, which are part of the same precinct — just be sure to check opening hours and tour information before you go. [caption id="attachment_747875" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Emma Joyce[/caption] FORESHORE WALK Combine history with natural beauty on a stroll along the Parramatta River Foreshore. A good place to start is at heritage-listed Lennox Bridge, a single-arch sandstone bridge built by convicts in the 1830s. Pop into the Visitors Centre for a brief introduction to the area and to check out the historical archives before starting your walk. Heading east, you'll see the pavement is covered in Indigenous murals created by Ngemba artist Jamie Eastwood. They tell the story of the European invasion, including Governor Arthur Phillip's boat trip to the head of the Parramatta River in search of fresh water, the bloody Battle of Parramatta and death of Indigenous leader Pemulwuy. There are signposts to help you on your way, but you can learn even more on a tour. [caption id="attachment_747884" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Carla Dibbs[/caption] PHILIP RUDDOCK V HERITAGE ARCHAEOLOGY DISPLAY CENTRE On the corner of Macquarie and Marsden Streets, at the entrance of the Crown Group's V Residential and Hotel, there's an underground cavern. Peering in, through a glass ceiling, you'll see some of the best-preserved European ruins in Australia. This is the Philip Ruddock V Heritage Archaeology Display Centre. Among its treasures are the foundations of a convict hut, the cellar of the Wheatsheaf Hotel (built in 1801) and a colonial-period cottage. The ruins were discovered in 2005 during earthworks for development. When you're finished, pop up to the 26th floor for a drink in the decadent Nick & Nora's rooftop bar, which offers incredible views all the way to Sydney Harbour. [caption id="attachment_747894" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] OLD GOVERNMENT HOUSE This rather spectacular Georgian mansion was established as a country house in 1800 for the Governor, whose main home was near Sydney Harbour. Twelve Governors used it until 1847, including Governor Lachlan Macquarie and his wife, Elizabeth Macquarie, who added major extensions. By 1857, the grounds had become part of Parramatta Park. These days, Old Government House is with the National Trust, and you can explore it on a guided tour. Every room is furnished in 1820s-style. There's also an on-site restaurant, Lachlan's, where you can treat yourself to high tea or a long lunch. PARRAMATTA FEMALE FACTORY Between 1821 and 1847, any convict woman who arrived in Australia without a job or a husband was sent to the Parramatta Female Factory, a complex of sandstone buildings on the banks of the Parramatta River. Here, each woman was put into one of three classes, depending on the severity of her crime, and made to work. Many were subjected to nasty treatment, like having their heads shaved by force, solitary confinement and slave labour. Since then, the buildings have also served as a 'lunatic asylum', orphanage and school. Now, they're empty. You can take a tour by appointment. PHIVE This newly opened precinct combines the traditions of the past with the promises of the future. The eye-catching architectural marvel boasts world-class amenities, crafted with the vibrant community in mind. Whether you're a student, a professional, a resident, or a pleasure-seeker in Parramatta, this new community centre offers an array of spaces designed to enrich your daily experiences. One of these is Keeping Place, a facility that houses First Nations cultural material. There are also around 100,000 culturally significant objects, including archaeological artefacts and ceremonial gifts, as well as extensive reading materials for visitors to use to learn about the First Nations custodians of the area, the Dharug people. To discover more historical landmarks and things to discover in Parramatta, head this way. Top Image: Dairy Cottage.
It visited Melbourne in June and has just arrived in Brisbane, and now Australia's sweetest dessert museum is finally heading to Sydney. Called Sugar Republic and heading our way in early 2019, the immersive pop-up brings sugary delights to folks with a sweet tooth, boasting an array of spaces filled with all things chocolate, confectionery and dessert-oriented. While what exactly you'll find at the Sydney pop-up is still under wraps — with Sugar Republic promising, "14 brand new rooms, all new installations, plus a sweet themed cafe and candy store" — its previous Aussie iterations have included a giant gumball machine that you can climb inside, an adult-sized ballpit in bubblegum-pink hues and a dedicated fairy floss room with its own swing. It sounds like the kind of place that Willy Wonka might own. Other highlights in Melbourne and Brisbane have included a sherbet-filled rainbow bridge, a 'press for confetti' button, an interactive sprinkles wall, a neon art wall and other dessert-centric art. We're expecting Sydney to be equally OTT. Basically, if you missed out on visiting New York's Museum of Ice Cream back in 2016, this is Australia's equivalent. Typically these kind of places are designed to be as photogenic as possible, so expect plenty of pics to clog your Instagram feed. The exact Sydney location and dates haven't been released just yet, but you can expect the dessert museum to pop-up in February 2019 at a Myer store. Tickets go on sale next month, and we'll keep you updated with any new details.
UPDATE: WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14 — Avi's Kantini is open for takeaway throughout lockdown. Check out the menu here. Nestled inside The Bank alongside craft beer bar Uncle Hops, the Middle Eastern-inspired menu can be ordered anywhere in the three storey venue. Highlights include an oozy baked saganaki with honey, pistachio and rose, as well as housemade dips ($12), stuffed pides served with pickles and onion salads ($19-21) and meze plates. "Newtown has always been a popular spot for Middle Eastern and Turkish food," CEO of Solotel Group Elliot Solomon said in a statement. "With Avi's Kantini, we wanted to build on that legacy and love with a contemporary, psychedelic twist." Cocktails are curated by Ed Loveday (ex-Bar Brosé and ex-ACME), featuring ingredients like arak (an unsweetened distilled spirit), sumac, pomegranate, saffron and bergamot (a type of citrus). Taste through a refreshing Karpuz (meaning 'melon' in Turkish) with Espolon Blanco tequila, watermelon, rosewater and lime or try Avi's take on an espresso martini with spiced rum, coffee, date and black walnut. If you want to spend less time ordering, and more time dancing, we wouldn't blame you. The $45 banquet menu is a steal with plant-based and carnivorous options including chickpea falafels, lamb shish and chicken wings in a sticky fig glaze. The revamped courtyard champions custom art murals by Wollongong-based artist El Oso Negro, while 12-seater cushioned booths, seating nooks and plenty of greenery gives guests heaps of options when it comes to space.
Something delightful has been happening in cinemas in some parts of the country. After numerous periods spent empty during the pandemic, with projectors silent, theatres bare and the smell of popcorn fading, picture palaces in many Australian regions are back in business — including both big chains and smaller independent sites in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. During COVID-19 lockdowns, no one was short on things to watch, of course. In fact, you probably feel like you've streamed every movie ever made, including new releases, Studio Ghibli's animated fare and Nicolas Cage-starring flicks. But, even if you've spent all your time of late glued to your small screen, we're betting you just can't wait to sit in a darkened room and soak up the splendour of the bigger version. Thankfully, plenty of new films are hitting cinemas so that you can do just that — and we've rounded up, watched and reviewed everything on offer this week. ETERNALS It's the only Marvel movie by an Oscar-winning director. Focusing on a superhero squad isn't new, even if everyone here is a Marvel Cinematic Universe newcomer, but it's the lone instalment in the franchise that's about a team led by women of colour. It's home to the MCU's only caped crusader who is deaf, and its first openly gay superhero — and it doesn't just mention his sexuality, but also shows his relationship. It happens to be the first Marvel flick with a sex scene, too. Eternals is also the only film in the hefty saga with a title describing how long the series will probably continue. And, it's the sole MCU entry that features two ex-Game of Thrones stars — Kit Harington and Richard Madden, two of the show's Winterfell-dwelling brothers — and tasks them both with loving a woman called Sersi. (The name isn't spelled the same way, but it'll still recalls Westeros.) When you're 26 movies into a franchise, as the MCU now is, each new film is a case of spotting differences. All the above traits aid Eternals in standing out, especially the empathetic, naturalistic touch that Chloé Zhao brings to her first blockbuster (and first film since Nomadland and its historic Academy Award wins). There's a sense of beauty and weight rippling through almost every frame, as well as an appreciation for life's struggles. Its namesakes are immortal aliens sent to earth 7000 years ago to battle intergalactic beasts, and yet Eternals shows more affinity for everyday folks who don't don spandex or have superpowers than any Marvel flick yet. It's also largely gorgeous, due to its use of location shoots rather than constantly stacking CGI on CGI. But everything that sets the film apart from the rest of Marvel's saga remains perched atop a familiar formula. Perhaps that's fitting; thematically, Eternals spends much of its lengthy 157 minutes contemplating set roles and expectations, and whether anyone can ever truly break free of either. Spying an overt statement in these parallels — between the movie's general adherence to the MCU template and the ideas bubbling within it — might be a little generous, though. Of late, Marvel likes giving its new instalments their own packaging, while keeping many of the same gears whirring inside. That's part of the comic book company-turned-filmmaking behemoth's current pattern, in fact. Still, even after Thor: Ragnarok, Black Panther and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Eternals finds its own niche. It both intrigues and entertains, and it's ambitious — and it's often more than the sum of all those MCU firsts and onlys it's claimed. As opening text explains, Eternals' central group were dispatched by a Celestial — a space god, really — called Arishem. With the monstrous Deviants, another alien race, wreaking havoc, the Eternals were tasked with fighting the good fight — and were forbidden to interfere otherwise, which is why they've been absent in the last 25 movies. But now, a new Deviant attacks Sersi (Gemma Chan, Raya and the Last Dragon), her human boyfriend Dane Whitman (Harington) and fellow Eternal Sprite (Lia McHugh, The Lodge). That gets the gang back together swiftly, including the flying, laser-eyed Ikaris (Madden), the maternal Ajak (Salma Hayek, The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard), Bollywood star Kingo (Kumail Nanjiani, The Lovebirds), the super-strong Gilgamesh (Don Lee, Ashfall), warrior Thena (Angelia Jolie, Those Who Wish Me Dead), the super-speedy Makkari (Lauren Ridloff, Sound of Metal), tech wiz Phastos (Brian Tyree Henry, Godzilla vs Kong) and the mind-manipulating Druig (Barry Keoghan, The Green Knight). Read our full review. THE MANY SAINTS OF NEWARK So much about The Many Saints of Newark is a matter of when, not if: when familiar characters will show up looking younger, when well-known New Jersey locations will be sighted and when someone will eat ziti. This all occurs because it must; it wouldn't be a prequel to The Sopranos otherwise. Servicing fans is a key reason the movie exists, and it's far more resonant if you've already spent 86 episodes with Tony Soprano and his mafia and blood families while watching one of the best TV shows ever made. This is a film with a potent air of inevitability, clearly. Thankfully, that feeling reaches beyond all the obligatory nods and winks. That some things are unavoidable — that giving people what they want doesn't always turn out as planned, and that constantly seeking more will never fix all of life's woes, too — pulsates through this origin story like a thumping bass line. And yes, on that topic, Alabama 3's 'Woke Up This Morning' obviously gets a spin. Penned by The Sopranos' creator David Chase and series alum Lawrence Konner, and helmed by veteran show director Alan Taylor, The Many Saints of Newark doesn't merely preach to existing devotees, even if they're the film's main audience. Marking the last of the big three 00s-era prestige US cable dramas to earn a movie spinoff — following El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie and Deadwood: The Movie — the feature is aware of its own genesis and of gangster genre staples in tandem. Casting Ray Liotta, who'll forever be associated with Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas, was always going to show that. Travelling back to the 70s, when The Godfather franchise electrified cinema, does also. Indeed, The Many Saints of Newark plays like a hybrid of pop culture's three most influential and essential mob stories. A bold move, it also explains what works and what falters in a film that's powerful and engaging but firmly baked in a well-used oven. The first detail that Sopranos fans should've picked up when this flick first got a title: in Italian, many saints translates as moltisanti. While The Many Saints of Newark spends time with young Tony as a pre-teen in the late 60s (played by feature first-timer William Ludwig) and a teen in the early 70s (when The Deuce's Michael Gandolfini, son of the late, great James Gandolfini, steps into the character's shoes), its protagonist is Dickie Moltisanti (Alessandro Nivola, The Art of Self-Defense). He's seen as an uncle and mentor by Tony, who'll eventually hold the same roles for Dickie's son. The Sopranos mainstay Christopher Moltisanti (Michael Imperioli, One Night in Miami) turns narrator here, in fact, offering knowing voiceover that occasionally channels the show's dark humour — calling out Christopher's death at Tony's hands, for instance. Dickie was recalled with reverence in the series, yet threw a shadow over Tony's middle-aged mob-boss malaise — as seen in his duck obsession, panic attacks and reluctant chats with a psychiatrist. Here, Dickie falls into a similar pattern with his dad 'Hollywood' Dick (Liotta, No Sudden Move), who returns from Italy to subject his new, much-younger bride Giuseppina (Michela De Rossi, The Rats) to domestic violence. One of The Many Saints of Newark's finest traits is its layering, honing in on cycles that keep echoing through generations as it examines Dickie's role in turning Tony into the man viewers watched from 1999–2007. Its greatest stroke of casting plays with the same notion as well, and the younger Gandolfini is a soulful yet primal revelation. To call his performance lived-in is the epitome of an understatement, and it's never a gimmick. Read our full review. JULIA Call it the SNL effect: in two of their past three films, Julie Cohen and Betsy West have celebrated pioneering women who've been parodied on Saturday Night Live. They've referenced those famous skits in RBG and now Julia, in fact, including their subjects' reactions; Ruth Bader Ginsburg was seen howling with laughter when she first saw Kate McKinnon slip into her robes, and Julia Child reportedly played Dan Aykroyd's blood-soaked 1978 impersonation to friends at parties. Cohen and West clearly aren't basing their documentaries on their own sketch-comedy viewing, though. Instead, they've been eagerly unpacking exactly why a US Supreme Court Justice and a French cuisine-loving TV chef made such a strong impact, and not only in their own fields. Julia makes an exceptional companion piece with the Oscar-nominated RBG, unsurprisingly; call it a great doco double helping. Julia arrives nearly two decades after its namesake's passing, and 12 years since Meryl Streep earned an Oscar nomination for mimicking Julia in Julie & Julia. If you've seen the latter but still wondered why Julie Powell (played by The Woman in the Window's Amy Adams) was so determined to work her way through Julia's most famous cookbook — first published in 1961, Mastering the Art of French Cooking completely changed America's perception of printed recipe collections — let this easy-to-consume doco fill in the gaps when it comes to the culinary wiz's mastery and achievements. Let it spark two instinctual, inescapable and overwhelming reactions, too: hunger, due to all the clips of Julia cooking and other lingering shots of food; and inspiration, because wanting to whip up the same dishes afterwards is equally understandable. In their second film of 2021 — after My Name Is Pauli Murray, another portrait of a woman thoroughly deserving the spotlight — Cohen and West take a chronological approach to Julia's life. The two filmmakers like borrowing cues from their subjects, so here they go with a classic recipe that's been given slight tweaks, but always appreciates that magic can be made if you pair a tried-and-tested formula with outstanding technique. Julia's entire cooking career, including her leap to television in her 50s, stirred up the same idea. Her take on French dining was all about making delectable