It's fair to say that most Australians don't know as much about Africa as we should. Even saying the word 'Africa' does a disservice to this sprawling, fascinating continent that is home to 1.2 billion of our fellow earthlings. Well, the annual Africultures Festival is here to help. A celebration of the enormous, diverse African community living right here in Sydney, Africultures will have 40 of Africa's 53 independent nations represented through art, music and food. There'll be two stages packed with artists, dancers and drummers, a food court showcasing dishes from 16 different countries, a marketplace with over 40 stalls selling clothing, fabrics, homewares, jewellery and accessories. Add drumming and dance workshops, a fashion parade and a six-a-side soccer tournament, and there's a little something for everyone. Short of travelling there, you won't get a better taste of Africa than at Africultures. Taking place from 11am–6pm on Saturday, March 9 at Lidcombe's Wyatt Park, 2019's fest marks the event's huge 11th year. It's set to be huge in attendance as well — last year, 30,000 folks went along. Image: Teniola Komolafe and George Zieter.
My yoga studio has a basketball court below it. During a calming session of yoga, it is not uncommon to hear the piercing screech of a whistle, frequent cheering and the intermittent shrieks of "Great shot Mike!". One time, I kid you not, there was a marching band procession going down, and the instructor had to calmly try and talk over the incessant drumming. Quite un-zen. Flow After Dark Silent Disco Yoga seeks to give yoga enthusiasts the exact opposite experience. How exactly does one silent disco yoga? Quite easily with the introduction of wireless headphones. These bad boys give participants a one-on-one with their instructor, while simultaneously pumping out beats from Sydney DJ James Mack. Also, they're neon. This one-off, 90-minute Vinyasa yoga session will be held at Sydney's Luna Park and is probably your best (possibly only) chance to show off your best warrior pose while simultaneously jiving to some seriously smooth music. Silently.
Sydney's beloved bakers of Bourke Street have got Newtown in their sights. The team behind the iconic bread basket and cafe, which recently made our list of the best bakeries in Sydney, is getting ready to launch their latest location on King Street on Tuesday, October 4. The opening marks the 11th store in the growing Bourke Street empire, which now stretches all the way from their original digs in Surry Hills up to Neutral Bay in the north and west into Parramatta. Nestled in Newtown Central right by the railway station, their latest venture will cater to the suburb's steadfast cafe crowd, as well as anyone after a loaf of bread on the way home from work. "Newtown has always had a really good cafe trade on the weekend, so we want to increase our presence there," says Bourke Street Bakery spokesperson James Vacher. "It's an interesting crowd, but very much a coffee and cafe crowd down towards that end of the street, especially with Black Star, Continental Deli, 212 Blue all opening and building out towards Enmore." The new shop will save Newtown locals the walk to the Bourke Street site in Marrickville, while the proximity to the train line is also a major plus. And yes, they'll be stocking all your regular faves, including that heavenly ginger brulee tart. Bourke Street Bakery will open at 13/330 King Street, Newtown on Tuesday, October 4.
Backhands, beats and artisan eats will converge on Paddington's Trumper Park Tennis Centre on Saturday, October 15. That's when social tennis event Social Serve returns to raise money for Primary Club, an Aussie charity that helps people with disabilities to play sport. If your Lorna Jane activewear has never had more of a workout than a stroll to the corner shop, then here's your chance to put it to work. The good news is you'll only have to work as hard as you feel to. The sporty part of proceedings will take the form of friendly mixed doubles matches, open to players of all levels and kicking off from 2.30pm. Champs who kill it on the court will play in the finals, which start at 6pm. Not so keen on joining the game? That's more than fine. Instead, relax on the sidelines, listen to local DJs, munch on gourmet hotdogs and tacos courtesy of Woofy's, and knocking back4 Pines beers and cocktails by Poor Toms.
Summer might be winding down, but you can make the most of the remaining balmy evenings as Art Month Sydney kicks off a citywide celebration of contemporary art. The ninth annual festival is painting the town red (and every other colour) with exhibitions, workshops, talks, tours and — whip out your calendars — the much-loved Precinct Nights. Yep, galleries are keeping their doors open late across different parts of the city each Thursday (and the last Friday) in March, which means you can embark on a curated walking tour of local exhibitions, then round off the evening with an Art at Night Party. Dust off your multi-purpose walking/dancing shoes, and prepare for an art-venture. Art at Night in Paddington, Woollahra and Darlinghurst on March 8 invites you to visit a whole host of galleries staying open from 6–8pm, including Piermarq, Janet Clayton Gallery, Sabbia Gallery, Dickerson Gallery, Cooee Art Gallery, Arthouse Gallery and Australian Centre for Photography. Once your art-appetite is feeling adequately sated, dance your way down Oxford Street to the National Art School in Darlinghurst, which will be buzzing from 8pm with performances, interventions and a pop-up bar. Art Month Sydney runs March 1–25, 2018. Find out more information and download a precinct map here. Image: Leila El Rayes, Moments made of molasses, 2017. Image courtesy of the artist.
One of Sydney's more experimental, seasonally-focused openings of the last year, Automata, is getting collaborative. This year, the Old Clare Hotel-dwelling restaurant will launch co.lab, a series of events showcasing some of the best chefs from across the globe — particularly those who celebrate seasonally-changing menus. Kicking off February 20, co.lab will begin the series with one of London's top chefs, Lee Westcott of East London's Typing Room, teaming up with Automata's Clayton Wells (formerly of Momofuku Seiobo). For $100, you'll be treated to two snacks and six courses — one snack and three courses from each chef. For 100 beans, that's actually pretty damn reasonable. For an extra $60 they'll do beverage pairing. "Whilst we always try to utilise the best ingredients with minimal fuss, co.lab will be a fun way of switching things up and experiencing multiple concepts," says Wells. Bookings are now open from Automata's website or by buzzing (02) 8277 8555. Sittings available from 12pm on February 20. Future co.lab guests will be announced soon.
If you've ever lined up along Illawarra Road, waiting for a seat at Cornersmith, you probably won't be surprised to learn that they're expanding. On weekends, the uber-popular Marrickville cafe could serve all its ravenous fans twice over and then some. So, they're gearing up to take their seasonal produce, community spirit and pickles to a second branch. And its home will be Annandale. If everything goes to plan, Cornersmith 2.0 (yet to be named) will open in June or July, just opposite Hinsby Park, on the corner of View and Piper Streets. "It had to be a corner site," co-owner Alex Elliott-Howery told Good Food. "We chose Annandale because we were looking for another suburb in the inner west with a really strong community." You can expect all the things that have made the cafe such a hit. One of its biggest drawcards is its produce. 'Seasonal' and 'local' aren't used as buzzwords, but as actual principles. On the new autumn menu, for example, you'll find a breakfast bowl loaded with yoghurt made by Kristen Allan, nashi, persimmon, unwaxed apple and honey pepitas, as well as peach, macadamia and fennel loaf with nutmeg and yoghurt butter. Then, of course, there's the famous picklery. Set up in an open kitchen, it's where the team makes the pickles, chutney and preserved fruits that end up on your plate. You can find out how they do it by joining a workshop. In Annandale, there'll be the added bonus of a park just across the road. Armed with stacks of goodies, you'll be able to head over for a private picnic — no need to queue for a seat if you're not in the mood or in a hurry. Via Good Food.
Local craft beer and local beats are brewing in the west — The Plot is returning to Sydney (Parramatta Park, specifically) for another year. Taking over Parramatta Park's monument and Old Government House on Saturday, November 19, The Plot will see the likes of A.B. Original, Vera Blue, Alex Lahey, The Bennies, E^ST, Elizabeth Rose, Thelma Plum, Montaigne, Buoy, Japanese Wallpaper, Running Touch and more on the music lineup alone. We've got five double passes to give away so you can go see some of Australia's best local music, while sampling nosh from food stalls run by some of Sydney's best bakeries, burger maestros, distilleries, breweries — and enjoying an event that doesn't suck. If you win, you'll get a $50 Moshtix voucher to go see your next show. Enter your details below. [competition]588188[/competition]
Taking his fearless, self-reflective tracks on the road yet again, Perfume Genius gives Aussie audiences a brave insight into what makes him tick. This Seattle native has a knack for pushing boundaries, famous for his daring depictions of sexuality and high-strung ballads that bleed with angst, anger and alienation. Off the back of two soulful records, Mike Hadreas (the man behind the stage name) struggled his way to completing his third studio offering Too Bright, released late last year. Thwarted by expectation, Hadreas has overcome insecurity and doubt to return with sleek, spine-tingling songs notably richer in vocal textures than his previous works. Donning a sharp new look to accompany his shift in sound, Hadraes plays up his divisive trademark style with an album exploring the universal experience of self-awareness and discovery. Touring across Canada and the States later this year, catch Perfume Genius before he heads home at highly-anticipated shows in Sydney and Melbourne.
