When you're fresh from donning armour and sparking an international frenzy in one of TV's biggest franchises, what comes next? For Ryan Corr, following up his stint as Ser Harwin Strong in House of the Dragon means sliding into a six-part Brisbane-shot ABC dramedy about loss and mental health. In its themes, tone, scale and budget, In Limbo is in another world to Game of Thrones and its prequel series — it's about a thirtysomething man struggling with the sudden death of his best friend and his mental health in general, and it's also a supernatural buddy comedy — but the Australian star wouldn't have that contrast of parts any other way. "I guess subconsciously, I try to get them as different as possible, like going from a bikie to a man in a suit," Corr says of picking his roles two decades into his career. "I think that I do that because I've done this since I was a kid, and I'm in pursuit of that challenge, and knocking down boundaries that I didn't think I could necessarily do." Corr has done plenty since earning his first screen credit as a teenager in Aussie series The Sleepover Club. Most homegrown TV shows since have featured the charismatic actor, from Blue Heelers, Neighbours, Underbelly and Tangle to Love Child, Cleverman, Hungry Ghosts and Wakefield — and, of course, his 60-plus-episode run on Packed to the Rafters. On the big screen, he made his movie debut in the film adaptation of Where the Wild Things Are, then added everything from rom-com Not Suitable for Children and horror sequel Wolf Creek 2 to biopic Holding the Man and bikie drama 1% to his resume, plus Ali's Wedding, Mary Magdalene, Ladies in Black and High Ground as well. Across a body of work with no shortage of highlights, his two most recent projects still stand out. House of the Dragon had Corr playing the strongest man in the Seven Kingdoms and, amid the global attention that followed, sparked an onslaught of 'Six Things You Might Not Know About Ser Harwin Strong' and 'Ryan Corr Has Gone From Blue Water High to Westeros'-style articles. "I don't see myself as a six-foot-five strong knight, and sure as hell not the strongest man in the Seven Kingdoms," he says. "But the challenge was how do I replicate that in my idea of what strength is and what the essence is? And can I portray that?" In Limbo, which is streaming now on ABC iView and airing weekly on ABC TV, swaps physical brawn for emotional vulnerability. After crane operator Charlie loses his lifelong best mate Nate (Bob Morley, Love Me), everything unsurprisingly changes, but Nate remains a presence in his life from the afterlife. "When I got the script, it really moved me. I found it laugh-out-loud funny, and really upsetting at times — and I thought it was really fresh. I don't think we've tried to deal with themes like this in quite this way before," Corr advises. There's a sense of responsibility that comes with a series like In Limbo, as well as that challenge that Corr is always seeking. Thanks to its subject matter, the show always felt personal while he was making it, too. Corr chatted with Concrete Playground about all about the above, having a profound reaction to the project, balancing In Limbo's tones and themes, his past year and his career highlights so far. ON MAKING A COMEDY THAT'S THOUGHTFUL AND WEIGHTY — AND IN LIMBO'S PERSONAL FEEL "There was a much longer rehearsal process than usual, where we just got to sit down together, weigh in and talk about what we were about to tackle subject-wise — and there were safety networks all around us while we did so — and also start to share and open up about our own lives and experiences, both direct and indirectly, to do with loss, so that we could develop trust together as people while we navigate these ideas. Because I think the series has to have heart. I found that everyone in the making of it — the crew all up in Brisbane, everyone that read this script — had a profound reaction to it and said 'I want to be a part of this'. I think you can feel everyone leaning into it in the final product. I hope so. I've, of course, experienced loss, as have most people that I know. I think it's a very personal tale. I very much based Charlie's relationship with Nate on some of my early childhood friends, who are a bridge past that now — we're not friends anymore, they're more like brothers and sisters, they are my family. So I very much know where that relationship lives, and the idea of losing one of them is the earth-shattering. We all actively worked through it, communicating with each other, personalising what we've been through and were going through, so that we could trust each other — and so you can invest the series with that heart and that meaning. I don't think it's possible if you don't." ON DRAWING UPON REALITY TO INFORM IN LIMBO'S MIX OF TONES AND GENRES "When I lost my grandfather, I was sitting around with a group of my friends and family, and we're all holding hands as he was literally leaving. And he did something funny in some of his final breaths, he made a funny noise or something. And so I found that my family were all holding each other and crying, and then laughing all of a sudden. We were saying goodbye to someone we love, and all of a sudden he made one of the funny noises and we laughed, and there was a wonderful lesson in that — it had both. And I think in life, it has both. And what In Limbo tries to explore is that — I think In Limbo is more about life than it is about death. Strangely, in the losing of Nate, Charlie discovers more about himself in the pursuit of trying to find answers about Nate. He becomes closer to his family, and it exposes things, it brings things to the forefront that he may have not been dealing with previously. And in a strange way, Nate guides Charlie through — in death, Nate helps Charlie through his life. And it's about the way that the people that are left continue to live, the way they come together, and the way they support each other and water those relationships and friendships, and help each other grieve and process. And that's what life is, you know? And within that, within this thing that we call life, there are often — at least I've found — moments of hysterical laughter, of mundane things that make you lose your shit laughing." ON PREPARING FOR IN LIMBO "Like with all characters, there are some parts that you research and some parts of yourself. I have some experiences with mental health myself personally, and with my family and with my friends. So it's not hard for me to go to places where I was in darker spaces with my anxiety and depression, and knowing what that felt like, and not being able to see the light. One the things that In Limbo brings up is that it's not always visible. In fact, it's very, very rarely visible. And I remember, just simply for me personally, that it wasn't until I was going through some shit for a couple of years until I was like 'oh, I don't think I'm happy right now' or 'I think what I'm feeling is muted. I don't feel the highs. I don't feel the lows'. I remember that being rather confronting, like 'oh [how long] have I felt like this for?". One of things that In Limbo tries to do is shed a bit of light on that. You ask more often if people are okay. When they say that they are, it's not always necessarily the full story. And it's about just trying a little further, it's about asking a little more and it's about checking on yourself. Everyone in In Limbo, we all have to pull from our personal worlds. This is an intimate story, and it's about family and it's about loss. So researching things like this, you have to draw from things in your own life, and then have an environment where you can leave that at the door and feel safe to expose it with other people and be safe going home afterwards. I think they very much made that environment for us." ON THE RESPONSIBILITY THAT COMES WITH TACKLING MENTAL HEALTH "It's not our responsibility to give answers or to hammer over the head any of our ideas around this — it's about starting a conversation, and I think that everyone in the creative process very much took that responsibility on board, and tried to keep that close through the shooting of it as our as our main drive. Our number-one prerogative was to take that responsibility seriously. You have responsibility to all characters you play. If you're doing it properly, it has to cost you something — and particularly with something like this, there's no phoning it in. So we made sure that being comfortable around dealing with these things, both as performers and as people, was right the forefront. And that we weren't trying to hand people any simple answers." ON WHAT CORR LOOKS FOR IN A PART "It can be a number of things, but usually something that challenges me or that I don't think I can do initially — something where I go 'all right, now we're gonna go over here'. It's about challenge and primarily it's about chase. It's about the pursuit of great writing and great directors. When you have language on your side, when you have great ideas on your side, that's the pursuit of this industry. It's raising to those writers and it's raising to those ideas — not making it about yourself and saying 'this is how it is when I feel', it's about trying to play your part in the whole of the narrative. It's really the pursuit of writing that excites me — and directors that, when you sit down and have meetings with them, the way they talk about their ideas gets you excited and inspires you, and you can see it as they talk. It's working with creatives who have a similar pursuit as I do." ON JUMPING FROM HOUSE OF THE DRAGON TO IN LIMBO "Obviously there's a difference in the scale and the reach, but honestly there's not a big difference between In Limbo and Thrones. There's more people, but it's ultimately always the same job. In fact, if anything, I find that the the bigger they get and the more expansive, the less personal they become, and the less involved with the people you're working with. You can shoot a scene over half a week [on House of the Dragon] — one scene of a sequence over half a week. On In Limbo, we're shooting 16 scenes the day and then waking up at 4am to do it again the next day. And we had bugger all time to do it in, like five weeks, so it becomes a completely different exercise in trusting each other. [With House of the Dragon] you just expand upon that. Instead of going into a house that we've decked out in Brisbane, it's a giant setpiece that is an operational castle — you can walk up the stairs, and there's 30 people teaching someone dance for next week, teams and teams of people. It's the same thing extended upon, obviously, because there's huge amounts of money involved, and because the shows are so big. I just tried to go in and fill Harwin's shoes the best way I knew how. There wasn't a huge amount of him in the book, so I had to fill in the lines. That part of it was exactly the same as sitting in the lounge room with In Limbo… working through these scenes, mining them for the best ideas, workshopping the best ways to do it, rehearsing it and then getting out there and trying to give it our all." ON THE PROJECT ON CORR'S RESUME THAT STANDS OUT "Honestly, every one — but two things. Kevin Jackson is my acting mentor who's just recently passed away — he was the acting teacher at NIDA for many, many years, and is responsible for framing the lives and artistry of many people that I know, including myself. I went at 17. I'd done teen shows, and I made the decision at that age — I was like 'I want take this seriously and I want to study it'. So I took myself out of the industry, went to drama school and that's where I met a man in Kevin that taught me what great writing was and how what we did was above ourselves. Like I say, he is 'the writer is God'. He's the reason that I pursue writing the way that I do. It's not about how you feel, it's not about bringing it down to you. It's about pain reaching these ideas. Can you make something of these ideas? And therefore it's universal. When I was growing up, I took a lot of my lessons, my understanding of emotion, my understanding of love, my understanding of grief, from a lot of the films that I inhaled. That was my go-to, that's what spoke to me and that felt important to me. And so, if I'm going to do it as my career, Kevin was very much a pivotal part of helping me understand what it is that we do. Also Holding the Man, I would say as an experience, as a film, working with [director] Neil Armfield, working with Tommy [playwright and screenwriter Tommy Murphy]. And having for the first time the yardstick of what I was doing, as my job slightly changed. It wasn't just 'here's my version of a character and I hope it's good' — it was someone's family. And I met that family, and I had them hand over their journals and their personal belongings, and I had his friends reach out from all throughout Melbourne. And we had the Victorian AIDS Council say, 'hey, can we can we do rehearsals here?'. I was just overwhelmed with the amount of compassion and the amount of love that reached towards us in doing it. And it made me realise that my job here wasn't to do a good job — it was to represent a real person's memory and their legacy and their love to the absolute nth degree that I possibly can. That felt important and, like with In Limbo, I felt a responsibility to the people that I was playing and to what it meant, and that really resonated with me throughout the years. It's not like you can have jobs like that all the time, but it really did entrench what this industry, what this thing that I call a job, what the arts can be and what it can do and how important it is." In Limbo streams via ABC iView. Read our full review. House of the Dragon streams via Binge. Read our full review.
Lamenting singledom, or the limitations of your partner, is a favourite past-time for the many — and a full-time job for the few. However, when the planets align and you finally do get a chance to flex your dating muscle with someone you like/know/just met/kidnapped suddenly, a whole new set of problems arise. We may not be there to help pick a new outfit or brainstorm what album to play in the car, but we can relieve some of that venue-related anxiety you have had since they said yes. These are our picks of the best spots for first dates of every variation. The Hot Date: Low302 Okay, lets start on a high; you have gone all La Bouche over some lucky someone and now its time to set the scene. This category was tight, but there's something uniquely seductive about a place that takes a brick-walled, downtown-NYC-feeling space then decks it out with enough velvet to cover A Touch of Class, tucks a baby grand in the corner, borders the whole thing with ample couch space and sets the mood with the complete Black Keys discography. The kind of place you imagine Matthew McConaughey living in (circa bongo days). With table service to boot, you can rule out any of those mood-killing, half-hour fights to the bar for a drink at Low302. The just-friends date: Shady Pines Saloon The just-friends date can be trying terrain for even the most seasoned of daters, but if you are the one who puts the 'date' in that sentence not the 'friend' head over to Shady Pines Saloon. It's relaxed enough to not seem like a bold move away from the friend zone, but the combo of loud music, booze and peanuts seems to be working well for the bartenders, so maybe some of the charm that is Shady Pines will work in your favour. The no-expense-spared date: Gastro Park Here is a life rule: when you have money to burn always, always, always go to Quay. But I mean to burn. Otherwise, try out Gastro Park. Head chef/owner Grant King did just under a decade down at Pier before opening up this culinary gem with a view of the Kings Cross zoo, so it's some of the best cooking you will see in Sydney. Arrive early for a cocktail at the bar, and then, before your date can look at the menu, suggest the degustation with matching wines (no expense spared, remember?). Sommelier Brendan February will step you through some of the finer things in life, and this food is seriously guaranteed to impress. Just remember when leaving: do not feed the wildlife. The second-first date: Ms G's So you are doing that thing you said you would never do — you are dating the ex. But where should you go? Sentimentalists, just go to wherever you went on your first (successful) date, but for the rest of you it is time to think of somewhere anonymous and loud enough to cover any unforeseen abusive tirades. Plus, close proximity to a taxi rank is preferable. This is all pointing to Ms G's on Victoria St, right? The food is good but more importantly comes out fast enough for you to wrap things up on the fly, if need be. Its proximity to the Cross means a plethora of a. transport or b. drinking away your sorrows options. The Sunday Date: The Commons The Sunday date is a tricky customer. You could spend the whole time fixating on who they saw last night and why you are on the Sunday rung, or you could do everything in your power to bring an air of romance to Sunday. Think open fires, sandstone, hearty eats and a full liquor licence. Think, The Commons Local Eating House. Its been tucked away on Liverpool Street for a few years so it will not be buying you any 'ahead of the curve' points, but a lend of its homely charm could be just the ticket for injecting a bit of snuggle into your Sunday. The late-night date: Frankie's All things late night seem to be happening at Frankie's these days, so why should a late-night date be the exception? Step down into the world of Scott and Forte, grab a booth under some plastic grape vines and (if you can hear each other) muse about the faces in all those photographs. Grab a drink, sit down, and scope out the crowd. It is a wonderful spot for people watching and this will be your fail-safe if adult conversation hits a snag. The movie date: El Loco Your plan ended when the credits rolled, and now you have been doing that aimless walking around thing for almost 20 minutes (which is never as cute as it seems). Do yourself a favour and head to Devonshire Street; not only is El Loco a low-key 'let's talk about the plot' kind of venue, it is also one of the places most likely to still be serving food when your 8.30 session comes out. Plus, jalapeno margaritas are a well-known cure for that-was-the-worst-movie-I-ever-saw/I-want-my-two-and-a-half-hours-back-itis. We read that somewhere. The date on a budget: Missy K There are plenty of nightly deals around Sydney that can turn a lot of venues into a budget option (take Hinky Dinks' $1 wing night on a Wednesday for example), but if you want something reliably cheap and cheerful forget Bar Reggio and Bill & Tonis; actually, forget the whole of Stanley Street and look a little further afield. Missy K's is a dumpling and tea house sitting opposite 4Fourteen and next to the long-closed Hopetoun in Surry Hills, so you are in the thick of it. The food is fresh, Asian, speedy, delicious. Grab some dumplings, duck pancakes and rice paper rolls and sneak out of there for under $30. Plus, budget-dater-favourite the Cricketers Arms is just up the road if things go well. The blind date: Hinky Dinks Okay, let's assume someone with half a brain picked you two desperados for each other and you have something in common — go somewhere with a bit of personality, maybe even your personality. Hinky Dinks may be it — there is good food, but it's not a restaurant so no one is getting stuck there for four hours, the drinks are excellent and, where your home will always disappoint you, the decor at Hinky Dinks is simply delightful. In short, Hinky Dinks gives you an air of taste. The dance date: GoodGod Small Club Come Friday make a beeline for the Danceteria at GoodGod Small Club—you might even check out what's on and buy tickets beforehand, if you are into that kind of thing. This Chinatown cellar has that brand of undeniably infectious dance energy from the young indie crowd — ie, 'the pogo' and all other brands of just-for-fun dance moves are more than welcome. As is your date.
