The Abercrombie is back! The storied corner pub and haven of electronic music is reopening in December thanks to Solotel who will be reviving the Ultimo venue, reintroducing its packed dance floors and 24-hour license to Sydney's nightlife. Swinging open its doors once again right at the end of 2022 means the venue has to throw a huge New Year's Eve event, and it's recruited one of Sydney's biggest party crews to send off the year. Motorik will be taking over the venue on Saturday, December 31, pulling together a stacked lineup of DJs for this eight-hour party that's set to kick on until the early hours of 2023. In a move that throws back to the glory days of The Abercrombie, heading up this program of musical tastemakers will be Germany's house and dubstep trailblazer Boys Noize. One of the stars of the late-2000s and early 2010s DJ scene, Boys Noize will be hitting the decks from 1.30am until late. In support will be Clashe, Francis Xavier, DJ Macaroni, Mclean & Mai, the Motorik Vibe Council and FBi Radio's Reenie. While you're at the revamped Abercrombie, you can explore the two new spaces opening as part of its reopening transformation. Head upstairs and you'll discover a sleek cocktail lounge and rooftop bar called Casa Rosa, or discover Lil Sis, a cosy wine bar and bottle shop located in the adjoining terraces next to the pub. The first release is sold out, but final release tickets are available for $49. Images: Shane McCauley
Looking for a last minute excuse to skip town this weekend? Get your motor running, get out on the highway and get going to Mudgee. You'll be joining thousands of visitors as they converge on the wine-loving country town, to indulge in its first-ever Food and Drink Trail. All weekend, you'll be matching Chardonnays with cheeses, and Shirazes with dishes-beginning-with-sh, as you wander from one stop to another. There are no fewer than fifteen stops on the itinerary, including Alby + Esthers, Baker Williams Distillery, Burnbrae, di Lusso Estate, Elton's + Blue Wren, Huntington Estate, Lowe Wines, Moothi Estate and Short Sheep Micro-Winery. If you're wondering what to expect, check out our Weekender's Guide to Mudgee. What's more, your food and wine will be coming at you at way-cheaper-than-Sydney prices. Just 40 bucks will buy you a 'trail pass', consisting of five vouchers, each of which gets you a sample of local wine, beer, spirit or other beverage, along with a matching, regionally-inspired small dish. And there's no stopping you: buy as many trail passes and make as much merriment as you like, all weekend long. As long as you're having a good ol' time, Mudgee won't judge.
Although Potts Point locals were saddened by the sudden closure of Bourke Street Bakery, a brand new all-day eatery should lift a few spirits. The folks behind Redfern's Moon Park, which closed in September 2016, will be opening their anticipated new venue, Paper Bird, on Monday, July 31, with Korean, Japanese and Chinese spins on breakfast, lunch and dinner. Initially, Paper Bird will open for breakfast and lunch only (Monday to Friday 7am-3pm, Saturday to Sunday 8am-3pm), and will not be taking bookings for breakfast and lunch. "The breakfast dishes will be familiar, but with an Asian twist," says Ned Brooks, who co-owns the eatery with head chefs Ben Sears and Eun Hee An. "Singapore barbecue bacon, smashed avo and eggs on toast with dried fish, toasted muesli and persimmon ... It's often about swapping one European ingredient with an Asian one." A friendly nod to former tenants, Paper Bird will be serving Bourke Street Bakery sourdough, rye, potato bread and croissants for brekkie, and they'll be doing all-day Xi'an cumin lamb sausage rolls with cumin and black vinegar. They're also serving up breakfast bao, bagels with smoked trout zuke and floss, and 'King's Congee' with rice and milk porridge, crab corn and doughnut chips. Doughnut chips. If you've been missing that Moon Park fried chicken, you'll soon be scoffing it again on a fried chicken and bacon muffin called 'The Big Bird', or as an all-day snack — five pieces of shrimp brined fried chicken with soy and syrup will set you back $25. The all-day lunch and dinner menu will see plenty of curious offerings including Chongqing popcorn, bocconcini kushiage, menbosha (that's a prawn toast sandwich), crispy scallion pancakes, Japanese cheesecake with preserved cumquat, sweet potato doughnuts with date ice cream, and milk bingsu with anglaise and yuzu curd. And that's just your first visit with one buddy. Don't look at us. On the drinks menu, you'll find about 100 wines, with 20 or so available by the glass. Brooks, who'll be running the bar, says, "Around 50 percent are Australian and 50 percent international, from France, Italy, Spain and America." There's also a high-end sake list, a bunch of beers and cocktails. Single Origin will be taking care of the coffee. Going against Sydney's current obsession with guttings and renovations, the team hasn't torn the site apart. "The fitout is already lovely," Brooks says. "It was made by craftsmen and we don't want to touch it too much. We don't want to see a beautiful bar top and dark wooden banquettes get ripped out and turned into landfill ... Sydney is an expensive city, but people still want to go out to drink and eat. One way to reduce prices is to spend less money on renovations." Designed in collaboration with Phillip Arnold of Plus Minus Design, the space offers indoor seating for about 60, including 10 spots at the bar, plus 15 places outside. Paper Bird will confirm a start date for dinners soon, and reservations will be available only through the website. Paper Bird will open Monday, July 31at 46A Macleay Street (enter via Crick Avenue). Opening hours will be Monday to Saturday 7am–midnight, Sunday 8am–3pm. By Jasmine Crittenden and Shannon Connellan. Image: Nikki To.
Sydney's Angel Place is pretty well populated with high-end restaurants these days, with Long Chim and Mercado joining China Lane and the Merivale-encircled cornucopia last year. The CBD laneway hub will soon joined by a new Italian restaurant that boasts freshly-baked panini and pastries, handmade pastas, locally-sourced produce and two serious chefs. Bacco Osteria e Espresso is the first city collaboration between executive chef Andrew Cibej and head chef Scott Williams, both of whom hail from Surry Hills stalwarts Vini, 121BC, Berta and Chippendale's Ester. Various owners of China Doll, China Lane and Mercado are also all involved. Designed by Anthony Gill Architects, the team responsible for the chefs' aforementioned venues, Bacco will open as a trattoria-style restaurant and espresso bar. An earthy, olive colour palette dominates the interiors, and unifying wooden finishes gives off a warm, intimate feel. The team have also imported all of their cooking equipment from Italy, so expect a highly particular menu. Bacco's espresso bar opened mid-May, launching with a front window that turns out Little Marionette coffee and Bacco's house-baked breads, pastries and paninis, the latter of which include porchetta and pickles and vitello tonnato varieties. The team are also offering up pizza-by-the-slice, making them our personal inner-city heroes. The trattoria-style restaurant section will open next Monday, May 29, and focus on rustic, yet polished Italian fare — think goat ragù strozzapreti and spaghetti with sea urchin, along with handmade gnocchi in a pistachio and pecorino sauce, made by Cibej's nonna no less. The decadent antipasti will offer dry-aged lamb tartare with whipped anchovy and smoked swordfish with kohlrabi and apple, and dessert includes house-baked ricotta cheesecake. The extensive wine list has been curated by Clint Hillery (sommelier for China Doll Group) and features over 70 local and imported wines across Italian and New South Wales varietals. Overall, the team is going for an unpretentious, casual vibe. Bacco Osteria e Espresso is located 1 Angel Place, Sydney. The espresso bar is now open Monday through Friday from 7am until late and the restaurant is opening on May 29, with opening hours on Monday through Friday from noon until 10pm and Saturday from noon until midnight.
Beloved Sydney winery Cake Wines is shaking things up after a string of secret pop-up parties, moving into more grown-up, sit-down territory this time. Cake is launching a series of 'community feasts', taking place on select Saturdays through November and December. The feasts will bring hungry Sydneysiders together with chefs, producers and winemakers for a series of communal lunches and dinners. Each feast will be held in a different community garden or farmers market, starting with St Helen's Community Garden in Glebe on November 7. For the inaugural feast, chef Richie Dolan from Chiswick will join Cake Wines' head winemaker Sarah Burvill and garden manager Jock Keane to deliver a bespoke menu made with produce grown in the St Helen's Garden, with the food specially matched with a wine from Cake's 2014 and 2015 vintage releases. "This is a chance to prioritise the importance of real community, the gardens and the food they can provide, and of course, the wines that go along with that," says Burvill. "I’m really excited about working closely with the gardeners and chefs to understand the range of produce and food that will be on offer so I can match the wines accordingly and make this a really special experience." Future feasts will be held at the Ultimo Community Garden with Thievery head chef Jordan Muhamad on November 21; the Carriageworks Farmers Market with chef and creative director Mike McEnearney on December 5; 107 Project's Rooftop Garden with Redfern Continental chef Bobby Fry on December 12; and Charlie's Garden in Redfern with Hartsyard head chef Gregory Llewellyn on December 19. Each event will host around 120 guests over two sittings, with lunch sessions commencing at 12.30pm and dinner sessions commencing at 4.30pm. Tickets cost $120 a head and include food as well as a matched Cake Wines and James Squire beer option. Best of all, a portion of wine sales will be donated back to the host garden. To book your ticket, go here. https://vimeo.com/142993326
One of Queensland's top chefs is making his mark on Sydney, at the helm of a new gourmet venture on College Street near Hyde Park. Opening this week, The Resident is owned by the same foodies behind Lotus Dumpling Bar, but don't expect Chinese food here. Instead you'll find a mix of Spanish and Mediterranean morsels, served up under the watchful eyes of Pablo Tordesillas. Tordesillas is best known as the head chef at Ortiga, which prior to its closure was one of the most celebrated Spanish eateries in Brisbane. At The Resident, he'll serve up a small but sophisticated menu that combines tapas-style snacks and salads with mains cooked over a charcoal grill. You might start with a number of small plates – think fried cuttlefish with egg and potato, and mussels with lemon myrtle, artichoke and dill – before working your way up to lamp rump with turnip and rapini sauce, or octopus with ajo blanco, sumac and grapes. If you're really hungry, you could even try tackling their 1kg dry aged rib eye. At $95 it's not exactly cheap, but then again, this is a kilo of steak we're talking about here. Just make sure you leave room to sample their selection of sweets and cheeses. Personally, we've got our eye on the rum baba with quince, lemon balm and almond cream. Find The Resident at 18 College Street, Darlinghurst. For more information visit The Resident's website.
