If there's one thing the suburb of Canterbury lacks it's trendy restaurants. Instead, the area is littered in car dealerships, bathroom showrooms and desolate properties waiting to be snapped up by building developers. But in amongst the grime and grit is a modern gem serving up an eclectic mash-up of Mexican and Turkish fare, which people from all over Sydney pack out almost every night of the week. You'd have no idea Pazar was even there if it wasn't for the pink neon sign. From the outside, it looks like an old, derelict garage with peeling paint and faded signs situated on the busiest road in Canterbury, but on the inside, the change of scenery is remarkable. There's loud music, carnival lighting draped from the ceiling beams, wooden feature walls, an open kitchen complete with a wood-fired oven, waiters ducking in-between tables and an atmosphere that's buzzing with chatter. And it's much bigger than you'd expect, too. They've built a colourful outdoor area that's conveniently covered with retractable panels to keep the elements in or out, depending on the weather, and they've dropped in an old shipping container to enclose the space — with the idea that it might eventually become the space for a takeaway drive-thru. When it comes to the share menu, there are 15 savoury options to choose ranging from $5–38, eleven of which are vegetarian. And they do things a little bit different here. While there is table service, staff won't take your original food and drink order at the table (well, not verbally). Instead, grab a paper menu and pen off the table and get ticking. That's it. When you're done choosing, just hand your order over. However, any orders that follow can be ordered later with your waiter. They're a friendly bunch. The first thing you'll want to tick off on your menu is the maple-smoked labne with nectarine and fennel jam, sesame seeds and pepitas ($15). It's phenomenal despite simply being strained yoghurt. It's creamy, smoky, crunchy and sweet, sort of like adding quince to cheese and crackers, but so much better. However, it doesn't come served with bread, which is an extra $5. The kofte ($16) aren't your typical kofte either. There's no ground meat, but rather spiced red lentils, bulgur and mixed pickles that come served with a plate of lettuce cups, which makes it look more like san choy bao than the Middle Eastern staple you're used. It's surprisingly tasty, however — almost like the real thing. You also won't find falafel, but instead zucchini herb balls with feta and sumac yoghurt ($10 for 3). The flavour is delicate and the texture is spongy. If you want to be wowed, then the ember-blackened pumpkin with pepita chimichurri, feta and toasted almonds ($24) will do just that. You can watch the chefs roast the pumpkins whole in the wood-fired oven from behind the back counter until they're completely charred on the outside and perfectly orange and cooked in the centre. For meatier options, the roast pork belly with smoky chipotle salsa, pineapple and quinoa salad ($34) probably isn't worth the price tag, but it does come with some superbly crisp crackling. The drinks menu is small, but still covers most things — from cocktails to craft beer to sangria and wine. The only thing you won't find is sparkling or Champagne by the glass, so if you love bubbles, you'll have to settle for a $58 bottle instead. There are also no split bills, so you've been warned. Whether you live in the neighbourhood, or just passing through, this one in a million restaurant (in Canterbury) is definitely worth a visit if not several. Images: Kitti Smallbone
Conventional maps of political results seen in the media, in stats and in reports often demonstrate a skewed and non-inclusive representation of the outcomes of US Presidential Elections. This then creates a politics of maps. However, Mark Newman, a renowned complexity researcher, has attempted to abate the confusion behind these inaccurate portrayals by creating his own highly inclusive and bona fide images. Newman believed the representations of states coloured by the majority votes was insufficient. Not only do these maps fail to take population into consideration, but they also demonstrate democratic or republican voters in each state as black and white, or in this case blue and red, rather than showing the many shades in between. After billions of dollars and years of incessant campaigning, surely an authentic portrayal of the election results is not too much to ask. Newman has answered this call by creating more realistic and more complex illustrations of the election results. First, view the varying processes Newman went through in accurately depicting the 2008 presidential elections, followed by his political map of the most recent 2012 election. 2008 Election Results By State With red depicting republicans and blue democrats, this widespread map of the 2008 Presidential Election is obviously a vast illusion, as one would not be wrong in mistaking the winner as McCain rather than Obama. 2008 Election Results Population Cartogram This more precise depiction instead shows the election results compared to the population sizes of each state. The fact is that the red states often have a lower population than the blue, thus increasing the proportion of blue in this image and eradicating the sea of red in the previous one. 2008 Election Results by County Rather than assuming an entire state is a homogenized mass holding a single political view, this map shows the electoral votes in each county of the US. Again, however, this image is incredible deceptive and misleading. 2008 Election Results by County Population Cartogram Using the same technology as before, this map demonstrates the results of the election by county, according to population. Once again this makes the balance between red and blue more accurate, however, this is much more specific and localized to certain areas. 2008 Election Results by County in Shades Forget 50 shades of grey, what we want to see is 50 shades of purple. To closer resemble the balance that exists within states and the nuances in voting patterns, Newman used varying shades of purple rather than simply two block colours. This eliminates the vast mass of red or blue spreading over particular areas and demonstrates that the country is not actually starkly divided. 2008 Election Results by County in Shades Population Cartogram Combining all the complex techniques above produces this truthful and reliable depiction of the election results compared to population per county. Much more accurate than the first map given! 2012 Election Results And now for the long awaited images of the recent 2012 US Presidential Election. Here is the image of the standard and simple map of the election results of Romney VS Obama. Not too distant from the image we saw from the 2008 Election. 2012 Election Results by County in Shades Population Cartogram Here is the more authentic portrayal of outcomes from the 2012 election using population per county and shades: an up-to-date representation of America's voting patterns that couldn't be much more accurate.
Sydneysiders take their pizza seriously, and with good reason. Thanks to our superb collection of authentic Italian pizzerias, complete with woodfired ovens and traditional methods, the Harbour City's pizza-philes are well versed on the difference between sub-par 'za and the real deal. But like many dishes carried to far-flung climes by migrant communities, there are plenty of non-Stivale interpretations of pizza that are every bit as culturally legit as their Neapolitan or Roman cousins. Case in point: the United States has almost as many pizza variants as Italy, from the hefty Chicago deep dish to the rectangular-pan Detroit style and of course, the iconic New York slice. Sydneysiders can get the quintessential NYC pizza experience courtesy of a beloved Big Apple stalwart, Sal's Authentic New York Pizza, which, in addition to its Darlinghurst outpost, also boasts another Sydney venue on York Street in the CBD and four restaurants in Melbourne, as well as branches across the ditch in Wellington and Auckland. Since 1975 — when Salvatore Leo opened his first pizza parlour in Little Neck, Queens — Sal's has been producing pizzas that fuse Italian recipes, passed down through the Leo family, with American produce. The same is true in Australia, with Sal's pizzas featuring the sustainably farmed premium Wisconsin mozzarella, vine-ripened Californian tomatoes and New York-milled spring wheat flour used in the States. The only locally sourced ingredient is the water used to make the dough and even this was thoroughly vetted via blind taste tests to ensure Sydney's H2O didn't undermine quality or flavour. All the recipes on offer in Sydney were developed by Sal himself, showcasing timeless toppings like pepperoni, buffalo chicken, Italian sausage and meatballs, as well as more contemporary inclusions like black garlic and chilli-infused hot honey. While every topping is available by the slice, as is the New York way, diners can also enjoy full pizzas. However, be warned — at 18 inches, tackling the whole pie should only be attempted by the truly famished. In the unlikely event you are still hungry, there are also classic sides on offer, including fresh-baked garlic knots, pepperoni wheels, mozzarella sticks and buffalo wings made to a recipe that has been in Sal's family since 1964.
Bradfield, Sydney's third city centre, is currently being built around the new Western Sydney airport. But construction in Parramatta — Sydney's second city centre — definitely hasn't slowed. High-rise buildings continue to go up, the Powerhouse Museum has been given the official go-ahead, and now work has begun on a new multimillion-dollar aquatic and leisure centre. The 40,000-square-metre community facility is currently being built within the expansive surrounds of Parramatta Park in the heart of the ever-growing Western Sydney hub. Predicted to cost $88.6 million, the facility will include three pools: a ten-lane 50-metre outdoor pool, a 25-metre indoor pool and an indoor learn-to-swim pool. It will also feature spa and sauna facilities, an indoor water playground, a cafe and a fitness centre — plus a multipurpose community rooms and a 200-space carpark. Testing on the Parramatta site has already begun as part of the construction process, with the facility expected to be completed by early 2023. And, sustainability is big a focus. Five hundred native trees will be planted in the area surrounding the centre, and solar panels will also be installed on sections of the centre's roof. The solar panels will generate approximately 142,000 kilowatts of power annually. The project is partially funded by the NSW's Government's Restart NSW Fund. It'll provide an initial $38.5 million investment in building the centre, plus a subsequent $11.6 million to help future-proof the facility as Parramatta continues to grow. The community facility is the latest major aquatic development around Sydney, with Gunyama Aquatic and Recreation Centre, a $106 million aquatic and leisure centre opening in Green Square back in February — and the iconic North Sydney Pool currently closed for a $63 million upgrade. For more information on Parramatta Park's new aquatic and leisure centre, head to the City of Parramatta website
Cinema has a big problem — and for the first time in quite a while, it can't be summed up by the words "sequel", "reboot" or "Adam Sandler". For a long time now, convenience stores and cinema candy bars have been known for their bizarre Prohibition-era pricing of ordinary goods. Now they are being joined by a third champion of Weimar-esque inflation – the cinema ticket counter. According to Screen Australia, in 2005, the maximum price you'd pay to see a movie on the big screen was $15. In 2015, the last year for which there is recorded data, that price had exploded to $24.50. And while this hasn't reduced the number of Australians going to the flicks each year, the number of times people visit has been steadily declining since 2009. Melbourne couple Sonya Stephen and Shane Thatcher say that only around 16 per cent of available movie tickets are purchased in Australia each year. Their solution, a new app called Choovie, is an attempt to allow audiences to drive demand — and, by extension, the prices they pay at the door. "Every time we went to the cinema and there was only a few people in there, he [Thatcher] would start questioning how you could use technology to get more people to go to the cinema more often," says Stephen. "It became obvious that by using smartphone technology there could be a genuine win-win, people could see more movies and cinemas could make more money." Choovie is a push for cinemas to adopt a fluid ticket price based on the time of the screening and the popularity of the film. The app would then share this information with users and allow them to find the best deal. In other words, you'll probably still pay a mozza for the new Star Wars in mid-December and whatever the biggest flick is on Boxing Day, but when you're busting to see Tears of the Otter by that Danish guy at 11am on a Wednesday morning, Choovie will help you find a ticket that takes these things into account. Obviously, much of the app's success will rest on whether cinemas decide to play ball or not; however with Australian movie theatres currently selling less than a fifth of their available product, Stephen is confident that more bums on seats will also mean bigger profits for cinemas. "The onus is on us to prove that it works. If we can do that I can't see why everyone wouldn't come on board." Choovie goes live on 27th March in Victoria, NSW and the ACT, with staggered launches across the rest of Australia in the months following. For more information, visit their website.