Whichever Disney theme park sits on your must-visit list — the original Disneyland in California, Florida's Walt Disney World, or sites in Tokyo, Paris, Hong Kong and Shanghai — you won't be heading there while Australia's borders are closed to international travel. So, the Mouse House has brought some of its magic our way. Now open at Melbourne's newly revamped Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Disney: The Magic of Animation showcases the company's considerable animated prowess across the past century. Whether you've always been a fan of Mickey Mouse, can remember how it felt when you first watched Bambi, are able to sing all of Genie's lyrics in Aladdin or fell head over heels for Moana more recently, you'll find plenty worth looking at among ACMI's halls and walls. And in its doors, too, actually — because walking beneath mouse ear-shaped openings to move from one area to the next is all part of the experience. Of course it is. Displaying from Thursday, May 13–Sunday, October 17, marking ACMI's first big exhibition since it reopened after its $40 million transformation and making its only Aussie stop at the venue, Disney: The Magic of Animation explores everything from 1928's Steamboat Willie — the first talkie to feature Mickey Mouse — through to this year's Raya and the Last Dragon. Obviously, a wealth of other titles get the nod between those two bookending flicks. Fantasia, Alice in Wonderland, Lady and the Tramp, The Jungle Book and The Lion King also feature, as do Mulan, Frozen, Big Hero 6 and Zootopia. And yes, many of these movies have been remade in live-action or photo-realistic CGI; however, ACMI's showcase is only about the animated films. The big drawcard: art from the Mouse House's hefty back catalogue of titles, and heaps of it. More than 500 original artworks feature, spanning paintings, sketches, drawings and concept art. The entire lineup has been specially selected by the Walt Disney Animation Research Library, and will let you get a glimpse at just how the movie magic comes to life, how some of Disney's famous stories were developed, and which animation techniques brought them to the big screen. "The exhibition features behind-the-scenes production artworks which were created during the development of our Disney animated films," explains Walt Disney Animation Research Library Art Exhibitions and Conservation Manager Kristen McCormick. She notes that visitors will "see how the filmmakers and artists develop our stories, and work through different ideas and concepts along the way to creating the films we know so well". And if you think the 500-plus piece collection on display is sizeable — which is is — it was chosen from more than 65 million works in the Walt Disney Animation Research Library. Get ready to peer at hand-drawn dalmatians (which is timely, given that Cruella hits cinemas and Disney+ at the end of May), stare closely at Mickey Mouse's evolution, examine Wreck-It Ralph models and pose next to Snow White. Wall-sized artworks pay tribute to a number of movies, too — The Little Mermaid piece is particularly eye-catching — and feeling like you're stepping into a Disney movie is an unsurprising side effect. Arriving on our shores after past seasons in cities such as Paris, Tokyo, Seoul and Singapore, Disney: The Magic of Animation is clearly designed to appeal to Mouse House fans of all ages. You, your parents, today's primary school kids — you've all grown up watching Disney flicks. So, while you're pondering tales as old as time, being ACMI's guest, contemplating the animated circle of life and definitely not letting your nostalgia go, prepare to be accompanied by aficionados both young and young at heart. Disney: The Magic of Animation is on display at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Federation Square, Melbourne from Thursday, May 13–Sunday, October 17 — open 12–5pm Monday–Friday and 10am–6pm on weekend and during school holidays. For more information or to buy tickets, head to the ACMI website. Images: Phoebe Powell.
Investigating the most challenging issues of our complicated times, the expansive Liveworks Festival of Experimental Art will once again take over Carriageworks for 2020 — but it'll look noticeably different to previous years. Run by Performance Space, this year's shortened program (running from October 21–25) will combine socially-distanced live performances with a huge range digital events. The 2020 festival is divided into three parts, all of which will be presented both in-person and streamed online. These include Live Now performances, Live Futures panel discussions and Live Dreams, which will present artists' works-in-progress. As part of the Live Now program, Filipinx artist Justin Shoulder is unveiling a new work titled AEON†: Episode 1 that fuses myth, puppetry and queer pageantry; Cat Jones is opening an experimental pharmacy (and hosting hands-on workshops); and a collaboration between choreographer Angela Goh and Sydney artist Deborah Kelly will culminate in a public display of devotion. A performance ritual broadcast online at sunset each day will also feature a live exchange of love letters between the Koori artist and writer SJ Norman and Cherokee writer and scholar Joseph M Pierce. As part of Live Futures, thought-leaders will get together to discuss topics like 'Why Risk Gathering' led by Sydney Festival Director Wesley Enoch, 'Caring for Always' with First Nations curator Hannah Donnelly and 'The Future of Work'. Then, the Live Dreams segment will close out the festival offering, allowing artists to present sketches and ideas focused around utopia, impossible catastrophe and wonder. For the full program, head to the Liveworks website. Top image: 'Medicament for Your Predicament' by Cat Jones.
It's taken a long time to get here, but today the Federal Government will finally legalise the sale of medicinal marijuana in Australia. According to The Courier Mail, Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt will today officially announce that cannabis can now be distributed in Australia to those who need it for health and pain relief reasons. At present, thanks to laws passed last year, patients can request medicinal marijuana from their GP, but, as there is no legal market in Australia, are forced to import the drug from overseas (or source it illegally). This change will essentially open up a whole new legal cannabis market in Australia, and allow companies to distribute (and eventually cultivate) it as a medicine. "We are now making it easier to access medicinal cannabis, while still maintaining strict safeguards for individual and community safety," Hunt told The Courier Mail. "As part of these changes, importers can source medicinal cannabis products from a reputable supplier overseas and store these in a safe, secure warehouse in Australia." The new rules will mean that people with chronic illness and pain — like epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and cancer — will be able to access the drug much more quickly and with much less rigmarole, although they'll still have to get a prescription from their doctor. Imports will initially make up the country's inventory of cannabis while domestic cultivation is established. According to News Corp, 14 crop licenses are already under consideration. Just to be clear though, recreational use of marijuana is still very much illegal and laws vary state-to-state. This approval is a huge (and necessary) win for people who need marijuana for medical reasons, which will hopefully be implemented very soon. Via The Courier Mail.
They say truth is stranger than fiction. The story told in The Eagle Huntress feels like a surreal cocktail of both. The impressive directorial debut by newcomer Otto Bell, the doco was the darling of last year's festival circuit. And while Bell may be green, he did manage to nab Star Wars star Daisy Ridley as both narrator and executive producer, so already his film has credentials. The documentary follows Aisholpan Nurgaiv, a very impressive 13-year-old Kazakh girl living in the severe Altai mountains in Mongolia. Her family are nomadic, travelling across the mountains and living on the land. As we're gradually introduced to her school, her friends and her responsibilities, we gain fascinating insight into the thoughts and experiences of a teenage girl in Mongolia. This alone would have made a unique documentary. But when Aisholpan gets home from school, she gears up and rides a horse out into the mountains with her father, where she trains golden eagles. With wingspans of up to 2.3 meters, the magnificent birds are used to hunt hares, foxes and even wolves. Aisholpan is in training to compete in the Golden Eagle Festival, an annual festival in the town of Olgii. There are seven generations of eagle hunters in her family, and her father is a two-time champion at the festival. She's the first woman to compete, and has every intention of being the first woman to win as well. The main tension in the film comes from the stinky old men who claim women can't be eagle hunters because of deeply entrenched, culturally reinforced sexism (and probably something about eagles smelling menstruation. Aisholpan faces an uphill battle with this one). The Eagle Huntress feels like both a documentary and a feature film, with one foot firmly in each camp. The stunning cinematography heightens the sense of drama, while candid interviews and Aisholpan's capriciousness keeps things feeling real. Bell's narrative approach can at times be a little jolting. We're conditioned to expect a certain amount of reminiscing and recapping, as most docos deal with the past and not the present. Still, all will be forgiven as you're swept up in the drama, the scenery and the determination of the plucky young girl at the film's centre. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vfi5JS6HTH0
On Wednesday, January 15, New South Wales was hammered by massive thunderstorms that stretched from Glen Innes in the state's north down to Eden, 1000 kilometres away on the Sapphire Coast near the Victorian border. In Sydney's CBD, 40 millimetres of rain fell between 8-30pm–11.30pm, flooding Town Hall station. Elsewhere in NSW, even heavier downpours inundated places like Eurobodalla on the South Coast, where more than 63 millimetres of rain fell in just one hour. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Places to Roam Australia (@places_to_roam) Damaging winds were also recorded across the state, with gusts as strong as 107 kilometres per hour destroying property and crops in places like Wagga Wagga. Power outages impacted as many as 150,000 homes in Sydney's satellite suburbs and north of the city near Newcastle, with some areas still without power at the time of publishing this report. Sydney airport, where 100 kilometres-per-hour winds were recorded, also suspended flights temporarily. Sydneysiders flocked to social media to share hundreds of dramatic images of lightning strikes in the heart of the city. Some of the most striking captures depict multiple lightning forks striking the CBD simultaneously. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ᴘʜɪʟɪᴘᴘ (@philipps.world.of.photography) The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has warned that yet more storms are likely to roll across NSW on Thursday, 16 January and Friday, 17 January, with strong winds and heavy rains forecast. The State of Emergency Service has called for people on the Sapphire Coast in the state's far south to remain indoors until further tempests have passed. The BOM also issued a warning for surfers to be aware of "large and powerful" conditions up and down the eastern seaboard as high winds continue to lash the NSW coast. However, it also lifted its extreme weather warning on Sydney, stating that the worst of the storms have now passed the city. View this post on Instagram A post shared by My Life Experience (@herlifeexperience) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rebecca Frost (@msrebeccafrost) View this post on Instagram A post shared by ᴘʜɪʟɪᴘᴘ (@philipps.world.of.photography) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nicole McInnes (@wideeyedgirl) View this post on Instagram A post shared by ᴘʜɪʟɪᴘᴘ (@philipps.world.of.photography) For further details of Sydney's weather forecast, visit the BOM website. Top image: Charles Miller
UPDATE: MARCH 13, 2020 — Due to the current global situation surrounding COVID-19, My Chemical Romance has decided to postpone their trip Down Under. And, as a result, Download has cancelled its Sydney and Melbourne festivals. Ticket holders will receive a full refund — including booking and payment processing fees — and organisers are currently working with My Chemical Romance and Deftones to schedule separate headline shows in 2020. We'll let you know when these are announced. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website. The black parade is coming back to Australia, with the freshly reunited My Chemical Romance heading to Sydney and Melbourne for the 2020 Download Festival. The US group went its separate ways in 2013, but it seems you just can't keep this 00s emo outfit apart. Just last week, MCR announced that they're literally getting the band back together, and, after selling out their first reunion gig in Los Angeles quick smart, they're taking the show on the road. If you're keen relive your angsty emo teenage years and catch Gerard Way and co eight years after they last came to our shores for the 2012 Big Day Out, you'll need to head to the aforementioned festival — MCR aren't doing any sideshows on this tour. But, when Download hits Melbourne's Flemington Showgrounds on Friday, March 20 and Sydney's Parramatta Park on Saturday, March 21, the headliners will have plenty of support, including a heap of other rock and heavy metal standouts from the past few decades. They include Deftones, Jimmy Eat World, Clutch and Ministry — aka some heavy hitters in the worlds of alternative metal, punk-influenced rock, hard rock and industrial metal. Those keen on melodic metal will want to flock to Sweden's In Flames, while Scotland's Alestorm will get silly with pirate metal (yes, that's a thing), and Italy's Lacuna Coil will play their brand of rhythmic metal. And, no matter your tastes, Mongolia's The HU promise something you probably haven't seen before: hard rock combined with traditional Mongolian throat singing. Basically, if it's a type of rock or metal (of the musical kind), you'll find it on Download's lineup. Testament, Carcass, Baroness, New Year's Day and Venom Prism help round out the overseas contingent, while Australia is represented by local punk legends Bodyjar, plus Hands Like Houses, In Hearts Wake, Ne Obliviscaris and Clowns [caption id="attachment_749356" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Deftones[/caption] DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL 2020 FIRST LINEUP ANNOUNCEMENT My Chemical Romance (only Aus shows) Deftones Jimmy Eat World Clutch (only Aus shows) Ministry In Flames Testament Alestorm (only Aus shows) Carcass Lacuna Coil (only Aus shows) Hands Like Houses In Hearts Wake The HU Baroness Ne Obliviscaris Bodyjar New Years Day Clowns Venom Prison SKYND Thornhill Disentomb Stand Atlantic Plini RedHook Dregg Download 202o was scheduled to hit Melbourne's Flemington Showgrounds on Friday, March 20 and Sydney's Parramatta Park on Saturday, March 21. Top image: My Chemical Romance performing by NBSTwo via Flickr
Tinker on your motorbike and slurp your way through bowls of ramen on the same premises at Rising Sun Workshop's permanent Newtown digs. For the uninitiated, Rising Sun is a social enterprise that serves two purposes. On one hand, it provides its motor-revving members with a communal space for repairing and polishing up their bikes. On the other, it's a café, serving coffee, cookies and seriously killer ramen. The independent organisation was started by three friends who love riding bikes, working on bikes and chatting about bikes while also drinking coffee. They decided that Sydney needed an open, friendly, affordable space where this could happen more often. So, in 2013 they turned to Pozible and ran crowdfunding campaign, and soon discovering that 160 other people felt the same way. The 90-day campaign raised a cool $40,000. This gave them enough cash to launch a pop-up. In 2014, they hung out in a "barely legal" space in Camperdown, building an elite Hill Fighter, cooking up ramen and gathering friends. Needless to say, the finding of a solid, full-time home has come as a major relief. You'll find Rising Sun's new workshop at 1C Whateley Street. It used to house a century-old hardware store, so there's oodles of space. Also, the menu has scored a serious upgrade. You can now get nosh at breakfast, lunch and dinner, and you'll find some Southern influences mixing with Japanese tradition. One of the new star dishes is a Japanese-style breakfast, served on a tray. It's worth getting up early for.