If you were to name a New Year's Eve special edition brewski, what would it be? This was the hectic face-melter of a question we asked you guys a few weeks back, when Young Henrys announced the search for a name for their special edition beer, made especially for the upcoming epic NYE Above the Harbour event. Young Henrys are only making 20 kegs of this special brew, available to everyone with tickets to NYE Above the Harbour. A light, summery fruity pale ale brewed especially for the night with Australian malts, Antipodean hops from NZ, and later dry hopped with Aussie varieties like Galaxy, the beer will only be available for ticketholders. We had hundreds of entries to name the beer, so many name possibilities for the midnight brew — some awesome, some wildly questionable. And the winner is? Broken Resolutions. Nice one, Grant Seylhouwer, y'massive realist. "It's estimated that only eight percent of resolutions are successful, so why kid yourself. Break your resolution pre-NYE with a cold Young Henrys' 'Broken Resolution' Beer." Dammit, he's so right. Grant's taking home a case of Young Henrys tinnies and a double pass to the event because he hit the nail on the head. Luckily, if you're keen to try the brew, the general admission tickets are still on sale — the VIP tix have sold out, soz. New Years Eve Above the Harbour is happening at Tarpeian Way, The Domain on December 31 from 6pm – 12.30am (doors open 5.30pm). Capacity is strictly limited so book your tickets here.
Things are looking dicey for the future of Australia's creative industry. Devastating budget cuts courtesy of the federal government can often have that effect. The latest casualty is Paddington's film, television and digital media training organisation Metro Screen, which yesterday announced that it will cease operations at the end of the year after failing to secure the necessary funding. "Every effort has been made by Metro Screen to secure additional funding but to no avail," read a statement by Kath Shelper, chair of the Metro Screen Board, which was posted on the organisation's website. "We need to be responsible to our staff and ensure we are able to meet our obligations to them, and therefore it is with regret that the Board has made the decision to close Metro Screen in December 2015." First established in 1981 with funding from the (now defunct) Australian Film Commission, Metro Screen has for decades helped emerging screen practitioners by providing training, equipment and funding assistance. In recent times, the not-for-profit organisation has operated with the aid of a $240,000 grant from Screen Australia, but that money will dry up at the end of the year. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Screen Australia is itself expected to lose $3.6 million in federal funding over the next four years. According to Metro Screen CEO Christian Alvarez, the Metro Board had hoped to secure around $750,000 in new projects to help cover the loss, but admitted that while they had successfully secured "some significant high profile projects in the past 12 months, unfortunately the target has not been met." Current Metro Screen programs and classes are expected to continue as normal until the organisation closes its doors in December.
As far as food and drink matches go, the combination of messy Buffalo wings and an ice cold can of beer is one for the ages. And yet, only now has this classic duo spawned a Sydney restaurant of its own, with best mates Anthony MacFarlane and Alfredo Perez set to open the doors to their Darlinghurst joint, Wings and Tins, this weekend. To make up for lost time, the boys are going hard on the concept — an assortment of wing varieties decked out with house-made sauces, seven styles of fries, and an enormous lineup of tinnies ranging from local craft brews to foreign favourites. As the kitchen flexes its creative muscles, there'll be new wings specials unleashed each week, kicking off with nine types of wings including this beauty: a double fried, bacon-wrapped wing, served on a waffle with hot sauce, maple syrup and lime aioli. Regular offerings run the gamut from smoky chipotle barbecue wings, to a blackberry and brown sugar version. And, if you fancy playing with fire, there's the T-bone's Doom Juice wings, doused in a sauce made from Carolina Reaper chillies. Down a whole serve to get your mug on the wall of fame, or order the Russian Roulette, where one of these mouth-burners is secretly stashed amongst a basket of regular wings. As for the space, Perez and MacFarlane have taken over the former digs of Darlinghurst's No Name, decking it out with a series of cosy booths, each one complete with a can-crusher and its own theme. Spend the evening chowing down on wings and slamming cans, in a seat styled like a vintage Swedish ski cabin. Wings and Tins opens this Saturday, August 26, at 2 Chapel Street, Darlinghurst.
If you'd lived in Sydney 100 years ago, the Queen Victoria Building would've been your go-to farmers' market. Local growers and makers would pour in, peddling fresh produce, groceries and textiles. To celebrate this delicious history, the QVB has decided to host a pop-up foodie market this August. For five tasty, tasty days between Wednesday, August 3 and Sunday, August 7, a crowd of Sydney's favourite providores will take over the building's first floor. You'll be able to wander from stall to stall, browsing, sampling and deciding which morsels to take home. If dairy is your weakness, get into Pepe Saya's perfectly creamy, cultured butter, which will be sold alongside a stack of artisanal breads. Also delivering on the freshly-baked front will be Sonoma, with their 36-hour-made sourdough. Meanwhile, Salt Meats Cheese will be serving up a truffled mushroom toastie filled with provolone, cheddar, mozzarella and truffled mushrooms. Once that's done and dusted, move onto Vanto's Naples-style wood-fired pizza. Next up is dessert. There'll be no shortage of choice for sweet tooths, with Nutorious selling caramelised nuts and popcorn prepared in an old-school copper barrel, Spoon and Fork offering a selection of too-good-looking-to-eat cakes and biscuits, Koko Black taking care of chocoholics and Doughnut Time presenting a new, QVB-inspired creation. Wash it all down with a coffee from Kikko Cafe and pick up a bunch of Mr Cook flowers on the way out. The QVB Marketplace will open 10am-4pm, from Wednesday 3 to Sunday 7 August. On the Thursday, opening hours will extend to 7pm. Image: Pepe Saya.
Good news and bad news, dessert lovers. The good news is that Gelato Messina, Andy Bowdy Pastry and New York ice cream kings Big Gay Ice Cream are teaming up for a night of sugary extravagance unlike anything you've ever seen. Dubbed Superbowl Sundae, the event will bring together some of the most delectable names in dessert for a two hour seminar and party. There'll be ice-cream, cakes and scintillating conversation, the latter presumably conducted in between mouthfuls of the former. Basically it's everything a card-carrying dessert addict could desire. The bad news? Tickets have already been well and truly gobbled up. It's cruel really, announcing something this spectacular when there are only 40 places available. Guess they underestimated how much Sydneysider's love sugar. Anyone who did manage to nab themselves a ticket will get the chance to talk to (and be fed by) Messina head chef Donato Toce, pastry czar Andy Bowdy and Big Gay Ice Cream founders Bryan Petroff and Douglas Quint. The rest of us will have to make do with trawling the internet for pictures and dreaming about what could have been. Rocky Roadhouse: almonds, chocolate bits and mini-marshmallows with some Maldon salt. In Dalton's legendary words, "FAT DON'T HURT!" Repost from @jamiehannn. #thefattening ・・・ nsfw A photo posted by 💃🏼🍦💃🏼 (@biggayicecream) on Mar 10, 2016 at 6:02pm PST
Food will fly thick and fast at a brand new community initiative in Western Sydney, led by the Museum of Contemporary Art. Part of the museum's C3West community program led by local artists Diego Bonetto and Branch Nebula (Lee Wilson and Mirabelle Wouters), FOOD FIGHT is the result of a partnership with Genevieve Murray of Future Method Studio, and aims to raise awareness about food security in Liverpool and South Western Sydney through workshops, performances, cooking demonstrations and choreographed culinary combat. Set to take place in Liverpool's Bigge Park on the evening of Saturday, April 30, the event will feature market stalls, cooking shows, projections and live performances, before culminating in an epic food fight and 100-seat al fresco banquet. The artists will also collaborate with various local partners, including Foodbank, OzHarvest and Youth Food Movement Australia, on a series of community engagement workshops. "Our aim with this FOOD FIGHT project is twofold," said Bonetto. "We want to create a fun and engaging event that serves as a wake-up call and conversation starter on a hidden issue; whilst also celebrating the community champions and everyday heroes who fight for food security in the local area, one meal at a time." According to recent statistics, roughly two million Australians rely on food relief programs every year, while close to a million children go without breakfast or dinner each day. "The issue of food security barely raises an eyebrow in our society. Yet it is an issue which continues to worsen," said Foodbank NSW business development manager Tony Gatt. "In NSW alone, over 90,000 people rely on Foodbank's emergency food relief each month." "This is why initiatives such as FOOD FIGHT as so important," Gatt continued. "Anything we can do collectively to break down the veil of ignorance about food security, build empathy and address the stigma associated with food relief is a step in the right direction." For more information about FOOD FIGHT, go here.