Baz Luhrmann has always had a knack for casting. As his three-decade filmography shows, he's long had a talent for plenty more — dazzling imagery, pitch-perfect needle drops, and a hyperactive and immersive vibe that makes viewers feel like they've stepped right into his movies, for starters — but his films are always immaculately cast. He had 90s teens swooning over Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes. His made Elizabeth Debicki a star via The Great Gatsby. And just try to name someone who didn't want Ewan McGregor to serenade them after Moulin Rouge!. You can't; they don't exist. Elvis, Luhrmann's biopic about the king of rock 'n' roll, is no different. Indeed, the acclaimed Australian filmmaker wouldn't have made it if he wasn't able to find the right actor for the job. And that stellar stroke of casting, enlisting Once Upon a Time in Hollywood's Austin Butler to sport the pompadour, sideburns and oh-so-many jumpsuits, has exactly the effect that Luhrmann intended. Watching Butler in the film's meticulous recreations of Presley's live performances, you instantly understand why the singer became an icon. You see what audiences in the 50s, 60s and 70s saw. Even better: you feel as thrilled and excited as they must've felt. Charting Presley's life from his birth in Tupelo, Mississippi to his death in 1977 at the age of 42 — as told by his manager Colonel Tom Parker (Tom Hanks) — Elvis spans the details that a big-screen biography about one of entertainment's most famous names needs to. It's also made by a filmmaker with his own name recognition and sense of style. The result: an Elvis movie and a Luhrmann movie. It has the swagger of both. It mixes Presley's songs — some sung by Butler, some by the man himself, some blending the two — with hip hop. It sashays between swirling imagery and a Luhrmann-esque sensory onslaught to concerts so electrifying that you can almost smell the sweat. It's little wonder that Elvis debuted at the Cannes Film Festival to a 12-minute standing ovation. It's also unsurprising that bringing the film back to Australia, including to the Gold Coast where it was shot, was one helluva party. During the whirlwind Aussie tour, ahead of the movie's local release on June 23, we chatted to Luhrmann about all things Elvis — spanning everything from telling more than just Presley's story to Butler's virtually fated casting, thank you, thank you very much. THE MUSIC BIOPIC ALL SHOOK UP From Strictly Ballroom, his hit debut back in 1992, through to his 2013 adaptation of The Great Gatsby, his most recent big-screen release until now, music has been a crucial part of Luhrmann's films. Perhaps that's why Elvis feels like a movie that he was always going to make — and the style of feature, a music biopic, that was always going to pop onto his resume at some point. Asked if it felt that way to him, Luhrmann says that he was drawn to making more than just a music biopic. "I always liked the way Shakespeare would take a historical figure and make a bigger idea," he says — and as Romeo + Juliet fans know, Luhrmann's long been a fan of the Bard. "And I was so in love with Amadeus. I don't know how old I was when I saw that, but the thing about that film is it's called Amadeus but it's not really about Mozart. It's Salieri's story — and who the hell is Sailieri? That's the point of the movie. He was the most famous composer on the planet, and god goes and puts genius in this piglet of a person and he's very angry about it. So the film's about jealousy," Luhrmann continues. "I wanted to use the canvas of Elvis and Colonel Tom Parker — never a Colonel, never a Tom, never a Parker — this giant, out-there character, who, you know, was a carnival barker and a sort of Svengali type. He saw this kid who had grown up in one of the few white houses in the Black community and went 'I don't know what he's doing but that's the best carnival act I've ever seen'. And I just think the spread of the life — the 50s, 60s, 70s — if you want to explore America, what a great canvas. And through music, what a great canvas." FROM DANCING TO 'BURNING LOVE' TO DIRECTING AN ELVIS MOVIE Thanks to a wonderful piece of trivia from Luhrmann's past, directing Elvis almost seems like it was meant to be. He says the same about Butler playing Elvis — but only Luhrmann won a dancing contest to 'Burning Love' when he was ten. "I did. I went up to the DJ and I said 'hey mate, can you put on 'Burning Love' because it really gets going, you know?' Luhrmann recalls. "And we had the matinees at our little cinema for a while" — because, yes, Luhrmann's father Leonard ran a small-town movie theatre when he was growing up — "and I just thought he was cool". Ask a teenage Baz about Presley, though, and his answer would've differed. Unpacking why is part of the reason he has made Elvis now. "Pretty quickly, by the time I was about 18, I was into Bowie and stuff like that, and Elvis kind of was in the background," Luhrmann says. "But I think he was always present to me, but I was also very aware that under 35, he's just kind of a Halloween costume. My kids are like, he's the funny guy in the white suit, you know?" "Anything that is iconic, that becomes rusty — at some point something iconic must've been amazing, must've felt amazing, but it's just become ossified," Luhrmann continues. "So I've spent my life taking kind of implausibly cheesy things and trying to re-code them so that what they felt like, you can feel again." In what quickly proves typical Luhrmann fashion, he has an anecdote to explain, one relating to one of the most memorable songs in his movies yet. "When I was doing Moulin Rouge!, we were thinking about the key love song, and I was at a piano bar in San Diego. And 'Your Song' came on. And the guy was like "it's a little bit funny…" — every cheesy bar in the world would play 'Your Song' by Elton John. But I went home with Anton [Monsted, the film's executive music supervisor, and Elvis' music supervisor as well] and we listened to the original recording. And, we realised, what an amazing song." GETTING THE RIGHT ELVIS IN THE BUILDING Call it a case of suspicious minds: if Luhrmann was going to make Elvis, he wasn't going to cast just anyone. The world is full of Elvis impersonators, which is a skill all of its own. But that wasn't what Luhrmann was looking for — and although Harry Styles was also considered, the pop star wasn't what the director was after, either. Butler wanted the part so badly that he made and sent a video of himself singing 'Unchained Melody' before Luhrmann was even casting. "It wasn't like an audition," the filmmaker says. "He talks about it now, but I only learned recently or during the process that what happened was, he'd made another video and it wasn't good, he thought. And he had lost his mum the same year that Elvis did. So he has this nightmare and he goes down the stairs and thinks 'what I am going to do with this terror?'." "So he goes down and he just sort of, he's in a bathrobe, and he's playing it, and shooting with an iPhone as he's singing it. And I thought, it wasn't an audition. I thought it was like spy cam or something. I said 'who is this? What is this?'." "And then he came in, and pretty much he was Elvis from the moment he walked in," Luhrmann continues. "He just kept getting more and more Elvis, to the point where during the pandemic I had to tell him to slow down, like he was going to break himself. But I think it's like a life or death commitment for him." THOSE PHENOMENAL LIKE-YOU'RE-THERE CONCERT SCENES Strictly Ballroom had brilliantly choreographed and shot ballroom scenes. Moulin Rouge! was filled with big musical numbers, including in the eponymous Parisian establishment. The Great Gatsby boasted parties that could sit in the dictionary under 'decadence'. Luhrmann knows how to direct a spectacle — and, in Elvis, that comes via the concert scenes. Chatting about them, he credits the team effort — and Butler. "Firstly, you've got to start with Austin, whose commitment — it was like, it's a freak situation. I mean, his casting in the role is almost a freak situation. It's like forces beyond me almost, without getting too Hammer horror. He was drawn to be in this movie, and I wasn't going to make it unless I could find someone to play it," Luhrmann notes. "Then, COVID meant that whatever he was doing, he had to do it for another year. And by then he was so Elvis." Obviously, there's more to Elvis' centrepiece scenes than just pointing the camera at the Butler, as exceptional as he is. Luhrmann was determined to use the recreated footage to show — rather than tell — the audience what made Presley a star, and so incendiary, and why he was such a hit. Again, viewers don't just see the singer and his impact; they feel it, like they're there in that audience in the 50s, 60s and 70s. "Working with [cinematographer] Mandy Walker and [executive music producer] Elliott Wheeler, and the music people and all that, [we were] making sure shot by shot — making sure the look, shot by shot, it was identical in many regards," Luhrmann says. "But then you flip the coin, and you show what you didn't see in the documentaries and what you don't see in the concert footage. So it's getting the two sides to it." Elvis screens in Australian and New Zealand cinemas from June 23. Read our full review. Image: Hugh Stewart / © 2022 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Darling Harbour hotspot Bungalow 8, which underwent a $3 million reno last year, is welcoming the cooler months with the return of Rhythm and Brunch. Head along on the first Sunday of the month for two hours of bottomless drinks, tasty eats and nonstop R&B, all backdropped by dazzling harbour views. For $89, you'll be sipping on endless cocktails, wine and beer. The cocktail menu is dedicated to a trio of refreshing spritzes: Aperol, limoncello and a peach, wild berry and hibiscus serve. On top of that, you and your mates can graze on a generous share platter, loaded with smoked salmon finger sandwiches, Thai-style chicken wings and grilled corn on the cob. You'll also be treated to sweet bites like mini danishes and fluffy scones. Providing the soundtrack will be a series of DJs spinning R&B tunes, including plenty of sing-along-able hits. When the bottomless drinks finish, you can stick around for an after-party that'll go well into the night.
Trips to the flicks in Sydney are about to get big again. Huge, even. Massive, in fact. After closing down back in 2016 when the entire building was demolished, the IMAX in Darling Harbour will finally reopen in its newly rebuilt form before 2023 is out. Initially, the venue was meant to relaunch in 2019, then in 2021; however, that clearly didn't happen. Giant nights at the movies are coming to all film lovers who wait, however, complete with a hefty 693-square-metre screen to peer at. That screen really is large. It'll also be part of IMAX's most-advanced theatre experience so far, spanning 4K laser projection using a system with a new optical engine and custom-designed lenses. Thanks to a range of proprietary technology, viewers can apparently expect the images gracing the screen to be brighter, too, with increased resolution, deeper contrast and the widest range of colours that IMAX has seen. As for the sound, that'll be piped through a 12-channel setup. Running the site will be EVT, the hospitality company behind Event Cinemas, Moonlight Cinema, the Skyline Drive-In and the State Theatre, a heap of bars and restaurants, plus QT Hotels, Rydges and other hotel chains. The organisation also has three other IMAX venues to its name: in Auckland and Queensgate in New Zealand, and IMAX Karlsruhe in Germany. As well as that enormous screen, the luxe IMAX Sydney upgrade will include a choice of different seating, such as recliners, couples' lounges and private pods. There'll be 430 seats in total, on par with the old venue. And, the food and beverage range is getting a revamp courtesy of a marketplace experience. "We're thrilled to partner with EVT to bring audiences a world-class movie going experience at the new IMAX Sydney theatre in The Ribbon," said Giovanni Dolci, IMAX's Chief Sales Officer, announcing the news. "We're confident that this iconic venue will become a cultural landmark and will instantly join the ranks of our most celebrated and successful flagship cinemas around the world, from New York, Cannes and Tokyo to Los Angeles, Seoul and London," Dolci continued. View this post on Instagram A post shared by imaxsydney (@imaxsydney) "At EVT, our vision is to be leaders in creating experiences and properties that escape the ordinary. Our research tells us that audiences want choice," added EVT's Director of Entertainment Australia Luke Mackey. "We've created multiple ways to experience IMAX, featuring Australian first premium seating options — full recliners, couples' lounges and private pods. The location also leverages experts from across EVT to deliver elevated food and beverage and an innovative venue for conferences and events. We believe that IMAX Sydney located in the heart of Sydney will be the best IMAX in Australia, attracting locals and tourists alike". There's no word yet as to which massive blockbusters will be gracing the new IMAX screen when it reopens, or an exact date — but Sydneysiders, you'll soon have a new huge spot to see huge flicks. IMAX Sydney will reopen at Darling Harbour sometime in 2023 — we'll update you with an exact date when one is announced.
At some point in the near future, when television production returns to normal, Taika Waititi will be writing, directing and executive producing two new animated Netflix series based on Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Yep, if you were wondering what the Jojo Rabbit Oscar-winner is up to next, they're a couple of things on his slate. Right now, though, he's turning his attention to another Dahl favourite — and enlisting plenty of pals. Across ten episodes, James and the Giant Peach with Taika and Friends sees Waititi team up with a whole heap of famous talent to narrate the beloved book. If you've ever wanted to hear the Boy, What We Do in the Shadows and Hunt for the Wilderpeople read to you, then here's your chance. If you've always wondered what would happen if his Thor: Ragnarok stars Chris Hemsworth, Tessa Thompson and Cate Blanchett voiced James and the Giant Peach characters too, well, that's on the agenda as well. Also lending their voices: Liam Hemsworth, Jojo Rabbit's Roman Griffin Davis and Archie Yates, plus other big names such as Meryl Streep, Benedict Cumberbatch, Cara Delevingne, Mindy Kaling, Lupita Nyong'o, Billy Porter, Gordon Ramsay, Eddie Redmayne, Ryan Reynolds and Olivia Wilde. Four episodes are currently available via YouTube, with new instalments added each three times a week — at 3am on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays in Australia, and at 5am in New Zealand. And if you're wondering why, the aim is raise funds for COVID-19 impacted charities, especially those helping seriously ill children and medical workers in vulnerable areas of the world. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJNSg_oMrOQ
One room. One table. Twenty seats. And an ever-evolving set menu of modern Australian dishes. That's what you can expect from The Farmhouse. But there's much more to this beloved Rushcutters Bay restaurant. With a name like The Farmhouse, there's a risk that the restaurant will lean heavily on the kitsch. You know, lame 'Love lives here' signs and faux-distressed furniture and a real meat-and-three-veg approach to the food. This isn't the case here. The rustic farmhouse theme is certainly evident, but it has the refinement of an inner city fine diner. Co-owners Nick Gurney, Aidan Thomas and Brodie Stewart are responsible for the fit-out, which involves a single room with high wood-beamed ceilings, exposed brick walls and a single communal table. Here, 20 guests per sitting (6.00pm and 8.30pm) enjoy their five-course set menu. Said menu changes constantly — the kitchen changes half every fortnight, which means you could dine there once a month and never eat the same thing twice. As with many high end restaurants, it reads as deceptively simple: whole roasted Bannockburn chicken with cauliflower and cheddar; Spencer Gulf calamari and scallop with parnsip; Cowra lamb rump with mozart potatoes and kombu butter. Notice something else? Yep, there is a drive to sustainably source from local producers. The idea of having a meal while sitting shoulder to shoulder with strangers may not sound enticing to all (introverts), but the cosy vibes, good food and excellent wine (all Australian and French) will quickly change your mind. It's like having a dinner party with a bunch of strangers — but none of you have to lift a finger.
Here's something to spice up your weekend plans. Head to Bondi Junction on Saturday, March 21, to take part in the Global Table event and celebrate all things multiculturalism with a feast for the senses. Taking over Oxford Street Mall from 10am–4pm, expect a diverse day filled with music, food and fun. Hosted by Waverley Council, Global Table is a dynamic event celebrating a wide range of flavours, cultures and traditions. Centred around a 35-metre-long table, guests engage in communal dining in its truest sense. Taste a plethora of authentic dishes from around the world with a variety of food vendors sharing treasured family recipes. On the mainstage, artists and dancers will showcase traditional performances from their home countries. Performers from Türkiye, Mexico, Colombia, Thailand, Japan and Guana will generously share their cultural expressions through dance and music. Then, you can wander the streets and discover market stalls featuring handmade goods and treasures. You can also experience henna tattooing, Japanese Kimono dress up, and a circus workshop for kids. Bringing people from around the globe together, head along with the whole family for a global feast and cultural showcase. "Our annual Global Table event in Bondi Junction is a vibrant celebration of multiculturalism that brings people together through a shared love for food, culture and community. The 35-metre-long communal table is the perfect setting to meet someone new and hear the stories behind treasured family recipes, while sampling authentic dishes from across the world and enjoying an eclectic array of live entertainment from multicultural performers. This beloved community festival, now in its 16th year, is family-friendly, free and a true feast for the senses. A word of advice, make sure you come hungry," says Waverly Mayor Will Nemesh. Images: Supplied. Like what you see? Subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter to get stories just like these straight to your inbox.
If you needed a new reason to make the journey to the historic fishing town of Patonga, then the recently renovated Boathouse Hotel has you covered. Located along the Hawkesbury River and Broken Bay, the spot relaunched last year with all-day dining, seaside views and a large outdoor deck overlooking the water — and now its revamped rooms are available to stay in as well. It's the first Central Coast venue for the Boathouse Group, which originated in Palm Beach back in 2008 and now boasts eight venues to its name. The stunning new interior is similar to the group's other beachside venues and resembles the inside of a luxury yacht, while the large outdoor deck offers prime seating for the warmer months. On the food front, the menu spans breakfast through dinner with a focus on quality produce and fresh fare. For brekkie, there are healthy options like the granola ($18), bircher muesli ($18) and green bowl (avocado, kale, broccoli, seed loaf and cashews, topped with a poached egg — $22), along with more decadent eats like the croissant French toast ($22) and sausage sangas with manchego, caramelised onions and chilli ($16). For lunch and dinner, classic pub grub, including parmas ($26), pork ribs ($44) and burgers ($26), sit alongside more refined fare — think snapper ceviche with cucumber and sesame ($24) or yellowfin tuna pasta with capers and herbs ($32). A takeaway shop turns out finger food like fish and chips, too. The classic cocktail list continues the beachside vibes, with a frozen watermelon margarita, cucumber cooler and pomegranate mojito all making the list at $19 a piece. Other drink specialties include a rare magnum offering and 17-strong beer list. Non-alcoholic options range from cold press juices and smoothies to tonics and kombucha. If you're eager to stay for a night or several — and willing to pay between $240–850 per night — the hotel's accommodation includes three one-to-three bedroom guest apartments, each with waterfront balcony views. The trio of rooms sit on the structure's upper level, and also feature separate living and dining areas, marble bathrooms, and either a kitchenette or kitchen. Decor-wise, they're unsurprisingly coastal-themed, complete with timber and terrazzo flooring, nautical-inspired fabrics, handmade shell mirrors, and rope and cane pieces. Located a 90-minute drive from Sydney, or 30-minute ferry trip from Palm Beach, it's the perfect spot to build a weekend getaway around. If you do, here are a few more Central Coast spots to check out while you're there. The Boathouse Hotel Patonga is now open at 6/8 Patonga Drive, Patonga. Open Monday through Tuesday from 7am–3pm and Wednesday through Sunday from 7am–9pm.