Some days, the usual lunchtime salad or bento box isn't quite going to cut it. If you want to celebrate a promotion, impress a new client or are just in the mood to gather up your workmates for a cheeky midweek treat, you need somewhere that's a step up from your usual spot. Maybe that's a place with a degustation menu? A particularly impressive fit-out? Or, perhaps you're after a good wine list, for when it's the kind of lunch that includes a drop or two of vino? To help you find the perfect place for a snazzy weekday lunch, we've teamed up with American Express to find the best restaurants in Sydney's CBD that will take your midday meal from zero to hero in one fell swoop. These stellar spots are all big enough for groups, have standout food and drink menus, and boast stunning interiors. In other words, they're the kind of place where you will literally feel like a CEO — so grab your Amex and head out for lunch. Got yourself in another dining situation and need some guidance? Whatever it is, we know a place. Visit The Shortlist and we'll sort you out.
A month after becoming the first commercial airline to pilot a non-stop flight from New York to Sydney, Qantas has flown direct from London to Sydney in a trial run. The ongoing research tests are part of the company's efforts to assess the feasibility of the airline's Project Sunrise scheme, which aims to implement the routes by 2022. For the past five years, Qantas has been promising to eradicate one of the worst things about international long-haul air travel to and from Australia: the dreaded stopover. First, it announced and then implemented non-stop 17-hour flights from Perth to London; however if you live on the east coast, you still have to get to Western Australia. So, the airline revealed that it was exploring direct routes from Sydney, not only to London but to New York as well. Since then, Qantas has been pursuing the idea enthusiastically, widening its plan to also include departures to and from Melbourne and Brisbane. Last month, the Aussie carrier took the next step by starting test flights, which were initially announced a couple of months prior. The huge 19.5-hour journey New York–Sydney journey was just the first trip, with Qantas then flying a brand new Boeing 787 Dreamliner from London to Sydney between Thursday, November 14 and Friday, November 15. The UK–Australia trip took 19 hours and 19 minutes from Heathrow, cutting down the current travel time for east coast-dwellers by around two hours — not including the inevitable stopover time once you get from Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane to Perth. And, it travelled 17,800 kilometres, which is longer than the 16,200 kilometres from New York to Sydney. The two flights took around the same time, though, due to prevailing tail winds between London and Sydney. If you know your aviation history, you'll know that the London to Sydney trek has actually been made before; however the last time it happened was back in 1989, when Qantas made the journey on a Boeing 747-400 with just 23 people onboard. This time, around 50 passengers and crew made the journey, with the aircraft flying across 11 countries: England, the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan, China, Philippines, Indonesia and, obviously, Australia. Like its New York to Sydney counterpart, the aim of the journey was to gather data about inflight health and wellbeing. Passengers and crew were fitted with wearable technology devices to monitor their monitor sleep patterns, food and beverage consumption, physical movement and use of the entertainment system during the flights. The results will then be assessed by scientists and medical experts from the Charles Perkins Centre, with minimising jetlag, and helping identify optimum crew rest and work patterns part of their research. Testing the impact on pilots is also part of the research. While spending nearly a day on one single plane to get to the USA or Europe is definitely better than jumping on and off different vessels multiple times, it's still a seriously long slog. Yes, you'll avoid the sometimes long, always painful stopovers, but the lengthy journey isn't without its physical, mental and emotional toll — as anyone who has made the Perth to London trip knows — which is what makes this testing so important. A third trial flight, repeating the New York-Sydney route, is planned in December. Qantas is expected to announce whether Project Sunrise will progress to making commercial flights, rather than just trial flights, by the end of the same month. If it proceeds, it'll eclipse the current record for the world's longest direct flight — which clocks in at over 19 hours on Singapore Airlines' 15,322-kilometre Singapore to New York route. Images: Qantas.
A Wild Picnic promises to be a mysterious and thought-provoking dining experience if you have a spare $240. Join James Viles (Biota), David Moyle (Hobart's Franklin) and Aaron Turner (Geelong's Igni) for a sustainable lunch at a secret location in the Southern Highlands. All the ingredients will be foraged and sourced within the area and prepared using just Mother Nature. For bookings call (02) 4862 2005 or email info@biotadining.com. This event is one of our top ten picks of Good Food Month 2015. Check out the other nine.
We've said it before and we'll say it again: it may be winter, but that doesn't mean you should spend the next few months hibernating on the couch. Boost your group's moral by booking into a nearby winter getaway that'll let you and all of your mates brave out the winter chill together all while exploring some incredible regions of NSW. Plus, thanks to Suncorp Platinum Credit Card*, you can earn points for every dollar you spend on the everyday essentials you may need while you're away, like petrol, drinks and that extra pack of bacon for brekkie in the morning. Read on to discover seven spots with something to offer for everyone — whether you're after an art gallery-meets-nature retreat, a glamping getaway or a full-on spa weekend. What's more, each one features some form of fireplace to warm up next to, as well. So lock in that date you can all get away and book something ASAP. [caption id="attachment_718055" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kimberley Low.[/caption] ARTIST RETREAT AT MONA FARM, BRAIDWOOD The newly renovated Mona Farm is your latest excuse for an out-of-town holiday. Located a three-hour drive south of Sydney in the town of Braidwood, the property is one part luxury farm stay, one part nature retreat and one part art gallery. While the 124-acre country estate offers six historic farmhouses that have been revamped by Australian architecture heavyweights, there are two cottages currently available to book that sleep up to ten. Beyond the accommodation, over 20 Australian and international sculptors have been installed throughout the gardens and grounds, giving the natural surrounds a modern appeal. Plus, it really is a working farm, with Scottish Highland cattle, English Wiltshire Horn sheep, Wessex saddleback pigs and Clydesdale horses all sharing the land — and platypus, long-necked turtles and rainbow trout sharing the lake. BUSH LIVING AT KOOKAWOOD, BLUE MOUNTAINS This stone farmhouse is set within a 200-acre bushland property and situated within the Blue Mountains about 20 minutes from Lithgow. It boasts heaps of luxe cold weather amenities — including both a large open fireplace inside and a fire pit outside — so you'll never feel the winter chill here. If the temperature isn't too low, you can even enjoy a nice soak in the outdoor bathtub, which overlooks the surrounding mountains. Plus, the indoor bathroom features underfloor heating and yet another clawfoot tub for soaking in. There's room for just four here, so this is a spot to book for your more intimate getaways — but well-behaved pets are welcome if you want to bring along some additional furry friends. From Kookawood Farm, it's an easy drive to all of the Blue Mountains sites and the property itself is home to walking trails and wildlife aplenty. If you're looking for more to do around the upper Blue Mountains, check out our weekend guide to the area. OFF-GRID TRIP AT CABN, KANGAROO VALLEY This tiny solar-powered cabin may be off the grid but it's a far cry from roughing it. The cleverly designed timber fit-out includes a loft with a king bed, a fully stocked kitchen, indoor gas heaters and large bi-fold glass doors and windows that offer views aplenty. A big draw is the outdoor fire pit, as well as the glass-walled 'outdoor' soaking tub. Perfect for you and your best friends, the cabin sleeps a cosy four and is lovingly tucked away, so the only living beings you'll share the weekend with is the local wildlife. Think wombats, families of echidnas, kangaroos and a local lyrebird, along with wandering sheep and cows from the nearby working farm. There are plenty of walking trails to explore if you're keen to be outdoors or local wineries for those keen to stay in. Our pick is Silos Estate, which offers a farm-to-table restaurant and cool-climate drops. For more to do around Kangaroo Valley, check out our weekend guide to the area. ECO GETAWAY AT KIMO ESTATE, GUNDAGAI The 700-acres that make up Kimo Estate offer some of the most impressive surrounds and accommodation in the state. The designer A-frame eco-huts is one way to go, each sitting proudly atop a hill and boasting 360-degree views of the surrounding farm. Each off-grid, solar-powered hut has its own appeal, with a wood-fired hot tub in one, a firepit at another and an outdoor barbecue at the third — so a group could book out all three to get a little of each. If you'd prefer to all stay under one roof though, the estate also offers cottages and houses accommodating up to 12 guests. Kimo Estate is also home to wandering sheep and features views of the Murrumbidgee River, as well as the distant mountain ranges. From here, you can organise heaps of local activities, including horseback riding, winery tours and helicopter rides over the mountains. LUXURY GLAMPING AT SIERRA ESCAPE, MUDGEE A 30-minute drive from Mudgee town centre, Sierra Escape makes it easy to explore the wine region while immersing yourselves in true country surrounds. The 280-acre property is home to rolling hills, sweeping views and heaps of wildlife, including kangaroos, deer and native birds. Plus it's an easy drive away to the local vineyards, which boast some of the best drops in New South Wales. Your group will get to enjoy this idyllic setting in style, with the property's luxury glamping accommodation. Book into the Dulili tent, which sleeps seven and features two bedrooms with a double bed, two queen beds and a single trundle all up. Other amenities include a designer kitchen, wood fireplace, floor-to-ceiling windows and large indoor and outdoor dining tables. You'll also get to enjoy a firepit and a bathroom with a rainwater shower and freestanding bath. All of the Sierra Escape glamping tents are insulated, too, so you won't have to worry about the winter chill, either. [caption id="attachment_633127" align="alignnone" width="2048"] Destination NSW.[/caption] SNOWY ESCAPE AT LAKE CRACKENBACK RESORTS, SNOWY MOUNTAINS Lake Crackenback Spa and Wellness Centre offers true alpine luxury. Set on the edge of Kosciusko National Park, it features both mountain and lake views, with the chalets sleeping up to seven of your best mates. The resort includes so many amenities that you won't mind getting snowed in. Book into a facial, massage or even a two-hour spa package. Wander the grounds to interact with local wildlife. Try your hand at archery, or take a dip in the indoor heated pool. Dine surrounded by excellent views at the lakeside restaurant. And, of course, there are the ski slopes. The resort offers a complimentary shuttle bus to the ski fields, and it'll help you organise equipment and lift passes. For more to do around the Snowy Mountains, check out our weekend guide to the area. [caption id="attachment_540647" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Andy Fraser.[/caption] WINERY HOPPING AT BLACK SHEEP INN, ORANGE The award-winning Black Sheep Inn is a country stay with all of the modern conveniences you could ask for. The revamped accommodation was originally a 1900s sheep shearing shed, and many of its original features have been maintained — including the rolling shed doors, a wrought iron fireplace and corrugated iron finishes. You can book out the entire woolshed for your group, which features five suites and sleeps ten all up. Hot tip: you'll want to be up early for brekkie when owner Helen Napier whips up a three-course feast. Located a quick ten-minute drive from Orange town centre, the inn is also perfectly situated to explore the local sites and the wine region at large. For more to do around Orange, check out our weekend guide to the area. Seize the day, make your everyday moments count and get rewarded all the while with Suncorp. Top image: Mona Farm by Kimberley Low. *Issued by Citigroup Pty Limited ABN 88 004 325 080 AFSL No. 238098 Australian credit licence 238098.
The rumours are true. Daft Punk has teamed up with Nile Rodgers for their upcoming album, said to be released in June this year. Apart from his own band, Chic, Rodgers has worked with many established artists in his time, including Diana Ross, David Bowie, Madonna and Duran Duran. Award-winning producer Paul Williams confirmed this week at SXSW that he has also collaborated on some of the duo's new songs. The French electro pair are known for keeping things a secret until the very last minute, so it will be interesting to see what they have planned. Williams said "I feel like I don't want to talk about the stuff that I'm doing with them, because they want a press blackout on the album until it's out, so I should basically not be talking about it." While no one is giving away much information around the new album, just the fact that they are working on some amazing new tracks has been enough to send the internet into overdrive. It goes without saying that this is a much anticipated album after their last original release, Human After All, way back in 2006. https://youtube.com/watch?v=mj9AYdsb5Kg [Via Idolator]
The Sydney Opera House is flicking the light switch to high beam dazzle later this month for this year's Vivid Sydney, with both its program of Vivid Live gigs and the accompanying festivities. The harbourside icon is going all out for its annual Vivid pop-up bar, this year channelling none other than its program headliners, legendary English alt-rockers The Cure. Brought to life by the minds behind Newtown bar The Midnight Special — also responsible for last year's retro-themed Goldie's Music Hall pop-up — Spellbound will see the Concert Hall's Northern Foyer reimagined as a neon-lit post-punk den of moody decadence. Expect dark leather couches and long banquet tables decked out with glowing fruit installations, sheet music and skulls, while black felt-topped pool tables entertain late-night Vivid explorers. On the menu, you'll find bites like Sydney rock oysters, broiche sliders stuffed with confit duck rillettes, and both a classic and vegetarian version of the humble croque monsieur. Beers will come courtesy of Sydney favourites Grifter Brewing Co and Young Henrys, while a lineup of signature cocktails includes the rose-hued Flowers of Romance. The bar will try to minimise plastic waste by offering reuseable plastic cups, which you can buy with a $2 refundable deposit. It's all enveloped with a moody soundtrack stuffed full of hits from the likes of The Damned, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Iggy Pop and New Order, as spun by local legends including Lucy Cliché, Mitch Tolman and Cristian O'Sullivan (Low Life). The Cure will play in the Concert Hall over five nights on May 24, 25, 27, 28 and 30. As the large number of unsuccessful ballot entrants will be aware, tickets were snapped up in record time — so a visit to the bar might be the closest thing to seeing them on stage. Otherwise you can watch the live stream on the Opera House's Facebook from 8pm on Thursday, May 30 or check out one of the other gigs happening at the Opera House throughout Vivid, like Sharon van Etten, Underworld, Stella Donnelly and Herbie Hancock. The bar will be open to the public from 6pm each night, except for the nights that The Cure is playing. On those nights, the bar will open to ticketholders from 6pm and the general public from 9.45pm. Images: Anna Kucera.