Your lords might not be a-leaping nor your maids a-milking quite yet. But, to make sure your Christmas dinner goes to plan, it’s time to start a-booking. After all, as soon as that Melbourne Cup starter gun goes off, you’ll know you’re in the home straight. So, here’s a few ideas to get your geese a-laying from Urban Purveyor Group. From big companies to smaller startups, it's not the easiest to find a Sydney restaurant for a work or family Christmas do. UPG have venues catering for groups of ten to 3000 and tailored packages aplenty, so there'll be something to fit your outing in the collection. If their champagne-fuelled brunches are anything to go by, the French-inspired Ananas Bar & Brasserie is bound to be a winner. This year, they’ve delivered some extraordinary creations, from a Mad Hatter's feast with a dessert fairyland to a spooky Halloween buffet with an edible graveyard. Steak and seafood fiends might be more at home at New York-inspired eatery The Cut Bar and Grill. Christmas shindigs, which might include this killer banquet menu, are available for small groups and massive parties — and you can even chat to the team about matching wines with your work dinner. Then, at Sake, you can usher in the season Japanese-style either in The Rocks or Double Bay. Their contemporary culinary approach covers both classics and experimental dishes. Three set menus, varying from the chef’s selection to new classics to signature dishes (check out the menus here), offer plenty of choice. Plus, they do sushi-making classes if you're after a less obvious team building type of Christmas activity. Finally, if beer is crucial to your festive cheer, there’s The Argyle, Bavarian Bier Cafe and Lowenbrau. The former’s menu is absolutely huge and lets you eat anyway you like — from share platters to woodfired pizzas — and the heritage-listed, sandstone courtyard is great for summery evenings. The latter guarantees a party atmosphere, a gigantic beer list and stacks of hearty fare. Of course, you might want your own space for Christmas get-togethers, and there's private dining spaces aplenty in every one of these venues. For example, even on a regular day Ananas has innovative two- and three-course set menus available and a variety of spaces for a quirky Christmas outing option — try Le Salon, which fits up to 44 guests, or the whole venue fits 300 for bigger companies. To make a booking, get in touch with Urban Events.
Start planning your costumes, brush up on your heaps sick macaroni necklace skills and dig out your ol' faithful tent. One Australia's best and most beloved festivals, Secret Garden Festival, is back for another year, announcing the 2016 festival dates today. Returning to the festival's hallowed and not-so-secret-anymore location outside of Sydney, Secret Garden is celebrating its eighth year over February 26 and 27. And what's more, they're expanding (a little). Donning a bigger sunhat than ever, Secret Garden will be taking place over two full days and nights on Friday and Saturday, giving 'Gardeners' more live music, dress-ups, art installations, face painting, craft, lawn games, love and glitter than ever. But as usual, in true SG tradition, the lineup will not be revealed until after the tickets go on sale — that's at 9am on Wednesday, November 11. As always, proceeds from ticket and bar sales will go toward charity — and these guys have donated more than $200,000 to Oxfam, The Boys and Girls Brigade and the Sarah Hilt Foundation. Noice. Capacity hasn't changed even though the festival program has, so tickets are going to evaporate. Sign up for the presale at Secret Garden's fancy new website if you're keen to nab a spot at the festival. And you will — last year Client Liaison brought confetti cannons so... yeah. Secret Garden Festival returns to its (sort of) secret location on February 26 and 27, 2016. General tickets are on sale at 11am on Wednesday, November 11 from Secret Garden's website. Images: Anna Warr, Jack Toohey.
The annual reason to not entirely obliterate yourself on New Year's Eve, Field Day, has announced announced one of its most all-round thumbs-up inducing lineups yet, with the UK's dynamic duo of crisp dancefloor gems at the top: Disclosure. With a shiny new album brimming with singles, Disclosure are returning to Sydney to play live pickings from newbie Caracal along with favourites from their wildly popular debut Settle. The lads will be joined by fellow Brits The Wombats and Django Django, the insanely visceral RL Grime, Australia's beloved beats duo Flight Facilities, and the legendary Pusha T, amongst one heck of a killer lineup. Local legends aren't scarce this year, with the likes of Ta-Ku (live), San Cisco, Allday, SAFIA, Com Truise and more locked in for NYD sets. Returning to The Domain on New Year's Day, January 1, 2016, Field Day proves once again that some lineups are worth skipping the last NYE UDL for. Enough chatskies, here's that lineup you're after. FIELD DAY 2016 LINE-UP: Disclosure (live) Flight Facilities The Wombats Pusha T RL Grime Golden Features Halsey Skepta Boys Noize Seth Troxler Django Django Ta-Ku (live) Zeds Dead Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs (dj set) San Cisco Allday Daniel Avery SAFIA Young Fathers Com Truise The Avener Snakehips Tuka Luke Million Sam Feldt JOY. Ngaiire Motorik + triple j Unearthed Artist and many more Field Day returns to The Domain on January 1, 2016. Tickets on sale Tuesday, October 13 at midday from Field Day's website. Image: Field Day/AP Photography.
Good news, health nuts. Beloved organic grocer and cafe Bondi Wholefoods are about to cut the ribbon on a second store. Popping open next month in Surry Hills, Bondi Wholefood number two will bring tasty, nutritious, sustainable food to inner Sydney. Watch your back, Woolies. Details on the new Bondi Wholefoods store are as thin as a gluten-free wafer. What we do know comes from information shared on their Facebook and Instagram accounts – specifically, that the new store is currently set to open Monday December 7, and that it'll boast a much larger kitchen than their Bondi location. As for what'll feature on the menu? How's this for a tease? OMG!!!! Seriously the best cake I've ever eaten. VEGAN SALTED CARAMEL CHEESECAKE. It's like a salted caramel cloud... Posted by Bondi Wholefoods on Tuesday, 10 November 2015 There's no way that could possibly be healthy, right? Raw sweet treats are a Wholefoods specialty, and we expect plenty to feature on the Surry Hills menu. Assuming things are more or less in line with what's on offer in Bondi, foodies in the inner-'burbs can also expect muffins, salad bowls, sandwiches and wraps alongside smoothies, fresh pressed juices, tea and coffee. For more information on the new store, keep your eyes glued to Bondi Wholefoods on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. In the meantime, you can visit their original location at 30A Hastings Parade, Bondi.
The gang at Work-Shop are heading off on safari, and they're inviting all of you to come along. The latest project run by the DIY specialists will see a group of hungry guests off on a day-long foodie adventure, sampling tasty treats and beverages in picturesque surrounds. First up? A trawl along the Hawkesbury River with lunch cooked by former Longrain chef Martin Boetz. Participants in the Hawkesbury River Food Safari will gather outside Work-Shop's Redfern location at 7am sharp on Sunday, November 22. From there you'll be bussed an hour out of the city to Boetz's Cook's Co-Op, where you'll pick vegetables (so dress appropriately) and learn about the history of farming in the region. You'll also spend some time on the water with local fisherman Gary Howard, who'll discuss the importance of sustainable fishing practices and serve up freshly cooked Hawkesbury River prawns. Once you've worked up a proper appetite you'll sit down for a lunch, cooked by Boetz using the freshest local ingredients. He'll also take you through various cooking techniques, so you can attempt to replicate his methods back home. After that it's back on the bus and back to Sydney by 4pm — giving you plenty of time to upload your photos to Instagram and brag to all your friends. Tickets to Work-Shop's Hawkesbury River Food Safari cost $190 plus a $5.74 booking fee. There are only 30 spaces available, so best get in quick. Images by Luisa Brimble.
You've feasted upon endless bags of crustacean at The Norfolk's House of Crabs. Recently, Cleveland Street's seafood palace has been delving into another, more traditional means of all-you-can-eat tomfoolery: yum cha. After a hugely successful feast in May, House of Crabs is throwing another one-day-only oceanic version of yum cha on Sunday, October 4. Expect lobster doughnuts with XO mayo, popcorn bugs with lime and chilli salt, Singapore-style chilli crab, alongside 'The Boil' (South Australian mussels, Little Neck clams, Queensland prawns, Blue Swimmer Crab, Snow Crab and King Crab). If seafood isn't your only yum cha preference, there'll be Korean fried chicken ribs, barbecue duck pies, crispy Chinese chicken, steamed pork buns and spicy sichuan pork and scallop dumplings. To top it all off, there'll be fried mantou ice cream sandwiches. Being a long weekend Sunday, you'll want to grab one of the Norfolk's Bloody Marys or a sweet, sweet Fire Engine and get cracking. Just remember, be assertive, be polite and pace yourself. — just look at this lobster doughnut: House of Crabs' Yum Cha is happening on Sunday, October 4 from 11am. To book, email the team.
Sydney's got a brand new music festival on the beach, and we've never seen a more perfect headliner. Legendary harmonisers, surfin' safari-goers and all-round Californian seaside kings The Beach Boys are set to top the bill for Beachfest, a brand new festival coming to Bondi Beach. Hitting Bondi's main beach on Saturday, November 14 at 3pm, Beachfest will see in its first year with the Pet Sounds legends alongside Australian longtimers The Whitlams, Rockhampton's Busby Marou, surf folkster Kim Churchill and Brisbane's Sahara Beck. The Beach Boys have five decades of Grammy-winning back catalogue to bust out, so come ready to settle in. Imagine watching 'Surfer Girl', 'Kokomo' or 'California Girls' on Bondi Beach. Too good. Tickets are pretty affordable, starting at $85 — running from general admission 'On the Green' seats to reserve 'On the Beach' seats on the beach to VIP packages with food and drink suppled by The Bucket List. There's some warm fuzzy do-gooderness involved here too, with $1 from every ticket sold to be donated to Surf Live Saving NSW (the official beneficiary of the event). Aside from the squealworthy headliners — who'll also be doing a full Australian tour — the festival will see markets, surfing and skating exhibitions and Surf Live Saving events, including a march past, beach flag races and board races. Beachfest is happening at Bondi Beach on November 14 from 3pm. Tickets go on sale Friday, June 26 at midday from Ticketek and Beachfest's website. Early bird presale is Friday, June 19 at midday until Sunday, June, 5pm. Go to www.bondibeachfest.com to register.
Last year, Jungle’s unique brand of modern soul exploded worldwide, landing them prime positions at international music festivals and a Mercury Prize-nominated debut album to boot. Earworms such as 'Time', 'The Heat', and the triple j Hottest 100 shoe-in 'Busy Earnin' (it reached number #67) made everyone wake up and pay attention. But they're no mere studio cats — Jungle's live set is one of the best excuses to bust out your dancing shoes we've seen in a while. Not content with playing around with their laptops on stage, Tom McFarland and Josh Lloyd-Watson — more commonly known as J and T — will be joined by Jungle's live band, recreating their music in all its harmonic splendour. Opening the show will be Melbourne’s golden boy Oscar Key Sung, so arriving early to this gig has more advantages than just a prime position. If you're not content seeing Jungle in their set at St Jerome’s Laneway Festival, get along to their sideshow while they're in town.
