Hitting Sydneysiders with an epic program of immersive, challenging, and mind-blowing art for another year, the Biennale of Sydney 2016 is an art lover's event like no other. Spanning multiple locations across the city and surrounds every two years, it's not hard to feel a little spoilt for choice. But before the festival wraps up in early June, we thought we'd save you some time and hand over our pick of the artworks you can't afford to miss. CHIHARY SHIOTA'S 'CONSCIOUS SLEEP' (2016) Insomniacs beware, this one might hit too close to home. Taking over the convict barracks of Cockatoo Island, Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota shows just how chilling a few hospital beds suspended by thousands of metres of black thread can be. Replicating the conditions encountered by prisoners back in 1861, Shiota's installation feels like stepping into a giant arachnoid's underground lair. It might seem like the stuff of nightmares, but the artistry of this space makes it a hauntingly beautiful experience. KEG DE SOUZA'S 'WE BUILT THIS CITY' (2016) Creating a cubby house from laundry bags, tarps and hessian sacks is just the start of Keg De Souza's contribution to this year's Biennale. As a unique, technicolour display of makeshift architecture, We Built This City has turned 16 Vine Street, Redfern into a hub of conversation for all the right reasons. The largest of her constructions to date, this tent is set to host The Redfern School of Displacement, bringing audiences talks and tours discussing global issues of displacement. Head along to this installation, and make sure to swing by for a guided 'Tour of Beauty' of Redfern and Waterloo, presented by SquatSpace. WILLIAM FORSYTHE'S 'NOWHERE AND EVERYWHERE AT THE SAME TIME NO.2' (2013) It's difficult to detach from your roots. For choreographer and artist William Forsythe, his longtime association with the Frankfurst Ballet and later the Forsythe Company has gone on to inform much of his recent artistic installations. Connecting the movement of dance with a spectacular series of 40 hanging metal pendulums, audiences are invited to navigate this unpredictable architectural space. The challenge? To avoid actually touching the objects themselves. MELLA JAARSMA'S PERFORMANCE 'DOGWALK' (2015-16) Taking things to a whole new level of bizarre, Mella Jaarsma is putting on a fashion show like no other. Alright, 'fashion' might be the wrong term to use here. But with costumes as elaborate as these, it's tempting to believe you've stumbled into some twisted couture show. Every Wednesday evening until June 1 head along to Jaarsma's installation Dogwalk at The Art Gallery of NSW, a 60-minute dog-walking performance filled some seriously creepy animal-skin costumes. Picking a part the bond between humans and animals, this show is definitely one to get you talking. DON'T FOLLOW THE WIND'S 'A WALK IN FUKUSHIMA' (2016-ongoing) Get a dose of global history at this one-of-a-kind Carriageworks installation. Brought to you by the curatorial collective Don't Follow the Wind (featuring Chim↑Pom, Kenji Kubota, Jason Waite, Eva and Franco Mattes), A Walk in Fukushima sees their collaboration efforts with 12 artists following the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. Step inside an inaccessible radioactive area of the Fukoshima Nuclear plant through 360-degree virtual reality headsets. You'll be intrigued and immersed in an abandoned landscape unlike anything you've seen before. BO CHRISTIAN LARSSON'S 'FADE AWAY, FADE AWAY, FADE AWAY' (2016) Camperdown Cemetery is home to some of colonial Australia's biggest names, but that doesn't concern Swedish artist Bo Christian Larsson. In fact, he's taken matters into his own hands by dressing each tombstone in a custom-made white cover. By obscuring the identities of each grave, Larsson hopes to rid this historic cemetery of its ingrained class hierarchies. And with nearly 2000 of these stones to see on site, this is sure to be one unnerving art excursion. LEE MINGWEI'S 'GUERNICA IN SAND' (2016) As kids, mastering the art of constructing the perfect sandcastle was a pretty tough gig. Protecting our sandy creations from trampling feet and rising tides certainly seemed like an almighty challenge to our younger selves. But imagine taking on the task of reproducing a famous Picasso creation with only one humble ingredient: sand. Taiwanese artist Lee Mingwei took this on, using the fragility and impermanence of this work to reveal the creative power transformation allows. With the help of eight dedicated volunteers, Mingwei has transformed the concrete floor of Carriageworks into a stunning recreation of Guernica. Audience members were encouraged to literally walk across the work on April 23 (later swept and restored by Lee Mingwei and his team). TARO SHINOD'S 'ABSTRACTION OF CONFUSION' (2016) Prefer things a little more zen? Why not make a trip to AGNSW and transcend the daily grind with Taro Shinoda's work Abstraction of Confusion. Take a seat on his tranquil tatami mat and let the simplicity of this installation wash over you. Drawing inspiration from philosophy and the power of meditation, you'll leave feeling as if you've been wandering through the paths of a beautiful Japanese garden. APICHATPONG WEERASETHAKUL'S 'HOME MOVIE' (2016) Film lovers, this is one to watch. Thai artist Apichatpong Weerasethakul brings his distinctive cinematic style to Carriageworks with his latest short, Home Movie. As a way of reflecting his time spent in Chiang Mai during turbulent political events, this seven-minute creation symbolises the relentless violence and instability that continues to terrorise the Thai nation. ALEXIS TEPLIN'S 'ARCH (THE POLITICS OF FRAGMENTATION) (2016) Consider the future of our world in a whole new light with Alexis Teplin's latest performance and installation Arch (The Politics of Fragmentation). See her abstract linen paintings act as the backdrop to this thought provoking performance, which poses the question "when decadence fails us in our quest for utopia, where do we end up?" This is one depiction of a fictional reality we are intrigued to see play out. Learn more about the Biennale program here.
Ever wanted to own your own Banksy original? Well now for a mere $435,000 you can. And while that may sound a bit steep, the price actually isn't that bad when you consider that it includes the entire three bedroom house on which the mural is painted. Located on the side of a two-story terrace in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, Spy Booth depicts three secret agents dressed in trenchcoats and dark glasses monitoring a nearby phonebooth with surveillance equipment. Painted in April 2014, it's viewed as a comment on the global surveillance scandal caused by whistleblower Edward Snowden. The house is located just a few kilometres away from the headquarters of the GCHQ, Britain's security and intelligence agency. But while you might imagine that having a Banksy on the side of your house would be a blessing, the owner of 159 Fairview Road says he has experienced constant stress since the appearance of the artwork, which he's been unable to remove or sell since council planners granted it retroactive planning permission. So instead, he's selling the whole building. "If Cheltenham want it, they can have it," 45-year-old David Possee said in an interview. "Just buy the building off me, I just want to get on with my life. Cut me free, you can have the Cheltenham Banksy." Fair warning to any potential bidders out there: while the artwork may be great, the house itself is in need of serious renovations. Or, as real estate agents Peter Ball & Co put it, "requires a comprehensive schedule of refurbishment." To view the listing, go here. Via Domain.
With its breezy, modern fitout and completely vegan offering, Eden Bondi proves a fitting addition to area's collection of culinary hot-spots. The work of Bondi locals Simon Hill and Tanya Smart, the 80-seater is heroing food and cocktails that are both healthy and animal product-free. Across a lush, tropical-inspired restaurant space and fairy light-lit courtyard garden, Eden's dishing up a lively dinner menu. Without an animal product in sight, the offering features veggie-packed hero dishes, alongside vegan reworkings of some of your favourite snacks. Dinner time might see you matching an organic Aussie wine with some popcorn cauliflower bites, vivid green sliders with pickled jalapeño and souvlaki tacos. You'll spy a mushroom-based take on the classic ragu, a range of colourful loaded bowls and plant-based pizzas like the Green Goddess with kale pesto, baby spinach, smoked tofu and cherry tomatoes. Eden Bondi caters well for allergies too, with a stack of options that are free of nuts, gluten, onion and garlic. You can wash it all down with a smoothie or pressed juice, though there's plenty more fun to be had with the signature cocktails list. All-vegan sips like the gin and raspberry Cotton Candy Sour, and the Appletini with vodka, apple liqueur and lemon juice are sure to hit the spot after a long day at the beach.
“Have you skied before?” This is the question I am asked — repeatedly — on the way to Thredbo: at reception when checking in at the Thredbo Alpine Hotel, at a five-course champagne brunch in an inflatable igloo on the ski slopes (a combination of words I never thought I'd say), while dancing and chatting to strangers during a poolside party started by French phenomenon La Folie Douce and, of course, when collecting gear and being assigned to a ski lesson on the final day of this weekend celebrating the Thredbo Top2Bottom race. The answer is sort of, once, when I was in high school and spent a day tumbling down Friday Flats. But if you think Thredbo isn’t for you, it’s time to think again. There’s a lot more than just skiing on offer in this alpine village getaway. ARRIVE AT THE HOTEL; DON'T LEAVE THE HOTEL From outside, the Thredbo Alpine Hotel (Friday Drive, Thredbo Village Resort, +61 2 6459 4200) looks austere — with a grey timber exterior capped by an aggressively sloping roof. But inside, it’s warm and wood-panelled, the staff are chilled out and friendly and there is a roaring log fire in the middle of the lobby lounge. The setting is pretty spectacular too. From the hotel room window, I can see a snow-covered mountain that reflects the pink morning light, and a pristine landscape of sky and trees. The rooms are small and haven’t been refurbished since the ‘80s, but this adds a rustic charm and comfort. The hotel breakfast is deliciously comprehensive, and the restaurant windows look out onto the slopes. Whether you’re into the bircher muesli or hash browns (or both), you can sit in your warm smugness and watch early morning skiers tear down the Supertrail at their own peril. The hotel also has an outdoor spa, an in-house massage therapist and sauna. So you basically have no reason to leave. OPEN CHAMPAGNE THE RIGHT WAY: WITH A SWORD On the first morning, I am whisked away to Crackenback Drive and treated by Mumm Champagne to a five-course champagne degustation with chef ambassador Josh Lopez (from Brisbane’s GOMA restaurant). The pop up restaurant is set on the snow in an inflatable igloo by the ski slopes. Mumm ambassador Chris Sheehy introduces the champagne at the beginning of each course, followed by Josh Lopez, who explains his approach to each dish. I learn how to open a bottle of champagne with a saber (the essential trick is to chill the neck of the bottle for a couple of hours to get a clean break), eat black rose caviar off the back of my hand and appreciate how truffle coated in 24 carat gold goes marvellously with a cordon rouge (that’s a type of champagne). The dessert is the highlight (or perhaps my head is rather light by this point), an architectural feat with macadamia, berries, vanilla and rose petals, matched with a light rosé. An evening champagne and caviar masterclass with Sheehy and Lopez was also available to Thredbo visitors at the Segreto Restaurant back at the Alpine Lodge Hotel. PARTY LIKE IT'S -5ºC (IT IS) Thredbo Alpine Hotel is known for its afternoon après-ski parties, and from 3-6pm international party-starters La Folie Douce took to the poolside stage, pumped up the beats and got the crowd going. It’s hard to explain the magic of La Folie Douce and exactly what happens up there on stage, but they charmed us with what essentially is a glorified karaoke-cross-Rihanna-inspired dance routine, hollering and grinding to a set of pumping music, encouraging the audience to follow suit. And before long, half the audience was up on stage, a squish-friendly party of ski jackets and champagne-fuelled shenanigans. And amazingly, it was finished in time for dinner. CELEBRATE OTHER PEOPLE'S ATHLETIC VICTORIES Upon assignment to this story I had a momentary freak-out where I thought I might have to actually ski in the 25th Anniversary Top2Bottom race — a kind of City2Surf for the slopes. Each year, a slew of skiers, snowboarders and even a select few fatbike racers (literally people riding fat bicycles down the slope) compete on Australia’s longest run (3.2km) for a $1200 prize pack. Luckily, all I had to do was hang out at the finish line by the Mumm Champagne pop-up bar and cheer them on. There were dramatic crashes, narrow finishes and plenty of champagne-popping to start the day. ATTEMPT TO SKI, DECIDE TO INVEST IN A TOBOGGAN The opportunity to ski came on the last morning of the trip. I quickly realised that the preparation for this sport takes more energy than the sport itself. I wore way too many layers of clothing, struggled to get my ski boots on and then walk in them (skis in tow) to the shuttle bus. But once on the magic carpet at the bottom of Friday Flats, under the friendly guidance of Albert our ski instructor, the snowplough position came rushing back to me and I went rushing down Friday Flats. It was exhilarating! But next time I think I'll invest in a toboggan. LET'S DO THIS; GIVE ME THE DETAILS Thredbo is open 365 days a year, though the ski season runs from the June long weekend to the October long weekend. By air: Qantas and Virgin Australia service Canberra Airport from major Australian cities. Canberra Airport is a 2.5 hour drive from Thredbo and shuttle transfers to and from the airport can be arranged. Several major car hire companies also hire from Canberra. By bus: Greyhound Australia run daily services from Canberra and Sydney, Murrays run daily services from Canberra during July and August and other service operators also offer transport and packages. By car: Thredbo is approximately 500km, or 6 hours' drive, from both Sydney and Melbourne. If you’re cruising to the mountains from Sydney, once you’re on the Eastern Distributor there are only a few sets of traffic lights to Thredbo. From Melbourne, the fully sealed Kosciuszko Alpine Way is your scenic window as you wind through the spectacular Kosciuszko National Park. The National Parks and Wildlife Service collect park use fees upon entry to the park. You can purchase your pass from the Entrance Station 13km before you get to Thredbo, the Snowy Region Visitors Centre in Jindabyne, the National Parks Visitors Centre in Khancoban, or the Thredbo Information Centre. Check out some tips for safe snow driving before you leave home. Roslyn travelled to Thredbo as a guest of Mumm champagne.
Remember a couple of weeks back, when the internet collectively lost its shit over the existence of that mind-blowing Nutella doughnut milkshake? You know, the one that looks like a massive coronary waiting to happen, but who cares because after drinking it you can basically just die happy then and there? You do, huh? Well how would you like to get a free one delivered directly to your desk? For free? Free. Probably taking cues from Uber's kitten/Messina/pure joy delivery stunts, the mad, Nutella-loving geniuses at Erskineville's Foodcraft Espresso — from whose blessed milkshake mixer the Tella Ball Milkshake first sprung — have teamed up with text message concierge service ASAP for a one-day promotion that no self-respecting dentist could possibly have signed-off on. The long and short of it: 150 thirsty folk in the Sydney CBD are about to be very, very happy. Details of the giveaway will go live on the ASAP Facebook page sometime later today — at which point the first 150 people to tag three of their friends and text their preferred delivery address to 0409 777 917 will be locked in for an injection of sweet, sugary goodness. From there, all that's left to do is count down the minutes until next Thursday, when the ASAP team will start ferrying their precious cargo across town. As it happens, ASAP don't just deliver ridiculous milkshakes. You can text these guys for just about anything — they're basically a Yellow Pages combined with a tiny butler who lives in your phone. They only operate in Sydney right now, although there are apparently plans to expand to Melbourne in the near future. Not that'll be much comfort next Thursday when Sydneysiders are literally drinking Nutella through a straw. For more details about how you can snag yourself a free Tella Ball Milkshake, keep your eyes glued to the ASAP Facebook page.
Sydney's favourite pre-theatre dumplings have moved a little closer to the city, with the team behind Lotus Dumpling Walsh Bay opening a brand new chapter in the CBD. Making neighbours of Muji and Kinokuniya, Lotus at The Galeries is the shiny new 270-seater eatery from the lauded dumpling team; located on level one of the Galeries Victoria between George and Pitt Streets. According to Hospitality Magazine, the crew have gone with a completely different design to the Walsh Bay venue. DS17's Paul Papadopoulos and Kathryn Ashley have designed the new Lotus to allow as much light as possible through the space; think stripped-back, minimalist white and blue interiors, floor-to-ceiling windows, Fibonacci stone and ceramics errrrwhurrr. So what's in store for your hungry, hungry, dumpling-loving self? Shaking things up from the Walsh Bay menu (but keeping the plethora of shitake mushroom, violet, and scallop dumplings on offer), Lotus Galeries is more focused on fresh seafood (yep, we're fresh oysters, mud crab, snow crab, lobster, the works). But we're keen to try the restaurant's newest novelty dining style: a Lotus high tea. You can sit down to a traditional Chinese afternoon tea (or LoTea) from 3-5pm daily, feasting on little handmade Lotus dumplings, and pretty artisan Asian-style sweet goodies — like Szechuan pepper, toasted sesame and goji berry chocolates — served with the restaurant's own brand of Chinese tea. We'll raise a pinky to that. Lotus Dumpling Bar is open on level one of the Galeries Victoria. Lunch runs from 11.30am-3pm, LoTea runs 3-5pm, and dinner is from 5.3-10pm. Via Hospitality Magazine.
