You might think that during winter Sydney's Royal Botanic Garden takes a little time out to relax, while the greenery lies dormant and Sydneysiders head indoors. But you'd be wrong. Winter hides a hidden trove of activities, exhibitions and delights best enjoyed in the cold, without the summer crowds. Alright, Vivid Sydney brought crowds to the garden, but that's just one. Sydney's 200-year-old public garden is far from dormant in the cooler months. Don't spend your winter staring out the window, pining for summer. Rug up in your woollens and head down to the Garden to discover a whole new world that's a riot of colour and life. EXPLORE THE CALYX Sydney's Royal Botanic Garden turns 200 in 2016 — and it's landed itself one humdinger of a birthday present. Meet The Calyx, the Garden's new world-class horticultural experience. Opened to coincide with the official opening date of the Garden on June 13, 1816, 200 years ago, this dazzling new UFO-shaped public space not only houses thousands and thousands of plants, but gives Sydneysiders an escape from the city's busy streets and relentless traffic. It also provides a new outdoor home for fun, innovative exhibitions. The first, open from June 11, is Sweet Addiction, an interactive adventure through the botanic story of chocolate, from bean to bar. Starting your journey deep in a tropical rainforest, you'll see, touch and smell your way through ancient lands and chocolate plantations, before reaching a tasty pop-up shop — the site for many future chocolate activities and tastings. Also part of the show is a collection of 18,000 plants, which have been arranged as living artworks. Together, they form the biggest contiguous green wall in the Southern Hemisphere, measuring six metres in height and 285 square metres in area. Move over, Patrick Blanc. (Mind you, we can't deny that One Central Park's wall is looking prettier with every passing day. TREECYCLE Treecycle is an exhibition designed for the 200th birthday celebrations of the Royal Botanical Garden (after all, 200 is the new 40). The exhibition, running August 12-21, is an exploration of the amazing skills of Sydney's carpenters, wood carvers and artisans. Curators Leon and Ginny Sadubin will display all the wooden furniture, instruments, jewellery and sculptures that have been produced to honour the trees that once stood in the gardens. All proceeds from sales will go to support conservation, so if you've been meaning to invest in some Australian-made furniture, grab your ticket to the opening night auction and get your bid on. ABORIGINAL HERITAGE TOURS Want to school yourself on Australia's cornucopia of delicious native ingredients and the culture of the Aboriginal People of Australia? An Aboriginal Heritage Tour is the perfect activity for you. The Garden was an important ceremonial site for many of the Sydney Aboriginal Nations, and home to the Cadigal people of the Eora Nation. The tour is designed to clue you in on the culture and artefacts of the Aboriginal People of Australia as well as teach you about traditional bush tucker and where to find it. Your Aboriginal tour guide will lead you around the gardens and open your eyes to the bounty of native food on your doorstep and you'll even get to taste some as well. Book your tour here. STOCK UP ON HONEY MADE RIGHT IN THE GARDEN Our bee populations have been doing it rough lately, worrying scientists and honey-lovers the world over with their dwindling numbers. But the bees living in the Royal Botanical Garden are thriving. They have access to a huge array of healthy native flora and exotic flowering plants, so the raw honey (available in the Garden Shop) produced by the in-house beehives has a unique flavour you won't find in your standard Capilano squeezy bottle. Raw honey has a well documented array of health benefits, so winter is the perfect time to guzzle it down with tea and hope like hell it staves off the sniffles. Plus, all income generated from the honey goes back into plant conservation programs, so you can rest easy knowing Captain Planet is very happy with you. VISIT GLASSHOUSE LATITUDE 23 AND FERNERY If you miss the high humidity of summer or just need to step in from the cold, a visit to a glasshouse may be just what you need. Latitude 23 is a tropical display, housed in two greenhouses next to the Fernery in the southern end of the garden. It's almost otherworldly as you enter, crammed full of exotic plants and flowers that will transport you away from winter to warmer climes. Next door the Fernery is even more impressive, with high vaulted ceilings and over 200 species of ferns in residence making it the perfect place to spend a quiet afternoon.
Pull on those Blundstones, the great outdoors are calling. Sydneysiders love a good trek and we're lucky enough to have so many great hiking tracks right in our backyard. The best among these is arguably the Blue Mountains, but with so many trails and paths to traipse, choosing is the hard part. From easy day hikes to hardcore overnighters, the Blue Mountains have it all. We're bringing you a few of our favourite ways to break in those hiking boots. [caption id="attachment_574861" align="alignnone" width="1280"] NSW National Parks.[/caption] CLIFF TOP WALKING TRACK How far: 6km/3.5 hours return Difficulty level: Medium What you'll see: Yellow-tailed black cockatoos and king parrots What to bring: A packed lunch and your binoculars The Cliff Top Walking Track starts at Govetts Leap lookout and takes you around a heart-racing, cliffside walk toward Evans Lookout. This trek offers the best views over Grose Valley and is also a birdwatcher's dream trail, so be sure to bring your binoculars along — the yellow-tailed black cockatoos and king parrots are both regularly spotted. The heath is also dotted with colourful wildflowers in spring, when you can catch the white-naped honeyeater. If you're trekking during winter, this trail is ideal to keep warm with the sun shining from the east. For waterfall chasers, stop off at Barrow Lookout, a true stunner. Don't forget to pack lunch and enjoy a picnic at Evans Lookout before retracing your steps back to the start. GREAT ROUND WALK How far: 6km/about two hours round trip Difficulty level: Medium What you'll see: A 'best of' the Blue Mountains What to bring: Sturdy hiking boots and a camera If you're looking for a day trip that will combine a few adventures, check out Scenic World's Great Round Walk, which includes the Scenic Skyway, Prince Henry Cliffwalk, Giant Staircase and Federal Pass. Start by picking up your Unlimited Discovery Pass and jump on the Scenic Skyway across to the East Station. Suspended 270 metres in the air across the canopies, the cable cars overlook ancient ravines, an optimal view from the glass floor. Travellers will also catch 360-degree views across Katoomba Falls, the Three Sisters, and Jamison Valley. After you've enjoyed your easy ride, strap on those hiking boots and take the walk to Echo Point where you can shout your greetings to the Three Sisters. From there, the Grand Stairway awaits you — 1000 steps of a harrowing descent to the rainforest floor. This final walk, a small portion of the Federal Pass, will take you back to the Railway platform, where you can ride the world's steepest train (backwards) right back to the top. [caption id="attachment_574869" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Flickr.[/caption] NATIONAL PASS How far: 5.4km/3.5 hours return Difficulty level: Hard What you'll see: Dry eucalypt forest, Grand Stairway What to Bring: Sturdy hiking boots and water National Pass is perhaps the most epic of all the Blue Mountains day treks. The hike is literally built into the side of the cliff, so can be a bit harrowing at times. It also offers some of the best views of the Jamison Valley and its surrounding cliffside, which is why so many make the trek regardless. The adventure begins at Conservation Hut, which will first lead you to Queen Victoria Lookout — perched atop a roaring waterfall, it overlooks sandstone cliffs. The trek down to the Valley of the Waters will lead you to the historic Grand Stairway. Built by hand in the early 1900s, the climb up is a difficult one, so hikers should be prepared and in fairly good shape. The walk will then take you to the Wentworth Falls and Jamison Lookouts, where you can picnic or take the remainder of the loop back to Conservation Hut. [caption id="attachment_550497" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Neil Saunders.[/caption] SIX FOOT TRACK How far: 45km/three days, two nights Difficulty level: Medium to hard What you'll see: Jenolan Caves, Aboriginal corroboree site What to Bring: Full camping gear Featured as one of our five best overnight hikes, Six Foot Track goes from Katoomba to the Jenolan Caves. While experienced hikers can do the trip in two days, most travellers should stick with the recommended three-day, two-night hike. The trail begins at the iconic Explorers Tree and follows an 1884 heritage horse track, offering a varied landscapes of heath, woodlands and rainforest. Hikers have the option to camp along the track at the dedicated campgrounds — Old Ford Reserve, Cox's River, Black Range and Allum Creek — or to pitch their tents within the bushland itself. Wildlife is everywhere on this track, including kangaroos, echidnas and wombats, so be respectful and enjoy your proximity to nature. During the trek, be sure not to miss the last recorded site of the ancient Gundungurra corroboree (Aboriginal dance ceremony) or the secluded Boonie Doon Falls. From Megalong Valley, you'll cross the harrowing Bowtells Swing Bridge, climbing the range, and finish at the majestic Jenolan Caves. One of the world's oldest cave systems, they date back at least 340 million years. Once you're done exploring, hop on the afternoon minibus that will return you to Katoomba. [caption id="attachment_574863" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Andrii Slonchak.[/caption] LEURA CASCADES How far: 1km - 4.5km return Difficulty level: Easy to medium What you'll see: Bridal Veil Falls, catbird, wompa pigeon What to bring: A picnic lunch and bathers Located at the start (or the end) of the Prince Henry Cliff Walk, Leura Cascades is a serine picnic spot surrounded by tall eucalyptus trees. Take a short walk along the rapids on Leura Falls Creek down to Bridal Veil Falls and Leura Falls, where you can bathe if the pool is full, or relax on the rocks at the bottom of the falls. Several walks can be accessed from here, so if you're looking to go for a longer track, take the Fern Bower Circuit — a 4.5km loop, this moderately challenging track takes hikers along an impressive cliff line and down to the lush Jamison Valley. The cliffs of Echo Point are also accessible from this track, as is the Leura Forest. The dense canopy is peaceful and well worth the easy trek — you may even catch a glimpse of the catbird or wompa pigeon. Top image: Jon Ottosson.