Don't believe that boy bemoaning, loudly, the lack of live music venues in Sydney. There's no truth to that rumour. Dig a little deeper, kid, and you'll see there's a whole range of places out there. Choose your own adventure from Concrete Playground's list of favourite spots, featuring everything from long-term Sydney stalwarts to DIY new kids on the block. 1. The Enmore TheatreWhere: 118-132 Enmore Road, Enmore Undeniably Sydney's most beautiful theatre, the Enmore maintains an antique, old-world feel inside a contemporary venue. Built in 1908, this art deco theatre has gradually been transformed into the kind of luxury that is pure rock 'n' roll: band posters are plastered beneath luxurious chandeliers, drinks are purchased from a bar in the foyer, and the seats in the stalls are, depending on the occasion, removed to make way for standing room audiences. If the ambiance alone isn't enough to entice you, never fear: the Enmore plays host to some of the biggest acts to visit our shores. We're talking The Rolling Stones, Sonic Youth, Wu Tang Clan, The Pretenders, Grace Jones... The list goes on. And while the size and prestige of this place is strong enough to attract the big acts, the performance space remains cosy and intimate. The combination of the theatre's traditional acoustics and an immense front of house system also results in exceptional sound, making the Enmore one of Sydney's premier live venues. Click here for venue review and details. 2. The Red RattlerWhere: 6 Faversham Street, Marrickville A new arrival on the live music scene, the Red Rattler is a community-based venue and innovative arts space. It's a space determined to make a lot of noise, and is named for the old Red Rattler trains that did the same. Building on the shoulders of Sydney's infamous illegal warehouse scene (which many of these Rats were involved in), this is a completely legal venue that seems far too good to be true. It's an inspiring space that feels more like a home than a warehouse. Plush red velvet curtains, mismatched second-hand couches and an intimate, friendly atmosphere make a night spent at the Rattler completely unique. The fact that it's run by a collective of artists guarantees an exceptional spectrum of performers, with past highlights including The Church, Naked On The Vague and the High Reflections experimental music nights. Click here for review and details. 3. The Annandale HotelWhere: 17 Parramatta Road, Annandale This pub rock institution is the lifeblood of the Sydney music scene. A '30s Aussie pub, converted in the early '80s into a live music venue, the Annandale has long been the quintessential Australian rock venue. There's the distinct stench of blood, sweat and tears in the air to prove it. With a substantial stage and lighting rig, and a sound system perfectly worn in to the room, any Australian band worth their salt aspires to play here (or already has). A rite of passage for up and coming bands, a night at the Annandale is memorable for musicians and punters alike. And to help the memory factor, the paved courtyard behind the hotel hosts 'pub cha' every Saturday and Sunday, offering regular favourites as well as weekly specials. Click here for review and details. 4. GoodGodWhere: 53-55 Liverpool Street, Sydney This cosy danceteria is bursting at the seams with character: think walls covered with coloured tiles and wooden wagon wheels, mirror balls and bright disco lights, and a crowd that still manages to distract from the interior. The most important feature here is the dance floor, which I guarantee you'll find yourself carving up in no time at all. The music policy varies each night, so look to the website if it's live music that's your thing. Past favourites include Jack Ladder, La Mancha Negra, The Coolies and live karaoke (meaning you plus live band), run by Siberia Records. Click here for review and details. 5. 505Where: 280 Cleveland St, Surry Hills Spartan would be one word used to describe 505. You'd quite easily walk past its front when strolling down Cleveland Street without even glancing up, or knowing that behind a bland, unobtrusive door lies a music venue showcasing some very groovy up and coming Sydney talent. And not just that - it also hides a great place for a drink. While it's not somewhere that you'd visit if you were just after a quiet night out, if you like music with your beverage of choice then this is the place, though that does mean there's usually a cover charge in order to get in. Still, with an array of music to suit your appetite and the fact that it's an artist run space that brings local talent to the stage nearly every night of the week, 505 definitely deserves to not escape your notice. Click here for review and details. 6. The VanguardWhere: 42 King Street, Newtown While it might feel as if you've slid back into the '20s, this comfortably luxurious venue was in fact purpose built. Channeling New Orleans in the heart of Sydney, the Vanguard is a bohemian haven and a place to experience something a little bit different. The restaurant offers a mix of modern Australian and 'soul food', while the stage plays host to an eclectic range of musicians and performers. For those whose tastes lie in jazz and blues, cabaret and burlesque: you've found your man. Click here for review and details. 7. The Factory Theatre Where: 105 Victoria Road, Marrickville The intentions of this venue are clear: a bar, a wide open space (soon to be dance floor) and an empty stage. If you arrive early, it may all feel a little bare, but this only means more room for shenanigans later on. Live music is the core of the Factory's operation, with acts as diverse as Ratcat, the Herd, Holly Throsby and Jamie Lidell. There's plenty of other good options to look out for as well, as this venue also plays host to unique events like the Sydney Underground Film Festival. Click here for review and details. 8. The LansdowneWhere: the corner of City Road and Broadway, Sydney Previously better known for its $10 meals than its live music policy, the Lansdowne is an old pub that's making way for new music. The recently renovated band room is impressive, and now offers live music six nights in a typical week. What's even better is that all shows are free, with an impressive array of local bands on board. Recent shows have featured The Laurels, Dark Bells and Domeyko/Gonzalez. Plus, the cheap meals are still on offer in the cosy bistro upstairs. In other words, a win win situation. Click here for review and details. 9. Black Wire RecordsWhere: 219 Parramatta Road, Annandale If it's the underground you're seeking, this is where you'll find it. Technically a record store, Black Wire offers not only an impressive array of music to purchase but also an enviable dedication to showcasing live bands. Rough and ready is the rule, with bands setting up to play early evenings on the shop floor. All shows are cheap and all ages, providing a vital opportunity for everyone to access cult music. Recent performers have included Alps of New South Wales, Kirin J Callinan and Slug Guts. 10. Oxford Art FactoryWhere: 38-46 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst Perhaps one of the most ambitious venues to open in Sydney in recent years, the Oxford Art Factory is inspired by Andy Warhol's seminal Factory, and intends to operate as a focal point of music and the arts in Sydney. The main room caters to larger and international acts, such as The Dead Weather, Digitalism and Warpaint. The Gallery Bar showcases local acts, with a feature wall repainted frequently by guest artists. Between the two lies the Glass Cube, an exhibition space that regularly features live performance art. Click here for review and details.
If you're of the school of thought that food often tastes better when it's paired with booze, then we have some very good news for you. Fried chicken joint/Champagne bar/sneaker store Butter is offering up the greatest Christmas present of all: an indulgent spiked menu to feast on. Executive chef Julian Cincotta has whipped up a menu that combines his trademark chicken with a pretty darn smooth booze: Hennessy cognac. Embracing the vanilla notes, hints of apple and smooth finish of the cognac, Cincotta has designed a limited edition Hennessy barbecue sauce. The sweet and spicy sauce is paired with Butter's signature fried chicken and shoestring laces (fries), plus a Hennessy ginger mule to wash everything down. The collaboration is in honour of the new Hennessy V.S Limited Edition bottle, designed in partnership with renowned Portuguese street artist Vhils. Noting that both blending Hennessy and Vhils' murals require experimentation and risk-taking, Cincotta says, "We have the same approach at Butter. I love experimenting with different ingredients...and I find spirits have traditionally been under-utilised in cooking." Get your hands on it while you can —the special combo box is only available from now until Sunday, January 6 at both the Surry Hills and Parramatta stores.
Social media can get you anywhere, or so the story behind Marvel's latest movie and the actor playing its eponymous character demonstrates. Back in 2014, Simu Liu tweeted at the comic book company-turned-filmmaking powerhouse, asking "how about an Asian American hero?". In 2018, after Black Panther's success, he tweeted again — querying "are we gonna talk or what?" with the #ShangChi hashtag. Now, the Kim's Convenience star leads the Marvel Cinematic Universe's 25th feature, and the first to focus on a hero of Asian descent in its 13-year run to-date. He's the face of the franchise's latest step forward, both in terms of inclusion and representation, and in keeping the MCU's ongoing narrative forever hurtling onwards. Liu anchors a film about history and destiny, too — one that's about breaking free from the past and committing to the future — and he heartily embraces the occasion. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings itself flits between offering up a lively picture that strives to carve out its own space in the series, and simply serving up more of the usual Marvel template but in enticing packaging, however. Liu first graces the screen as Shaun, a San Francisco valet who's happy parking cars with his best pal Katy (Awkwafina, Breaking News in Yuba County), even though they both know they could follow other paths. While the film shows Katy's family decrying her lack of ambition, Shaun has a keener awareness of what he isn't doing — because he's really Shang-Chi, the son of centuries-old warlord Xu Wenwu (Tony Leung, The Grandmaster), who leads the shadowy Ten Rings criminal organisation and wears the mystical bracelets it's named after. Shang-Chi also has the otherworldly Jiang Li (Fala Chen, The Undoing), the former guardian of an enchanted village filled with dutiful warriors and mythical creatures, for a mother. But when she died when he was a child, his life changed. After the grief-stricken Wenwu obsessively trained him to become an assassin and see vengeance, Shang-Chi fled for the US, where he's lived since. Then, initially via a postcard from his Macau-based, underground fight club-running sister Xu Xialing (debutant Meng'er Zhang), and then thanks a violent visit from his dad's henchmen, he's forced into a family reunion that puts the fate of the universe at stake. It's telling that Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings actually begins by honing in on Wenwu, laying out his backstory and pushing glorious Hong Kong cinema legend Leung — a star with seven Wong Kar-wai films, such as In the Mood for Love and 2046, to his name — firmly to the fore. Marvel has loved daddy issues since Iron Man launched the MCU in 2008. It also adores complicated histories, and stressing the idea that heroes are forged from such complexity. And, it likes anchoring its sprawling on-screen world in as much lore and as many links to the past as it can. That's all accounted for in Shang-Chi's opening move, but so is pure movie-star physics. Leung is never less than magnetic in every feature he's in, including here. He's an actor with breathtaking presence, which has seen him prove one of cinema's most commanding figures for four-plus decades. The power and texture he brings to conflicted characters improves any film and, even with Liu handling his leading role with all the charisma and energy demanded, Leung is always the biggest highlight of every scene he's in. In other words, writer/director Destin Daniel Cretton (Just Mercy, Short Term 12) has cast two essential roles devastatingly well — and maybe better than he intended in one case. Liu remains the star of the show, and the movie sets him up for more MCU appearances, of course. He crosses paths with other faces from the franchise, there's zero doubt that he'll be a key part of the saga moving forward and, based on this likeable-enough debut outing, audiences will want to spend more time in his company. But watching Leung constantly leads to yearning for more of Leung. The same applies when the great Michelle Yeoh (Gunpowder Milkshake) also pops up after Shang-Chi openly nods towards Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Marvel's decision to add a martial arts movie to its roster, and to populate it with Asian cinema superstars, can just remind viewers of all the exceptional works that the genre and those talents already made long before Hollywood blockbusters paid them notice, in fact. Shang-Chi brings other films to mind repeatedly, including via valet hijinks that ride in Ferris Bueller's Day Off's tyre treads, and a phenomenal bus scene — the movie's standout, and the beneficiary of dazzling fight choreography — that's more than a little like Speed-meets-Nobody. When a franchise spans 25 instalments and shows no signs of stopping, seeing echoes of past flicks comes with the territory as well, with Shang-Chi boasting the focus on character that makes the better MCU entries stand out, but also remaining happy to descend into the overblown CGI that's always been one of the series' worst impulses. It doesn't quite possess Black Panther's world-building flair, but it wants to. It can't exactly make its genre fit as well as Black Widow did with the spy realm, either. And, sometimes it feels like it's doing the bare minimum that Marvel thinks is necessary with this titular figure, and with committing to an Asian hero, as Captain Marvel illustrated before it with the saga's first solo female lead. When Shang-Chi soars — when Liu and especially Leung shine, the wuxia-inspired action choreography does the same and building engaging characters is the film's main motivation — it makes for vivid viewing. When it finds genuine emotion in Shang-Chi and Wenwu's thorny relationship, and celebrates the MCU's latest otherwise-overlooked sister (with Xialing joining Black Panther's Shuri and Black Widow's Yelena), it beats with heart, too. When it breaks out a sense of humour, which happens often in Cretton, Dave Callaham (Mortal Kombat) and Andrew Lanham's (Just Mercy) screenplay, it mostly mines an entertainingly goofy vibe (although it does lean a little too heavily on Awkwafina doing her Crazy Rich Asians sidekick schtick). That's the film's first two-thirds. When Shang-Chi regurgitates the standard formula, complete with a special-effects onslaught of a finale that favours pixels more than the fantasy flicks it's trying to ape, it surrenders a better movie to an average one. Here's hoping that Liu's tweets ultimately give rise to something more as the MCU keeps on keeping on.
This year may have gotten off to a chaotic start, but that doesn't mean the country's (or your) cultural calendar is looking too bare. Some of 2022's most exciting and immersive art and museum exhibitions have either just opened their doors across the nation or are on their way before the year is out — which means you've got plenty to see in plenty of places. That's especially exciting now that interstate borders are all fully open across the entire country, and cheap flights keep popping up with frequency, too. So, get out your diaries and plan trips to dive into all things Disney, peer at Yayoi Kusama's finest in two different cities, scope out Picasso's best and fall in love with Elvis paraphernalia — aka some of the art and museum exhibitions set to brighten up 2022. Top image: Raemar, Blue, 1969, James Turrell. Tate: Presented by the Tate Americas Foundation, partial purchase and partial gift of Doris J. Lockhart 2013. © James Turrell. Photo: Tate.
When the 21st Biennale spreads its artistic arsenal across seven venues in Sydney this March, we plan to be ready. 70 artists from across the globe will be exhibiting their eclectic works under the theme of Superposition: Equilibrium & Engagement in celebration of the 45th anniversary of this explosive festival. In partnership with the Biennale of Sydney, we've curated three different itineraries to arm you with everything you need to navigate this vast and varied program. But let's not forget that an inquisitive, creative-focused brain needs nourishment, so we've thrown in the best food and drink joints nearby as well. The artistic use of video is a loose connecting thread on this tour between Haymarket and Eveleigh. From the 4A Centre of Contemporary Asian Art to the expansive space that is Carriageworks, you'll experience different takes on filmmaking from across the globe. You'll also experience a Mary's burger pizza. [caption id="attachment_654207" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Akira Takayama: McDonald's Radio University, 2017. Photograph: Masahiro Hasunuma.[/caption] 4A CENTRE FOR CONTEMPORARY ASIAN ART Renowned Japanese theatre director and actor Akira Takayama has asked the fine folk of Sydney to share a poem or song significant to their family — regardless of their origins — that has been passed down from generation to generation to create a tapestry of oral histories of the city and its people. He has then invited those who submit to perform them for his film that will be shown at 4A throughout the festival. PITSTOP: THE LANSDOWNE Sydney's favourite live music venue lives and is about halfway between 4A and Carriageworks. "Music. Art. Pizza. Party" are the words used to describe the new Lansdowne on their website, so this must be the right stop off for your art-led itinerary. And have you tried their pizza? They have a Mary's burger pizza. Even better, if you're there between 12–3pm these legends offer lunch for just a tenner. CARRIAGEWORKS [caption id="attachment_654213" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Semiconductor: Earthworks, 2016. Photograph: Semiconductor.[/caption] IMMERSIVE ART The former rail yard space of Carriageworks lends well to large-scale installations, so the Biennale crew know to use this wisely and have curated something special with video at the core. Cutting-edge UK artist duo Semiconductor is set to give their take on our fascination with material things and will do so with a large five-channel video work. Also using experimental video, Chinese artist Chen Shaoxiang will work with four channels in his visual exploration of everyday life and Vietnam's Trinh Thi Nguyen will bring her filmmaker skills to a special Carriageworks piece. PITSTOP: CORNERSTONE BAR & FOOD Why exit the Carriageworks building when you can seamlessly sink into one of the couches at the on-site Cornerstone Bar & Food. This warmly lit industrial space is just the come-down you need from a day of such sensory stimulation. In fact, you may just want to come here once a week for their rotating menu of arancini balls. The hungry can tuck into a bowl of teriyaki chicken or Korean barbecue pork, but if you resisted the pizza at The Lansdowne you probably won't be able to avoid the lure of the Turkish pizza with haloumi and caramelised onion. The 21st Biennale of Sydney sets up across the city on March 16 and will run until June 11. Find out more about the program here, and check out our guides from the MCA to Cockatoo Island and the Opera House to Artspace in Woolloomooloo.