How Kevin Hart's never made it to Australia for a stand-up tour before is beyond us (apart from a one-off set at Sydney's Comedy Store), but the celebrated US comedian is about to rectify that. Off the back of an epic US arena tour, Hart will bring his What Now? tour to Australia this February. Hitting Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney from Wednesday February 3, Hart will take over some of our biggest venues for a four-date run of shows. Both a stand-up veteran and a comedy film actor you might have seen Hart in Get Hard opposite Will Farrell, Little Fockers, Death at a Funeral, Fool’s Gold, Soul Plane, the Chris Rock-directed Top Five, or getting coffee in a car with Jerry Seinfeld. He's also starring in Ride Along 2, but Australia hasn't seen that sequel just yet. But Hart's going back to his roots with this tour. The 36-year-old really got his start while sizing men and women for footwear, when he performed at an amateur night in Philadelphia, subsequently quitting his job and ending up as a regular at lauded joints like The Boston Club, Caroline’s, The Laugh Factory, and The Comedy Store in Los Angeles. His 2011 Laugh at My Pain tour hit it out of the ballpark — in February 2011 he sold out LA's hallowed Nokia Theater for two nights in a row, breaking the record previously set by the great Eddie Murphy. KEVIN HART WHAT NOW? AUSTRALIAN TOUR: Wednesday, February 3 — Perth Arena, Perth Friday, February 5 — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Staurday, February 6 — Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane Sunday, February 7 — Allphones Arena, Sydney Tickets on sale 10am Friday, September 4. My Live Nation and ticket agent presale starts 2pm September 2 until 5pm September 3. For more info, head over here. "Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee" Kevin Hart from Peter Holmes on Vimeo.
Rockpool Bar & Grill is glamorous and over the top — making it a fab spot to really treat yourself. Nested in the grandiose surrounds of the City Mutual Building's art deco interior, dining at this place is an experience to say the least. A marbled open kitchen exposes spunky chefs sweating under heat lamps, atmosphere is aplenty, and the wine selection is more like a bible than list. But what you're really here for is some of Neil Perry's wham bam steak. Loosen your belt buckles, folks, because you ain't leaving without ingesting at least 250g of juicy beef. Word. But before the eating bonanza begins, we recommend you perch at the bar for a couple of beverages. The wine list is over 145 pages long, covering red, white, rosé and fortified drops from across Australia and beyond to Europe, the US, South America and Asia. Move into Rockpool's dining room — it's here where they let the games begin. Start with a half dozen Sydney Rock oysters, the Iberico jamon with Piquillo peppers, olives and pickled onions, or the yellowfin tuna with lemon and Davidson plum. If one had to play the singling out game, we'd call the jamon. From the woodfired grill, there's a neat selection to choose from. Here, we're talking about beef of only the finest quality, of course. The Cape Grim dry aged 36-month-old grass-fed fillet is a lean cut, almost completely without fat and quite possibly what they had in mind when they coined the phrase, "melts in your mouth". Then there's the rib-eye on the bone for the bottomless pits among us. Don't be ashamed, be proud. Add to these a side of potato puree and charcoal-roasted pumpkin and sautéed padron peppers with garlic and sherry vinegar, and you've what we call an almost unchallengeable meal. Rockpool Bar & Grill deserves every last sliver of hype it gets. Steak is its language and warm hospitality its philosophy, so go on, spoil yourself. It's worth every penny. Appears in: Where to Find the Best Burgers in Sydney for 2023 Where to Find the Best Steak in Sydney
Portraits aren't all regal furs and awkward "Oh, didn't see you there," poses. They can be weird, abstract, figurative, unrecognisable, or downright adorable. It's not an easy task; capturing a realistic, unrelentingly vulnerable likeness of your own reflection, someone you've just met or one of your oldest buds takes a fair few stories, maybe a few beers and a willingness to tackle the intimidating notion of thinking up something new after decades of Archibald Prize winners. Australia's top portraiture prize is back for another year, the Art Gallery of New South Wales's annual celebration of Aussie faces. The Archibald finalists will be exhibited at AGNSW from July 29 to October 22, along with the finalists for the Wynne Prize (which awards the best landscape painting of Australia or figure sculpture) and the Sulman Prize (for the best subject painting, genre painting or mural project). After exhibiting in Sydney, the finalists will then tour regionally, after which time the winner will be announced by the trustees of AGNSW. The winner will be awarded $100,000 in prize money and some serious bragging rights to boot. The prize was created by Jules Francois Archibald, the founding editor of The Bulletin magazine. He established the prize with the goal to promote both great Australian portraiture and great Australians. The only real stipulation within the contest is that the painting must have been created in the last 12 months and include at least one live sitting with the subject. The award is an open competition, which means that any resident of Australia or New Zealand can enter. Something to keep in mind for next year. And while you wait to potentially enter the next Archibald, we have another competition for you to enter — we're giving away ten double passes to the Archibald. [competition]630952[/competition] By Marissa Ciampi and Shannon Connellan. Image: Dee Smart, The mayor of Bondi, oil and acrylic © the artist. Photo: Jenni Carter, AGNSW.
For anyone who doesn't live in Surry Hills, the epicenter of casual dining, the name may be misleading. This venture by the owners of the Bronte-based Vacanza pizzeria didn't opened in the north-western suburbs of Sydney. The Hills district in this case is the upper end of Bourke St, opposite where the former Hopetoun Hotel used to be. Vacanza took over what was an average corner Italian fast food joint. Upping the ante, the Bronte team did a little makeover on the interior, exposing the brickwork and darkening the mood, but it's not too flash. The prices for sit-down pizzas in nice surroundings are reasonable, and are actually standard compared to the average takeaway pizza. Less is more here, at least in terms of toppings. Emphasising the southern Italian connection, the kitchen staff are from the home country and slide out thin-based pizzas of the more traditional variety. "The Vacanza" is sprinkled with truffle oil and grated pecorino, "Il Sacaceno" peppered with prosciutto and parmesan, and "Il Capitano" laced with fennel sausage, goats cheese and roasted mushroom. Elsewhere on the menu, there's four choices of insalate and a mozzarella bar with starters such as bufala arancini, two lightly crumbled rice balls with buffalo mozzarella and porcini mushrooms. "Changes and modifications are politely declined unless it is a small matter of life and death" is Vacanza's philosophy and is word around these traps. And if you don't believe us, just sight it on the menu. They're clearly taking this pizza business seriously, dead seriously. They've certainly breathed life into a corner of Surry Hills that was in need of resuscitation. And while its fully licensed, they'll allow BYO at one bottle, per person, for a fee.
Want to take a journey through post-lockouts Sydney in two pretty sad minutes? Sydney-based production company Shifted Pictures have created a haunting timelapse video of the effects of the NSW lockout laws on various venues around the CBD. Released online today, stunning new short film Closed Sydney documents venues that have closed down or were sold in the time since the lockout laws were introduced by the State Government in 2014. As we've seen too many times in the last two years, a significant amount of Sydney venues claim that since the introduction of lockout laws, venue patronage has decreased casting financial strain on business owners and employees. Hugo's threatened to sue the NSW Government after they closed down in August 2015, and just today, the Keystone Group counted the lockout laws in their reasons for financial stress and move into receivership. And that's just two examples. Closed Sydney was produced using motion control timelapse technology, with the final film using over 3800 still images. Tim Pass, one of the film's producers shared his inspiration behind the visuals. "It's been an idea that's been kicking around since the Hopetoun closed down. Not long after the lockouts came in, it seemed we were losing a live music venue, nightclub or restaurant every other week. If we didn't document them now, we'd be too late. "It might be too late for the venues shown in the video, but hopefully if people keep talking about these issues and come up with some real solutions, we don't have to lose the nightlife of an entire city." The footage is set against an original composition written by avid Keep Sydney Open supporter and Art Vs. Science keys player Jim Finn. Be warned: it's best to grab a box of tissues before you hit play.
From Barangaroo to Green Square, Parramatta to Circular Quay, Sydney's seen more than its fair share of construction lately. Newly proposed, multi-million-dollar developments are popping up all over the city, employing forward-thinking architectural teams and designers to transform the city visually and practically into a city prepped for the future — however either celebrated or controversial plans may be. From new food-focused precincts to world-class horticultural experiences, Sydney's newest design projects are aiming to take the city into a new realm of urban possibility. Here are ten paving the way for things to come. You'll note the Powerhouse Museum isn't in here, we'll bring you more on its impending Western Sydney move soon. By the Concrete Playground team. HAROLD PARK TRAMSHEDS They've kept us in suspense for an age, but one Sydney's most talked about developments, Tramsheds, has finally announced an opening date: September 22. The Tramsheds project, built in the bones of the heritage-listed Rozelle Tram Depot in Harold Park by developers Mirvac, will house a European-inspired market hall, lined with small, high quality and bespoke food retailers, alongside a 2440 square metre IGA Supamart supermarket (try saying that ten times fast). Now, in your mind, a giant grocery chain might not mesh well with local providores, but the Supamart is less like your local Woolies/Coles than you might think. It's a family owned and run business — by brothers Andrew and Vasilli Karellas — with a focus on organic and local produce . There's a host of already announced Tramsheds foodies planned for the site too, including Tokyo Bird (to open Japanese restaurant Osaka Trading Co.), Melbourne chicken kings Belles Hot Chicken, Butcher and The Farmer (a deli/butcher/restaurant triple threat run by Jared Ingersoll); sustainable seafood restaurant Fish and Co; tapas restaurant Bodega 1904; ice cream kings Gelato Messina and Flour Eggs Water, a new establishment run by Eugenio Maiale. We can expect a dozen more foodie announcements over the coming months, giving fellow rosy suburb Rosebery a run for its money. There's also a medical centre, gym, hairdresser and nail bar planned for the Tramsheds, and a number of cycle paths are currently under renovation — with plans for over 80 bike racks to be installed across the site. Tramsheds will open September 22. THE CALYX Sydney's Royal Botanic Garden turned 200 in June — and it landed itself one humdinger of a birthday present. Meet The Calyx, the Garden's new world-class horticultural experience. Opened to coincide with the official opening date of the Botanic Gardens on June 13, 1816, 200 years ago, this dazzling new UFO-shaped public space not only houses thousands and thousands of plants, but gives Sydneysiders an escape from the city's busy streets and relentless traffic. It also provides a new outdoor home for fun, innovative exhibitions. The first, now open, is Sweet Addiction, the botanic story of chocolate from bean to bar. Starting your journey deep in a tropical rainforest, you'll make your through ancient history and chocolate plantations, before reaching a tasty pop-up shop — the site for many future chocolate activities and tastings. Also part of the show is a collection of 18,000 plants, which are arranged as living artworks. Together, they form the biggest green wall in the Southern Hemisphere, measuring six metres in height and 285 square metres in area. Move over, Patrick Blanc. (Mind you, we can't deny that One Central Park's wall is looking prettier with every passing day.) The Calyx is open now at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, 10am to 4pm daily. GREEN SQUARE One of Sydney's industrial heartlands is going to look pretty different by 2030, as the City of Sydney designs a new town centre for the area — by then the suburb will be home to more than 54,000 people. The 278-hectare Green Square development includes a creative hub, an aquatic and childcare centre, and more than 15 new parks and open spaces, set to be revealed at staggered times between now and 2030. One of the most exciting aspects is a coast-inspired aquatic centre by Andrew Burges Architects, in association with Grimshaw and T.C.L., who won the City of Sydney's Green Square Design Competition. The plan includes a 50-metre outdoor pool, built within a larger, organically-shaped 'beach pool'; a 25-metre indoor pool; and a health and fitness centre. These facilities will be encompassed by Gunyama Park, which is to be revamped with the addition of a promenade, native landscaping and play equipment. All in all, the development will cover an area equivalent to three football fields. But Green Square won't be a plain practical canvas of a space. For about 18 months now, the City of Sydney has been promising an epic public art program. Well, it wasn't a hollow proposal, with artworks planned for reveal by 2018. For a start, the precinct's futuristic, architect-designed library will be scoring two brand new works by Aussies, selected from 90+ submissions — Cloud Nation by Claire Healy and Sean Cordeiro (a vintage Beechcraft Travel Air plane, suspended in mid-air and covered in a teeny-tiny miniature world) and Sydney's Michael Thomas Hill and Indigo Hanlee (Lightwell) will be installing their High Water, in the library's external public plaza (a mammoth-sized LED display of local weather patterns and tidal information, fed by live data). Green Square will be completed by 2030, with staggered reveals until then. DARLING SQUARE LIBRARY A spiralling, futuristic community library is in store for Darling Square. Across its two floors, you'll find not only tens of thousands of books, but also a bunch of extra facilities, including a 'makerspace' and an 'Innovation Exchange Program' for creative startups. Designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma and proposed by Lendlease, the building will have six storeys altogether, with another two floors occupied by a commercially-run childcare centre — as long as all plans get the green light. The agreement means that the City of Sydney will lease the 2225 square metre space for 99 years. The rest of the terms are confidential at this stage, but we're expecting them to be ready to go by the end of 2016. And, if everything runs according to plan, the library will open in 2018. "The redevelopment at Darling Harbour includes a new residential and commercial area with 4200 new residents and 2500 new workers," Lord Mayor Clover Moore said. "High-density living is an important part of our city's future, but to be a success it must be supported by great community facilities, which is why we're so pleased to see a project like this that meets the city's standards of design excellence." Darling Square Library is planned to open in 2018. CENTRAL PARK AND THE ABERCROMBIE HOTEL The State Government has given the go-ahead to a controversial development project on the site of the heritage-listed Abercrombie Hotel, one that will see the shuttered corner pub dwarfed by a 16-storey apartment building and office complex. The imposing glass tower was designed by the award-winning London architecture outfit Foster and Partners alongside Sydney-based firm PTW, and is the latest step in Frasers Property Australia's $2 billion Central Park development. It will contain commercial offices along with a childcare centre and 48 apartments, while an adjoining 18-story tower will house 293 hotel rooms. As for the pub itself, Sydney mega-restaurateur and MasterChef hanger-on Matt Moran is taking over ownership of the Abercrombie Hotel. The iconic Chippendale venue, officially known as The Australian Hotel, was renowned for its sticky floors and raucous club nights, but ceased operation in 2014. A resurrection has been on the cards for a while now, with Moran's company Solotel Hospitality Group inking the deal this week. Just don't expect the return of S.A.S.H. or Purple Sneakers. "Our refurbishment of The Australian Hotel will see the pub restored to its original art-deco glory including its rear courtyard beer garden," said Solotel co-owner Bruce Solomon. "Solotel will deliver a contemporary expression within the original heritage character of the pub reminiscent of this bygone era whilst ensuring its seamless integration into the broader Central Park precinct." In addition to the main building, Moran and Solomon have acquired the three adjacent terrace houses facing Abercrombie Street, with an eye to opening a European-style wine bar. With work on final Central Park plans still ongoing, however, neither venue is expected to begin trading before 2018. The Abercrombie Hotel is expected to begin trading sometime in 2018. THE STREETS OF BARANGAROO With various elements already in full swing (and plenty to come) Barangaroo is one of Sydney's most visible new precincts — and one of the most controversial. Although the City of Sydney (for one) slammed certain elements of it, James Packer's $1.5 billion casino tower project has been approved, Barangaroo has successfully generated positive buzz by appealing to our stomachs — the food and drink aspects of what's known as The Streets of Barangaroo. We've brought you plenty of news of bars, restaurants and cafes opening already in this waterfront precinct, from Anason to Rabbit Hole, Belle's Hot Chicken to Noma. But one of the most exciting developments up ahead for the area is a giant, three-storey salad bowl. Just one of a host dining precinct plans for the billion-dollar waterfront, leading Australian chef Matt Moran has announced he will create a three-level dining experience with business partner Peter Sullivan, along with Bruce and Anna Solomon of Solotel. The formidable MorSul/Solotel foursome, who have previously teamed up to deliver ARIA Sydney, ARIA Brisbane, CHISWICK and North Bondi Fish, make up the dream team who revamped Opera Bar. Moran's three-level Barangaroo offering is set to open in 2016. Designed by Sydney architects Collins and Turner, the epic new establishment will resemble a series of stacked shallow bowls or varying sizes — glorifying your everyday kitchen essentials in a colossal waterfront palace. Moran's pet project will sit at Barangaroo's southern end, marking a grand entrance point for the waterfront dining precinct. "When we were first approached by Lend Lease about joining the precinct, it was the location of the site which was key in our decision making," says Moran. "We intend to deliver a truly Australian experience at this world-class waterfront venue. Whether you are looking for a casual bar and restaurant, a more premium restaurant or a rooftop garden bar, we will have it all with our offering at Barangaroo and use only the best locally sourced produce to create a showpiece of Sydney dining." Matt Moran's yet-to-be-named Barangaroo establishment will open in 2016. [caption id="attachment_573019" align="alignnone" width="1280"] NSW Department of Planning.