The co-founder of Sydney’s The Barber Shop is taking his whizz-bang bar-creating talents to Byron Bay. As of this summer, the north coast’s busiest hang-out will have a brand new drinking and feasting establishment, The Bolt Hole, thanks to one Mr Chris Mills. But there won’t be a tap or a beer bottle in sight. Instead, the bar’s craft beer offerings will be delivered in classic Aussie fashion — via tinnie only. Why? Well, to start, Chris sees tinnies as far more environmentally friendly than bottles. As for taps, the avoidance is more about aesthetics than being green. As anyone who's frequented The Barber Shop knows, Chris likes to keep his bar sleek and uncluttered. “Bottles have six times the carbon footprint of a can, when you consider volume, weight, production and transport — all those things add up,” says Chris. “We can fit 100 cartons of tinnies on a standard palette, versus 65 cartons of 330ml bottles, so it takes a lot less fuel to transport them.” Aluminium is lighter than glass, while a can’s tidy shape means more efficient packing and stacking. Second up, Chris points out that tinnies make beer taste better. “Canning is better because bottling lets in UV light, which affects the taste of the beer," he says. UV has a habit of breaking down the organic compounds that give a beer its unique flavour profile. Even though using brown-tinted glass can help reduce the damage, it’s no substitute for the light-impervious fortress that is an aluminium can. And thirdly, Chris adds, "Bottles let in more oxygen, which shortens the beer’s shelf life.” Then, of course, there's the can's total lack of smash-ability. As far as we know, The Bolt Hole will be the first bar in Australia to serve cans exclusively. But, more generally, the humble tinnie has been making a comeback — both here and in the US. Once the domain of drops like Tooheys and VB, it’s now being embraced by craft beer labels all over the world, including locals like Sydney’s Young Henrys and Melbourne’s Mountain Goat. This resurgence is in least part due to cans' lower carbon footprint, awareness of which has been growing for a while. Not everyone's on board though. David Suzuki's Queen of Green blog, for example, argues that beers shipped over long distances are better in tinnies, but when it comes to locally made brews, bottles win out, while others are pushing for all tap, all the time. With the Bolt Hole’s opening six weeks off, we can’t yet reveal exactly which craft beers will make the menu. But we can tell you that Chris has been chatting with some of Australia’s most talented operators. In addition to a stack of tasty brews, the drinks list, designed by Jason Crawley (The Drink Cabinet), will offer signature cocktails, vintage gins, artisanal spirits, boutique Australian and European wines, plus a whisky list to incite Dylan Thomas’s envy. Meanwhile, Jordan (Beans) Brannan (former sous chef at Bondi’s Panama House) will be producing dishes to match. A student of globe-trotting pit master Pete Daversa (London’s The Big Easy, New York City’s Pride and Joy, Hong Kong’s Blue Smoke), Jordan will be smoking up an American barbecue storm on a specially imported woodfired smoker, all the way from the US of A. He’ll be delivering a stateside culinary tour for carnivores, with grass-fed Angus brisket, Texas beef short ribs, Memphis BBQ pork ribs, Carolina pulled pork shoulder and maple glazed chicken. The American theme will continue in the fit-out, which is promising a dimly lit refuge from Byron Bay’s sun-dazed, crowded streets. Entering via a vintage church door, visitors will find themselves in a cosy, vintage haven, with references to hunting, steam trains and nautical escapades. There'll be green Chesterfields, handmade furniture, antique light fittings and a tarnished copper bar, supported by recycled railway sleepers. Tinnie image: Dollar Photo Club. Other images provided.
Paddington's newest Italian eatery Barbetta wears many hats, including daytime cafe, gourmet smallgoods store and workshop space. The new venue on Elizabeth Street is the casual sister venue to nearby Cipri Italian and the owners are, not surprisingly, focusing on classic Italian food. Open for breakfast, lunch and afternoon coffee, the all-day cafe is designed by ACME & Co. — that is, the team who brought you a long list of successful Sydney favourites including The Grounds of Alexandria (and The Grounds of the City), Archie Rose, Fred's and Happy as Larry. The contemporary, bright interior adds nostalgic elements that are reminiscent of classic Italian cars and 1950s movies. For breakfast, think deconstructed Sicilian buckwheat pancake with fresh ricotta, figs and crushed cannoli ($16) and Italian sausage with baked free-range eggs, Tuscan cabbage, baked ricotta and toasted sourdough ($20). Lunch will focus on heartier dishes, like house-made lasagne and spinach ricotta ravioli ($22 each), porchetta paninis ($18) and spicy meatball burgers ($21), along with salads and snacks. The cafe's Neapolitan pastry-chef is also turning out a daily selection of Italian desserts, cakes and gelato to accompany your afternoon coffee break. On the drinks side of things, the requisite coffee and juice is paired with milkshakes and Italian soft drinks. The venue doesn't have a liquor licence just yet, so at present there's a sweet no-corkage BYO deal. Plans for an Italian snack bar are also on the horizon. In the smallgoods deli, takeaway meals like lasagne, gnocchi and slow-cooked lamb shanks will be on offer, along with fresh pastas, sauces, cheeses and meats. The store's selection of packed Italian products include coffee, condiments and biscuits, and pre-packed picnic sets are ready for Centennial Park lazing. If you're looking for your next date idea or just want to learn a new skill, Barbetta is also hosting twice weekly pasta making workshops on Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings. Classes include a hands-on cooking demo with antipasti and BYO wine, followed by dinner/lunch and the pasta you made to take home. Barbetta is now open seven days a week at 2 Elizabeth Street, Paddington. Opening hours are Monday through Friday from 9am to 6pm, Saturday from 9am to 4pm and Sunday from 10am to 4pm. For more info, visit barbetta.com. Image: Nikki To.
Vivid Sydney is here — which means the city is at full capacity with enough art, music and entertainment to keep you warm over winter. Instead of spending all your time looking at the lights and crowds at Opera Bar, head over to Kings Cross Hotel, because the venue is teaming up with Vivid once again to throw a number of themed parties throughout the festival. On Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from June 1 to 17, the intimate dive bar of the Kings Cross Hotel will host immersive basement parties, featuring bands, DJs, dancers, singers and performers. Expect to party until you can party no more, because each night celebrates something new, something different and something to tempt our pop culture-loving selves. Find yourself kickin' it to the soundtrack of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater on Thursday, cutting a rug on a Lynchian dancefloor on Friday, and booging all night to glam-rock disco on Saturday. Tickets are $12+bf in advance and $15 at the door. KINGS CROSS HOTEL BASEMENT PARTIES Thursday, June 1 — SKATE or DIE Friday, June 2 — Party Monster & The Angry Inch Saturday, June 3 — 500 Somers Thursday, June 8 — Freshancient feat. Alphamama Friday, June 9 — Notorious Women Saturday, June 10 — Radiant Baby Thursday, June 15 — Dive Rock-Ola Friday, June 16 — A Night in the Black Lodge Saturday, June 17 — Glam-o-Rama All Kings Cross basement parties have been postponed except A Night in the Black Lodge on Friday, June 16.
If you can find us an activity more decadently wintry than slipping into a steaming bath of natural mineral water in the middle of the wilderness, we'll eat our collective hats. You might usually associate the likes of Iceland, the French Alps or New Zealand with thermal baths, but the good news is that there stacks of stunning natural hot springs in Australia. We are lucky to have our fair share of stunning bush hot pools where you can indulge in some serious mineral water therapy. Plus, we've got some serious mountaintops complete with supersized hot tubs, so why go overseas? PENINSULA HOT SPRINGS, VICTORIA This is where Victorians escape to for thermal relief. The drive down the Mornington Peninsula to the Peninsula Hot Springs retreat is basically a Melburnian pilgrimage — especially as it underwent a $13 million upgrade in 2018. It has cold plunge pools, hot spring pools and an impressive outdoor Bath House Amphitheatre in a remote and picturesque hilltop location. There's also a hamam, an underground sauna, cave pool and the pool at the top of the hill which affords 360-degree views of the area. Plus, a cafe, a cultural meeting space designed in collaboration with local Indigenous Elders, and a multipurpose wellness centre for classes and talks. For the full experience, book in for one of the spa's treatments, from 60-minute bioactive facials to 180-minute packages with organic mineral mud wraps, relaxing massages, hair and scalp treatments and breakfast or lunch in the cafe. Where? 140 Springs Lane, Fingal, Victoria. How much? $35–55 entry to the Bath House. YARRANGOBILLY CAVES THERMAL POOL, NSW It's not hard to see why this thermal pool in the Kosciuszko National Park is a local favourite. Quiet, secluded, with heaps to explore in the surroundings, it's the perfect destination for a crisp winter weekend. Filled with water from a natural hot spring, the 20-metre pool remains at a perfect 27 degrees all year round. Get there via a short (but steep!) 700-metre walk from the nearby car park, or wind your way along the three-kilometre River Walk. If the temps aren't too frosty, have a post-swim feed in the adjacent picnic area before exploring the surrounding caves. Where? 50 Yarrangobilly Caves Road, Yarrangobilly, NSW. How much? $4 per car (national park entry fee). [caption id="attachment_724325" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] LIGHTNING RIDGE ARTESIAN BORE BATHS, LIGHTNING RIDGE, NSW Located just outside the opal-mining town of Lightning Ridge, these delightful baths are surrounded by remote bushland and gloriously removed from all signs of civilisation. Open 24 hours a day (except from 10am–noon each weekday for cleaning), you can soak in the hot waters at sunrise, sunset, or any other time your little heart desires. Night swims are particularly recommended as you can float in the 40-degree water while taking in the stunning expanse of the starry rural sky. A popular meeting place for Lightning Ridge residents, the baths are also a great place to get a feel for local life. Best of all? It won't cost you a thing. Where? Pandora Street, Lightning Ridge, NSW. How much? Free! HEPBURN BATHHOUSE, VICTORIA Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa, about two hours northwest of Melbourne, is another achievable day trip for Melburnians. The bathhouse, built back in 1895, is the oldest in the whole country and is continually warmed to 34 degrees. Take your pick of communal swimming experiences, from a magnesium pool to an outdoor creek pool. Plus, there's a pavilion cafe that has been serving up goodies to visitors since 1908 (go for the Devonshire Tea) and a day spa with private mineral baths, massage options and steam therapies. Once you've bathed, try drinking the waters: various springs are dotted around Hepburn Mineral Springs Reserve. You can also extend your stay by booking into one of the ten luxury villas overlooking surrounding bushland. Where? Mineral Springs Reserve Road, Hepburn Springs, Victoria. How much? $45–55 adult entry to the Bathhouse. WITJIRA-DALHOUSIE SPRINGS, SA The most remote point on this list is Witjira-Dalhousie Springs — a cluster of around 60 natural hot springs located on the edge of the Simpson Desert, in northern South Australia, about 250 kilometres southeast of Alice Springs. It's certainly worth seeking out if you're driving towards the Red Centre. The Great Artesian Basin groundwater below is more than one million years old, and temperatures in the natural springs ranges from 38–43 degrees, so don't say in for too long at a time — you might find yourself a little dizzy and pruney if you do. Witjira-Dalhousie has cultural significance to the local Indigenous peoples and is associated with Dreamtime stories of the area. Due to its historical importance, the site is included on the Australian National Heritage List. Where? Witjira National Park, South Australia. How much? Free. Top image: Destination NSW.