meals by sticking to the right steps, even while using supermarket-variety ingredients, after all. Julia boasts a delightful serving of archival footage, as well as lingering new food porn-esque sequences that double as how-tos (as deliciously lensed by cinematographer and fellow RBG alum Claudia Raschke), but it still embodies the same ethos. Born to a well-off Pasadena family in 1912, Julia's early relationship with food is painted as functional: the household's cooks prepared the meals, and wanting to step into the kitchen herself was hardly a dream. In pre-World War II America, the expectation was that she'd simply marry and become a housewife, however, but a hunger for more out of life first took her to the Office of Strategic Services — the US organisation that gave way to the CIA — and overseas postings. While stationed in the Far East, she met State Department official Paul Child. After a berth in China, he was sent to France, where the acclaimed Cordon Bleu culinary school eventually beckoned for Julia. From there, she started her own cooking classes in Paris, co-penned the book that made her famous, turned a TV interview into a pitch for her own show and became an icon. Read our full review. RED NOTICE When Interpol hunts down the world's most wanted international criminals, it issues red notices — and for anyone who isn't already aware of that fact, Red Notice starts by spelling out the details. If the film world circulated the same kinds of warnings about bland, cliched, charmless and tedious movies, this Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds and Gal Gadot-starring supposed action-comedy would earn several. That it bears far too much in common at times with two of its stars' most recent features — Johnson's likeable-enough Jungle Cruise and Reynolds' excruciatingly terrible The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard — says plenty about this by-the-numbers affair. If only they were the sole instances that it conjured up other movies; Reynolds does a Borat impression, whistles the Indiana Jones tune and verbally references Jurassic Park, and it's all as dated as it sounds. Also tired and trying: Reynolds' performance in general, which is permanently stuck on the same kind of schtick at the heart of both Deadpool and Free Guy. This time, however, he's playing the globe's second-best art thief — and his character, Nolan Booth, desperately wants the top spot. But a couple of people stand in his way, which is where Red Notice's other big names come in. Firstly, FBI profiler John Hartley (Johnson) interrupts Booth's latest heist, which involves tracking down three golden eggs that were once owned by Cleopatra (the third of which has never been found before). Secondly, the planet's number one art thief, The Bishop (Gadot, Wonder Woman 1984), is on the same hunt for the same $30 million payday. She's also constantly one step ahead of not just her professional competitor, but also the man pursuing both criminals. Red Notice plays like the result of watching 80s and 90s hits, its three leads' filmographies and the National Treasure flicks, then throwing their basic ideas into a blender and pouring the jumbled mess onto the screen. It's Netflix's most expensive movie yet, and it's also shiny-coated garbage. That its opening scene involves a decoy egg doused in Coca-Cola to reveal an empty shell inside is far more telling than it's meant to be. Also landing with a thud: a dance between Hartley and The Bishop at an Eyes Wide Shut-styled party that's supposed to herald this as the next True Lies, but just makes viewers wish they were watching that instead. That's the thing with shovelling in reference after reference instead of penning a decent and coherent script, even when around half of those winks are done with writer/director Rawson Marshall Thurber's (Central Intelligence, Skyscraper) tongue firmly in his cheek: constantly calling attention to better movies but failing to live up to them is like punching yourself the face. They're three of the highest-profile names in blockbuster cinema, but Johnson, Reynolds and Gadot all sleepwalk through their parts here — not that the screenplay asks much more. Not a single gag lands, either, and neither does any tension, chemistry, timing or reason to care about its lead trio, their characters' globe-hopping quest and all the chaos they leave in their wake. Of course Nazis are involved, even though it's now 2021 and not 1981 when Raiders of the Lost Ark did the exact same thing. Of course the whole film looks like the dullest kind of CGI onslaught, with green screens standing in for Rome, Russia, London, Egypt and more. Of course it also plays like something an algorithm would spit out — and one that thinks Ed Sheeran is the height of stunt cameo casting after Game of Thrones already proved that idea oh-so wrong four years ago. Red Notice screens in select Australian cinemas from Thursday, November 4, and streams via Netflix from Friday, November 12. If you're wondering what else is currently screening in Australian cinemas — or has been lately — check out our rundown of new films released in Australia on June 10, June 17 and June 24; July 1, July 8, July 15, July 22 and July 29; August 5, August 12, August 19 and August 26; September 2, September 9, September 16, September 23 and September 30; and October 7, October 14, October 21 and October 28. For Sydney specifically, you can take a look at out our rundown of new films that released in Sydney cinemas when they reopened on October 11, and what opened on October 14, October 21 and October 28 as well. And for Melbourne, you can check out our top picks from when outdoor cinemas reopened on October 22 — and from when indoor cinemas did the same on October 29. You can also read our full reviews of a heap of recent movies, such as Herself, Little Joe, Black Widow, The Sparks Brothers, Nine Days, Gunpowder Milkshake, Space Jam: A New Legacy, Old, Jungle Cruise, The Suicide Squad, Free Guy, Respect, The Night House, Candyman, Annette, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised), Streamline, Coming Home in the Dark, Pig, Big Deal, The Killing of Two Lovers, Nitram, Riders of Justice, The Alpinist, A Fire Inside, Lamb, The Last Duel, Malignant, The Harder They Fall, Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain, Halloween Kills and Passing. Top image: Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. ©Marvel Studios 2021. All Rights Reserved.
This winter, Sofitel Sydney Wentworth is plating up an artful twist on its signature high tea in celebration of the 2025 Archibald Prize. Running every weekend from Saturday, May 10 to Sunday, August 17, the Archibald High Tea brings elegant savoury and sweet bites to the table with a hearty dose of creative flair — all from the dramatic surrounds of the hotel's recently refurbished Velvet Lounge. This imaginative high tea pays homage to the Royal Botanic Garden, and channels artistry, seasonality and natural beauty. For starters, it eschews the traditional tiered display — instead, bites will be spread across the table. Savoury items are served tableside, with charcuterie, cheeses, smoked salmon and quiche carved to straight on to your plate. The selection also includes a flourless chocolate cake that draws its inspiration from the peaceful stillness of a garden, a pistachio and chocolate opera cake that takes it cue from landscaped moss and stone, and a blueberry choux that evokes falling jacaranda petals. Priced at $69 per person, or $89 with a glass of Pommery Champagne, the high tea also features a refined selection of teas worthy of its setting. Available on Saturdays and Sundays between 1–3pm, this is your chance to swap the gallery for plush velvet banquettes — and experience Australia's most prestigious portrait prize through a luxurious new lens.
Elton John summed it up perfectly: when Marilyn Monroe died in 1962, her candle burned out long before her legend ever would. Six decades since her passing, the actor remains a Hollywood icon. Like Elvis, she may as well be mononymic. Her face is instantly recognisable, and still everywhere. Ana de Armas just received an Oscar nomination for playing her, after Michelle Williams earned one back in 2012 for also stepping into her shoes. And, the Some Like It Hot, Gentleman Prefer Blondes and How to Marry a Millionaire star is also the subject of a sizeable exhibition heading to Australia for the first time: Marilyn: The Woman Behind the Icon. This Marilyn celebration will make its Aussie premiere at Sydney Town Hall, in the Lower Town Hall, from Saturday, July 1–Sunday, September 24. On display: more than 200 artefacts spanning Monroe's life, including handwritten notes, personal letters and other possessions. This is the largest Marilyn collection of its kind. Indeed, the objects set to grace the showcase stem from Ted Stampfer, owner the world's largest range of Marilyn items. With Marilyn: The Woman Behind the Icon, he's aiming to share insights into Monroe as a person, not just a celebrity — spanning her time in the spotlight, of course, but also back when she was Norma Jeane Mortenson. [caption id="attachment_905881" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Joseph Jasgur, Ted Stampfer[/caption] Stampfer will be on hand on opening day providing a curator's tour, as part of an events program accompanying the three-month memorabilia exhibition. Friday-night sessions will feature music and entertainment, and film screenings will also be part of the lineup, letting attendees experience Marilyn's movie magic for themselves. As it celebrates the woman who scaled the heights of fame, became a household name, but received horrific scrutiny for her sex-symbol status and her love life — focusing on her hard work, not the stories spun about her — this'll be the only time that Marilyn: The Woman Behind the Icon will open to the public in this form. [caption id="attachment_905878" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ted Stampfer[/caption]
Remember when the Sydney CBD was the last place you'd want to hang out after work? Perhaps not, if you're the young or short-term-memoried among us. Much has changed in the last few years, and now the CBD is bursting with places that offer good tipples and damn fine atmosphere. It's almost hard to narrow it down to just the ten best, though we managed it in the end. Whether you're looking to settle in for the night on a first date, talk shop at a post-work debrief, indulge a solo unwind, or finally get around to that long overdue catch-up with friends, you're sure to find one among these to tickle your fancy. 1. Bulletin Place Bulletin Place is a prodigious example of in-the-know barman strutting their stuff. And let's be honest, it's really Philips' cocktail expertise that makes this place stand out. Scribbled across a sheet of butcher's paper that hangs behind the bar will be any given evening's cocktail selection, inspired by whatever produce is freshest at the time. First floor, 10 - 14 Bulletin Place, Circular Quay; www.bulletinplace.com/ 2. Grasshopper Cocktails are the real drawcard at Grasshopper. All the drinks are numbered instead of having names, and they're just about all served in jars. The No.19, which features orange liqueur, cranberry juice, passionfruit and vanilla vodka, tastes like the sort of gelato you would find at Messina or Pompeii's. The No.14 — comprising blackberry juice and Fanta — is also a Butter Menthol-tasting highlight. 389-391 George St, Sydney; www.thegrasshopper.com.au 3. Grandma's There's no place like home. Except Grandma's. Grandma gives you a big hug, sits you down in her best, chintz-covered chair and gives you a treat. The "grandchildren" are a helpful and friendly lot, and shake their cocktails with wide-eyed glee. Start off with one of Grandma's favourite tipples — the Pink Pepper Martini, a mix of strawberries and a wink of gin that's truly delightful. But the drinks list is seemingly endless, with ingredients including Greek yoghurt, chocolate bitters, and elderflower cordial. Basement 275 Clarence Street, Sydney; www.grandmasbarsydney.com.au 4. Stitch Bar Stitch might be hard to find and you might have to wait awhile to get in, but once in you won't regret it. Stitch is a tiny, pumping, crowded spot with comfy booths on one side and small, hotly contested tables on the other, where hot dogs and strong cocktails are the bar fare of choice. 61 York Street, Sydney; www.stitchbar.com 5. Assembly The drinks from mixologist/general manager Ben Taouss make this out-of-the-way cocktail haven one of Sydney's best. Admittedly, Assembly is tucked away in a bit of a strange spot, namely Regent Place, a shopping hub with the feel of a shopping centre. You're really here for the cocktails and after-work good times. One word of advice? Try the Lavender Hill Cappuccino cocktail ($17), a martini with Pop Rocks and an apple foam. 488 Kent Street, Sydney; www.assemblybar.com.au 6. Shirt Bar When you step inside Shirt Bar, tucked away on Sussex Lane, the phrase "all shirts and no suits" springs to mind. Unpretentious and a charmingly refreshing spot for a post-work beverage, Shirt Bar is a trifecta of Australian shirts, coffee, and international whisky. Definitely worth a visit. 7 Sussex Lane, Sydney; www.shirtbar.com.au 7. Uncle Ming's At Uncle Ming's they have really committed to the Eastern aesthetic and it's the lavish decor that makes this bar. Of a weekday evening, both after-work suits and jean-clad partygoers can be seen dotted around the small floor space. Darkly lit nooks filled with mismatched Oriental chairs and rough-hewn tables are often already filled by 7pm. Lower Ground, 55 York Street, Sydney; www.unclemings.com.au 8. York Lane After dark York Lane transforms into a trendsetter's bar all set to whet your whistle after a tough day at the office. The wine list is small but varied and the list of craft beers will entice both hipsters and beer snobs alike. If you need something with edge, there's a short cocktail list including the classic Negroni ($16) and the refreshing Dark and Stormy ($12). York Lane, Sydney; www.yorklane.com/ 9. The Fox Hole Perched on the corner of Kent and Erskine Streets in the CBD, here's what we believe epitomises an unpretentious drinking hole. The front room is cosy with patrons bunked down at hazily candlelit tables sipping their wine as they watch the world go by through large windows. Expect table service delivered by friendly staff, because that’s what’s on offer. And let it be known that these guys are experts in their field, too, so don't shy away from asking for a recommendation. 68A Erskine Street, Sydney; www.foxhole.com.au 10. Mojo Record Bar Tucked away behind Mojo Records on York Street lies this inner-city drinking cave. Descend the stairs past the record store and you'll find yourself transported to '90s New York. Mojo Record Bar has a sumptuous retro feel to it: the walls are lined with vintage records and boast framed concert posters of legends such as Sonic Youth, Tom Waits, and The Black Keys. The drinks menu offers up an extensive selection of Australian craft beers, a few boutique ciders, and a small cocktail list. The cocktails are original and heavy on the gin blends. Basement level, 73 York Street, Sydney; www.mojorecordbar.com By the Concrete Playground team.
If you've got a thing for libraries (and physical books), prepare to be very impressed by the inner west's newest public space. Meet the new state-of-the-art Marrickville Library and adjoining Pavilion. The community hub has made its home on the site of the former Marrickville Hospital, an area now going by the name Patyegarang Place. The new library houses a huge 85,000 books — 20,000 more than its predecessor. It's also three times the size. Aside from being a bookworm's oasis, the three-storey centre boasts a suite of high-tech extras and modern community facilities. There's be a cafe by Marrickville's own Double Roasters with indoor and outdoor seating, a collection of meeting spaces and private study rooms, and more than 1200 square metres of lush gardens. Inside, you'll find 26 computers and a dedicated technology teaching area, as well as a series of specially commissioned public artworks. The new-look build is the work of acclaimed architectural firm BVN and cleverly incorporates modern elements onto the heritage remains of the existing hospital building. It's sporting a sustainable design, with features like environmentally friendly warming and cooling, rainwater tanks, natural light and ventilation systems, and plenty of recycled brick and timber throughout. All these eco-friendly touches have added up to an impressive 25 percent reduction in energy use compared to the old Marrickville Library. It joins Sydney's growing list of shiny new libraries, with the six-story, glass-walled Green Square one opening late last year and the two-storey Darling Square one set to open next month. Find the new Marrickville Library and Pavilion at 313 Marrickville Road, Marrickville. For more information, head to the Inner West Council or BVN website. Updated: August 27, 2019.
Playa by Lucy Folk is the brainchild of a Melbourne-based goldsmith of the same name and her love for the beach. This baby pink jewellery store is set just behind the main beach strip on Hall Street. Inside the bright and vibrant boutique, there's a select range of beach-ready bling, from taco-shaped rings to crocheted gold earrings. It's a symbol of the new, minimalist Bondi, and the range of playful designer sunglasses tend to fly off the shelves, as does the line of towelled purses and ponchos in chic pastel print — a must for any beach day.