Sydney Dance Company kicks off 2016 with CounterMove, a cracking new show. It’s a double-bill, presenting work from two of the world’s most fearlessly creative choreographers: Alexander Ekman, who hails from Sweden, and Rafael Bonachela, SDC’s artistic director. In just ten years, Ekman has become incredibly sought-after. He’s now received commissions from more than 45 dance companies, including Nederlands Dans Theater, Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet and Atlanta Ballet. CounterMove will present his 2010 work, Cacti, an affectionate parody of contemporary dance, which begins with sixteen dancers trapped on huge Scrabble tiles. Providing a striking contrast to this will be Bonachela’s Lux Tenebris, making its world premiere. Choreographed in response to a commissioned soundscape by Nick Wales, the work explores the highs and lows — and light and shades — of human experience. Opening on February 26 at Walsh Bay’s Roslyn Packer Theatre, CounterMove combines dance with movement, philosophy and comedy. From Sydney, the show will move to Canberra Theatre Centre, where it’ll open on May 19 and then to Melbourne’s Southbank Theatre, from May 25. Later in the year, it’s making tracks to the outback, with regional showings across New South Wales, Queensland, Darwin and Western Australia between June 17 and August 27.
Animals are better than people, so this double header is as good as sold out — and back by popular demand. Brendan Cowell has written The Dog, about the love triangle created when two men share a dog, and Lally Katz has created The Cat, about sharing a talking, smart-arse cat with your ex. Directing both is Ralph Myers, former Belvoir artistic director, friend to all animals and real-life co-parent of Cowell's dog. Benedict Hardie (The Drover's Wife) returns to star as app designer Marcus, in The Dog and lovesick guy Albert in The Cat. Xavier Samuel (Twilight: Eclipse, Love and Friendship) returns as Ben in The Dog and the cat in The Cat. Sheridan Harbridge (Girl Asleep) joins the cast as Miracle in The Dog and Albert's ex Alex in The Cat. The show played Downstairs in 2015, and now it's headed for the Upstairs stage. Two plays, one night, funny, furry. Book it.
Want to see a burlesque show that tells it like it is? Or circus cabaret that contemplates race relations in contemporary Australia? How about singing and striptease while smashing stereotypes? Or a performance that packs a punch of hip hop politics? All that makes up Hot Brown Honey, as well as dance, poetry, drama and a reflection of everyday problems. Fresh from acclaimed seasons in Adelaide Fringe and Melbourne Comedy Festival, these bold performers aren't just trying to entertain. They're also working through issues of colour and culture — and courting controversy — in a show that's certain to get people talking. The story jumps from the simmering shores of Polynesia to the bogan streets of Australia, peering through the eyes of an Indigenous drag queen and stepping through the life of a single mother who just happens to be a DJ. Hailing from Polytoxic Dance Theatre, Circus OZ and Briefs, the Luscious Lisa Fa'alafi, the Curvaceous Candy B and the Bodacious Busty Beatz package their tale and topics in spicy humour and simmering honesty. Some like it hot, indeed.
The name Knowles may be synonymous with Beyoncé — AKA Kween Bey— but her li'l sis Solange isn't standing in any shadows. The singer, songwriter, actress, model and fashion icon has won a Grammy, starred on the front covers of magazines and released a chart-topping album — and now she's coming to Sydney. Solange will be headlining Vivid 2018's LIVE component, performing four shows on June 1, 2, 3 and 4. They will be her only Aussie performances this time round, and her first since she toured back in 2014 (aside from a one-off performance at H&M in 2015). And she has released a tonne of sweet tunes since — including her award-winning album A Seat at the Table, which hit number one in the charts in late 2016. So, in June, expect to hear Solange belt out hits such as 'Don't Touch My Hair' — the lyrics of which the London Evening Standard's editors probably should've heeded — and 'Cranes in the Sky', which won a Grammy for Best R&B Performance. To get your hands on tickets, you'll need to enter a ticket ballot. To do so, head to the Opera House's website before midnight on Sunday, March 4 and register. Successful applicants will be notified on Thursday, March 8.
We don't usually have to twist your arm to get you to sink a cold one or two. But, just in case you're in need of another excuse to go drinking this weekend, why not pair it with some social good? Presenting Wayward Brewing Co.'s Craft for a Cause. Yep, it's as good as it sounds. All you have to do is drop by Wayward Cellar Bar on Sunday, May 1 and try the brand new Rose Kölsch, which has been created specifically to raise cash for Cystic Fibrosis NSW. To make your beering experience extra-pleasurable, there'll be live music from 3pm and tasty bites courtesy of Jarrod's Shakes and Dogs. Can't make it this weekend? Panic not. Rose Kölsch will be on tap throughout May. Plus, on May 25, Cystic Fibrosis NSW will host Festivale, a blowout party at Wayward, featuring surprise guests, merch and more beer than you can handle. (Dare you to prove us wrong). Tix for that are available over here. "Many other countries have a rich tradition of the local brewery being a cornerstone for the community rather than a massive factory run by a faceless corporation," said Wayward owner Peter Philip. "Craft beer is different — it's small, hand-made locally and run by people you know who are part of the community. At Wayward, we aim to make local breweries a vital contributor to the community and we encourage local publicans and other craft breweries to do the same." Make Wayward one of your stops on a DIY inner west brewery walking tour...
For a whole year now, MakerSpace and Company has been providing Sydneysiders with a place to make, build and create. Hundreds of folk who'd long dreamt about blacksmithing, pottery, jewellery-making and bicycle-building have been getting their hands busy, while avoiding the costly overheads of workshop rent and gear purchases. Now, MakerSpace is turning one, and the team wants you to join them for a makery celebration. Head along on Saturday, November 19 for tours, demos, workshops and exhibitions. Everyone is invited, from curious newbies to regular visitors. One of the biggest drawcards is a collaborative blacksmithing project — loads of smiths will be getting together to hammer, bend, cut and weld before your eyes. Then, at 7pm, a street party will kick off. Expect a herd of food trucks, oodles of booze courtesy of Batch Brewery and a market, where you can get your Christmas shopping done before mad season hits properly.
When the foodie gods close a door, they often open a window. Such is the case with Devon on Danks. After two years of serving up 63° eggs and 8am soft serve sundaes, the beloved Waterloo café, a spinoff of Devon Cafe in Surry Hills, will cease service in mid-September. That's the bad news. The good news is that before you can say "brunch", a brand new member of the Devon family will have popped up at Barangaroo. Devon's latest digs are expected to open by the end of October. Of course, it's far from the first big gastronomic get for The Streets of Barangaroo: Anason, Rabbit Hole and RivaReno to name a few are already trading, Matt Moran's three-storey salad bowl thing is coming, even the beloved Belle's Hot Chicken's pop-up is set to become permanent on the waterfront soon. "It's where the big players are going with some great restaurants, and we felt like we are ready to take that next step," said Danks owner Derek Puah. He also said that diners should expect something "a little different" from Devon 3.0. Now before you start fretting, that doesn't mean they'll be ditching their signature menu items. Rather, they're adding a bunch of new strings to their bow, including Asian style tapas and Japanese katsu sandwiches. Throw in a selection of beers, wines and cocktails, and suddenly the closure on Danks Street doesn't seem quite so bad. Look for Devon Café at Barangaroo in late October.
"Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whiskey is barely enough." Mark Twain knew. Bourbon, along with its siblings scotch and rye, has long cemented its place as one of the world's go-to spirits around campfires, in dark desert highway saloons, and in the most dim-lit of speakeasies. Barrel-aged and distilled in the United States (particularly in the South) since the 18th century, bourbon's an oft overlooked but beloved spirit, forming the base for some of cocktail history's biggest classics. We've delved into the history books to find the source of our favourite bourbon cocktails, from Don Draper's favourite, the Old-Fashioned, to the elegant Boulevardier, named after a 1920s Parisian magazine Hemingway contributed to. Plus, we've found some of the best in Sydney, so you can try them for yourself. Once you've made your way through the list, we reckon you'll be keen to get really into your bourbon. Thanks to Wild Turkey, one lucky Australian bourbon aficionado could be off to the US for a VIP behind the scenes experience at the home of Wild Turkey Bourbon in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. It's a very special five-day 'Behind the Barrel' event hosted by legendary distillers Jimmy and Eddie Russell from October 5-9, 2016. Head to Wild Turkey's Facebook page to enter. [caption id="attachment_576748" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Edsel Little.[/caption] BOULEVARDIER A strong-as-blazes bourbon cocktail named after a 1920s Parisian magazine? We're on board. It's said the Boulevardier was created by American writer Erskine Gwynne, who moved to Paris and founded The Boulevardier magazine in 1927. It apparently channelled The New Yorker, was targeted at upper-class expatriates, and included a casual piece or two from Hemingway. The publication ran monthly until 1932, but its eponymous cocktail is still alive and well on cocktail menus Sydney-wide today. If you love a Negroni (gin, Vermouth, Campari), you'll probably love a Boulevardier — it's essentially almost the same drink but with bourbon in place of gin, and slightly different ratios in the prep. High West Distillery in Utah even does a barrel aged Boulevardier, left to develop in American oak bourbon barrels for 120 days. Pew pew. Where to get a good one in Sydney: Nomad, Earl's Juke Joint. [caption id="attachment_576755" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Todd Page.[/caption] MINT JULEP A traditional Southern favourite in the States, the Mint Julep is a classic day drink for the picnickers and brunchers among you. This fresh little number sees a silver julep cup filled to the rim with bourbon, fresh mint, simple syrup and crushed ice. It's pretty much been the official cocktail for the Kentucky Derby for around 100 years (around 120,000 Mint Juleps are served every year over just two days). The cocktail has been sweetening up social gatherings since around the 18th century. Kentucky-raised US senator Henry Clay is attributed to its invention, whipping up a few at Washington DC's Willard Hotel. Every ingredient from the cup to the ice was originally meant to blatantly show-off wealth — not everyone had ice boxes or top shelf bourbon lying around in the 18th century. Where to get a good one in Sydney: Shady Pines, Papa Gedes. [caption id="attachment_562218" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Bodhi Liggett.[/caption] OLD-FASHIONED The very definition of an 'oldie but a goodie', the Old-Fashioned is one of the greats (and Don Draper's go-to). It's often referred to as one of the first ever cocktails, developed in the US in the 19th century in various concoctions of spirits, bitters, sugar and water, and officially called an 'Old-Fashioned' (as a bourbon-based cocktail) at the Pendennis Club in Louisville, Kentucky. It was a gentlemen's club founded in 1881. Robert Simonson, drinks writer for The New York Times, wrote an entire book on the history of the cocktail. "No single cocktail is as iconic, as beloved, or as discussed and fought-over as the Old-Fashioned," he wrote. "Its formula is simple: just whiskey, bitters, sugar, and ice. But how you combine those ingredients — in what proportion, using which brands, and with what kind of garnish — is the subject of much impassioned debate." One of the most debated components? Using rye, scotch or bourbon. Try all three, see how they compare and make sure someone else drives home. Where to get a good one in Sydney: Stitch, Grain, Surly's, Ramblin' Rascal Tavern, Easy Eight (for a popcorn version). [caption id="attachment_576754" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Flickr.[/caption] WHISKEY SOUR Not always a rye venture, the whiskey sour gets a little sweeter with a bourbon base. Like all good cocktail histories, there are many versions of the drink's origin. The original recipe was included in Jerry Thomas's 1862 book The Bartender's Guide, and according to the Seattle Whiskey Collective, the earliest mention of the whiskey sour was on a Toronto saloon menu in 1865. Peruvian newspaper El Comercio de Iquique claimed the "whisky sour" was created by English steward Elliott Stubb in 1872. And there's a mention of a whiskey sour in Wisconsin newspaper Waukesha Plain Dealer in 1870. But the basic instructions for the cocktail could be much older than that. The constant? Those classic ingredients: whiskey (bourbon or rye), lemon, water and sugar (or simple syrup). The cocktail's defining touch, egg white, was added a little later — but makes all the difference. Where to get a good one in Sydney: The Baxter Inn, Surly's, The Whisky Room, Shady Pines, The Wild Rover. [caption id="attachment_576749" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Dexter (yeah, it's in Melbourne, but look how cute it is).[/caption] PAPER PLANE An easy mix of bourbon, amaro, Aperol and lemon, the Paper Plane is a well boozy but refreshing cocktail for those keen for a libation with legs. It was created not too long ago by Melbourne-raised, New York-based bartender Sam Ross, according to the Village Voice. Apparently Ross named it after M.I.A.'s single of the same name. It's a great intro to amaro (a bitter Italian herbal digestif), as the bitterness of the liqueur is nicely balanced with the sweetness of the bourbon. Some modern mixologists sub out Aperol for Campari, however controversial or whatever that may be to you. Where to get a good one in Sydney: The Gilt Lounge.
Tuck into a lobster roll as tasty as they make 'em in Maine, when Sydney’s newest seafood eatery opens in Potts Point early next month. Co-founded by the owner of Darlinghurst speakeasy Love Tilly Devine, Waterman’s Lobster Co. will be located on the corner of Orwell Street and the outdoor dining hub that is Llankelly Place. Serving a mix of Australian and American-style seafood, Waterman's plans to present a simple, no-frills menu that you can actually afford. Serving lunch for seven days a week and dinner Monday through Saturday, the menu at Waterman’s will be split into three separate sections. Entrees including fresh clams, smoked mussels and fish rillettes with pickles will be priced between $12 and $17, while sides such as fish Caesar and purple cabbage slaw will cost you around $4 to $8. But the main attractions, of course, are the lobster rolls. Setting you back a pretty roll-standard $16 to $18, they'll be made with a range of local produce including Balmain bugs, swimmer crabs and Spencer Gulf prawns. Purists will also be able to enjoy a more traditional Maine or Connecticut style roll, with lobsters sourced straight from the Atlantic. "In our opinion, the cold water variety just has much better flavour and texture than the local spiny rock lobsters," says Waterman’s co-founder Matt Swieboda. "But in every other aspect, we’ve gone for local, sustainable ingredients, and some very un-American flavours." The owner and operator of Love Tilly Devine in Darlinghurst, Swieboda grew up catching and eating crayfish in Waterman’s Bay in Perth. Along with his childhood friend and co-founder Tristan Blair, he’ll be joined at Waterman’s by other co-founder Nate Hatwell (also ex-Love Tilly Devine) and bar manager Alex Carter (ex-Rockpool Bar & Grill). The latter will be responsible for the restaurant’s extensive drinks menu, with options ranging from East Coast American cocktails, American and Australian beers and a selection of local wines. Swieboda and co. recommend pairing your lobster with chardonnay, which sounds pretty damn good to us. Waterman’s Lobster Co. opens for business on June 9 and is located at 29 Orwell Street, Potts Point. For more information, check them out on Facebook and Instagram.
For playwright David Greig, Norwegian Anders Breivik's shooting of 69 young people at a summer camp in 2011 stuck a chord too deep to ignore. Translating emotions into art certainly isn't a new notion, but his socially aware play The Events has really got us thinking about the aftermath of these tragic experiences. While gun-related violence is a huge global issue affecting countless lives, individual people turn to art to help them understand such heinous acts on a personal level. When it comes to The Events, we're focused on one woman and her story. Written with reference to the Anders Breivik case of 2011, the play won over crowds at the 2013 Edinburgh Festival for its delicate contemplation of community and compassion in the face of gun-related violence. Closer to home, director Clare Watson brings The Events to life for Australian audiences. Showing at Sydney's Belvoir Street Theatre from May 12 to June 12, this powerful play explores theatre as a medium for social commentary and a means to personalise the events we see splashed across the headlines. Set in the halls of a fictional community centre, Catherine takes to the stage as Claire, a church minister responsible for leading the local community choir. After a young gunman tears the fabric of this group apart, Claire is forced to rebuild herself and her band of singers. We caught up with actress Catherine McClements, the lead in The Events.
Nothing screams spring quite like the bountiful new season menus popping up at cafes and restaurants across town. And now, the best of this local spring harvest is coming right to your doorstep, as Matt Moran delivers free (yes, free) produce boxes from his new Chiswick Veggie Van across the city this month. Celebrating the new spring menus launched at his Chiswick restaurants in Woollahra and at the Gallery, the acclaimed Aussie chef will work alongside Woollahra's head chef Tom Haynes to handpick a bounty of fresh produce from the restaurant gardens. Moran and Haynes will then load it into a converted 1960s van decked out in veggie illustrations and deliver the haul to a few lucky kitchens all over Sydney each Friday throughout November. The first round of produce boxes will be filled with the likes of blood oranges, eggplants, kale and golden nugget pumpkin, along with a guide for how best to use them all. Recipients will even score the recipe and ingredients for Chiswick's famed mint salsa, so they can recreate it in their own kitchen. "Spring is such a beautiful time at Chiswick," says Moran. "We are really excited to be able to bring a selection of our favourite spring produce items to our customer's door, so they can create their own dishes." Chiswick Veggie Van boxes will be delivered on November 10, 17 and 24. For the chance to score your own restaurant-quality veggie bonanza, register your interest here.