If seasonal change has left you in a dizzy headspin of brand new colours and fabrics and prints and jackets — or if, y'know, you just like some fancy new clothes now and then — you'll be pretty pleased to know that the Big Fashion Sale is coming back to Sydney for four days this March. The name pretty much says it all. This thing is big — it takes over Paddington Town Hall. You'll find lush items from past collections, samples and one-offs from cult Australian and international designers, both well-known and emerging, including Celine, Stella McCartney, Ellery, Alexander Wang, Karla Spetic, Balenciaga, Studio Elke, LANVIN, Christopher Kane, Benah, Marni and macgraw. With discounts of up to 80 percent off and items for as little as $20, this is one way of upping your street cred with designer threads that'll leave your bank balance sitting pretty too. Prices this low tend to inspire a certain level of ruthlessness in all of us, though, so practise that grabbing reflex in advance. This is every man and lady for themselves. The Big Fashion Sale opening hours: March 23 — 9am - 7pm March 24 — 9am - 7pm March 25 — 10am - 6pm March 26 — 10am - 3pm
Does chasing all them pretty lights make you hungry? Thirsty? Vivid Sydney's big electric shock is just one half of a great night out — it goes best with some eats and drinks. This year, the glowing installations will span from the Royal Botanic Garden to Circular Quay, round Darling Harbour and Barangaroo and across to Luna Park, and you'll want to see them all. So, whether you want to pop a bottle under the sails of the Opera House or eat off your lap in the thick of it, here are a bunch of spots in the Vivid vicinity that let you feast with stars in your eyes. OPERA BAR Der. The best place to enjoy the views of the Opera House's sails — which will this year be lit up with Australian botanic flora by Chinese-American artist Andrew Thomas Huang and LA-based animation makers BEMO — might be from the distance of the other side of the Quay. But the best Instagram frames are from a little more close up, around Opera Bar. Obviously, this is a go-to for many a Vivid reveller and will be insanely busy, but if you can nab a table, we reckon it's worth it for the views (and the oysters). BAR PATRON When Bar Patron opened in the old Cafe Nice space at Circular Quay, all we could think about was how damn perfect it would be to down tacos with the Vivid lights turned on. And now you can do just that. The restaurant and late-night bar boasts beautiful views over Sydney Harbour (albeit interspersed by images of trains zooming past), and has a traditional Mexican menu. Tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas and empanadas are all on there, but they're strictly traditional in style — that means no Coon cheese, no seasoning sachets and strictly no Doritos corn chips. Best part is, there's a three-course Vivid set menu available for the reasonable price of $35 per head, plus $10 margaritas (with free corn chips and salsa) between 4–6pm if you can get there early. HACIENDA When Vivid first started, Circular Quay didn't have too many good options. But that's changed — notably with Hacienda, a millennial pink bar inside the Pullman Quay Grand. The botanical bar is situated just above CQ and affords unparalleled views of the harbour and the bridge. There aren't not too many places you can get a lounge seat and a cocktail with a view like this, so this is a great option for small groups. They take bookings during the week, but you'll have to get in quick over the weekend. [caption id="attachment_659941" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cole Bennetts[/caption] BARANGAROO HOUSE For the second time, the Vivid lights will extend down to Barangaroo with installations scattered around the precinct and along Wulugul Walk. To be amongst all the action, grab a seat outdoors on one of Barangaroo House's three levels. We've broken it down for you here, but basically you'll either want to eat dinner on the terrace at Bea or head up to the rooftop at Smoke for a drink and a smoked mushroom toastie. [caption id="attachment_721906" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anna Kucera[/caption] SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE'S SPELLBOUND BAR The Sydney Opera House 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, both a classic and vegetarian version of the humble croque monsieur, and beers from Sydney favourites Grifter Brewing Co and Young Henrys. THE GLENMORE This 1921 pub never gets old. One of the best parts of the refurbished Glenmore has to be the rooftop terrace. The views of the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House can be seen clearer from this area. The retractable roof is a great addition, along with the rustic-style wooden benches and red industrial chairs, to go with the new kitchen. Watch all the flashing lights below you while eating pub food straight off the barbecue. Again, this is a spot we'd make a case for getting in early. BENNELONG What more fitting place to dine during Vivid than the Opera House? Peter Gilmore's Bennelong gets you right up close to the action with sweeping harbour views. Whether you're here for all the glitz and glamour of Bennelong's full menu (where three courses will set you back a cool $120) or for its more casual share plates menu — at the Cured & Cultured bar — you know you're getting one of Sydney's best meals here. For a truly interactive experience, grab a seat at the counter for a full view of the chefs at work, all while eating the seven-course chef's tasting menu for a reasonable $70. Afterwards, you'll be perfectly situated to make the Vivid rounds (albeit a little full). HENRY DEANE Standing proud in Millers Point, the Hotel Palisade forms a unique and improbable part of Sydney's foreshore history; when it was built a century ago, it was the city's highest building. Now, having been revived with a smart new maritime design by Sibella Court, the Palisade serves up pub food that avoids the familiar schnitzels and steak sandwiches and opts instead for snacks like creamy chicken liver pate with a sweet Young Henrys cider jelly or a beef brisket sanga with a mug of salt and vinegar chips. Venture upstairs for the swanky Henry Deane rooftop bar, with some of the best views of the city all lit up. ALTUM RESTAURANT Sometimes, the best views are from afar. If you want to catch all the pretty lights in one sweeping vista, few restaurants provide a better vantage point than Altum. Located across the harbour in Milsons Point, smack bang next to Luna Park, the restaurant makes use of its waterside location with its enormous bi-fold windows that overlook Sydney Harbour Bridge, Circular Quay and, of course, the Opera House. Aptly, the restaurant serves up a lot of seafood, with a menu that focuses on local and seasonal ingredients with influence from the Mediterranean coast. Sure, it's across the way from most of the Vivid action but Altum provides one of the bests seats in the house. THE DECK AT LUNA PARK With the Light Walk extending across to Luna Park, you can check out Vivid's newest precinct as well as look across to the lights across the shore from The Deck bar. It's really something. And while it's not an all-year favourite, it's a great spot from which to view the twinkling Harbour Bridge up close and see the hypnotic sails from a distance. Plus, the park is open until late every night so you can go on rides and down some fish tacos (not at the same time — please god, not at once). ALTITUDE RESTAURANT AT THE SHANGRI-LA HOTEL There are two reasons to visit Altitude: 1) your friends are in town and you want to show off, and 2) Vivid. From 36 floors up in The Rocks' Shangri-La Hotel, you feel like a cloud emperor surveying your magnificent, technicolour realms below. This is Vivid taken to the literal next level. TAKEAWAY AT CIRCULAR QUAY Okay, so this is always going to be a bit of a hustle — but if you're looking to do Vivid on the cheap, grab some takeaway and jostle for a seat somewhere near the harbour. You've got loads of options — Circular Quay's food court Gateway will be open until 9pm on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, which has with the likes of Brooklyn Boy Bagels, Messina, Four Frogs Creperie, Workshop Espresso and Gozleme Co. Plus, The Rocks will run a special night market on Friday and Saturday and Sunday nights throughout Vivid. By the Concrete Playground team.
This spring, the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia will host an extensive retrospective by renowned South African photographer David Goldblatt, as part of the Sydney International Series. Running from October 19 until March 2019, David Goldblatt: Photographs 1948–2018 will dive deep into the life and work of one of recent history's most legendary photographers, covering a career of more than sixty years. Goldblatt is best known for his portrayal of South Africa's tumultuous history, especially surrounding apartheid. As the photographer's first major retrospective in the southern hemisphere, the exhibition will feature Goldblatt's most famous photo series, along with early vintage prints, never-before-seen footage from his personal collection and a new feature-length documentary. As MCA Director Elizabeth Ann Macgregor OBE explained, "visitors will discover an extraordinary artist whose documentary eye has not strayed from the complexities of his country of birth, but resonates with other global histories (including Australia's own) through narratives of race and racism, and industry and the land." The Sydney-exclusive exhibition is the first major retrospective of Goldblatt's work in the southern hemisphere. The exhibition was also the Goldblatt's final project before his death earlier this year. Images: David Goldblatt, A plot-holder, his wife and their eldest son at lunch, Wheatlands, Randfontein. September 1962 (3_4907), 1962. Image courtesy the artist and Goodman Gallery, Johannesburg © the artist; David Goldblatt, Shop assistant, Orlando West, 1972. Image courtesy Goodman Gallery, Johannesburg and Cape Town © The David Goldblatt Legacy Trust.