UPDATE: MAY 15, 2020 — The Oaks' new garden bar and eatery, Alala's, is reopening for dine-in service from Friday, May 15, with limits of up to ten people at a time. To book, call (02) 9953 5515. Named after Alala Thomas — matriarch of the pub's third-generation family owners — bar and eatery Alala's takes its cues from a French country cottage. Taking pride of place in the venue is a cast iron oven is turning out roasted meats, vegetables and hot breads. The space is a surprisingly elegant addition to the well-worn watering hole, featuring natural light aplenty, walls of art and a bar pouring cocktails such as the white negroni with gin, Suze (a French liqueur made from gentian root) and Lillet. A nod to contemporary picnic fare, the food lineup features a range of tartines — a fancy way of saying open sandwiches — starring toppings like blue mackerel with chermoula and fresh figs with honey and goat's cheese. Fresh scallops are served on the shell with finger lime, chorizo spice and lobster oil, while rotisserie cauliflower comes sided with pumpkin hummus, mojo verde and ras el hanout. Seats spill out onto a new back terrace, where you can pull up a leafy spot under the famed 80-year-old oak tree. This has more of a cafe feel — you can kick back with coffee and fresh pastries from 10am each morning — and has its own entrance from Ben Boyd Road. Images: Madeleine Ryan, Papaya.
Not all that long ago, the idea of getting cosy on your couch, clicking a few buttons, and having thousands of films and television shows at your fingertips seemed like something out of science fiction. Now, it's just an ordinary night — whether you're virtually gathering the gang to text along, cuddling up to your significant other or shutting the world out for some much needed me-time. Of course, given the wealth of options to choose from, there's nothing ordinary about making a date with your chosen streaming platform. The question isn't "should I watch something?" — it's "what on earth should I choose?". Hundreds of titles are added to Australia's online viewing services each and every month, all vying for a spot on your must-see list. And, so you don't spend 45 minutes scrolling and then being too tired to actually commit to anything, we're here to help. We've spent plenty of couch time watching our way through this month's latest batch — and, from the latest and greatest through to old and recent favourites, here are our picks for your streaming queue from May's haul. BRAND NEW STUFF YOU CAN WATCH IN FULL NOW THE GREAT Television perfection is watching Elle Fanning (The Girl From Plainville) and Nicholas Hoult (Renfield) trying to run 18th-century Russia while scheming, fighting and heatedly reuniting in ahistorical period comedy The Great. Since 2020, they've each been in career-best form — her as the series' ambitious namesake, him as the emperor who loses his throne to his wife — while turning in two of the best performances on streaming in one of the medium's most hilarious shows. Both former child actors now enjoying excellent careers as adults, they make such a marvellous pair that it's easy to imagine this series being built around them. It wasn't and, now three seasons, The Great has never thrived on their casting alone. Still, shouting "huzzah!" at the duo's bickering, burning passion and bloodshed-sparking feuding flows as freely as all the vodka downed in the Emmy-winner's frames under Australian creator Tony McNamara's watch (and after he initially unleashed its winning havoc upon Sydney Theatre Company in 2008, then adapted it for television following a BAFTA and an Oscar nomination for co-penning The Favourite). In this latest batch of instalments, all either written or co-written by McNamara, Catherine (Fanning) and Peter (Hoult) begin the third season sure about their love for each other, but just as flummoxed as ever about making their nuptials work. She's attempting to reform the nation, he's the primary caregiver to their infant son Paul, her efforts are meeting resistance, he's doting but also bored playing stay-out-of-politics dad, and couples counselling is called for. There's also the matter of the royal court's most prominent members, many of whom were rounded up and arrested under Catherine's orders at the end of season two. From Sweden, exiled King Hugo (Freddie Fox, House of the Dragon) and Queen Agnes (Grace Molony, Mary, Queen of Scots) are hanging around after being run out of their own country due to democracy's arrival. And, Peter's lookalike Pugachev (also Hoult) is agitating for a serf-powered revolution. The Great streams via Stan. Read our full review. PREHISTORIC PLANET When it initially arrived in 2022, becoming one of the year's best new shows and giving nature doco fans the five-episode series they didn't know they'd always wanted — and simultaneously couldn't believe hadn't been made until now — Prehistoric Planet followed the David Attenborough nature documentary formula perfectly. And it is a formula. In a genre that's frequently spying the wealth of patterns at the heart of the animal realm, docos such as The Living Planet, State of the Planet, Frozen Planet, Our Planet, Seven Worlds, One Planet, A Perfect Planet, Green Planet and the like all build from the same basic elements. Jumping back 66 million years, capitalising upon advancements in special effects but committing to making a program just like anything that peers at the earth today was never going to feel like the easy product of a template, though. Indeed, Prehistoric Planet's first season was stunning, and its second is just as staggering. The catch, in both season one and this return trip backwards: while breathtaking landscape footage brings the planet's terrain to the Prehistoric Planet series, the critters stalking, swimming, flying and tumbling across it are purely pixels. Filmmaker Jon Favreau remains among the show's executive producers, and the technology that brought his photorealistic versions of The Jungle Book and The Lion King to cinemas couldn't be more pivotal. Seeing needs to be believing while watching, because the big-screen gloss of the Jurassic Park and Jurassic World sagas, the puppets of 90s sitcom Dinosaurs, and the animatronics of Walking with Dinosaurs — or anything in-between — were never going to suit a program with Attenborough as a guide. Accordingly, to sit down to Prehistoric Planet is to experience cognitive dissonance: viewers are well-aware that what they're spying isn't real because the animals seen no longer exist, but it truly looks that authentic. Prehistoric Planet season streams via Apple TV+. Read our full review. I THINK YOU SHOULD LEAVE WITH TIM ROBINSON Eat-the-rich stories are delicious, and also everywhere; however, Succession, Triangle of Sadness and the like aren't the only on-screen sources of terrible but terribly entertaining people. I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson has been filling streaming queues with assholes since 2019, as usually played by the eponymous Detroiters star, and long may it continue. In season three, the show takes its premise literally in the most ridiculous and unexpected way, so much so that no one could ever dream of predicting what happens. That's still the sketch comedy's not-so-secret power. Each of its skits is about someone being the worst in some way, doubling down on being the worst and refusing to admit that they're the worst (or that they're wrong) — and while everyone around them might wish they'd leave, they're never going to, and nothing ever ends smoothly. In a show that's previously worked in hot dog costumes and reality TV series about bodies dropping out of coffins to hilarious effect, anything can genuinely happen to its gallery of the insufferable. In fact, the more absurd and chaotic I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson gets, the better. No description can do I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson's sketches justice, and almost every one is a comedic marvel, as again delivered in six 15-minute episodes in the series' third run. The usual complaint applies: for a show about people overstaying their welcome, the program itself flies by too quickly, always leaving viewers wanting more. Everything from dog doors and designated drivers to HR training and street parking is in Robinson's sights this time, and people who won't stop talking about their kids, wedding photos and group-think party behaviour as well. Game shows get parodied again and again, an I Think You Should Leave staple, and gloriously. More often than in past seasons, Robinson lets his guest stars play the asshole, too, including the returning Will Forte (Weird: The Al Yankovic Story), regular Sam Richardson (The Afterparty), and perennial pop-ups Fred Armisen (Barry) and Tim Meadows (Poker Face). And when Jason Schwartzman (I Love That for You) and Ayo Edebiri (The Bear) drop in, they're also on the pitch-perfect wavelength. I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson streams via Netflix. Read our full review. IN LIMBO Not to be confused with the just-released Australian film Limbo, new six-part Aussie dramedy In Limbo not only takes its title to heart, but also uses the idea as fuel for a supernatural buddy comedy. Indeed, before the first episode is out, Nate (Bob Morley, Love Me) is palling around with his lifelong best friend Charlie (Ryan Corr, House of the Dragon) from the afterlife. The former doesn't know why he's still a presence. The latter is understandably reeling from the tragedy, and initially thinks that spying Nate is just a drunken hallucination. No one else, not Nate's wife Freya (Emma Harvie, Colin From Accounts), eight-year-old daughter Annabel (Kamillia Rihani, The Twelve), supremely very Catholic mother Maria (Lena Cruz, Wellmania) and affable father Frank (Russell Dykstra, Irreverent), can see their dearly-departed loved one as a ghost. It's Christmas, too, in this Brisbane-shot and -set series, and facing the festivities after such a shock is far from easy. While heartily deploying Brisbane Powerhouse and New Farm Park as settings, that's a lot for one show to delve into — and delve it thoughtfully does. Tackling grief, mental health and suicide is never simple, even in a show about someone haunting their best mate, and including when such topics have been increasingly popping up in Australian fare of late (see also: Totally Completely Fine). In Limbo is clearly made with care, empathy and understanding — and, crucially, doesn't attempt to offer any firm answers, instead acting as a conversation starter. At its core, the always-excellent Corr plays a complicated role with charm. That's no surprise given his resume, and he couldn't be better cast. Corr's likeable performance always dives deep into the about-to-get-divorced Charlie's struggle without Nate physically by his side, with Nate now his ghostly offsider and with his own problems, and never brushes past the character's flaws. And, just as importantly as the show's focus on 21st-century masculinity and friendship, Corr makes such a great double act with Morley that filmmakers should be clamouring to pair them up again ASAP. In Limbo streams via ABC iView. CONFESS, FLETCH Since Mad Men had Don Draper want to buy the world a Coke to end its seven-season run back in 2015, comedy has been Jon Hamm's friend. He's the ultimate TV guest star, building upon stints in 30 Rock and Parks and Recreation while Mad Men was still airing with Toast of London, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and Curb Your Enthusiasm, on a resume that also includes The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret, Childrens Hospital, Medical Police, Angie Tribeca, The Last Man on Earth and Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp as well. So, casting him as the new Irwin Maurice 'Fletch' Fletcher couldn't be an easier move. Having fellow Mad Men standout John Slattery (The Good Fight) also appear in the latest flick about the investigative reporter, and the first since the Chevy Chase-led movies in the 80s, is another winning touch. Even if that reunion wasn't part of the film, Hamm is so entertaining that he makes a killer case for a whole new Fletch franchise — on whatever screen the powers-that-be like — with him at its centre. Hamm clearly understands how well he suits this type of character, and the genre; he's a comic delight, and he's also one of Confess, Fletch's producers. Superbad and Adventureland's Greg Mottola directs and co-writes, scripting with Outer Range's Zev Borow — and ensuring that Hamm and Slattery aren't the only acting highlights. Working through a plot that sees Fletch chasing a stolen artwork, discovering a dead body, and both looking into the crime and considered a suspect himself, the film also features engaging turns by always-welcome Twin Peaks great Kyle MacLachlan and Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar gem Annie Mumolo. There have been several attempts to revive Fletch over the past three decades, including separate projects with Ted Lasso duo Bill Lawrence and Jason Sudeikis — on the page, the character spans nine novels — but viewers should be thankful that this is the action-comedy that came to fruition, even if it skipped cinemas everywhere but the US. Confess, Fletch streams via Paramount+ and Binge. BUPKIS In its opening moments, Bupkis unloads — twice, in completely different ways, while ensuring there's zero doubt that this is a series about Pete Davidson starring Pete Davidson as Pete Davidson. First, the former Saturday Night Live comedian gets Googling while alone in the basement of the Staten Island home he shares with his mother Amy (Edie Falco, Avatar: The Way of Water). The results about Ariana Grande, Kate Beckinsale and Kim Kardashian's ex aren't positive; so, to shake off the unpleasantness of reading '12 Things Horribly Wrong with Pete Davidson', he switches from "scumbro" with "butthole eyes" comments to porn. He's wearing a VR headset, and he's soon deep in self-love. Then his mum walks in. Bupkis clearly isn't wary about getting crude. It isn't concerned about satirising its central figure, either. Instead, this semi-autobiographical dramedy relishes the parody. At the age of 29, Davidson has reached the "you may as well laugh" point in his career, which is hardly surprising given he's spent the past decade swinging his big chaotic energy around. Partway through the eight-episode series, while keen to claim some perks for being Davidson's mother — other than doting on her son, that is — Amy shouts at wait staff that "Marisa Tomei played me!". Add that to Bupkis' gleeful, playful nods to reality. An opening statement before each instalment stresses the difference between fact and fiction, and why the show has the moniker it has, but art keeps imitating life everywhere. There's no switching names, however. Davidson is indeed Davidson, his IRL mum is called Amy and his sister is Casey (Oona Roche, The Morning Show). As in The King of Staten Island, they've been a trio since 9/11, and dealing with losing his New York City firefighter dad still isn't easy. Off-screen, however, Davidson must be a fan of My Cousin Vinny, plus the gangster genre. Hailing from the former as Tomei does, and famed for his performances in the latter like The Sopranos star Falco, Goodfellas, Casino and The Irishman alum Joe Pesci is a pivotal part of Bupkis as Davidson's grandfather Joe — a hilarious and delightful part, unsurprisingly. Bupkis streams via Binge. Read our full review. VENGEANCE When Vengeance begins with a New Yorker journalist who's desperate to start his own podcast, Soho House hangouts and relationship advice from John Mayer as himself, it begins with rich and savvy character details. Writing, starring and making his feature directorial debut after helming episodes of The Office and The Mindy Project, BJ Novak instantly establishes the kind of person that Ben Manalowitz is. He shows the East Coast world that his protagonist inhabits, too — and, by focusing on the only guy in NYC without their own audio outlet, or so it seems, plus that romantic guidance, it splashes around its sense of humour. This is a sharply amusing mystery-comedy, and a highlight on Novak's resume in all three of his guises. It's also about subverting expectations, and lampooning the first impressions and broad stereotypes that are too often — and too easily — clung to. Indeed, Vengeance bakes in that idea as many ways as it can as Ben (Novak) does the most obvious thing he can to convince his producer (Issa Rae, Insecure) that his voice is worth hearing: bursts his Big Apple bubble. The Mayer bit isn't just a gag; it helps set up Ben as the kind of person who is dating so many women that he doesn't know which one has died after he gets a bereaved phone call from Texas in the middle of the night. On the other end is Ty Shaw (Boyd Holbrook, The Sandman), brother to Abilene (Lio Tipton, Why Women Kill), who insists that Ben head southwest immediately to attend her funeral — she claimed that they were serious enough that she's his girlfriend, after all. Upon arrival, the out-of-towner initially regards his hosts as jokes, and their lives and Abilene's death as content. Ty thinks she was murdered, and Ben couldn't be giddier about getting it all on tape and calling the series Dead White Girl. The journo's self-interest is up there with his obliviousness about anything that doesn't fit into his NYC orbit; however, this isn't a culture-clash comedy — thankfully — but a clever, self-aware and ambitious satire. It's also strikingly shot and features a standout performance by Ashton Kutcher (That '90s Show) as a suave record producer. Vengeance streams via Netflix and Binge. NEW AND RETURNING SHOWS TO CHECK OUT WEEK BY WEEK SILO Rebecca Ferguson will never be mistaken for Daveed Diggs, but the Dune, Mission: Impossible franchise and Doctor Sleep star now follows in the Hamilton Tony-winner's footsteps. While he has spent multiple seasons navigating dystopian class clashes on a globe-circling train in the TV version of Snowpiercer, battling his way up and down the titular locomotive, she just started ascending and descending the stairs in the underground chamber that gives Silo its moniker. Ferguson's character is also among humanity's last remnants. Attempting to endure in post-apocalyptic times, she hails from her abode's lowliest depths as well. And, when there's a murder in this instantly engrossing new ten-part series — which leaps to the screen from Hugh Howey's novels, and shares a few basic parts with Metropolis, Blade Runner and The Platform, as well as corrupt world orders at the core of The Hunger Games and The Maze Runner flicks — she's soon playing detective. Silo captivates from the outset, when its focus is the structure's sheriff Holston (David Oyelowo, See How They Run) and his wife Allison (Rashida Jones, On the Rocks). Both know the cardinal rule of the buried tower, as does deputy Marnes (Will