Hotel Morris is an impressive design-led boutique hotel with a sense of warm, understated luxury as well as a fantastic wine bar Bar Morris. Hotel Morris is tucked away on Pitt Street in Haymarket not far from the best of Chinatown, the Sydney CBD, and Surry Hills. The heritage listed property first opened as a hotel in 1929 — a design showcase for architect Virgil Dante Cizzio's interpretation of the Inter-War Palazza style. It underwent a significant refurb before reopening in 2023, boasting beautiful new finishes and detail while maintaining the elegance of its historic Italian influence. The exterior has been refurbished to retain the original design, with a bold white and red sign proudly exclaiming 'Hotel Morris' out the front. Inside, art deco-leaning suites welcome guests with Jarrah wood accents and custom furniture that pays homage to the history of the building. Downstairs, the aforementioned Bar Morris continues the building's design with a sleek 40-seat space built around pink marble, velvet, leather, timber flooring, and vibrant flourishes of red.
Remember the Pokémon Go phase? What a time in millennial history. And while you may not see hordes of people playing it in your local park these days, fans need not despair. Because Pokémon is coming back to you in real life. Three years after the game temporarily took over the world, a pop-up bar decked out in everything Pokemon is hitting Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane this year. We don't have specific details, like the when and where of it, but can tell you to expect everything to do with the franchise: Pokéball-shaped burgers, as well as games, themed cocktails and prizes. The bars will supposedly be divided into seven regions and each session will includes two hours of 'hunting, battling and catching time' — we're interested to see how that will be interpreted. You can complete all regions to be the ultimate winner, where we suppose you might win one of the aforementioned Pokémon prizes. There will also be prizes for the best dressed and a DJ spinning tracks. The nitty gritty of it all, though, is yet to be revealed. Will you be playing on the app, or will you have to find Pokémons in a scavenger hunt? Does anyone still actually play Pokémon Go? The mystery is yet to be solved, but you may want to start rounding up your old catching team. We don't know dates for this one, but you can be the first to know when tickets are available by signing to the mailing list. The event comes from the same group that have previously announced a Simpsons-themed Flaming Moe's tavern and a Harry Potter-themed Cauldron Bar. While neither of these events have actually happened — even though the Cauldron Bar initially scheduled for last month — organisers have told Concrete Playground that they are trying to find the perfect venues for the bars, and both of them are still "in the pipeline". The Pokébar should hit Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane later this year. Tickets will be $35 for a two-hour session. They're not yet on sale, but you can register here.
You might reasonably assume that taking the spotlight in front of an adoring audience would be the number-one perk of the job for a performer, particularly if they happen to be headlining one of the biggest musical theatre blockbusters in living memory. However, for Vidya Makan, who is currently appearing as Eliza Schuyler in the final Australian season of global megahit Hamilton, it's the moments she's not on stage that mean the most. "What I get to do as Eliza every night is an honour and a joy. But honestly, more often than not, It's actually just watching the incredible talent of my cast mates and the genius of everyone involved with this show that I most love," she shares. "Everyone in this company is the best in the world at what they do. And every night I get a front-row ticket to see some of our nation's and the world's best artists in action." [caption id="attachment_980455" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kate Williams[/caption] It's been almost a decade since the original cast of Lin-Manuel Miranda's hip hop-driven history play about the meteoric rise and ultimately tragic fall of American founding father Alexander Hamilton first shook the bedrock of Broadway. And for almost a decade, Makan has been listening to that original cast's recording of the Grammy, Olivier, Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning show. While she admits this helped her learn her lyrics (given most of the show was already thoroughly committed to memory), being a Hamilton superfan has also posed some challenges. "After getting cast, I stopped listening to the original recording. I didn't watch any other reference videos — I needed to forget everything I already knew," she explains. "The most important thing for me is that I bring my own version to a character. So I read the Ron Chernow book that the musical is based on to try and find as many clues as I could to the essence of who this real woman was. She's described as vivacious. She used to put the boys to the test when she was a kid. She'd go hiking up mountains without the help of gentlemen, unlike the women around her, and I think it's that aspect of her that I really relate to. [caption id="attachment_980456" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kate Williams[/caption] "Crafting my Eliza, I wanted to make her really forthright and lean away from the idea of her as someone who just let's things happen. She's this incredibly courageous woman and I think that is very much reflected in her generosity. I certainly learn from her every night I get to play her." Beyond this research, Makan's account of Eliza also shifts depending on the actors she's appearing opposite — particularly the titular leading man. "I find it really exciting when we have different Hamiltons on — it changes my character and that's a really, really wonderful thing," she says. "If you come to see the show and you get to see an understudy, count yourself lucky, because they really bring it — it actually elevates everyone's performance and brings new magic to the world of the show as well." [caption id="attachment_980457" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kate Williams[/caption] In the majority of performances, however, Makan stars alongside Jason Arrow, who has delivered the title role since Hamilton first premiered in Australia in March 2021. "He's been playing this part for almost four years — that's like doing an undergraduate degree," Makan jests. "When I'm creating my Eliza, I'm working off someone who knows their Hamilton so intimately and as an actor, you don't often get that privilege. One of the first things Jason said to me was, 'Please don't feel like you have to fit into what we've created. I'm really excited to meet your Eliza and to see what that does to my Hamilton.' I think that generosity is reflected everywhere in this cast. And that's really what makes this particular production something you will never see again. It's so special, that dynamic and every night it's why it's so charged and electric and nuanced." [caption id="attachment_980459" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Daniel Boud[/caption] Much like the handful of talented artists who have had the opportunity to portray Eliza in various productions around the world, Makan is an astonishing performer. But her skillset also shares a unique synergy with Hamilton's creator, Lin-Manuel Miranda, who in addition to composing the show, also starred in its original production in the title role. Makan, who trained in musical theatre at Queensland Conservatorium in Brisbane, is also a composer who starred in her own debut show, The Lucky Country, which received broad acclaim when it premiered at Sydney's Hayes Theatre in June 2023. "Every night [performing in Hamilton] is a masterclass for me. Sometimes I have to remind myself that I'm here to perform on stage but it's hard to stop analysing the whole genius of the thing," she says. "We've done over 100 shows now in Sydney, but even now I'll be lying in bed and I'll have a line going through my mind and something new will suddenly reveal itself. You never stop learning from this show — that's why it truly is one of the greatest of all time." [caption id="attachment_979301" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Daniel Boud[/caption] Hamilton is playing at the Sydney Lyric Theatre until January 25. Head to the Hamilton website for more details. Top image: Daniel Boud
When the end of the week rolls around it's always worth a tiny celebration — heck even if there are 52 of them, you made it through another one! It's easy to fall back on going to the pub around the corner, or the closest bar to your office, but isn't it about time you did something a little different, and even a bit special? We've done the leg work for you and found seven great bars that will shake you a sublime cocktail, and add in something a little special — be it a rooftop, a tasty pop-up, great DJs, Instagram-worthy interiors or stunning views (or all of the above). Round up your mates and pick one of these from a hat — we can guarantee they will take your Friday night drinks to another level of decadence, deliciousness and double taps. Whether you've hit your targets at work, or been kicking goals at the gym, you deserve to treat yourself for the small wins and milestones. The world's finest French vodka, Grey Goose, celebrates its versatility and commitment to quality ingredients as it allows bartenders to create incredible cocktails that upgrade any summer occasion — starting with those Friday night drinks. Here's where we think you should go — and what you should order as your first, premium cocktail of the night.
"Are people born wicked? Or do they have wickedness thrust upon them?" They're the questions that the full trailer for Wicked poses in its first moments. The rest of the sneak peek, the film it's for, and both the musical and the book that it's based on all explore those queries through the tale of Glinda (Ariana Grande, Don't Look Up) and Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo, Pinocchio). Film lovers, you're going off to see the witches, the powerful witches of Oz, when Wicked soars from the page and the stage to the screen in 2024. The famous and beloved theatre musical adapts a book that takes inspiration from The Wizard of Oz, and has been a show-going favourite for more than two decades thanks to composer Stephen Schwartz and playwright Winnie Holzman. Now, it's heading to cinemas as a two-part movie. The first instalment, now just called Wicked rather than Wicked: Part One, arrives in November with director Jon M Chu (In the Heights, Crazy Rich Asians) behind the lens. Grande dons pink and Erivo sports the requisite green in both the first teaser trailer for the movie — which arrived amid the annual Super Bowl sneak-peek frenzy (see also: Deadpool & Wolverine) — and also for the just-dropped complete sneak peek. Haven't caught the stage show on its current Australian run, including in Sydney since 2023 and in Melbourne from March 2024 , with Brisbane to come? Defy gravity in your local picture palace before the year is out instead. In the two trailers for the film, Glinda tells Elphaba "don't be afraid". "I'm not afraid," is the fellow witch's response. "It's the Wizard who should be afraid of me." As for why, the second trailer steps through more of the plot — complete with renditions of 'Popular' and, yes, 'Defying Gravity'; Elphaba getting her black witch hat; flying monkeys; hues of pink and green aplenty; and meeting the Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum, Asteroid City) in Emerald City. Wicked follows the Land of Oz's witches, with telling their untold tale the musical's whole angle. On the stage, the show has notched up more awards than you can fit in a hefty cauldron over the years. That includes three Tonys from ten nominations, a Grammy, an Olivier Award and six Drama Desk Awards. Joining Grande and Erivo in bringing Wicked to the cinemas is quite the who's who-style cast. Alongside Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh (A Haunting in Venice), Jonathan Bailey (Bridgerton), Ethan Slater (The Marvellous Mrs Maisel) and Bowen Yang (Saturday Night Live) also feature. As for when the second Wicked movie will also get flickering, it's due in November 2025. Check out the full trailer for Wicked below: Wicked releases in cinemas Down Under on November 28, 2024.
Maybe you love nothing more than telling simulated people what to do. Perhaps a fantasy universe is your favourite place to escape to when you're mashing buttons. More than a quarter-century back, virtual critters might've been your go-to pastime. The Sims, World of Warcraft and Neopets have all made an impact on the gaming world, and on audiences. All three are also scoring plenty of love when Game Worlds takes over the Australian Centre for the Moving Image in Melbourne. For five months from mid-September 2025 till February 2026, this video-game exhibition will shine a spotlight on 30 iconic titles — and make attendees feel like they're stepping inside some of them, too. Expect everything from original concept art and never-before-seen designs to rare objects to fill the Federation Square site's Gallery 4. Expect to be able to get playing, rather than just peering, as well. [caption id="attachment_997869" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Blizzard Entertainment[/caption] Although the full lineup of games featured hasn't been revealed as yet, they'll span from the 70s until now, and 20 of them will be playable. Demos, games from years gone by, trying to break speed records: they're all part of the setup, which will include international hits, new Australian releases and everything in-between. "As the home of videogames in Australia, Game Worlds celebrates the continuous evolution of this century's defining artform. It builds on ACMI's multi-decade experience in making video-game exhibitions, and our long-term support of the Australian video-game sector through preservation, education, industry partnerships and our dedicated Games Lab," said ACMI Director & CEO Seb Chan, announcing the exhibition. "Whether you love games as much as we do or have never picked up a controller, Game Worlds gives fresh insight into video games and their cultural impact." [caption id="attachment_997868" align="alignnone" width="1920"] World of Neopia[/caption] As Chan referrenced, ACMI has staged major video-game showcases before. This is its third, in fact, following 2008's Game On and 2012's Game Masters. Since the latter, the venue has also hosted smaller gaming exhibitions, such as 2017's Code Breakers — where women in the industry were the focus — and 2024's Honk! Untitled Goose Exhibition. Earlier in 2025, it celebrated 25 years of The Sims across one nostalgic weekend. As it regularly does with its showcases, the gallery will pair Game Worlds with talks, film screenings and other events, family-friendly activities among them. [caption id="attachment_997870" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Blizzard Entertainment[/caption] [caption id="attachment_997871" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Blizzard Entertainment[/caption] Game Worlds displays at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Federation Square, Melbourne, from Thursday, September 18, 2025–Sunday, February 8, 2026. Head to the venue's website for more details. Top image: Electronic Arts.
Australia is home to some incredible music festivals, with Laneway, Bluesfest, Splendour, Groovin' the Moo and Dark Mofo bringing some of the world's best acts to our shores each year. But live music isn't the only excuse to head out of town. Australia is also home to heaps of out-there festivals set in rural and random locations, celebrating everything from spuds and watermelon to Mary Poppins and the Nutbush. Looking for an out-of-the-ordinary getaway? Here's our pick of the top ten weird and wonderful festivals to track down around the country.