After attracting 286,631 visitors to its inaugural event in 2017, The National: New Australian Art — an epic contemporary Australian art exhibition held across three major Sydney galleries — is back. Due to open on March 29, the program will feature works from 65 emerging, mid-career and established artists at the Art Gallery of NSW, the MCA and Carriageworks. Taking care of the AGNSW's offering is Isobel Parker Philip, Curator of Photographs. "States of suspense and anticipation characterise the exhibition at AGNSW, as 24 artists navigate the boundary between chaos and control in work that is by turns political, poetic and personal," Philip said of the exhibition. Look out for Victorian artist Mira Gojak's sculpture Stops, which brings together steel rods and sky blue acrylic yarn, as well as Rushdi Anwar's Irhal (expel), hope and the sorrow of displacement, 2013–ongoing, which combines burnt wooden chairs, black pigment, charcoal and ash. At the MCA, you'll find works by 21 artists from cities, regional areas and remote communities, co-curated by Clothilde Bullen, MCA Curator of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Collections and Exhibitions, and Anna Davis, MCA Curator. "We have selected a diverse group of artists whose practices reflect urgent contemporary concerns," they said in a combined statement. "Many pose questions around hierarchies of power and the ways in which different groups are represented, while other artists create new rituals and experiment with improvisational processes." Among these are The Australian Ugliness (2018) by Melbourne's Eugenia Lim — which exhibited in Melbourne earlier this year as part of Open House — a multi-channel video installation exploring our national aesthetic; and Mumu Mike Williams' Kulilaya munuya nitiriwa (Listen and learn from us) (2017), a painting on canvas mail bag, with wood, kangaroo tendon and resin. Meanwhile Daniel Mudie Cunningham, Senior Curator of Visual Arts, has determined the 19-strong program at Carriageworks. "The National 2019 at Carriageworks presents newly commissioned works that map memory and place-making, where the work of art is a form of emotional tourism," he said. "Exploring the boundaries of truth and fiction, the selected artists reflect on the individual's place in an uncertain and ever-shifting world." Tasmanian duo Mish Meijers and Tricky Walsh will be bringing The Crocker Land Expedition, an installation made up of timber, found objects, parachute, plastic and light, while Troy-Anthony Baylis, an Aboriginal artist of the Jawoyn nation, will be continuing (re)presentations of "notions of drag (cultural and gender), landscape and home". The exhibition will run at AGNSW from 29 March–21 July 2019, and at Carriageworks and the MCA from 29 March–23 June 2019. Image: Eugenia Lim, The Australian Ugliness (2018), photo by Tom Ross.
It's the society wedding of the year, and you're invited. Melbourne socialites Jasper and Jasmine are going to tie the knot at St Kilda's West Beach Bathers Pavilion this May; trotting down the aisle, barking their vows and sniffing each other's butts. Yep, they're pugs. It's a pug wedding. A real life pug wedding. Seems there's a Leslie Knope living in Melbourne. Raising much-needed funds for Pug Rescue and Adoption Victoria Inc. (a volunteer-run, foster care-based animal welfare charity with a focus on pugs), this wedding doesn't have the happiest Disney backstory. Jasmine and Jasper came into the care of Pug Rescue in April 2013, after they were found to be so morbidly obese they could hardly breathe. They were taken from their former home by the rescue team and apparently were turning blue on the car ride, poor little things. But just one year later, Pug Rescue have nursed the pair back to health so they can enjoy a newfound pug life with each other and their new family — together. Take a hike, The Notebook; this is a true love story for the ages. Now, let's get these pugs married already. On Sunday, May 17, Pug Rescue are putting on the works for these pups. Get ready for this; Jasmine will wear an exclusive couture bridal gown designed by renowned Australian designer and Project Runway runner-up Craig Braybrook. A pug in couture. As if you're not locking this in already. Jasper's outfit is yet to be confirmed, but we're predicting mini bowtie at the very least. The whole event will be styled by Christian Wagstaff of Melbourne’s famed Creative Production and the venue will be decked out with flowers by Virginia Chorley of The Bouquets of Ascha Jolie. Tickets to the Wedding of the Year are $60, which we reckon is a straight-up bargain considering all funds raised go to Pug Rescue; helping to fund future pug psychological and physical rehabilitation along with the vet care and specialty surgery. And apparently they're selling fast, so get on it. If you can't make it, make sure you raise a water bowl to Jasper and Jasmine next Sunday; overcoming terrible odds and living a brand new #puglyf together. Jasper and Jasmine's pug wedding ceremony is happening from 1pm on Sunday, May 17, West Beach Bathers Pavilion, 330A Beaconsville Parade, St Kilda. Tickets are $60 per person from jasperandjasmine.com, or 'virtual tickets' are $19.95 — an invitation-only live video stream of the wedding online. Video of the wedding will also be available online for two weeks post-event for virtual ticket holders. Images: Ragamuffin.
The pod bay doors have opened on Sydney's space-themed cat cafe. Named Catmosphere, this new food 'n' feline venture is home to fifteen cats in total, all of whom reside in style and comfort on the second story of a refurbished terrace on Fouveaux Street in Surry Hills. There's Deckard (named after Harrison Ford in Blade Runner) and Leeloo (Milla Jovovich in The Fifth Element) and Fuzz Aldrin (you get it) and a particularly striking black cat named Darth Beauty. Personally, we're smitten with Ewok. The cat's room is separated from the food service area by special airlock doors — a council requirement, although it does fit quite nicely with the space age vibes. The cats, for the most part, seem unperturbed by our presence, although one or two of them eventually saunter over in the hopes of getting a pat. Still, it's safe to say, it's us fawning over them, and not the other way around. Catmosphere Sydney is owned by Thomas Derricott and his partner Wenee Yap, who were inspired after they visited the original Catmosphere in Chiang Mai, Thailand. After returning to Australia they set up a Facebook page to gauge community interest — and the community didn't disappoint. Local cat-lovers were soon falling over themselves to volunteer their time, while their IndieGoGo campaign raised more than $40,000. Derricott and Yap also struck up a partnership with the World League Protection of Animals. As a result, the cats at Catmosphere are all rescues — and while they themselves aren’t up for adoption, Derricott does hope visitors to the cafe might be inspired to foster a furry friend of their own. So now that they're open, how does it all work? Visitors to Catmosphere Sydney can pay $20 to spend an hour with the cats, a deal that also comes with a complimentary coffee and cat shaped cookie. A maximum of 15 people are allowed in the cat room at a time, ensuring the feline-to-human ratio is never more than 1:1. Downstairs, the cafe is run by Yun Xia, who previously managed the cafe in Kinokuniya. According to Derricot, the plan is for Catmosphere to provide a quality food and beverage experience independent of the cat theme, to ensure longevity once the novelty starts to wear off. Hence the menu, which features smoothies, teas, juices and barista-made Karmee coffee alongside handmade cakes and a wide selection of gourmet sandwiches. Even if you're strictly a dog person, it's hard to go past roast pork and sesame mayo on brioche. Catmosphere is located at 66 Foveaux Street, Surry Hills. For more information, opening hours and to book your very own cat cuddle session, visit www.catmospherecafe.com. Images: Andy Fraser.
Welcome mats be damned; a red neon sign declaring "Everything with tequila" is the best way to be ushered into a venue. It beckons you off the street and downstairs into a dark basement space with hanging wire lamps, potted succulents, booth seating and a cluster of chandeliers above one long table. There are underplayed touches of the Mexican influence throughout, but it's more a stylish hang-out for suits than a dive bar to swill Tecate. A spinoff of the once popular Kings Cross restaurant/bar Barrio Chino, it features a cocktail list that makes good on the promise of that neon sign, with seven variations of the classic margarita and a huge selection of signature cocktails — championing tequila and mezcal. Barrio Cellar used to have a secret menu that featured a bowl of fries with guacamole, salsa and chunks of steak, but everything is written out these days. Try some loaded fries and tuna poke nachos, or get around some of the nine different tacos. Come Tuesday, these bad boys are all $5 each — an absolute steal. Burgers, quesadillas and churros round out the rest of the menu, with a $50 set menu available to those who want to feast without the fuss of choosing what to order. Barrio Cellar works equally well for those just wanting tequila and snacks, and groups of diners looking for a big night out of eating and drinking in the city. Appears in: Sydney's Best Underground Bars for 2023
To understand why Brisbane-based, extreme acrobatics circus troupe Circa has gained such a dedicated global following, look no further than their new show Humans. In this world premiere, Circa's award-winning director Yaron Lifschitz fuses jaw-dropping acrobatics with contemporary dance and theatre in a joyous celebration of what it means to be human. See amazing poses like the one above, as performers explore the physical limits of their bodies and push themselves to the extreme, as they question how much we can take as humans. This is a world premiere show at Sydney Festival 2017. Check out more world firsts coming to the festival over here.
For Catalina Fuentes, junior sous chef at Manly's Papi Chulo, getting a career in cooking off the ground comes down to three things: passion, practice and perseverance. At age 22, Catalina has already reached one of the more senior positions in an established professional kitchen, so, is somewhat of an authority when it comes to kick-starting this particular career. Catalina graduated from William Blue College of Hospitality Management, and has also already nabbed the nationwide Nestle Golden Chef's Hat Award, the longest running culinary competition in Australia. "I've never thought I could compete," she says. "So, when I won, it was pretty rewarding." Unrelenting enthusiasts in exactly what makes a kitchen tick, we met up with Catalina to get a few tips on how young cooks can become good chefs. DIVE IN AND MAKE AN ACTUAL GAME PLAN Every culinary dream has to start somewhere, so it's important to nail down that passion for food, and figure out a game plan. For Catalina, following her occupational instincts meant relocating from her native Colombia after high school. "One of my best friends, we both really liked baking, and I really liked doing desserts when I was in high school, so I just thought… I want to be a pastry chef, and I want to study cooking." She enrolled at William Blue at Torrens University, where she studied Culinary Management. The course, while teaching the basics needed to get into the kitchen, also teaches students how to run a kitchen — one of the benefits of the course, Catalina says. "I'll be able to manage my own business in the future." So how does one know if cooking is the right direction for them? What passion already has to be there? "It should be something fun," Catalina says, "it should be something tasty, and it something that you should enjoy and makes you happy." STICK TO YOUR APPRENTICESHIP (HOT TIP: IT WILL BE HARD) Getting into the food business is one thing, but learning the craft and becoming an established chef is a completely different beast. Most newbies take the usual route, through apprenticeship schemes, and for Catalina, it meant half a year on the job after completing her studies. "I had to do it for six months, just as a commis chef," she says. "But for me, it was really good. I was lucky, because the places I worked, everyone was really nice to me — I worked with good chefs." It's not for everyone, however, with the long hours causing a huge number of aspiring chefs to drop out. "It actually shows you how the industry is," Catalina says, "Cooking is pretty tough." The payoff, though, is worthwhile in the end for those who want it badly enough. Once you're in the game, it's essential to keep cracking on, despite how difficult it can become — the big guns did. "If you really like cooking, and that's what you want to do, you will stick to the apprenticeship." REPETITION (AND INCESSANT CHOPPING) WILL MAKE YOU A MASTER Just like with any trade, repetition of an exercise creates a neural shortcut that allows that exercise to be completed to a high standard with minimal conscious brain effort. The same rules apply to cooking, and they apply to everyone. "When I first started, I was really bad with chopping skills," Catalina says, but spending her early days doing the same thing over and over, ad infinitum, helped her to improve. "Even if you're in a job where you're just chopping stuff everyday, you'll see that it's helpful, because at the end, you'll get so much better at it." For Catalina, the practice doesn't seem like such a burden. "Cooking for me is not only a job. It's not something that I wake up and go, 'I don't want to go to work.' It's something that makes me happy." Hot tip? Follow the old 'do what you love and love what you do' mantra and hitting snooze on that alarm will be a thing of the past. ABSORB KNOWLEDGE, THEN CRAFT YOUR OWN SIGNATURE STYLE It might seem intimidating to add your own flavour to the long, long tradition of cooking, but experimentation in the kitchen is just as much part of keeping the drive alive as practice or perseverance. Expose yourself to new foods, new techniques, and especially, new people. "Through cooking, you can learn so much about other people," Catalina says. "Everyone cooks differently and it just shows something about them." Not only is cooking about getting the little things right, it's also about experimenting, and improving. "You have to keep going places, trying and travelling." It's also essential to push yourself, professionally. It's easy to get lulled into the same old same old, so getting amongst new techniques, new styles, and new cuisines in the kitchen is important, too. For Catalina, that might involve a leap into fine dining in the future. "Everything is precise and perfect," she says, "and I think I need to learn some of that." So if you think you might want to dabble professionally in the culinary arts, take advice from someone who has run that gauntlet. "Don't give up," Catalina says. "Keep going, keep practising, keep inspired, keep going out and trying food." Go out and try food? You're really twisting my arm, here. Images: Kimberley Low. William Blue at Torrens University offers courses in Culinary Management, Event Management, Tourism and Hospitality. Find out more about the diverse career options in hospitality, and kick-start your career via the website.