Need to shake up your Thursday night routine? Tired of smashing pub trivia then going to the same dumplings happy hour you've been going to all summer? (Okay, so that might be impossible to tire of.) Good news — Art Month Sydney is back with an indulgent celebration of art exhibitions, workshops, talks, tours and Precinct Nights — which means your Thursday nights in March can revolve around after-hours gallery hopping and after-partying across different pockets of the city. Grab your mates, rope in a colleague, give your trivia team a heads up — it's time for a month of art adventures. Art at Night in Chippendale and Redfern invites you to explore a stellar line up of shows on March 1 at The Japan Foundation gallery, Home@735, Verge Gallery, VANDAL, Galerie Pompom, Nanda/Hobbs and The Bearded Tit. Once you've gorged on the galleries, end your walking trail at The Lansdowne Hotel for the Art Month Opening Party, where you'll get to check out performances, live music and installations going on from 8pm. Art Month Sydney runs March 1–25, 2018. Find out more information and download a precinct map here. Image: Kieran Butler, Magic Circle for me and for you and for the power of three, 2018. Image courtesy of the artist, Kieran Butler.
Boasting programs where anything and everything can and does happen, fringe festivals are an ode to leaping out of your comfort zone, revelling there and never wanting to leave. New South Wales' largest independent arts fest, Sydney Fringe Festival fits that bill perfectly. Each year, it amasses a jam-packed lineup that's never the same twice, and splashes its playful vibe all around the Harbour City. Get ready for four hefty weeks of performances, exhibitions, music, theatre, comedy, visual arts, film, dance, circus, literature and poetry. The festival will serve up over 400 events between Friday, September 1–Saturday, September 30. There are plenty of highlights across the 30 days including a brand-new festival hub. This year's fest features a big new spot to hang out thanks to the Spiegeltent Festival Garden at the EQ Showring in Moore Park. The Entertainment Quarter will host Sydney Fringe's big top, which is where The Marvellous Elephant Man the Musical will entertain audiences — and 300-seater circus dome The Vault, which'll be home to GODZ. The lineup also spans the return of pop-up musical-theatre club Lola's Piano Bar, Young Henrys' Best Served Loud live music series hitting Parramatta for the first time and free morning concerts courtesy of proven favourite Acoustic Ritual at George Place, too. To kick things off, Fringe Ignite will take over The Rocks with an opening-night shindig, while a closing-night party on Kensington Street will bookend the fest with a celebration of Caribbean culture. Other events to look out for at this year's Sydney Fringe Festival include award-winning performer Tessa Redman's new show Love/Love/Love/Love/Love; comedian Jenna Suffern's one women show It's Not Funny, It's Private which tells the story of a week where she was dumped, made redundant and started doing standup comedy; an absurdist dramedy centred around Cate Blanchett; and a duel-headline stand-up show from Becky Lucus and Cameron James. Explore the full program at the festival website.
Sydney will join the likes of Tokyo, Warsaw and Vienna, when the globally acclaimed Red Bull Music Academy Weekender hits the harbour city in September. Making its first ever stop in Australia, the four-day travelling festival will welcome a collection of internationally recognised artists for a series of live shows, club nights, lectures, parties and art exhibitions at some of Sydney's best-loved venues. Sounds pretty bloody terrific to us. Set for September 8-11, the Weekender lineup is headed by the seriously sold-out Flight Facilities concert with Sydney Symphony Orchestra in The Domain. There'll be a conversation and performance by house music legend Larry Heard (aka Mr Fingers) on Sydney's newest permanent floating venue Seadeck. Ta-ku will make his directorial debut for his music doco (m)edian. There'll be an ambient set from Gigi Masin on Sydney Harbour with Young Marco and Jonny Nash as Gaussian Curve. Seminal LA label Stones Throw will take over Manning Bar to celebrate two decades of beats, with Beat Junkies founder and legendary turntablist J Rocc, alongside Mndsgn, Katalyst and Stones Throw label head Peanut Butter Wolf. There's a massive club night taking over Oxford Art Factory with Night Slugs' Bok Bok, Kilo Kish, Sydney's Marcus Whale,Cliques, Low Ton, Kllo, Kučka and Lewis Cancut. The whole festival will wrap up on Sunday with the Great Antipodean Reggae Soundsystem Carnival, which is one of the best names for an event we've seen in an age, and includes sets from Earthshaker Soundsystem, Heartical Hi Powa with Stryka D & Macky Banton World MC, K.B.I Soundsystem, Inner West Reggae Disco Machine and Gappy Ranks. The Weekender is one of many events to have spun-off from the Red Bull Music Academy, which boasts an 18-year history fostering musical talent and collaboration around the world. In Australia they've hosted club nights featuring the likes of Onra, Romare and Taylor McFerrin, and presented stages at Laneway and Splendour in the Grass. RED BULL MUSIC ACADEMY WEEKENDER FULL LINEUP András (live) Bok Bok Cliques Dan White Dopplereffekt Earthshaker Flight Facilities Frank Booker Gappy Ranks Gaussian Curve Gigi Masin Heartical Hi-fi (Melbourne) Inner West Reggae Disco Machine J-Rocc Kano Katalyst Kbi Kilo Kish Kllo Kloke Kucka Larry Heard Lewis Cancut Lorna Clarkson Low Ton Lucy Cliché Macky Banton World MC Marcus Whale Mndsgn Noise in my Head Peanut Butter Wolf Phile Simon Caldwell Stryka D Sydney Symphony Orchestra Tako & Kamie Tiller Ta-ku Xosar By Imogen Baker and Tom Clift.
Shake off your workaday week with some inspiration in the form of free drinks, live music, the chance to win a pair of shoes and chats with a bunch of movers and shakers from the creative and tech industries. All for free. Run by General Assembly, the Young Visionaries Mixer will take over WeWork Pyrmont on Friday, April 7 from 6pm. You'll be hearing from Tom Walter (Tumblr's creative strategist), Solange Cunin (founder and CEO, CubeRider), Ollie Henderson (model and founder, House of Riot), Nishan David (Bloodless) and Courtney Sanders (co-founder, Well Made Clothes). Whether you're into outer space, ethical fashion, branding or social justice, there'll be someone for you. In between mixing and mingling, sample a few drops courtesy of boutique winery Alpha Box & Dice and spritzers from Sofi Spritz. You can also expect live music and a footwear giveaway, thanks to Rollie.
Charlotte's Little Sister has added another sibling, with the launch of their latest cafe at the Australian Technology Park. The sixth member of the highly caffeinated clan after the original Charlotte Cafe in Birchgrove as well as spinoffs in Manly, Pennant Hills, Mosman and Boronia Park, Charlotte's Little Sister Australian Technology Park will make its mark on the Eveleigh business precinct with rotisserie meats, freshly made salads and steaming Campos Coffee. Located on Central Avenue, Charlotte's Little Sister Australian Technology Park opened earlier this week. With interior design by Guru Projects and India Harris, the cafe boasts brass panelling, raw timber and Italian mosaic floor tiles, and can seat as many as 160 patrons. The menu was created by chefs Rob Clarson and Jimmy Mathers, previously of Sugar & Spoon and Pony Dining, respectively. Breakfast options include fruit salad with 'paleo crunch' and coconut yoghurt, and a BBQ bacon egg roll on freshly baked organic bread. For lunch you can grab rolls packed with everything from slow cooked grain fed pork belly, South American slaw and brown rice, to house-made falafel, eggplant puree, cucumber yoghurt and salad. Alternatively you can enjoy a spice cauliflower and eggplant salad with pickled currants, kale, coriander, almonds and tahini. There are also plans to introduce a bar menu featuring wine, beer and a range of cocktails. Until then though, you can still enjoy a fresh cup of Joe, courtesy of premium local supplier Campos Coffee. "Charlotte's Little Sister, ATP will be the first bit of community this area has seen, dedicated to superior service, great food, and exceptional coffee," said Charlotte founder Jason Ghebar. "We hope to create a social hub for those working and hanging out in the area. We understand that a break is necessary during a busy working day, and there is no better way to catch up with friends or colleagues than over good food and coffee." Charlotte's Little Sister Australian Technology Park is located at Suite 2, 1 Central Avenue, Australian Technology Park, Eveleigh. Their opening hours are 6am-4pm Monday-Friday. For more information visit www.charlottecafe.com.au.
No longer do we have to imagine things like rainbow-coloured horses running through the streets — instead, American artist Nick Cave will make this vision a reality with HEARD.SYD. Involving 60 dancers and musicians and 30 colourful, life-size horse suits, the performance work will bring Sydney's streets to life, highlighting the beauty and joy of nature reimagined in contemporary art as part of the City of Sydney's Art & About program. Co-presented by Carriageworks, each horse suit is inhabited by two dancers at a time, and the performance is set to a booming soundtrack of live percussion, aiming to transform and disrupt the daily activity of Sydneysiders with an exuberant explosion of activity. HEARD·SYD is a chance for those caught up in their daily routine to escape the bustle of the city for a moment. Each performance is free for the public to watch — Cave knows that a lot of us don't have time to visit art galleries, so he's making it easier. This is the first time Nick Cave has presented a major work in Australia. One of the most important artists of his generation, he's best known for his 'soundsuits' - sculptures that combine art, fashion, dance and music. His 30 horses take inspiration from African ceremonial costumes, Tibetan textiles, and popular culture. Cave's work has political undertones — his first 'soundsuit' was created in response to racism he faces as an African-American man. When performers cover their faces and bodies they are building armour against any prejudice they may face, and viewers are forced to suspend any judgement. Two performances will take place over two days — at Pitt St Mall on Thursday November 10 at 5pm, and at Carriageworks on Saturday November 12 at 10am, and again at 12pm. Image: Nick Cave: Heard.Detroit 2015. Image courtesy of the artist and James Prinz Photogrpahy.