Patton, Outer Range), mayor Ruth (Geraldine James, Benediction), security head Sims (Common, The Hate U Give), IT top brass Bernard (Tim Robbins, Dark Waters) and the other 10,000 souls they live with: if you make the request to go outside, it's irrevocable and you'll be sent there as punishment. No matter who you are, and from which level, anyone posing such a plea becomes a public spectacle. Their ask is framed as "cleaning", referring to wiping down the camera that beams the desolate planet around them onto window-sized screens in their cafeterias. No one has ever come back, or survived for more than minutes. Why? Add that to the questions piling up not just for Silo's viewers, but for the silo's residents. For more than 140 years, the latter have dwelled across their 144 floors in safety from the bleak wasteland that earth has become — but what caused that destruction and who built their cavernous home are among the other queries. Silo streams via Apple TV+. Read our full review. THE OTHER TWO Swapping Saturday Night Live for an entertainment-parodying sitcom worked swimmingly for Tina Fey. Since 2019, it's also been going hilariously for Chris Kelly and Sarah Schneider. Not just former SNL writers but the veteran sketch comedy's ex-head writers, Kelly and Schneider have been giving the world their own 30 Rock with the sharp, smart and sidesplitting The Other Two. Their angle: focusing on the adult siblings of a Justin Bieber-style teen popstar who've always had their own showbiz aspirations — he's an actor, she was a ballerina — who then find themselves the overlooked children of a momager-turned-daytime television host as well. Cary (Drew Tarver, History of the World: Part II) and Brooke (Heléne York, Katy Keene) Dubek are happy for Chase (Case Walker, Monster High: The Movie). And when their mother Pat (Molly Shannon, I Love That for You) gets her own time in the spotlight, becoming Oprah-level famous, they're equally thrilled for her. But ChaseDreams, their little brother's stage name, has always been a constant reminder that their own ambitions keep being outshone. In a first season that proved one of the best new shows of 2019, a second season in 2021 that was just as much of a delight and now a stellar third go-around, Cary and Brooke have never been above getting petty and messy about being the titular pair. In season three, however, they aren't just hanging around with stars in their eyes and resentment in their hearts. How do they cope? They've spent the past few years constantly comparing themselves to Chase, then to Pat, but now they're successful on their own — and still chaotic, and completely unable to change their engrained thinking. Forget the whole "the grass is always greener" adage. No matter if they're faking it or making it, nothing is ever perfectly verdant for this pair or anyone in their orbit. Still, as Brooke wonders whether her dream manager gig is trivial after living through a pandemic, she starts contemplating if she should be doing more meaningful work like her fashion designer-turned-nurse boyfriend Lance (Josh Segarra, The Big Door Prize). And with Cary's big breaks never quite panning out as planned, he gets envious of his fellow-actor BFF Curtis (Brandon Scott Jones, Ghosts). The Other Two streams via Binge. Read our full review. PLATONIC Sometime in the near future, Rose Byrne, Seth Rogen and filmmaker Nicholas Stoller could easily join forces on a new rom-com. In fact, they should. Until then, buddy comedy Platonic makes a hilarious, engagingly written and directed, and perfectly cast addition to each's respective resumes. Reuniting the trio after 2014's Bad Neighbours and its 2016 sequel Bad Neighbours 2, this new series pairs Australia's comedy queen and America's go-to stoner as longterm pals who are never anything but mates — and haven't been in touch at all for years — but navigate a friendship that's as chaotic and complicated as any movie romance. That's an easy setup; however, watching the show's stars bicker, banter and face the fact that life doesn't always turn out as planned together proves as charming as it was always going to. Also, Platonic smartly doesn't try to be a romantic comedy, or to follow in When Harry Met Sally's footsteps. Instead, Platonic explores what happens when two former besties have gone their own ways, then come back together. The show knows that reconnecting with old pals is always tinged with nostalgia for the person you were when they were initially in your life. And, it's well-aware that reckoning with where you've ended up since is an immediate side effect. Enter Sylvia (Byrne, Seriously Red), who reaches out to Will (Rogen, The Super Mario Bros Movie) after hearing that he's no longer with the wife (Alisha Wainwright, Raising Dion) she didn't like. She's also a suburban-dwelling former lawyer who put work on hold to become a mother of three, and can't help feeling envious of her husband Charlie's (Luke Macfarlane, Bros) flourishing legal career. Her old BFF co-owns and runs an LA brewpub, is obsessive about his beer and hipster/slacker image, and hasn't been taking his breakup well. They couldn't be in more different places in their lives. When they meet up again, they couldn't appear more dissimilar, too. "You look like you live at Ann Taylor Loft," is Will's assessment. Sylvia calls him "a '90s grunge clown." Neither is wrong. Platonic streams via Apple TV+. Read our full review. THE CLEARING They're called The Kindred, not The Family. Adrienne Beaufort is their leader, not Anne Hamilton-Byrne. But there's no mistaking the inspiration for JP Pomare's book In the Clearing and its new eight-part adaptation The Clearing. Exploring the inner workings of an Australian cult based in rural Victoria, spouting New Age sentiments mixed with doomsday thinking, fixated upon blonde-haired children and led by a charismatic woman — a rare female cult leader — this tale fictionalises the real-life details documented in countless newspaper headlines since the 80s, and also in Rosie Jones' 2016 documentary The Family and 2019 series The Cult of the Family. Amid their so-wild-they-can-only-be-true stories, both of those projects showed viewers the eerie image of children with platinum locks in severe bobs and dressed in matching blue attire. That distinctive look is similarly at the heart of Disney+'s first original scripted Aussie drama. In the earlier of its two timelines, Amy (Julia Savage, Blaze) dons the tresses and uniform as one of the older children at Adrienne's (Miranda Otto, Wellmania) Blackmarsh bush compound — one being prepared to be her heir, and made an accomplice in the group's quest to add more kids to its ranks. Initially dutiful, the teenager is soon questioning the only existence she's ever known, with its harsh rules, strict aunties keeping everyone in line between Adrienne's sporadic visits, weekend services attended by well-to-do acolytes and, sharing the show's title, its LSD-fuelled confessional sessions. When The Clearing dwells in the now, still in Victoria at its leafiest, the smear of heartbreak and damage is ever-present. Indeed, when single mother Freya Heywood (Teresa Palmer, Ride Like a Girl) hears about a girl being abducted, she can't shake the feeling that history is repeating. She dotes over her primary school-aged son Billy (debutant Flynn Wandin), but she's also visibly nervous and anxious. When she keeps spotting a white van, she's a portrait of panic. The Clearing streams via Disney+. Read our full review. HIGH DESERT In High Desert, the always-excellent Patricia Arquette (Severance) leads a private investigator comedy that dapples its jam-packed chaos under California's golden sun, against the parched Yucca Valley landscape and with an anything-goes philosophy — not to mention a more-mayhem-the-merrier tone. She plays Peggy Newman, who isn't letting her age get in the way of perennially struggling to pull her life together. That said, when the eight-part series begins, it's Thanksgiving 2013 and she's living an upscale existence in Palm Springs, with gleaming surfaces abounding in her expansive (and visibly expensive) home. Then, as her husband Denny (Matt Dillon, Proxima) jokes around with her mother Roslyn (Bernadette Peters, Mozart in the Jungle), and her younger siblings Dianne (Christine Taylor, Search Party) and Stewart (Keir O'Donnell, The Dry) lap up the lavish festivities, DEA agents swarm outside. Cue weed, hash and cash stashes being flushed and trashed, but not quickly enough to avoid splashing around serious repercussions. A decade later, High Desert's protagonist has been sharing Roslyn's house and trying to kick her addictions while working at Pioneertown, a historical attraction that gives tourists a dusty, gun-toting taste of frontier life. Peggy would love to step back in time herself when she's not pretending to be a saloon barmaid — to when her recently deceased mother was still alive, however, rather than to her glitzy post-arrest shindigs. Still angry about being caught up in a drug bust, Dianne and Stewart have zero time for her nostalgia and a lack of patience left for her troubles. Their plan: to sell Roslyn's abode with no worries about where Peggy might end up. Her counter: doing everything she can to stop that from happening. High Desert doesn't just embrace the fact that living and breathing is merely weathering whatever weird, wild and sometimes-wonderful shambles fate throws your way; in a show created and written by Nurse Jackie and Damages alumni Jennifer Hoppe and Nancy Fichman, plus Miss Congeniality and Desperate Housewives' Katie Ford, that idea dictates the busy plot, too. High Desert streams via Apple TV+. Read our full review. Need a few more streaming recommendations? Check out our picks from January, February, March and April this year. You can also check out our list of standout must-stream 2022 shows as well — and our best 15 new shows of last year, top 15 returning shows over the same period, 15 shows you might've missed and best 15 straight-to-streaming movies of 2022.
Early in The Super Mario Bros Movie, pop culture's go-to red-capped plumber (Chris Pratt, Thor: Love and Thunder) sits down to dinner with his brother Luigi (Charlie Day, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia) and the rest of their family. Pasta is on offer for the Italian American brood, but it comes with something that the Nintendo favourite and gaming mainstay since 1981's first-ever Donkey Kong title quickly advises that he hates: mushrooms. Fans know that more fungi are in his future. In this animated take on the beloved character, his sibling, and their pals and adversaries, a trip to the Mushroom Kingdom is inevitable. And, while there, Mario will meet Toad — a pint-sized humanoid with a toadstool for a head, who is part of a whole race of such folks also called Toads. From the titular brothers through to Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy, The Menu), the fire-breathing Bowser (Jack Black, Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood) and even big gorilla Donkey Kong (Seth Rogen, The Fabelmans), The Super Mario Bros Movie stacks together the bulk of the gaming franchise's best-known figures — and Toad is one of them. It also assembles an impressive voice cast to help bring its players to life, including Keegan-Michael Key as its main mushroom man. Here, the actor and sketch-comedy great's tones prove as elastic as his face and limbs long have, especially in iconic skit series Key & Peele. How do you voice a diminutive critter who is as perky as he is tiny? Someone who Key likens to a golden retriever? With ample energy, as The Super Mario Bros Movie's viewers hear. While fellow Key & Peele namesake Jordan Peele followed up that five-season 2012–15 show with a jump behind the lens, helming Get Out, Us and Nope — and earning an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for the former — Key has remained a constant on-screen. The pair also share Fargo, Keanu, Toy Story 4 and Wendell & Wild on their resumes, teaming up in front of the lens or through voice work on all four; however, Key's list of credits spans everything from Parks and Recreation and Schmigadoon! to The Predator and Dolemite Is My Name. He's broken out his vocal talents in Archer and Bob's Burgers, too, and in the photorealistic version of The Lion King as well. But signing on for The Super Mario Bros Movie couldn't have been an easier choice for the OG Donkey Kong aficionado. That instant enthusiasm comes through in a perky, peppy performance — a voice that's squeakier than viewers are used to from Key, but slides easily into a career that keeps bounding in every on-screen direction possible. During his Key & Peele days, he brought audiences President Obama's anger translator Luther, substitute teacher Mr Garvey and his creative pronunciations, a "Liam Neesons"-loving valet, one of the brilliant 'Aerobics Meltdown' sketch's fierce lycra-clad competitors and more. Of course he's been bouncing here, there and everywhere since. With The Super Mario Bros Movie now in cinemas, Concrete Playground chatted with Key about jumping at the part, finding his Toad voice, preparing for the part, drawing upon his improv background and what he looks for in a role. ON TURNING DONKEY KONG FANDOM INTO A SUPER MARIO BROS ROLE Do you need to be a Super Mario Bros fan to press start on being in one of the game's leaps to the screen? Bob Hoskins, who played the titular character in 1993's live-action movie, famously wasn't. But Key was — and instantly said yes to being involved in the second film bringing Mario and the game's characters to cinemas. "I was a fan of Super Mario, or Mario Bros in the beginning, from Donkey Kong. I was a big Donkey Kong fan way back in the day," Key advises. "So when they approached me and asked me to do Toad, I was like 'I'd be more than happy. I don't even need to see the script! I'm happy. I'm in. I'm your guy. Whatever you want, whatever you need, I'm your guy'." ON FINDING THE RIGHT VOICE FOR TOAD While Key sits among The Super Mario Bros Movie's well-known names, his vocal work stands out from Pratt, Day, Taylor-Joy, Black, Rogan and company. Listen to Mario, Luigi, Peach, Bowser and DK, viewers immediately recognise the actor behind them. That isn't the case with Toad and Key. "What I did is, I was impersonating a friend of mine and trying to get his vocal patterns and vocal rhythms. And I brought that to the table, and then the directors [Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic] and I both worked on the pitch, and trying to find where the right pitch would be — and if I could get the voice higher and higher, then higher and higher," Key notes. "And I finally got him some place up here [Key's voice gets higher], until we then got him even higher than that [Key's voice returns to its usual pitch]. Then, mostly the biggest trick was trying to figure out how to maintain that voice while I was in the booth — because sometimes you'd be in the booth for three-to-six hours, and you're trying to figure out how do you maintain that." "So I would just pretend I was — you know, I'm like: 'what would it be like if I was sucking on a helium balloon? How do I make my voice sound like that?'. And then I'm like: 'what else can I do? I don't know — wear tight pants? I'll wear tight pants!'. Anything to keep that voice at that high register." ON PREPARING FOR PLAYING A HUMANOID WITH A MUSHROOM FOR A HEAD The Super Mario Bros Movie starts in reality — animated reality, but in Brooklyn. Here, there aren't mushrooms as far as the eye can see, or coin blocks, or rainbow roads to race on Mario Kart-style. And there definitely aren't mushroom men like Toad. All it takes is a warp pipe to transport Mario and Luigi into the realm seen in Nintendo games for four decades now. That's where Toad comes in. Asked how you prepare for such a part — playing a toadstool-topped humanoid, specifically — Key is all about creativity and being upbeat (and one of humanity's favourite pets). "I think it's just making sure that you're sparking your imagination on any given day. Because what I did — I knew what Toad looked like, but I would just sometimes look at pictures of him and just go 'what am I getting from this picture? What am I getting about how I can portray this?'," he says. "There's something about him that's snappy and positive. He's also like a mushroom-man version of a golden retriever. I wanted him to have that kind of sensibility when I portrayed him." ON DRAWING UPON HIS SKETCH-COMEDY BACKGROUND In the sketch-comedy game, Key is a legend. Before Key & Peele, he spent six seasons on Mad TV, too, also often opposite Peele. And, prior to that, he's among the long list of comedy names to have come through improv troupe The Second City — as Peele also did, and Bill Murray, Mike Myers, Catherine O'Hara, Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler as well. That background came in handy with The Super Mario Bros Movie, including getting into character. "I did get to improvise. I got to improvise quite a bit. A lot of it ended up on the cutting-room floor, but I like to use the improvisation to get into the spirit of it more than anything else," Key explains. "Sometimes I would just improvise right before the line and then jump into the line, and that would give the line the feeling I wanted it to have, the sense and the spirit that I wanted it to have." "Sometimes, you can just use improvisation in that way and it still helps." [caption id="attachment_896345" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Gage Skidmore via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] ON WHAT HE LOOKS FOR IN A PART Key's time on-screen dates back a couple of decades, including a one-episode stint in ER in 2001, plus 00s roles in Role Models and Due Date. What appeals to him now, after Pitch Perfect 2, Tomorrowland, Win It All and The Disaster Artist as well, and also Friends From College, Veep, No Activity and Reboot? Movies and TV shows that stand out. "I look for something in the project that's a little different. Something that catches my eye is always going to be something that I've never seen before. So, if you take a project like Schmigadoon!, I go 'oh god, I've never seen anything like that — if they're interested in me doing that, I want to do that'," Key says. "And the same thing with Super Mario Bros. I figured it would make a lot of sense — I understand what the movie looked like in 1993, when they made the live-action one, but I'm like 'what would it look like if it were this animated movie with the technology that we have today to make animation?'. I thought 'this thing's going to look amazing'." "So I try to jump onboard things that have a little twist to them — some kind of fun, clever twist that makes them different than whatever your run-of-the-mill project might be." The Super Mario Bros Movie released in cinemas Down Under on Wednesday, April 5. Read our full review.