Love a good Italian street festival? Yeah y'do. Italian nosh, wine and live music? What's not to like? Head for Five Dock this Sunday, August 21 for Ferragosto, showcasing the best of Italian culture on Great North Road. Celebrating a cheeky 19 years of festivities, Ferragosto is a staple of Canada Bay's Italian calendar. There'll be over 160 food, wine and merchandise stalls, live kitchen demos from local chefs, rides for 'kids' (yeah, probably still just for actual kids), alongside dance and music performances across four stages. If you're an Italian food and wine fiend, make this a double Sunday bill — the Italian Food and Wine Festival is taking over Sydney Town Hall on the same day.
In 1955, J.R.R. Tolkien claimed that 'cellar door' was one of the most phonically beautiful phrases in the English language. We really have to agree, but it's mostly because of what's behind the cellar door — Wine! Cheese! And hidden away in Chippendale is a cellar that we're really keen to explore. Handpicked Cellar Door, sitting on the corner of Kensington and Outram Streets, is opening early next week, much to the delight of Sydney wine enthusiasts. It's the project of Handpicked Wines, a young but celebrated winery, with vineyards operating across Australia, Italy, Chile and New Zealand. Their cellar door project aims to bring wines from across their vineyards together in one place — along with charcuterie, of course. Handpicked Cellar Door is pushing the whole 'cellar' vibe, decorating with exposed brick and littering the venue with fermenting wine tanks. Guests can also be educated by interactive iPad experience or go deep with 30-minute tutorials and tastings. Even better (if possible) is the fact that HCD will also operate as your new off-license and booze delivery service. Take away wine by the bottle or order online and have it delivered straight to you. Oh, and the cheese! The selection's being curated (along with other charcuterie staples) by Formaggi Ocello, cheese specialists from Surry Hills. Find Handpicked Cellar Door at 50 Kensington Street, Chippendale. Opening hours are Monday to Friday, 11.00am-10.00pm; Saturday and Sunday 10.00am-10.00pm. Check out their website for more info.
Winter's your chance to connect with uniquely Australian choreography, and the best place to start is Bangarra's powerful triple bill OUR land people stories. Featuring works from Stephen Page and Bangarra's emerging choreographers Jasmin Sheppard, Beau Dean Riley Smith and Daniel Riley, this world premiere work celebrates stories from our own backyard. Dedicated to the recently passed David Page, Bangarra's inimitable music director, OUR land people stories honours this iconic and beloved Australian's legacy, his dedication to mentoring emerging choreographers and his enduring place at Bangarra. Running until 9 July, the show's last run will coincide with NAIDOC Week, a fitting correlation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, togetherness, storytelling and community. Following the Sydney season, OUR land people stories will travel to Perth, Canberra, Brisbane and Melbourne.
Birds chirp, rainbows form and the sun shines a little brighter over Moore Park — the award-winning Sydney Dog Lovers Show is returning to the Royal Hall of Industries and Hordern Pavilion for a third year of pats, licks and parades. And yes, the dedicated puppy cuddle zone is returning. Bounding into Moore Park's two biggest venues on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 August, the Sydney Dog Lovers Show will see thousands of dedicated pooch fans celebrating the noble four-legged monarch of human companionship. There'll be dozens of furry friends available for adoption from rescue groups across NSW in the CANIDAE Rescue Dog Zone, where you can learn up on what's actually involved with adoption. Champion canines, including Dr Katrina Warren's admittedly kickass Wonderdogs, will throw down their mad skills in live doggy demonstrations including agility, flygility (whatever that means) and frisbee shows. Plus, DockDogs is back, featuring a competitive long jump and high jump for talented dogs into a pool of water. Dogs, amiright? But hold up, you came here to cuddle pooches. We're getting there. Punters can make their way to the Pat-A-Pooch zone, where you can cuddle up to a wide range of Australia's most lovable and popular breeds from puppy to adult dogs — we're talking uppity Dachshunds to fluffball Samoyeds, all up in your grill. This was undeniably the main attraction of last year's event, and gives kitten cafes a run for their money. There's plenty more happening over the two days of furry friended fun. Not sure which type of schnoochie is perfect for you? Sign up for a Perfect Match session where you'll be paired with your ultimate dog breed. Already found your tail-waggin' soulmate? Get some expert tips on training, behaviour, first-aid and nutrition in seminars by some of Australia's big name vets. Plus, there's going to be a doggie kissing booth. Yep, pucker up. Sydney Dog Lovers Show returns for the third time at the Royal Hall of Industries and Hordern Pavilion in Moore Park on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 August. Open both days from 10am - 5pm. Tickets are $25 online or $30 on-site (adult, ages 16 and over). Everything is free (including cuddles) once you have purchased your ticket, obviously excepting food and drink. To book tickets or for more info and adorable dog pictures, head to the website.
With its iconic steps sequence and distinctive use of montage, 1925 Soviet-made movie Battleship Potemkin changed the way the world thought about film. Making enduring efforts such as Solaris and Stalker, Russian director Andrei Tarkovsky also achieved the same feat during the '60s and '70s. And in 2003, roaming historical drama Russian Ark did too courtesy of a single 96-minute take. Yep, this was more than a decade before Birdman tried something similar. They're just some of the highlights of Russian film history, and there's more where they came from. In fact, that's the domain of the Russian Resurrection Film Festival, which brings future classics and beloved greats alike to Australian cinema screens for an annual celebration of Russian movie making. In its thirteenth year, the fest has curated a collection of twenty efforts that showcase just what makes the country's film output so stellar. Whether you're keen on diving into a duelling epic, going swashbuckling with a beloved animated pirate, or catching a glimpse of uncompleted relics from the past, you'll find plenty to watch here — plus our five must-see picks, of course.
The Museum of Contemporary Art is 25 years young and throwing a huge, three-day party to celebrate. The gallery has commissioned four new, interactive performance pieces to celebrate the occasion. Lauren Brincat and Bree van Reyk's Molto Echo encourages visitors to ring bells, and listen out for drumming in response, in an artwork intended to shed light on the invisibility of women in art galleries and exhibitions. Hossein Ghaemi, Jess Olivieri and Techa Noble will also showcase performance works created especially for the birthday, while Lyndal Jones will re-perform a piece that was shown as part of the MCA's first exhibitions in 1992. The gallery is also putting on a large number of other events, including talks and debates from artists. Most of the events over the course of the weekend are free, with one very notable exception – the opportunity to tour the gallery completely nude with artist Steven Ringholt after hours on Friday night or before it opens on Saturday morning. And, because it wouldn't be a birthday party without it, you're also invited to share the MCA's birthday cake (which is being impeccably designed by Clifford Liu of Cakes by Cliff with Sydney artists Nicole Barakat and Brook Morgan) in a picnic on the lawns at 12.30pm on Saturday, November 12.
Asylum seekers, at-risk students and the environment are just a few of the issues under the microscope at this year's Human Rights Arts and Film Festival. With its touring arm returning to Dendy Newtown, the latest edition of this socially conscious festival is sure to get audiences all fired up. Kicking off on May 24, the Sydney leg of the fest begins with the already sold-out Chasing Asylum, offering a confronting and extremely timely look at mandatory detention from Oscar-winning filmmaker Eva Orner. Then on May 25, it's They Will Have to Kill Us First: Malian Music in Exile, a frank exploration of the power of music. Other highlights include Sundance prize winner The Bad Kids, about at-risk high school kids in the Mojave desert, and Land Grabbing, a behind-the-scenes look at both sides of the contentious issue of land acquisitions. Read our interview with Chasing Asylum director Eva Orner here.
After a wildly successful run at Melbourne's State Theatre, the work of three world class choreographers from disparate corners of the world will come together in Sydney for an electric triple bill. With just under a dozen engagements at the Opera House's Joan Sutherland Theatre, The Australian Ballet presents Vitesse, a stirring celebration of movement and sound. The performance begins with Christopher Wheeldon's DGVc: Danse à Grande Vitesse, a lightning-fast work set to music by Michael Nyman, which was composed for the inauguration of the TGV bullet train in France. Second up is Jiri Kylian's Forgotten Land, a fluid number that the Arts Centre program describes as "like an Edvard Munch painting come to life". The show will conclude with William Forsythe's In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated, a groundbreaking work widely celebrated for pushing the limits of ballet technique. Want more info? Here's three damn good reasons why you should see Vitesse.