Singapore's Operation Dagger, the #21 on the World's 50 Best bars, is popping up in Sydney for one night only. Aussie owner and executive bar tender Luke Whearty will be taking over PS40 on 23 April, bringing with him a bunch of extraordinary cocktails that you'd otherwise have to fly to Singapore to try. A sneak peek of the menu includes the Bee Pollen (wild bee pollen, thyme, dark chocolate, lemon charcoal) and the Man vs Pig (green strawberry, sorrel, lardo, verjuice). "Luke and I worked together in 2009 at Der Raum in Melbourne," says Thor Bergquist, who co-owns PS40 with Michael Chiem and Livia Lima. "He was coming to Sydney for a couple of days, so thought we'd get together and do a pop-up."Bergquist describes Whearty's cocktails as a "bit of an adventure". "What you see is not necessarily what you taste," he says. "They're a play on the senses." Operation Dagger at PS40 is likely to pack out, so it's a good idea to book yourself a spot in advance by emailing info@ps-soda.com.
Clear your culinary calendar, Merivale’s epic food and wine festival March into Merivale is back for the eighth year in a row. From February 14, for five glorious weeks, you’ll be treated to pop-up feasts, international DJs, festivals-within-the-festival, dining specials, masterclasses and mystery banquets. Altogether, it’s more deliciousness and fun than we can handle — but we'll try. The extravaganza kicks off on Wednesday, February 10 with a huge launch party invading every nook and cranny of the Ivy – and spilling over into nearby laneways. Sample nearly all of Merivale’s creations in one spot, with pop-ups from Mr. Wong, The Paddington, Coogee Pavilion, est. and Papi Chulo, alongside Enmore’s soon-to-open Queen Victoria Enmore, The Newport and Fred's. In between grazing, keep your eyes peeled for live acts and roaming performers. An easy 45 bucks buys you eight food and drink tokens, which you can top up to your heart’s content all night long. When the festival starts proper on Sunday, February 14, each night of the week will be devoted to a different activity. On Fridays, the UK’s fabulous homage to pop, Guilty Pleasures, will take over Palings Kitchen and Bar with DJs, cabaret and Chandon’s Unplanned Band. Tix are $20 a pop. Meanwhile, every Saturday, Pacha will be presenting Absolut Nights, stacked with international DJs, including Trance Nation feat. EXIS (February 20), Thomas Jack (February 27), Yolanda Be Cool and Nicky Night Time (March 5), DJ Fresh (March 11) and Robin Schulz (March 26). Sundays are all about festivals. If you find yourself strapped for cash on March 6, the Coogee Rooftop will have you covered with live music and a free DJ set from Yahtzel. 20 bucks to spare? Head to the Ivy Pool Club, where L D R U will be manning the decks. Two weeks later, on March 20, it’ll be more of a family affair, when the Coogee Foreshore Festival hits the Coogee Pavilion with live music, roaming performers, games and food from Coogee Pavilion, Papi Chulo, El Loco, sushi e and Mr. Wong. Swap $25 for three food and drink tokens or $45 for six. Meanwhile, to get you through hump day, Wednesdays will be giving Merivale’s venues permission to ‘show-off’. The stand-out on this part of the program is The Establishment’s epic festival-within-the-festival, happening on March 9. All sixteen rooms of the luxurious hotel will be taken over with cocktails, theatre and tasty, tasty morsels ($75). The Wednesday before will see a return of The Establishment’s popular ‘Wok On’, combining Asian food, cocktails and hip hop beats ($45). Before that, on February 17, Palings will hold an epic ‘burger-off’ – you get to sample the work of six finalists and vote ($45); on February 24, Ash St. Cellar will transform its laneway into an outdoor European-style market, featuring stalls from from Felix, Ash St, Bistrode CBD, Lorraine’s Patisserie, The Paddington, Uccello and Palings ($45); and on March 16, Hemmesphere will be opening more than 20 top-shelf champagnes for you to work your way through ($85). For a quiet meal with a friend, look to Tuesdays and Thursdays. Tuesdays are dedicated to ‘Friends with Benefits’. Take a mate to Ash St. Cellar, Ms. G’s or Papi Chulo, and score a two-course meal, and a drink of your choice, as well as some unexpected happenings, for $45 a head. A bit more cash to splash? Do the same at Felix, Uccello, Bistrode CBD, The Paddington and sushi e for $55 or at est. for $75. Things get fancier on Thursdays with ‘Chef Signature’. If you’re willing and able to hand over anywhere between $150 and $300, you’ll be amply rewarded with a once-in-a-lifetime banquet, be it a sneaker exhibition and curated Asian feast at Ms. G’s on 18 February or a five-course dinner, hosted by seven hatted chefs, in est.’s extraordinary dining room on 10 March. To get an education, check out Mondays, when ‘Show and Tell’ master classes will happen every week. Wondering why your Instagram posts aren’t going viral? Let social media stars DJ Dumpling, Dan Hong and Patrick Friesen show you how it’s done on 29 February for $45. Want to know why Merivale’s venues all look so damn good? Spend a night with the company’s designers on 7 March. On 15 February and 14 March, dessert chef Lorraine Godsmark will be talking – and eating – chocolate ($75), while on February 2, Villa Maria’s Josh Hammond and Merivale’s Franck Moreau will be cracking open a bunch of limited edition reserves for your sampling pleasure ($45). If, at any time during the festival, you’re feeling the need for an adventure, book yourself a Mystery Feast. For 75 bucks, score three courses with matching wines, or, for $35, one course with one glass of wine. You could end up at any of Merivale’s restaurants – from Ms. G’s to est. Can’t make up your mind? Grab a $150 Chandon Unplanned Pass, which seals you a Mystery Feast plus your choice of any two events. Head to the March Into Merivale website for more info and to lock down tickets (they go fast).
MCA's latest exhibition presents French-Algerian artist Kader Attia in an exploration of his major installations, which examine ideas of the complex cultural exchange between Europe and non-Western countries after decolonisation. Curated by the MCA's chief curator Rachel Kent, the exhibition includes over a decade of artwork, focusing on his installations, videos and sculptural work. Attia's 48-minute single-channel film, Reflecting Memory (2016), is a particular highlight of the exhibition. The intimately intense film explores themes of injury, unseen repercussions of trauma and the 'phantom limb' through interviews with psychiatrists, surgeons, trauma specialists and survivors. Attia began his career working in the Congo, a region deeply affected by decades of war and conflict. After returning to France, he has worked with activist groups that support migrant communities, including displaced Algerian cross-dressers who faced persecution in their home country. In 2016, Attia was the recipient of the 2016 Prix Marcel Duchamp prize — the most prestigious art award in France. This is Attia's first solo exhibition in the southern hemisphere and it is now open through July 30. Image: Kader Attia, installation view, photo by Jacquie Manning.
Yep, it's 60 or so moons since Astral People launched themselves onto Sydney with a founding party at Tone. Since then, they've tripled their management roster and toured more than 50 international acts. And, to mark their fifth birthday, Astral are asking you to join them at a mammoth gathering at the Oxford Art Factory, happening as part of MoVement Sydney. A bunch of favourite friends and family members will be along for the ride, including beatsmith Wave Racer fresh from Coachella 2016, young rapper Baro, lo-fi jammer Mall Grab and techno act Cliques. Check out the rest of the lineup over here.
Could this be Sydney's very own one-day version of South by Southwest? There's a brand new music festival coming to Sydney, letting you wander between three of the city's best venues to discover your new favourite local band. Volumes is a brand new live music project happening this August, a collaborative concept between some of Australia's most groundbreaking labels, hyped-up musicians and Sydney venues to create a kind of mini South by Southwest in the heart of the city. Co-curated and presented by Sydney/Melbourne label I OH YOU, Wollongong’s Farmer & the Owl and the Gold Coast’s Strange Yonder, alongside Vice's Noisey and Thump, Volumes is the first event of its kind in the city. A multi-venued affair, Volumes is happening on August 29 from 2pm across Oxford Art Factory, The Cliff Dive and Brighton Up Bar, handpicked for their high-fiveworthy set-ups and walking distance proximity to each other on Oxford Street. You can pop between venues easily enough on the day; one wristband will allow you to move between stages at Oxford Art Factory, OAF Gallery Bar, The Cliff Dive and Brighton Up Bar (that 2pm start time is intentionally way before lockout). Each stage is being crafted and themed with its own personality, through both genre programming and how each joint is decked out. According to the Volumes team, you can expect anything from tropical psychedelic discos to gritty post-punk dungeons and all-encompassing walls of sound. So who's playing? Volume's lineup sees some of Australia's most genuinely must-see artists (both established and newbie) on one eclectic bill: Jack Ladder & The Dreamlanders, The Laurels, Canyons, Lower Spectrum, Noise In My Head, World Champion, Catlips, The Walking Who, Zeahorse, Day Ravies, Shining Bird, Step-Panther, Mere Women, The Dandelion, You Beauty, Lovebombs, Steele Bonus, TEES, Mezko, Flowertruck, The Pinheads, Gold Class, Death Bells, Wild Honey, Yo Grito! and Dusty Fingers as well as I OH YOU DJs, Strange Yonder DJs, Noisey DJs and THUMP DJs. Volumes has sights set on some pretty lofty future goals — aims we can truly get behind. The crew intend to grow the festival into a platform for both Australian and international record labels and artists to collaborate, showcase their rosters and curate lineups together — it's like BIGSOUND meets CMJ meets SXSW meets The Great Escape. Take our money. Volumes is happening on August 29 from 2pm at Oxford Art Factory, Brighton Up Bar and The Cliff Dive. Tickets are on sale now, starting at $39.90 for early birds. Grab one here. Images: Volumes and I Oh You.