[/caption] UTS STUDENT HUB Despite claims by the University of Technology Sydney that some people actually like the Brutalist-style UTS Tower, it's known to haters citywide as one of the least subtle buildings in Sydney. But UTS has new multi-million dollar plans for an attached 'student hub'. Building 2 of the tower will get a complete makeover and act as a shiny new distraction from the structure allegedly designed so students couldn't meet each other, form groups and protest (it's a myth but we love it). The 16-level, glass-sheathed student hub will replace Building 2 on the corner of Broadway and Jones Street. The project, titled UTS Central, is said to start this year and finish in 2019, costing a whopping $278 million. The new development does sound pretty swank, though — there are plans to include a library with a twisting tri-level reading room, research areas, teaching spaces, a student centre, the student union, and a dining hall. Top it all off with an outdoor terrace and rooftop garden and the futuristic glass structure will at least be keeping students happy. UTS Central is the next in the campus revamps, following the recent $180 million Frank Gehry-designed business school that has also received mixed reviews. UTS Central is set to open in 2019. [caption id="attachment_576936" align="alignnone" width="1280"] The Century.[/caption] CAPSULE HOTEL Sydney's CBD is getting a major dose of the Tokyo-esque practical and compact, with plans to renovate Bar Century, rebrand it as The Century, and fit it out as a three-storey, luxury capsule hotel being announced last week. The George Street institution, which closed earlier this year, has been taken over by developer Walter Yao, who is investing a massive $5 million on a full interior refurb, which will be carried out by interior design consultants Giant Design. The heritage building will retain its vintage fit-out and have a "Soho House vibe", with the bar and hotel running as separate entities. The first two levels will act as The Century's cocktail bar and nightclub, while the top three floors of the building will be dedicated to the Century Capsules. These capsules are certainly more luxe than most you'll find in Asia. Each of the 72 capsules will contain a large LED screen and entertainment system, Wi-Fi, and even 'mood lighting' (whatever that means). Guests can choose from single or deluxe beds with entry from either the side or the end of the capsule. The communal facilities include a kitchen space, breakfast bar, lounge area, rooftop terrace and individual bathrooms. If you're worried about security, don't be — each capsule is fitted with a secure lock and the security desk runs 24-hours. But let's set the record straight — The Century is not going to be a hostel, and it's not aimed at overindulgent locals that can't seem to make it back home. And while the CBD haunt may have closed because of the lockout laws — and been a central part of a huge lockout protest as a result — these new digs are not meant as a lockout solution either. The Century is set to open in late November 2016. [caption id="attachment_510690" align="alignnone" width="983"] City of Sydney.[/caption] THOMAS STREET, HAYMARKET Come future Friday nights, you're soon going to have another excuse to grab Emperor's Puffs from the Chinatown markets. The streets of Haymarket will be transformed into a pedestrian friendly, tree-lined space in a move to refurbish the area announced by the City of Sydney. Now under construction, the proposed new plaza in the heart of Chinatown promises to put pedestrians at the top of the priority list. Thomas Street will become a pedestrian-friendly walkway and public space, with more lighting, seats, wider footpaths and a no-car policy during busy periods — so you can finally enjoy your street food goodies distraction free. Road closures are planned between Ultimo Road and Thomas Lane, while Thomas Street will become one-way only between Thomas Lane and Quay Street to make things safer for pedestrians. Visitors will also be able to enjoy public art from Australian contemporary artist Lindy Lee while walking through the streets of Chinatown. Lee's work is preoccupied with the idea of self in the world, as captured through her own negotiations with her divided Chinese-Australian heritage. Chinatown's revamp is currently under way, installation dates TBC. [caption id="attachment_513652" align="alignnone" width="1280"] City of Sydney.[/caption] CLOUD ARCH We're keeping everything crossed for this one, just to see if it actually works. Teetering over 50 metres above George Street beside Sydney Town Hall, a streamlined, cloud-shaped arch is one of three brand new public artworks coming to Sydney's CBD — to be installed as part of the City of Sydney's George Street-based revamp. Designed by Tokyo-based architect and artist Junya Ishigami — winner of the coveted Golden Lion for Best Project at the 12th Venice Architecture Biennale and visiting professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Design — Cloud Archwill act as a gateway to the soon-to-be pedestrian-friendly George Street, with the brand new light rail passing right underneath it — kind of like an elegant, minimalist Colossus of Rhodes for Sydney's CBD. "Green, global and connected are the characteristics of the new Sydney, and this new public space about to be created in George Street will be the exact manifestation of these qualities," says Ishigami. "Good public policy is not, in itself, enough — there is a need for a new symbol to embody and communicate these qualities to the world. The Cloud is that new symbol, comprehensible to all. The Cloud evokes comfort, openness and freedom." At 50 metres high and significantly ribbony, you might be wondering how Cloud Arch will stand up to those pesky CBD wind gusts or densely-populated flocks of art-hating birds. Using a single box beam as the central construction framework, Ishigami's tapered steel plates will apparently stand up to the elements without a hitch. Cloud Arch will also change shape from wherever you're getting a crick neck looking at it around the CBD, classic perspectival win (it should be visible from as far north as Wynyard station, the old site of the Coca Cola sign on Darlinghurst Road to the east and Liverpool Street to the south). Dates for Cloud Arch are yet to be announced.
Enjoy a breakfast of champions at whatever hour you please, courtesy of Australia's first ever cereal cafe. Opening its doors in Melbourne in just over a week, this pop-up snack hub will be serving all your childhood and/or late-night share house favourites, including Froot Loops, Coco Pops and Kellogg’s Crunchy Nut. Launching February 12, Cereal Anytime is the latest temporary tenant of Richmond’s year-long food and retail precinct, Swan Street Chamber of Commerce. Supposedly, the aim of the cafe is “educating people on foods in moderation”, which might get tricky given the sugar content of what they serve. Perhaps a limit of one bowl of Frosted Flakes per customer? The cafe will operate via a “pay-it-forward” payment system. Upon entry, diners simply peel a Post-it note off the wall, which they can then use to pay for their bowl of cereal. The Post-its can be replenished for $4 a pop, ensuring that those who are a little less fortunate don’t miss out. A recent cereal cafe that opened in London served over 120 different kinds of cereal, 13 milks and more than 20 additional toppings, so our iteration has something of a reputation to live up to. It sparked huge demand, followed by something of a culture war when some very practical types balked at paying £3.50 for flakes out of a box. Melbourne's version, with its element of feelgoodery, should sidestep that issue. Hungry members of the public can help decide the cafe’s final menu and gain entry on day one (February 12) via a ballot on their Cereal Anytime Facebook page.
A few months after Tropfest's near-death experience, founder John Polson has gone into greater detail on the alleged "financial mismanagement" that almost led to the festival's downfall. Appearing on triple j's Hack with Tom Tilley, Polson spoke about the moment when he first found out about the event's economic woes, and appeared to imply that blame lay at the feet of his business partner, Tropfest managing director Michael Laverty. "We raised well over a million dollars towards Tropfest last year and I got an email in early November saying we had not enough money to move forward with the event," Polson said on the Thursday, February 12 radio show. "It was obviously an incredible shock and a devastating blow." Polson claims to have documents proving the financial mismanagement, but declined to share them due to his impending court case against Laverty's company. "I don't believe Michael Laverty did the cliche thing of going off and spending it in the Bahamas but clearly something went wrong," he said. "There was massive, massive financial mismanagement that went down with this event and it's terrible and I'm trying to fix it." Tropfest was thrown a lifeline in December when CGU insurance stepped in to fund this year's festival, which will take place this Sunday in Sydney's centennial gardens. Polson is currently working on plans to secure the festival's long term future, and recently launched a crowdfunding campaign which has a week left to reach its $100,000 target. Polson also spoke about Hollywood star Mel Gibson, who was this week announced as a Tropfest judge alongside actors Simon Baker and Rebecca Gibney, director Jocelyn Moorhouse and cinematographer Don McAlpine. The news raised some eyebrows, given Gibson's unfortunate habit of saying appalling things whenever he's near a microphone. Nevertheless, Polson defended the choice, calling Gibson "an Australian icon." "As a 15-year-old in 1980 I went to see Mad Max and watched it three or four times over," said Polson. "What's happened to him in the last few years you'd have to ask him about." Via Hack. Image: Tropfest.
How's this for a way to blow off steam at the end of a working week: Abbotsford is about to become Melbourne's official home of casual and competitive axe throwing, which is exactly what it sounds like. Maniax is the brainchild of Stephen Thomas, who first came across the sport while living in Canada. "My wife and I used to go every week to watch the league," he tells Concrete Playground. "Down this back alley in Toronto there's this small warehouse with a bunch of targets set up, and a fire burning out the front. Everyone was right into it, and it was a really cool atmosphere." Upon returning to Australia, Thomas opened Maniax Sydney, and it soon proved to be a bit of a hit. "Think of it as an alternative to bowling or lawn bowls," he says. "We get birthday parties, hens parties, bucks parties, even family groups. Then midweek, we do corporate team building sessions. Google, Spotify, Australian Navy, Commonwealth Bank, IKEA, Qantas, you name it, they've been in." For Maniax Melbourne, Thomas has secured a warehouse just east of Hoddle Street, around 100 metres from Collingwood Station. "We've got six dedicated throwing areas, so we can take six separate groups at a time," he says. "It's going to have a very rustic, very industrial feel with lots of iron and wood." Thomas also plans to partner up with local bars and restaurants. "In Sydney we've got a guy called the Pig Baron who comes and sets up a pig on a spit," he explains. "Then afterwards we send them round to the local craft brewery for a few refreshing ales after the axe throwing." When we remark that axes and alcohol should probably be kept separate, he laughs. "It's a good combination in the right order," he agrees. "Axe throwing first, then the beer afterwards. Always in that order." Admittedly, not everyone is as keen on the idea of axe throwing as Thomas is. Maniax has already been approved by the City of Yarra, but is facing a battle at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) after a member of the public lodged an appeal. Still, Thomas is confident that the decision will go in their favour, and hopes to be open for business by late October. Once they are up and running, Thomas has big plans, including league nights like the ones they've set up in Sydney. "We hope to eventually have a Melbourne champ and a Sydney champ and be able to fly the Melbourne champ up to Sydney or vice versa and have an Australian champion," he says enthusiastically. "And because we're actually part of the National Axe Throwing Federation in Canada, our league members qualify for the National Championships in Canada. I'd love more than anything to see us find an Aussie champ and then fly them over to Canada to compete." To stay up to date on Maniax Melbourne's progress, visit www.maniax.com.au/melbourne.
Sick of the winter weather? Then escape from the chill to a warm, dark cinema, where you can watch movies from places even colder than here. Returning to Palace Cinemas in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, the Volvo Scandinavian Film Festival will once again showcase the best of Swedish, Danish, Finnish, Norwegian and Icelandic cinema, from award-winning dramas to esoteric comedies and the very best of Nordic Noir. One of the big highlights on this year's program is the Golden Globe-nominated The Fencer, a Finnish-German-Estonian co-production — dubbed by Finland Today as "the best Finnish film in a decade" — about a fencing instructor hiding from Soviet forces in Estonia in the years after the war. It's one of a number of critically-acclaimed titles in the program this year, alongside oddball Icelandic rom-com The Together Project which took home a screenplay prize at Cannes, and the excruciatingly tense Danish drama Land of Mine, which played in competition at the Sydney Film Festival earlier this year. Check out our list of the five must-see films at this year's Scandinavian Film Festival, below. https://vimeo.com/166024818 WELCOME TO NORWAY The opening night film at this year's festival is the fittingly titled Welcome to Norway, a jet black comedy about the current European migrant crisis and the attempts of one intrepid businessman to cash in. Anders Baasmo Christiansen plays a casually racist Norwegian hotel owner who, due to mounting debt, is forced to turn his establishment into refugee housing. With a supporting cast made up of actual Syrian refugees, director Rune Denstad Langlo has created a timely piece of social satire that promises to be both funny and outrageous. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShMAkhyC6bY THE FENCER One of two post-war dramas to feature on this list, The Fencer first caught our attention at the Golden Globes earlier this year, when it competed as Finland's nominee for Best Foreign Language Film. Directed by Klaus Härö, the film tells the story of a world class swordsman turned reluctant German soldier, who in the years following WWII finds himself hiding from the Soviets in a small Estonian village, where he finds work as a school P.E. teacher and fencing instructor. Critically acclaimed in Finland, The Fencer was described by one media outlet as "the best Finnish film in a decade". Good luck finding a more glowing recommendation than that. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CLtk5NewrM LAND OF MINE In the aftermath of WWII, German POWs under the command of Allied forces were put to work clearing Denmark's western coast of more than two million German landmines. This gripping Danish drama follows one such group of prisoners, with director Martin Zandvliet drawing on historical events to craft a film that combines the stomach-churning tension of The Hurt Locker with the anti-war sentiment of Joyeux Noel. With the lives and limbs of frightened young soldiers hanging in the balance for much of its running time, Land of Mine is certainly not for the faint of heart. For anyone who can handle the anxiety, however, the film is an absolute must-see. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XKM2zqzoMw THE TOGETHER PROJECT In a desperate attempt to get closer to a beautiful swimming instructor (Florence Loiret-Caille), a lonely crane driver (Samir Guesmi) signs up for lessons with her at the local pool — despite the fact he already knows how to swim. A sure-fire charmer, The Together Project is the final film from French-Icelandic filmmaker Sólveig Anspach, who passed away last year after a battle with cancer. The breezy, off-beat rom-com premiered posthumously at Cannes, where it scored strong reviews from critics and won the Directors' Fortnight SACD Prize for Best Screenplay. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6m9B-xk3sk THE PUSHER TRILOGY Long before anyone in the English-speaking world had heard of him, director Nicolas Winding Refn broke onto the scene in Denmark with this violent, kinetic crime saga set on the mean streets of Copenhagen. Crisscrossing the lives of various unseemly characters, the Pusher films, with their stylish aesthetic and searing central performances, are unmistakably the work of the same auteur who would go on to direct Ryan Gosling in Drive and Only God Forgives. Each film in the trilogy will screen just once over the course of the festival, in late night time slots befitting their underground status. Special discounted ticket prices are available to patrons who decide to see all three. The Scandinavian Film Festival runs July 5-27 in Sydney, July 6-27 in Melbourne and July 13-27 in Brisbane. For the full program, visit scandinavianfilmfestival.com.