If your boring ol' nine-to-five has you pining for something different, something fun, some kind of mid-week temporary haven of unexpected international beats, we've found just the thing. Run by Bondi Radio duo Greenie and Rich Lucano (Phondupe), On Bridges Monthly extends the lads' radio show into a regular night, transforming Chippendale's Knox Street Bar into a pumping underground oasis of global rhythms. Kicking off this Friday, May 13, On Bridges Monthly is an evening for music makers and lovers to showcase and enjoy the globe's best left-of-centre tracks in one big helping. To launch, special guest producers Freda & Jackson are set to spin an exclusive mix, alongside sets from local favourites Phondupe, Embassy and Konichiwang. Sweetening the deal, Knox Street has just launched a brand new menu, a fresh selection of eats to keep you well fuelled. The new menu promises everything from a deluxe toastie (packed with bacon, brie, pickles, mustard and honey for $13) to a pulled pork baguette (with ginger, molasses, south west slaw and smoked cheddar, for $16). With free entry all night long, this is one killer new Sydney night focused on some of the world's hidden gems. Here, have a sneak preview from Freda & Jackson:
There are few greater, more indulgent and Instagrammable weekend things to do than kicking back with a bubbly and judgementally watching dachshunds parade around in lifeguard costumes in a pub beer garden. Are there? Holler if so. But this is an actual thing you can do in Sydney, and could quite possibly be the greatest date idea you'll see this week. Back by popular demand (of course it is), the Beresford Dog Show is taking over the leafy Beresford courtyard with an afternoon of games, entertainment and a big ol' dog show. There are prizes for best dressed, best in show and — best of all — best rescued dog. Aside from pups to pat, there'll be bacon and egg rolls and coffee on offer — to complete the powerful triumvirate of requirements for a damn nec-level Sunday. Plus, there'll be a marketplace with stalls from Urban Herd, Monika's Doggie Rescue, Good Pet Food Kitchen and more serving up tasty treats, funky toys and designer accessories. Entry is free, registrations commence at 10am and the dog show officially kicks off at 12pm. If you can think of a more adorable thing to do on Sunday please let us know. No really. Comments are right there and no one is stopping you from holding a ferret festival.
aMBUSH Gallery's latest exhibition features second-hand vinyl records transformed into art by over 200 Australian artists, all in the name of charity. Put It On Wax has been co-curated by the Lord Street Collective, a group of Sydneysiders ranging from rappers, singers, producers and musicians to painters. Admission to the exhibition is free, but proceeds from the sale of the artworks will go to Heaps Decent, Sydney's not-for-profit arts organisation that supports young musicians from disadvantaged and marginalised communities. Just a few of the 200 artists featured include artist-illustrator Chris Yee, whose work includes the cover art for the Zeds Dead x Diplo single 'Blame', Melbourne-based street artist Phibs and multimedia artists Ears (Daniel O'Toole), Brett Chan and George Rose. Alongside the exhibition, there will a second-hand record fair, as well as a number of workshops and events dedicated to vinyl painting, music production, cutting and scratching, poetry and lyric writing, and break lessons. Put It On Wax runs August 20 to September 18. Opening night is Friday, August 19 from 6-9pm.
If the vino fiend in you likes nothing more than the emperor of German drops — Riesling — then this is for you. For one night only, United Cellars will be bringing Rieslings from all over the world to the Australian Design Centre for an event dubbed Acid Haus. And, for the price of a ticket, you'll get to sample every one. You'll be tasting your way from Australia and New Zealand to Austria and Germany, and back. You might be surprised by the variety of flavours one humble grape can produce. In fact, British wine critic Jancis Robinson once wrote, "Riesling is indisputably the greatest white wine grape in the world." As you stroll around trying to decide whether or not she's right, you'll be met with roaming tasty morsels, including oysters. Do not chase the waitstaff.
Keen for something a little more contemporary in your ballet calendar? The Australian Ballet is continuing their dedication to body-stretching modern triple bills with Faster — if you've caught the Ballet's previous tri-slam dunks like Triptych and Vanguard, you'll know how quickly you'll enrol in yoga after seeing one of these sexy, sexy works. Faster will see three of the world's leading choreographers create one diverse work, featuring an Olympics-inspired work scored by Australian composer Matthew Hindson, an Australian premiere of new work by Wayne McGregor scored by Steve Reich, and a new work by Australian Ballet resident choreographer Tim Harbour, architect Kelvin Ho and lighting designer Benjamin Cisterne.
Rather than a wasted day of woe, Sundays are meant for nourishment, for homecooked meals, meaningful chats and creative beverages. We’re here to help. Secret Garden Festival and Concrete Playground — keen weekenders and lovers of good food, new friends and general tomfoolery — have teamed up with The Guardian to create the ultimate Sunday fortress of fun, Cubby House. Taking over the rolling lawns of Vaucluse’s historic Strickland House on Sunday, October 25, Cubby House is a temporary hidden haven of local food and drink, lawn games and talks, created purely for you to reclaim the weekend and stand you in good stead for the week to come. Eat a hearty Sunday roast from Newtowners Raven’s Eye, catch up on the news with talks curated by The Guardian, find comfort in a Golden Age Cinema cocktail, chuckle over comedy from Giant Dwarf, play your favourite lawn games, pop into a workshop or two and learn a few mad skills, then we’ll even help you sort out your errands in time for Monday. “We are celebrating Sunday by nourishing brains, playing games, learning new things, having a big belly laugh and making new mates,” says Secret Garden festival director Clare Downes. “People can kick off their shoes, drink a Bloody Mary, learn to fish, and complete some Sunday errands — all across Strickland House and its beautiful gardens. "Secret Garden and Concrete Playground are doing this because we believe it’s something that’s missing from our Sundays and we figure there are others who probably need Cubby House too." There’s nothing like a Sunday spent relishing local, damn good, nourishing food, so we’ve invited the weekend-happy crew from Raven’s Eye, Newtown’s first Italo-American diner, to do one heck of a sit-down Sunday roast. We’re talking slow-cooked meats and roasted veggies by head chef Matt Ouwerkerk, the whole shebang. Instead of filling your Sunday brain with the Blade trilogy and soulless junk food, find a spot on the lawn and listen to talks from Australia’s top journalists and funniest comedians, handpicked by our mates at The Guardian and Giant Dwarf. No time to read the paper this week? Settle in for our news wrap-up. Triple j’s Tom Tilley will unpack the headlines with some of Australia’s best journos, including Michael Safi (Guardian, previously Global Mail, SMH, ABC Radio National), Adam Brereton (editor of The Guardian's 'Comment is free' section) and Bridie Jabour (Guardian, previously NewsCorp, Fairfax). Take in comedy from The Bear Pack, then pull up a pew for an in-depth In Conversation talk, with some of Australia’s brightest minds. “Cubby House represents a meeting of likeminded people and businesses. The event will give our collective audiences a chance to connect with Concrete Playground and the Guardian in real life, designed with the sense of humour and fun that Secret Garden is so known and loved for,” says Concrete Playground founder and director, Rich Fogarty. "The Guardian is thrilled to be part of this special Sunday and supporting the speakers series. Instead of reading the news in bed, you can hear the latest stories live and dissected by leading journalists,” says Tory Loudon, Head of Events and Programs at The Guardian. “Get a taste of the news behind the headlines and hear how stories are put together, how the media works and snag a little gossip, all with a glass of wine in your hand and good food in your stomach — the perfect Sunday." Nourished your belly and your mind? It’s time to fill your ears with Sunday sounds. We’ve invited some very special guests over for sessions on the Cubby House lawn, Sydney's country-lovin' foursome All Our Exes Live in Texas. The Cubby House music has been handpicked by Sydney music guru, FBi Radio broadcaster and board member and Secret Garden music programmer Adam Lewis, responsible for introducing you to your new favourite bands at Goodgod Small Club and Solotel venues like Opera Bar and Goros. Sundays spent lazing on the lawn wouldn’t be complete without one thing: games. Find all your favourite lawns games waiting for you at Strickland House, probably the prettiest place to play croquet in Sydney. And if you’re going to spend Sunday lazing about, you might as well learn a bloody thing or two. Take a DIY workshop, from fishing tips to drawing classes. Feeling a bit all over the shop pre-Monday? Don’t get the Sunday guilts; get your boots polished, get your holey jeans mended, send a postcard to your Grandma, then visit Concrete Playground’s Event Concierge, to help you book a fun-filled, jam-packed week ahead. Don’t you feel more organised already? Cubby House will take over Strickland House, Vaucluse Road, Vaucluse on Sunday, October 25 from 12-5pm. Tickets are $85.20 (inc. BF) and unfortunately, it’s over 18s only, sorry kids. For more details and tickets, head to cubbyhou.se. Follow Cubby House on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates.
If you want a healthy dose of British indie rock this winter, the double bill of The Vaccines with Palma Violets could be just the ticket. Both bands were last here in 2013, and we’re certainly happy to see them again to shake our winter blues loose. The Vaccines released their third album English Graffiti in May this year, with songs such as 'Handsome' and 'Dream Lover' working their way into our subconscious. Coincidentally, Palma Violets have also released a new album in May, entitled Danger In The Club. Two great bands with plenty of new material, this is what we like to see.
Kings of the Sydney gig scene, Palms never fail for a debaucherous night of fuzzy garage pop. Palms have teamed up with FBi Radio to put on a free gig at the Gladstone Hotel this Thursday to celebrate their new catchy single, 'Bad Apple'. The new track is pretty much exactly what you would expect from Palms — plenty of fuzzy guitars, lyrics about generally hanging around (“talking shit and ripping on You Am I”) and a nonsense chorus fit for a good singalong (“badap badap badap…”). With the Black Zeros supporting, it’s first-in-best-dressed so get in early. Get ready to dance your arse off and have those songs stuck in your head for days.
Christmas Day is primarily reserved for family debates and half-assed cricketry, but the nights before Christmas have long dominated the realms of rummy cocktails with your buds. And there's plenty of merriment for you and your favourites to find behind King Street's favourite hidden-behind-a-butcher-shop-facade bar, Earl's Juke Joint. The annual Christmas Eve eve get-together returns to Earl's, with dim lighting, ol' New Orleans jazz and $10 daiquiris all night. Deck the halls with a few rummy tipples, don reindeer-dotted sweaters and tell Christmas cracker-level terrible festive jokes (here, have this one: How did Scrooge win the football game?? The ghost of Christmas passed. You're so welcome).