When you've ushered the world into Vincent van Gogh's work — getting them not just peering at it but stepping through it thanks to an immersive 360-degree experience — what comes next? For the folks at Melbourne-based Grande Exhibitions, it's now Claude Monet and his impressionist peers' turn. Hot on the heels of Van Gogh Alive touring the country, and even hitting up some cities multiple times, Monet in Paris is set to dazzle from winter 2023. This exhibition will enjoy its world premiere in Brisbane, hitting Northshore Hamilton for two months from Wednesday, June 7–Sunday, August 6. While further stops haven't yet been announced, the River City stint is being hailed as its global debut — and it will tour Australia afterwards. Art lovers can look forward to wandering around the 2500-square-metre Grand Palais, a marquee custom-designed by Australian theatre designer Anna Cordingley, with the venue set to feature six breakout spaces, a cafe, multiple bars and a gift shop. Of course, it's Monet and his pals' creations that's the big drawcard. Featuring Monet's Water Lilies, getting attendees dancing with Edgar Degas' ballerinas and just whisking visitors into 19th-century Paris' bohemian vibe — with detours to the French countryside — there'll be plenty to see. Fans of Van Gogh Alive know how it works from there, with iconic paintings projected large — pieces not just by Monet and Degas, but also from Camille Pissarro, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Paul Cézanne, Berthe Morisot, Mary Cassatt and more. Once again, that means using Grande Experiences' state-of-the-art technology, which is behind those beamed images. And, there'll also be a classical score soundtracking the experience. "The team at Grande Experiences are absolutely thrilled to premiere Monet in Paris in Brisbane in June," said Founder and CEO Bruce Peterson. "Produced in the same immersive multi-sensory format as the hugely successful Van Gogh Alive, this very new and unique experience will captivate and enthral audiences young and old as we enjoy many of the colourful works of art from the French masters of the 19th century, combined with a wonderful musical score and special aromas permeating throughout the venue," he continued. If Monet in Paris sounds familiar, that's because Grande Exhibitions also run Melbourne's digital-only gallery The Lume, which has been hosting the similar Monet & Friends Alive since October 2022. Monet in Paris' debut season will run from Wednesday, June 7–Sunday, August 6 at Northshore, Brisbane, with ticket pre-sales from Thursday, March 9 and general sales from Tuesday, March 14. For further details, head to the event's website. Images: Grande Experiences.
It was a delight as a webcomic, then on the page. As a Netflix series, Heartstopper instantly proved a gem, too. Indeed, if you didn't dedicate an autumn 2022 day to binging the show's first season, then you probably weren't anywhere near your streaming queue or social media. As charming as romantic comedies, LGBTQIA+-championing tales, British series and coming-of-age stories can get, Heartstopper dropped all eight of its first-season episodes at once, became an instant Netflix hit and started many an obsession — regardless of whether you currently are or ever have been a queer teen trying to be true to yourself, navigating high school and riding the emotional rollercoaster that is falling in love. After Netflix renewed the series for two more seasons last year because the first proved such a hit, the show will get viewers swooning again when season two arrives on Thursday, August 3. Wondering what's in store? There's now finally a trailer. This winter, Heartstopper will be making tickers miss a beat again, and twice, with the graphic novel's author and illustrator Alice Oseman also back as the show's writer (and creator, obviously). It's easy to see why more Heartstopper is on its way — and not just because its narrative has continued past where season one stopped on both the web and in print. The first season hit the Netflix top-ten list in 54 countries, wowed audiences and earned the online attention to prove it, and made stars out of its cast. Story-wise, Heartstopper heads to Truham Grammar School, where Charlie Spring (first-timer Joe Locke) was in year ten in season one. He found himself seated in his form class next to year 11 rugby player Nick Nelson (Kit Connor, Little Joe) at the start of a new term, with sparks flying swiftly and overwhelmingly — at least on Charlie's part — and a crush and then a life-changing love story blossoming. Filled with crushes, a coming-out narrative for Nick and a cute Paris trip — as based on the sneak peek — season two sees its key pair in the thick of their new relationship, and coping with exams and the prom. Also, Charlie's high-drama best friend Tao (fellow debutant William Gao) and recently out trans pal Elle (Yasmin Finney) are working through their bond, while her school friends Tara (Corinna Brown, Daphne) and Darcy (Kizzy Edgell) have their own challenges. "You don't always have to understand your feelings completely. You don't have to always have everything figured out. You can just feel," Nick tells Elle in the trailer — something that season-one viewers know sounds like classic Heartstopper. There's currently four volumes, spanning five chapters, of Heartstopper on the page — and a fifth volume set to arrive in November 2023 — so fingers crossed there'll be even more seasons of the Netflix series in the future. Check out the trailer for Heartstopper season two below: Heartstopper season two will stream via Netflix from Thursday, August 3. Read our review of season one. Images: Netflix.
Whether he's co-writing and starring in sketch comedies, directing two of the best horror films of the past few years, producing an Oscar-nominee or reviving a science-fiction classic, Jordan Peele has amassed an impressive resume. So, whenever he adds a new project to the lengthy list, it's worth paying attention. Already, he has Key & Peele, Get Out, Us and The Twilight Zone to his name— and he produced BlacKkKlansman, and produced and co-wrote the upcoming new Candyman flick too. This year, he also executive produced Al Pacino-starring TV series Hunters, about hunting down Nazis in the 70s. And, come August, he's doing the same with Lovecraft Country, a 50s-era exploration of both otherworldly and actual monsters. Based on the 2016 novel of the same name by Matt Ruff, Lovecraft Country follows a road trip across the US in the time of the Jim Crow racial segregation laws. Atticus Freeman (Jonathan Majors, Da 5 Bloods) is looking for his missing dad (Michael Kenneth Williams, The Wire), enlisting his friend (Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)) and his uncle George (Courtney B Vance, Ben Is Back) to trek around the country with him. Cue the unwelcoming, discriminatory and hostile reality of white America, as well as terrors of the supernatural kind (aka, the type that American sci-fi and horror writer HP Lovecraft is synonymous with, hence the show's title). Yes, it sounds like it's completely in Peele's wheelhouse. Lost and Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker's JJ Abrams is also one of the new ten-episode series' executive producers, too, alongside showrunner and writer Misha Green (Underground), directors Yann Demange ('71) and Daniel Sackheim (True Detective, Game of Thrones), and producers Bill Carraro (Blade Runner 2049) and David Knoller (Power, Big Love). Lovecraft Country hits HBO in the US in August, with the exact date yet to be announced. As for airing Down Under, Australians can likely expect it to screen on Foxtel and/or its new streaming platform Binge, with local details yet to be revealed as well. Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJV9acMsDwM Lovecraft Country starts airing on HBO in the US in August. A release date Down Under is yet to be announced — we'll update you when one comes to hand. Top image: Elizabeth Morris/HBO
UPDATE, 2pm, Friday, July 22: Splendour in the Grass has now cancelled its main stage gigs on Friday, July 22 due to "a significant weather system" that "is currently sitting off the east coast and may reach land later today bringing more rainfall". Organisers also advised that the festival looks forward "to Saturday and Sunday programming moving ahead as planned". Yes, you can call it a comeback: after two winters without live tunes at North Byron Parklands, Splendour in the Grass has finally returned. But rather than a bustling weekend filled with huge sets from some of the biggest global and local musos there are — with Gorillaz, The Strokes and Tyler, The Creator on headlining duties — eager festival-goers are arriving to a soggy time. A chaotic time, too, especially if you're planning to camp — and you attempted to arrive on Thursday, July 21 to get settled early. Due to incredibly wet conditions, North Byron Bay Parklands has been experiencing flooding, leading to uninhabitable campsites, a logistical mess and hefty delays for carloads of Splendour attendees trying getting in. Concrete Playground staff writer Ben Hansen joined the queue at 5.50pm on Thursday, and didn't get into the campsite until 4am on Friday. "The communication was that there were cars being bogged and they were understaffed, and that's why they couldn't process anyone," he advised. "In the end, they were just trying to get people into the campsite, and then they gave up and redirected everyone that was in the lines straight into the car park that's usually for day parking. Everyone that was in those lines has just set up camp there. Nobody has talked to us since — we haven't talked to a volunteer, we've just kind of set up a community in the car park, and we're all just living there for the next three days. There's toilets but there's no other amenities." This morning, on Friday, July 22, Splendour organisers advised in a Facebook statement that North Byron Parklands "can no longer accept any campers or vehicles including day parking" at the site. Instead, all incoming camping patrons and day parkers are being directed to Byron Events Farm at 35 Yarun Road, Tyagarah, with free bus shuttles them taking them to the Parklands once they've set up camp. Understandably, the mood on the ground is mixed. "People are excited to be back at the festival, but people are sad," Hansen explained. On Thursday evening, the festival advised on Facebook that "the weather and staff shortages were all worse than expected". Unsurprisingly, the damp conditions around the ground are causing a muddy ol' time — even for a festival that's long been synonymous with mud. "It's as muddy as I've ever seen it. I was here in 2015, when everyone was like 'this is the muddiest year in ages', and I reckon it's muddier this year. Walking into the festival — I'm currently in front of the entrance to the festival, and the mud is up to my calf, nearly up to my knee in points," Hansen noted. "The gumboots are getting a workout... it's Splendour in the pool at this point." TikTok is currently filled with videos showcasing the situation, naturally. More rain is forecast by the Bureau of Meteorology for today, with showers and wind on Saturday, plus possible showers on Sunday. Splendour in the Grass runs from Friday, July 22–Sunday, July 24 at North Byron Parklands. For further information, head to the festival's website and Facebook page. Images: Ben Hansen.
Sydney Harbour is set to experience a taste of Broadway magic, circa 1957, when Handa Opera's famed floating stage plays host to legendary musical, West Side Story. Lighting up the unique waterfront opera venue from March 22 until April 21 next year, the Opera Australia production features homegrown talents Alexander Lewis and Julie Lea Goodwin reimagining the classic tale of star-crossed lovers in 1950s New York City. It tells the story of two rival West Side gangs and the drama that ensues when youngsters from each side fall in love. Acclaimed director Francesca Zambello, along with Brian Thomson and Jennifer Irwin, have created a new take on the original Broadway favourite, based on Arthur Laurent's famed novel. You'll get to watch this captivating show brought to life under the stars, from harbourside seats at Mrs Macquaries Point, bopping along to all the musical's iconic hit songs — I Feel Pretty, Maria, Somewhere, America, Cool and of course, Tonight. Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour boasts a reputation as one of the world's best open-air opera venues, with Carmen, Aida and La Bohème just some of the hits to grace its stage in recent years. West Side Story on Sydney Harbour will run from March 22–April 21, 2019. Tickers are available as part of an Opera Australia subscription package from August 16, and single tickets from September 3. Image: Hamilton Lund, 'Carmen'
Emma's Snack Bar in Enmore has a friendly, casual vibe and a full menu of mezze — this is Lebanese dining that always pleases. The retro interior draws inspiration from the local takeaway model; there's fluorescent signage, a blackboard menu, counter dining and a takeaway window when you're just too daggy to go inside. Another thing to note is that it's absolutely packed. Good thing it's mostly locals, so it's just a short (and sad) walk home if they forget to make a booking. The menu is designed for a relaxed pick and nibble while you sip on a glass of wine. With hummus being the staffroom lunch staple it is these days, Emma's has spiced things up by creating four different versions — our favourite being the spicy one. The garlic dip is another must-order, with so much pure garlic, it'll make you tear up a little. The oven-roasted eggplant features garlic and Lebanese spices to make a tangy, textural feast, while the spiced fried cauliflower with tahini is little short of perfection. Everyone wants more of the Moorish Chicken, which sees marinated chicken stuffed into a parcel of crispy pita. Sadly, it's cut into four slices, so you've really got no option but to share it with your 'friends'. Behold, the kebab arrives. Unwrapping the delicate paper folds reveals that this is no ordinary kebaby. A never-dry fet of falafels lie cradled in a bread blanket, lovingly tucked in with fatouche, pickles and a creamy thini sauce. It's fresh and heavenly, one of the few kebabs you'll ever eat without remorse. Although Emma's Snack Bar is a relaxed joint, the menu is all about the fine art of snacking, so don't expect generous platters of greasy food, and don't turn up at 2am (or really, really drunk) either. This is mezze so good you're sure to come back for a double dip. Images: Arvin Prem Kumar
When Super Mario Kart first rolled onto Super Nintendo consoles back in 1992, it came with 20 inventive courses and endless hours of fun. Nearly three decades later, the game has become a beloved phenomenon — not just speeding through desert tracks and rainbow roads, but onto Google Maps and mobile phones, and also into reality. The hugely popular game's next stop? Theme parks. Although an exact opening date hasn't yet been announced — and its launch has already been pushed back due to the COVID-19 pandemic — in 2021 you'll be able to enjoy a real-life Mario Kart experience as part of the first-ever Super Nintendo World. Initially announced back in 2017, the new site is joining Universal Studios in Osaka, with the park revealing this month that it'll open its latest addition early in the new year. Just what Super Nintendo World will entail has been a source of mystery over the past few years, but more and more details are slowly being unveiled. Yes, Mario Kart features as part of a new ride, with Mark Woodbury, President of Universal Creative and Vice Chairman Universal Parks & Resorts, calling the racing component "a new kind of attraction". Exactly what that means is yet to be revealed; however, it's safe to assume that fans will be able to strap into some kind of moving kart. What else could a Mario Kart ride feature? [caption id="attachment_785957" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Universal Studios Japan[/caption] Osaka's Super Nintendo World will also take over multiple levels — fitting for a gaming-themed space — and recreate the brand's popular characters and themes, complete with other rides, restaurants and shops. A certain highlight: the world's first Mario cafe, which is actually launching this week, on Friday, October 16, ahead of the rest of the site. Here, patrons will be surrounded by oversized Mario and Luigi hat sculptures, the whole space will be kitted out with a red and green colour scheme, and Mario Kart-style checkered floors will be a feature. As for what you'll be snacking on, there'll be Mario pancake sandwiches and cream sodas, plus other drinks available in 'super mushroom' souvenir bottles. Basically, in general around the venue, you can expect Mario and Mario-related characters to pop up often — with Universal Studios confirming that it'll boast a Yoshi ride, a Mushroom Kingdom, Peach's Castle and Bowser's Castle. "Think of Super Nintendo World as a life-size, living video game where you become one of the characters," explained Thierry Coup, Senior Vice President and Chief Creative Officer, Universal Creative. "You're not just playing the game; you're living the game, you're living the adventure." With that in mind, the theme park will introduce wearable wrist bands, called Power Up Bands — which'll connect to a special app and allow patrons to interact with the site using their arms, hands and bodies. That mightn't sound all that exciting, but the bands will enable you to collect coins just like Mario does in the Super Mario games. Like the red-capped plumber, you'll also be able to hit question blocks to do reveal more coins. And there'll be collectible items to gather, such as character stamps, which you'll find after achieving various goals. The stamps will also earn you even more coins — so you really will be basically playing Super Mario in real life. You will have to buy a Power Up Band separate to your entry ticket to enjoy that element of the park, though. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKCqJ8llKuA While it doesn't give away a whole lot, Universal Studios previously released a new Super Nintendo World song and music video with Charli XCX and Galantis, which they say "showcases the activities based on the real and interactive experiences available at Super Nintendo World". For now, all other specifics remain sparse; however, given that Nintendo's game stable includes everything from Donkey Kong to Tetris and The Legend of Zelda, there's plenty more to play with. Our suggestions: real-life Tetris, where you move bricks around in person, or a Donkey Kong water ride that uses the game's iconic aquatic music. While no one is travelling far at present, Universal Studios is also planning Super Nintendo Worlds for its other parks in Hollywood, Orlando and in Singapore — if you need to add more places to your must-visit list when international tourism starts returning to normal. The latter was just announced last year, and is set to open by 2025. Super Nintendo World is slated to open at Universal Studios Osaka in early 2021 — we'll update you with an exact date when one is announced. Top image: Super Nintendo World 'We Are Born to Play' by Galantis ft. Charli XCX.