Northern Beaches residents rejoice. If you've already made your way through the area's selection of top-notch beachside breweries, there's another spot to add to your must-try list — Freshwater Brewing Company. It unveiled a 120-capacity taproom and restaurant in 2022, pouring its approachable craft beer creations. This fresh-fish face on the local brewing scene was established in 2020, releasing its first beer, the Freshie Pils. Since then, the Freshwater Brewing Company stocklist has expanded to include two more pilsners — the Pacific Pils and the Duke's Czech Pilsner — the Mexican-style Wedge Cerveza and the Secrets Hazy Pale. All five beers are available across the Freshwater Brewing Co's 14 taps, accompanied by a bright, welcoming space and a memorable food menu. Behind the bar sits a range of wines, curated alongside a bright summery spritz to accompany frothy beers on warm Sydney days. "Community is in the brand's DNA, and this gives us an opportunity to create a space for our friends, family and neighbours, and create a brewery for all that embodies the Australian surf lifestyle," Freshwater Brewing Company co-founder Jonny Bucknall said. The best part of all this? Freshwater Brewing Co is pooch-friendly, so you'll never have to leave your best four-legged mate behind again. Appears in: The Best Sydney Brewery Bars for 2023
There's no better way to discover Parramatta's hidden lanes than with Parramatta Lanes. For four nights only, street food, craft beer gardens and art installations will pop up where you'd least expect it. To give you an idea of what's on offer, Knafeh, Happy as Larry, Piccolo Me and Temasek will all be there. Grab a bite to eat white you peruse the Shoot the Chef exhibition, which will be on display. The event runs nightly from 5–10pm. This event is one of our top ten picks of Good Food Month 2015. Check out the other nine. Image: Parramatta Lanes.
The City of Sydney's Art and About program is all about showcasing the very best that Sydney has to offer the art world, which usually means pushing the envelope. Highly Sprung, the latest effort from Legs On The Wall, perfectly embodies this spirit. The production tells the story of inner city residents getting through the day, but the narrative is told through the re-emerging media of trampolines, parkour, wall running, and a slew of other physical art forms. We caught up with Legs On The Wall's Senior Creative Producer, Cecily Hardy, to talk about the upcoming performances that transport the audience through their own space and time. THE ARTISTRY OF THE TRAMPOLINE While trampolining might conjure images of the old double bounce, or epic YouTube fails, there's a distinct artistry in the way bodies move in mid air. "There are challenges, but there are also great avenues and successes in terms of utilising what you can do with the body," Hardy says. The performers drop from walls, they're shot into the air from the ground, and they manipulate themselves with a sense of zero gravity. There's a certain "weightlessness, but also the weight of a falling body" that drives the performance, and it creates "a sense of… being caught in time, being caught in mid air, of time slowing down." Getting vertical adds new layers to the performance, and explores the space in new and profound ways. TELLING A STORY WITHOUT WORDS "We are storytellers," Hardy says, "but we're using — and in this show particularly — more than the spoken word or text to tell the story." Rather than relying on traditional scripts and dialogue, Highly Sprung instead uses the bodies of the performers and their interaction with the theatre space to explain the narrative of the performance. "I think it also depends on what the director is trying to well up in people," according the Hardy, "and how they want to carry them away." In a situation where simple exposition isn't in the director's arsenal, "you've got to use the strength of human interaction and physical shape." TRANSFORMING A SPACE Legs On The Wall is famous for "throwing people beautifully off the side of buildings". The building, or stage, on which the performers will ply their trade is a pretty closely guarded secret, but will pop up somewhere in Martin Place just before Highly Sprung opens. "It's a bit like a TARDIS that's going to suddenly appear," Hardy says, and will encourage the audience further to abandon preconceptions about spaces and time, and instead engage with the new environment. The transformation of the public space, a core concept of the Art and About ethos, helps to transport the audience in to the acrobatic realm of Highly Sprung, and demonstrates the "really amazingly sort of svelte and sophisticated and challenging" apparatus of the trampoline. GETTING INVOLVED Each performance of Highly Sprung will be entirely unique, although a consistent narrative will run throughout every iteration. At the end of the performance, however, the audience is invited to have a go on the trampolines themselves. As well as adding an element of interactive fun, the audience is also "invited and enticed further in, and get to explore themselves." Instead of simply being passive observers, the audience engages with their own body, and engages with the unique space of the performance they just watched. "It may not be your traditional narrative," Hardy says, "but people will go away with the juices flowing and thinking about what it all means." Highly Sprung takes place at various times from March 29 to April 1 in Martin Place, Sydney. Images: Katherine Griffiths.
Do you enjoy a glass of wine with your dinner but find the mark-up a little hard to swallow? Perhaps you’ve been saving a special bottle in your cellar (aka laundry). Or maybe you just have an appetite for good value. Either way, who doesn’t love a bit of bring-your-own. Here are Sydney’s best restaurants to come armed with a bottle. CHAT THAI Chat Thai is one of Sydney’s worst kept secrets. Join the inevitable queue for sizzling satays, coconut curries and zesty salads, which hail from the steamy streets of Bangkok. With 26 syrupy and sticky sweets on the menu, there’s no excuse for skipping desserts. We recommend the flash-fried dough sticks smothered in pandan custard ($6.90) and the young coconut ice-cream with sticky rice, candied palm seeds and roasted peanuts ($6.90). All five Chat Thai branches are BYO, as well as their offshoots Boon Cafe, Assamm and Samosorn. BYO wine only (corkage $3 per person). 20 Campbell Street, Haymarket. DIN TAI FUNG Welcome to dumpling heaven. Taipei based global chain Din Tai Fung is famous for their silky-skinned and hot-bellied xiao long bao ($10.80) as well as their shao mai parcels ($10.80) and colourful dumpling gems ($15.80). Din Tai Fung pride themselves on their strict quality control, with each disc of pastry measuring exactly 6cm, with an acceptable total weight of 4.8 – 5.2 grams. Beer and dumplings have been friends since time immemorial, so pair with a floral and herbaceous pilsener, such as James Squire’s Four Wives. BYO wine and beer (corkage $10 per wine bottle, $2.50 per beer bottle). 644 George Street, Sydney and other locations. NEW SHANGHAI New Shanghai’s pan-fried pork buns have attained a certain level of notoriety in Sydney. These puffy dumplings with lovely burnished bottoms are served alongside Shanghai classics including braised garlic eggplant ($13.80), drunken chicken ($8.80) and shallot pancake ($5.80), which make a good match for a bottle of crisp, dry white. The dark woods, deep reds and warm lighting will have you back in 1930s Shanghai, while at the front window, dumplings are handmade with mesmerising precision and speed. BYO wine only (corkage $2 per person); 273 Liverpool Road, Ashfield and other locations. YEN FOR VIET Serving traditional Vietnamese cuisine in a smart, modern setting, Yen for Viet takes the title for Sydney’s most pho-nomenal pho. Alongside this herb-filled rice noodle soup, you can order slow-cooked pork belly in young coconut ($15); clay pot caramelised fish ($16); and banh xeo, a crispy pancake stuffed with beansprouts, mungbeans, prawns and duck ($18). Mmm Viet-noms. Bring a citrusy, fresh-tasting semillon with you, which should marry well with the fresh herbs and salad. BYO wine only (corkage $2 per person), 296 Illawarra Road, Marrickville KEPOS STREET KITCHEN We’re not advocating a bottle of burgundy with breakfast (well, maybe on a weekend) but there’s nothing stopping you from making a toast with your toast at this all-day cafe. Kepos Street Kitchen is a charming corner cafe in Redfern that boasts a Middle Eastern-inspired menu. Here you can feast upon Tel Aviv falafel with green tahini ($12) and traditional Moroccan lamb and pine nut cigars ($17), and who can honestly say no to salted caramel churros ($12)? BYO wine only (corkage $8 per bottle). 96 Kepos Street, Redfern. SULTAN'S TABLE This Turkish delight in Enmore serves mezze fit for a king. Come for the delicious suckling lamb ($20), sizzling adana kebab grilled over charcoal ($14) and authentic woodfired pide. Start the meal with an assortment of dips in a rainbow of flavours ($22), which includes parsley, jajik (garlic), chilli, beetroot, carrot, spinach, humous and baba ganoush, accompanied by a slab of oven-baked Turkish bread. Finish with a strong, aromatic Turkish coffee and a syrupy baklava ($3) or head next door for arguably the world’s best gelato at Cow and Moon. BYO wine and beer (corkage $0). 179 Enmore Road, Enmore. BAR REGGIO For not much dough, you can score a supremely good pizza at Bar Reggio. This loud and lively family ristorante serves hillocks of spaghetti, whole baked fish, veal scallopine and pizza. Oh, and don’t forget to leave room for gelato and tiramisu. Their Tuscan-themed courtyard makes a perfect place for group get-togethers, and it’s well-placed on Crown Street if you feel like kicking on afterwards. BYO wine and beer (corkage $2 per person). 135 Crown Street, Darlinghurst. MAMAK Serving exceptional Malaysian hawker food, Mamak is famous for its feather-light, flaky roti canai, which is theatrically folded and flipped out front to the delight of onlookers. Use your roti to mop up tangy fish curry with okra ($17) and spicy samba tiger prawns ($19), or wrap it around charcoal satay ($9) and Malaysian-style fried chicken ($14). You can even order sweet roti ($8) filled with sliced banana or pandan and coconut, topped with ice-cream. Try a clean-finishing craft brew like James Squire Fifty Lashes, which will complement the fiery, feisty flavours. BYO wine and beer (corkage $2 per person). 15 Goulburn Street, Haymarket. CHIOSCO BY ORMEGGIO Located side by side on a Mosman jetty, Chiosco is mere metres from the water’s edge, with spectacular 300 degree views of luxury yachts and sparkling sea. While parent restaurant Ormeggio is a fine-dining affair, Chiosco (which is Italian for ‘kiosk’) has adopted a casual approach, serving Italian street food and takeaway with a ‘barefoot and BYO’ ethos. With cheaper prices and executive chef Alessandro Pavoni at the helm, it’s a good excuse to go a little overboard. Bring a bottle of champagne or a six pack of golden ales with you. BYO wine and beer (corkage $10 corkage per bottle for wine and $2 per bottle of beer). The Jetty, d'Albora Marina The Spit, Spit Rd. Mosman. TETSUYA'S This stalwart of Sydney’s luxury dining scene marries the Japanese philosophy of natural, seasonal flavours with French culinary expertise. Their ten-course degustation ($220) has been updated with new offerings, including the inspired pairing of New Zealand scampi tail with chicken liver parfait; however, the one dish that never changes is the impeccable confit of petuna ocean trout, which is renowned the world over. Not exactly the most budget-conscious evening out, but a great opportunity to borrow a special bottle from your parents' stash. With matching wines rounding out at $110 per person, you may also save yourself a pretty penny too. BYO wine only (corkage $25 for the first bottle, $45 each bottle after). 529 Kent Street, Sydney.
Ghostface Killah constantly features as an 'honourable mention' in countless publications' lists of the greatest rappers of all time — perhaps perceived as almost too smart a lyricist for his own good to attain too many top billings in his own right. Just as RZA’s overall production vision for the legendary Wu-Tang Clan has been the sonic foundation to the diverse crew’s raw power, Ghostface has been credited with holding the at-times fractious group together over twenty years at the cutting edge of the game. The 44-year-old New Yorker is the kind of rapper who's more at home sampling You Roam When You Don’t Get It At Home (from his acclaimed solo record Supreme Clientele) than repeating the mantra "Everyday I'm hustlin'". More recently he's embraced rap's intertwined foundations in classic soul even more fully, collaborating with Black Dynamite composer Adrian Younge and the Delfonics on Twelve Reasons to Die (soon to get a sequel) for a time capsule-like recreation of live 1970s instrumentation that spawned a series of unlikely singles, capped by 'Murder Spree'. Fresh off the back of a headlining slot at Meredith — where he invited Australian paralympian Dylan Alcott onstage for 'Protect Ya Neck' — Ghostface is playing an unmissable sideshow at The Metro. Co-headlining with Pharoahe Monch. Supported by The Tongue + Soul Benefits.
Heaps Gay are taking their undisputed party-throwing finesse and taking it to the next level — an all-day festival Marrickville's Factory Theatre especially for Vivid. Having earned a reputation for their hectic, monthly, all-inclusive LGBT dance parties at the Gladstone Hotel (now they're at Erskineville's Imperial Hotel) raising money for ACON, Heaps Gay is partnering with FBi Radio and Vivid to put on a special edition, all-day jamboree. The seriously impressive lineup includes KIM (The Presets) on the decks, Black Vanilla, Catlips, dreamy house pop from Tees, The Magda Subanski's, Levins, Sveta, Hissy Fit and many more. Expect flash parties by No Lights No Lycra, light installations and burgers by Mary's to keep you going from day to night. Image: Heaps Gay.
The Coathanger, the Iron Lung, or, simply, the Bridge. However you refer to it, we can all agree that the world’s largest steel arch bridge is not only a powerful monument to humanity’s collective ingenuity but also just a dope addition to an already breathtaking harbour. Add on the fact that hundreds of thousands of vehicles cross its epic span daily and you’re dealing with an object of immense beauty and incredible civic utility. If you can’t tell by now, we're fans of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. What’s the best aspect of the bridge though? You can climb that motherflippin’ beast! It's one of the most satisfying touristy experiences for a local Sydneysider around — and also one of the best Christmas presents you can get someone who already has everything. From atop your mighty steel throne you gain some of the best views in the city, if not the world, thanks to the folks at BridgeClimb. So what’s good to peep? Concrete Playground took upon ourselves to find out, so we strapped on our harnesses, passed our compulsory blood alcohol check, and clambered up that mighty arch. THE MAZE-LIKE STREETS OF THE ROCKS With all that shimmering, resplendent water to catch your eye, the site of Australia’s first European settlement often gets ignored, but no longer! The Rocks is a labyrinthine warren of dense, intersecting, occasionally superfluous, lanes, alleys and walkways that are still in use today. A birds eye view of the maze of paths that make up The Rocks is like looking at a living breathing rendering of colonial Sydney. Each cramped stairway and cul-de-sac representing the frenetic energy of the early colonists and their impatience to try to come to grips with this foreign land. THE POORLY DESIGNED BUT LOVABLE FORT DENISION This literally used to just be a colossal sandstone rock jutting fifteen metres out of the briny depths. Then Governor Phillip decided that we needed all that sandstone to build ourselves a colony and lo, with the assistance of a bunch of convicts who probably suffered horribly but let’s not think too much about that, Fort Denison was literally hewn from the stone on which it rests. Pinchgut Island, as it came to be known, has had a macabre history as a penal site, a defensive fortress, as well as serving as the burgeoning colony’s preferred site for hanging recalcitrant convicts. While there’s no denying that a lot of blood has been spilled on that islet, the history of Fort Denison is not all doom and gloom. The centerpiece of the island is the distinctive circular Martello tower, it was the first built in Australia and the last built in the British Empire. This was presumably because poor designs meant that the cannons the tower was built to house were so powerful that their recoil had the potential to undermine the structural integrity of the tower they were in. Never have you seen a more scenic monument to the fine Australian tradition of giving it a red-hot go only to end up half-arseing it because disregarding architectural plans means you are a true-blue, dinky-di ‘Strayan. THE MIGHTY, MIGHTY HEADS Sydney Harbour, or Port Jackson for any cartographical purists, is the world’s largest natural harbour. The jewel in the Emerald City’s crown, the entrance to this expansive inlet is flanked by two imposing sandstone promontories, North and South Heads, that shelter us from the wrath of the Tasman Sea. Perched amid the scrub of North Head is the Sydney Quarantine Station, one of the last remaining facilities that were erected in each colony to ward off whooping cough, small pox and other nasty illnesses. If historical significance and communicable disease prevention is not your bag, don’t fret, the Sydney Harbour National Park has preserved as much of the heads as possible, leaving the undisturbed bush as a potent reminder of the thirty-thousand years of human habitation pre-1788 when the Gadigal people of the Eora nation walked its pristine beaches and byways. THE OTHER BRIDGE, ANZAC BRIDGE Often overlooked in favour of the larger and more grandiose eponymous bridge over Sydney harbour, the Anzac Bridge is a stunning example of architectural restraint. From a distance two soaring pylons appear to be trussed by metal gossamer, the sleek steel cables managing to make the bridge appear simultaneously buoyant and grounded. Formerly known as the Glebe Island Bridge before being renamed in a fit of nationalistic fervour, the Anzac Bridge is a gravity-defying memorial to the contribution of the Australian and New Zealand armed forces and a real pretty sight to boot. CUSTOMS HOUSE'S LOOMING CLOCK TOWER The tallest building in Sydney when the Harbour Bridge was built, you’ll recognise Customs House as that building everyone Instagrams when Vivid is on because there’s always some hectic display projected on to it. Located opposite Circular Quay, this iconic landmark is now dwarfed by skyscrapers in every direction, but don’t let that diminish its grandeur. Once the heart of colonial Sydney this imposing sandstone edifice is a heritage-listed reminder of the overwhelming isolation that early colonists must have felt when maritime trade was the only link to the outside world. On an equally historic but more tragic note, it’s said that the House is built on the spot where the Eora people witnessed the arrival of the First Fleet. Want to see one of the best views in Sydney for yourself? How about getting your nearest and dearest a climb for Christmas? Head to the BridgeClimb website and book your climb. Images: BridgeClimb, Dollar Photo Club, Bentley Smith (Flickr CC).