There's a line towards the end of Drive-Away Dolls that's so glorious, so hilarious and so descriptive of the film's plot that it feels like Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke's lesbian road-movie comedy caper could've sprung from it alone. The dialogue in question spans eight words that are best discovered by watching, riffing on a familiar phrase — and it's marvellous. Ethan is no stranger to writing sparklingly witty and sidesplitting banter. His filmography is filled with it and, with his sibling Joel, he has two Oscars for Best Screenplay, winning for Fargo's original script and No Country for Old Men's adaption. The Coen brothers' own O Brother, Where Art Thou?, A Serious Man, True Grit and The Ballad of Buster Scruggs also scored them nominations, as did co-penning the Steven Spielberg-directed Bridge of Spies. Ethan and Tricia — who are not only married, but have past experience working together thanks to the latter's role editing some Coen brothers' movies, starting with The Big Lebowski — didn't base Drive-Away Dolls' narrative on that particularly perfect line. That's not how Ethan pens his scripts, he tells Concrete Playground, whether Joel or Tricia is his co-writer. "We write very much, as me and Joel always wrote, in order — in scene order, not knowing, not outlining, and not knowing where we're going in terms of outline, or certainly not in terms of future lines of dialogue that we want to work in," he explains. "So that came up because the situation warranted at that point." What a situation that Drive-Away Dolls dives into; there might be only one Coen attached, but it's still pure Coens. Two lesbian friends attempt to hightail it away from their everyday Philadelphia lives — one after a fresh breakup; the other unable to relax since her last relationship ended quite a while earlier, and just in general — with Tallahassee, Florida their destination. Margaret Qualley (Poor Things) plays the outgoing, confident, as-casual-as-they-come Jamie, who soon has police officer Sukie (Beanie Feldstein, American Crime Story) for an ex. Geraldine Viswanathan (Cat Person) is the perennially stressed and uptight Marian. Their getaway idea: driving a car that needs taking to their destination anyway, aka the eponymous cheap car-hire service. But their mistakenly allocated vehicle has hidden cargo, which sets a couple of bickering and bumbling goons (Plane's Joey Slotnick and The Blacklist's CJ Wilson) on their trail. There's an anarchic everything-that-can-go-wrong-will air to Jamie and Marian's eventful road trip, and to the antics of the men following their every move (and to the storyline's twists, which bring in characters played by The Last of Us' Pedro Pascal, The Color Purple's Colman Domingo, Oppenheimer's Matt Damon and The Burial's Bill Camp, too). But this isn't the soulful Inside Llewyn Davis; rather, Raising Arizona, Burn After Reading, The Big Lebowski, O Brother, Where Art Thou? but queer, touring lesbian bars and featuring wall dildos is the vibe. "I think the only thing that we wanted, we definitely wanted to make it a fun queer movie. And, we thought about Cynthia Plaster Caster very early on. She was someone we were like 'okay, we're going to work something like that into the plot'," advises Tricia. [caption id="attachment_942716" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Margaret Qualley, Beanie Feldstein, Tricia Cooke, Geraldine Viswanathan and Ethan Coen. Photo by Marion Curtis / StarPix for Focus Features.[/caption] How do Coen and Cooke really tie all of those elements together, including the artist — "not famous now, kind of forgotten," Ethan notes — known for making plaster casts of celebrity penises? ("Later on, she also cast women's breasts," stresses Tricia; "she wasn't a one-trick pony," adds Ethan.) Uproariously, in their gleeful version of a B-movie, with a 60s- and 70s-inspired spirit, and while crafting a period piece. The movie's action is set in the 90s, where today's ever-present technology can't simplify the scenario. It feels like a throwback several times over, then, and like writer/director/producer Coen and writer/editor/producer Cooke are having an absolute ball making it. Harking back three decades is a nod to Drive-Away Dolls' history as well, with the film initially conceived and scripted back then under the name Drive-Away Dykes. With that moniker, it was indeed a case of coming up with the title, adoring it, then basing the whole movie around it. With the film that's resulted all these years later in cinemas Down Under from Thursday, February 22, we chatted with its two guiding forces about finally bringing it to the screen — including while Ethan and Joel take a break from their collaborations (Ethan and Tricia teamed up to make 2022 documentary Jerry Lee Lewis: Trouble in Mind first, while Joel helmed 2021's The Tragedy of Macbeth solo). Also covered: how Drive-Away Dolls' narrative came about, digging the script back up, casting Qualley and Australia's own Viswanathan, and loving making comedy capers. On Coming Up with Drive-Away Dolls' Story — and Its Original Title Tricia: "Well, we did come up with Drive-Away Dykes — a friend of mine and I, not Ethan and I. And I went home and I mentioned it to Ethan, and he was like 'that's a great name. We should write that movie'. So it just started out because drive-away — I don't know if you have them in Australia, but here they're companies where you can go and get a car, and you can drive it, and you drop it off wherever the owner of the car wants it driven. So we thought that was an interesting beginning of a road movie. And then, ending up with the wrong car — or what might possibly be in this car that they weren't anticipating. So we started from there." Ethan: "Trish came up with the title Drive-Away Dykes in the Pravda bar in New York, down on Lafayette." Tricia: "Yeah, which sadly is no longer there." Ethan: "I hear they're putting up a plaque there, like Fat Black Pussycat, where Bob Dylan wrote 'Blowin' in the Wind' — but it's where you conceived Drive-Away Dykes." Tricia: "Excellent. I can't wait." On How the Film Finally Come to Fruition Decades After Initially Writing the Script Ethan: "Actually, it was just because me and Trish worked on a documentary together — we made a documentary movie about Jerry Lee Lewis — and we just enjoyed working together. Not that we hadn't before. Trish would cut some of mine and Joel's movies. But we enjoyed working together, and we thought 'hey, we've got this old script that we didn't manage to get made, so why don't we look at that again, and rewrite it again, and make the movie?'." Tricia: "We both had time. Ethan had kind of decided to take a break, and our kids are grown now, and after the Jerry Lee Lewis movie it was kind of like 'okay, well, what we're going to do next? Well, we have this script here, so let's see if we can interest anyone'." On How Drive-Away Dolls' Screenplay Evolved Since the Original Version in the 90s Ethan: "It was not the case that we worked on it over the years. We wrote it and then forgot about it for many years. And when we did come back, we did rewrite it. How is it different? I think it's mainly the main two characters are a little more…" Tricia: "Fleshed out." Ethan: "In the rewrite, the odd couple thing is highlighted. The free spirit versus the uptight woman, that's more pointed in in the rewrite." Tricia: "And we also made it a period movie. When we wrote it initially, it was contemporary and it didn't feel right to keep it contemporary for a couple of reasons. It's a lot easier to find people now with cell phones and the internet, and all of that. And also, all of the lesbian bars and stuff, that was such a big part of my world back then, and that's all changed — not significantly, but it's different now. And so I felt like it wouldn't be a proper representation, and something I didn't know, going to a lot of queer bars in 2022." Ethan: "It's a weird paradox where lesbian birds then were a little more transgressive, or felt at least a little transgressive. And now, now they don't. And there aren't as many, weirdly. I don't know what explains that." On Casting Margaret Qualley and Geraldine Viswanathan as Jamie and Marian Ethan: "They both came in, and when each of them came in, we said 'okay, that's the person'." Tricia: "They went to the top of the list. Geraldine came in very early. We saw her maybe in the first group of people we auditioned. Margaret came in very late. So we kind of had a Marian, we knew we were very high on Geraldine — and had a few other Jamies, but when Margaret came in it was like 'oh, that's Jamie'. She just flopped down in the chair, and she had the spirit that Jamie had. That was a harder part to cast." On Ethan Directing His First Narrative Feature without Joel Ethan: "Weirdly, well, same and different. Weirdly the same because I made it with Tricia — and Trish isn't titularly the co-director, but she is in fact. I mean, we made the movie together. So in that respect, it's kind of familiar. You're just working with another person, and it's all very collegial, and it's the two of you making the movie. So it wasn't different in terms of me working by myself, because I wasn't working by myself. It's different because I'm working with a different person." Tricia: "Joel knows more than I do." On Still Making a Movie That Feels Like a Coen Movie — and Gravitating Towards Comedic Capers Ethan: "It just seems that kind of thing is promising story fodder. You know what I mean? It's what Trish was talking about —a drive-away, you go 'okay, what could make that story go? Okay, there's something in the car they don't know about. And there's bad guys who were after them because they're after the stuff in the car'. You're looking for an engine for the story, something to propel the story — that's a caper." Tricia: "And also, we love just being on the road here in the States. There's such a car culture. So much is out there, there's so much material out there — and it just seems like it could be fun. The scenery is always changing, there's always something of interest out there. So those are good things to play around with story-wise, too." Ethan: "And you get lots of good stuff. The bar at the beginning, the starting point of the trip, and that mirror bar at the end, the end point of the trip — and that's a story." Tricia: "Raising Arizona is definitely, when anyone asks 'what's your favourite Coen brothers movie?', I always say Raising Arizona. Probably because I didn't work on it, but also it's just so much fun to watch them do wacky things — Goodman, and…" Tricia, to Ethan: "Oh, there's another!" Ethan: "Goodman and Bill Forsythe." Tricia: "We're trying to think of all of the dumb men in cars that have been in Ethan's movies." Drive-Away Dolls released in Australian and New Zealand cinemas on Thursday, February 22. Read our review. Images: Wilson Webb / Working Title / Focus Features.
100 years ago, May Gibbs first graced children's libraries with her adorable bush babies. The fantastical creatures — from Gumnut and Gum-Blossom Babies to the evil Big Bad Banksia Men — were inspired by her environmentalism and love of the Australian bush. Over the next few years, she crafted beloved characters like adventurous gumnut foster brothers Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, their best friend, orphaned gum-blossom Little Ragged Blossom, and their friends Mr Lizard and Mrs Kookaburra, who often saved them from danger. She even took them on adventures under the sea, where they met the greedy and devious John Dory and their kind saviour Ann Chovy. To celebrate Gibbs' life and her extraordinary contribution to Australian art and literature (and the lives of many children), the State Library of NSW is hosting an exhibition of her work. It will feature both original and reproduced illustrations from her books as well as her other art. And in a world rapidly succumbing to environmental destruction, there is perhaps no better time to heed Gibbs' warning to "be kind to all bush creatures". Image: Illustration for Gum-Nut Babies, 1916, May Gibbs, May Gibbs Archive at the State Library of NSW, © The Northcott Society and Cerebral Palsy Alliance.
No one will need to make any wishes to visit the most magical place in Australia over the summer of 2023–24. Enchanted creatures, alluring woodland spaces, eerie mirrors, dazzling slippers and eye-catching stagecoaches will all be part of the experience, however. The place: Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art, where Fairy Tales is taking over from Saturday, December 2–Sunday, April 28 as the River City venue's big summer exhibition. Fairy Tales was first announced in 2022 as part of GOMA's 2023 slate — and, from the moment that the 100-plus-piece showcase was revealed, it instantly sounded wondrous. The focus is indeed the stories that we all lapped up as kids, telling us about otherworldly critters, magic and more. Fairy Tales' art, installations and objects will split into three thematic chapters, starting with 'Into the Woods', then heading 'Through the Looking Glass' and finally pondering 'Ever After'. And yes, the exhibition will also survey the movies filled with such elements that still grace our screens, in what's set to be entrancing experience all round. [caption id="attachment_919713" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Henrique Oliveira / Brazil b.1973 / Baitogogo 2013 / Palais de Tokyo, Paris / Plywood and tree branches / 6740 x 1179 x 2076cm / Courtesy SAM Art Projects, Galerie GP&N Vallois, Galeria Millan / © Henrique Oliveira / Photograph: André Morin / This work is indicative of a new commission by Henrique Oliveira for the exhibition 'Fairy Tales' at QAGOMA.[/caption] One massive highlight is Corupira 2023, a huge site-specific installation by Henrique Oliveira, which GOMA also advised would be part of Fairy Tales when the exhibition was initially added to its 2023 calendar. This sprawling piece will take pride of place inside the riverside venue, with the Brazilian artist using salvaged timber, plywood and tree branches to transform the building's architecture. The result: a sure-to-be-stunning gnarled and twisted forest (a sure-to-be-snapped sight, too, naturally) courtesy of a specially commissioned work. Another sizeable installation hails from Patricia Piccinini, who is no stranger to filling GOMA with delights. Here, she'll create a magical path that sits below a canopy. Of course genetically modified plants are involved, this time in the form of 3000 blooms. [caption id="attachment_919718" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Trulee Hall / Witch House (Seance of the Umbilical Coven)(detail) 2020 / Wood, paper mâché, resin, fabric, stuffing, fake fur, synthetic hair, altered sex dolls, acrylic paint, spray paint, found candle holders, cornucopia baskets, found ceramic cornucopia, found crystal balls, convex mirror, polymer clay, hardware, LED candle / 431.8 × 685.8 × 436.88 cm / Collection: The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (MOCA) / Photograph: Joshua White / JWPictures.comThis work is indicative of a new commission by Trulee Hall for the exhibition 'Fairy Tales' at QAGOMA.[/caption] Overall, as it fills GOMA's entire ground floor, Fairy Tales will explore how folklore-, myth- and legend-related narratives have fascinated audiences through art and culture over not just years and decades but centuries. If creepy woods have influenced sculptures, or tales of princes and princesses have inspired painters, expect to see it here, in a blockbuster Australian-exclusive showcase that'll run for five months. On a list that goes on like breadcrumb trails, the full showcase will feature everything from drawings and installations through to fashion, as well as films and filmic elements such as props and costumes. Across the venue's walls and screens, wicked witches, magic animals (fierce and friendly alike), coming-of-age tales, shifting gender roles, bravery, loyalty, castles and pumpkins will all feature in one way or another — with help from artists such as Jana Sterbak, Kiki Smith, Abdul Abdullah and Ron Mueck. [caption id="attachment_919715" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Timothy Horn / Australia/United States b.1964 / Mother-load2008 / Crystalised rock sugar, plywood, steel / 292.6 x 182.9 x 170.7cm / Courtesy: The artist / Image courtesy: Jason Schmidt / New York Times / Photographer: Jason Schmidt.[/caption] Other specific pieces include a glass coffin by Sterbak, a dual mirror from Anish Kapoor, Gustave Doré's Little Red Riding Hood and Trulee Hall's Witch House (Umbilical Coven) 2023. Or, get excited about seeing interactive sculpture Flying Mushrooms 2015 by Carsten Höller; Costume for a mourner, a ballet costume by Henri Matisse; and Mueck's version of Pinocchio. Film fans will have much to peer at, and not just because an accompanying movie program is a reality as well thanks to GOMA's excellent Australian Cinematheque. That big-screen lineup will show relevant flicks, but the exhibition will overflow with other cinema-related details. Think: a costume donned by David Bowie in all-time classic Labyrinth, plus the thirteen-hour clock and glass orbs from the film; celebrating Where the Wild Things Are, both images from Maurice Sendak's and costumes created by the Jim Henson Creature Shop for the 2009 movie; a dress from Jean Cocteau's 1946 masterpiece La Belle et la Bête; costumes from 2012's Mirror Mirror by Eiko Ishioka; and Del Kathryn Barton and Brendan Fletcher's animation The Nightingale and the Rose. [caption id="attachment_919719" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Still from 'Cinderella' (1922) dir. Lotte ReinigerImage courtesy:British Film Institute[/caption] "The exhibition explores enchantment, thresholds and transformation while articulating concerns that have always been inherent in fairy tales, such as power imbalances, injustice, ageing, gender and otherness, and resilience in the face of adversity," said QAGOMA's Amanda Slack-Smith, who curated Fairy Tales and is also the Australian Cinémathèque's Curatorial Manager. "The exhibition includes more than 100 works encompassing sculpture, installation, painting, photography, printmaking, papercuts, animation, video art, film, props, costumes and even the hidden realm of augmented reality," added QAGOMA Director Chris Saines. "Celebrating a much-loved genre of storytelling, Fairy Tales is an adventure that will inspire and delight as it reminds us how timeworn narratives can be remixed and updated to both surprise and disconcert audiences." [caption id="attachment_919717" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tarsem Singh (director) / India/United States b.1961 / Eiko Ishioka (designer) / Japan 1938–2012 'Green dress' costume from Mirror Mirror 2012 / Silk, synthetic taffeta, nylon netting, plastic / © 2012 UV RML NL Assets LLC. / Photograph: Jan Thijs.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_919720" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Del Kathryn Barton (artist, director) / Australia b.1973 / Brendan Fletcher (director) / Australia /The Nightingale and the Rose (still) 2015 / Single-channel video: 14 minutes, colour, sound / Animators: Chris Breeze, Simon Bronson, David Edwards, Liz Ellis, Richard Swan / Music: Sarah Blasko/ Gift of Del Kathryn Barton through the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Foundation 2022. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art© Del Kathryn Barton / Image courtesy: The artist and RoslynOxley9 Gallery, Sydney.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_919716" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Timothy Horn / Australia/United States b.1964 / Glass slipper (ugly blister) 2001 / Lead crystal, nickel-plated bronze, Easter egg foil, silicon / 51 x 72 x 33cm / Purchased 2002 / Collection: National Gallery of Australia, Canberra© Timothy Horn.[/caption] Fairy Tales will display at Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art, Stanley Place, South Brisbane from Saturday, December 2, 2023–Sunday, April 28, 2024. For further details, visit GOMA's website. Top image: Henrique Oliveira / Brazil b.1973 / Baitogogo 2013 / Palais de Tokyo, Paris / Plywood and tree branches / 6740 x 1179 x 2076cm / Courtesy SAM Art Projects, Galerie GP&N Vallois, Galeria Millan / © Henrique Oliveira / Photograph: The artist / This work is indicative of a new commission by Henrique Oliveira for the exhibition 'Fairy Tales' at QAGOMA.