Spend a day immersed in Aboriginal culture and wander around the usually tour-only Bare Island at the latest edition of Blak Markets. Thanks to First Hands Solution Corporation and Randwick City Council, the single-day festival returns to Bidjigal Country for its next instalment on Sunday, August 6, which will feature the works of Indigenous artists, designers and small businesses. Here, you'll find a variety of handcrafted items, alongside homemade baked goods showcasing Indigenous flavours and ingredients, and top-notch skincare products and native plants from IndigiGrow. The lively markets will take over the island from 10am until 3pm — officially kicking off at 11am with a traditional welcome by Aunty Barb Simms and a smoking ceremony from First Hands Solutions CEO Peter Cooley. [caption id="attachment_910232" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] After that, you'll be treated to a cornucopia of bush tucker accompanied by performances from the likes of Cowra's Dinawan's Connection and Dubbo's Isaac Compton. Among the stalls, there'll be a plethora of Aboriginal art and design, as well as jewellery, woodwork and woven goods — plus, Indigenous treats and spices to trial or take home. And, you can opt to get hands-on by signing up to the weaving workshop that'll run throughout the day. Access to Bare Island is usually restricted to tour groups, so this is also a special opportunity to wander around freely while supporting a great cause, shopping ethically and learning from Indigenous creators and sellers. Admission for adults sits at the low price of $2.50, and children under five can head along for free. If you don't mind the cooler weather, take your snorkel — we reckon it's one of the prettiest underwater spots in Sydney.
However you're beating the heat this summer, one thing's for sure: the only way to start is with a good, cooling gin. Every Thursday to Sunday from March 2-12, head down to Bombay Sapphire's open-air pop-up garden bar at the Botanic Garden Restaurant and cool down with a cocktail. The Bombay Sapphire pop-up bar coincides with the brand's magical, multi-sensory, drinking and dining experience, Project Botanicals. Project Botanicals is a sit-down dinner where guests are treated to two gin-inspired cocktails and two matching dishes by Botanic Garden Restaurant head chef Matt Fletcher. One moment you'll be sampling cocoa-ash crusted kangaroo carpaccio alongside the Paradise Lost cocktail. The next, you'll be treated to confit pork belly, honey caramel, pink grapefruit and fennel paired with the Orris Root Floradora. Tickets to Project Botanicals are very nearly sold out, but if you miss out, head down to the Botanics Gardens Restaurant anyway and sample the same gin-inspired cocktails at the pop-up bar. Cocktails are made by Sydney bartenders from The Barber Shop, The Rook and 360 among others. Perhaps take some food along and have a picturesque picnic by the harbour? The pop-up bar is open Thursday to Saturday from 4pm - 10pm, and on Sunday from 2pm - 9pm. Head here for tickets to the Project Botanicals sit-down dinner.
Where the heck were you in 2006? Were you waiting in line at the Abercrombie? Did you lovingly hand over ten bucks at the door, march triumphantly to the bar to order a vodka, coke and raspberry, elbow your way to the d-floor and throw shapes on the sticky, sticky carpet to Bloc Party? WE WERE THERE TOO. Maybe we made out on a terrible couch. It's been ten years since the early Abercrombie days, and the Purple Sneakers crew have evolved from a weekly throwdown to one of Sydney's most on-the-pulse music blogs (run by nationally touring DJs) and a sought-after management company. So, of course, they're throwing a big fuck-off party. This year, Purple Sneakers turns ten and to celebrate they're running a big party called 'Ten Years Of Taste' during Vivid Sydney with mates UNDR Ctrl and FBi Radio. On June 18, it'll take over The Lord Gladstone — where Purple Sneakers moved their weekly party back in the day after the Abercrombie shut down for a spell — and it's going to be free. FREE. Expect one heck of a rowdy shindig, as Purple Sneakers have invited their talented friends along — expect sets from up and comers like Tashka, Lastlings and World Champion; alongside heavy beats from Indian Summer, Stephane 1993 and Moonbase Commander. There'll be DJ sets from I OH YOU, Pilerats, Astral People, Motorik and their mates from the old Abercrombie days Linda Marigliano and Levins. Finally (and of course) Purple Sneakers DJs will be closing the night with an hour and a half 'retrospective' set. According to the crew, the set will be "looking back at all the bangers we've all partied, loved, celebrated and passed out to." Count. Us. In. Purple Sneakers' 10th Birthday Party is happening at The Lord Gladstone on June 18 for Vivid Sydney. Entry is free but you'll need to RSVP.
If you're heading to The Rocks on a Friday night this summer, be prepared for that which cannot be prepared for. The Village Bizarre is back. Once a week, from Friday, November 13, The Rocks will transform into a labyrinth of magic, mystery, music and mischief. Turn into a cobblestone laneway and you're likely to meet a bunch of two-storey-tall inflatable men. Beware of stepping into the shadows, for you might encounter wily tricksters in the form of the Sepia Jezabels. Watch out for dancers and theatre performers waiting for you to pass by their shop windows. When you're ready to put your feet up, head to the Vaudevillia Bar for a spot of twisted cabaret, featuring crazy circus performers, physical comedy, an inflatable host and a three-piece band. Meanwhile, Bohemia's picture frame will conceal a secret room and, at Cabaret Sasquatch, you'll step into a dreamy landscape of centuries past. Check out the rest of the enormous program at the Rocks Bizarre website.
We all know that one day the singularity will be upon us and machines will rise up and take the planet. We know that. And yet when a super intelligent cooking robot wanders into our midst we welcome it with open arms — and that's probably because, even in the face of grizzly robot death, food is king. With that in mind, meet June the intelligent oven designed by a feisty gang of ex-Apple developers. June is incredibly advanced. Using image recognition technology, she can identify food types, weigh dishes and adjust cooking time to make sure your food is cooked perfectly (allowing you to have another wine and lose yourself in Game of Thrones without worrying about ruining dinner). She’s equipped with a touch screen with step-by-step instructions, a meal planner and recipe suggestions, a built-in digital scale, and push notifications. She also has (brace yourself) live HD video streaming from within the oven. Yep. We have a feeling that watching this fascinating live stream will become a household activity. And may opened-oven-door cakes never sink in the middle again. And although June looks like a wee microwave, she packs a powerful punch with the ability to preheat to approximately 180 degrees Celsius in four and a half minutes. And she has a NVIDIA Tegra K1 with 2.3 GHz quad-core processor, mostly likely making her more powerful than your laptop. Welp. The future is certainly now and we, for one, welcome our robot overlords. At least they know how we like our steak. Images: June Oven. Reserve your June oven here.
The fight to save The Rocks' Sirius Apartments has been raging for over seven months now, and Tim 'Rosso' Ross has no intention of giving it up anytime soon. In the latest of the Save Our Sirius saga, Rosso is leading a gathering this Friday, March 31 from 5pm. He's encouraging Sydneysiders to rethink your Friday arvo knock off drinks and join together in a celebratory protest of the Brutalist building and its relevance to Sydney's future. Oh, and Rosso is bringing the snags. Despite the unanimous advice of the Heritage Council to list the building, the NSW Government decided back in September to replace the public housing with luxury apartments, effectively pushing out its low-income occupants in an act that many feel is anti-community and anti-inclusion. The public outcry was massive and Rosso, along with Federal Labor frontbencher Anthony Albanese and Lord Mayor Clover Moore, led over 1500 people in a public rally to save the building. Afterward, protesters kept the fight going and launched a crowdfunding campaign, raising over $50,000 by 600 citizens. The money went to help the Millers Point Community Association launched a legal challenge against the NSW Government. Rosso's Friday protest is in response to the NSW Department of Family and Community Services (FACS) blocking out the windows of the Sirius after the building's architect, Tao Gofers, lead over 1000 people on walking tours of the apartments last month in an effort to raise greater public awareness around the issue.
You know summer's almost here in Sydney when openair cinemas start making big ol' announcements. Sydney's most visually stunning openair cinema, St George Openair Cinema, is back for the summer. Celebrating its 20th season this year, Sydney's beloved cinema with a million dollar view returns to Mrs Macquaries Point on Thursday, January 7 for a huge 40-night season until February 19. The 2016 program, which will be fully announced in December this year, will see more than a dozen premiere and preview screenings, a selection of 2015’s best arthouse films, as well as the all-time favourite Christmas and New Year releases. There were more than 50,000 tickets sold last year in the first days of pre-sales in December, so you'd better be organised when tickets go on sale on December 7. Keeping their tried and true formula intact, St George Openair Cinema will return with their epic grandstand seating, with those insane views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House which perpetually distract us from the 350 square metre cinema screen. Stupid beautiful Sydney. Nosh-wise, there's plenty afoot from the cinema's culinary team, with menus yet to be announced for this year's program. Last year saw all the Miss Chu rice paper rolls and Love Supreme pizza you could wolf at one of the prettiest openair cinemas in the world, so you can expect a gloriously gourmet season down at Mrs Macquaries Point. St George Openair Cinema 2016 runs January 7 to February 19. Tickets are on sale at 9am on December 7, 2015. Visit the website for updates, or follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
'The Voice' is coming to Bluesfest. Not the Delta kind, the only kind. Bluesfest have announced their second artist lineup for the 2016 festival. Living legend and eternal Sexbomb Tom Jones sits at the top of the bill, alongside Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds. Memories will be flooding (along with Bluesfest, if it rains again) with the appearance of Jackson Browne, alongside the The Decemberists. Things are going to get real Byron when The Wailers perform all four of Bob Marley’s albums Exodus, Survival, Uprising and Legend in their entirety. Returning Bluesfester Steve Earle is back with The Dukes, alongside Tweedy, Jason Isbell and Grace Potter. Add this motley crew to the first Bluesfest cornucopia of The National, City and Colour and UB40? You've got yourself a humdinger of a muddy, muddy weekend. Enough chatskies, here's who's playing. BLUESFEST 2016 SECOND ANNOUNCEMENT: Tom Jones Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds The Decemberists Jason Isbell Sturgill Simpson Tweedy Steve Earle and The Dukes The Wailers Grace Potter Lord Huron Nahko and Medicine For The People Vintage Trouble Lucky Peterson Emdee Blackberry Smoke BLUESFEST 2016 FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT: The National City and Colour UB40 featuring Ali Campbell, Astro and Mickey Virtue Joe Bonamassa Tedeschi Trucks Band The Cat Empire Lukas Nelson & Promise of The Real The Word Rhiannon Giddens Janiva Magness St. Paul & The Broken Bones Allen Stone The Selecter Shakey Graves Songhoy Blues + more Bluesfest runs Thursday, March 24 – Monday, March 28 at Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, Byron Bay. Tickets from Byron Bay Bluesfest. Image: Andy Fraser.