Visiting Vine Double Bay? Then prepare to say goodbye to the venue's French provincial farmhouse-themed entrance and hello to thriving new al fresco bar. That'd be The Garden, which takes over a space that has undergone a greenhouse-inspired makeover — complete with hedges, hanging plants, potted greens and a plant library, creating a light and breezy space perfect for spending a lazy, sunny afternoon. Vine's current executive chef Drew Bolton heads up the menu at the new hotspot, which opened on September 7. Expect his usual focus on fresh, natural, organic, farm-to-table produce in the new al fresco setting. Plus, for those keen on a tipple as well as something tasty, esteemed mixologist Jason Crawley has hand-crafted the drinks list. The co-founder of Simple Syrup Co was recently named number six on Bartender magazine's most influential countdown, and has come up with a range of options featuring fruity, aromatic gin and vodka-based cocktails, as well as classic beers, wines and spirits. The bar joins what's fast becoming Double Bay's busy restaurant and bar scene. In fact, nearby The Sheaf's own garden bar opened in June last year. Find The Garden at Vine Double Bay, 2 Short St, Double Bay. For more information, visit the restaurant's website.
The ultimate boy band party welcomes two of Korean pop's finest — Boyfriend and JJCC — live in concert to help celebrate the 2016 Chinese New Year Festival. Gear up for Carriageworks' K-Pop Party. For those unversed, K-pop hails from South Korea and covers everything from pop to rock, electronic to hip hop and R&B. It isn't all about the music though, as K-pop fuses hypnotic dance moves with elaborate fashion and hairstyles — and considering it walks the line of both alternative and exceedingly sweet, K-pop's transcendence into the mainstream was only a matter of time. Boyfriend, a six-member band of bashful smiles, has been touted as one of the top K-pop boy bands you should definitely know about. They'll be bringing to the stage a mix of both their Korean and Japanese singles. The other act, JJCC, are the first K-pop idol group formed by actor and martial artist Jackie Chan, and produce a pleasing confusion to the senses with their androgynous beauty and hip hop pop charms. As well as being transfixed by the hyper-energised choreography and endurably catchy tunes, there's a chance to learn more about the bands from SBS PopAsia's hosts, Jamaica dela Cruz and Andy Trieu, who will be holding on-stage interviews. K-Pop Party is presented by Carriageworks, SBS PopAsia and the City of Sydney and will kick off the 2016 Sydney Chinese New Year Festival. K-pop is bigger than Bieber, and rightly so – they've got moves as sharp as Mr Chan's, and tighter than the jar of beans we just spilled to let you know that this is one event not to miss. Carriageworks' K-Pop party is happening on February 5 and 6. Tickets are $70-120 but thanks to Carriageworks, we have two double passes to give away. For your chance to win, just subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter and email us at win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au with your name and address.
Sitting in Matt Moran’s CHISWICK in Woollahra, you could be mistaken for thinking you were on some glorious estate in the Southern Highlands — not some 5km from the Sydney CBD. Wherever you are, floor-to-ceiling windows open onto lush greenery; on one side, there’s a mini, landscaped park, on the other a thriving kitchen garden. It’s the latter that drives the heart of the restaurant’s menu, which is famous for its fresh, seasonal produce. “Matt [Moran] grew up on a farm,” says CHISWICK’s head chef Richie Dolan. “He’s a country boy, so his philosophy has always been paddock to plate — about using the best seasonal produce available.” Every morning, the chefs pick piles of herbs, leaves and veggies — and, by midday, they’re on your plate. Sounds simple, but it takes a lot of time, a lot of planning and one hell of a vision to do things this way. For an opportunity to experience Richie Dolan’s produce first hand, James Squire and Concrete Playground are creating a Summer Banquet at CHISWICK, giving 34 lucky people a seat at the table. You’ll sit down to a five-course meal custom-made by Richie, each dish paired with a specific James Squire tipple, and hear from Richie and James Squire brand ambassadors on the night. You'll also take home a bespoke hamper from Sydney company Caring Canary, filled with delicious eats and JS drinks. To be in the running, enter here.
You put your hands up with Beyonce. You were brought 'Together Again' with Janet Jackson. This week, Goodgod Dance Class Studio's taking it to the D-Floor Queen of Barbados: Rhianna. Get ready to put your shapes-throwing ability to the test with a whole class dedicated to RiRi. You'll be learning the steps to the 'Where Have You Been' video (sans mangrove swimming) — and if you've stumbled pon de Sydney dancefloors since the single dropped in 2011, you'll know you've ample opportunity to bust it out at many, many a later occasion. If you've seen the WHYB clip, you'll know you're in for a whole lot of feet stomping, chest popping and empowered crotch patting. Gather your buds and book into either the 6.30 or 8.30pm dance class with resident instructor Amrita, who'll show the moves to make you feel like the only girl in the world. Belly Bao will also be serving up till late so you can grab some post workout eats.
Spare a thought for the St George OpenAir Cinema team, the folks behind one of Sydney's favourite outdoor cinema spots. When picking their summertime lineup each year, they're battling fierce visual competition: Mrs Macquaries Point's spectacular panoramic view of the city. Accordingly, every movie that graces the cinema's big screen has to hold its own against the stunning sights glittering away behind it. Don't worry — boasting everything from Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep in the newspaper trade to Greta Gerwig's latest effort as a director, their 2018 program achieves that feat. Kicking off on January 7 and running until February 17, the outdoor cinema's new season commences with the Australian premiere of The Post, which sees America's nicest actor and the Oscars' most nominated actress join forces for filmmaker Steven Spielberg. It's just one of the movies making sure it'll be starry not only in the sky above, but on the 350-square-metre screen rising from the harbour. And with lineup featuring the likes of Daniel Day-Lewis in Paul Thomas Anderson's fashion flick Phantom Thread, Margot Robbie hitting the ice in I, Tonya, Jessica Chastain playing a poker kingpin in Molly's Game, the first film directed by Aussie actor Simon Baker, and a session of Star Wars: Episode VIII — The Last Jedi under the stars, it well and truly delivers. The list goes on during OpenAir's 43-night-season, thanks to previews of Gerwig's aforementioned Lady Bird before it hits regular theatres; the latest flick from Veep's Armando Iannucci, The Death of Stalin; Guillermo del Toro's monster romance, The Shape of Water; and Ridley Scott's newly re-cast kidnapping drama All the Money in the World. Or, revisit Blade Runner 2049 in scenic surroundings, watch Liam Neeson wreak havoc on a train in The Commuter, or settle in for 50 Shades Freed (hey, if you've been keeping up with the franchise so far, you might as well catch the final movie). Off-screen, expect culinary stars to join the fold as well, with OpenAir partnering with Matt Moran's Chiswick. They'll be delivering a signature menu to hungry movie-goers each and every night during the cinema's 2018 run — but with 2000 patrons expected every evening, expect them to be busy. Speaking of, when tickets become available at 9am on Monday, December 11, they're likely to go quick. Last year, more than 30,000 tickets sold within the first 30 minutes of sale.
Pop-up pros Street Food Circus are hitting Marrickville at the end of spring. And they'll be bringing with them three wild days of street food, craft beer, boutique wines, live music and DJs armed with vinyl. So blank out November 25 to 27 in your diary, for feasting at Fraser Park. The culinary extravaganza will showcase dishes from all over the world, with a particular focus on Italy and Vietnam. Representing the UN will be Big Papa's Food Truck with its multicultural menu, which includes the Korean (beef short ribs with cucumber kim chi on a bao gao bun) and the freaking enormous Americano (beef burger with pickle mayo sauce, cheddar and lettuce). Alternatively, for perfect arancini and whitebait fritto, swing by Italian street food experts Fritto + Co. Taking care of Vietnamese flavours will be Saigon Summer's outdoor barbecue pit, while Let's Do Yum Cha will be providing dim sim and duck pancakes. And, for health nuts, there'll be Agape Organic. Once the savouries are out of the way, it'll be time for dessert. Try out newbies Torch Me Creme Brulee and Donut Dealers, or go for established safe bet Over The Moo, who'll be serving up their next-level dairy-free ice cream (get the salted caramel) with waffles from Waffles and Dom. Keeping your thirst at bay throughout the day will be a bunch of craft beers and spirits, as well as fine wines, provided by Mountain Goat and Archie Rose distillers, among others. Meanwhile, in the Big Top, you'll be kicking back or getting down to a slew local DJ talent and, should you want to grab a vinyl or two of your own to take home, go rummaging at Rolling Records, a truck devoted to records.
Continuing on a cultural bent, the Mardi Gras Film Festival presented by Queer Screen is back for its twenty-third year. One of the most exciting events on Sydney’s staid cinematic calendar this year’s film festival will feature 75 screenings across five venues, including a festival first outdoor screening on the harbour. One of the festival highlights for this year will be a screening of Out to Win on Sunday, February 28, a documentary that follows the lives of aspiring and professional queer athletes. Following the screening a panel of prominent queer Australian athletes including Ian Thorpe, Matthew Mitcham, and Sally Shipard will discuss the challenges facing LGBTIQ equality in sport. Image: Bare.
Sixteen of Sydney's best, funniest performers are getting together to raise money for indigenous students. More specifically, they're performing at a fundraiser for AIME Mentoring, an educational program that supports thousands of Australia's indigenous students. Get down to the Footbridge Theatre on January 21, cough up between 50 and 100 bucks and you'll get time with triple j Hack preseter Tom Tilley, artistic director of Bangarra Dance Theatre Stephen Page, comedian and writer Jack Gow, YouTube star 'Throwing Guy', adventurer Steve Crombie and 11 other brilliant minds. Each performer will be doing their thing for five glorious minutes. In 2013, AIME was listed as the 23rd best place to work in Australia. Not only does the organisation have admirable aspirations — it's got the stats to show its methods work. In 2013, 20.4 percent of students benefiting from AIME progressed from Year 9 to university — 5 times the national average for indigenous teenagers (4.1 percent) and bringing them closer to the national average for non-indigenous teenagers (37.4 percent). Plus, this year's Hottest 100 will raise funds for AIME. Legends.