If you're on the hunt for a spot to watch the big game among other fans with the commentary coming through loud and clear, Sydney's got some top spots (see: our list of the best pubs and bars to watch sport). But the new pint-sized Inner West bar The Magpie has just thrown its hat in the ring, pairing viewings of The Matildas, The Eels, The Swans and the UFC with a retro fit-out and a crowd-pleasing roster of beers. Sporting a name that acts as both a piece of the Australiana tinge that permeates through the bar and a nod to the Western Suburbs Magpies rugby league team, The Magpie comes to Enmore from the team behind Earl's Juke Joint and Jacoby Tiki Bar. It's opened right next to The Trocadero Room, the intimate new 150-person live music venue that arrived late last year from the same team. Together, the two venues have taken over the space formerly occupied by HiWay Enmore, bolstering the bustling road's sizeable roster of small bars. The Magpie is designed to be a "local's local" — a place where you to drop in for a quick catch-up over a beer or a reliable spot that you know will be playing your favourite footy team's clash with their cross-town rivals. When there's no sport to be shown, you'll find a roster of classic films playing on the mounted televisions. The team has curated a slate of flicks that will transport you back to the days of walking through the aisles at your local Video Ezy (RIP). On tap, you'll find a few of your favourite Inner West breweries pouring, including a special Magpie Old brew that Grifter has whipped up, plus Guinness for good measure. Part sports bar, part small bar with a pub-like feel, The Magpie has opened its doors just in time for both the NRL and AFL seasons, as well as the upcoming Paris Olympics, set to kick off in July. Next door, The Trocadero Room offers a new stage where bands can cut their teeth and artistic communities can come together — plus a fun throwback drinks list featuring cosmos, Midori illusions and spicy margs. Since opening in November, it's already hosted Sydney favourites like Straight Arrows, exciting new up-and-comers like DoloRRes, and every kind of gig imaginable, from comedy nights and evenings dedicated to reggae, to scuzzy punk lineups and all sorts of dance parties. Both The Trocadero Room and The Magpie are located at 156 Enmore Road, Enmore. Head over to Instagram to find this week's gigs and which matches you can catch.
The Australian Centre for the Moving Image might be all about celebrating screen art — peering at films and TV shows, stepping into virtual reality and showcasing the talents that've made such a huge impact, for instance — but that doesn't mean that the Melbourne-based venue doesn't appreciate nature. The world around us can look stunning projected as large as a cinema can allow. David Attenborough has turned his documentaries about the planet into their own spectacular genre, too. And the natural realm can provide experimental artists with quite the playground to ponder, as Marshmallow Laser Feast: Works of Nature is set to unveil. This just-announced world-premiere exhibition will see art collective Marshmallow Laser Feast unveil a showcase of works that muse on trees, black holes, cells, breathing, space, science and more. Hitting ACMI from Thursday November 23, 2023–Sunday, April 14, 2024, Works of Nature spans five major pieces that aim to deeply contemplate and appreciate humanity's role in nature, and just nature overall. And, these aren't tiny pieces — all digital, they're aiming to inspire awe in both their size and content. [caption id="attachment_917015" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Marshmallow Laser Feast, 'Distortions in Spacetime', 2018, courtesy of the artists[/caption] This is the London-based MLF's first major showcase in Australia, adding a stint Down Under to appearances at the Sundance and Tribeca film festivals, the Istanbul Design Biennial, Lisbon Triennial and the V&A and Design Museum in their hometown. That impressive history is matched by a significant lineup of names involved with MLF's immersive Works of Nature pieces. Cate Blanchett (The New Boy) lends her narration, director Terrence Malick (A Hidden Life) executive produces, while Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood (Licorice Pizza) and fellow acclaimed composer Jóhann Jóhannsson (Last and First Men) are among the talents providing music — the latter's work continuing to entrance after his passing in 2018. Daisy Lafarge provides poetry, while Jon Hopkins, Meredith Monk and Howard Skempton also contribute tunes. [caption id="attachment_917016" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Marshmallow Laser Feast, 'Evolver', 2023, courtesy of the artists and Wave Museum.[/caption] Whether you're a Melburnian or have a trip to the Victoria capital in your future, you'll be able to see the meditative Evolver, which uses Blanchett's voice to journey through the human body, breath, the origins of cells and the cosmos — and Distortions in Spacetime, which heads to a black hole's edge. Or, there's the large-scale Sanctuary of the Unseen Forest, a video installation about the Amazon's kapok trees. Thanks to The Tides Within Us, oxygen is in focus again via six static pictures. And with We Live in an Ocean of Air, MLF explore how that last word in the piece's moniker connects life on earth. [caption id="attachment_917019" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Marshmallow Laser Feast, 'Sanctuary of the Unseen Forest', courtesy of the artists and Sandra Ciampone.[/caption] "ACMI is thrilled to bring the work of Marshmallow Laser Feast to Australia for the first time. This exhibition reflects the power of large-scale moving image works and creative use of projection technologies to produce immersive experiences that demonstrate how our bodies and the natural world are so intrinsically connected. Works of Nature is an unforgettable experience that can inspire us to work towards a better future," said ACMI Director and CEO Seb Chan, announcing the exhibition. "Our artistic practice is a constant journey of discovery into the world beyond the limits of human senses. Our passion for ecology, astronomy, and technology has driven us to collect tree data in the Amazon, explore the sound of black holes and scan the entirety of the human body in microscopic detail, then transforming these explorations into transcendent, immersive experiences," added Ersin Han Ersin, MLF Partner and Director. "We are excited to share our work with ACMI's audiences and to engage in a conversation about the beauty of the natural world and the wonders of the universe." [caption id="attachment_917012" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Marshmallow Laser Feast: Works of Nature, 2023, photo by Eugene Hyland.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_917018" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Marshmallow Laser Feast, 'We Live in an Ocean of Air', courtesy of the artists.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_917013" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Marshmallow Laser Feast: Works of Nature, 2023, photo by Eugene Hyland.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_917017" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Marshmallow Laser Feast, 'Sanctuary of the Unseen Forest', courtesy of the artists and Sandra Ciampone.[/caption] Marshmallow Laser Feast: Works of Nature will display at ACMI, Federation Square, Melbourne, from Thursday November 23, 2023–Sunday, April 14, 2024 — head to the ACMI website for further details or to get tickets. Top image: Marshmallow Laser Feast, 'Distortions in Spacetime', 2018, courtesy of the artists.
It's been a challenging year for Australia's hospitality scene, but things are already looking up for 2021. Especially now that we've been given an opening date for the hotly anticipated project from restaurateur Chris Lucas (Chin Chin, Hawker Hall, Kisume), and Martin Benn and Vicki Wild of Sydney's now-closed three-hat fine diner Sepia. More than three years in the making, the trio's landmark collaboration Society is set to open its doors in the historic 80 Collins Street building from March. This grand, multi-faceted venue will boast 180-degree views over Collins and Exhibition streets, comprising the main Society dining room, an opulent lounge bar and a lush indoor-outdoor eatery named the Lillian Terrace, in honour of former Paris End resident Lillian Wightman. While each space is set to deliver a distinctly different offering, Benn's renowned flair for avant-garde cooking will shine throughout. The bar will be your go-to for pre-dinner drinks and snack-matched cocktail sessions alike, featuring a tight array of drinking fare to complement an elegant lineup of libations. Elsewhere, you'll be able to settle in for a luxurious meal beneath the lofty ceilings of Society, or pull up a seat on the terrace for an al fresco feed overlooking the former site of 'Luxury Lil' Wightman's legendary fashion boutique Le Louvre. [caption id="attachment_787570" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nick & Nora's by Brook James[/caption] Melbourne architects Russell & George have overseen the design of the site, tasked with creating a modern twist on mid-century style, while lending an intimate feel to the spacious venue. Lucas hopes that, once complete, Society will fill a void for locals and visitors alike. "Our society, our city has been through so much this year," he said in a statement. "It is with great pride that we can finally look to opening our exciting new dining destination and add another dimension to Melbourne's already incredible restaurant scene, that has been such a big part of my life." Society will join 80 Collins Street's growing list of hospitality venues, including already open champagne bar Nick & Nora's and coffee shop Maverick, and Farmer's Daughters — a three-storey, paddock-to-plate restaurant from Pastuso chef-owner Alejandro Saravia — which is set to open next year. Society is slated to open at 80 Collins Street, Melbourne, from late March 2021.
In yet another southward-bound international fashion expansion, Uniqlo has just announced that it'll be opening in Australia for the first time come autumn 2014. Melbourne's Emporium, located on Lonsdale Street in the CBD, will be home to a four-level, 2180 square metre megastore selling the Japanese brand's quality yet affordable apparel. Heattech underwear, bold collaborations with designers and Ultra Light Down are among their signature products. "We are very excited to be opening our first store in Melbourne, Australia," Uniqlo's Australian CEO Shoichi Miyasaka commented. "The city is a great centre of style and we hope to make Uniqlo an essential stop for for fashion-conscious Melbourne shoppers looking for high quality, affordable clothes. "Our goal is to build a loyal customer base by offering every visitor the outstanding level of customer service that Uniqlo is known for within Japan, in a comfortable and welcoming shopping environment." Owned by Japan's Fast Retailing Co. (the globe's fourth biggest clothing retail giant), Uniqlo first opened in 1984 and now runs 1200 stores across 14 different countries. It's been moving steadily south for four years, having set up in Singapore in 2009, Malaysia and Thailand in 2010, the Philippines in 2012 and Indonesia earlier this year. Fast owns six other major brands: Theory, Princess tam.tam, J Brand, Helmut Lang, GU and Comptoir des Cotonniers, and sold a whopping 928 billion Japanese Yen (AU$10 billion) worth of goods during the 2011-2012 financial year. Via Daily Life
For those of you in the audience who love a movie adaptation, there's one that should be on your roster in 2024. The Color Purple is set to make a resounding return to the silver screen, and this time, it's been reimagined as a musical. The decades-spanning tale tells an extraordinary story of love and resilience, and a woman of colour's journey to independence and the bonds of sisterhood. Before you head to a cinema to see it for yourself, here are the five things you should know about The Color Purple — which is poised to captivate a new generation of viewers. 1. THE CULTURALLY SIGNIFICANT STORY WAS FIRST A PULITZER PRIZE-WINNING NOVEL Penned by American writer Alice Walker, The Color Purple made its mark as a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel when it was published in 1982. Told through letters, the narrative explores the complexities of race, gender and sexuality — themes that weren't widely written about at the time, let alone in a piece of popular fiction. The story follows the life of Celie, a Black woman in the early 20th century in Georgia in the USA's south, as she navigates oppression from society and patriarchal family structures and discovers the power of sisterhood. Merely two years after the novel was published, movie producers were knocking down Walker's door to adapt it for the big screen. This would mean the story would be brought to the attention of even more people, highlighting the struggles of women of colour. This latest version aims to bring a more hopeful and lifted atmosphere to the story. It has already been certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes and smashed the US box office when it was released on Christmas Day. 2. STEVEN SPIELBERG AND OPRAH WINFREY RETURN TO BRING THE STORY TO A NEW GENERATION Alice Walker herself was highly involved in the first movie adaptation; she wrote the initial script draft and insisted on the film being produced with mostly Black talent in front of and behind the camera. The film was directed by Steven Spielberg in a departure from the blockbuster adventure and sci-fi flicks that had made him famous. It was also only the second movie that Spielberg made without his regular musical collaborator John Williams (who had composed the legendary scores for Jaws and the Indiana Jones movies), instead working alongside pop legend Quincy Jones on The Color Purple's musical score. Walker was initially sceptical, as was Spielberg, as he lacked the life experience of a person of colour in the deep south. But he did know how to make a damn good movie. The rest is cinematic history. This iteration of the story also saw the big-screen launch of Whoopi Goldberg and featured the first cinematic role for Oprah Winfrey. Winfrey has been a staunch supporter of The Color Purple and has been involved in most adaptations of the story for stage and screen. The trio of Spielberg, Quincy Jones and Oprah are all returning to breathe new life into this classic, this time as the film's producers (but keep an eye out for a brief onscreen return for one of the original film's main stars). 3. IT TELLS A POWERFUL COMING-OF-AGE TALE OF SISTERHOOD At its core, The Color Purple weaves a poignant and universally meaningful coming-of-age tale centred around the bonds of sisterhood. As Celie navigates her challenging journey, the connection she has with women in her life — her younger sister Nettie, the songstress Shug and the outspoken Sofia — becomes a source of strength, resilience and empowerment. In every adaptation of the tale, each of these women goes on their own journey. They each struggle and overcome their struggles with help from one another, help that is unasked for but gratefully received. Celie faces unfathomable hardships in her life, but through her relationships with these women, she finds her own way and, ultimately, her independence and sense of self. 4. THIS VERSION IS BASED ON THE BROADWAY STAGE MUSICAL Prepare to be swept away by soulful melodies because this adaptation is based on the acclaimed Broadway stage musical. Director Blitz Bazawule — a Ghanaian multimedia artist who was co-director of Beyonce's Black Is King and made his feature debut with the Afrofuturistic The Burial of Kojo — takes Walker's original novel and the screenplay by acclaimed playwright and WGA Award winner Marcus Gardley (I'm a Virgo), and incorporates elements from Spielberg's film adaption including an original song sung by the character Shug in the juke joint. The film's other songs woven throughout come from the hit musical, which debuted on Broadway in 2005 and won two Tony Awards for its revival in 2016. 5. YOU'VE SEEN ITS STARS BEFORE — AND YOU WILL AGAIN The ensemble cast of The Color Purple boasts a lineup of wildly talented familiar faces that have graced both stage and screen. Grammy- and American Idol-winner Fantasia Barrino is making her major motion picture debut and reprising her 2005 role from Broadway as lead character Celie. Joining her from the Broadway production is Danielle Brooks as Sofia (you'll probably recognise Brooks from her role as Tasha 'Taystee' Jefferson on Orange Is the New Black). She received a Tony nomination for her portrayal. Grammy-nominee Halle Bailey joins as the younger version of Nettie, Celie's younger sister. Bailey made literal waves as Ariel in the Disney live-action retelling of The Little Mermaid. The film also stars Oscar-nominee Taraji P Henson (Hidden Figures) as songstress Shug Avery, Tony-nominee and Emmy Award-winner Colman Domingo (Euphoria, Rustin) as Celie's abusive husband Mister and the film's main antagonist, and Tony Award-nominee Corey Hawkins (The Walking Dead, Straight Outta Compton) as Sofia's husband Harpo. Finally, rounding out the central cast is Oscar- and Grammy-winning artist H.E.R. (Judas and the Black Messiah). Other notables on the roster include Oscar-nominee Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (King Richard), the legendary Louis Gossett Jr (An Officer and a Gentleman) and Oscar-winner Jon Batiste (Soul). Book your tickets now to see The Color Purple — only in cinemas from Thursday, January 25.