David Spanton might just be Kings Cross' biggest fan. Not once but twice now, the Potts Point local has sprung into action when a beloved venue in The Cross has gone up for sale, turning longstanding spaces into vibrant new bars dedicated to their former custodians. The first was Piccolo Bar, a tiny Roslyn Street institution that Spanton saved and rejuvenated in late 2021, keeping all of the charm of the original while equipping it with a fresh coat of paint, a liquor license and an exciting drinks menu. Now, he's back to save another much-loved spot, this time taking the reins at the former digs of Cafe Hernandez on Kings Cross Road. The 24-hour cafe had been operating on this leafy street for 40 years — with Spanton recounting visits from the likes of Frank Sinatra and Guns N' Roses over the years. It closed in September of last year when the Hernandez family decided to step away from the venue. Worried it would be turned into a fashion boutique or hairdresser, Spanton came to the rescue, purchasing the property and transforming it into a bar devoted to fortified wine, fittingly called Vermuteria. [caption id="attachment_885994" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Michael Delany, David Spanton and General Manager Michael Drescher[/caption] Once again collaborating with Michael Delany (Cafe Freda's, Club 77, The Abercrombie and SHADES) on the design, Spanton is currently in the process of breathing new life into the space. But fans of the original cafe can rest easy — the new fitout will maintain key elements of the former, including an original painting from earlier owner Paquita Sabrafen depicting the Count-Duke of Olivares, on which she has superimposed her husband's face. The walls will also feature photographs of Cafe Hernandez and the Polish deli that occupied the space between the 50s and 70s, linking the bar with its storied past. "People will be able to come in and feel a connection to what was Hernandez Cafe," Spanton tells Concrete Playground. "It's one of those iconic venues in Sydney that most people know about if they're from the Potts Point/Kings Cross area, where you could always go to Hernandez to get a coffee." Much like Piccolo, Vermuteria will showcase a small specialised drinks menu and a range of tasty snacks, with vermouth and sherry at the heart of the booze offering. Barrels of vermouth will be scattered throughout the bar, and guests will be able to order vermouth on tap, sample the house-made sweet vermouth, and explore a lineup of sherry ranging from fino to manzanilla. A cocktail selection is set to include negronis, spritzes and sherry cobblers. [caption id="attachment_885993" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Paquita Sabrafen's painting of the Count-Duke of Olivares[/caption] The snacks menu will pay homage to the former deli, with charcuterie from LP's Quality Meats starring alongside gildas, tinned seafood, cheese plates and sausages. "There's definitely a much more positive vibe going on in Kings Cross," Spanton continues. "I think that a lot of great venues are starting to open in the area and a lot of places are starting to get a lot busier. I think the customers are loving that there's a lot more going on. And, I think that Kings Cross and Potts Point have some of the best customers." Fans of Cafe Hernandez's coffee can also still get their fix. While the cafe has closed down, the Hernandez brand is still producing coffee beans which you can order online. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vermuteria (@vermuteriasydney) Vermuteria is set to open in February 2023 at 60 Kings Cross Road, Kings Cross.
The trailer for the fourth instalment of George Miller’s Mad Max franchise was released at Comic-Con in San Diego this weekend, and it's a total, jaw-dropping attention hog. Mad Max: Fury Road sees Tom Hardy take the reigns as 'Mad' Max Rockatansky, with appearances from Charlize Theron, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Zoe Kravitz, Megan Gale, Abbey Lee Kershaw and Nicholas Hoult thrown into the high-speed mix. From what we can gather the film revolves around a huge car chase sequence set in an unmerciful desert, complete with all the trimmings of daredevil motorbike jumps, rolling car crashes and explosions. Lots of explosions. There's some captivating end-of-days imagery going on, showing this classic Australian franchise has not been left to idle in the '80s. The fourth Mad Max has had film fans on tenterhooks for decades. It has a potted production history, having spent 25 years in what is known as "development hell". Most recently, filming was moved from Broken Hill to Namibia, after unexpected heavy rains turned the necessary desert landscape into inappropriate lush wildflowers. It's looking formidable from the trailer, so let's hope the movie — due for release on May 15, 2015 — delivers on the impact promised.
Australia's festival scene keeps delivering heartbreak, with Mona Foma the latest major event to announce that it's no longer going ahead. 2024's fest has already taken place, running back in February, but it will now go down in history as the last-ever Mona Foma. Tasmania's Museum of Old and New Art, aka Mona, has called time on its summer festival after a 16-year run of showcasing music and art — and giving Dark Mofo a sunny counterpart — during the Apple Isle's warmer months. Mona owner and founder David Walsh revealed the end of Mona Foma in a statement, bidding farewell to the event because "it's been magical, but the spell has worn off". [caption id="attachment_784488" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mona/Jesse Hunniford. Image courtesy of the artist and Mona Museum of Old and New Art, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia[/caption] "At Mona Foma — Mofo — at the Peacock Theatre, we joined the Zen Circus, and Italian punk came to live, rent free, in my head," starts Walsh's missive, which begins by running through past festival highlights. "In 2023 Peaches turned us all on with her sexy songs, but the thing that turned me on the most was the sign language interpreter signing 'peg'," he continues. "Guy Ben-Ary in 2017, wiring living neurons to speakers and cajoling them to scream. Gotye playing the ondioline. Robin Fox's beacons. David Byrne and Philip Glass. Wire and Cale. The Saints and St Vincent. Dresden Dolls and Dan Deacon. Sun Ra and Neneh Cherry. Kate Miller-Heidke and Vieux Farka Touré." "And the finches playing guitar. From Here to Ear. That was the first one, in 2009. We bought that work, but we've never shown it again. It was too much the first time." [caption id="attachment_880158" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mona/Rémi Chauvin. Image Courtesy Mona, Museum of Old and New Art, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.[/caption] "Mona Foma took us around the world. But it ends here. Maybe the end started at COVID. Maybe it's because the last festival was a poorly attended artistic triumph. But those aren't the reasons I killed it," Walsh notes. "I know that we live for experience but, more and more, I seek permanence, a symbolic immortality. At Mona, I'm building this big thing, hopefully it'll be a good thing, but it's a costly thing. I'm addicted to building, and my addiction got out of hand. Some things have to go before I'm too far gone." "Mona Foma is one of those things. It's been magical, but the spell has worn off. Only these words, from Kurt Vonnegut's Cat's Cradle, remain: 'live by the Foma that makes you brave and kind and healthy and happy.'" [caption id="attachment_832077" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jesse Hunniford, Mona[/caption] Ending Mona Foma is the latest big change for Mona's festivals. As announced in 2023, Dark Mofo is taking a breather in 2024. A number of the latter's regular events, such as Winter Feast, the Nude Solstice Swim, Night Shift and the Mona Gala are still happening this year, however. With Dark Mofo, the plan is to press pause for 12 months to take stock and come back even better. "The fallow year will enable us to secure the future of Dark Mofo and its return at full force in 2025," said Dark Mofo Artistic Director Chris Twite in 2023. The Mona Foma news comes after both Splendour in the Grass and Groovin the Moo cancelled their 2024 festivals mere weeks after announcing their lineups. Falls Festival took summer 2023–24 off, Summergrounds Music Festival at Sydney Festival was cancelled and This That hasn't gone ahead for a couple of years now. [caption id="attachment_926552" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Amy Brown, image courtesy of Street Eats @ Franko Hobart and Mona Foma.[/caption] 2024's Mona Foma featured Queens of the Stone Age, Courtney Barnett, TISM, Paul Kelly, Mogwai, Shonen Knife, and Cash Savage and The Last Drinks, for starters — and Holy Fuck, Wednesday, Michael Rother and Friends (playing Neu! songs), and Lonnie Holley with Moor Mother and Irreversible Entanglements. The lineup goes on from there. "Gratitude to all of you that came. And to those who didn't, a silver lining: you'll no longer suffer from FOMO for FOMA. And anyway, repetition is regimentation. And regimentation is ridiculous," said Walsh in his announcement. "Greatest gratitude to those who helped put it together. I hope it was as good for you as it was for me." [caption id="attachment_830704" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Remi Chauvin, Mona.[/caption] Mona Foma's last festival took place in February 2024. Head to the MONA website for further details. Top image: Mona/Jesse Hunniford. Image courtesy of the artist and Mona Museum of Old and New Art, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Buying and supporting local projects is a proud badge worn by many a Sydneysider. You like buying Marrickville-made jam from Eveleigh markets, you support emerging Sydney psych bands at FBi Social every other week, so why wouldn't you also support Sydney's best local innovators online? Pozible have launched a Sydney-specific page, dubbed The Sydney Edit. Previewed at Vivid Ideas' hugely popular Stand Up, Stand Out event, The Sydney Edit puts local innovations under their own spotlight — making it easier for community-loving backers to find the crowdfunding projects in their own backyards. During Pozible's event at Vivid Ideas last week, the crowdfunding heavyweights asked current project instigators to live pitch to a physical audience. Sydney creators behind AKIO, The Right Foot, The Human Sound Project and the Flute Handbag Collection had five minutes to pitch their crowdfunding ideas, then a further ten to present their work. The audience then pledged $30 of their ticket price to their favourite project in a kind of real life Pozible backing. Sydney's DirtyFeet and their project The Right Foot took out the top spot and will soon see $4050 put into their Pozible campaign (just over a grand more than their own $3000 target). The Right Foot offers creative contemporary dance workshops for young people aged 14-26 with and without disability. Nice one guys. Sydney has already proved supportive of local Pozible ventures in the past, with the successful funding of Newtown motorbike workshop-meets-ramen cafe Rising Sun Workshop. The rev-enthusiasts raised $38,500 on the site and opened in April 2014 to much backer applause. In Pozible's Sydney Edit Collections section, Pozible works with a number of local organisations across the arts sector and creative industries, as well as government, community and non-profits. This is where you'll find 'collections' of Pozible campaigns under the likes of Vivid Sydney, Sydney Fringe Festival, Underbelly Arts, Alaska Projects and many more locally-based legends you can get behind. So throw in some spare cashola and crowdfund your own city's Pozible projects at The Sydney Edit. Top image credit: Rising Sun Workshop.
When broadcaster, natural historian and living treasure Sir David Attenborough makes a new nature documentary series, it's well worth your time and attention. Luckily for everyone who loves peering at the planet's wonders, the 93-year-old icon is rather prolific. Already this year, he fronted Netflix's eight-part Our Planet series — and now he's heading back to small screens everywhere thanks to the BBC's Seven Worlds, One Planet. Across seven episodes — each focusing on a different continent — the new series will delve into the distinctive animal life that roams around Earth. Expect to spend time looking at creatures scampering across Africa's scorching plains and navigating Antarctic's frozen waters, as well as exploring the enormous diversity in Asia and the wildlife prowling through Europe, all alongside looks at Australia and Oceania, as well as both North and South America. In addition to celebrating the variety of natural life found on each continent, Seven Worlds, One Planet will ponder their threats in today's modern environment. The show also features some considerable human star power alongside Attenborough, with its lengthy trailer — badged a 'prequel' to the series by the BBC — featuring new track 'Out There' from Sia and Hans Zimmer. The preview was launched at this year's Glastonbury Festival, with Attenborough taking to the stage in front of his biggest live audience ever. Seven Worlds, One Planet is to premiere in the UK this year at a yet-to-be-revealed date, then head Down Under afterwards — the BBC owns seven channels across Australia and New Zealand, including BBC First, BBC UKTV, BBC Knowledge and CBeebies on Foxtel and Fetch TV in Australia; BBC Living on Fetch TV in NZ, and BBC UKTV and BBC Earth on Sky TV. Feast your eyes on the extended trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlFRPkT-hVc Seven Worlds, One Planet will premiere in the UK later in 2019, and screen in Australia and New Zealand afterwards via the BBC's local channels — although specific airdate details are yet to be revealed. We'll update you when they're announced. Image: Alex Board, Copyright BBC Studios.
In a surprising move that contradicts their usually pricey products, German sporting giant Adidas are set to launch a US$1 shoe under their subsidiary brand, Reebok. A similar project was undertaken by Adidas in 2010 in Bangladesh, but was abandoned after an initial run of 5000 pairs. This was due to production and import costs of US$6.50 exceeding the shoe's low price point. Adidas has now looked to neighbouring India as its new major growth market. With its booming population and high levels of poverty, the nation is an ideal market for durable and affordable clothing. Adidas CEO Herbert Hainer said that Adidas' surprisingly high sales have allowed them to undertake this venture. Furthermore, he told German newspaper Die Welt am Sonntag that "the shoe will be sold in villages through a distribution network... We want the product to be self-funding." Standing at US$1, or 52 rupees, this is a hard offer to turn down. [Via PSFK]
New outpost and Seoul sister of Balmain's popular (and now-closed) Mabasa, Sáng by Mabasa trades up the barbecued short rib and vats of melted cheese for plates that are delicate and well-balanced — and unlike those found at any other Korean restaurant in Sydney. Established and run by a Korean family, the tiny, pared back restaurant seats just 22, with counter seating to the right, and two wide communal tables that let you spill your food down the middle. In the open kitchen you'll find self-taught chefs, Seung Kee Son and Jin Sun Son, who have barricaded themselves behind glass jars of pickles, while their son Kenny Yong-Soo Son and his partner Youmee Jeon, run the front of house and floor. The clean, minimalist space reveals a tasteful aesthetic, thanks to artful objects in deliberate places and rustic clusters of native branches. It's little surprise, really, with Kenny also the owner (and maker) of contemporary design studio Studiokyss. Open for both lunch and dinner, Sáng's menu is a lineup of classic Korean dishes, but those on the hunt for lesser-known flavours will make plenty of new friends, too. Perhaps not too adventurous, but still highly rewarding, are the kun mandu ($14). Crisp and golden to the pleats, each pan-fried purse contains a steaming treasure chest of pork mince, glass noodles and crumbled tofu, with a pickled soy and sesame sauce that's electrifyingly good. While you may already know bibimbap quite well, Sáng's menu also includes a dolsot version ($20), which is served in a hot stone bowl and left to fry away on the table. Listening to the delicious hissing can be torturous at times; however, the reward for your patience is a crisp rice crust that adds texture to the raw tumble of egg yolk and slippery veg. Other delights include the pig's trotters ($28), soft and jellied in a saline-sweet sauce, and the tender joints of Korean fried chicken ($28), encased in a thick, pancake-y batter, like an old-school pluto pup. More than just artistic dots and dashes on the plate, a serve of buttery, nutty, yak gwa ($15), honey cookies, on black pools of sesame and seed cream, manage to be both gourmet and Gorman. The drinks list is small, but don't sweat it, there's still good stuff here. Sáng hasn't included any of the more watery Korean lagers, like Cass and Hite, but the rich and malty Kloud does make the cut. It's also BYO wine for an entirely reasonable $4 a bottle — not that you needed another reason to drop by. Images: Trent van der Jagt.