As all at CP know — and passionately dedicate our work lives to — this city is much more than the iconic landmarks that first spring to mind when you hear 'Sydney'. Of course, the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and Bondi Beach are breathtaking, but there are places hidden in plain sight that visitors (and locals) tend to overlook when getting out and about. And more than a few that, unexpectedly, could see you flexing those creative muscles. Together with Archie Rose, the much-loved Rosebery-based distillery, we've uncovered life drawing nights in CBD pubs, watercolour classes in distilleries and jewellery-making workshops in art galleries that'll help you discover Sydney a little differently as you unleash (or hone) your artistic side. TAKE A CREATIVE CLASS IN A ROSEBERY DISTILLERY First up, why not head to Rosebery and lean into the right side of your brain with Archie Rose. The distillery — which boasts the likes of Lemon Scented Gum Gin and Eau de Bee Honey Spirit as well as its stand-out signature range — also hosts a variety of classes that bring out your inner artist in a deliciously different environment. There's the Dynamic Ceramics with Klaypots class, which tasks you with shaping your own ceramic pieces while drinking in your surrounds (and bespoke Archie Rose cocktails) over two hours. You'll be guided by ceramicist Karina Goudie and leave with three glazed pieces heading off to get fired. If painting is more your thing, Harvest Inspired Watercolour Painting will see you making a start on your portfolio. You'll also take home your paintbrush and watercolour pan, so you're sure to achieve master status in no time. And for those looking to add a festive touch to their home, the Spirited Christmas Wreath Making Workshop invites Peony Story's founder and chief designer Nikki Zeng to the distillery to guide you through the construction of a European-style Christmas wreath. Expect preserved foliage and everlasting blooms aplenty — the perfect serve alongside your welcome G&T. Once you're in the space, don't be surprised if the creativity firing in your brain ask you to take it another step further — and Archie Rose's Tailored Spirits offering allows you to do just that. Choose the botanicals for your own customised bottle of gin, or play creative director and design the label for your own bottled cocktail. And if you've ever wanted to create your own spirit, you can even have your own cask of whiskey made. Pick your base malt, spirit style, cask type and even the strength, before the resident experts carry out your orders and have your bottles on their way to you in two to three months. [caption id="attachment_877756" align="alignnone" width="1920"] @september___studio[/caption] THROW CLAY IN A DARLINGHURST FLORIST Just as we have actor-slash-musicians and editor-slash-writers, there are venue versions of the slashie. Head to Darlinghurst to find September Studio, a delightful florist-slash-ceramics-studio. Spend Sunday afternoon — or your after-work hours on a Tuesday, Thursday or Friday — in the Boundary Street corner spot for an introductory ceramics class. In just under 90 minutes, you'll have been shown the ropes of wheel-throwing and hand-building by ceramicist and September Studio owner Bryce Heyworth. By home time, you'll have two hand-crafted pieces — and for an extra $15 on top of the $75 class, those pieces can be trimmed and taken to the kiln. If one session isn't enough, $50 will get returning students an hour in the floral-filled space. You'll have access to the wheels, clay and Heyworth's expertise, all while surrounded by clay vessels carrying leftover stems. Darlo is a hot spot for some of the best bars in town, so make a night of it and nab yourself an after-class sip at Love, Tilly Devine, or catch up with your mates over Italian snacks at Fortuna. [caption id="attachment_877560" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Simi Eliott[/caption] TAKE UP GLASSBLOWING AMIDST THE MARRICKVILLE BREWERY PRECINCT It's time to branch out and familiarise yourself with a fascinating new skill: glassblowing. Nestled in the heart of Marrickville's brewery precinct, creative studio Among the Trees hosts contemporary glass artist Mark Eliott as he conducts classes that showcase the wonders of glassblowing. If you just want to dip a toe in, head to Class Bento and book a spot in the taster class. Over 2.5 hours, you'll get to try your hand at sculpting glass in the flame (after Eliott demonstrates and takes you through safety demos, of course) using a rainbow of borosilicate rods, before you take home two glass objects to show off at your next gathering. There's also a full-day masterclass that will give you more time to get creative and refine your stretching, blowing and creative techniques. And since you're in Marrickville, go grab a brewskie at one of the nearby breweries — The Bob Hawke Beer & Leisure Centre, Batch and Stockade are all within walking distance. SPEND A NIGHT NUDE LIFE DRAWING AT A CBD PUB Always wanted to have your own Rose and Jack moment and draw someone like one of your French girls? Head to The Attic — inside CBD fave ArtHouse Hotel — on a Monday night for a nude life-drawing session. Each week, models of all shapes and sizes get their kit off in the name of you getting artsy. The casual classes, ideally situated in close proximity to the bar, allow you to go with your creative flow or request guidance from the night's approachable host. You're free to use provided supplies or experiment with colour, textures and mediums by bringing along your own supplies. Entry is $7, vibes are high and the bar's fully stocked — the recipe for a cracking start to your work week. [caption id="attachment_877589" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ash Durden[/caption] MAKE A PIECE OF JEWELLERY IN A NORTHERN BEACHES ART GALLERY If there's a class to truly induce a feeling of accomplishment, it's one where you can hand-crafted your own jewellery. One set in an art gallery near the ocean surely only adds to the allure. HAKE House of Art is the recently opened gallery in Dee Why that celebrates and supports artists while creating a place "where art comes to life and is breathed into our community". As well as regular exhibits — with local artists like Lucinda Jones and Neil Tomkins — the creative space hosts jewellery house The Fifth Lane's silversmithing masterclasses (which are accompanied by beer, wine and nibbles). Tommy Lane, the head maker and owner of the jewellery biz, fronts the $175 sessions and guides you as you make a piece of your choice — fine stacking rings, a chunky ring or silver bangle (you can even upgrade to 9ct gold, you fancy thing). You'll heat your metal, bend it into your desired shape, try your hand at soldering and then file and sand to achieve a lustre of your liking. There's no experience needed, just a desire to learn and willingness to get hands-on. In 2.5 hours, you'll have created your new wearable piece in a space dedicated to creative expression. FYI: The Fifth Lane runs classes on the Central Coast and North Coast and in other Sydney spots, too. RECORD THE NEXT HIT PODCAST JUST MOMENTS FROM PARRAMATTA ROAD Whether you've got the bones of a tip-top investigative piece in your back pocket or you rate your group chat's chat 10/10, timing's everything in the release of a podcast — so you should book this cosily furnished Camperdown recording studio, stat. Just far enough away from the bustle of Parra Road, this space is equipped with two kitchens, bathrooms, chill-out areas and space enough for 30 people. Recording equipment is provided, as is a whole host of instruments — vintage guitars, drum kits and a grand piano, specifically. At $150 per hour, and with a four-hour minimum, you'd best get your script drafted, your guests (or co-hosts) locked down and begin planning the release of what's sure to be the next hit poddy. If you're looking to get creative in Sydney, an arty masterclass at Archie Rose is an ideal spot to start. Head to the website to book your spot. Top images: Ash Durden (second); Simi Eliott (third, student is Ali Vandeness)
While some people say eating something fresh and healthy will help fix a hangover, in our opinion, there's nothing better than a big piece of crispy fried chicken sandwiched between a couple of pieces of bread to fix a lingering headache. The humble fried chicken sandwich comes in many forms, popping up in different versions all over the world — and all over Sydney. Whether you like it southern-style with a spicy kick, as a classic schnitty on sourdough, or stuffed in pita bread with garlic sauce, this city has you covered. For when you're looking for something to soak up those 'few too many' schooners, or next time you're looking for somewhere new to grab Friday lunch, here are our picks for Sydney's best fried chicken sangas.
While Chris Anderson was a big deal at TED's local TEDxSydney this year, the stars of the day were the regular TED speakers. Talks on the sign-reading skills of bees, the need for random selection to the senate, how coral fits in with the Transit of Venus and the unremarkable things that kill us all made for attention-grabbing stuff. Concrete Playground had the chance to chat briefly with three of these speakers, their fields covering whether to feel safe around robots, where grownups can get an imaginary friend and how to explain quantum theory to schoolkids. Hugh Durrant-Whyte is a former roboticist now working at NICTA in Everleigh. In his talk he explained not the future of robots, but what robots are already doing. He talked to us about the shape of robotics now and in the future. You said once before that you were a bit of a luddite. Is that still true? I don't have a mobile phone, I don't drive a car. I don't have a driving license. If that's a luddite: I'm a luddite. Why do you love robots? What got you into the field? Well, they're cool. As an engineer, I think what really drives you is making a difference. And it's so clear to see that in robotics. What do real robots look like? What sort of variety is there? Really anything. Imagine a machine: whether it's a car, or an aeroplane, or something that looks human-like, or indeed is perhaps just an arm, or just legs, or just a head. Any of those can be a robot. Because a robot in the end is simply this idea — that you observe what's really happening in the world, using sensors, vision for example. And you use that to decide what you're going to do, whether you're going to pick something up, manufacture a car, fly in a particular direction or drive down the street. And that makes a robot. It's the fact that it adapts to the world, or is capable of adapting to the world. So, it doesn't need just rules like you have in a normal computer program. Autonomy is a key word in this: without human intervention. The crucial thing in the perception part of it, is to be able to detect failure and to be able to autonomously recover from that. If you can do that then you can get a robot like the Port of Brisbane ones that have now operated for 5 years non-stop, 24 hours a day. All of them without ever going wrong. You have to be able to detect and recover from all failures. Not just the ones you model, but "unknown unknowns". Which is the challenge. When I was growing up I was a big fan of Isaac Asimov. And what me feel safe about robots was basically because I had this model of the three laws of robotics. Why should I feel safe about robotics with real robots? I'm not sure you should feel safe, I think it's fair to say. How far do you push robots? It's a tricky question. But it's a tricky question with all technology. We do have things now: these drones, the UAVs. They don't actually decide to shoot [for] themselves, a person does that. But, let's be honest here: you could probably figure out how to do that bit. There's a fine line there. And, sending robots to war? I don't know. Skynet must be something you end up talking about a lot? I think the bigger question people ask you about, in truth, is job loss. This brings us back to Ludd. We have gone through industrial revolutions for 300 years that have gradually automated things, and robotics is in some sense the logical conclusion of that. The other Chris Anderson was saying that as different things become abundant, you get new scarcity. I agree. I think that indeed is the case. The one thing, personally, that slightly worries me about it, now that I'm not really in robotics any more, is… Robots are replacing groups that are least able to actually retrain. Or use their lives in some productive other manner. So I no longer work in robotics: if that isn't clear. Evan Kidd researches imaginary friends. In his talk, he explained their value for children. Once parents understand what he has to say, they often ask how they can get one for their own kids. He talked to us about where grown-ups fit in. What's the difference between me liking Doctor Who or Joss Whedon's super-hero movies and me having an imaginary friend? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. It's fantasy play. And these behaviours — like being, for instance, into science fiction, or things like Star Trek, or Buffy the Vampire Slayer, even Twilight — these provide fantasy elements that are exactly like fantasy play with children. Except, what you're doing really is not inventing it. But when you get to things like fan fiction and things like that, that's exactly what it is. Do you know the comedian Amy Sedaris? She would go on Letterman all the time and talk about her imaginary boyfriend Ricky. These behaviours don't go away. They just change. So often what you would find, for instance, in elderly couples, when one has died, the other will continue to talk to their dead spouse. And not in a creepy way, but in a way to keep their relationship with them alive. And that's exactly the same thing as what's happening with an imaginary friend in some way. It's just a really nice way — through really what is fantasy, but has a beginning in reality — of keeping warm and nice feelings available to you. Michelle Simmons runs the ARC Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology. What does that mean? She works to make quantum computing practical. What does that mean? She works to make computers run incredibly fast. In keeping with the global TED's new focus on education, she talked to us, very quickly, about how she explains science to a younger audience. Do you normally talk to non-scientific audiences? I do a lot of talking in schools. Teenage or younger? All the way down. At the university of NSW we have an outreach group, and for years I've told them I'm very keen to talk to schools. It's actually the most enjoyable part of everything I do. Over the years I think people have tried to dumb science down for them. And I don't think you need to. What sort of things do you tell them? The same things you were saying here? I actually add probably even more technical details than I would have had at the [TED] talk. I think the thing they don't appreciate is that we lead science in Australia, internationally. And I think they're just not aware of that. They just think that we're following other people. My field is quantum physics, and in Australia we're working on silicon quantum computing, we've got people doing optical quantum computing, people doing communication in the quantum medium, we've got astrophysics, we've got Brian Schmidt talking later today. What he does is world-leading. I mean: every area that I know in Australia is world leading. Leading image of Chris Anderson by Fe Lumsdaine, Lumsdaine Photography. Image of Hugh Durrant-Whyte by JJ Halans. Image of Evan Kidd by David Clare, First Light Photography. Image of Michelle Simmons by JJ Halans.
Harry's Bondi is undoubtedly a local institution, having served hungry all-comers since 1997. Yet despite the cafe's immense longevity, there's a good chance the team has never given away its ever-popular breakfast for free before. But that's precisely what's going down this Saturday, August 9, as Harry's Bondi adds another element to the House of Eats series presented by Uber Eats. Moving into Rainbow Studios for the occasion, this brekkie experience is first-come, first-served, so don't miss your chance. Kickstarting your weekend with a bright and zesty combo, Harry's is serving up its lemon and ricotta croissant with white chocolate and pistachio drizzle. Plus, there's a special mandarin version of the cafe's much-loved iced matcha, canned in-house, if you can believe it. In fact, this free breakfast is one way those who missed out on the House of Eats four-course feast, held the previous night, can make up for their misfortune. Available from 8–10am, Harry's Bondi has 300 brekkies up for grabs — rub your eyes and rise early to make sure you snag one.
If you're looking for old-world hospitality and warm Italian service, look no further than Cucina Porto at The Star. Here, it's less about seasonal trends and glamour — the team is more focused on serving up hearty Italian fare for the heart and soul, within a sleek and charming setting. The menu is inspired by Executive Chef Martino Pulito's childhood in Puglia, a small southern region of Italy known for its hilly farmland and expansive coastline. It also borrows from other Italian regions including Parma, Bolgna and Rome. Start with the foolproof stone-baked bread paired with a 22-month aged Parama prosciutto. A burrata served on a bed of pistachio pesto and 'ndjua crumbs, as well as a Puglia-style white anchovy dish, rounds out the starter favourites. Moving onto the pasta selection, cavatelli is paired with silky slow-cooked cuttlefish, gremolata and ink rice crackers; while gnochetti with seasonal mushrooms, parmesan and crispy cavolo nero is ideal for veggie-loving plus ones. The Star has had a small fleet of new venues join since the beginning of the year, including Mashi No Mashi hailing from Tokyo's WAGYUMAFIA team and the recently opened experiential venue ELE.