Sweets, lollies, cakes, dessert and all things sugary run the show at this year’s Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Month, with the 2015 program announced today. The toothache begins with Sweetfest, a mini-festival of sugary delights at Chippendale's aMBUSH Gallery featuring cake monarch Katherine Sabbath, boss of the layer cake Andrew Bowden, Brickfields, Flour and Stone and more. There are no less than 15 high teas on this year’s program, including a special edition by Katherine Sabbath, a Prohibition-style high tea at The Print Room, a three-way dessert high tea at The Choc Pot, a high tea at sea, a New York-inspired version at Dolton House and a ridiculous amount more. But of course, there's savoury adventures afoot, from Sydney's first ever 'ramen rave', to a growers' market solely dedicated to brunch, an openair long table dinner at the old Darlinghurst Gaol (now National Art School), a Barbecue Biennale, a three-course dinner on a ferris wheel, to the ever-popular, returning Night Noodle Markets. Adelaide superchef Jock Zonfrillo (Orana) will be teaming up with Silvereye's Sam Miller for a one-off dinner at the shiny new, soon-to-open Old Clare Hotel in Chippendale. Peter Gilmore's teaming up with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra to pair a special Bennelong menu with classical performance, and the chefs from Franklin, Igni and Biota are creating a wild picnic in the Southern Highlands. Around town, each venue is throwing down the gauntlet this year. There are so many street food festivals and eat-your-way-through markets we can't even keep up. Pinbone and Young Henrys are throwing a Feral Party — "wild animals, wild weeds and crazy wild messed-up beers". Foodstagrammers will love the Kepos brunch and photography masterclass at OzHarvest, alongside a slow and steady six-course dinner from the Slow Food movement. Breakfast enthusiasts will find the 'Cafe Collective' of breakfasting Sydney venues a delight. Pork lovers will chomp at the bit for a five-course pork dinner at Bishop Sessa. There's Goros' Japanese Halloween party, Archie Roses's epic dinner in the distillery, there's a three-course dinner in the Sydney Opera House Green Room and there's a particular focus on Sunday dining around the city. Plus, Opera Bar is bringing back the Golden Gaytimes. Ready to get your bib on and go? Start with our top ten events of the fest.
Let’s clear one thing up immediately: SPECTRE isn't nearly as bad as some critics are making out. We’re mercifully far from the nightmarish hellscape of Die Another Day or the '…...............huh?' of Quantum of Solace. It's just that SPECTRE isn’t quite Skyfall, either. Firstly, though, to the good bits. This film is stunning. Cinematographer and man with a Bond name Hoyte van Hoytema (Interstellar, Her) has crafted something magnificent here, framing every shot to perfection regardless of scale. Credit, too, to director Sam Mendes, who again proves that his dramatic background in no way hampers his ability to shoot thrilling action sequences. On that front, the film’s best is also its first: a five minute ‘uninterrupted’ tracking of Bond through the streets of Mexico during the Día de los Muertos festival. In fact, the whole first half hour of SPECTRE is so tight, its trajectory puts it on track to rival (or even surpass) its predecessor, however it's at that point where unfortunately the cracks also begin to appear. The overall viewing experience of SPECTRE might best be described as one of déjà vu. The story, to its benefit, draws heavily upon the three previous films as both an explanation for Bond’s increasingly tortured temperament and as a through-line tying the whole ‘Craig era’ together. Where things get problematic, though, is when near-identical scenes pop up from those earlier movies. Bond being fitted with an implanted tracking device in his right arm comes straight out of Casino Royale. Bond joining his beautiful French companion in a train's dining car while they discuss why he does what he does — that's Casino too. M having to the defend the 00 program from accusations of redundancy and outdatedness formed much of Judi Dench’s screen time in Skyfall, and the villain’s desert base in SPECTRE looks remarkably like the one from Quantum with a different coat of paint. Even the score by Thomas Newman feels overly familiar, with some sections essentially cut-and-paste jobs from the Skyfall soundtrack (Jellyfish to Hinx, for example). SPECTRE’s strongest scenes are its original ones, and with a reported budget of well over $200 million it’s a crime they weren’t all that way. On the performance front, Craig is reliably stony as Bond, although ‘franchise fatigue' has visibly set in. His dispassionate characterisation often slips into languor in SPECTRE, relinquishing only when opposite Léa Seydoux as his love interest Madeleine. Seydoux is the clear standout, imbuing Madeleine with every ounce of intelligence and mystery the script could provide. As the villain, Christoph Waltz receives a disappointing amount of screen time, and his character lacks much of the menace conveyed by Javier Bardem in Skyfall. Regulars M, Q and Moneypenny all hold their own (played again by Ralph Fiennes, Ben Whishaw and Naomie Harris), while Andrew Scott of Sherlock fame puts in a nice turn as ‘C’ — the new head of MI5. Again, this is not a bad film. The confusing or absent motivations, plot holes and scene repetition notwithstanding, SPECTRE still offers up all the elements of a classic Bond. Its action scenes are gripping, its wit affords welcome chuckles and its opulence entices. Any film that came after Skyfall was always going to be like opening up birthday socks when you'd already unwrapped the new car: it was destined to disappoint. But if you can remind yourself that socks are still pretty neat too, especially $200 million dollar ones with gorgeous people, places and cars on them, then you’ll find more than enough to like about SPECTRE.
Consider yourself a bit of a wine expert? Can you swish with the best of them? Can you hold long conversations about tasting notes and ageing barrels? Or are you more in the Leslie Knope school of thought when it comes to wine sampling — couldn't tell you the difference between a Cab Sav and a Merlot, but it's tasty and I'll go with it? Wherever you sit on this spectrum, Mental Notes promises to have something for everybody on the wine enthusiast scale. Kicking off 3pm on Saturday, April 30, the National Art School will be hosting winemakers from all over Australia and beyond, giving keen wine-drinkers the opportunity to taste a cheeky wine, or three. With over a hundred wines available for the tasting, you can drink your way through the country's vineyards, and learn a trick or two from the winemakers themselves. If this wasn't already a pretty sweet deal, there will also be a smattering of food stalls on the day to complement (read: soak up) some of that sweet wine goodness, notably Mary's and Icebergs Dining Room. Hosted by Joel Amos (DRNKS) as well Kenneth Graham and Jake Smyth of Mary's and The Unicorn fame, there will also be a casual bar operating during the wine tasting — with a wine list that will be changing every hour — because, can you ever really have enough booze at a wine event?
The man who helped Amsterdam maintain its nightlife will travel to Sydney in November, as one of the major guest speakers at this year's Electronic Music Conference. As the Night Mayor of Amsterdam, for the past few years Mirik Milan has built connections between business owners, residents and various government entities, creating a safe and prosperous environment under which the city's after dark culture could thrive. Huh. Must be nice. With its world famous lockout laws, the City of Sydney has obviously taken a slightly different approach to its citizen's nocturnal activities — something we're sure Milan will touch on in his opening keynote address. [caption id="attachment_578886" align="alignnone" width="226"] Pictured: Sydney's official nightlife policy.[/caption] "We believe Milan's knowledge and experience will be invaluable in our own city's pursuit of a vibrant and safe nightlife," said EMC programmer Eric Flanagan. "Amsterdam has shown us and the rest of the world that it is possible to achieve this." Although Night Mayor isn't actually an official government position — rather, Milan is the head of an advisory NGO — that hasn't stopped the former club promoter from having a significant impact on policy. In the past few years he's helped clarify Amsterdam's drug laws, introduced 'soft enforcement' services to try and deescalate potentially dangerous situations, and pushed hard for 24-hour licences in certain nightclubs which, since their introduction, have led to a significant reduction in street noise. He's been so successful that several other cities around Europe, including Zurich and Paris, have introduced Night Mayors of their own. Now in its fifth year, the Electronic Music Festival will run from November 28 until December 2 at the Ivy complex in Sydney, and will feature panel discussions, Q&As, workshops, parties and more. Early bird tickets are available now. Keep your eyes peeled for the full program announcement, which should be dropping soon.
After blazing through the end of 2014 with sold-out shows in Sydney and Melbourne, Jack Ladder and the Dreamlanders are back. And this time, they're taking on the nation. New album Playmates, released in November, inspired many a rave review from the critics and featured on Double J, FBi, 3RRR and 2SER. It's also been released in the big ol' U.S. of A. by Fat Possum (Black Keys, Spiritualized), which meant that March took Jack to gigs New York, Los Angeles and SXSW, Austin. NPR even named him one of the 'Musicians You'll Tell Your Friends About In 2015'. Plus, he casually recorded a killer duet with Sharon Van Etten, so extra kudos. Catch Jack Ladder and The Dreamlanders at Melbourne's Howler on May 8, Perth's Amplifier on May 9, Brisbane's Brightside May 15 and Sydney's Oxford Art Factory May 16. They'll be supported at every show by Sydney-based singer-songwriter Alex Cameron, who first became known as the percussionist in Seekae but has since been getting attention for his solo adventures.