“Right now, I’m at the House With No Steps in Hurstville,” says Peking Duk’s Adam Hyde. “We’re helping paint murals and hanging out with the people here. We’ve made some great new friends, who have some hilarious stories. It’s such a good time and it’s for a great cause.” Peking Duk, who will play at Luna Park’s Big Top on September 30 for Optus RockCorps 2015, took some time out from their hit-making schedule to volunteer. “When we arrived,” says Hyde. “The walls were dull, but now they’re very, very vibrant. There’s a beach with a massive whale and leopards and tigers in the jungle. In between painting, I’ve been rapping and having a little dance-off.” Hyde and co-Duk Reuben Styles were joined by loads of other volunteers, swapping four hours of their time for a ticket to Optus RockCorps, where Wiz Khalifa, Raury and The Veronicas will all perform. “I think it’s awesome, because you can’t buy a ticket, you have to do a good deed,” says Hyde. “It’s great that so many people are getting involved and a lot of them aren’t here just for the ticket. They’re here to help out of the kindness of their hearts. I’m blown away that there are so many young people getting amongst it. And I think more people should embrace it because it’s not hard at all.” Ready to take his advice? Here are five ways you can help out your community during the next week – and earn yourself a concert ticket. GET YOUR BANKSY ON AT COUNTERPOINT COMMUNITY SERVICES, WATERLOO Give Banksy a run for his money by helping to paint a new mural at Waterloo’s Counterpoint Community Services (the place that used to be known as the Factory Community Centre). Simply register your interest here and turn up at 10am on Thursday, September 10. Spray cans will be handed to you. And if you don’t feel ready to exercise your art muscle, you can still do your bit by taking care of cleaning and clearing. Counterpoint Community Services provides a meeting space for local organisations and runs helpful programmes dealing with particular issues, including employment, domestic violence, drug and alcohol abuse, literacy, housing, parenting and immigration. FLEX YOUR GREEN THUMB AT MORT BAY COMMUNITY GARDENS, BIRCHGROVE Whether your thumb’s greener than Costa Georgiadis’s or the closest you’ve ever got to gardening is buying growing basil at Coles, you’re invited to join the Mort Bay Community Gardens working bee. It’ll be happening on Wednesday, September 9 from 10am in McKell Street, Birchgrove. The plan is to landscape, mulch and generally make beautiful a bunch of vegetable boxes. Mort Bay Community Gardens were founded in 2011 and have since expanded, thanks to support from Leichhardt Council and a 2013 NSW Government grant. Register for this opportunity right here. FIGHT AGAINST WEEDS AT CHOWDER BAY, MOSMAN Ever since the Brit colonists brought their strange beasts, seeds and people halfway around the world, Australia’s native environment has had to battle relentlessly against intruders. Right now, Chowder Bay, which is located on Middle Head’s south side and is one of Sydney’s most beautiful spots, is being strangled by nasty weeds and flora. But, as always, the National Parks and Wildlife Service is fighting the good fight and beating them back. And you can add your hands to their efforts by joining other Optus RockCorps volunteers on Sunday, September 6 from 10am. Sign up over here. TEST OUT YOUR LANDSCAPING IDEAS AT THE HOPE HOSTEL, PARRAMATTA The Hope Hostel and Crisis Apartments have been providing men in Western Sydney with emergency and long-term accommodation during times of crisis since March 2011. But they don’t just provide shelter, they also offer extensive support. So, on Wednesday, September 9 from 10am, Optus RockCorps volunteers will spend a few hours landscaping The Hope’s outdoor area, which is an important place for meeting, thinking and relaxing. You can expect to get creative, by contributing your aesthetic ideas, and practical, with tree-planting, gardening and rearranging. Find out more here. GET PAINT ROLLING AT ST GEORGE PCYC, ROCKDALE St George PCYC is ready for a paint job. And if you get down there on Thursday, September 10 you can make it happen. There’ll be two types of painting going on — a straightforward new coat in the corridors and murals in other areas. You can get involved with whichever takes your fancy. The St George PCYC provides local children with a gym, chill-out room for playing table tennis, pool and fussball, and organised activities like boxing, martials arts, basketball, indoor soccer, gymnastics, volleyball and baton twirling. If this sounds like the right volunteer opportunity for you, go here. Find out more about how you can volunteer for a ticket to Optus RockCorps here. Images: Aleksandar Jason and Dollar Photo Club.
Simple Pleasures Camping Co. is taking over the grounds of Oberon's Mayfield Garden for its next luxurious eco-friendly camping retreat. Glamping in the Garden will pop up from March 23 through April 30 in one of the world's largest privately owned cool climate gardens. Located three hours west of Sydney's CBD, the gardens are seriously impressive and include an 80-metre waterfall, a walled kitchen garden, an Islamic-style pond and a six-acre water garden — plus a bluestone chapel, aviary and rose garden. Bookings include three-day passes to all 160-acres, with exclusive nighttime access for glamping guests. There's plenty to do apart from moseying around, including romantic canoe rides, interactive garden games, tours and workshops, with the garden's Autumn Festival also on during April. The intimate campsite will include only 15 two-person tents, situated next to the picturesque obelisk pond. The bell-shaped tents are fitted with Hugo Sleep queen mattresses, IN BED linens, goosefeather pillows, bedside tables, solar lighting and vintage rugs from around the world. The experience also comes complete with towels, an outdoor table and chairs to sit at, lanterns and torches, along with on-site bathrooms and showers, which are exclusive to the glamping area. Bookings also include a 'paddock and garden-to-plate' barbecue menu for two, with 80 percent of the produce sourced on-site and 20 percent handpicked from local suppliers. The cook-it-yourself menu includes steaks, marinated chicken, a fresh vegetable platter and vegan salad, with all cookware provided and communal barbecues and alfresco dining area available on the campground. If you really want to be greeted to your personal oasis in style, you can add on a drink and food package, which includes bubbles, cheese and charcuterie on arrival. Bookings for Glamping in the Garden are now open. Each tent costs $290 per night and includes dinner for two, with the option of drinks ($45) and charcuterie ($26) on arrival and family packages are also available. If you're looking for more glamping options, check out our ten favourite glamping spots near Sydney. Glamping in the Garden will run from March 23 until April 30 at Mayfield Garden, 530 Mayfield Road, Oberon. Check out the website to book or for more information.
A new rooftop hotel in Melbourne is offering a luxurious alternative to the cramped family camper you would have piled into as a kid. Opening on Friday, August 26 atop a Flinders Lane carpark in the CBD, this boutique venture consists of six vintage airstream caravans transported from the U.S. and completely refitted as "designer urban accommodation", complete with queen size bed, split-system heating and cooling, and a fridge full of complimentary craft beer and wine. Throw in a little laneway graffiti art and this couldn't get any more Melbourne if it tried. In addition to the amenities listed above, each caravan at Notel Melbourne comes with a television, linen and an en suite bathroom with full height shower. Sounds a little cosy, but sometimes that's exactly what you need, especially when you're dealing with chilly Melbourne weather. There's also an 'Airstream with benefits' ultra-luxe option, which includes access to a goddamn spa outside your trailer. The rooftop itself, meanwhile, has recently gotten a new lick of paint courtesy of local artist Ash Keating. A photo posted by Notel Melbourne (@notelmelbourne) on Aug 24, 2016 at 3:03am PDT Guests will have access to tablets loaded with music and movies along with a virtual guide to help them explore the city. The space will also be available for functions, with room for up to 300 people on the roof. Keen to book a night up there? Airstreams are going at $395 a night for two people, and bookings are officially open here. Notel Melbourne is now open on the corner of Flinders and Harper Lanes, Melbourne. For more information and to book visit notelmelbourne.com.au.
If you’ve eaten edible gardens at Ananas, sampled perfect sushi at Sake or dined like a New Yorker at The Cut, then you’re familiar with the culinary creativity of the Urban Purveyor Group. If you haven’t, we reckon it’s about time you gave them a good whirl. To that end, we’ve teamed up with UPG to give one of our clever, hungry readers 200 bucks worth of free nosh. Yep, 200 bucks. That’s enough cash to buy you and your loved one or mate or mum a serious feast. To enter, all you have to do is pop over here, fill in a quick form and write something vaguely interesting in ten words or less. That’s it. The winner will be free to spend their prize at any UPG venue. So, whether you fancy French glamour and cracking champagne at Ananas, premium steak in New York-style at The Cut Bar and Grill, the city’s finest contemporary Japanese at Sake, en epic European feast at The Lowenbrau or a lazy afternoon in The Argyle’s sandstone courtyard, the choice is yours.
The ploughman's lunch: it's a meal packed with old-world connotations of country living and hard labour, loved by many, even those who have never touched a plough in their lives. A standard definition is a small meal of bread, cheese and pickle, generally eaten in the middle of the day, usually served in a pub. From its time as a farmer's mainstay to the pub classic it is today, the dish has gone through many changes. When we tried the ploughman's at the White Rabbit Brewery in Geelong, we wondered, where does the dish actually come from? What is it that makes it such a legend? Here's a little bit of history, from ye olden days to the here and now. [caption id="attachment_584446" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Flickr.[/caption] YE OLDEN DAYS Back in the day, the world ran almost exclusively on agriculture. Aussies were farming as early as 1788, and agriculture remains a large part of Australian trade today. This is likely why the dish remains so prominent and evokes such overwhelming cultural nostalgia – even in those who have never stepped foot on a farm. For the farmers of old, the meal made perfect sense; clearly, the ploughmen of centuries ago didn't return home for a long lunch and siesta before finishing the day's work. Nor did they spend lunchtime hours hanging at the pub over a few pints — tough days, we know. Historians surmise that it is more likely farmers took with them some cheese, bread and pickles for luncheon, which didn't need to be refrigerated and could last out in the heat of the day. The notion of a 'pub lunch' is a much more modern and luxurious one than could have been afforded centuries ago. FROM RAGS TO RICHES While the meal itself was certainly a mainstay of farmers, its name, and indoctrination into society, came way, way later. The meal actually gained popularity after a nation-wide marketing push that happening between 1958 to 1977. At this time, post-war rationing was a thing of the past and businesses were not happy with the swift decline in the amount of cheese being eaten. To whip up nostalgia for this time-honoured dish, a marketing company made a bold claim that English cheese and beer have for centuries formed a perfect combination enjoyed as the 'Ploughman's Lunch'. This is the first historical reference to the dish, which was essentially invented as a marketing ploy to sell cheese — and not just one type of cheese, but all cheeses, thus making the dish popular across all regions and allowing for the creation of endless regional versions. Of course, the combination of bread and cheese was a timeless one and an obvious accompaniment. At that time, many rural pubs wouldn't have had a proper kitchen, so the Ploughman's Lunch was embraced as it could include simple ingredients that would be stored in the cellar and assembled easily by staff. THESE TIMES, THEY ARE A-CHANGIN' Once the dish was named, it was swiftly taken from the fields into the pubs. The emphasis on fresh produce, which in the past was a necessity, is a big part of why it fits so well into today's organic culture where we expect nothing less. Since the derivation of the dish is a farce, the components of a 'traditional' ploughman's lunch are also widely open to interpretation. An entire book was written on the subject – The Definitive Ploughman's — which found that one region of England uses thirteen ingredients in their ploughman's, adding sweetcorn, olives and beetroot components to your average cheese and bread. The variations don't stop there – Jamie Oliver's version contains spinach and fennel artisan bread and a scotch egg, while Barfoot Contessa's Ina Garten prefers an English-American fusion of thickly sliced Virginia ham and English cheddar. The restaurant within Geelong's White Rabbit Brewery allows patrons to pair any number of craft cheeses and meats, like wagyu bresaola paired with a Barossa triple cream. Each platter is served with a baguette from local bread makers Born & Bread and Yarra Valley's Cunliffe & Waters chutneys and spreads, along with pickled veg galore. This is truly the crème de la crème of ploughman's. Also agreed upon is that a good ploughman's lunch is a true testament to the overall quality of a pub. The dish continues to take many forms, and at its fanciest, better resembles a charcuterie. But even in its simplest form, there really is nothing better than a plate of crusty bread, homemade chutney, pickled vegetables and of course, a wedge of artisan cheese. Don't forget to wash it all down with a nice cold pint — it makes the dish taste just right. Find White Rabbit Brewery at 221 Swanston Street, South Geelong. Open Sunday to Thursday 11am – 5pm, Friday to Saturday 11am – 9pm.
We've tried everything. Berocctails, toasted sandwiches, Icy Poles, B&E rolls, gallons and gallons of water, even military-grade cures. But there's been an cheeky little hangover cure lurking in fruit shops Australia-wide, the humble, oft overlooked nashi pear. According to ABC, new results suggest Korean pear juice could stop your hangover before it starts — the ultimate pre-game bev. Valiant scientists from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) have been hard at work delving into the unsung benefits of the pear, and while the study is still ongoing, they've apparently uncovered some pretty high-fiveworthy results. According to the study, people who drank Korean pear juice before a big night on the turps experienced milder hangovers the next day. It seems there's certain components in pears that speed up your ability to metabolise alcohol — this usually sits at around one drink per hour for your average human. You'll need to drink about a cup (seven ounces) of pear juice to get the shield going. Importantly, the pear juice must be sculled before drinking, not after, as there's no evidence the liquid gold will save you once you've got a hangover. So let's crank a nashi before we head on out on the whiskey. Here's a recipe we've pulled from Serious Eats' Carolyn Cope. PRE-GAME HANGOVER-FIGHTING NASHI PEAR JUICE INGREDIENTS: 1 cup fresh pear juice from about 4 nashi pears 1/4 cup (2 ounces) fresh basil juice from about 2 packed cups basil leaves and stems 1/4 cup (2 ounces) fresh lemon juice from about 2 lemons, peel and pith removed 2/3 cup (about 5 ounces) fresh celery juice from about 4 large celery stalks DIRECTIONS: Blend/juice ingredients together thoroughly, divide between two glasses, and serve immediately. Servings: 2 Via ABC, Shape, Serious Eats. Images: Dollar Photo Club, Carolyn Cope.