"The worlds that we create are heightened and slightly larger than life," says artist, designer and maker Jonathon Oxlade. It's a credo he's carried across multiple stage productions, including Faustus with Bell Shakespeare and Wizard of Oz with the Windmill Theatre Company. Helpmann-nominated for his work on School Dance and Pinocchio, he's been covered in design gongs, notably the prestigious Sidney Myer Creative Fellowship this December and an AACTA award for Best Costume Design. Oxlade's most high profile project is Windmill Theatre's production of Girl Asleep, the coming of age story of Greta, 14, very shy and starting life at a new school. On her first day there she meets the geeky Elliott and they develop an unlikely friendship. Her life and all its inherent confusion stays private until her parents throw her a massive 15th birthday party and all her internal chaos spills over. Together with writer Matthew Whittet and director Rosemary Myers, Oxlade helped bring the stage play to life in Adelaide in 2014 before translating the play into a widely celebrated feature film. Currently, the trio are masterminding a run of the play at Belvoir. We caught up with Oxlade to talk film, design and what this renaissance man has planned for the future. ON WAKING UP GIRL ASLEEP Without a doubt, Oxlade is one of Australia's most whimsical theatre designers, having studied illustration and sculpture at the Queensland College of Art. "A lot of my work is in magical realism and fantasy," he says, listing Jean-Luc Godard, Japanese film and even Bjork as creative minds that ignite his own. Each of Oxlade's projects exudes a certain nostalgic eccentricity, almost lending a living, breathing personality to the set itself. "With most of the shows that we make at the Windmill Theatre, the scripts or the ideas treat the sets and design like a character," he says, and you can see what he means with the set of Belvoir's current run of Girl Asleep, a bold, playful personality dressed in the bright, phantasmagoric garb of the 1970s — just look at that bright purple wallpaper. Oxlade is quick to stress, however, that, "it's our version of the '70s — it's not an historic piece." The play's script lends itself to a vivid reimagining on stage. "Matt [Whittet] writes, very visually," he says, and a whole swathe of unexpected influences combine to create evocative aesthetic of the play. "The whole team is heavily influenced by a lot of different genres," he says, "including film. A lot of our references when we make theatre are film references, and a lot of the other references are photography and graphic novels." The design of the play shares a stylised composition that's heightened in colour, illuminating shared influences with legendary director, Wes Anderson. "They're his signatures," Oxlade says, "but people have been doing that for a really long time." ON TRANSLATING STAGE TO SCREEN Onstage, Oxlade's bright, Wes Anderson-like designs physically frame lead character Greta's world, a whimsical but recognisable landscape sitting on the cusp of adulthood. Moving this kind of set into a cinematic situation was a welcome challenge for Oxlade. A success with critics and audiences alike in 2016, Girl Asleep was Oxlade's first foray into the world of film, allowing his stage design to develop into new, free territory. "The film has a really obvious, kind of fractured space that works for the psychology of what Greta is going through," he says. "Visually, we could do so much more, so we did so much more!" Not bound by the need to create a space on stage that "forms a metaphor for every space in the script", Oxlade found a certain freedom in bringing the play to the big screen. "In terms of the design, it grew a lot more," he says. "In theatre, there's an abbreviated design world, but in film we have the opportunity to make some really special places." [caption id="attachment_602287" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Original costume design from Girl Asleep. Courtesy of Jonathon Oxlade.[/caption] ON WHAT'S NEXT In early December, Oxlade was awarded the prestigious Sidney Myer Creative Fellowship — a peer reviewed fellowship granted for outstanding talent and exceptional courage. "It's an amazing privilege," he says, though Oxlade is clearly not a man to rest on his laurels. Instead, the plan is to keep on keeping on. "It's a compulsion for me to make things," he says. "So I'm just going to keep on doing it and hopefully people like it." And, with a work ethic and a creative eye that sees more than the Eye of Sauron, it's hard to see how people won't. Girl Asleep runs at Belvoir Theatre until December 24. Book tickets and find more info on Belvoir's website. By James Whitton with Imogen Baker.
For eight years now, being in the room where it happens has been the only thing that's mattered in musical theatre. Back in February 2015, Lin-Manuel Miranda's Hamilton officially opened off-Broadway. By July the same year, it was previewing on Broadway itself. The rest is Tony-, Grammy-, Olivier-, Drama Desk- and Pulitzer Prize-winning history — including a stint in Australia since March 2021, starting in Sydney, then playing Melbourne and now treading the boards in Brisbane. Anyone lucky enough to be in the room where Hamilton has been happening — and everyone who has watched the smash-hit show in its filmed form, too, courtesy of a recording from 2016 that's been streaming on Disney+ since 2020 — has experienced a phenomenon. They've also enjoyed a crash course in American history, no matter where they're from or where the musical is playing. That's always been part of the excitement for Miranda, who made the trip to Australia over the weekend of Saturday, March 4–Sunday, March 5 to be in the room where the Aussie production's Brisbane leg is happening, much to the delight of Sunshine State audiences. "My kind of dirty secret answer is we don't know much about American history in America," Miranda advised at a press conference to discuss the show. "I didn't learn any of this. All I knew about Hamilton when I picked up that book was that the dude was on the $10 bill. I knew his son died in a duel because I wrote a report about him in my junior year. I knew his son died in a duel and that he died in a duel in nearly the same spot three years later." Miranda is talking about American Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, of course, and about the Ron Chernow-penned 2004 non-fiction book about him that Hamilton is based on. After finally seeing the Australian show, which features Jason Arrow as Alexander Hamilton — the role Miranda originated — the acclaimed talent chatted through the musical's beginnings, its commitment to diversity, his songwriting process and more at a Brisbane press conference. STEPPING BEYOND WELL-KNOWN US HISTORY — AND CHALLENGING WHOSE STORIES GET TOLD Most folks don't take someone they've vaguely heard of at school and turn their tale into the biggest musical of the 21st century. Miranda isn't most folks, clearly. Armed with exactly that amount of knowledge, Miranda began to adapt Chernow's book, a process that took seven years. At its centre: the Caribbean-born "bastard, orphan, son of a whore and a Scotsman", with Miranda's musical charting Hamilton's impact upon America from his arrival in New York in the early 1770s. As the show's opening number explains, Hamilton went on to become "the ten-dollar Founding Father without a father" — and also "got a lot farther by working a lot harder, by being a lot smarter and by being a self-starter". Bringing that tale to the stage wasn't just about picking a figure from US history and unpacking their tale, though, but also about exploring whose stories get told. "One of the secret ingredients in the recipe is my excitement in the fact that not a lot of people knew this story — at least, this is not a story I learned. We got a few highlights, but we didn't learn this story in our AP history classes. And so, I think that the story is just a compelling one, and I think one of the central themes in it is which stories get told and which don't depending on who survives us," Miranda noted at his Brisbane press conference. "And their reputations rise and they fall because people are complicated. There are no heroes or villains in this piece, there's just really flawed people making a really flawed country." "It's funny, the emails I would get when we first opened were always 3am emails. They weren't like 'thank you, I like your show, thank you for inviting me'. They were like 'what am I doing with my life?'. Because when you have a show that documents several lives over the course of many years, it makes you ask your own questions. And I think that's the secret also — it starts as being this very specific history piece, but it really invites you to think about what kind of legacy you'll leave." CREATING OPPORTUNITIES AND CHAMPIONING DIVERSITY Hamilton doesn't just question who gets immortalised in history, who becomes a mere footnote, who is forgotten and why. It also confronts and challenges how representation and diversity have typically been handled in theatre, in the tales told in general and in who's telling them. "It's my prerequisite for being in the room talking to you," said Miranda at the press conference about Hamilton's diverse casting, including in Australia. "I began writing musicals because I didn't see roles for myself in musicals." "I was in love with this art form, and at the same time I knew I don't dance well enough to play Bernardo or one of the Sharks [in West Side Story], and that's kind of all there is for Puerto Rican guys in musical theatre — it's just what there was, what existed," he continued. "So I really began writing the first show, In the Heights, out of this desire to write what was missing, and also represent my neighbourhood in a way that I didn't see it portrayed in mainstream media, to speak nothing of musical theatre." [caption id="attachment_846530" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Daniel Boud[/caption] "An amazing side effect of that, and with Hamilton, I realised that I'm trying to create opportunities in my shows. The concept of this piece is that we are living 200 somewhat years past when this story was told and the country looks very different than it did then, and so we get to tell this story with all its messiness — we get to tell it, too." "It also just gets us new stories. That's the other exciting part of it — to invite more people into the room means to invite new stories and to invite new narratives." [caption id="attachment_774807" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Hamilton filmed version courtesy Disney+.[/caption] FINDING HAMILTON'S SONGS ANYWHERE AND EVERYWHERE Hamilton's meaningful and essential aims will always remain crucial to its success. As anyone who has had 'My Shot', 'You'll Be Back' or 'The Room Where It Happens' stuck in their head knows, however — so, anyone who has ever seen Hamilton in any form, or even just heard its soundtrack — the show's songs are also pivotal. "I'm really egalitarian," Miranda explained about his songwriting process. "I'll take it whatever way it wants to show up. I do believe they show up, and different songwriters have different theories about it. There's the famous story of Michael Jackson's insomnia, and someone said 'Michael, why don't you get some sleep?'. And he said 'if I go to sleep, god will give the song to Prince'. I love that story." "Hamilton is a fantastic example where every kind of song got written in every kind of way," Miranda continued in Brisbane, giving examples. "'My Shot' took over a year, and it was six months before I even sat at a piano. It was very much a lyrics-first song, because I knew that my thesis was [that] Hamilton's the best writer of that circle, [so] his bars better be good. And I just worked on his bars because I wanted his bars to be good over this beat and this beat before I even put my hands on the keys." "'You'll Be Back' showed up on my honeymoon, without a piano anywhere in sight. The 'ya-da da-da da' got stuck in my head, and I think the reason it's so catchy is because I had to remember it for the two weeks I was in Bora Bora with my wife until I could get back to piano in the real world — because I was in a cabana." FINALLY MAKING THE TRIP DOWN UNDER TO SEE THE AUSTRALIAN CAST When Hamilton wraps up its Brisbane season at QPAC's Lyric Theatre on Sunday, April 23, the show will leave the country for a New Zealand run. Miranda acknowledges that he's left it late in the musical's Australian tour to make a visit — two years to the month it premiered Down Under, in fact — but, given the events of the past few years, there's a good reason for that. "Honestly, the timing was as soon as I could make it work," Miranda told the Brisbane press conference. "I think you guys know there was a moment during the global pandemic when Australia was the only company of Hamilton running in the world. That was a real beacon of hope to our actors and other companies that theatre would come back, and they'd hopefully be able to one day put on the show again." "But it was also harder to visit. You had a 14-day quarantine, and you had to really — that was the kind of time I didn't get to have, because I was writing, making and editing Tick, Tick… Boom!. So this has really been the soonest that I could see it. I made a promise to see the Australian company while it's still in Australia, and they're leaving soon, so I came as soon as I could." As every Aussie fan of Hamilton already knows, getting to see the musical is always worth the wait. "I mean, they're so fantastic," Miranda noted of the local cast, who he helped assemble virtually. "I remember seeing Jason Arrow's audition — it had to have been April or May of 2020, and it was around the time that we were watching and editing Hamilton for [the Disney+] release. So they were really stacking up against the originals in a very tangible way, and so we were really proud of the incredible company that we were able to put together from there locally." "Every original cast is like a four-minute mile," Miranda continued. "They said scientists proved you couldn't run the mile in under four minutes, and then someone did it, and then suddenly everybody's running it — and I feel like original casts are like that. It's impossible to find that first cast, and then it attracts the people who know they can do it." "So it's been wonderful to meet OG cast members last night, and also members who joined it in Melbourne or joined it in Sydney — they're really wonderful. I mean, I saw it last night, they're wonderful." Hamilton's Brisbane season runs until Sunday, April 23 at QPAC's Lyric Theatre, South Bank, with tickets available via the musical's website.
Sydney is home to everything from top universities and startups to massive multicultural communities and art centres. But somehow its international PR is falling flat, as told by the newly released Beyond the Postcard report by the Committee for Sydney, the latest stage in the group's Sydney Global Project. Those who live in Sydney know that this city is so much more than its globally recognisable landmarks, but as this community think tank reports, Sydney's global brand has yet to expand past the same old postcard sights. Thanks to that paper-thin presentation, which falls short of representing the diversity and depth of Harbour City and its 5.5 million residents, Sydney is losing approximately $3.3 billion in potential tourism revenue and international investment each year. As the report states, "peer cities are out-competing us through more deliberate and cohesive efforts to shape global perception and reinforce their strengths across multiple audiences." [caption id="attachment_881874" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] The report blames complacency, the reliance on legacy visuals, and static branding, arguing that Sydney's ageing international brand won't compete on the global tourism stage as more and more cities around the world make their case as destinations. A key example? In 2025, over 80 percent of the top 1000 images of Sydney on Google Images featured the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House or Bondi Beach. Sydney is the third most multicultural city in the world, but its image is one of just aesthetics. The groundwork for Sydney's international renaissance has already been laid. As outlined in the report, in the last two years, Sydney has attracted over 65 percent of Australian startup funding, the most international visitors of any Australian city (3.6 million in FY25), 28 percent of Australia's total migrant population, almost half of Australia's business R&D funding and over 36 percent of Australia's international students. [caption id="attachment_813385" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] The report argues that to unlock Sydney's potential, its brand must celebrate the city's people, not just its pretty sights. Committee for Sydney Chief Executive Eamon Waterford told Sydney Morning Herald, "The people of Sydney are interesting, and really attractive to the world; they are exciting to global investors, to visitors who are looking for rich cultural experiences, to students who are wondering where they should go to university — Sydney's got it all…but we don't sell that human story." As to next steps? It's not just as simple as a visual brand overhaul, the report argues. Sydney has economic momentum, a necessary first step, but the most important thing now is cohesion: governments, industries, institutions and communities aligning on the city's shared story — closing the "perception and performance gap" by showcasing the Sydney of the 21st century. [caption id="attachment_874146" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Paddo Collective[/caption] As Waterford said, "It's about everybody recognising there are great things that Sydney has going for it, and then including them in the stories they're sharing with the world." To do so, the next stage for the Committee for Sydney is to craft a more comprehensive "brand bible" for Sydney, recruiting a myriad of locals, creatives and key figures to outline the city's diverse assets and elevate its global positioning. Read the full report by the Committee for Sydney here. Lead image: Destination NSW Like what you see? Subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter to get stories just like these straight to your inbox.