The gang at Work-Shop are heading off on safari, and they're inviting all of you to come along. The latest project run by the DIY specialists will see a group of hungry guests off on a day-long foodie adventure, sampling tasty treats and beverages in picturesque surrounds. First up? A trawl along the Hawkesbury River with lunch cooked by former Longrain chef Martin Boetz. Participants in th will gather outside Work-Shop's Redfern location at 7am sharp on Sunday, November 22. From there you'll be bussed an hour out of the city to Boetz's Cook's Co-Op, where you'll pick vegetables (so dress appropriately) and learn about the history of farming in the region. You'll also spend some time on the water with local fisherman Gary Howard, who'll discuss the importance of sustainable fishing practices and serve up freshly cooked Hawkesbury River prawns. Once you've worked up a proper appetite you'll sit down for a lunch, cooked by Boetz using the freshest local ingredients. He'll also take you through various cooking techniques, so you can attempt to replicate his methods back home. After that it's back on the bus and back to Sydney by 4pm — giving you plenty of time to upload your photos to Instagram and brag to all your friends. Tickets to Work-Shop's Hawkesbury River Food Safari cost $190 plus a $5.74 booking fee. There are only 30 spaces available, so best get in quick. Images: Luisa Brimble.
Gallery-hopping after hours? Talk about a perfect Sydney date idea. Art Month Sydney's beloved Precinct Nights are back, offering you the golden opportunity to enjoy a spate of art venues open late, transforming your art viewing into an adventure trail after closing time. Art at Night | Paddington & Woollahra in partnership with Concrete Playground and Cake Wines is the ultimate artventure, with over fifteen galleries in Paddington, Woollahra and Rushcutters Bay open from 6-8pm on Thursday, March 10. Galleries on the trail include Arthouse Gallery, Australian Galleries Sydney, Barometer, Dominik Mersch Gallery, Janet Clayton Gallery, Jensen Gallery, .M Contemporary, Olsen Irwin, Palmer Art Projects, Piermarq, Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, Sabbia Gallery, SAINT CLOCHE, Sarah Cottier Gallery and Stills Gallery, who all have pretty damn great Art Month programs in store. But every great trail walk needs a solid watering hole at the end. Once you've perused enough art, make your way to the lush Cake Wines Art Bar at Bonython Courtyard at 120B Underwood Street, Paddington (open from 7.30-10.30pm). There'll be plenty going on at the pop-up, including performances from Noula Diamantopoulos and Caroline Garcia, and a DJ set from FBi Radio's Sweetie. Download the map here.
If there's one show at Sydney Festival that's going to boost your positive vibes and make dancing down the street irresistible for weeks afterward, it's Karol Conka's. In a recent Rolling Stone interview, she explained, "I situate myself in a position where I sing about joy; my protest is against sadness." Born in Brazil, Conka is one of the country's few female rappers to have risen out the underground, and her mixing of hip hop with Afro grooves promises to do more for your positive thinking than a sesh with Tony Robbins. Karol Conka is one of our top ten picks of the Sydney Festival. Check out our other favourite events over here.
Sometimes the grimmest of subjects can inspire the most profound and important works of art. Certainly that's the case with the films featured in this year’s Holocaust Film Series. Returning in 2015 after its positive reception last year, this offshoot of the Jewish International Film Festival will showcase 35 features, documentaries and shorts from around the world; shining a light on stories of life, courage and resilience. This year's program consists entirely of Australian premieres, and boasts several significant titles worthy of special attention. Lessons of Survival: Conversations with Simon Wiesenthal takes audiences inside the life story of its eponymous Nazi-hunting subject, while Forbidden Films uncovers the history of propaganda cinema under the Nazi regime. Another standout is Farewell Herr Schwarz, which won the documentary prize at the Haifa International Film Festival, and tells the story of a granddaughter looking to uncover what happened to her deceased grandfather during WWII.
Casual face-melter Courtney Barnett is finally about to have a debut album under her already trophy-laden belt. So naturally, the Melbourne-based shredder has announced her Australian debut album tour for May 2015. This one's going to sell fast. Marking the release of her first ever LP, Sometimes I Sit and Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit (out Friday, March 20 via Barnett's own Milk! Records and Remote Control), this tour follows Barnett's epic performances at Laneway festival around the country over the last few weeks. Having already proved herself one of Australia's brightest sparks over the last few years with her 2013 EP release The Double EP: A Sea of Split Peas, Barnett's spins one hell of a live show — having nailed sets at Lollapalooza, South by Southwest and New York City's CMJ. Barnett will cruise from Adelaide's The Gov on Friday, May 1 to Perth's Bakery on Saturday, May 2. Then it's over to Sydney's The Metro on Friday, May 8 and Brisbane's Hi-Fi on Saturday, May 9. In classic Australian artist form, Barnett will wrap things up in her hometown of Melbourne on Friday, May 15 at The Forum.
You've probably got a whole bunch of beard jokes, banjo bashing and eye-rolling up your sleeve already. But put your four-part harmony rant aside for a second, there's special edition Young Henrys beer afoot. London's folk-pop foursome Mumford and Sons are releasing their brand new album Wilder Mind on May 4, and to launch the whole stadium-ready thing they've opened a pop-up bar inside Newtown Hotel for two weeks from Monday 27 April to Sunday 10 May. This isn't the first time Mumford and Sons have had a Sydney pop-up bar, their 2012 album Babel saw a pop-up whisky bar on Oxford Street with film screenings and tastings aplenty. This time around, the Newtown Hotel pop-up will trade whisky for Young Henrys' special edition Wilder Mind ale, with DJ sets, live music and mural painting locked in for the duration of the activation. Plus, you'll be able to hang around and listen to the new album if you're a Mumfordian. While you're waiting, let's remember this straight-up chuckler of a video. Fine holiday fun.
Start coordinating your crew's dress-ups — one of Australia's best and most beloved festivals, Secret Garden Festival, is back for another year. Returning to the festival's hallowed and not-so-secret-anymore location outside of Sydney, Secret Garden is celebrating its eighth year over February 26 and 27. The full lineup, as SG tradition goes, has remained under lock and key until the festival sells out — and they just did. So this morning, they've finally dropped that highly anticipated 2016 lineup. The crew gave us a sneak peek into what to expect, when they released the first ten artists in early February — from Melbourne's Grammy-nominated neo-soul powerhouse Haitus Kaiyote to Sydney's synthy dance duke Hayden James, the unstoppable hip hop/R&B force that is Sampa The Great, Adelaide raw garage outfit Bad // Dreems, absolute Australian party legends Stereogamus and more. And now? They've finally unleashed the whole bloody thing. Here's what you were waiting for. You'll be partying on the farm with ARIA Award-nominees Gang of Youths and Tuka, soul/hip hop hypecard Raury, folktronica singer-songrwiter Gordi, Sydney favourite Jonathan Boulet, hectic Melbourne six-piece Saskwatch, grind-inducing Sydney duo Black Vanilla, no-holds-barred Western Sydney hip hop artist L-Fresh the Lion and more — including ARIA Award winning surprise guest. BEHOLD. SECRET GARDEN FESTIVAL 2016 LINEUP: Starring, in alphabetical order: Adi Toohey Ariane Bad//Dreems Black Vanilla BUOY CC:DISCO! Cruisin’ Deuces Dorsal Fins Elizabeth Rose (DJ) Ella Thompson Gang of Youths GG Magree Gordi Green Buzzard Hayden James Jess Kent Jody Jonathan Boulet L-Fresh The Lion Levins Love Bombs Luen Mansionair Money For Nothing DJs Montaigne Moonbase Commander Motorik Vibe Council Palms Planéte Purple Sneakers & Friends Raury Roland Tings Saskwatch Sampa The Great Sex on Toast Shagm& Friends Shantan Wantan Ichiban SPORTS Stereogamous The Completely Boys The Lulu Raes The Meeting Tree Tuka World Champion As for the rest of the lineup? Secret Garden's lips are sealed, but they're promising "over 50 bands and DJs, 30 actors, dancers and comedians, 18 pop-up performances, 10 drag queens, 8 dance floors, 6 stages, 1 very busy kissing booth and many, many more secrets to be discovered in our adult play land synonymous with dress ups, sequins, glitter and good times." Secret Garden runs February 26 to 28 in a secret location outside of Sydney. Tickets are sold out. More info over here. Image: Anna Warr.
From Stripes to Ghostbusters to Groundhog Day to Zombieland, Bill Murray has been entertaining us for decades. He’s also apparently the world’s greatest party crasher, although whether half those stories are true we’ll probably never know. Murray’s most recent role is as the titular character in St. Vincent, a comedy about a bitter old New Yorker who becomes the reluctant babysitter to his 11-year-old next-door neighbour. It may sound a little cutesy, but it’s actually one of our favourite films of the summer. In fact we like it so much that we’re presenting a screening of it at Ben & Jerry’s Openair Cinema. So head down to Bondi on Friday, February 6, to celebrate everybody’s favourite movie curmudgeon. Gates open at 6pm. There'll also be a live set by local DJ MK-1, and because it’s a Friday, everyone above the legal drinking age gets a complimentary Aperol Spritz. Thanks to Ben & Jerry's Openair Cinema, we have ten double passes to the Concrete Playground presents: St Vincent screening to give away. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter and then email win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au with your name and address.
Considering the Soda Factory's famed Tuesday Dollar Dawgs, you might already be engaged in your own personal weekly hot dog eating competition. But now everybody's favourite secret bar is taking the ritual public, and they're taking it professional. Their Hot Dog Eating Contest, returning for its second year on September 2, will pit the mightiest scoffers and speediest peristalsis practitioners head to head in a tournament as old as time (or at least 1916). Five limited edition gourmet hot dogs will be available for eaters competitive and recreational, as well as the usual Wednesday deals of $10 buckets of fried chicken and $1 hot wings. The comp will be hosted by Colonel Mustard, and if you're the last glutton standing, you'll bag a $200 dinner and drinks tab. Second and third place-getters will also get a little something. And this year, the Soda Factory will be donating $10 for every hot dog eaten in the contest to Oz Harvest. The more you eat, the more they'll donate. To enter or spectate, register at competitions@sodafactory.com.au with your full name or chosen fighting alias (or just sign up at the venue on the night). There'll be separate heats for men and woman, and entry is free. Potentially, it will be the largest free meal you've ever had. The inaugural Soda Factory contest coincides with the USA's 'National Hot Dog Day', though that seems entirely unnecessary. Who needs more reason to stuff their face with snags? The Soda Factory's annual Hot Dog Eating Contest is happening on September 2 from 5pm.