If you’re desperate for a Willy Wonka experience but don’t have the patience to look through all those candy bars for the golden ticket, we’ve got you covered. Sydneysider Katherine Sabbath, the cake magician whose outrageously Instagrammable creations look like they came straight from a unicorn-run Wonka factory combined with a touch of fairy dust, is hosting a high tea at The Tea Salon. Known for her wonderfully cartoon-like, candy-coloured creations, Sabbath is an up-and-coming fixture in the Australian foodie scene and has recently collaborated with big names such as Luke Mangan and Anna Polyviou. As you’d expect, her beautiful cakes have made quite a splash on Instagram. So what better way to let this talented Sydney food artist spread her wings than constructing an entire adorable high tea? On July 16 and 17, you'll be able to get your hands on a bounty of Sabbath’s marvellous cakes, cake pops, donuts and other weird and wonderful baked treats at The Tea Salon in the CBD. She’ll also be demonstrating how to make one of her epic cakes (you know what they say about teaching someone to bake an insanely delicious pastel cake masterpiece... they’ll eat it straight away. Totally an old saying.). But be sure to harden your heart and charge your phone camera, because Sabbath's creations look so good you'll almost (almost) not want to eat them. A spread of tea, sparkling rosé and scones will also be provided, as if you needed more reasons to attend. Here's a little taster: Katherine Sabbath’s Exclusive High Tea is happening on Thursday, July 16 (6pm-8pm) and Friday, July 17 (10am-12pm) at The Tea Salon, corner of Pitt Street Mall and Market Street, Sydney. Tickets are $45 pp, available here. Images: Katherine Sabbath and The Tea Salon. View all Sydney Events.
They say that every dog has its day. But in Sydney, it turns out they actually get a lot more than just one. Less than a week after packs of pooches descended on Cuckoo Callay in Newtown and an entire dog festival invaded Surry Hills, The Beresford in Surry Hills have announced a dog show of their own. Set for 3pm on Saturday, December 5, the inaugural Beresford Dog Show will welcome furry friends of all shapes and sizes. There'll be a series of contests with all sorts of goodies up for grabs, including treats, chew toys and prize packs courtesy of nearby pet boutique Pup N Pussy. Costumes are highly encouraged and there are bonus points if you and your dog wear matching outfits. (Full disclosure: there are no bonus points. We made that up. But you should still totally do it.) While the mutts strut their stuff, the humans can pick up some pet care tips from Pup N Pussy's Dillon, aka The Dog Whisperer, and grab a sample bag full of merchandise. Entry to the Beresford Dog Show is free, so you've got no excuses to skip it. For more information about the Beresford Dog Show, head to the website.
After the overwhelming, sold- out response to the The School of Life's Sydney pop-up in early 2016, the school has just announced it will open permanently on Monday July 25. The first term of programming will run from Monday, July 25 to Saturday, October 29, with tickets on sale at 10am this Monday, July 4. Founded in London in 2008, TSOL is a cultural endeavour to teach 'emotional intelligence,' offering encouraging ideas for everyday life through workshops, events and seminars. While the school currently operates in various cities around the world — including Amsterdam, Belgrade, Istanbul, Paris, Sao Paolo, Seoul and Tel Aviv — Australia is the first country to open a permanent branch outside of London, starting with The School of Life Melbourne in 2014. If Melbourne's recent classes on the philosophy of disco and a presentation on misinformation are any indication of what Sydneysiders have in store, we're a lucky bunch. While the school's main classroom is located on Castlereagh Street in the CBD, special large-scale events will run at other, sure to be iconic, venues across Sydney. Australians are, not surprisingly, welcoming this second outpost with open arms. The school's original founder, philosopher Alain de Botton, will be touring Australia throughout the opening month as a partnership launch with TSOL Australia. So what Life lessons are we learning? The first term features 23 'how to' classes spanning ideas surrounding love, work, life and death, as well as cultural workshops including 'Photography as Therapy', 'Making Meaning: Spring', 'Storytelling as Therapy', 'Living with a Creative Mind', 'Understanding Mindfulness' and 'Stoic Mindfulness and Meditation'. Special events are also included in the program. We're especially keen on the 'Music and the Mind' and the 'Night of Better Conversation' events. The school's customary philosophy brunches and its much-loved 'Bibliotherapy' services will also run throughout the semester. The School of Life Sydney will be located at Legion House, 161 Castlereagh Street, Sydney; Tickets for the first term of classes and events will go on sale at 10am on Monday, July 4. Keep your eyes on The School of Life's website and sign up for the mailing list for further announcements on major events of the program.
The flavours of French baking are coming to Potts Point later this month courtesy of La Boulangerie, a short-term bakery, restaurant and cocktail bar. Taking over Yellow, Brent Savage and Nick Hildebrandt's European bistro located in historic Yellow House, the pop-up patisserie is a collaboration between Yellow, Luxe Bakery and Grey Goose Vodka, and will be serving up delectable French pastries and ludicrous five-course dinners starting Friday August 21. During daylight hours, (9am-2pm to be precise) La Boulangerie will operate as a bakery, selling freshly baked baguettes and sourdoughs as well as a variety of traditional sweet pastries such as éclairs, almond croissants and pains au chocolat. You'll also be able to pick up jars of specially made Grey Goose confiture, in varieties such as pear and lemon, lemon and salt, and orange and Szechuan pepper. At night, Savage takes over the kitchen for a five-course gourmet dinner menu that'll run you $120 a head. Start with cured kingfish with cod roe and pickled cherry, and foie gras parfait with fermented apple, radish and red endive for entree, followed by mahi mahi with roast carrot and Grey Goose L'Orange bisque, and beef tri-tip with charred onion and green garlic for the main course. Assuming you've got room, dessert consists of pain d'espices with vanilla and vodka poached pear. The meal is also paired with a number of vodka cocktails that'll make it that much harder to get out of your chair once the evening is said and done. If that wasn't enough, La Boulangerie will also be running a pop-up martini bar between August 27-29, serving cocktails as well as a selection of fancy-schmancy bar snacks like mushrooms with quinoa crisps, braised lamb shoulder sliders, and chicken liver parfait. La Boulangerie will be located at Yellow, 59 Macleay St, Potts Points from August 21 until September 6. For more information visit their website.
For the entire glorious, autumnal month of April, the inner west's ravenous hordes will be just a hop, skip and a jump away from Josh Arthurs' extraordinary burgers. Yep, Burgers by Josh is taking over the kitchen at the Annandale Hotel for a whole four weeks. The event is a logical follow-up to the pub's two February Bush Burger pop-ups, which both sold out. Needless to say, the menu will be loaded with Josh's well-known creations, from the Fat Tony — a wagyu patty piled with provolone cheese, pickled Spanish onion and rocket — to the Infamous Primo, a wagyu pattie with American cheddar, house-made pickles, Thousand Island dressing, iceberg lettuce, beer battered onion rings and crispy American bacon, topped with a jalapeño popper. And, because it's a takeover, there'll be some extra additions in the form of weekend brunches. Expect breakfast burgers, peanut butter jelly toasties and more. Meanwhile, the hotel is developing a drinks menu designed to complement Josh's offerings. So gear up for all the big, fizzy, American flavours, from boozed milkshakes to spiked spiders. But if you're looking for some fruit at a burger pop-up at a pub, rest assured there'll be freshly squeezed juices too. The BBJ takeover launches at the Annandale Hotel on Friday, April 1. The menu will be available seven days a week between 11am-2.30pm and 5-9.30pm for four weeks, finishing up on Sunday, May 1. For more info visit annandalehotel.com.