Some takeaway fads come and go before you even get to try them, but one fast-casual essential that remains a staple of suburban strips everywhere is the humble charcoal chicken joint. Yet as a sign of its renewed popularity, numerous big-time chains have entered the scene, to varying results. Yet one spot looking to keep standards high is Char'd, a Lebanese-style upstart that doesn't believe in taking shortcuts or making compromises when it comes to quality. Founded by James Estephan in September 2023, the 29-year-old has since launched two locations: Eastern Creek and St Clair. Like many, he got his start as a teenager whipping up burgers and fries at McDonald's before moving into digital marketing at Red Rooster. Having gained the inside word on the good and bad of the takeaway industry, Estephan stepped out on his own to show that attention to detail and genuine pride in the product can go a long way. Rising above many of its competitors, Char'd's menu is familiar but goes the extra mile. Headlined by 48-hour marinated chicken slow-cooked over real charcoal, chooks are never held for more than 15 minutes. Naturally, this dedicated approach results in fresher and juicier meals that leave a lasting impression. Built around an expansive menu that spans burgers, wraps, loaded fries and more, Char'd's tenders and fried chicken are another highlight. Marinated for 12 hours and cooked fresh to order, expect a serious crunch. Bringing a considered touch to the game, Char'd is building upon this storied takeaway tradition while adding its own bite. Char'd is open daily from 10am–9pm at locations in Eastern Creek and St Clair. Head to the website for more information. Images: Trent Van Der Jagt.
The L1 Dulwich Hill line of Sydney's tumultuous light rail has been closed indefinitely, with buses replacing trains across the line while major repairs are completed. The seven-year-old vehicles were revealed to have major cracking, causing them to be decommissioned for repairs. At a press conference on Friday, November 7, NSW Transport Minister Rob Stokes announced the cracking was worse than they originally expected and revealed the light rail could be out of action for up to 18 months. Stokes confirmed this was a worst-case scenario date and he expected the vehicles to be working again sooner than the 18-month estimate. Cracks were found in 12 trams that run from Dulwich Hill and the Central Grand Concourse. The inner west line was unveiled in its current form in 2014 after a significant extension that added 5.6 kilometres of track and a fleet of 12 new vehicles that have now presented cracks. "We believe this is the right thing to do," Transport for NSW Chief Operations Officer Howard Collins proclaimed, saying that the vehicles are not currently dangerous to passengers but could become problematic if left to crack further. Collins also confirmed the government was looking into the idea of utilising the L2 and L3 light rail vehicles, however, revealed there are engineering challenges with this and said they wouldn't want to disrupt the other lines in order to plug a hole in the Dulwich Hill line. In order to soften the blow of this closure, the NSW Government is offering 50 per cent reductions on fare prices for replacement busses. These buses will run 6am–11pm each day, however will not stop at the Capitol Square and Pyrmont Bay stops, as well as the Exhibition Centre when travelling towards Dulwich Hill. The newer L2 Randwick Line and L3 Kingsford Line have not experienced the same issues and will continue to run as normal. Stay up to date with the latest news regarding the L1 Dulwich Hill light rail via Transport for NSW.
If last week's drastic drop in temperature has you dreading the blustery days ahead, fear not — Merivale is giving Sydneysiders a reason to push forward into winter. For all of June, the Sydney hospitality empire is saying Bottoms Up, Sydney with a whopping 49-percent off all the booze at 37 of its venues between 5pm and 7pm. No joke. For those two hours every day in June, its bars and pubs will be slinging all cocktails, mixed drinks, spirits, beer, wine and even Champagne at nearly half price. That's precisely $8.67 packaged Japanese cocktails at Ms. G's, $9.95 thyme Campari tonics at Charlie Parker's and $7.65 margaritas at El Loco, plus cheap wines by the glass at The Newport and Fred's and even cheaper craft beers at the Queens Hotel and The Paddington. The only catch is this: it doesn't apply to items over $200 (which is still pretty generous if you ask us). So, while you'll have to pay full price for a magnum of Veuve on the Coogee Pavilion Rooftop, a 750ml bottle of the orange-label bubbles will only set you back $71. Other high-end discounts you'll be able to snag during the month include a bottle of Burgundy at Felix bar for less than a pineapple, a glass of premium Chablis at Bert's bar for only $12.24 and a $10.2 whisky-heavy cocktail at Palmer & Co — and you can save upward of $90 on some pretty special French wine labels at Potts Point's The Fish Shop. If you were looking for an excuse to splash out, this is it. And why the very specific discounted price of 49 percent? Well, NSW liquor laws prevent it from being any more generous (RSA, how ya goin'), but we're not arguing — we take our cheap cocktails where we can get 'em. Punters can also expect additional partner events and offers on throughout the month, so keep an eye on this space. And organise knock-off (almost) half-price drinks ASAP. Bottoms Up, Sydney will run every day from June 1–30 from 5–7pm. For more information and to check out the full list of participating venues head to the website.
We're a nation of laid back folk. Some of us can get away with wearing thongs to work, boardies and bathers are a Monday-to-Friday staple for others, and words longer than two syllables don't have a place in our vocab (arvo, bev, sanga — sounds like a good day to us). And though we do love our rosé, a few espresso martinis and definitely a negroni or two, when it comes down to it an ice cold beer is simply a classic. So, why not pair our favourite brew with the best that our chefs have to offer? Beer and fine dining, once a sommelier's nightmare, the pairing is now de rigeur with the rise of craft breweries and the multitude of flavours available. But if you're stuck on the idea of swapping your sauvignon blanc for a stout, read on to hear from three chefs behind the upcoming The Dining Table pop-up restaurant on how you can navigate this culinary trend. Across ten nights, The Dining Table will see a different chef take over the pop-up to serve a delicious three course meal, with each course paired with a different beer. We sat down to chat with Adam Wolfers from Bar Brose, Jemma Whiteman and Nick Eggert from Good Luck Pinbone and Joel Humphreys from Bodega 1904 to find out why, when and how they're pairing beer with the delectable genius pouring out of their kitchens. WHAT MAKES BEER SO IDEAL TO PAIR WITH FINE FOOD? Pop-up aficionados Jemma Whiteman and Mike Eggert from Good Luck Pinbone say that new beer production methods and the availability of more complex beer flavours make today's beers more suited for fine dining than ever before. "You're looking at a much larger spectrum of beers, all with their own voice, their own taste and flavour profile, and that has opened the door to people using beer in food and pairing beer with fine foods," says Mike Eggert. "For example, with some beers you can get salty, creamy flavours, or deep malty tones that work so well with a range of foods — you just can't get that with wine." [caption id="attachment_634354" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Joel Humphreys from Bodega 1904.[/caption] Joel Humphreys, head chef at tapas bar Bodega 1904, says the explosion of craft beers means there are also more options for discerning diners when it comes to pairing beer and fine food. "There's such a vast array of different beers in Australia right now that you're not just looking at the imported lagers as you were in the past. There are new craft beers with diverse flavours, for example lighter, fruitier and hoppier beers that pair well with different types of food. These just weren't available before." Adam Wolfer from mod-Hungarian diner Bar Brose adds that diners today are more open to new ideas and less concerned by rigid rules around food and beverage pairing than they were in the past. "It's exciting to see that people who thought that wine was the only thing you should pair with fine food are now more open to having a beer. There's definitely more scope for beers in fine dining today." HOW TO APPROACH PAIRING BEER WITH FINE FOOD While there are no hard and fast rules to pairing beer and fine food, the chefs have offered a few tips to get the most from your food and beer pairing journey. [caption id="attachment_633713" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mike Eggert from Good Luck Pinbone.[/caption] Take the Time to Understand Beer Profiles and Flavours Mike Eggert suggests familiarising yourself with what you like by getting a mixed pack of beers and hosting your own tasting night. With beers only a fraction of the cost of a good bottle of wine, it's a suggestion that won't break the bank either. "Beer has variations between the styles; from the pale ales to the lagers to the stouts, they all have a strong flavour profile. And with any pairing, start with what the beer tastes like and what you're getting from the beer. Is it malty? Does it taste like coffee? Does it taste like mushrooms on a forest floor? Is it fruity? Smoky? Then I'd work backwards and find the profile that I like in that beer, and work towards that in a dish." In fact Mike and Jemma employed this same process to develop the Pinbone menu for The Dining Table series. The results speak for themselves with pairings including creamy Kilkenny ale matched with a stout-roasted lamb shoulder, and the smooth flavours of XXXX GOLD teamed with a handmade burrata curd, wood roasted fennel and bottarga. Use Wine Pairings as a Loose Guideline According to Joel Humphreys, beer makers today are approaching the brewing process like winemakers by considering flavour profiles to create even more complex, delicious brews. So, if in doubt, stick with tried and true basics: lighter beers likes ales for light meats and seafoods, and darker, maltier stouts for meats like beef and lamb. "For seafood, I'd suggest something that's refreshing and easy to drink. Something that complements its lighter style." He's paired the crisp, clean flavours of Toohey's Extra Dry with his smoked bonito pate entree. "The creaminess of the duck eggs and the savoury notes of the smoked bonito pate are rounded out by the [freshness of the beer]," says Joel. But don't be afraid to deviate from these guidelines either. For his main, Joel pairs a crispy pork belly cooked over ironbark with James Squire Orchard Crush. "I didn't want anything too complex, just something quite refreshing," he says. [caption id="attachment_633712" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Adam Wolfers from Bar Brose.[/caption] Above All, Pick a Beer You Like "There are no hard rules when it comes to food and beer pairing, and it's best to select a beer you like," Adam Wolfers says. "I look at the style of beer to give me steer on how it will work with food. For example, I'd serve a lighter beer like a pale ale with fish so it's not overpowering, and a heavier beer, like a malt, with meats," says Adam. Drawing on his Romanian-Hungarian heritage in developing the menu for the Bar Brose pop up, the dishes are a spin on the classics — there's a parsnip schnitzel and self-brined pastrami served with kohlrabi and muntriess (native berries) paired with James Squire The Chancer and White Rabbit Pale Ale, respectively. But it's in his dessert that Adam has gone out on a pairing limb, matching a refreshing Kirin Apple Cider with a fennel parfait, mandarin and toasted matzo. "If you enjoy a certain type of beer, then go with that," says Mike Eggert. "Some people want opposing matchings, not everyone wants sweet with sweet, or sour with sour. The truth about matchings is that if you believe it, then it's true. If you enjoy drinking something, you'll enjoy drinking that with the food you're eating." Try your hand at pairing beers with fine dining. Enter our competition to win a VIP dining experience at Bar Brose (including a meet and greet with Adam Wolfers), plus $500 to spend on some top-notch beers from MoCU, so you can do some pairing trials of your own at home. Images: Letícia Almeida.
Back in 1950s Australia, The Blake Prize was established in order to encourage a higher calibre of religious art. As our society has grown more culturally diverse, so has the prize. It has come to mirror multiculturalism and its many strains of spirituality. That said, if The Blake Prize does not secure a major sponsor, this may be the last year it is held. The works of 52 finalist are on display at the UNSW Galleries, loosely organised according to theme. Moving away from traditional ideas of religiosity, this year’s artists are more concerned with the rituals of everyday life and the nature of mortality. The winners, in particular, draw on very personal stories. Among the first lot of works, Warwick Thornton and Bindi Cole reflect on the intersection between Aboriginal spirituality and Western Christianity. While Thornton’s dramatic photograph is fiery and hellish — a response to mission settlements in central Australia — Cole’s crucifix is blazing with bold text and communicates a more personal predicament. Both are powerful and compromised; they each illustrate a tension between two belief systems and their histories. Other artists engage with contemporary human rights issues, namely Australia’s treatment of asylum seekers. Both Tim Gregory and Mike Barnard look (or attempt to look) beyond sovereign borders, each responding to dehumanising photographs. Looking like luminous green night vision, Barnard’s small painting reproduces rare footage from the sinking of the SIEV 69 in 2009, which killed 13 Sri Lankan asylum seekers. The barely discernible vessel speaks volumes about the onshore blindness to lives lost at sea. There are a number of satirical works upending the cynical preconceptions that circulate around particular cultures. For instance, Cigdem Aydemir's endurance performance is a series of films showing a Muslim woman in stereotypically Australian settings and poses, wearing a smile for as long as she can. Humorous in its artificiality, the work reflects on the media’s incessant politicisation of Muslim women. And Megan Cope's work is an amusing take on the idea of genuine Aboriginality, concocting a ‘blaktism’ ceremony that involves literally painting oneself brown and culminating in a contemporary rave party. The Blake Prize itself has been awarded to Richard Lewer for his low-fi animation Worse Luck, I’m Still Here — a worthy winner. This moving work revolves around a Perth pensioner, struggling with the mental deterioration of his wife. There is a raw honesty to Lewer’s simple materials – complimenting the tone of the narrative perfectly. Emotive and visually innovative, it anticipates a conversation that needs to happen. Straddling secular and religious, The Blake Prize has come to encompass a broad understanding of what it means to be human, to have aspirations and relationships — the fundamental starting point of any religion. Featuring a host of some of our best contemporary artists, there are many thoughtful and inventive works I have not mentioned. In spite of current funding difficulties, we can only hope the prize returns next year.
Perched above the Cartier flagship store on the corner of Pitt and King Streets in the CBD, JŌJI is a Japanese-inspired rooftop bar and diner that draws on the principles of Shibui, Wabi Sabi, and Datsuzoku, reflected in the venue's inventive cocktail menu and reimagined dishes. This dynamic concept offers a playful take on traditional flavours, promising an experience that evolves from tranquil afternoons to lively evenings. As night falls, the venue — which trades until 2am seven days a week — will showcase an array of entertainment, including live DJ performances and vinyl sessions, making JŌJI as much a nightlife hotspot as it is a go-to for knock-off sundowners. This generous space features a cocktail lounge, dining area and a panoramic terrace with views of Sydney's busy CBD. The interior is designed for various gatherings, from intimate dates to larger celebrations. Guests can immerse themselves in the Tokyo-esque atmosphere by sitting at the kitchen or bar counter, where they can interact with staff as they create drinks and dishes, or soak in the energy of the city while looking down on Sydney's black-label shopping district. The drinks menu honours tradition with a healthy dose of experimentation, including standout mingles such as the bamboo cocktail, which uniquely combines tequila, tomato, and apricot, alongside a classic whisky highball that reflects the elegant simplicity of Japan's favourite classic. Executive Chef Erik Ortolani has curated a menu that leans on sharing plates and features three sections: raw, not raw, and Robata. The centrepiece of the kitchen is a custom 2-metre charcoal grill, infusing the hot dishes with rich smoky flavours. Notable plates include the quail and pork jowl tsukune with shiitake koji and Kingfish served with umeboshi and yuzu kosho dressing. Desserts like mochi sorbet and purin provide a sweet finish, while a late-night menu features the JŌJI burger, a singular take on a crowd-pleaser made with Japanese wagyu bolognese. Architect Matt Darwon has crafted JŌJI's decor with a striking balance of bold metallic accents, deep burgundy tones and warm Tasmanian blackwoods, creating an inviting space that reflects the essence of the venue's modern Japanese influences. But the jewel in the crown of this bar and diner is its Sydney skyline views, offering a retreat where guests can unwind as they overlook the hustle and haste of the city streets below. Images: Jana Langhorst
Before the pandemic, food and drink event Taste of Manly encouraged Sydneysiders to eat, sip and be merry by the beach each and every year. None of the above happened in 2020, of course, but the festival is making a comeback in 2021 — as a new, bigger and broader event called Taste of the Beaches. For the whole month of May — so from Saturday, May 1–Monday, May 31 — the entire northern beaches region is getting in on the action, spanning more than 30 restaurants, cafes and food outlets in the area. The lineup includes pop-ups on the sand, food truck parties and craft brews, as well as a whole heap of different dining experiences, which means that Sydneysiders can choose their own path through the multi-suburb event. Kicking things off on Saturday, May 1–Sunday, May 2, Hotel Steyne is taking over Manly beach each afternoon, and serving up a seafood-heavy menu and plenty of drinks. Or, from Wednesday–Sunday throughout the month, Market Lane will play host to live tunes — giving your meals and beverages at the laneway's businesses a soundtrack. Also on the agenda: a food truck party in Mona Vale on Saturday, May 15, a wine garden in Palm Beach on Saturday, May 29–Sunday, May 30, and a big craft beer fest in Freshwater on Saturday, May 29 as well. And, from the list of special dining options, you can head to a Tokyo-style street food market at Daniel San, and taste your way through flights of spirits at Manly Spirits Co Distillery — or pair wings and tins, learn how to make your own pizza, attend a pork knuckle party, celebrate Eurovision over dinner and eat a tapas-style curry spread. Top image: Karen Watson for Northern Beaches Council.