Beer isn't just a beverage; it's an experience. And that's what Suntory The Premium Malt's House is all about. It offers beer lovers a rare opportunity to enjoy exclusive Japanese beers alongside fun, interactive beer-related activities, mega giveaways and delicious Japanese snacks. The destination? Leading Japanese brewing group Suntory is bringing the one–off beer experience, celebrating the fusion of Japan's finest brews and Sydney's vibrant dining scene, to Darling Quarter's ICHOUME from Friday, July 25, to Sunday, August 17. The Japanese eatery will serve six exclusive tap-only draft styles, all freshly brewed in Kyoto and flown directly from Kyoto Brewery, straight to your lips. One of the six beers is Kaoru ale, available on tap for the very first time in the southern hemisphere. Topped with extra creamy foam, the Japanese ale-style beer is the definition of easy drinking. Now, we Aussies can indulge in its fruity flavours and bask in its honey and malty notes, without leaving the country. And the good times don't stop there. Visitors can also enjoy Sunset style, Black, Half&half, and Mliko. Sunset style is the Premium Malt's pilsner with the black creamy foam. Its name was inspired by the way it's poured—beautiful like a setting sun, while The Black is brewed with roasted malt. Half&Half is a mix of the Premium Malt's and the Black, and Mliko is made entirely of creamy 'Kamiawa' foam. With so many options and unique flavours, you're bound to find your new favourite brew. The pop-up offers yet another rare opportunity for beer lovers to savour the fruits of Japan's unique 'Kamiawa' — a creamy, ultra-fine foam technology that locks in aromatic complexity, prevents oxidation and maintains freshness while enhancing mouthfeel and smoothness. Imagine experiencing this heavenly, foamy, creamy goodness, paired with an intense flavour and unparalleled freshness. We're already salivating at the mere thought. In addition to sipping on rare beers from Japan, guests can enjoy food pairings and seasonal Japanese dishes for a truly immersive experience. Think ramen, gyoza, tempura, and plenty more. There will also be a beer foam art machine, where guests can print selfies on beer foam with a printer using malt extract. Yes, that's right; the foam is so delicate and creamy that you can print an image of it. Or, if selfies aren't your thing, the team will also be serving beer straight from a backpack keg—when else would you get the chance to enjoy beer from a backpack? If you can't make it to ICHOUME, don't worry, the campaign expands across 11 satellite venues across Sydney. How many venues can you conquer? This year's locations include: Rei Izakaya, Taruhachi Bento, Gold Class Daruma, Daruma Japanese in Haymarket, Yakitori Chaco Bar, and various YAYOI venues including Galeries, Chatswood, World Square, Westfield, Market City and Hurstville. While Kaoru ale is only available at ICHOUME, plus — don't miss your chance to score limited-edition original merchandise giveaways, available while supplies last. The other venues will offer exclusive Premium Malt's sets, special winter offers and discounts, and their own signature food — perfect for making your night truly memorable. To top it all off, there will be happy hour deals that are almost too good to be true. While offerings will differ based on which venue you attend, standouts include $10 for Kaoru ale/ The Premium Malt's at ICHOUME and 'The Premium Malt's' Special for just $6 at YAYOI Chatswood. The Suntory Premium Malt's is taking over ICHOUME from Friday, July 25, to Sunday, August 17. For more information, visit The Premium Malt's website or Instagram. Images: Supplied.
Do you like seeing out each and every year with a view of Sydney's fireworks? If so, then you're probably familiar with Embarkation Park. It's a prime vantage point for NYE celebrations — and, year-round, for looking over Garden Island and Sydney Harbour as well. (Also, when the sky isn't lighting up, it's an off-leash area for dogs from sunrise to sunset.) The Potts Point spot was actually home to wooden warehouses from the late 19th century through until the 1970s. Then, it became a park on the rooftop of the navy car park in the mid-1980s. Image: David Edwards via Wikimedia Commons.
Owning a pub and spending all day drinking with your mates is a dream come true for many — especially for fans of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Well, if you have $6 million lying around, your dream could become a reality. Former Glebe stalwart The Roxbury Hotel is currently on the market for a cool $5.95 million. The Roxbury has been closed for over a year now, and the building's owners are looking for someone to breathe fresh life into 180-182 St Johns Road, which does have a lot going for it. The 700-square-metre, two-level building sits on a prime corner location along Glebe Point Road and the space still contains its original bar, functioning kitchen, dining area and pokie room, with all licenses included in the deal. The price also includes the Victorian adjoining terrace house — a plus for those that wish to easily stumble home. For the more entrepreneurial types, there is also an existing DA (approved through March 2021) which allows the owner to add an additional level and build 25 studio apartments, with the ground floor remaining a retail space — or another pub. The last time The Roxbury changed hands was back in 2014 for $3.4 million. This time around, the pub has been on the market since last year and failed to sell at auction back on November 30 — we guess Merivale's Justin Hemmes missed the memo. Image: Jayphen via Flickr.
Growing up is hard to do, many a movie tells us, but often that glimpse at youthful perils comes with the male experience in mind. Girlhood's name gives away the fact that that's not the case here; however, what it doesn't clearly convey is how intimate and organic its look at its titular state is. A mere female-skewed take on Richard Linklater's Boyhood, this isn't. Sixteen-year-old Marieme (Karidja Touré) lives life on the outskirts of Paris, with her future looking as bleak as her present. Choice, control and agency are sorely lacking in days overseen by her hotheaded older brother (Cyril Mendy), so when she sees a chance at freedom through some newfound pals, she takes it. Soon, she's flirting with teenage trouble alongside fast friends Lady (Assa Sylla), Adiatou (Lindsay Karamoh) and Fily (Marietou Touré), including all the usual fun of partying, shoplifting and drinking, as well as dances with even darker territory. That the movie's French-language moniker actually translates as 'gang of girls' gives an indication of the kind of existence Marieme embraces. If such a coming-of-age tale sounds familiar, don't let the appearance of a well-worn plot temper your expectations. In her previous two films — Water Lilies and Tomboy — writer director Céline Sciamma came close to perfecting pictures of adolescence that not only felt genuine but also reached worlds away from the usual mainstream fare. In Girlhood, she achieves that feat. As Marieme attempts to carve out her identity and cope with the path she has chosen, Sciamma is more concerned about expressing her mindset and reflecting how she sees the world than documenting her actions. Accordingly, as the film tackles maturity on the margins by showing the harshness of the situation but never wallowing in it, Girlhood becomes as complex a look at a girl becoming a woman as cinema has seen, and as simultaneously energetic and patient too. It helps that newcomer Touré is the perfect vessel for the filmmaker to fill with age-appropriate angst, and then watch as the young actress paints a portrait of pubescent pain and problems on the screen. The remainder of the inexperienced cast also brings the same sense of authenticity, but the camera and the audience are always drawn to Touré as she works through Marieme's good and bad decisions. Consequently, prepare for a ride through the reality — not the cinema fiction — of coming to terms with the ups and downs of life from the perspective of a teenage girl. Prepare to get Rihanna's 'Diamonds' stuck in your head, too, with the track setting the tone for one of the film's most memorable scenes. For a few glorious minutes, Marieme and her friends shimmy away to the song in a blue-lit hotel room, blissfully escaping their troubles. In the midst of this moving film, that's what you'll want to do as well.
For around 140 years, since back in the 1880s, Australians have been able to make calls from public payphones. Most of us might now carry mobile phones around with us in our pockets, but public payphones are still there — in case your battery is flat, you have no signal, you've lost or forgotten your phone, you simply don't have one, or there's an emergency. And, if you need to use one of Telstra's handsets while you're out and about, you now won't have to pay a thing if you're making a local, national or mobile call. Coins, phone cards, credit cards, debit cards: these have been acceptable forms of payment in the past; however, now you won't need them to get dialling in most situations. If you're calling overseas, that'll still cost you, but otherwise you can use Telstra's 15,000 payphones across the country for free. Telstra CEO Andrew Penn announced the news in a statement on the company's website, noting that "since mobiles became nearly universal, a lot of Australians might not give them [payphones] much thought. Until there's a natural disaster. Until you're in vulnerable circumstances, homeless or fleeing domestic violence." He continued: "that's why I decided it's time to make payphones free. Because even in the age of the smartphone, they play such a critical role in our community, particularly in times of need, and particularly for those in need." "I've seen myself how much payphones are part of the fabric of Australia and how important they are in good times, and bad. I've seen queues of people waiting in line, coins at the ready, to use a payphone to call home and tell their family and friends they're safe after a bushfire, a cyclone or some other natural disaster has taken the mobile network down," Penn said. "I know payphones are also a lifeline for thousands of vulnerable Australians — the homeless, the isolated, those escaping domestic violence — and often provide their only link to critical support services and those that care about them." Gone are the days when every 90s kid had a phonecard in their wallet to use when they needed to call home, but Australians still made 11 million payphone calls in 2020, including more than 230,000 to essential services such as Triple Zero. For more information about Telstra's free payphone calls, head to the company's website. Images: Sarah Tee.
For many of us, the prospect of sitting through reams of photos from our recently-returned-from-travelling friends can be a little scary. Unless you happen to be friends with independent film maker Rick Mereki, that is. Then it is something else entirely. Mereki has created three short films taken from footage of a trip with two mates, covering 11 different countries and over 38 thousand miles in 44 days. Each film is only about a minute in duration and is based on a theme; in Move we follow as one of Mereki's friends walks through a series of stunning landscapes, in Learn we see the skills he attempts to acquire along the way (soccer, pizza making, wine tasting, weaving, guitar) and in Eat we see a smorgasboard of international delights. It's a simple idea, as the brilliant ones usually are. The themes are clear, the images strong and it is all held together by a lovely little soundtrack. Move, Learn, Eat are beautiful reminders of the joys of travelling, the fun of learning and the delight of food. They also remind you of the shortcomings of your own travel snaps.
There's more than just eggs and bacon on the menu for this twist on the classic Sunday brunch. Tornado Wallace, the Melbourne-based DJ you'd typically find on the decks post-11pm, is coming to the Cake Wines Cellar Door to help you explore how context affects how we hear music and taste food. This is not your typical hangover-curing Sunday brunch, ladies and gentleman — this is your weekend's main event. After a sold-out event during Vivid this year, party crew Ear to Ear for is bringing Music for Brunch back to the Redfern bar for a second instalment. This time they'll be serving up brunch boards — with cheese, cured meats, seasonal fruit and olives — as well as a few pizzas and, of course, wine (hello, Pinot Noir for brekky). Entry is $15 and you'll have to purchase food and drinks on top of that. But once you do, you can sit back and relax as Tornado Wallace's softer tunes provide a perfect soundtrack for your brunch — mimosa in hand, of course. If boozy morning gatherings are your thing, be sure to check out Since I Left You's monthly hip hop brunch.