Sydney’s Sepia has won prime position on the Australian Financial Review’s inaugural
Don't wait for Art Month or Vivid to roll around — it's always a good time to channel your inner creative and head out for some culture in Sydney. If you're looking for something free that goes beyond the MCA and AGNSW permanent collections, something new and different that may even add a bit of provocation to your gallery hop, we've got a list for you. Dotted around Sydney, there are several places to catch fresh works for free from both emerging and established contemporary artists. Many of these places were first set up in support of young talent, and have now become creative institutions featuring the most prominent Australian and international contemporary art. Clear your schedules and start pounding the pavement to visit some of the best free art available in Sydney. Your itinerary starts here. GALERIE POMPOM, CHIPPENDALE Galerie pompom has absorbed the much loved Modes of Practice, which closed at the end of 2016. What this really means though, is that MOP has simply entered a new era, with Galerie pompom continuing its efforts in supporting mid-career artists. The gallery remains within the former MOP space, hosting two to three shows a month plus artist talks on the weekends, while the MOP spirit lives on in an exhibit and book dedicated to its history and archives, set to release mid-2017. See what's on. [caption id="attachment_612089" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Vile Bodies, 2016[/caption] WHITE RABBIT, CHIPPENDALE A Sydney favourite, the White Rabbit Gallery is home to one of the largest collections of contemporary Chinese art in the world — as of 2016, it held almost 2000 works by over 500 artists in total. With two exhibits a year, the gallery opens the conversation up to the artistic renaissance that's taken place in China since 2000. Every exhibit provokes, fascinates and leads you down a rabbit hole of the best, most innovative contemporary art coming out of China. See what's on. [caption id="attachment_612095" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Unalienable, 2016[/caption] SULLIVAN + STRUMPF, ZETLAND Female-founded Sullivan + Strumpf has two locations, in Sydney and Singapore, with both spaces promoting the work of artists across different contemporary art genres and media. As a key player in the Asia Pacific region, the gallery hosts both solo and group exhibitions, and often collaborates with galleries across Australia and the world. Expect to see cutting-edge works from their 27 represented artists including painter Dane Lovett, 'felt-tip super-heroine' TextaQueen and leader in the modern rediscovery of ceramics, Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran. See what's on. [caption id="attachment_612314" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Before The Rain, 2017[/caption] 4A CENTRE FOR CONTEMPORARY ASIAN ART, HAYMARKET 4A is the brainchild of the Asian Australian Artists' Association, and looks to foster an open, cultural relationship between Australia and our Asian neighbours. Through exhibitions, performances and festival commissions, the gallery shines the spotlight on Asian-Australian art and culture. Catch up-and-coming and seasoned talents here, including renowned visual artists like 2016 Archibald finalist Abdul Abdullah, 'high-low' Javanese artist Hahan and jewellery designer Annie Gobel. See what's on. [caption id="attachment_612128" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Beastman: Art for the Streets. Billy Zammit for aMBUSH Gallery[/caption] AMBUSH, AROUND SYDNEY Following an 18-month residency in Central Park that saw 220 exhibitions come to life, aMBUSH is now looking outside the traditional gallery space. Though the award-winning gallery has moved back into its permanent gallery in Waterloo (currently under renovation), you should really set your sights on their public art spaces around Sydney. From permanent art at Westfield Chatswood and Warringah Mall, to ephemeral street art by Beastman at 10 Shelley Street, to an ever-changing outdoor exhibition space in the Darling Quarter, aMBUSH strives to nurture and support the Sydney cultural scene, making art accessible to all. Keep your eyes peeled in the coming months for a special Vivid exhibit, plus the reveal of a new residency. See what's on. ALASKA PROJECTS, KINGS CROSS Set in the basement of the Kings Cross Car Park, Alaska Projects is probably the most unconventional gallery space on this list. Open on Fridays and Saturdays, it not only holds regular exhibitions, but also hosts an entire events program with film screenings, musical performances and readings. Alaska Projects also features an outpost for the ultra arty bookshop Big Ego Books, where you can enrich your inner art nerd and discover obscure works and hard to find titles. See what's on. BLACK EYE, DARLINGHURST Black Eye is a meeting place for artists, collectors and lovers of contemporary photography. Holding a new exhibition every few weeks, the gallery keeps a constant stream of pictorial genius flowing through the space from emerging and established Australian and international photographers. A stone's throw from the National Art School, Black Eye also hosts free artist talks so you can go behind the lens of some of the most celebrated photographic eyes. See what's on. BLENDER GALLERY, PADDINGTON Capsule of the good ol' days of rock 'n' roll, Blender Gallery is Sydney's home of fine art music photography. It's here where you can peep behind-the-scenes shots of The Beatles, Hendrix and Debbie Harry, see our beloved Bowie and Prince through the decades, and maybe even purchase limited edition prints of Cher in all her '70s glory, Joni Mitchell ice skating and Kurt Cobain in concert. The gallery of iconic rock through the ages hosts an unbelievable collection of photographers from Tony Mott to Brian Aris. To see what's on, just stop by the space to see whose famed face is immortalised this week. [caption id="attachment_612094" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Grey Matter, 2015[/caption] ARTBANK, WATERLOO Artbank presents one of the largest Australian contemporary art collections in the world — second only to the National Gallery of Australia — but also invites you to take these renowned works home with you. The gallery aims to make contemporary art so accessible that you can lease works from their collection. The best part? Some of the art costs only $150 a year (that's like a sixth of what you probably spend on coffee annually) and all funds go back into buying and commissioning additional works, further supporting the artists. Visit the gallery for free to view iconic Aussie art, and if you like what you see, borrow your favourites right then and there. See what's on. GAFFA, TOWN HALL Gaffa is a veritable creative precinct in the heart of Sydney. Spread over three levels, the gallery delivers an inspiring haven for artists and art lovers alike. On the ground floor, The Arcades offer ephemeral spaces for innovators, designers and makers to show off their craft on a pop-up basis — though the resident coffee roaster is there to stay. One floor up, you'll find four galleries where young creators show fortnightly through a curated exhibition program. And even though the next floors aren't open to the public, this is where the creative juices really flow with studios and one of Australia's largest jewellery and object art workshops. See what's on. Images courtesy of the galleries.
If you want to see glamping taken to a whole new level, get thyself to Uluru right now. As if sleeping under the stars while taking in views of an ancient sacred site wasn't enough, you can do it in a luxury desert camp named Longitude 131°. What's more, all 15 of its tents have been made even fancier (and altogether less tent-like), thanks to the addition of some extraordinary Ayers Rock-facing balconies. The brainchild of designer Max Pritchard, these dreamy verandas come with lush day beds, armchairs and EcoSmart fireplaces, made of stone and rosewood. So, you can loll around and toast marshmallows, while keeping an eye on Uluru all night long. If you're travelling with your bestie, you'll be snuggling in front of the fire in a bespoke swag. Handmade by South Australia's Country Sew 'n' Sew, it's an all-Aussie creation, made of a cotton underlay, wool and a canvas exterior. As you might've guessed, it's based on an old-school Aussie drover's bedroll, but is built for two and, needless to say, is way, way comfier than what swaggies were lugging around in Henry Lawson's days. Plus, while you're kicking back, you'll be invited to order port, Cognac and other digestifs of your choosing. The balconies are just one of many extras brought to Longitude 131° since Baillie Lodges took over in late 2013. Since then, the tents have also scored a mega, multi-billion buck revamp, which brought new fabrics, designer furnishings, ceramics, Indigenous artworks and signature 'Baillie Beds'. "Our aim is to take the property to new levels of luxury, while at the same time enhancing its connection with Uluru and the desert environment," says managing director James Baillie. "The new balconies and luxury swags create a whole new level of intimacy, completely removing any barrier between the visitor and the landscape at Australia's spiritual heart." Prices start from a cool $1350 per person per night. We're sure you'd forget about the cash once you're snuggled up in that swag under the stars though.
Fans of Sydney-based artist eX de Medici's intricate watercolours will no doubt already have Spies Like Us in their calendar – opening at Sullivan+Strumpf on June 10. This arresting new body of work focuses on western political power, the rise of surveillance states, and the relationship between life and death. The collection of watercolours combines the artists beautiful ornamentation and seriously virtuosic miniaturist technique with unsettling themes of violence and destruction. Expect images of helmets, guns and military paraphernalia garlanded by flowers, foliage and tiny birds. Works like 'Root and Branch' and 'Persistence of Error' entwine the beautiful with the violent and militaristic, the delicate with the brutal, challenging the viewer's response and their destabilising their sense of aesthetic boundaries. Those aware of eX de Medici's background will see a connection between her experience as a tattoo artist (some of the works would make truly epic tats) and the overall aesthetic of Spies Like Us, with its nod to the vanitas tradition. Not one to miss. Image: eX de Medici, Persistence of Error, 2016.
No city in the world does the scenic run quite like Sydney. Home to not only the world's biggest natural harbour but also one hundred or so beaches, Sydney provides plenty of opportunities to combine your fitness regime with a view. So, if you're tired of the treadmill's monotony, get out amongst it with Concrete Playground's guide to Sydney's most scenic runs. Whether you find your motivation in the vigour of the waves, the calm of still water, or the majesty of human-made landmarks, you're sure to find a route here that will have you reaching for your running shoes. Bondi to Coogee This 14km-long run, which kicks off at the world's most famous beach, is the city's most popular. However, unless you're visiting on a scorching Sunday, you'll find that there's usually plenty of room on the path. What's more, the constant ocean views enable an immersion in nature that's surprising, considering you're on the coastal fringe of Australia's biggest city. If you're inclined to take a break for refreshments, there are cafes in Tamarama and Bondi, and Coogee's Wylie Baths provide a stunning location for a cool-down swim. The Bay Run This inner-west beauty offers welcome relief from the stresses of crowded city living. The Bay Run is a 7km circuit passing through Drummoyne, Russell Lea, Rodd Point, Five Dock, Haberfield, Lilyfield, and Rozelle. Following the Iron Cove shoreline all the way, you'll be able to take advantage of the tranquil atmosphere and cooling effect of the still water. You're likely to be accompanied by cyclists and dog walkers, but the space created by surrounding parkland means that you're unlikely to find your style cramped. Every year, thousands of Sydneysiders gather to participate in the Bay Fun Run, a community event that is all about celebrating staying healthy and keeping fit. Harbour Bridge Run If you enjoy landmarks as part of your scenic experience, this one is for you. Beginning on grassy, idyllic Observatory Hill, this run takes you over the Harbour Bridge, past Luna Park's crazy grin and along the waterfront trail that runs through McMahons Point and Lavender Bay. You can either call it a day at that point, or complete the 10km circuit by returning back via the bridge. Taking the pedestrian footpath on the eastern side offers some variety, affording inspiring views of the Sydney Opera House, Circular Quay, and the comings and goings on the harbour's busier side. Circular Quay/Opera House/Botanic Gardens/Darling Harbour Circuit This circuit provides a comprehensive Sydney experience, including harbour, gardens and parks (certainly a terrific option if you're around for a quick visit). Take your pick of starting points, but Circular Quay is our recommendation, being a public transport hub and offering an array of cafes, bars (best post-run, of course!), and facilities. From there, coast along the walkway towards the Opera House. Stay left to run around the white sails or take a short cut to the Botanic Gardens via the stairs. Follow the the harbour edge of the gardens, around to Mrs Macquarie's Chair, past the art gallery and through the Domain and Hyde Park. Turning right into Liverpool St, follow it all the way down to Darling Harbour. Cross Pyrmont Bridge to head back towards the city and take a left into Sussex Street, which turns into Hickson Road. Keep on running until you're back at the Quay. Having passed so many distractions, you'll be surprised to realise that you've just run 12 or so kilometres! Manly to North Head Run Just across the harbour lies the fifth run on our list. Manly is situated between the surf and the still water, so this run incorporates the best of both worlds. Start wherever you like on Manly Beach, follow the path along Shelly Beach — a gorgeous, sheltered gem that's worth another visit — and grit your teeth for the challenging uphill climb to North Head. Once you're up there, the pain is bound to fall away as you lose yourself in the panoramic views. It's a much easier downhill jog, especially in the knowledge that a swim is coming up.
The folks behind profit-for-purpose eateries Gratia and Folonomo have come up with a brand new way for you to give to charity. And it's dead easy. All you have to do is shop online — in your regular fashion, at your favourite stores — and, with every purchase, a percentage goes straight to a not-for-profit of your choice. To make it happen, simply download the free Folo browser extension, which takes about 30 seconds. In case you're wondering, this miracle doesn't cost you (or your nominated charity) a cent. In fact, it's the retailers' pockets that cover your donations. "It works according to a cash back system," explains Folo's Jaimee Abict. "A percentage of what the user spends online goes into their Folo account. This money accumulates and, once a year, the user decides to keep it or give it away." More than 700 retailers are already on-board. These include big names like Expedia, Dan Murphy's, Eurocar, Woolworths, Coles, The Iconic and Sephora. And, later in the year, the Folo team plans to roll out across the US, where the online shopping industry is worth around $300 billion annually. "Folo has the potential to solve the age-old problem of regular fundraising. And its scale can't be overstated," Abict says. "500 users spending $95 a month would raise more than $30,000 in a year. Beyond that, the numbers get ridiculous. A million users could raise over $60 million per year." Users get to choose from hundreds of charities, including large organisations, like Medecins sans Frontieres, the Australian Red Cross and St Vincent de Paul, as well as smaller ones, such as the Australian Breastfeeding Association, Interchange Inner East and the Victorian Deaf Society. If you can't make up your mind, you can opt to support a cause, like climate change, indigenous equality or global education.
Maintaining that perfect yoga pose may have just gotten a wee bit easier, thanks to the latest innovation in wearable tech. Australian company Wearable Experiments have developed a pair of yoga pants with electronic sensors that will vibrate when you're body is out of alignment. Thanks to the Nadi Smart Fitness Pants, you'll never have to feel self-conscious at beginner's yoga class again. Y'know, except for the fact you're wearing vibrating leggings. The unassuming looking pants come fitted with sensors that can sense your body's position. If you're not downward dogging quite hard enough, subtle haptic vibrations on the wearers skin let them know they need to adjust. And while you might think wearing vibrating pants would be distracting (get your mind out of the gutter), the vibrations are designed to be so subtle that you process the feedback subconsciously. "As someone who doesn't always know the correct form or alignment or pose, I find having that proper guidance is crucial," said Wearable Experiments co-founder and CEO Billie Whitehouse at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas earlier this month. "As a lifestyle product, Nadi not only acts as that guide, but also integrates into your everyday life – reminding you of something as simple as uncrossing your legs while sitting down." The pants, along with corresponding Android and iOS apps, will be available later in the year for an undisclosed amount of money. According to Mashable, the pants will last up to 25 washes, and can be recharged by a basket that is currently being developed. In addition to their yoga pants, Wearable Experiments also make smart rugby and football jerseys that let fans feel what the players on the field are feeling. What a brave new world. Via Mashable.
The ever-popular Kitchen by Mike has long left Rosebery's Cannery precinct, with Mike McInearney moving to the CBD instead, but the team behind Koskela design store aren't going to let the shared warehouse space go to waste. Instead, they've repurposed the space themselves as a brand new restaurant. Meet Koskela Kitchen. Bright, airy and plush, the warehouse feel of KBM was swept out along with the canteen style service. "Canteen style is reaching the end of its lifespan," says co-owner Sasha Titchkosky. She started the design-loving business with partner Russel Koskela five years ago, during which time KBM took on a life of its own. The redesign allowed the duo to realise their original vision for the space, one that very much mimics what Koskela is all about — keeping it natural and local. Part-greenhouse, part-warehouse, the interior is "a more pleasant space for diners — relaxing, open, not as frenetic," according to Titchkosky. Ceiling fans and plants hang from the exposed rafters along with large wicker basket lights. The original concrete slab flooring remains and the spattered walls are intact, purposefully showing the age of the building — over a century old. The garden, a vast departure from the industrial street, is fully replanted with edible seeds, leaves and nuts for use in the kitchen. The herbs aren't the only garden item being used on the menu; honey from the rooftop is used in the grilled lamb ribs ($18) — think juicy, succulent, fall-off-the-bone goodness — and the grilled asparagus ($12.50). The muntries used in Koskela's wonderful crackling pork dish ($22.50) are from the garden as well, as is the kitchen vinegar, made from home-grown verbena. Koskela Kitchen's menu is seasonal, served up from the bustling open kitchen, with Mike Box behind the helm (Momofuku, Nomad). Yes, another Mike, but his menu is a complete departure from KBM. The fresh, bright ingredients well mimic the clean, crisp space. The dishes are simple with a fancy twist — a duck egg omelette with smoked eel ($15 - $18) and an avocado toastie with sesame nori ($13.50) sits alongside brekkie classics like croissant with jam ($5.50 - $5.80) and crumpets ($12). Overall, the menu is inventive, unusual, and best of all, great for sharing. Koskela aren't about to leave you thirsty either, with an all-Australian wine menu is also carefully selected to complimenting the food. The Swinging Bridge #003 amber wine ($12/$55) is the colour of summer and pairs well with the Hawkesbury squid ($21), which in itself is bright, beautifully plated and impeccably fresh. With local craft beers rotating on the taps, this place is local through and through. The Cannery precinct will continue to expand, with a butcher, Greek restaurant and cafe already in the works for the block. The like-minded restaurateurs will be incorporating Australian, home-grown ingredients wherever possible, and a boozy brunch at Koskela Kitchen is our number one reason to visit. Koskela Kitchen is located at 1/85 Dunning Ave, Rosebery; open Mon – Fri 7.30am – 4pm and Sat – Sun 8am – 4pm, with the possibility of extending to dinner hours in summer months. Image: Benedict Torrefranca.