We've seen social media play it's part at the pointy end of politics with Egypt's facebook revolution, but does it have a role in regular democracy? Iceland seems to think so. The country suffered badly at the hands of the financial crisis, causing the collapse of their banking system, and bringing down its government. In such a dire situation, tearing up the rule-book and starting again starts to look like a good idea, but who exactly should be involved in drafting a new constitution? Well, it's a document for the people, so why not have it written by the people? Given that their current constitution was copied from Denmark's in 1944 with a bit of find-and-replace work, a new version is probably due. Iceland's constitutional council has a presence on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, and is using the social media channels to get the public involved in drafting the new constitution. Draft clauses are published to the council's website so the public can see exactly what they're up to, and provide feedback. The draft constitution, which will include checks to prevent further financial crises and changes to the way elections are run, is due to be put to a referendum at the end of July. Involving the entire population in the political process hasn't really been feasible in any nation since democracy's early days, but perhaps the internet is the way to manage it in the modern world. Australia's Senator Online has been trying to get at least one internet-driven representative into a 'traditional' parliament, but Iceland's constitution could be the first example of a democracy built on the internet involvement of its population. [Via Guardian UK, image via flickr]
It's often joked that the only dish Australian cafes serve for brunch is smashed avo, but, the truth is, our daytime eateries are significantly more complex than that. Especially this year's newbies. In the past 12 months, a cafe that's also a Greek bakery — serving up moussaka-filled pies, no less — has opened in the inner west, the CBD has gained a new spot by one of the country's best coffee roasters and there's also a new cafe-slash-Japanese milk bar with desserts that've been filling Instagram feeds for months. Our potential mortgages are being spent on much more than just (very tasty) green berries, thank you very much. Our cafe culture has undoubtably boomed this year with new spots popping up all over the city. To help, we've rounded up our favourite new cafes to swing open their doors this year. Make a list, start checking it off (twice).
Fellow mama-lovers, if you've let the annual celebration of maternity known as Mother's Day (Sunday, May 8 btw) slip your mind this year, we're here to help out. There are scores of ways to acknowledge just how incredible your mother (or grandmother or aunt) is with some good old-fashioned spoiling, but if you've yet to find a gift, it's really time to get looking. Whether your mum is the type to want dinner, flowers, or to spend a week in a camper van — we've got you covered. These personal Mother's Day gifts will have your beloved mum thinking you've been planning for weeks, so now you only have to worry about what your siblings are doing. [caption id="attachment_852109" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Photo courtesy of Camplify.[/caption] IF SHE'S PARTIAL TO A GOOD OLD FASHIONED ADVENTURE Think your outdoorsy-type mum may be looking for an escape? Gift your mum a voucher to spend some time traveling in one of Camplify's stylish camper vans. Perfect for a sustainable adventure, help your mum go on the much-deserved road trip she's been missing over the last two years. Whether your mum is looking to spend more time with you — or to drive as far away from you as possible — Camplify's gift vouchers are a unique and thoughtful gift for the adventurous mum. If road tripping is not quite your mum's speed, you can still gift her an unforgettable experience with Red Balloon's 20% off sale on gift vouchers this Mother's Day. Whether you think she wants a massage, a cooking class, or to jump out of a plane at 15,000 feet — take advantage of this sale to give your mum a memorable experience. And, if all else fails, take your outdoorsy mum on a hike. Whether you live in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne or anywhere else, check out some of our guides for the best hikes in your city to spend some quality time with nature and your mum. [caption id="attachment_852107" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Photo: Cocktail Porter's Bubblegum Fizz cocktail kit.[/caption] IF SHE LOVES HER FOOD (AND DRINKS) You can get definitely get more creative than a reservation at your mum's favourite restaurant (which, don't get us wrong, is still a great gift idea). Being a mum is hard work. If you think she may just want to relax at home and have a drink, check out Cocktail Porter's at-home drink-making kits. Delivered to her door, these boxes contain everything that she needs to make a variety of cocktails. Sydneysiders can even pick up their kits from Cocktail Porter's warehouse as soon as two days after ordering for the true eleventh-hour gift. If the weather is nice, take your mum on a picnic. Pick a park or beach, stop by her favourite local cafe for some sandwiches, and sit down at a picnic table for some quality time with your mum. Sydneysiders looking for a true luxurious outdoor eating experience can spoil their mum with the Catering Project's Mother's Day Picnic hamper — which includes everything you need from a picnic blanket to locally-sourced gourmet produce, mains, and sweets. [caption id="attachment_763458" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Photo: Clay Sydney[/caption] IF SHE'S THE CREATIVE ONE IN THE FAMILY Check out Champainting for a paint-and-sip painting class this Mother's Day weekend. With locations in Melbourne and Sydney, Champainting offers classes where you can paint with your mum on Mother's Day, or any day after. The two of you can learn to paint just about anything: from Disney characters to Monet-style water lilies to each other in a Picasso-inspired style — which is almost guaranteed to make the artistic (or hilariously not-so-artistic) mum laugh. If you and your mum live in different cities, or you're just looking to stretch a different creative muscle, check out Class Bento. With classes offered online as well as in person, you and your mum can learn her dream skill. Whether she wants to learn glass blowing, resin art or dumpling making, she will likely enjoy it even more if you do it together. You can also look around at studios in your city like Clay Sydney, which offers both in-person and at home pottery-making classes. AND IF ALL ELSE FAILS... You can't go wrong with classic. Whether you're far away from your mum this Mother's Day or just down the street, sending her flowers is a foolproof way to make your mum feel your love. Check out Fig and Bloom or Lvly for bouquets available for delivery on Mother's Day in cities across Australia, or look to a local florist in your mum's hometown. Regardless of where you get it, a bouquet on your mother's doorstep on Sunday is likely to make her day. That is, as long as you also remember to call.
Pyrmont will score a lavish new restaurant next week when two of Australia's most exciting chefs join forces for the first time. Sydney's lauded chef Chase Kojima (Sokyo, Gojima) and Melbourne's acclaimed Lee Ho Fook chef Victor Liong are coming together to open Chuuka, a new Chinese-Japanese fine diner at Jones Bay Wharf. In the space that used to be home to Flying Fish (which has just moved across the road to The Star), the two chefs will combine their respective specialties and techniques (Kojima in Japanese cuisine and Liong in Chinese) to create a cross-cuisine menu that goes well beyond your standard Asian fusion. The restaurant's name plays to this cultural exchange and nods to the historic culinary influence of the late-1800s Chinese immigrants in Japan. This menu will feature an amalgamation of flavours and traditional cooking techniques, all while using fresh Aussie produce. While not all of the menu details have been released, Sydneysiders can expect a dedicated raw menu, a roe service and lots of fresh seafood. Two dishes that'll appear on the menu are stir-fried spiny lobster with chilli miso butter and Japanese milk buns, and a take on the popular Szechuan dish bang bang chicken, where strips of chicken are pounded and topped with chilli oil, peanuts, shiso and yuzukosho (a fermented paste made from yuzu and chilli). [caption id="attachment_728477" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Victor Liong and Chase Kojima[/caption] Dessert will also be a big drawcard here with an exciting 'premium frozen yoghurt service' on offer, as well as dishes starring purple yam, jasmine, Okinawan honey and matcha green tea. The two-level interior is set to be pretty luxurious, too. The ground floor will have a 60-seat restaurant, wine room and outdoor bar — all of which are arranged to amplify the venue's encompassing views across the harbour — while a 70-seat private dining space will take up the upstairs floor. Local tattoo artist Deepak Munsami has also painted intricate murals across the restaurant's walls, which reflect the combination of Chinese and Japanese elements on the menu. You'll be able to head to Chuuka exclusively to drink, too, with the waterfront outdoor bar primed for after-work cocktails with a view. Inspired by the five elements (wu xing), the drinks list features signature cocktails such as the Wood (with hickory-smoked umeshu, rye and Campari) and Water (gin, black tea, lemongrass and sichuan pepper). Chuuka is the first off-property restaurant for The Star Sydney, which plans to continue to expand as a luxury entertainment group beyond its Pyrmont casino and hotel. Find Chuuka at Jones Bay Wharf, 26–32 Pirrama Road, Pyrmont from Wednesday, July 3.
There's no doubt we're a bunch of fierce lovers of the whole fabulous RuPaul's Drag Race franchise — you only need to look at the success of Drag Race Down Under to know just how much. Well, Drag Race fans across Australia and Aotearoa, we've got great news: your 2023 plans just got better — and brighter, bolder and sassier, too. Several of the biggest names from past US seasons are heading for our shores for a new, aptly named Legends tour in May 2023. Icons Trinity The Tuck (Drag Race season 9, All Stars season 4 and All Stars season 7), Monét X Change (Drag Race season 10, All Stars season 4 and All Stars season 7) and double winner Jinkx Monsoon (Drag Race season 5 and All Stars season 7) will be travelling across Australia and New Zealand in May 2023, treating fans to their one-hour show filled with all the dazzling high jinks and cabaret campery we've come to know and love through our screens. Across nine Australasian cities, the trio will be performing a mammoth 11 shows — including a one-hour performance during the opening night of Sydney's Drag Expo. They'll also have their own expo booths so fans can get autographs, photos and merchandise. The Legends tour kicks off in New Zealand with an all-ages show at Christchurch's Isaac Theatre Royal on May 3, before the queens make their way up to Auckland and Wellington for a couple of R18 performances. They'll then head across the ditch to Hobart for an all-ages show on May 9, before delighting fans with shows in Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide. Lucky Sydneysiders get several opportunities to see the queens — including an hour's R18 performance at the Drag Expo opening concert, before two all-ages shows that weekend. Finally, they'll finish things off with an R18 show in Perth before making their way home. If you're a true fan you'll probably want to save your pennies and fork out for one of the extremely limited VIP ticks — these include an extended meet and greet with Trinity, Monét, and Jinkx, and a personal photo moment. Start planning those photo 'fits now. It's a huge tour but if the hunger fans down under have for the show is anything to go by, we'd recommend getting in early for tickets — they're on sale now at itdevents.com. The full Legends 2023 schedule: Wednesday, May 3, 2023: Isaac Theatre Royal, Christchurch, NZ All ages, seated Friday, May 5, 2023: Studio, Auckland, NZ Restricted 18+, standing Saturday, May 6, 2023: The Hunger Lounge, Wellington, NZ Restricted 18+, standing Tuesday, May 9, 2023: Odeon Theatre, Hobart, TAS All ages, seated Friday, May 12, 2023: Plenary 2 (MCEC), Melbourne, VIC All ages, seated Saturday, May 13, 2023: The Princess Theatre, Brisbane, QLD All ages, seated/standing Wednesday, May 17, 2023: The Great hall, Adelaide, SA All ages, seated/standing Friday, May 19, 2023: Drag Expo opening concert at Home The Venue, Sydney, NSW Restricted 18, standing Saturday, May 20, and Sunday, May 21 2023: Drag Expo, Sydney All Ages Tuesday, May 23, 2023: The Rechabite, Perth Restricted 18+, standing The Legends tour starring Trinity The Tuck, Monét X Change and Jinkx Monsoon will be touring Australia and New Zealand in May 2023. Tickets are on sale now.
No, you're not confused, Triple J's Hottest 100 is on again for the second time in 2025. But this time around, it has an all-Australian twist. With the annual countdown bringing all types of music fans together, this special edition is no different, and the crew at Darlinghurst favourite Taphouse are setting the tone with a stellar day-long party. Kicking off from 12pm on Saturday, July 26, the countdown will boom through the ground floor and rooftop terrace, ensuring you don't miss a track from the inaugural Hottest 100 of Australian Songs. To celebrate, Taphouse is pouring $14 Aperol spritzes and $10 schooners of Mountain Culture Status Quo (with $1 from each donated to Headspace). The venue's Cantonese-inspired menu will also be in full swing. Served across all three levels, the menu is curated by Applejack's Director of Culinary Patrick Friesen (Queen Chow, Ms.G's) and Head Chef Mulianto Mulianto. Expect nostalgic bites like prawn wontons and barbecue pork buns, alongside mains like wok-fried lobster and Mongolian lamb. With Triple J turning 50 in 2025, it feels like an appropriate time to shake up the Hottest 100. However, with voting closed, you'll have to see if your favourite tunes make the list. Will the playlist be full of classic tracks from Midnight Oil, AC/DC and Crowded House, or more recent cuts from Tame Impala, Courtney Barnett and Flume? Get down to Taphouse Darlinghurst to listen in.
Prepare to stare at the moon in all of its glory — up close, without a telescope and without zooming into space. Measuring seven metres in diameter and featuring renderings of the celestial body's surface based on NASA imagery, the Museum of the Moon is a detailed installation by UK-based artist Luke Jerram. The giant sculpture has been touring the world since 2016, displaying in New York, Hong Kong, Mumbai and plenty of spots around Europe. From June 29, 2019 it'll add Sydney to its orbit as part of a 200-item exhibition at the Powerhouse Museum marking the 50th anniversary of the famed moon landing. The looming artwork recreates the moon at a scale of approximately 1:500,000, with each centimetre equating to five kilometres of the lunar surface. And if you're wondering just how intricate the 120dpi imagery is, the high-resolution NASA photograph that it uses is 21 metres wide, and was taken by by a satellite carrying the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera. The spherical sculpture is lit from within, so it'll add a glow when it comes to the Powerhouse Museum. It also combines its imagery and light with a surround sound piece created by composer and sound designer Dan Jones, and just how each venue displays it is up to them. Basically, it's never the exact same installation twice. Its stint at the Powerhouse Museum will mark the Museum of the Moon's third visit Australia, following 12-day showing on the Gold Coast and a five-month stint at Melbourne's Scienceworks. And the floating sculpture won't be the only celestial fun happening in Sydney either. Other objects you'll find throughout the Apollo 11 exhibition include parts of the original Redstone Rocket and Parkes Radio Telescope, as well as a computer used by NASA to calculate the launch and landing. There'll be more immersive and interactive events happening, too, including a virtual reality experience in which you watch the moon landing, an interactive arcade game, tours of the observatory and a heap of talks by astronauts and astronomers.