Missing the vibrant flavours of the Med? Mezepotamia is a new spot in Redfern, bound to satisfy your cravings. Founded by hospitality veterans Enes Yakan and Jessica Paatiño, this upbeat restaurant is bringing a contemporary blend of Turkish and Middle Eastern flavours that not only showcase centuries of culinary heritage, but invite guests to become immersed in the region's enriching spirit. While the restaurant launched in Leichhardt during the tumultuous times of 2021, it forged a dedicated customer base thanks to its signature share plates and welcoming atmosphere. Having made the move from the inner west to the inner south, the restaurant's new home presents an equally alluring space brimming with heartwarming food, wine and communal good vibes. Drawing inspiration from Turkey and throughout the Middle East, Mezepotamia's menu is primed to feed a crowd. Featuring mezze and grilled specialties prepared using traditional charcoal grilling and slow-cooking techniques, the restaurant's respect for culinary heritage translates to vivid dishes where the pleasure of getting together with loved ones is just as important as what's served on the plate. "We wanted to create a space that celebrates the warmth and generosity of Middle Eastern dining," says co-owner Enes Yakan. "Mezepotamia isn't just about food, it's about the experience of coming together, sharing, and enjoying the moment." Leading the kitchen is Mezepotamia's Head Chef Burak Yildirim, who has 30 years of experience serving authentic Turkish, Greek and Italian cuisine, with a few modern additions. Shaping the menu is a range of bright and zesty highlights, from smoky eggplant dip to onion dolma, featuring seasoned beef, currants, pine nuts and aromatic spices. There's also Ali Nazik, where grass-fed aged steak is served over a velvety eggplant purée and finished with chilli butter. Meanwhile, signature cocktails like the Anatolian Highball offer a refreshing mix of raki, pear liqueur, mastic, lemon and soda. Mezepotamia's design is as thoughtful as the cuisine, with a sophisticated blend of traditional and contemporary touches evoking the warm hues of the Middle East and the Mediterranean. Expect earthy tones, soft lighting and details that speak to ancient architecture. Perfect for intimate one-on-one dinners or bubbly affairs with friends, the restaurant's bold flavours and lively mood will make this Redfern arrival a bustling spot for an easygoing feast. Mezepotamia is open Wednesday–Thursday from 5pm–10pm, Friday from 4pm–11pm and Saturday–Sunday from 12pm–10pm at 99 Redfern Street, Redfern. Head to the website for more information.
The clocks have ticked forward, and we all know what that means: the outdoor cinema season is almost here. Movie lovers in Sydney are spoiled for choice when it comes to openair screens — and from the looks of things that doesn't appear to be changing any time soon. Following on from Moonlight Cinema's announcement of their 2016/17 program, Sunset Cinema is the latest openair picture house to make a return for the summer. Returning to North Sydney Oval, Sunset Cinema kicks off on Thursday, January 19, before running Wednesdays through Saturdays until March 18. The program skews towards more recent films including Captain Fantastic, The Magnificent Seven, Bridget Jones's Baby and The Girl on the Train, although they have squeezed one retro title in there: Dirty Dancing. They've also put together a top-notch food and beverage offering, in order to keep your stomach from grumbling during the film. They'll set up a snack bar and the site will have a fully licensed bar, serving 4 Pines craft beers and MadFish wines. For the full program, visit sunsetcinema.com.au/northsydney.
Fresh, nutritious food is the game at Golden Lotus, cementing it as one of the best vegetarian restaurants in Sydney. David Nguyen's Vietnamese eatery promises the authentic flavours of Saigon without any animal products — making it vegan, too. Beyond tofu, there are a few soy meat options available across the menu of family recipes that includes stir fries, dumplings and noodle soups. Appetisers include tasty tofu rolls and mushroom fritters while the vegan duck pancakes are especially convincing. But if you prefer to start with a soup, try the tofu and cream corn. It's hard to belief this incredibly creamy concoction is totally vegan. Vegan chicken dishes are also plentiful at Golden Lotus, with the highlight being the fried "chicken" with Shandong sauce, served with salad and your choice of sauce. The fish menu is a bit more limited but no less delicious, with the vegan fried fish in clay pot with a peppery light sauce and onion the standout. If you're the type of vegan who's more into veggies than fake meats, you are also looked after. The eggplant in claypot and the fried mushroom with salt and chilli are our top picks. The food at Golden Lotus is so tasty that even the most vehement meat-eaters will be placated — that is, ff they can look past the glowing pink "Veganism is magic" sign on the wall. The set-up is cosy and familiar; the walls are bright green and tables are placed close together to give the place a buzzing, community atmosphere. Summed up, it's very Newtown.
Whether you're sipping a flat white in a sun-drenched cafe or working from a stylish, art-filled office, great design has a way of elevating everyday moments. That's exactly what the Australian Interior Design Awards sets out to celebrate — and the 2025 shortlist, which has just dropped, is here to inspire some serious interior envy. For its 22nd year, the awards have nominated 195 standout projects that showcase the best of Australian interior design across residential, hospitality, retail and public spaces. Presented by the Design Institute of Australia and Architecture Media's InteriorsAu, the awards continue to spotlight spaces around the country that don't just look good — they feel good, too. [caption id="attachment_973588" align="alignnone" width="1920"] National Communication Museum, Casey Horsfield[/caption] So, where can you find the year's most boundary-pushing interiors? If you're in Victoria, you can head to sleek Fitzroy hotel The StandardX, Exhibition Street spot Juni, as well as luxe boutique hotel Melbourne Place and its subterranean bar Mr Mills. Other south-of-the-Murray venues that made the shortlist include Hawthorn's National Communication Museum (pictured above) and the revamp of 120 Collins Street, while Victoria's retail nominations run the gamut from Melbourne Airport's new-look Terminal 1 dining and retail precinct to hole-in-the-wall smoothie, yoghurt and açai bar Bitterjoy. A number of new Sydney restaurants and dining precincts headline the NSW contingent, including Wunderlich Lane's contemporary Greek spot Olympus (pictured below), Sofitel Sydney Wentworth's Bar Tilda, Neil Perry's Cantonese diner Song Bird and multi-venue Japanese dining destination Prefecture 48. Sydney nominees for public design include the revamped City Recital Hall, as well as Bondi Junction adaptive reuse project The Boot Factory. The Sunshine State is also well represented on AIDA's shortlist. Leading the charge are Queen Street diners Supernormal and Central, while moody West End hangout +81 Aizome Bar has also been recognised. Elsewhere, luxe wellness space The Bathhouse Albion and the pared-back, brick-and-mortar Newstead home of Brisbane jeweller BrownHaus are among the hospitality and retail nominees, respectively. This year's winners across all categories will be revealed at a gala dinner at the Sofitel Melbourne on Collins on Friday, June 6. [caption id="attachment_966315" align="alignnone" width="1917"] Supernormal Brisbane, Earl Carter[/caption] [caption id="attachment_962736" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Melbourne Place, supplied[/caption] [caption id="attachment_973981" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Prefecture 48, supplied[/caption] [caption id="attachment_984056" align="alignnone" width="1920"] +81 Aizome Bar, supplied[/caption] For the full Australian Interior Design Awards 2025 shortlist, head to the AIDA website. Top image: The StandardX.
Spending your days in classrooms might be behind you, but binge-watching your way through school-set hit Australian TV shows is something that you never grow out of. When Heartbreak High first arrived on television in the 90s, it became one of the nation's classic teen series. When it returned in 2022 via Netflix, the new Heartbreak High revival also had everyone turning up. Your next date with its dramas: April 2024. 2020s-era Heartbreak High was promptly renewed the show for season two when its first season proved a huge smash. In 2023, Netflix advised that school would be in session again sometime this year. Now, the streaming platform has announced that term starts again on Thursday, April 11, 2024 for the International Emmy-, AACTA- and Logie-winning show. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Netflix Australia & NZ (@netflixanz) Hartley High will be reopening its gates, "rack off" will be the strongest insult there is again and more than just nostalgia for the OG 1994–99 series will be on the agenda. And, as announced last year, there'll be new faces among the students. Sam Rechner (The Fabelmans) will play country boy and classic cinema fan Rowan Callaghan, and he's destined for a love triangle. Also, Kartanya Maynard (Deadloch) joins the Hartley crew as Zoe Clarke, who has big thoughts on celibacy — she's in favour — as part of a gang of Puriteens. Plus, in new news, Bump's Angus Sampson is joining the show as Head of PE Timothy Voss. On the returning crew, character-wise: Amerie (Ayesha Madon, The Moth Effect), Harper (Asher Yasbincek, How to Please a Woman), Darren (screen first-timer James Majoos), Quinni (Chloe Hayden, Jeremy the Dud), Dusty (Josh Heuston, Thor: Love and Thunder), Ca$h (Will McDonald, Home and Away), Malakai (Thomas Weatherall, Troppo), Spider (Bryn Chapman Parish, Mr Inbetween), Ant (debutant Brodie Townsend), Sasha (Gemma Chua-Tran, Mustangs FC) and Missy (fellow newcomer Sherry-Lee Watson). [caption id="attachment_938095" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Heartbreak High S2. (L to R) Gemma Chua-Tran as Sasha, Ayesha Madon as Amerie, Sherry-Lee Watson as Missy, James Majoos as Darren, Chloe Hayden as Quinni in Heartbreak High S2. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2024[/caption] Season one started with Amerie becoming a pariah at Hartley after a big revelation — an "incest map" plotting out who's hooked up with who throughout the school — and also struggling with a sudden rift in her friendship with bestie Harper. Attempting to repair her reputation, she called on help from her new pals Quinni and Darren, all while working through her crush on Dusty and developing feelings for Malakai. And that's just the start of the Heartbreak High revival's season one story. In season two, everyone will back for a second term after doing some growing up over the holidays, and Hartley is now the lowest-ranking school in the district. Netflix is teasing that threesomes, chlamydia and burning cars will be distant memory for the gang — but there'll still be teen chaos, of course, or this wouldn't be Heartbreak High. [caption id="attachment_869123" align="alignnone" width="1920"] HEARTBREAK HIGH[/caption] It was back in 2020 that Netflix initially announced that it was bringing the series back — and yes, it sure is a 2020s-era take on the Aussie classic, including everything from friendship fights, yelling about vaginas from the top of a building and throwing dildos at walls through to consent, crime, drugs and police brutality. The original Heartbreak High was a massive deal, and was filled with now-familiar faces, including Alex Dimitriades, a pre-Home and Away Ada Nicodemou, and Avengers: Endgame and Mystery Road's Callan Mulvey as Drazic. It painted a multicultural picture of Australia that was unlike anything else on TV at the time. And, for its six-year run across two Aussie networks, the Sydney-shot show was must-see television — not bad for a series that started as a spinoff to the Claudia Karvan and Alex Dimitriades-starring 1993 movie The Heartbreak Kid, too. Check out the trailer for the Heartbreak High revival's first season below: Heartbreak High season two will arrive on Thursday, April 11, 2024. The show's first season is available to stream now via Netflix. Read our full review.
Lightning Ridge's arid outback climate makes it the perfect spot for Bevan's Cactus Nursery, one of the largest of its kind in the southern hemisphere. Founded in 1966, the nursery is home to approximately 2500 cacti varieties of all shapes and sizes, with the oldest plant nearly 150 years old. Head along to view the incredible species on display — just watch where you put your hands. Bevan's Cactus Nursery is also home to a supremely rare collection of opals, including speckled black, crystal and white gems that are bound to catch your attention. Head to the website to plan your trip. Image: Andy Peyton, Flickr
Not content with filling a Tokyo warehouse with some of the most dazzling and immersive art you're likely to feast your eyes on — not to mention play with — art collective teamLab is now turning an old oil tank into a digital waterfall. With the interdisciplinary outfit's Borderless Digital Art Museum open for less than a year and proving one of the Japanese city's hottest tickets, the group is set to bring a collection of eye-popping works to China. Coming to the new Tank Shanghai from March 23 to August 24, teamLab: Universe of Water Particles in the Tank features cascading waterfalls, blooming flowers, rushing waves and scattering cherry blossoms as part of an engaging series of digital, interactive and interacting pieces. There's no such thing as a dull artwork where teamLab is concerned, but the undisputed highlight of its next foray into China is Universe of Water Particles in the Tank, Transcending Boundaries. Spearheaded by art collector Qiao Zhibing, Tank Shanghai's 60,000-square-metre space is built out of five empty oil tanks, so there's nowhere better to project streams of falling water. teamLab's piece will take over one tank, running over the interior surface. And, when folks stand on the waterfall's floor or walk up to its wall of digital water, it'll react to their presence, with the flow changing direction just like it would if you were standing underneath the real thing. Living up to the 'transcending boundaries' part of its name, Universe of Water Particles in the Tank will also interact with other works. When its trickles hit floral piece Flowers and People, Cannot be Controlled but Live Together, Transcending Boundaries - A Whole Year per Hour, which represents 12 months' worth of blossoming and wilting as its moniker suggests, the digital stream will cause petals to scatter. Both pieces are reminiscent of works also on display in Tokyo, but that doesn't make them any less glorious. The same applies to Black Waves: Lost, Immersed and Reborn, which projects one continuous wave across multiple walls. teamLab: Universe of Water Particles in the Tank runs from March 23 to August 24 at Tank Shanghai,2380 Longteng Avenue, Xuhui District, Shanghai, China, with tickets currently on sale from 199 renminbi. Images: teamLab.
What date was Beethoven born? What was Jimmy Barnes' surname at birth? What is Taylor Swift's favourite number? Whether you're an expert in 18th-century classical music or 21st-century pop, you now have a new way to show off your knowledge. Music trivia has landed at Baptist Street Rec. Club in Redfern. Every Tuesday night, from 7pm in the trophy room, Colin Delaney is asking round after round of questions on everything and everyone in music. There are no limitations on genres, artists or periods. While you're working your brain, you'll be listening to a rotating playlist of bangers — from pop, rock and country to hip hop, indie and R&B. Plus, music trivia coincides with Pad Thai Tuesday, letting you take your pick of chicken, beef or pork for $15. Head along as part of a team of up to seven, or fly solo (and prove that one head is better than many). Either way, excellent prizes are up for grabs.