If you're a female chef, sommelier, waiter, restaurateur or manager — in short, if you're a woman and you work in hospo — there's a brand new not-for-profit in Australia dedicated to you. It's called WOHO and it's already attracted the support of some big names in the industry, including Christine Manfield, Danielle Alvarez and Nadine Ingram, who'll be acting as mentors. Even though 51.8 percent of Australian hospitality workers are women, only 15.4 percent of CEOs in the same industry are. So, when it comes to the top jobs, females are seriously underrepresented. WOHO will be bringing educational opportunities and forums to professionals at all stages of their careers. Members will be able to share experiences, ask questions, discuss issues, seek advice and access a supportive network. There'll be a formal mentoring program, regular events and meet-ups. "It is a very exciting time for Australian hospitality, which is now getting more recognition on the world stage," says Julia Campbell, founder and chair of WOHO. "While our forward-thinking approach to food and concepts is well-recognised, it is imperative that we face the issue of female underrepresentation at a senior level in the industry. WOHO is a vehicle for us to inspire, recruit and retain more females and to give them the confidence to support themselves and each other in their professional development." The rest of the WOHO Board is made up of Anna Pavoni (Ormeggio), Jane Hyland (4fourteen), Claire van Vuuren (Bloodwood), Michelle Maiale (A Tavola), Jane Strode (Bistrode CBD), Lisa Hobbs (Dedes Group), Lisa Margan (Margan Estate), Kerrie McCallum (delicious and Stellar) and Lyndey Milan (OAM). WOHO will launch on May 29 at 6pm at Three Blue Ducks, 1/85 Dunning Avenue, Rosebery. There'll be food by Bloodwood, 4Fourteen, Pastry Project and Bistrode CBD, and drinks by Printhie, Lisa McGuigan, Margan Estate, Young Henrys and Santa Vittoria. Tickets are $25 (members) or $30 (non members). WOHO membership is $10/month.
Goodbye Hollywood, hello Hallyuwood. No, that's not a typo. Instead, it's the thriving Korean film industry, which has become a major player in the global cinema realm in more ways than one. First, there's the spate of high-profile Korean directors making the jump to English-language movies, such as Okja's Bong Joon-ho and Stoker's Park Chan-wook. Next, there's the growing list of Korean flicks that have earned American remakes, like Oldboy and The Lake House. And finally, there's the all-round ace movies that Korean's finest cinema talents keep pumping out. It's the latter that's in the spotlight at the annual Korean Film Festival in Australia, which marks its eighth year in 2017. From high-octane crime efforts to different takes on familiar genres to thoughtful dramas, this year's lineup is filled with highlights — including these five must-see picks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoc0KZQnoKA THE VILLAINESS It's a great time for kickass women in cinema, finally. Wonder Woman and Atomic Blonde have company, however, and her name is The Villainess. This killing machine-focused thriller ramps up the action and body count as a trained assassin seeks bloody vengeance after her husband is murdered on their wedding day. Spies, secrets, Kill Bill-like mayhem, and La Femme Nikita-esque trickery and duplicity — they're all on the bill, as is a memorable display from star Kim Ok-bin (perhaps best known for Park Chan-wook's Thirst) as the formidable Sook-hee. THE DAY AFTER Another Australian film festival, another Hong Sang-soo film. It's becoming a habit, but the Korean writer/director is nothing if not prolific, having made four flicks in the past year alone. Hong's latest boasts his usual trademarks — booze and interpersonal battles — in a tale about a publisher's affair with his assistant, his wife's expectedly unhappy reaction, and his new helper caught in the middle. Fans will know that misunderstandings and written missives feature as frequently in his movies as free-flowing soju, and that's the case here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7STTUWI0as SEOUL STATION One of 2016's unexpected highlights gets an animated prequel — and yes, that's a rather rare development. Train to Busan was exactly what a zombies-on-a-train flick should be, and while Seoul Station isn't that movie, it is intriguing in its own right. Flesh munching and mindless shuffling takes over the titular railway stop, as brought to light in grittily drawn frames that somehow make the ravenous masses of undead even more frightening. You might think you've seen every take on zombie movies ever made, but we're betting that you haven't seen this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvqaLwfh0C0 THE WORLD OF US Winner of best youth feature at the 2016 Asia Pacific Screen Awards, The World of Us uses the friendship between two ten-year-old girls to explore the social reality facing kids in modern-day South Korea, and dissect the situation given to them by their adult counterparts. In doing so, the small in feel, sizeable in impact effort relays a relatable story audiences all around the world have been through. There are few things tougher in childhood than realising the inequities and differences that are used to separate the population, particularly when they don't go in your favour, something that director Yoon Ga-eun clearly understands. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jhPgL0_3ac BECAUSE I LOVE YOU Even given their fantastic premise, a good body swap film can not only entertain and amuse, but can also offer ample insights about walking in someone else's shoes. Because I Love You is the latest to attempt that feat, though it's not just content with making songwriter Lee-hyung inhabit one other person. No, a sole soul switch clearly isn't enough. Instead, after an accident renders him hospitalised, he hops from body to body trying to solve their romantic problems, all while his own potential fiance waits for him to wake up. Need a couple more suggestions? Here's two others. We recommended The Bacchus Lady highly back when it played at the 2016 Brisbane Asia Pacific Film Festival, while Karaoke Crazies caught our interest from the 2016 SXSW lineup. The Korean Film Festival in Australia tours the country from August 17 to September 23, screening at Sydney's Dendy Opera Quays from August 17 to 26, Melbourne's Australian Centre for the Moving Image from September 7 to 14, and Brisbane's Event Cinemas Myer Centre from September 8 to 10. For further details, check out the festival website.
N2 Extreme Gelato, BlackStar Pastry, Doughnut Time, Butter, Bearded Bakers, Good Times Artisan Ice Cream, MakMak Macarons, Cacao Barry Kids and Thievery. You've seen their goods all over Instagram. We've sent you news about 'em. You've probably gone looking for those sweets. Now you need look no further than Sweet Street. In its third year, Sweet Street is a dessert festival designed to showcase some of Australia's leading pastry chefs and give you a serious sugar high. Three rooms of the Shangri-La Sydney will be converted into a Willy Wonka's factory-level wonderland. There will be awesome giveaways, and in the spirit of street: graffiti artists, DJs and break dancers. Entry includes eight tokens to start your #SweetStreet adventures. For one night only, you'll get to enter your the Candy Land of your childhood dreams, and you'll be the one to decide when you've had too much sugar (hint: never). Image: Eddie Hart.
Melbourne's chilli powder-encrusted fried chicken specialist, Belle's Hot Chicken, is well worth the lengthy road trip. Luckily, you'll just have to brave the crowds at Bondi this summer to nab a little tasteroo of Nashville, Belle's Hot Chicken is going interstate and popping up at Bondi Icebergs for the season. Serving up those celebrated, Nashville-style, cayenne-crusted wings on Sundays 16 November, 28 December and 18 January, Belle's Hot Chicken is one for the spicy-inclined. Choose your level of intensity, from mild to 'really fucking hot' and lather up with Belle's specialty sauces. The team are also serving up Belle's special whiskey to wash it all down — or you might need a spot of Belle's locally-made natural wine if you're choosing from the end of the scale.
The world's best game of connect the dots is currently happening in Brisbane. Step foot inside Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art, and it begins — first with a multi-coloured, circled-covered sculpture, then with giant yellow spheres suspended from the ceiling. Bright canvases blasted with tiny pinpricks, portraits of animals surrounded by giant rings, mannequins with orb-like structures protruding from their torso — the list goes on. They're present on paintings of pumpkins, on recreations of the Venus de Milo and when you peer into a mirrored hexagon through a circular porthole. Of course, given that GOMA is currently playing host to a free 70-plus piece retrospective of Yayoi Kusama's work, dots are inescapable. Whether peppered across other objects, floating through the air or plastered across a white room by a willing audience, they've been a part of the Japanese artist's work since she was ten years old. Ask her why, and she has a simple answer: "I am just another dot in the world," she has famously replied — and it couldn't better encapsulate the feeling of looking at her repetition-filled, infinity-pondering artistry. That sentiment doesn't just echo throughout the gallery. It's written on one of its walls — not that visitors need the reminder, given the round shapes that linger everywhere you look. The exhibition might be called Life Is the Heart of a Rainbow after one of her most recent pieces, but at the heart of that rainbow sits a giant circle. Yes, we mean that literally. It's one of the last paintings on display, so you'll see it for yourself. Co-curated with the National Gallery Singapore, where the exhibition displayed until September, the vast showcase also spans everything from Kusama's 'net' paintings and soft sculptures to her black-and-white pieces and video work — and, all of the dot-flecked pieces that you could imagine. Running in Brisbane until February 11, 2018, it's an immersive experience that has to be seen to be truly understood and appreciated. Here's six things to look out for along the way. [caption id="attachment_646485" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Anwyn Howarth[/caption] I WANT TO LOVE ON THE FESTIVAL NIGHT A mirrored hexagonal box isn't the type of thing that you see every day. Neither is the kaleidoscopic array of colourful lights shining brightly inside. An Instagrammer's dream, I WANT TO LOVE ON THE FESTIVAL NIGHT was specially created for the exhibition's Singapore stint, though it has evolved from her 1966 effort, Kusama's Peep Show. You'll want to peer into each of the structure's three viewing holes, and, given the changing hues, you'll want to stay staring through each for at least a few minutes. [caption id="attachment_646487" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Anwyn Howarth[/caption] THE HEART OF KUSAMA'S RAINBOW Colour abounds in Life Is the Heart of a Rainbow, just like dots; but standing in one particular room in the exhibition will make you feel like you're bathing in several pails of paint. The bright, spiky shapes of Kusama's sculptures combine with the vibrant hues and vivid lines in her paintings, making the room seem alive. And that's without featuring any of the artist's immersive installations in this specific space. [caption id="attachment_646493" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Anwyn Howarth[/caption] THE OBLITERATION ROOM It's an old favourite for a reason, and it's back. Interactive in the best, brightest and most fun possible way, The Obliteration Room stems from Kusama's childhood perception, seeing the world through a screen of tiny dots. After "obliterating" her work with dots from that moment, she now asks everyone else to do the same. You step inside a room, painted white from floor to ceiling — including all of its surfaces, fixtures, furniture and objects too — and then add spots of colour in sticker form. Yes, running around sticking spots on everything is as fun and therapeutic as it sounds. [caption id="attachment_646512" align="aligncenter" width="1926"] Sarah Ward[/caption] SOUL UNDER THE MOON Other than dots, one thing is certain at Life Is the Heart of a Rainbow: whatever day or time you visit, there'll be a line visible on the other side of the exhibition entrance. It's for the most immersive aspect of the show, and it's well worth the wait. While you're only allowed inside SOUL UNDER THE MOON for 30 seconds given the queue, you'll find a dark, mirrored room filled with suspended glowing balls awaiting once you enter. Be careful not to step too far when you're marvelling at its luminous sights that appear to go on forever (or taking snaps), or you'll find yourself in water. [caption id="attachment_646510" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Sarah Ward[/caption] PUMPKINS AND POLLEN If you can wander through Life Is the Heart of a Rainbow and leave without feeling the need to eat pumpkin, then you clearly haven't spent enough time looking at Kusama's orange corner. You won't just find paintings of vegetables on display here, but sculptures that look like mutated pollen, a horror-movie like tentacle piece called Sex Obsession, and quite the blend of fabric, stylised anatomy and paint. Just when your cravings subside, however, you'll enter the mirrored THE SPIRITS OF THE PUMPKINS DESCENDED INTO THE HEAVENS — and you'll be seeing pumpkins for days. [caption id="attachment_646494" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Anwyn Howarth[/caption] KUSAMA'S VIDEO WORK Amidst the colour, movement, mirrors and dots of GOMA's exhibition, it's easy to walk past the dark room out the back — but don't. Inside, you'll find documents and video works from throughout Kusama's career, plus a seat to sit down and watch. Doing just that is recommended, whether you want to see the artist walk through the streets five decades ago, or see her stick dots on a cat. Yes, the latter does happen, and yes, it's as fantastic as it sounds. "If there's a cat, I obliterate it by putting polka dot stickers on it," is another of her famous quotes, after all. Yayoi Kusama: Life is the Heart of a Rainbow exhibits at Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art until 11 February 2018. For more information, head to the gallery website. Images: Anwyn Howarth / Sarah Ward.
Underbelly Arts is in its tenth year, and what better way to celebrate than with a new festival director, 21 brand spanking new commissioned artist projects and a new home at the National Art School? If you're a first-timer, this is how it works. First up: the Arts Lab. Artists spend a two-week residency working on what will become their exhibited festival work(s). You can visit the Lab for a behind-the-scenes glimpse into their progress (6pm tours will run Tuesdays to Thursdays from September 25 – October 6). The lab fosters collaboration between the artists and simultaneously opens up the artistic process to the public. Next is the festival (October 7 – 8), where all is revealed — and you get to spend blissful hours wandering around incredible contemporary, experimental art and having the occasional snack. So what's in store this year? A lot. Festival director Roslyn Helper is using a music festival format to curate projects bursting with creativity and ambition, embracing everything from installation, dance, visual art, radical opera, dance, sound, internet art, activist and interactive theatre. The vibe is all about creating an immediate, impactful connection between artists and their audience. Apparently, the majority of this year's artists are from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. "The artists are squeezing the stories of their multi-geographical, multi-cultural, multi-faith, multi-historical, multi-gendered upbringings," says Helper. "I am honoured and excited to share them with you at Underbelly Arts 2017." Tickets are now on sale, with general admission getting you access to both the festival and all Lab events. UNDERBELLY ARTS 2017 DATES: Arts Lab — September 25 – October 6 Opening night party — October 6 Festival — October 7–8 Images: Tom Jones, Gabriel Clark, Christine Francis.
Sydney is mad for modernism with new exhibition The Moderns: European Designers in Sydney showing a new side of Australian modernism at the Museum of Sydney. Taking place as part of A Modernist Season, the exhibition combines original furniture, design objects and art with photographs from the Max Dupain archive to celebrate and explore the struggles, achievements and influence of the émigré furniture makers, architects and interior designers working in Sydney in the 1930s and 1960s. Hailing from design centres like Vienna, Budapest and Berlin, they brought with them a direct experience of European modernism — something available to few Australians at that time. Basically, they were a key factor in the growth of modernist design in Sydney, transforming what was a suburban, low-scale city into a modern metropolis. With the obvious exception of Harry Seidler, many of these designers with remarkable European design pedigrees are now virtually unknown — something the exhibition firmly sets out to correct. Guest curator Rebecca Hawcroft says, "Through exploring the stories behind our émigré design community, we are reminded of the richness that migration brings." The Moderns shows at the Museum of Sydney from Saturday, July 22 to Sunday, November 26, as part of A Modernist Season — an amazing program of talks, tours and exhibitions embracing all things modernist, including the Mad About Modernism mini festival taking place at Rose Seidler House on Sunday, August 27. Check out the season's full modernist program here. Lead Image: Mansfield house at 191 Riverview Road, Stokes Point, 1959. © Max Dupain Archives, State Library of NSW.