Are you ready to get out and about and make the most of everything summer has to offer? Us, too. For some, that may mean reading by the pool and for others, it's going on week-long hikes in the wilderness. Whatever your cup of tea (or cocktail), there's plenty to do this steamy season. Naturally, when you're enjoying the season with outdoor activities and spontaneous adventures, it's good to have a top-notch drink in hand. So, we've teamed up with Whitley Neill Gin to bring you seven Aussie summer scenarios with the perfect drink to match. CAMPING TRIP Hit the highway with the windows down as you head off for a weekend camping adventure to one of Australia's many diverse and beautiful nature spots. Come summertime, there are plenty of beaches, headlands, national parks and spots in the wilderness that are calling your name. But before you jump in the car, whip up a batch of Fizzy Berry Lemonade, made with Whitley Neill Raspberry Gin and lemonade (plus a few other cheeky ingredients) to enjoy when you arrive. It's a no-fuss cocktail that's sweet, refreshing and perfect for sipping while soaking in the sun around a campsite. BEACH CRICKET Is it really summer in Australia without a hit of beach cricket? Head down to your local salty spot with the bat and ball in tow. Pairing perfectly with this game is the Royalty Gin Spritz, which you'll only need four ingredients to stir up: Whitley Neill Rhubarb & Ginger Gin, soda water, lime wheels and sprigs of mint. It's a faultless, sessionable drink that's simple, sweet and a little bit spicy. You may even try to get bowled out just so you can have a drinks break. BACKYARD BARBECUE Fire up the grill, marinate the chicken (or tofu) and get the corn prepped and ready because barbecue season is back. This year, turn it up a notch and impress your friends by pairing the feast with a Queen's High Tea. Instead of getting yet another slab, this number will bring elegant vibes. As it's made in a jug, it's perfect for sharing. It's packed with fruitiness — fresh apple, rhubarb and sprigs of mint — and has notes of peppery and sweet gingery spice thanks to Whitley Neill Rhubarb and Ginger Gin. Plus, it's topped up with prosecco and we've never known a bubbly drink that hasn't been a hit around the barbecue. [caption id="attachment_796998" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Angelo Pantazis; Unsplash[/caption] BOAT PARTY Did someone say boat party? Slap on the sunscreen, fish out your best swimsuit from the back of the wardrobe and get out on the water to enjoy the breezy air with a drink in hand. To help you refresh from the inside out is the Spring Break Gin Spritz. It's just the drink to be sipping in the sun with mates after a swim. It's light and boasts fun notes of orange, rosemary and lime that complement the Whitley Neill London Dry Gin. It's incredibly simple to make, so the real challenge with this one will be sipping it slowly. CHASING WATERFALLS Despite what TLC says, chasing waterfalls can be a great summer pastime. There's nothing like getting out of the city for a weekend to escape the hustle and bustle for an adventure in nature. There are plenty of waterfalls, both to look at and to swim under, all around Australia. Once you've found the spot, and maybe taken a dip, enjoy a Raspberry Rose Gin Spritz. There's just one thing to say: it's refreshing AF. Made with Whitley Neill Raspberry Gin, the sweet, summery cocktail is topped with raspberry and rose soda, strawberries and basil. COASTAL SWIMS Bring some romance to a summer outing by heading to the seaside for a coastal swim, then sipping a Honeymoon in Sicily. Grab a SO or mate and take to the salty water for a refreshing dip before enjoying this Aperol spritz cocktail. The drink will do the heavy lifting by transporting you to Mediterranean sweet orange orchards with the inclusion of Whitley Neill Blood Orange Gin. Plus, the grapefruit and basil will make you feel like you're on the Italian coast. DAY HIKE A day hike always goes down well in summer. No matter where you are in Australia, there are plenty of places to get out in the wilderness, clear your head, reconnect with nature and get the blood flowing with a long explorative walk. Then, after you've enjoyed the great outdoors and earned some rest, kick back with a glass of Aperitivo Sunsets. This afternoon cocktail is the refreshing hit you'll be after. It's a fruity combination, made with dry gin, orange, grapefruit and cranberry juice and slices of fruit and mint, that tastes and looks like a sunset itself. For more information on Whitley Neill's innovative gin range, head to the website.
With the reopening of the Hotel Palisade, the controversial re-do of Durty Nelly's as The Village Inn, the revamp of the Bellevue Hotel, and the recent Vic on the Park-steered reno of The Lord Gladstone, the debate over great and terrible pub renovations is rife in Sydney at present. Now there's another on the table, with Petersham's White Cockatoo set to reopen as The West Village in October. Celebrated as a tried and true 'sham local with a schnitzel worth crossing the city for, the White Cockatoo is now under new ownership — ex-Drink 'n' Dine ownership. Locky Paech, former general manager of the Forresters in Surry Hills, is one of the new co-owners of the Petersham pub. Alongside business partner James Bodel, Paech has created a new Sydney hospitality group, Goodtime Hospitality. They've recruited lauded design crew Alexander and Co. for the job, renowned for such restaurant and bar fitouts as Surly's, Daniel San, The Print Room, Watsons Bay Hotel, The Morrison and the new Village Inn. Paech told Good Food the pub won't be gimmicky, so here's hoping the pub keeps some of its integrity. If you're worried about the schnitties, Paech is apparently going to keep a version of the dish that made the White Cockatoo famous in Sydney over 12 years of glory (in case you're after the real deal, the original schnitties are now being served at The Goni's Schnitzelria in Marrickville). We're not completely sold, but we'll give it a go. Paech has also recruited former Catalina chef Sam Thomson to create an original, gastropub-style menu for the West Village, with a focus on organic, ethically-produced ingredients. The West Village will open at 30 Terminus Street, Petersham, opening in October. The White Cockatoo's famous schnitzels can now be found at The Goni's Schnitzelria, 296 Marrickville Road, Marrickville. Via Good Food. Images: The White Cockatoo Hotel, Dollar Photo Club.
Even under normal circumstances, heading to the UK to see a theatre show isn't in most folks' budgets — which is why, for years now, Britain's National Theatre has beamed its performances into cinemas around the world via a series called NT Live. At the moment, with venues closed across the globe, the latter is obviously on hiatus. Enter a new initiative: National Theatre at Home. As the name makes plain, National Theatre is making its previously recorded productions available to viewers at home — so you can now get cosy on your lounge, put your feet up and pretend you're at the theatre. Shows will stream for free via NT's YouTube channel, with a different performance available each week. Each production will launch on a Friday morning, Australian and New Zealand time, then be available to stream for seven days. It all kicks off with Richard Bean's One Man, Two Guvnors starring James Corden, who won a Tony Award for his performance in the production's 2012 Broadway run. Catch it from 5am AEST on Friday, April 3 (7pm UK time on Thursday, April 2). Then, head back on April 10 for Sally Cookson's stage adaptation of Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre, journey to Bryony Lavery's version of Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island on April 17 and enjoy William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night on April 24. On May 1, one of National Theatre's biggest and best shows will drop: its stripped-back version of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, as directed by Trainspotting and Yesterday's Danny Boyle, and starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller. When the production was performed live back in 2011, Cumberbatch and Miller swapped roles each night, alternating between playing Victor Frankenstein and his revived creation — and both versions are hitting the NT's YouTube Channel. After that, on May 7, comes more Shakespeare: Antony & Cleopatra, featuring Ralph Fiennes and Sophie Okonedo as the fated titular couple. Then, when May 14 rolls around, viewers can check out a never-bef0re-seen archival recording of Inua Ellam's Barber Shop Chronicles. Fans of classic American plays and fantastic actors can look forward to A Streetcar Named Desire from May 21 — with none other than Gillian Anderson as Blanche DuBois, alongside Ben Foster and Vanessa Kirby. On May 28, James Graham's This House will hit YouTube, while June 4 sees Tom Hiddleston join forces with the Bard for a performance of Coriolanus. Keep an eye on the National Theatre at Home website, too, because more productions are likely to be added afterwards. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uh9_EdHDsV4 Top images: A Streetcar Named Desire, Johan Persson. Frankenstein, 2011, photo by Catherine Ashmore. Jane Eyre, 2015, Manuel Harlan. One Man, Two Guvnors by Bean, Author - Richard Bean, Director - Nicholas Hytner, Designer - Mark Thompson, Lighting - Mark Henderson, The National Theatre, 2011, Credit: Johan Persson. Updated May 9.
It has been more than two decades since James Cameron, Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet recreated one of the deadliest ship disasters in modern history. You know the one. Titanic also launched a lifetime of folks standing at the bow of boats and exclaiming "I'm the king of the world!", and made the world endure a Celine Dion song that, as the lyrics promised, would go on. As well as snagging a huge bag of Oscars and big, big bucks at the box office, the film did something else: reignite public fascination with the 1912 sinking. If you've ever watched and wondered what it'd be like to see the real thing, then wonder no more — because you can become a 'citizen scientist' on a new series of underwater expeditions to the famed wreck. Commencing in 2021, underwater exploration company Ocean Gate Expeditions will be taking fascinated seafarers down to the famous ship on ten-day journeys. They'll dive almost four kilometres deep into the North Atlantic Ocean in a titanium and carbon fibre submersible — accompanied by experts, naturally — to peer through the vessel that went down on its maiden voyage, taking more than 1500 people with it. This isn't a tourist trip, however. Ocean Gate is planning six missions as part of an overall Titanic survey expedition, and anyone who'd like to go along will need to apply. If you're successful, you'll be trained a mission specialist — and you'll be asked to help document the current state of the sunken passenger liner, including via laser scans and 4K video that will be combined with high-resolution images to make a 3D virtual model of the ship. Primarily departing from the coast of Newfoundland in Canada from May–July 2021, with more missions planned in 2022 as well, these undersea trips don't come cheap — even though they're motivated by scientific and record-keeping aims. You'll need a cool US$125,000 per person to make the voyage, which includes one submersible dive to the ship. Of course, it's hardly surprising that plunging deep into both the ocean's depths to visit a famed wreck costs a massive stack of cash and then some. This isn't the first time tours have been offered — indeed, presumably using some of the loot his romantic drama pulled in, James Cameron has made the journey multiple times — but only a small number of people have seen site in person since it was first discovered in 1984. "More people summit Everest in a day than have ever seen the Titanic," says Ocean Gate Expeditions president Stockton Rush. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OH_9Q3Z_xok Top image: NOAA/Institute for Exploration/University of Rhode Island via Wikimedia Commons.
Arguably the biggest pop sensation to emerge in the last five years, Billie Eilish has just announced a run of Australian and New Zealand tour dates throughout September 2022. The tour marks the first time Eilish has graced the shores of either country since 2019. In the two years since her last tour, Eilish has released her latest chart-topping album Happier Than Ever, a documentary and visual book, taken out the Hottest 100 and swept the Grammys, taking home all four of the major categories at the 2020 ceremony. The announcement of this run on dates also comes days after the announcement that Billie Eilish is set to become the youngest-ever performer to headline the UKs Glastonbury Festival in 2022. The Happier Than Ever Tour will kick off at Auckland's Spark Arena on Thursday, September 8 before moving to Sydney's Qudos Bank Arena on Tuesday, September 13. It'll then move on to the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne and Perth's RAC Arena throughout the remainder of September. The tour follows previous tour announcements from international artists Tyler, the Creator, Gorillaz and Guns N' Roses, marking the expected return of international touring for the first time in more than two years. Tickets to the Happier Than Ever Tour start at $99 and are available as part of Telstra Plus and Vodafone pre-sales on Monday, October 11, plus Frontier and Live Nation pre-sales on Wednesday, October 13 before they go on sale to the general public on Friday, October 15. BILLIE EILISH — HAPPIER THAN EVER TOUR Thursday, September 8 – Spark Arena, Auckland Tuesday, September 13 – Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Saturday, September 17 – Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane Thursday, September 22 – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Thursday, September 29 – RAC Arena, Perth You can find all the details on Billie Eilish's Happier Than Ever Australia and New Zealand tour at the tour's website. Top Image: Crommelincklars
Express your adoration through petals and plants from this elegant Clovelly florist. The Botanic Lab creates glorious bouquets, whether you're after a bunch of roses and peonies in sweet pastels, a sculptural selection of flowers and foliage, or a waterfall of bright Australian natives. Designs range from $80–120, but you can also pick up a simple bunch of market-fresh tulips, daffodils or dahlias for $30–60 depending on the season and the bloom. These floral pros can wrap your selection, or you can BYO vase and have them arrange the bouquet for you. And if your beau is a green thumb, there's also a smaller selection of succulents and houseplants. Images: Arvin Prem Kumar
Residents of Warrnambool, a huge festival is coming your way. Music lovers, you're heading to the Victorian town. The coastal spot has been named the host of Triple J's One Night Stand for 2024, with G Flip, Ruel, What So Not — with some friends — and Thelma Plum leading the lineup. Warrnambool was picked by the Australian radio station from a huge 2087 submissions, with the nation clearly excited about the return of the fest for the first time in five years. The roster of talent taking to the stage at Friendly Societies Park three hours out of Melbourne also includes Sycco and DICE, a competition winner from Unearthed, and special guests as well. [caption id="attachment_966668" align="alignnone" width="1917"] Callum Walker Hutchinson[/caption] Triple J announced back in April that the event would make a comeback this year, then revealed at the beginning of July that it'd return on Saturday, September 14, 2024. Next came the lineup details, and now finally where the fest is rolling into town. Victoria was the site of the very first One Night Stand, too. Twenty years ago, the ABC station gave the town of Natimuk a day to remember when the spot 300 kilometres out of Melbourne hosted its very own major music fest, with Grinspoon, Eskimo Joe and The Dissociatives (aka Daniel Johns and Paul Mac) all getting behind the microphone. So began an event that became a yearly tradition, but taking place in different regional locations, with Triple J putting on a fest every year between 2004–2014, then again from 2016–2019. There's no prizes for guessing why One Night Stand pressed pause from 2020, but that gap in the event's history is finally coming to an end. The all-ages event is returning at time when the Australian live music scene has been suffering, and after a spate of festivals have been cancelling or saying farewell forever. In 2024 alone, both Groovin the Moo and Splendour in the Grass announced lineups, then scrapped this year's fests mere weeks later. Summergrounds Music Festival, which was meant to debut at Sydney Festival 2024, also didn't go ahead. As announced in 2023, Dark Mofo took a breather this year — and Mona Foma, the summer fest also held by Tasmania's Museum of Old and New Art, has advised that its 2024 event was its last ever. With the state of the industry in mind, bringing back One Night Stand is not only much-needed and well-timed, but will also raise funds Support Act, the charity for the Australian music industry. In the past, the event has also been to Ayr, Dalby and Mt Isa in Queensland; Port Pirie, Tumby Bay and Lucindale in South Australia; Cowra and Dubbo in New South Wales; Collie and Geraldton in Western Australia; Sale and Mildura in Victoria; Alice Springs in the Northern Territory; and St Helens in Tasmania. One Night Stand Lineup 2024: G Flip Ruel What So Not + Friends Thelma Plum Sycco DICE triple j Unearthed Competition Winner + special guests 2024's triple j One Night Stand will take place on Saturday, September 14 in Warrnambool, with tickets on sale from 19am on Thursday, July 25. For more information, head to the radio station's website. Top image: Drew de F Fawkes via Wikimedia Commons.