Inner-city Sydneysiders, there's some unfathomably good Italian nosh coming your way. Alexandria's Salt Meats Cheese is set to open a new chapter on Broadway on April 7. Modelled on the Alexandria Salt Meats Cheese store and following openings in Mosman, Parramatta, Drummoyne (in conjunction with Harris Farm) and Surfers Paradise, the new food emporium will take over an industrial, exposed brick-clad space opposite Broadway Shopping Centre — with SMC's beloved fromagerie, charcuterie delights, and Italian deli stylings at the ready. Award-winning, hatted chef Simona Ciantelli has dreamt up an eclectic new menu for the Broadway store. Riding recent trends, SMC has an entire Nutella menu — from the Nutella Cartocci (deep fried pastry with Nutella and custard cream) to the Nutella Heaven Cup (cookies and cream gelato, Ferrero Rocher, Raffaelo, Kinder Bueno and Nutella sauce). For the more savoury palate, Ciantelli is doing tapas-style dishes and NYC-style burgers influenced by street food of south Italy like the truffle burger with grilled chicken breast, caramelised Spanish onions, truffled mushroom and gorgonzola sauce on a milky bun. SMC favourites like the egg parpadelle with burnt orange lamb ragu and the black lobster pizza will of course be in abundance. Tapping into the busy, student-fuelled nature of the Broadway area, Salt Meats Cheese will be doing pre-made cocktails in keepsake bottles — think elderflower spritzes and mezcal Negronis — alongside imported and local wines, Italian beers and Mexican tequilas. Plus, Thursday to Sunday will even see local DJ sets. Salt Meats Cheese will open at 68 Bay Street, Ultimo (opposite Broadway Shopping Centre) on April 7.
Moving castles have become abandoned mansions, and adventurous kids are now asthmatic outsiders, as you may have noticed if you've been keeping up with Studio Ghibli's recent films. It seems like everyone's favourite Japanese animation house is growing up and getting serious; however, that might not be all that's behind their change in mood. With no new features slated, they might be shutting up their movie-making shop — or so it has been rumoured. Perhaps that's why the studio's output over the last year has felt a little more melancholy and contemplative, and why tissues have become a necessary viewing accessory. The great Hayao Miyazaki's swan song, The Wind Rises, and co-founder Isao Takahata's latest effort, The Tale of the Princess Kaguya, already tested tear ducts, and When Marnie Was There does so again. If this is the last Ghibli movie, then the tale of 12-year-old Anna (voiced by Sara Takatsuki) offers a fitting farewell. Above all else, it tells of the importance of friendship, acceptance, understanding and looking to the past to embrace the future, recurring themes in the studio's work. A foster child usually found alone with her sketchbook in hand, Anna is isolated and unhappy. That doesn't change when she is sent to stay by the seaside with her adoptive relatives — but then she spies a house surrounded by marshland, and meets the girl who lives there, Marnie (Kasumi Arimura). When Marnie Was There is based on the 1967 British novel of the same name, and while the film isn't exactly old-fashioned, it is relaxed and reflective, even for an animation house known for making movies unlike any others. The second effort — and the second such book-to-screen adaptation — from director Hiromasa Yonebayashi after 2010's The Secret World of Arrietty, it takes its time not just to get to know Anna and her new pal, but to let the audience into their headspace. It's an approach that's crucial to the feature, with the journey Anna takes in finding her sense of self more important than anywhere she might wander — and the bond she forms with Marnie more engrossing than anything else she might encounter. It also fits in with the mystery surrounding the titular character, who only Anna can seem to see, and only under certain circumstances. As well as building character and intrigue, the slower pace leaves plenty of room for the kind of gorgeous visuals Studio Ghibli is known for, painstakingly hand-drawn and -painted. Indeed, that the film looks a treat can almost go without saying, except that Yonebayashi uses his beautiful images to thrill as much as enchant. There are a few darker turns in this tale, and the filmmaker is just as skilled at conveying pain and sadness as he is at creating magic and wonder. If it sounds like another bewitching gem, that's because it is — but if it sounds like something a little different, that's because it's that, too. When Marnie Was There is compiled from the same parts as other Ghibli fare, but it really does feel like a film studio saying goodbye. Expect sorrow from the sweet and soulful story about finding a place to belong. Expect more from the possibility that this could be the last movie from the beloved studio.
Spicy, spicy Bloody Marys and Breaky Bowls at the ready, Bondi brunch staple Porch and Parlour has opened the doors on their next-door expansion. It's been a long time coming for Porch to get a little roomier; since opening in 2010 the Campbell Parade cafe has has queues out the door for their freshly-squeezed juices, Will & Co. coffee, and trademark Green Breaky Bowls — also, that house rosé. To meet the weekly demand, the team took over the store next door and nabbed themselves an extra 40 seats. Porch's extensions continue the design of the beloved original interior, sourcing timber from the bones of Sydney's biggest icon. "Our intension was to improve the flow and functionality of the space but hold onto the old Porch feel," says co owner Sarah Hendriks. "We sourced timber from old Sydney Harbour Bridge formwork to craft the furniture and fittings, which not only has historical but sentimental value as our relatives worked on the Bridge construction in 1932." But an extra room isn't all Porch has added. Owners Hendriks and Sam Smith, alongside head chefs Mark Mansfield and Daniel Brown, have added hospitality heavyweight Alexander Relic to the team, who's managed the likes of Low 302 in Surry Hills and several Keystone Group venues. Looks like those killer Bloody Marys will have some menu company, Relic's carefully crafted a concise back bar and cocktail menu for the space — one we'll be taking full advantage of for boozy spring brunches and after-swim drinks. Finally, a big one for Bondi residents looking for a new evening nosh spot, Porch's renovations mark the cafe's move toward dinners (starting August 5), a move fellow Bondi resident Harry's also made in recent months. Find Porch and Parlour at 110 Ramsgate Avenue, Bondi Beach. Open Monday to Tuesday 6.30am – 5pm, Wednesday - Sunday 6.30am – 10pm (Evening service will commence from August 5 August, and open daily for breakfast and lunch until then.)
Woolloomooloo's fine dining seafood restaurant, Manta, is joined this month by a new pop-up aperitivo wine bar. MOLO at Manta will open at the wharf on April 28 and is all about simple, sophisticated Italian fare and authentic liquors that bring the best of the Italian coast to the Australian seaside. The man behind the curtain at MOLO is Riccardo Bernabei — who, in addition to his 35 years in the industry, gets his love of all things Italian from his nonna. A grandmother's home cooking is a strong premise for a menu and we're already loving the incredibly creamy look of that buffalo burrata topped with caviar, which will be a signature dish. Along with the burrata, MOLO will serve a seasonal menu of share plates, along with digestives, bitters, grappas and wines from lesser known vineyard regions like Sicily, Sardinia and Basilicata. Manta's executive chef Daniel Hughes and head chef Steve Hetherington have collaborated closely on the menu, which is written in both Italian and English. While the full menu is still being finalised, patrons can expect dishes like handmade fettuccine with pine mushrooms, gremolata finished rainbow trout and whole fried whitebait served with sardine vinegar. Keeping with the 'genuine' Italian dining experience, guests' first drink will be accompanied by a specifically matched cicchetti, the Italian version of the French amuse bouche or palate cleansing small bite. Many of MOLO's dishes also focus on four ingredients or less, an homage to the Italian mantra of showcasing the freshest produce. A majority of these ingredients will be sourced directly from Italy, with Italian artisans in Sydney also producing items specially for MOLO, including freshly baked bread that will be delivered twice daily. MOLO at Manta will open on Friday, April 28 at 6 Cowper Wharf Roadway, Woolloomooloo. Open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday, 11am to 11pm.
Missed The Preatures on their huge sold-out 'Cruel' tour this spring? How'd you like to catch them live this summer, for free? The Sydney fivesome are gearing up for another national escapade, this time joining forces with Corona Extra for a huge free November tour. Locked in for 20 locations across the country, Corona Sunsets will see the Sydneysiders play unplugged shows everywhere from Bondi Beach's Bucket List to the Portsea Hotel. Kicking off in Yallingup, Western Australia on November 6, the tour will wind through some of The Preatures' favourite bars in WA, NSW and Queensland before finishing up in Victoria on the last weekend in November. Isabella Manfredi, Gideon Bensen, Jack Moffitt, Thomas Champion and Luke Davison will be careening through their 2014 debut album Blue Planet Eyes, from crowd favourite singles like 'Cruel', 'Somebody's Talking' and 'Is This How You Feel?' to lesser known album gems like 'Ordinary' and 'Whatever You Want'. Fingers crossed for a raucous pub singalong to The Preatures' go-to cover, The Angels' 'Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again'. All shows are free entry, over-18s only and it's first-in, best-dressed. If Corona Extra's previous free Australian tours, like Cloud Control, are anything to go by, you're going to want to get there pretty damn early. For details head to Corona's website. THE PREATURES' CORONA SUNSETS AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES: WESTERN AUSTRALIA November 6 Caves House Hotel, Yallingup, 7.30pm November 7 The Leftbank, East Fremantle, 2.30pm The Northshore Tavern, Hillarys, 7.30pm November 8 The Lucky Shag Waterfront Bar, Barrack Square, 2.30pm Ocean Beach Hotel, Cottesloe, 7.30pm NEW SOUTH WALES November 13 Towradgi Beach Hotel, Towradgi, 8.30pm November 14 Watson’s Bay Hotel, Watsons Bay, 3.30pm Manly Wharf, Manly, 7.30pm November 15 The Bucket List, Bondi, 2.30pm Mona Vale Hotel, Mona Vale, 7.30pm November 22 Hotel Brunswick, Brunswick Heads, 8pm QUEENSLAND November 20 Beach House Hotel, Scarness, 8pm November 21 Sandstone Point Hotel, Sandstone Point, 3pm Noosa Heads S.L.S.C, Noosa Heads, 9pm November 22 Coolangatta Hotel, Coolangatta, 3pm VICTORIA November 27 Lambys, Geelong, 9pm November 28 The Deck est 2013, Frankston, 3pm Westernport Hotel, San Remo, 9.30pm November 29 The College Lawn, Prahran, 2.30pm Portsea Hotel, Portsea, 7pm