That staple of summer, Maltesers Moonlight Cinema, is back for its 19th season of open-air cinema from December 11 to March 29. It's the casual, picnicky solution to all your summer cinema dreams. After the daytime bustle of joggers, personal trainers and cyclists subsides at Centennial Park, hire a beanbag or simply sprawl out on the grass under the stars. Don't forget some delicious snacks and a few beverages to complete your cinematic experience. It's the perfect way to unwind after a hard day and usher in those balmy summer nights. There's also the option of 'Gold Grass' tickets, which gets you a bean-bed in the front rows and designated waitstaff. The December–January portion of the program is basically a hit list of the summer's biggest flicks. Guardians of the Galaxy and Interstellar will make for perfect viewing under the vast night sky. Ladies will be taking a leading role for a fair portion of the action with The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Pt 1, Lucy, and the controversial Gone Girl. Then the latest comedy will be lightening the mood with Dumb and Dumber To, Horrible Bosses 2, and The Interview which sees Seth Rogen and James Franco basically going to war with North Korea. There are a few lesser known titles to watch out for too. The yet-to-be-released Birdman will see Michael Keaton poking fun at his days as the caped crusader alongside a stellar supporting cast, the heartbreaking Still Alice has Julienne Moore tipped for a Best Actress nomination, and The Gambler sees Mark Wahlberg front an adaptation of a '70s classic.
It brought Stephenie Meyer's vampire romance saga to the big screen. It helped make Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson superstars. Indeed, for its two biggest names, it saw KStew go soaring to everything from Clouds of Sils Maria and Personal Shopper to Charlie's Angels, Crimes of the Future and Spencer — earning an Oscar nomination for the latter — and RPatz going from The Rover and Good Time to High Life, Tenet and The Batman. And, now, The Twilight Saga is making a comeback. The undead don't die, after all, and neither does much in the pop-culture realm. No big movie franchise ever says goodbye these days, with making the leap to the small screen one sticky trend at the moment. The Marvel Cinematic Universe did it, as has the rival DC Extended Universe. The Star Wars realm took the jump, too. So did The Lord of the Rings, and Harry Potter, IT and The Conjuring series are also on their way. There's also a John Wick show in the works — and yes, the list goes on. With Twilight, Lionsgate Television is in early development on a small-screen version, as per The Hollywood Reporter. That said, it apparently hasn't yet been decided whether this'll be a spinoff from the OG books and the movies that initially brought them to the screen, or if it'll take the remake route like HBO's new Harry Potter show is set to. Either way, given their careers right now — see: all those films mentioned above — it's probably safe to say that Stewart and Pattinson won't be involved. Of course, there's zero word on casting for Twilight's television iteration so far, with only writer and producer Sinead Daly (The Get Down, Dirty John, Raised by Wolves, The Walking Dead: World Beyond and Tell Me Lies) named as being involved and Meyer also expected to have some input. Exactly when the Twilight TV series will arrive, and where it'll air or stream, similarly hasn't been revealed. Forgotten what the five vamp films cover? They start with teenager Bella Swan (Stewart) moving to the small town of Forks, Washington, where she meets and falls in love with vampire Edward Cullen (Pattinson). This romance between a human and a vampire isn't particularly straightforward, otherwise there wouldn't be four books and five movies devoted to it. In cinemas, Twilight also starred everyone from Taylor Lautner (Cuckoo), Anna Kendrick (Alice, Darling) and Dakota Fanning (The First Lady) to Michael Sheen (Good Omens), Rami Malek (Amsterdam) and Bryce Dallas Howard (Jurassic World Dominion). There's no sneak peek at the Twilight TV show yet, understandably, but as well as the original Twilight trailer above, plus the New Moon trailer, you can watch Eclipse and two Breaking Dawn trailers below: The TV version of Twilight doesn't yet have a release date — we'll update you when one is announced. Via The Hollywood Reporter.
For viewers, three years have passed since Squid Game became an award-winning Netflix hit. For Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae, The Acolyte), the same amount of time has elapsed in the show's storyline. Audiences and Player 456 are alike are in for a new round of life-or-death matches when the streaming smash finally returns on Boxing Day 2024 — but only the series' protagonist will be fighting for survival again while on a quest to shut down this chaos forever in season two. No one watching should ever want Squid Game to end; however, the show itself will wrap up in 2025 with season three. First comes the long-awaited second season to end 2024, though, where Player 456 is back in the game with new fellow competitors for company. "We are not trying to harm you. We are presenting you with an opportunity," the guards tell the latest batch of contestants battling it out for 45.6 billion won in the series' just-released full season-two trailer. Another pivotal line in the latest sneak peek: "the game will not end unless the world changes". Netflix has been dropping multiple early looks at season two, including a teaser trailer to kick off November — and its finishing off the month with a new glimpse at what's to come. These games don't stop, clearly, even after three years. As the show's protagonist dons his green tracksuit once more, his new fellow competitors are wary of his motives. Also part of the recent teases: Lee Byung-hun (The Magnificent Seven) as Gi-hun's nemesis Front Man, plus Wi Ha-joon (Little Women) also back as detective Hwang Jun-ho. Squid Game was such a huge success in its first season that Netflix confirmed at the beginning of 2022 that more was on the way, and also released a teaser trailer for it the same year, before announcing its new cast members in 2023 — and then unveiled a first brief snippet of Squid Game season two in a broader trailer for Netflix's slate for 2024, as it releases every 12 months. For season two, Gong Yoo (Train to Busan) also returns as the man in the suit who got Gi-hun into the game in the first place; however, a show about a deadly competition that has folks battling for ridiculous riches comes with a hefty bodycount. Accordingly, new faces were always going to be essential — which is where Yim Si-wan (Emergency Declaration), Kang Ha-neul (Insider), Park Sung-hoon (The Glory) and Yang Dong-geun (Yaksha: Ruthless Operations) all come in. If you somehow missed all things Squid Game when it premiered, even after it became bigger than everything from Stranger Things to Bridgerton, the Golden Globe- and Emmy-winning series serves up a puzzle-like storyline and unflinching savagery, which unsurprisingly makes quite the combination. It also steps into societal divides within South Korea, a topic that wasn't invented by Parasite, Bong Joon-ho's excellent Oscar-winning 2019 thriller, but has been given a boost after that stellar flick's success. As a result, it's easy to see thematic and narrative parallels between Parasite and Squid Game, although Netflix's highly addictive series goes with a Battle Royale and Hunger Games-style setup. Netflix turned the show's whole premise into an IRL competition series as well, which debuted in 2023 — without any murders, of course. Squid Game: The Challenge has already been picked up for a second season. Check out the full trailer for Squid Game season below: Squid Game season two streams via Netflix from Thursday, December 26, 2024. Season three will arrive in 2025 — we'll update you when an exact release date for it is announced. Images: No Ju-han/Netflix © 2024.
What do one of the darkest chapters in Australia's recent past, one of the nation's literary best-sellers and the country's ongoing reckoning with its colonial history all have in common? In 2021, they all found a home on the big screen. And, they've all just been named among the year's best homegrown flicks, too, with Nitram, The Dry and High Ground scoring a heap of 2021 AACTA Award nominations. The AACTA Awards — which were previously called the AFI Awards, before changing their name — recognise the best and brightest in Australian film and television every 12 months. Because they span multiple types of screen content, there's a hefty number of local productions vying for a gong when the winners are announced on Wednesday, December 8. On the film front, that includes not only the three movies already mentioned above, but also the gold rush era-set western The Furnace, queer rom-com Ellie and Abbie (& Ellie's Dead Aunt), true tale Penguin Bloom and comedy Rams. In terms of stars, everyone from Eric Bana, Simon Baker, Naomi Watts and Claudia Karvan are in the running, as well as Noni Hazlehurst, Judy Davis, Rose Byrne and Michael Caton. Recognising the wealth of Indigenous talent that's graced our screens over the past year, the acting nominees in the movie fields also include Jacob Junior Nayinggul, Sean Mununggurr and Esmerelda Marimowa from High Ground; Miranda Tapsell for The Dry; and Baykali Ganambarr for The Furnace. Egyptian actor Ahmed Malek also got a nod for the latter — and, in terms of overseas actors, so did American actor and 2021 Cannes Film Festival Best Actor-winner Caleb Landry Jones for Nitram. In the TV categories, if you've been watching Clickbait or Aunty Donna's Big Ol' House of Fun on Netflix, they're both in AACTA contention. So are a wide range of other series — everything from Mr Inbetween to The Newsreader in the drama categories, and from Aftertaste to Rosehaven in the comedy fields, in fact. [caption id="attachment_822493" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ben King/Netflix[/caption] The 2021 AACTA Awards will take place on Wednesday, December 8. Here's a rundown of the major nominations — and you can check out the full list on AACTA's website: AACTA NOMINEES 2021 FILM AWARDS: BEST FILM The Dry The Furnace High Ground Nitram Penguin Bloom Rams BEST INDIE FILM Disclosure Ellie and Abbie (& Ellie's Dead Aunt) Lone Wolf Moon Rock for Monday My First Summer Under My Skin BEST DIRECTION Rob Connolly, The Dry Roderick MacKay, The Furnace Stephen Maxwell Johnson, High Ground Justin Kurzel, Nitram Glendyn Ivin, Penguin Bloom BEST LEAD ACTOR Simon Baker, High Ground Eric Bana, The Dry Caleb Landry Jones, Nitram Ahmed Malek, The Furnace Jacob Junior Nayinggul, High Ground BEST LEAD ACTRESS Rose Byrne, Peter Rabbit 2 Judy Davis, Nitram Noni Hazlehurst, June Again Genevieve O'Reilly, The Dry Naomi Watts, Penguin Bloom BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR Michael Caton, Rams Baykali Ganambarr, The Furnace Anthony LaPaglia, Nitram Sean Mununggurr, High Ground Jack Thompson, High Ground BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS Essie Davis, Nitram Claudia Karvan, June Again Esmerelda Marimowa, High Ground Miranda Tapsell, The Dry Jacki Weaver, Penguin Bloom BEST SCREENPLAY Rob Connolly and Harry Cripps, The Dry Shaun Grant and Harry Cripps, Penguin Bloom Will Gluck and Patrick Burleigh, Peter Rabbit 2 Jules Duncan, Rams BEST DOCUMENTARY Girls Can't Surf I'm Wanita My Name Is Gulpilil Playing with Sharks Strong Female Lead When the Camera Stopped Rolling TELEVISION AWARDS: BEST DRAMA SERIES Clickbait Jack Irish Mr Inbetween The Newsreader Total Control Wakefield Wentworth BEST TELEFEATURE OR MINISERIES A Sunburnt Christmas The End Fires New Gold Mountain The Unusual Suspects BEST NARRATIVE COMEDY SERIES Aftertaste Aunty Donna's Big Ol' House of Fun Fisk Frayed Preppers Rosehaven BEST COMEDY ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAM Dom and Adrian 2020 Hard Quiz The Moth Effect Spicks and Specks The Weekly BEST LEAD ACTOR IN A TELEVISION DRAMA Rudi Dharmaligam, Wakefield Guy Pearce, Jack Irish Sam Reid, The Newsreader Richard Roxburgh, Fires Scott Ryan, Mr Inbetween BEST LEAD ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION DRAMA Deborah Mailman, Total Control Mandy McElhinney, Wakefield Miranda Otto, Fires Pamela Rabe, Wentworth Anna Torv, The Newsreader BEST COMEDY PERFORMER Mark Samual Bonanno, Aunty Donna's Big Ol' House of Fun Kitty Flanagan, Fisk Tom Gleeson, Hard Quiz Broden Kelly, Aunty Donna's Big Ol' House of Fun Sarah Kendall, Frayed Nakkiah Lui, Preppers Luke McGregor, Rosehaven Celia Pacquola, Rosehaven BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A TELEVISION DRAMA Harry Greenwood, Wakefield William McInnes, The Newsreader Matt Nable, Mr Inbetween Stephen Peacocke, The Newsreader Justin Rosniak, Mr Inbetween BEST GUEST OR SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION DRAMA Michelle Lim Davidson, The Newsreader Marg Downey, The Newsreader Harriet Dyer, Wakefield Rachel Griffiths, Total Control Noni Hazlehurst, The End
Last year, Queen Street Studios helped launch Peep Show AR. It was an augmented reality tour of the 2010 postcode's art and history you could follow on your phone around the Sydney streets. In 2012, as part of Art and About, Show and Tell Open House is returning to the same fertile ground, this time inviting you to meet and explore the tenants clustered around the Oxford Street Cultural and Creative Spaces, including notables such as He Made, She Made, the Oxford Street Design Store and the (further off) Writers Room. All of the venues involved will be open to visitors from 11-2 (in the case of venues like Object and the Surry Hills Library, a little more open that usual), inviting you to stop in, knit, learn, chat or enjoy. Most of the venues involved are pretty friendly places, but its rare that many of them throw open their doors to the public at large. Who knows, what you hear about life as a Sydney creative worker, upcoming shows or live artists might keep you coming back on quieter days. Image by RachelH_.
The portions are huge in this ramen eatery tucked away in Chinatown's Eating World. Add to that the fact that the collagen-rich pork broth is produced by boiling over 100 kilograms of pork bones on a daily basis, and you have yourself a bowl of ramen quite unlike any you've had before, with a thick and salty broth that goes down surprisingly well. The menu is simple, with two of the dishes being rice-based and the rest being soup-based. Try the tonkotsu ramen, served with slices of pork and seaweed in the aforementioned broth, which is so thick, it's practically gravy. The simple ingredients mingle well with each other and result in a flavour which is unique yet classic. And combined with the low prices and generous portions, there are more than enough reasons for Gumshara to be a staple in the diets of many a penny-pincher. Just keep in mind that their menu is take out only, so don't try to plan a romantic sit-down evening there.
Vivid might be turning off the lights in June, but Sydney's indoor galleries are turning on their own sparkle. Survey the current happenings in contemporary video art at the pop-up Sydney Film Festival Hub, see strip clubs meet geometric abstraction at Firstdraft and get a flash of '70s SoCal at Blender Gallery. Top image: Sydney Film Festival Hub.