Tributes, YouTube clips, interviews, songs, quotes, articles, feelings and memories all started flowing yesterday when the world heard of the unexpected death of the legendary David Bowie. Mourning the 69-year-old friend to Major Tom, the cumulative howl of loss from the on-and-offline community hasn't stopped since. It’s a testament to Bowie’s influence that our fickle collective consciousness is so saturated with grief that we can talk about nothing else. But it can feel very impotent and hollow to sit alone in Starman sadness, so if you want to do something, go somewhere, be with people, share grief and celebrate life, Sydney Festival have you covered. There’s a David Bowie tribute happening tomorrow night at the Sydney Festival Village in Hyde Park from 6.15pm. Wear the accoutrements of The Thin White Duke, don your best Aladdin Sane facepaint, wear whatever you feel and get down to the DJ lineup that pays tribute to Bowie's life in music. The event is free and an impromptu part of Sydney Festival running from January 7-26. This will no doubt be the first of many emotional David Bowie tributes and celebratory parties worldwide, make sure you pour one out for Bowie if you're at one. Vale, Starman, waiting' in the sky.
No longer just the realms of Monica Trapaga yazz residencies and kiddie-aimed pantomimes, the after-hours Twilight at Taronga series took it up a huge, cred-worthy notch last year. This summer, they'll be aiming even higher, returning with a new, eclectic lineup every weekend from Thursday, January 28 through Saturday, March 12. With the 2016 lineup set to be announced on Thursday, October 22, there's some pretty big expectations for this year's program. Taking over the lawns of Taronga Zoo's fully-licensed natural amphitheater last summer, Twilight at Taronga saw one heck of a lineup including Bright Eyes' soul-searching dreamboat Conor Oberst, twee monarchs Belle and Sebastian, the one and only Rufus Wainwright, Powderfinger's legendary nice guy Bernard Fanning, Paul Kelly presenting Merri Soul Sessions, You Am I, Sarah Blasko, Dan Sultan, Something For Kate, Little May, Jack Ladder and the Dreamlanders, Hiatus Kaiyote and more. After one of the most contemporary changes the Twilight at Taronga series has seen in its 20 years running, the feathered, furred and finned will inevitably have plenty to choose from this summer. Start preparing your picnics and designating your hummus-bringers, this is one summer gig you should lock down tickets for. Twilight at Taronga 2016 is happening January 28 to March 12. The lineup will be announced Thursday, October 22. Tickets for Twilight at Taronga's full program go on sale 9am, Thursday, October 29 right here. Image: Maclay Heriot.
Perched on a traffic island between Falcon Street and Military Road in Neutral Bay, this delightful gallery features works by both emerging and established contemporary artists from Australia and abroad. Step inside the four-level NYC-style loft to find vibrant creations like singing men in a rowboat and vintage armchairs plastered in psychedelic street art. With a constantly changing series of exhibitions, there's something new to discover on every visit. Art aficionados will want to attend at least a few of the galleries' special events, which include artist dinners, talks, and a diverse array of pop-ups.
South Carolina's favourite pullers of heartstrings Band of Horses will play a private show at craft beer haven Wayward Brewery in Sydney, and tickets are currently up for grabs. It's beer and Band of Horses live. Get on it. The Seattle-formed rock group are touring Australia this July to promote their latest slam dunk of an album Why Are You OK. They'll play Splendour in the Grass on July 22, Melbourne's Forum Theatre on July 24, and the Sydney Opera House on July 25, before wrapping up their visit with an intimate, invite-only acoustic gig for a specially selected audience at Camperdown's beloved Wayward Brewery. Want to be part of it? You just have to gush over your favourite fivesome. The private show is being sponsored by Optus, who are running an online competition for fans to score tickets. To enter, you simply have to explain in 25 words or less what your favourite track off the band's new album is, and why. Winners will receive a double pass to the show, which is set to take place at the brewery on July 27. Entries close on July 18. For now, here's a 'Casual Party' for you: Image: Andrew Stuart. UPDATE JULY 7, 2016: Band of Horses' secret brewery gig has moved from Grifter to Wayward Brewery in Camperdown. Our story's copy has been changed to reflect this.
In its inaugural year, brand new Sydney festival Volumes enjoyed the kind of success that debut events long for, but is seldom achieved. As a multi-venue festival taking over several Oxford Street spaces, it was touted (by us, hello) as a mini South by Southwest-style festival featuring some of Australia's premier artists, bands, DJs and, importantly, live music venues. And thank the merciful gods, Volumes is coming back in 2016 to kick off festival season. This years' first lineup announcement is a whizzbanger, with reams of artists set to take over Oxford Art Factory, Brighton Up Bar, The Cliff Dive and The Burdekin over August 26 and 27. Bear in mind this is only the first announcement and just look at it. The first day, Friday, August 26, is a wee bit more dancey with BV, Dro Carey, Charles Murdoch, Rainbow Chan, Alba, Silent Jay x Jace XL, HTMLflowers, DEER, Milwaukee Banks, 30/70, Christopher Port, Lupa J, Jaysways, Body Promise, Sidechains DJs, Melty, Spirals and Godriguez. The second day, Saturday, August 27, is jam packed with quality: Nicholas Allbrook, Slum Sociable, Fishing, Mall Grab, Donny Benet, Mossy, Rolling Blackouts CF, You Beauty, Cliques, Marcus Whale, Habits, Zero Percent, Good Boy, Orb, Unity Floors, Terrible Truths, The Harpoons, Hubert Clarke Jr, Null, Babicka, Leo James, Scott and Charlene's Wedding, Darts, Summer Flake, Angie, Scraps, 100%, California Girls, Good Morning, Solid Effort, Us The Band, Xanga, Nite Fleit, Andy Garvey, Adi Toohey and Playful Sound. We'll also be graced the curatorial talents of a horde of DJs from I OH YOU, Strange Yonder, Thump, Noisey, Rice Is Nice and Bedroom Suck. Early bird tickets are on sale now, and at $69.90 +BF for a two day pass, it's the best value for money festival out. Grab em' here and get excited – summer is looking fine. Volumes returns to Sydney over August 26 and 27 at venues around Oxford Street. More details and tickets on the Volumes website. Image: Sam Brumby/Volumes.
Flap your wings and fly into Cake Wines' new cellar door in Redfern, where they're celebrating not one, but two of our all-time favourite things in life: fried chicken and wine. Sydney is home to a tonne of top-notch poultry chefs, whose hot 'n' greasy bits of bird would make Colonel Sanders embarrassed. Now they're flocking together at Cake's urban cellar door for Sydney's first-ever fried chicken and wine festival. Set for Sunday, July 24, Birds of Redfern has been curated by the Cake Wines team along with food writer, DJ and podcaster Andrew Levins. The lineup features some of the biggest cluckers in town, including several nicked straight from our list of Sydney fried chicken favourites. These include Hartsyard — home to Southern-style fried chicken with hot sauce, ranch and pickles — and Moon Park, whose Korean-style shrimp-brined fried chicken comes with soy and sweet pickled daikon. Also on the menu are chicken burgers from the gang at the The Lord Gladstone, chicken sangas from recent addition Henry Lee's, and a selection of wings served extra crispy or buffalo-style courtesy of Levins and his podcast co-host Mitch Orr from ACME. Of course, you'll probably want a little liquid refreshment to wash down all that chook. Good thing this is all happening at a wine cellar. Cake will pop the cork on a number of their locally-made wines, including their 2016 Pinot Gris, their NV Adelaide Hills sparkling and their small batch natural Pinot Noir. There'll also be beer available from White Rabbit and Little Creatures. Tickets to Birds of Redfern cost $10 and are available through Eventbrite, but don't include the cost of food or drink. For more information, visit the Facebook event.
Sydney CBD's go-to spot for pork-fuelled splendour, Swine & Co, is packing up shop. Currently residing in the former Bank of New South Wales on O'Connell Street, the house that pork built is planning to cease trading in early May; currently in development for a new expanded location in Surry Hills later this year. Joining the already well-attended meat temples of Surry Hills is an interesting move for the Urban Purveyor Group (who also own Sydney CBD staples like Ananas Bar and Brasserie, The Cut Bar and Grill and Saké). Leaving the suit-heavy realms of Sydney's CBD for the more laidback casual dining scene of Surry, Swine & Co. will continue cranking out its established, pig-focused menu — including those infamous house pork crackling chips. But they'll also be adding US-style barbecue and over 150 whiskies and a huge craft beer list to the menu. That's one big ol' 'when in Rome' huh? Whether Surry Hills has room for one more meat lovin', whisky-guzzlin' American-style joint remains to be seen — the suburb's not exactly wanting for pulled pork and Knob Creek. But since Swine & Co. opened in February 2014, the restaurant has generated quite the carnivorous following. Perhaps it's time for a new crowd. "We are thrilled to be introducing our highly successful and newly expanded Swine & Co. concept to the buzzing Surry Hills food scene," says UPG CEO Thomas Pash. "The new location will offer seriously great food in a laid back, fun and comfortable atmosphere. We’re working on amazing food and beverage menus for our customers and look forward to welcoming some new faces when we open in a few months." Trading at Swine & Co.'s CBD location will cease in May, with the new Surry Hills location to open later this year.
If you think you're walking out of this dance class squeaky clean and bereft of the mad sweats, you've got another thing coming. Kickass choreographer and song-of-the-moment enthusiast Amrita Hepi is back with another dance class to make you work-work-work-work-work. Amrita showed you the moves to Beyonce's 'Formation' and Justin Bieber's 'Sorry', now don the most sheer, possibly crocheted, babe-o thing in your wardrobe for Rihanna's 'Work'. Don't just come to Drake it up standing all awkward and idle-like on the side of the room. Pick one of two classes — 6pm and 7.15pm — and get ready to work everything with a hinge.