Cancel all your sad, leftover lunch boxes for the next three months because Tim Maxwell of Kubrick’s and Eli Challenger, former executive chef of Rupert & Ruby and Bondi’s Fat Ruperts, have a much better alternative. They’ve teamed up to open a brand new pop-up called Eli’s Deli at Kubrick’s, which is running from 7am-7pm for three months in Darlinghurst. They’ve got the goods to get you through another dreary day in your The-Office-level-grim office job without rotting your internal organs with fat and sugar. In a refreshing departure from the current trend of dense, salty American-style diner food (we love you fried chicken but there’s only so much we can take), Eli’s Diner will be serving up a fresh and clean range of salads, sandwiches and delicacies from Eli’s new venture, Challenger Smallgoods. But get in early as sandwiches will be limited to 50 per day. The vibe of the menu is simple and old-school, just a few sangas and salads, and your basic brekky options (maple bacon and egg rolls, avo toast or chia seed pudding with fruit and muesli) all available for $10. And Sensory Lab will be there too, to brighten your day with caffeine. But Maxwell and Challenger are turning their combined expertise towards the biggest culinary challenge of all: making salad moreish. The key? Combine it with smoked meats of course, such as a smoked brisket sandwich, hot smoked creole sausage, housemade kale kraut with smoked brisket and quinoa salads with broccoli, mint and turmeric. Following his wildly successful Icon Park pop-up Rupert & Ruby, housed right across the street, late last year, Challenger is no stranger to the well-trodden culinary turf of Stanley Street. “I love being down here in Darlinghurst, its got a great mix of people from the older Italian community to the creatives and young professionals, its just got a great vibe," he says. "I learned a lot about what people like in the area with Rupert & Ruby, what worked and what didn’t work so well. So I‘m stoked to be back down here again, working with my mate Tim." Eli’s Deli at Kubricks is open now from 7am-3pm. 79 Stanley Street, Darlinghurst
The advertising will tell you that Brisbane's BIGSOUND is all about a whole lot of music, played by whole lot of bands, at a whole lot of venues over a whole lot of nights. And it is. But there is a deeper subtext to the festival — it's a deliberate symposium of an important cross-section of 'the music industry'. Music label representatives, radio producers, agents, artists, producers and even lawyers descend upon the Valley in an expedition to unearth and support Australian talent. BIGSOUND 2017 had an especially broad and eclectic showcase this year, guaranteeing no two punters had the exact same experience. But, in an attempt to compress four nights worth of amazing performances into a list, here's the ten most kickass, going places artists we came across. [caption id="attachment_636231" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Bec Taylor.[/caption] BOAT SHOW Boat Show might be one of the most important bands that played BIGSOUND this year. They've opened for San Cisco and Pond, yet still haven't reached the acclaim one would expect for possibly the best punk band in Australia at the moment. Punk — not post-punk. Boat Show don't just play sharp and sweet compressed guitar lines with nonsense lyrics about petty modern gripes. Boat Show are angry, and their tracks are poignant, feminist anthems about the many patriarchal constructs in society that need to change — and the energy Boat Show brought to Heya Bar made the entire audience embrace the notion that it can be achieved. Lead singer Ali Flintoff jumped from amp to amp, got amongst the crowd, and demanded to be heard. She even approached the lanyard-wearing audience members and made a public, ironic, and hilarious attempt to 'network'. Boat Show has big things ahead of them. [caption id="attachment_636279" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Bec Taylor.[/caption] OH MERCY Oh Mercy aren't exactly undiscovered as such — they've been around since 2008, have four studio albums under their belt and an ARIA. But the aesthetic of Oh Mercy, canvassing both the ensemble and the sound of the band, is perpetual, and the band we saw at BIGSOUND 2017 seemed to resemble a contemporary take on Brit-Pop, with some remnant of resemblance to the Hoodoo Gurus. The founding member Alexander Gow took to the Woolly Mammoth stage looking like a dashing Garth Marenghi with his leather jacket, and sung of love and heartbreak in that way only an acoustic guitar-playing front man can. His backing ensemble was tight and rich, and it was evident Gow had complete faith in his band, and this afforded him the complete freedom to engage with the audience in an authentic way. [caption id="attachment_636239" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Bec Taylor.[/caption] DONNY BENET There's nothing about Donny Benet and his big band that doesn't scream '80s, with his killer saxophone solos, rippling, almost ironic synth tones and endless hip movement. Benet himself might have been one of the most personable performers at BIGSOUND. At both his shows he danced with the crowd and was seen around the Valley inviting people to rub his bald head. A man you could call the king of anachronistic fashion (a heavily contested title amongst the BIGSOUND crowd), he was a favourite for photo opportunities, and embraced the role with relish. His songs are sensual synth-pop anthems detailing sexual ballads, all homages to the age of shoulder pads and powersuits. As a musician, Benet is doing something no-one else is in Australia is — and as a live-act he's wickedly fun. [caption id="attachment_636252" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Bec Taylor.[/caption] SLOW DANCER Slow Dancer (Simon Okely), along with Didirri and Stella Donnelly, completed the trio of the most beautiful, simplistic artists at BIGSOUND 2017. His whispered anthems and minimal instrumentation made for one of the most heartwarming sets of the festival. His music is deeply thought-provoking — best listened to with closed eyes, prompting reflection on childhood memories and lost loves. His set at the Blackbear Lodge was one of the last acts of night one of the festival, and the crowd sat absorbed in an appreciative silence. [caption id="attachment_636230" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Bec Taylor.[/caption] BIG WHITE Big White is Australia's answer to Pavement, almost two decades later. Their distinct jangle rock filled The Zoo on the second day of BIGSOUND to a solid crowd. The five-piece seem to be an ensemble in the truest meaning of the word, a single pulsing organism working as one to produce technically fanciful yet fun music. Their almost ineffable stage demeanour is that of a band of brothers (and sister), and is one expressed well by their music. While they haven't made the festival headlines yet, if their insanely dedicated fanbase keeps growing as they are, it won't be long before Big White are an established name in the national scene. [caption id="attachment_636255" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Bec Taylor.[/caption] BRIGHTNESS There is a certain kind of band where someone can listen to the lead singer and think "gosh, I hope he's okay". Such are the lyrics of Brightness. Lead singer Alex Knight conducts his backing ensemble as an iconoclastic figurehead. His sound is an angry indie-rock but the resounding authenticity of the sound lies in Knight's acoustic guitar and gripping vocals. One only needs to listen to their hit single 'Oblivion' to perfectly understand the allure of Brightness. Simple lead guitar and bass lines (usually played on one string) create a musical vacuum in which Knight's art is free to grow and dominate the stage. [caption id="attachment_636258" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Bec Taylor.[/caption] DIDIRRI Like Slow Dancer, Didirri was one of the more acoustic, meditative sets of BIGSOUND. Comparable to Slow Dancer's beautiful lyrics and stage presence, and Stella Donnelly's endearing modesty, Didirri is a natural performer. Even when only using a nylon-string guitar, Didirri, in his recordings and in his live performances, fills all spaces in an uncanny way. Didirri might actually be magical — or a great vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and gripping storyteller, at the least. [caption id="attachment_636248" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Bec Taylor.[/caption] MADDY JANE Maddy Jane's entry on the Spotify BIGSOUND playlist was 'No Other Way', a dole-wave, blues pop hit that's fiercely catchy and reminiscent of Courtney Barnett. With interesting guitar lines and endearingly peculiar lyrics, one might have expected her BIGSOUND sets (of which she played an above-average, three) to mimic Barnett. But her sets were far beyond this scope. Maddy Jane's musical prowess, lyricism, and engaging stage presence is amazing for someone of only 22 years old. Both Jane and her band seem to truly enjoy performing, and the audience of 256 Wickham couldn't help but get on board with this compelling energy. [caption id="attachment_636225" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Bec Taylor.[/caption] BAKER BOY A lot is said about Australia's hip hop and rap scene, and most of what is said is generally valid criticism. Which is why talented Australian rappers are such diamonds in the rough and usually cause a good deal of excitement. Based on Baker Boy's set at Oh Hello! on the second day of BIGSOUND, he's an Australian rapper to get very, very excited about. This 20-year-old artist is from remote Northern Territory and he is doing everything right — poignant lyrics (some of which he sings in the language of his people, the Yolgnu), a bit of didgeridoo, and the best dance moves of BIGSOUND. Baker Boy told the crowd we could expect new music from him shortly — so look out for that. [caption id="attachment_636263" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Bec Taylor.[/caption] STELLA DONNELLY Stella Donnelly was one of the last acts of BIGSOUND. This may have been a deliberate choice as her performance was nothing short of emotionally draining (in the best conceivable way). She is an endearingly human performer and engages her audience in frank conversation. She committed herself fully to her performance at the Heya Bar, from crossing her eyes when she hit her high notes, to throwing her body into each and every rhythmic beat. With only an electric guitar and a microphone as her instruments, every member of the crowd was moved by Donnelly's performance, laughing and even crying together as a single presence. In the course of half an hour she sung little comedic ditties, and deeply heartbreaking ballads — an especially impressive juxtaposition to her equally striking work as the rhythm guitarist for Boatshow. Go listen to her stuff.
It's such a shame David Bowie's not around to see this. Sydney installation artist Michaela Gleave has come up with an app that translates constellations into musical scores so you can 'play' the stars above you. Wherever you are in the world, at anytime of night, A Galaxy of Suns can read your geolocation and plays the music it transcribes from the constellations within your view. But don't expect space to sound like Ziggy Stardust or Sun Ra. Instead, the app reads the galaxy as though it's a score. The transposing — which has been years in the making — was a collaboration between Gleave, composer Amanda Cole and programmer Warren Armstrong. What's more, every 'song' comes with a matching light display, choreographed according to the stars' movements, as they rise, cross the sky and set. Gleave launched the A Galaxy of Stars app at Dark Mofo's Dark Park this month, where the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra helped to bring the night sky's songs to life. She'll be doing a similar performance with the Bristol Choir at the Bristol Biennial in September this year for the work's international premiere. But you don't need a choir to do this thing. You can download the app for yourself via iTunes (for iOS) or Google Play (for Android).
The Hotel Palisade was once the highest building in Sydney. It's true, back in 1915 it was built as a pub for port workers and the residents of Millers Point; a feat of modern commercial development. After many long and hearty years as a Millers staple pub, hotel and prized Brian Sudek/Annie Parmentier restaurant, it closed in 2008. But now, the Palisade is finding new life in its 100th year, reopening in July 2015 and about to open its rooftop bar and boutique hotel section on November 11. Dubbed Henry Deane (named for the Australian engineer responsible for electrifying the Sydney tramway system), the Palisade's new split-level cocktail bar and restaurant will sit proudly atop the historic pub, with chef Joel Bennetts at the helm and 360 degree views of Sydney. Although the official opening is set for November 11, the very first celebration coming to Henry Deane will be a big Melbourne Cup party, where a team of chefs will be serving up a huge feast of fresh seafood, grilled meats and roast salmon, with champagne on arrival. The party, with tickets sitting at a cool $200 a head from askusanything@hotelpalisade.com, will kick off at noon on Tuesday, November 3. Also opening with the launch of Henry Deane will be the Palisade's nine boutique hotel rooms. Like the rest of the Palisade, they're all decorated by Sibella Court, owner of The Society Inc and interior stylist for the likes of Palings, Mr Wong, Palmer & Co, El Loco, Ms G’s and more. Quite the prime real estate spot, the Palisade was snapped up for about $20 million by entrepreneur Richard Sapsford. With the ground floor bar now open for business — serving cocktails curated by Mikey Enright (The Barber Shop) and Dave O'Brien's hearty pub grub like pies, soup and toasties alongside lighter fare like lentil and beetroot salads — the Palisade's fancier upper levels will be the jewel in the Palisade's crown. What a sight! The final stages of our rooftop spaces are being carefully craned together. We can't wait to reveal the final levels of this beautiful beast. Posted by Hotel Palisade on Monday, October 19, 2015 The Palisade's ground floor bar is now open at 35 Bettington Street, Millers Point. The Henry Deane rooftop bar and restaurant will officially open on November 11. Images: Belinda Rolland/Hotel Palisade.
UPDATE, January 22, 2021: Get Out is available to stream via Binge, Foxtel Now, Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Amazon Video. When a movie starts with a character walking nervously along a dark street, we all know what's going to happen next. Decades of horror films have taught us that nothing good can occur here. And, in Get Out, the situation plays out exactly as we've been conditioned to expect. The scared person is abducted by a masked attacker and dragged into a car. Crucially though, the victim isn't an attractive young woman, but rather a black man (Lakeith Stanfield) getting snatched up in the kind of picket-fenced suburbia most white folks could stroll through without fear. If you've ever seen his work with Keegan-Michael Key across the five seasons of their sketch comedy show Key and Peele, writer-director Jordan Peele's fondness for dissecting matters of race won't come as much of a surprise. While his first stint as a filmmaker doesn't feature white zombies refusing to eat people of colour, the underlying idea that African Americans are treated differently still sticks. Here, as in his comedy, he presents a scenario that quickly goes from amusing to uncomfortable to downright unnerving. Following Get Out's sinister opening scene, the film's focus switches to Brooklyn photographer Chris (Daniel Kaluuya), who's about to head to his girlfriend Rose's (Allison Williams) family home in the country. He's meeting her parents for the first time, and he's understandably anxious. When he asks "do they know I'm black?", she assures him that it doesn't matter because her dad would've voted for Obama a third time if he could've. Chris has clearly heard similar sentiments before, and knows it's going to be awkward anyway. "I don't wanna get chased off the lawn with a shotgun," he jokes. After they arrive, Rose's father (Bradley Whitford) keeps dropping "my man" into daggy attempts at conversation. Her mother (Catherine Keener) is polite to Chris, but noticeably stern with their black servants (Betty Gabriel and Marcus Henderson). Then there's Rose's younger brother Jeremy (Caleb Landry Jones) who makes uncomfortable comments about Chris' physique. To say that things don't feel quite right is a horror movie understatement right up there with Rosemary finding her new neighbours a bit odd in Rosemary's Baby. But again, Chris has seen this type of behaviour before. He's not thrilled, but he's not astonished either. Like all sinister storylines, the events that unfold are best discovered with as little prior knowledge as possible. It's not hard to pick up on the cleverly deployed horror tropes as they appear: the isolated location, hitting a deer on the way there, and the vocal warnings from Chris' pal Rod (LilRel Howery) back home. Likewise, you won't be able to miss the way that race keeps seeping into every conversation, shaping the way the movie unfolds. Peele's mastery of his spook-inducing genre is evident from the outset, but it's how he uses his classic setup to subvert the expected cliches and unleash a barrage of scathing social commentary that proves downright genius. What's so great about Get Out is how it defies easy categorisation. It's smart and oh-so-timely in the way that it highlights what it's like to be black in "post-racial" America. It's also genuinely unsettling and tense in an edge-of-your-seat manner, and never stops making viewers question what it is they're seeing. Last but not least, it's frequently hilarious, which given the director's background shouldn't come as a surprise. Add all of that together, and you're gifted one of the most assured, astute, entertaining and intelligent horror movies to creep out cinemas in years.
Dumplings and beer: two things that make us glad to be alive. Brews and piping hot dumplings go together so well, in fact, that Potts Point has an entire restaurant and bar named after the combo. Dumplings and Beer has been doing a roaring trade since opening in late 2014, to the point that even now you may find yourself struggling to get a table without a wait. It's little wonder then that the owners have decided to open a second store. The second iteration of Dumplings and Beer can be found at 83 Stanley Street in Darlinghurst. Open from noon until 10pm Tuesday through Sunday, the menu at D&B 2.0 is the same as in Potts Point. That means steamed and pan fried dumplings and gluten free gow cee, plus a number of other bites including eggplant and tofu wraps, and crackling pork belly sliders. Of course dumplings are only half of the equation. The drinks list at Dumplings and Beer includes brews from Asia, Europe and right here at home, along with a small selection of Chinese teas. Come visit our new shop #new #opennow #food #yum #dumplings #foodporn #sydneyeats #foodies #artwork # A photo posted by D&B (@dumplingsandbeer) on Jun 5, 2016 at 2:34am PDT Find the new Dumplings and Beer at 83 Stanley Street, Darlinghurst. For more information visit their website or check them out on Facebook. Images: D&B.