The beer barons at Young Henrys must lead busy lives. Between running their Newtonian craft beer brewery and dreaming up Road House-themed bar takeovers, they've been enlisted by Australian chef and restaurateur Luke Mangan to team up with Kinkawooka Shellfish to bring you a month-long smorgasbord of mussels and beer. Yes, that’s correct. A month. Prepare your throat sack because like a pod of hungry pelicans, we’re going to be gulping bulk seafood. The festivities, aptly named 'Cook, Line and Drinker', kick off on June 9 with a four-course gala dinner at Mangan’s restaurant MOJO by Luke Mangan. Dishes will include crumbed mussel with hollandaise, Avruga roe and chives; pickled mussel accompanied by tiger prawn, witlof, radish, watercress and spicy herb vinaigrette; and pan-roasted salmon with Israeli cous cous, mussel (of course), tomato cucumber, dill and smoked butter. And dessert? A MOJO lamington that may or may not contain mussel — you’ll simply have to come along to find out. Kinkawooka Shellfish are providing the event with petit bouchot mussels, characterised by their small size, sweet flavour and buttery texture. These tasty mussels come from South Australia and are in season from May to September; so get 'em while they're hot, steamy and come with a side of expertly brewed craft beer. Don’t despair if the four-course affair exceeds your weekly mussel budget (gala tickets are a cool $110). You can rock up after June 9 to sample a bespoke mussel dish and a Young Henrys craft beer for $25 (small) or $29 (large). Cook, Line and Drinker is running from June 9 at MOJO by Luke Mangan, 8 Danks Street Waterloo. Tickets to the gala dinner are $110. To book, contact mojo@lukemangan.com or phone (02) 9002 5346.
The 2015 Sydney Peace Prize winner George Gittoes has worked to expose the injustices underlying global conflicts for the best part of 45 years. Navigating through war zones, the Australian artist, activist and filmmaker has endured extremely dangerous conditions over the course of his career, including death threats. Gittoes will be presenting the final part of his film trilogy titled What the World Needs Now at the MCA from November 13 – 22. The third instalment, Snow Monkey, will document the lives of Afghani people caught between Islamic State and the Taliban. The artist became active on the Australian art scene during the ‘70s, co-founding the Yellow House Artist Collective alongside Martin Sharp and Brett Whiteley. However, it was during the ‘80s that he started developing more of an international outlook. Now based in Jalalabad, Gittoes continues to work with local communities, catalysing creative initiatives and shedding new light on murky conflict zones.
Family-less folks of Sydney, don't stay at home this Christmas Eve, singing out-of-tune Christmas carols on your own and knocking back copious amounts of average beer. Instead, get yourself along to Wayward Brewing Co, where you'll be singing out-of-tune Christmas carols in a group and knocking back copious amounts of quality Sydney craft beer. Feeling better already? That's right, Camperdown's neighbourhood brewery is hosting an orphans' do and you're invited. All you have to do is throw on your best-worst Christmas sweater or Bad Santa outfit and go, go, go. When you're not sipping or singing (we weren't joking about the singalong), you'll be feasting on Christmas lamb or ham, courtesy of Smokin' Barrels BBQ. Entry is free and the revelry kicks off from midday, winding up around 10pm.
You've run around scavenger hunting with sharks, drinking cocktails with clownfish and dancing against the glass with rays (what, you didn't? Oh...), now it's time to take your after hours tomfoolery to the halls of the almost famous. The Festivalists are moving their next Hijinks party from the Sydney Aquarium next door to Madame Tussauds wax museum. The Festivalists are ditching the daytime Darling Harbour crowd for one creepy, glamorous party after closing time, dubbed '15 Minutes of Fame' on Friday, May 29. "No kids. No tourists. No C-listers." WE'RE IN. Deliberately going well OTT as an dramatically super-glam red carpet party, Hijinks will feature five pop-up bars (yep, five), interactive games and performances by drag artists, comedians, dancers and impersonators. And yes, dressing up as a celeb is encouraged. You'll be able to taunt the flamin' galahs about the place with Alf Stewart, meet Eddie Mabo, Albert Einstein and Henry Lawson or snuggle up to the recently-revealed Ryan Gosling (with his 'interactive abs')... You can have mad chats with Barack Obama, take dumb selfies with Taylor Swift, Madonna and Miley Cyrus and suss out the wax museum's brand new resident — Chris Hemsworth (good attempt, don't know about that hair though). Be sure to shoot the breeze with MT's wax sculptors, compete for Best Celebrity, get some form of makeover or just victoriously taunt celebrities who are shorter than you. Tickets are just $25 (normal daytime entry is $40) and include a complimentary Little Creatures beer or Stoli vodka cocktail on arrival (you'll have to bring cashola for more drinkies). You're advised to allocate 90 minutes to go through the venue. Any Ryan Gosling-loving cousins of yours who are under 18 aren't allowed, so you'll have to bring 'em back in the daytime. The next Hijinks is happening from 6.30pm on Friday, May 29 at Madame Tussauds, Aquarium Wharf, Darling Harbour. For more info and tickets, head over here.
Vivid Sydney is very nearly upon us and just when we thought it couldn't get any better — what with the lights and Bjork, Spike Jonze, Bon Iver and House of Cards creator Beau Willimon all coming out this year — they go and blow our wee minds by announcing this year's food hub, an all-star Sydney burger bar themed like a vintage arcade game. The pop-up, named 8Bits+Bytes, is a collaboration between local creative studios Motti+Smith and Paper Moose. They've got Sydney burg royalty on board to battle it out to get their name to the top of the leaderboard. Coming in to bat will be legends Mary's, Milk Bar by Café Ish, Pub Life Kitchen, Surry Hills' Bangbang Cafe, and Sammy's Burger Bar. Prepare your body. Aesthetics-wise, the pop-up will be styled to look like the inside of an 8bit arcade game with giant pixelated trees, burgers and storm clouds. A huge LED light wall (three metres tall by 30 metres long) will tell the tragic, pixelated tale of a burger's adventures through life. Be sure to play before you eat though, because the gaming is all interactive (hello motion tracking gaming technology). But onto the meat of the matter: the burgers. Each burg bigwig is in competition with the others to win your heart (and your vote) with a burger they've created especially for the occasion. Votes will be cast by hashtag across social media (as democratic elections have always been done), and will be tallied in real time on a digital scoreboard. So what's going to be on offer? Glad you asked. Mary's will be cooking up a Pac Man Burger, a tame twist on their classic with grass-fed beef, triple cheese, Mary's BBQ Sauce and onion rings. Café Ish has teamed up with the guys from The Jugernauts to create the Double Dragon: a milk bun filled with a double wagyu beef patty, double American cheddar, kimchi, green oak lettuce, miso sauce, seaweed, aioli and a milk bun (is your mouth watering yet?). Also teaming up with the food blog are Bangbang, who has designed the HACKRoulette (a cheeseburger topped with chilli con carne, more cheese and umami sauce served with a shot of pickle juice), and Sammy's Burger Bar on the Polish Pounder, a medium custom ground beef patty, cheese, sauerkraut, Polish slab bacon, horseradish mustard sauce and a dill pickle on a toasted brioche bun. Pub Life Kitchen have yet to announce their menu, but we're sure it will be just as enticing — there's some stiff competition after all. To be a fair judge, you will have to try all the burgers — perhaps several times each, and perhaps while playing motion tracking video games. Just to be fair. After all, you decide who wins, although what they win is unclear at this point...but really, at the end of the day, if we're stuffed full of burgers, don't we all win?
The gourmet grocers at Salt Meats Cheese have swung open the steel doors on their latest tasty venture: a pizza oven nestled inside a ten-foot-tall shipping crate. Shipped all the way from Naples, the traditional wood-fired oven will be the roaring heart of the fittingly named The Pizza Box, an eat-in pizzeria in the middle of their Alexandria warehouse store. Serving everything from margheritas to lobster tail with fontina and thyme, The Pizza Box aims to combine the very best of traditional and contemporary toppings — taking its inspiration from modern pizzerias in Italy. In addition to the above, options include typical fare like prosciutto and chorizo varieties, as well as more upper-crust combinations such as Tasmanian smoked salmon with gorgonzola, walnuts, capers and rocket, and wagyu bresaola with parmesan, caramelised onion, rocket and balsamic on a white pizza base. But it's not all pizza all at once. Entrees include a selection of cured meats, cheeses and chutneys, beef meatballs in tomato sauce, as well as your choice of pumpkin, spinach ricotta or bolognese arancini. You’ve also got plenty of dessert options, including chocolate mousse, tiramisu and gelato with Limoncello sauce. The Pizza Box trades from 6pm to 10pm, with Salt Meats Cheese also offering 20 percent off retail items for anyone who shops during extended hours. If you’d rather eat at home, the team are offering delivery — you can order via Menulog and get 25 percent off your first delivery. Find The Pizza Box at Salt Meats Cheese, 41 Bourke Road, Alexandria.