Sorry Sydney. Melbourne is getting the country's first-ever 67 Pall Mall outpost, due to launch some time in mid-2025. This incredibly luxe, global private members club is set up exclusively for wine lovers who want to sample the very best drops out there. It's not for those of us hunting down $15 bottles of ok wine at the local bottle shop; it's for top-tier wine drinkers who are willing to spend big. The joining fee is $3500 per person (being waived for a limited time!) and the current discounted yearly fee for members who sign up early is $2300 on top of that. If this is beyond your spending limits, perhaps shoot this article over to your rich sister or that well-to-do mate who always shouts the good drinks — because they might be able to bring you in as a guest. [caption id="attachment_942250" align="alignnone" width="1920"] 67 Pall Mall Singapore[/caption] So what's the deal with 67 Pall Mall? Memberships for 67 Pall Mall are highly sought after around the world. The group has sites in Singapore, London, Switzerland, France and Hong Kong. The venues are known for being some of the most incredibly designed spaces, filled with the world's greatest wines that are served and chosen by accredited master sommeliers. A huge selling point for wine connoisseurs is the fact that 67 Pall Mall offers an unmatched selection of wines by-the-glass to members — 1000 to be exact — and sells them with very minimal markup. Most of these drops are never offered by the glass so it presents a rare opportunity. What's in store for Australia's first club? The first Australian site is touted for Melbourne's Spring Street. Spread across the top three floors of the 16-story building, the private members club will let folks sip on fine wines while taking in views across the Treasury Gardens, MCG and St. Patrick's Cathedral. Floor 14 will boast a wine bar and all-day dining room with impressive 270-degree views of the surrounding area. One level up, members will get access to private rooms and semi-formal dining experiences. And the top floor will feature an extensive champagne menu, a raw bar, open air balconies, and a secluded whisky bar. This is top-end luxury stuff that's hard to come by in Australia. 67 Pall Mall's CEO Grant Ashton says, "Melbourne was chosen above all other cities as our first outpost in Australia due to its close connection to independent and outstanding wine producers, allowing us to engage with a passionate wine culture and a knowledgeable collector community." Peter Gago, chief winemaker of Penfolds, whose wines are poured in 67 Pall Mall Clubs across the globe, also commented: "From London to Singapore, 67 Pall Mall has evolved into the world's premier wine Members' Club. Now, expanding to a prime site overlooking the MCG in Melbourne, it's truly remarkable. "Melbourne, a strategic gastronomic hub, with Yarra Valley vineyards and Mornington Peninsula nearby, will soon boast 67 Pall Mall as a wine mecca. It'll attract wine enthusiasts and curious minds alike, continuing the Club's tradition." 67 Pall Mall is set to open in mid-2025 at 85 Spring Street and is currently taking applications for new members (at heavily discounted prices). For more information, head to the club's website here.
Maybe Sammy is no stranger to winning an award. The Sydney bar has been named in the top 50 bars in the world every year since 2019 and took out the Best International Bar Team at the Tales of the Cocktail 2022 Spirited Awards. Now, all of those accolades have culminated in it taking out the top spot in the data-driven Top 500 Bars list for 2023. The international award compiles its list based on over 2000 sources, including hospitality experts, journalists, online reviews, search engine results and social media. It announced the list in Paris on the morning of Monday, November 13, Australian time, and the boundary-pushing Harbour City cocktail bar Maybe Sammy came out on top, being named the number-one bar in the world. [caption id="attachment_639976" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Black Pearl (#119)[/caption] Maybe Sammy was listed at number 17 in the 2022 list, jumping all the way to the top spot following another busy year for the inner-city haunt. Maybe Sammy Venue Manager Sarah Proietti and Bar Manager Hunter Gregory were in attendance to accept the award, with the venue beating out acclaimed bars around the world for the title. New York's Double Chicken Please, Barcelona's Paradiso, Paris' Little Red Door and Singapore's Jigger & Pony rounded out the top five, while 22 other Australian bars made the top 500. [caption id="attachment_707971" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Baxter Inn (#87), Leticia Almeida[/caption] The next highest spot on the list from Down Under was The Baxter Inn at 87, followed by Black Pearl at 119, Re- at 122, Cantina OK at 132 and Dean and Nancy on 22 at 134. The Gresham Bar was Brisbane's top-ranked venue, clocking in at number 475, while Adelaide's Maybe Mae snuck into the list at 485. "To be named number-one bar in the world by the Top 500 Bars feels very surreal," said Maybe Sammy co-founder Stefano Catino. "It's such an honour for our bar team to be recognised for the time and effort they put into making the experience at Maybe Sammy exceptional, and for that to be acknowledged on a global scale is so humbling." It follows a huge year for Maybe Sammy, which included the opening of the team's Paddington tequila bar El Primo Sanchez, a new Maybe Frank outpost at The Federal, and the launch of Maybe Cocktail Festival featuring guest bartenders from international cocktail bars — many of which also made the Top 500 Bars list. [caption id="attachment_795641" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Gresham (#475), Millie Tang[/caption] For the full Top 500 Bars list for 2023, head to the ranking's website.
Welcome to funky town. Ms.G's, in a narrow three-storey building in leafy, sexy Victoria Street, is doing things a bit differently - and it's working. Distressed, graffiti-covered walls, tables of strung together cardboard boxes and moody lighting make this Sydney's newest hipster hang. It's purposely 'street' and achingly cool but the food well and truly holds its own. Young chefs Dan Hong, Jowett Yu and their crew are a clever bunch — they have taken New Yorker David Chang's Momofuku model and given Sydney something that's a bit punk, very cool and absolutely delicious. Swinging from China to Vietnam, to Korea and back again, this is innovative exciting Asian food meant for sharing and Sydney dining is all the better for it. Start with a plate of pickles - these are bar snacks with a difference. Vietnamese steak tartare should be your next stop, a clever reinvention of a classic that you mix yourself and comes with a side of crunchy prawn crackers. Already becoming a favorite are the egg noodles with braised duck, runny poached egg and XO sauce. Buddha's Delight salad is not only a vegetarian's dream but a not-to-be-missed textural experience, ranging from silky to crunchy. Delightful indeed. And to finish, it's hard to go past a sticky sweet concoction called Stoner's Delight (let your imagination run wild) There's a drink for everyone at Ms.G's. By far the most fun are the 'packaged' cocktails in sealed Japanese bubble tea-like plastic ware. A Pina 'Pearls' Colada and a Yuzu Slushee make you feel like a kid all over again but have an alcoholic kick that reminds you that it's adult only. Ms.G's is a fun night out - for the people watching, the crazy-busy fun vibe and most of all the terrific exciting food. Grab a group (you can book for 6 or more) and enjoy the ride.
To celebrate the American peanut butter and chocolate brand REESE'S products wide availability across Australia, a specially crafted (and exclusive) menu from famed chef Alex Wong is set to delight Sydneysiders (and chocolate lovers) for one night only at Grana Privato on Tuesday, October 29. What's REESE'S? Known for its unique mix of salty peanut butter and sweet milk chocolate, REESE'S peanut butter cups have long been a favourite in the States. Just in time for Halloween, REESE'S salty-sweet treats now have a wider range available at Woolworths, Coles, 7-Eleven, independent supermarkets, petrol or convenience stores. What better way to enjoy them than at a nutty REESE'S peanut butter and chocolate inspired event? Like the REESE'S-taurant. The festivities will take place at the stylish spot Grana Privato at the historical Hinchcliff House in the CBD. Upon entering, guests will step into an orange, sweet-and-salty-infused fever dream, with orange hues and tempting displays of sweet treats in every direction. After acclimatising to the bright colours, guests can explore the interactive space, including an aromatic chocolate and peanut butter trail. This space is where visitors adjust their tastebuds before indulging in an unforgettable menu. The menu was crafted by innovative and celebrated chef Alex Wong, SMH Good Food Guide 2023 NSW Chef of the Year finalist, who helms the kitchens at hatted Sydney restaurants Lana and Martinez. Here, he is serving his interpretation of the salty-sweet REESE'S peanut butter and chocolate flavours in six savoury and sweet dishes. What's on the Menu? While we can't give everything away, some menu standouts include chicken skewers with peanut chocolate satay, leek and garlic. If you're a fan of pasta, there's a white chocolate peanut, gorgonzola butter and sage sauce pasta dish that is designed to replicate the REESE'S peanut butter cup's ripple pattern. Given REESE'S-taurant at Grana Privato is all about celebrating REESE'S chocolate's expanding availability in Australia, some classic Aussie-themed menu items are a fitting addition. Guests can indulge in Australian kangaroo and chocolate 'mole' empanadas. The menu will also feature a wagyu rib cap with oxtail, kohlrabi and REESE'S peanut butter 'rendang'. Naturally, dessert is also a highlight. Wong takes a classic and turns it on its head with his take on the 'PBJ'. "Peanut butter and chocolate is such a mouth-watering combination and a winning inspiration point for this menu that highlights salt and sweetness and is sure to be anything but ordinary," says Wong. Our advice? Make sure you arrive hungry. What Else Can Guests Expect? Beyond the food, guests can also expect a few other treats on the night. As it's highly likely most attendees will be bursting at the seams after dinner, all guests will get to take home a goodie bag. Plus, you can share the love around to friends and family with FOMO. The goodie bag includes all the favourites. Think classic peanut butter and milk chocolate cups, white peanut butter cups, miniature cups and sticks bars. The goodies are the perfect Halloween treat. When you thought it couldn't get any better, House Made Hospitality will also throw in a $50 restaurant voucher for each attendee, which can be used at any one of ten Sydney venues, including Apollonia, Lana, Martinez, Grana and Promenade Bondi Beach. Plus, selected House Made Hospitality venues are offering a limited-edition REESE'S Peanut Butter Cookie ($6.50) and REESE'S Chocolate Croissant ($9.50) ahead of Halloween and throughout the month of November. There are only 90 spots available for the REESE'S-taurant at Grana Privato, which means you need to book your spot as soon as you can. If you miss out, keep an eye on social media as REESE'S and Wong will release the recipes from the menu so you can recreate the menu in the comfort of your own home. The REESE'S-taurant at Grana Privato will take place on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, from 6.30-9.30pm. Limited tickets are available and can be purchased via Sevenrooms. Tickets cost $135 per person. Please note unfortunately REESE'S cannot accommodate any attendees with a nut allergy. Images: Supplied
While gifts are a splendid way to spoil mum this Mother's Day, the most meaningful gesture is clearing your calendar and spending quality time together. Throw in a share-worthy feast and a glass (or bottle) of bubbles, and you have yourself a memorable Mother's Day. Whether you're celebrating your mum, you're a new mum yourself, or you're looking for a way to treat the incredible women in your life this May, we've teamed up with G.H. Mumm, Perrier-Jouët, and Mumm Terroirs to round up eight of the best champagne-fuelled specials in Sydney. Cabana Bar There's few better ways to celebrate Mother's Day together than with a crisp champagne before a long lunch—and Cabana Bar in Sydney's CBD is an ideal place to raise a glass. For just $89 per person, you can kick things off with a glass of Mumm champagne before leaning into a specially-curated tropical-inspired Mother's Day menu teamed with two hours of bottomless margaritas and seasonal cocktails, on the city's largest outdoor terrace. Plus, there's a photobooth so you can take home an adorable keepsake you'll both cherish. Book your outdoor terrace table here. Cafe Sydney If your mum relishes the finer things in life, Cafe Sydney is offering up the ultimate indulgence every Sunday throughout autumn: champagne and caviar. For just $55, spoil your mum with unobstructed views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and a glass of 2016 Perrier-Jouët 'Belle Epoque' champagne paired with a divine tart of Black River Caviar - Tradition Oscietra, served simply with créme fraiche. Secure your table here. China Doll Found on Woolloomooloo's Finger Wharf, China Doll is one of Sydney's most distinctive fine dining spots. This Mother's Day, for one day only, treat your mum to a glass of Mumm Grand Cordon Rose for $30 before tucking into an award-winning modern Asian a la carte menu featuring its signature bold dishes like pork belly with chilli caramel and Nam Pla Phrik, and tea-smoked duck with tamarind and plum. Secure your table here. Darling Pavilion If you're looking for a vibrant, central lunch location with a backdrop of Tumbalong Park and sparkly Darling Harbour views, Sydney's Darling Pavilion in the heart of Darling Quarter is where you'll find it. Here, you can pamper your mum with a delicious day out in Sydney starting with Darling Pavilion's special Mediterranean Mother's Day set menu, which includes a free glass of Mumm for all mothers, all for just $55 per person. Secure a booking here. Four Hundred If your mum is a little on the mischievous side and loves to let her hair down, then Four Hundred in North Sydney is the perfect spot to kick back and spend some quality time together over a few bevvies. For one day only this Mother's Day, and for just $89 per person, you can treat mum to a glass of Mumm champagne on arrival before channelling that energy and diving into a Mexican-inspired feast, featuring two hours of bottomless margaritas and tequila spritzes. Secure a booking here. Henry G's Wine Parlour Step away from your standard lunch this Mother's Day and surprise your mum with an intimate wine tasting experience at Manly's boutique bar, Henry G's Wine Parlour. Savour a glass of Mumm champagne on arrival before soaking in a 90-minute sommelier-guided tasting featuring four expressions of Mumm champagne: Cordon Rouge, Central Otago, Tasmania and Marlborough—all for just $50 per person. There are two ticketed sessions, running at 2pm and 5pm, but last year's event sold out fast, so you'd better book asap. Secure a booking here. Nola For a taste of opulence this Mother's Day weekend, treat your mum to some champagne teamed with some of Sydney's freshest oysters at New Orleans-inspired smokehouse Nola, in Barangaroo. With a Barangaroo backdrop, you can devour $2 oysters (max six per person) for every glass of Perrier-Jouët champagne sold — or enjoy a complimentary dozen oysters for every bottle of Perrier-Jouët champagne sold. There's also a special extended cocktail menu featuring a special French 75 Perrier-Jouët champagne, plus you can score a complimentary glass of Perrier-Jouët champagne when you order the Big Easy set menu. Secure a booking here. Robin Hood Eastside this Mother's Day? Lorraine's Bistro, located on level one of The Robin Hood in Waverley, is an ambient French-inspired restaurant that's perfect for a laidback family affair on the coastal side of town. Grab a booth or table in the sun-drenched bistro and enjoy a free glass of Mumm champagne when you order the set Mother's Day menu, available on the big day only. Secure a booking here. Mother's Day is just around the corner. Be sure to indulge your mum this May by treating her to a glass of G.H. Mumm, Perrier-Jouët, and Mumm Terroirs at any of these Sydney restaurants and bars. By Elise Cullen.
Few things are as satisfying as fried food. Whether you've had a few beers with mates or had a shocker of a day at work and need comfort food, it just hits the spot. We'd even argue that it's the only kind of food group that you should be demolishing after a long day of fun or frustration. Luckily, Sydney's bars and eateries deliver in spades. Together with American Express, we've found the fried snacks to order when you've had too long a day either way, from seriously good Korean fried chicken to a meat pie poutine (yes, really).