One of Australia's most redeeming qualities is its ability to give good afternoon sun. There's something about its familiar glow that almost demands casual drinks – whether it's cracking open a cold beer after a day out in the sun, heading to the pub after a long day of work, or deciding on a whim that your backyard is perfect for a friendly barbecue. We love afternoon sessions, and we've partnered with Heineken 3 to put together a list of five places where you can grab an afternoon bev. WATSON'S BAY The Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel has been keeping the Eastern Suburbs inebriated for a merry 180 years. In 2013, after being snapped-up and made over by The Sydney Collective, it reopened with a more-glamorous-than-ever look, complete with Miami mint green facade, stripy umbrellas and Breton-striped waitstaff. This pub's 'beach' is a tranquil, harbourside strip of sand, foregrounding dreamy views. It's the perfect place to feast on an elaborate menu and knock back a few cold Heineken 3s. WEBSTER'S BAR This three-level pub in Newtown has the huge task of filling the shoes that Zanzibar left on King St. It has succeeded. It has one of the best rooftops in Sydney, complete with bird cages, astro turf and a barbecue that rages in the summer. Webster's is the only bar in Sydney that we think does a good job in combining a 1920s-style prohibition bar with a 1950s backyard-style rooftop. MANLY WHARF HOTEL For yet another perspective on this beautiful city, jump on a ferry at Circular Quay for a visit to the Manly Wharf Hotel. Grab a bench outside under a yellow-and-white-striped umbrella, so you can watch the sun dying over Sydney Harbour. Afterwards, go looking for Manly's resident fairy penguins, who live near the wharf and are often keen on a twilight waddle. An alternative adventure is a stroll across the Corso. THE BUCKET LIST The Bucket List is the closest you can get to Bondi Beach while drinking alcohol, without breaking the law. Drag up a padded milk crate next to a recycled wooden table and order a bucket of prawns, along with a bucket of beer to match. Then, all you have to is let the afternoon carry you away — whether it's wave-watching, sky-watching or people-watching you're into, Bondi won't let you down. COOGEE PAVILION Justin Hemmes never does anything by halves and the Coogee Pavilion, which he took over and revamped in late 2014, is no exception. For killer views of Coogee Beach and loads of sunshine, claim a table among the lush plants on the balcony. Meanwhile, inside, there are games galore — from petanque and ping pong to giant Scrabble. Should your afternoon turn into an evening, take your pick of eats from freshly shucked oysters, sashimi, wood-fired pizza and Mediterranean delights. Enjoy your summer afternoons with the new low-carb Heineken 3 – we're helping you make the most of them. Top Image: Watson's Bay Hotel.
Sydney lost a stalwart of the Kings Cross nightclub scene when Hugos closed its doors back in 2015. But the site of former venue is slowly being brought back to life. First, the team from Double Bay's now-closed Casablanca opened a Miami-inspired lounge bar in the Bayswater Road space, and now two of Sydney's young-gun restaurateurs will launch a 'concept' Mexican restaurant in the same dwelling this week. Fei Jai and Barrio Cellar's owners Nicole Galloway and Peter Lew have today revealed Chula — which, by coincidence, is just across the road from their former venue, Barrio Chino. Occupying the long-vacant premises, the restaurant will revolve around authentic, Mexican seafood and vegetable dishes. Reese Griffiths, founder of The Agave Cartel, has come on board to oversee the agave-heavy drinks list, and Alvaro Valenzuela, who has moved from Mexico City to Sydney for the gig, is head of the kitchen. The menu will be a bit more refined than that of Barrio Cellar's, and will include authentic Latin American delights with a strong regional focus, such as ceviche, aguachile, charcoal whole fish and tostadas. There'll also be a tortilla dish with tlayuda (a traditional black bean puree) charcoal meats from Oaxaca in Mexico's south that pays homage to the building's former pizza-making resident. "Mexican is a very special culture and cuisine so we wanted to create a menu that celebrates the rich traditions and flavours, while treating it with a contemporary hand. Simple food that's seriously flavourful and visual," says Galloway. Chula's interior is styled by Joshua Clapp from Steel + Stitch with the Mexican countryside in mind. With tones that channel countryside and beach, along with vintage cabinets, linen, tiled murals and an agave garden, you'll feel like you're in a Mexican country cantina. The new restaurant's name, Chula, has a double meaning. In Mexican slang, it's both 'pretty' and 'hot', and both the restaurant's stunning interior and picante menu can be described using this one word. "Kings Cross is our home, we raise our children here, we've had four businesses in the area," Galloway said. "King Cross has gone through an enormous amount of change over the last few years, and the idea of it coming back to life with new residential projects, bars, eateries and retail is an incredibly exciting prospect." Chula will officially open tomorrow, Wednesday, October 11 and will be open for dinner Wednesday through Sunday (and until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays). It seems as though Mexican food is getting a second wind in Sydney — Melbourne Mexican chain Fonda will be opening its first Sydney outpost in Bondi later this month too. Chula will open at 33 Bayswater Road, Sydney on Wednesday, October 11. For more info visit chula.com.au. Images: Kai Leishman.
Newtown's ultimate pub crawl is back for its sophomore year. On Sunday September 4, 40 venues between Missenden Road and St Peters Station will welcome 150+ music acts through their doors, for a day-long party in the inner west. Participating in this year's event is a motley lineup of Newtown favourites, from bars and pubs to restaurants and cafes, plus record stores and venues that specialise in live music. And despite the name, it's not just King Street that gets to have all the fun this year, with stalwarts on Erskineville and Enmore Roads getting in on the action too. As for the entertainment, expect a who's who from the local music scene, with the likes of The Gooch Palms, The Laurels, Shining Bird, Bec Sandridge, Richard in Your Mind and about 147 or so more all expected to perform.
Hello Kitty's imminent fate as a burger has been confirmed. Chur Burger's award-winning chef Warren Turnbull has joined the team heading up the kitchen at the highly-anticipated Hello Kitty Diner in Chatswood. The first-announced 'local food hero' bringing their mad skills to the diner, Turnbull will be given the opportunity to interpret Hello Kitty according to his own personal style. That means burgers, people. Turnbull's Surry Hills laneway joint, Chur, still has lines out the door on a weekday, so this is a strong poach from the Diner team. Turnbull will be pretty hands-on with the Diner's exclusive Sydney menu, kitchen set-up and staff training. His menu will include burgers (of course) and yet to be revealed snacks — we've been given 'Asian twist' as a clue here, with the promise of Korean fried chicken and classic American diner vibes. "Food is my way of telling a story and I’m excited to introduce people to a whole new Hello Kitty experience," says Turnbull. "The menu will take you on a journey that’s tasty, fun and full of surprises.” Sydney's first Hello Kitty Diner revealed its opening date and location last week, and remains one of the year's most awaited Sydney openings. Watch this space for more details — we're hanging out for the menu.
LA clubbing royalty is headed to Australia for the first time ever this month — and she's making sure its a debut to remember. High-octane, inclusivity-focused party A Club Called Rhonda has become something of a legend in the States, described as a "pansexual paradise, a haven for all identities and inclinations". And, having graced venues across LA, San Francisco, New York, Canada and Berlin, she's making an extravagant one-night appearance at Sydney's own home of good times, The Lansdowne. Making the most of the pub's freshly approved 5am lockout-free licence, Picnic + Terzini Presents A Night In LA with A Club Called Rhonda crashes into town for one debaucherous evening — filled with glitter, lasers and colour — on Saturday, August 24. A star-studded cast of US and Canadian guests will be along for the ride, from Atlanta QTPOC crusader Leonce to Montreal's ghetto-house superstar Martyn Bootyspoon and Rhonda Co-Founder Goddollars. Joining the internationals on the bill will be a lineup of local dance legends and queer icons, including Stereogamous — the self-proclaimed gayest band since The Village People — and Ayebatonye. Other DJs and performers working their magic across the Lansdowne's two levels include Sarah Moany, Adi Toohey, Millie Skyes, Felicia Foxx, Luen and Freda's Spicy Salami (aka owner David Abram). Of course, with that lineup and those hours, you're going to need some decent fuel, which comes in the form of tropical disco cocktails from Yael Vengroff — American Bartender of the Year 2018 and head bartender at The Spare Room in LA. Picnic + Terzini Presents A Night In LA with A Club Called Rhonda will run from 9pm–5am.
Cruising into Sydney Harbour, tourists aren't given too much of a heads up that Sydney is and always will be Gadigal land. Passing the Sydney Opera House (by Danish architect Jorn Utzon) after sailing by the Sydney Harbour Bridge (realised by multiple English-born or -descended minds), there's plenty of European heritage on show. But the City of Sydney intends to give the Aboriginal peoples of Sydney their own monument, to remind both tourists and Sydneysiders of their ancient heritage and also that Indigenous people are a still a huge part of the city's modern identity and community. The City of Sydney is commissioning an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander artist to get started on a new $1.25 million monument to be located near Sydney Harbour, making moves to fix Sydney's lack of visual recognition of the land's original and remaining inhabitants. According to SMH, the new monument means to publicly celebrate the Eora people of Sydney and recognise the city as traditionally and currently Gadigal land. "The Monument for the Eora will be a prominent public artwork to honour the Eora Nation and, in time, a Sydney Harbour landmark like the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge," Lord Mayor Clover Moore told SMH. It's all part of the City of Sydney's Eora Journey, a huge project that celebrates the living culture of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Sydney with seven major public artworks, a huge major event, an economic development plan and an upcoming Aboriginal cultural centre. This isn't Sydney's first major Indigenous public artwork plan, but as SMH points out, past initiatives haven't been realised as they should. Apparently the Biennale of Sydney actually commissioned a huge memorial to Indigenous people in 2010, to be carved into the cliff (carved into the cliff!) across from the Opera House. But it never happened. In better news, many works by Indigenous artists have been commissioned for the Barangaroo site, which has just opened its foreshore park. Artists need to submit their monument proposal to the City of Sydney by November 16. The $1.25 million artwork is expected to be installed on Sydney Harbour by 2017. Via SMH.
Rockpool Dining Group is making good on its promise of rapid expansion, with the hospitality group now boasting a whopping 60 venues. This includes last year's openings of Rosetta Sydney and Cantonese restaurant Jade Temple, along with Burger Project openings in Brisbane and Parramatta and the launch of two takeaway spinoffs, Fratelli Famous and Saké Jr. Not to mention openings of Rockpool and Sake planned for Paramatta in 2020. Now, the Neil Perry-led mega group is teaming up with Patrón Tequila on a new Mexican restaurant and bar in Circular Quay. Considered a 'premium dining venue', Bar Patrón by Rockpool combines Mexican flavours with fresh Australian produce and, of course, lots of tequila. The fit-out, familiarly designed by Grant Cheyne (who looked after Jade Temple, Burger Project and Rockpool Bar & Grill), takes inspiration from Mexican haciendas, the sub-tropical timber homes of Queensland and Caribbean bungalows — though this space is certainly no humble bungalow. Located in the old Café Nice — and, most recently Café Ananas — space, the venue boasts the same large windows looking out towards the harbour but with a window-side marble bar, Italian leather furnishings, lush greenery, retro bronze light fittings and some red-orange tones. Perry will oversee the menu, which focuses on modernised Mexican classics for lunch and dinner, serving the pre-theatre and late-night city crowds — the kitchen will stay open past midnight. Think snacks like wild mushroom empanadas and chicken adobo tamales, tacos including al pastor and zucchini flower, tortas and ceviche for lunch and larger plates of enchiladas, chicken mole and shared taco platters for dinner. It's also offering a daily range of house-made pastries and desserts, including flan, dessert tamales and traditional corn cakes. Patrón is, not surprisingly, the only tequila on the menu, which includes its core range alongside special edition tequilas like Roca Patrón and Gran Patrón for top shelf drinkers — with five limited and numbered barrels distilled exclusively for the bar. For the really high rollers, the bar also houses bottles of hard-to-find drops of Patrón en Lalique Serie 1 and 2, which come in limited edition crystal decanters that cost over $10,000. Signature margaritas sit alongside other cocktail offerings including classic Mexican favourites like palomas and horchata. For wine, the list features local drops but also spans regions from Spain and Portugal to Argentina, Chile and the States, with an extensive Champagne menu to boot. For private events, the space accommodates up to 150 of your nearest and dearest, or a small VIP area for up to 20 guests is also available — which might come in handy on Thursday through Saturday nights when DJs take the stage. Rockpool Dining Group's foray into Mexican follows a recent wave of Mexican restaurants that have opened in Sydney, including Chula in Potts Point and Bondi's Fonda. Bar Patrón opens for dinner on Thursday, March 8 at 2 Phillip Street, Sydney. It'll be open from for lunch and dinner until midnight seven days a week, with the kitchen staying open later on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights (with a bar menu from 11pm). For more info or to make a booking, visit barpatron.com.au.
SXSW has hit Sydney for its first-ever event outside of the US and Concrete Playground is on the lineup. We're putting on a panel about news and information in the era of short-form video during the eight-day conference. Gone are the days of "I read an article about". Gone are even the days of "actually, I just saw the headline". We're now well and truly in the age of "I watched a TikTok". The way that we absorb information is constantly changing, and right now video is ruling — especially among gen z and millennials. Our SXSW Sydney panel is looking at just this, pulling together a group of video-first creatives to discuss how young people are consuming info in the digital age. The panel will feature Pedestrian.TV's Issy Phillips to discuss digital news and journalism; astrophysicist and scientific communicator Kirsten Banks to chat about the role of TikTok, Reels and YouTube in sparking people's love in all things space; and Concrete Playground's very own Ben Hansen to talk about how we're searching for recommendations and deciding how to fill our calendar in 2023. Moderating the panel will be producer of ABC Radio National's AWAYE! and former Out of the Box host on FBi Radio Mia Hull. If you want to head along, the panel is taking place at Room E3.9 at ICC Sydney at 2pm on Wednesday, October 18. Appetite for Distraction is open to anyone with a Platinum Badge or Industry Badge at SXSW Sydney. Check out our full round-up of the ten panels and talks to have at the top of your hit list for the conference. Top image: Jordan Kirk.
Potts Point laneway anchor Waterman's Lobster Co. is no more. No longer a restaurant obsessed with the perfect lobster roll (only Maine or Connecticut style, no exceptions), the Lankelly Place space is now a moody, late-night wine bar. Owner Matt Swieboda has brought the original team from Darlinghurst small bar Love, Tilly Devine back together for the new venture, which has been dubbed Dear Sainte Éloise. The new venue's name is taken from George Orwell's first full-length book Down and Out in Paris and London, in which the destitute narrator prays to a photo of (who he thinks is) Sainte Éloise for enough money to buy bread and wine. "To us, this passage shows the joy that these really simple things can bring and that's what we're all about," says Swieboda. It turns out the photo in the book is actually of an infamous brothel madame, which the team saw as another sly nod to their Tilly Devine days. Dear Saint Éloise has a strong emphasis on wine, with a whopping 350 list to choose from. "Like at Tilly, we want to over-deliver on people's expectations and show them the diverse kind of wine list you can have in a small space," says Swieboda. The menu spans from Austrian and German to Spanish and Portuguese varieties, as well as South African, Georgian, and the requisite Australian and New Zealand bottles. A section of the wine list titled 'The Less Popular But Very Delicious Wines Of The World' also includes some more obscure French varietals, along with Greek and Hungarian. The rest of the drinks menu is pared back to keep the focus on wine, but includes a very small, four-cocktail list featuring a 'premium' Negroni using Tasmanian gin, Spanish vermouth and Adelaide's Applewood Distillery liqueurs. Joining Swieboda in this venture is a crew of Tilly alumni, from business partner Nate Hatwell (head sommelier at Mercado) and manager Jasmin Natterer (London's Sager and Wilde) to head chef Ben Abiad (co-founder Brickfields Bakery, ex-Sean's Panaroma and Mecca). Abiad will oversee the venue's two kitchens which include a restaurant kitchen and a front-of-house/bar kitchen. Menu highlights include burrata topped with smoked oil and served with charred bread to start, and a Gundooee sirloin served with radish butter and silky fennel for main. The venue also has a particular focus on oysters, which they're sourcing fresh for each service from the farmers at Australia's Oyster Coast Co-op. The Waterman's fit-out has been transformed to take on this small bar persona, swapping out the outdoor seating and bright, open space of Waterman's for an indoor-only, intimate 45-seater with warm lighting and dark timbers. Dear Sainte Éloise is looking to become the next late-night haunt for the area, with the kitchen open until 11.30pm five nights a week. Dear Sainte Éloise is now open at 5/29 Orwell Street, Potts Point. Opening hours are Tuesday through Thursday from 5pm until midnight, Friday through Saturday noon to midnight and Sunday noon to 6pm. For more info, visit dearsainteeloise.com.au. Images: Nikki To.
Between work and errands, who has time to visit art galleries during the week? Luckily, the Art Gallery of NSW is kind enough to invite us into their galleries every Wednesday until 10pm for their ongoing Art After Hours event. But this week has more Australian '80s-style synth pop than usual, with Sydney's own Client Liaison playing a free show as part of the After Hours festivities. Renowned for their infectious '80s synth and '90s pop influences, this pair continues to pack a punch with the release of their debut EP, Queen, last year. If their sold-out Spiegeltent shows at Sydney Festival this year are anything to go by, the AGNSW had better put a few more nails in the wall — furious dancing is mandatory. Extravagant and over-the-top in every way, Harvey Miller and Monte Morgan are well worth checking out, revisiting or continuing your straight-up superfandom for. If a high-energy midweek dance party sounds like your jam, check out Client Liaison from 7.30pm in the Entrance Court. Again, it's free. Words by Lucinda Starr, Emily McHale and Shannon Connellan.
