Do you enjoy a glass of wine with your dinner but find the mark-up a little hard to swallow? Perhaps you’ve been saving a special bottle in your cellar (aka laundry). Or maybe you just have an appetite for good value. Either way, who doesn’t love a bit of bring-your-own. Here are Sydney’s best restaurants to come armed with a bottle. CHAT THAI Chat Thai is one of Sydney’s worst kept secrets. Join the inevitable queue for sizzling satays, coconut curries and zesty salads, which hail from the steamy streets of Bangkok. With 26 syrupy and sticky sweets on the menu, there’s no excuse for skipping desserts. We recommend the flash-fried dough sticks smothered in pandan custard ($6.90) and the young coconut ice-cream with sticky rice, candied palm seeds and roasted peanuts ($6.90). All five Chat Thai branches are BYO, as well as their offshoots Boon Cafe, Assamm and Samosorn. BYO wine only (corkage $3 per person). 20 Campbell Street, Haymarket. DIN TAI FUNG Welcome to dumpling heaven. Taipei based global chain Din Tai Fung is famous for their silky-skinned and hot-bellied xiao long bao ($10.80) as well as their shao mai parcels ($10.80) and colourful dumpling gems ($15.80). Din Tai Fung pride themselves on their strict quality control, with each disc of pastry measuring exactly 6cm, with an acceptable total weight of 4.8 – 5.2 grams. Beer and dumplings have been friends since time immemorial, so pair with a floral and herbaceous pilsener, such as James Squire’s Four Wives. BYO wine and beer (corkage $10 per wine bottle, $2.50 per beer bottle). 644 George Street, Sydney and other locations. NEW SHANGHAI New Shanghai’s pan-fried pork buns have attained a certain level of notoriety in Sydney. These puffy dumplings with lovely burnished bottoms are served alongside Shanghai classics including braised garlic eggplant ($13.80), drunken chicken ($8.80) and shallot pancake ($5.80), which make a good match for a bottle of crisp, dry white. The dark woods, deep reds and warm lighting will have you back in 1930s Shanghai, while at the front window, dumplings are handmade with mesmerising precision and speed. BYO wine only (corkage $2 per person); 273 Liverpool Road, Ashfield and other locations. YEN FOR VIET Serving traditional Vietnamese cuisine in a smart, modern setting, Yen for Viet takes the title for Sydney’s most pho-nomenal pho. Alongside this herb-filled rice noodle soup, you can order slow-cooked pork belly in young coconut ($15); clay pot caramelised fish ($16); and banh xeo, a crispy pancake stuffed with beansprouts, mungbeans, prawns and duck ($18). Mmm Viet-noms. Bring a citrusy, fresh-tasting semillon with you, which should marry well with the fresh herbs and salad. BYO wine only (corkage $2 per person), 296 Illawarra Road, Marrickville KEPOS STREET KITCHEN We’re not advocating a bottle of burgundy with breakfast (well, maybe on a weekend) but there’s nothing stopping you from making a toast with your toast at this all-day cafe. Kepos Street Kitchen is a charming corner cafe in Redfern that boasts a Middle Eastern-inspired menu. Here you can feast upon Tel Aviv falafel with green tahini ($12) and traditional Moroccan lamb and pine nut cigars ($17), and who can honestly say no to salted caramel churros ($12)? BYO wine only (corkage $8 per bottle). 96 Kepos Street, Redfern. SULTAN'S TABLE This Turkish delight in Enmore serves mezze fit for a king. Come for the delicious suckling lamb ($20), sizzling adana kebab grilled over charcoal ($14) and authentic woodfired pide. Start the meal with an assortment of dips in a rainbow of flavours ($22), which includes parsley, jajik (garlic), chilli, beetroot, carrot, spinach, humous and baba ganoush, accompanied by a slab of oven-baked Turkish bread. Finish with a strong, aromatic Turkish coffee and a syrupy baklava ($3) or head next door for arguably the world’s best gelato at Cow and Moon. BYO wine and beer (corkage $0). 179 Enmore Road, Enmore. BAR REGGIO For not much dough, you can score a supremely good pizza at Bar Reggio. This loud and lively family ristorante serves hillocks of spaghetti, whole baked fish, veal scallopine and pizza. Oh, and don’t forget to leave room for gelato and tiramisu. Their Tuscan-themed courtyard makes a perfect place for group get-togethers, and it’s well-placed on Crown Street if you feel like kicking on afterwards. BYO wine and beer (corkage $2 per person). 135 Crown Street, Darlinghurst. MAMAK Serving exceptional Malaysian hawker food, Mamak is famous for its feather-light, flaky roti canai, which is theatrically folded and flipped out front to the delight of onlookers. Use your roti to mop up tangy fish curry with okra ($17) and spicy samba tiger prawns ($19), or wrap it around charcoal satay ($9) and Malaysian-style fried chicken ($14). You can even order sweet roti ($8) filled with sliced banana or pandan and coconut, topped with ice-cream. Try a clean-finishing craft brew like James Squire Fifty Lashes, which will complement the fiery, feisty flavours. BYO wine and beer (corkage $2 per person). 15 Goulburn Street, Haymarket. CHIOSCO BY ORMEGGIO Located side by side on a Mosman jetty, Chiosco is mere metres from the water’s edge, with spectacular 300 degree views of luxury yachts and sparkling sea. While parent restaurant Ormeggio is a fine-dining affair, Chiosco (which is Italian for ‘kiosk’) has adopted a casual approach, serving Italian street food and takeaway with a ‘barefoot and BYO’ ethos. With cheaper prices and executive chef Alessandro Pavoni at the helm, it’s a good excuse to go a little overboard. Bring a bottle of champagne or a six pack of golden ales with you. BYO wine and beer (corkage $10 corkage per bottle for wine and $2 per bottle of beer). The Jetty, d'Albora Marina The Spit, Spit Rd. Mosman. TETSUYA'S This stalwart of Sydney’s luxury dining scene marries the Japanese philosophy of natural, seasonal flavours with French culinary expertise. Their ten-course degustation ($220) has been updated with new offerings, including the inspired pairing of New Zealand scampi tail with chicken liver parfait; however, the one dish that never changes is the impeccable confit of petuna ocean trout, which is renowned the world over. Not exactly the most budget-conscious evening out, but a great opportunity to borrow a special bottle from your parents' stash. With matching wines rounding out at $110 per person, you may also save yourself a pretty penny too. BYO wine only (corkage $25 for the first bottle, $45 each bottle after). 529 Kent Street, Sydney.
Ghostface Killah constantly features as an 'honourable mention' in countless publications' lists of the greatest rappers of all time — perhaps perceived as almost too smart a lyricist for his own good to attain too many top billings in his own right. Just as RZA’s overall production vision for the legendary Wu-Tang Clan has been the sonic foundation to the diverse crew’s raw power, Ghostface has been credited with holding the at-times fractious group together over twenty years at the cutting edge of the game. The 44-year-old New Yorker is the kind of rapper who's more at home sampling You Roam When You Don’t Get It At Home (from his acclaimed solo record Supreme Clientele) than repeating the mantra "Everyday I'm hustlin'". More recently he's embraced rap's intertwined foundations in classic soul even more fully, collaborating with Black Dynamite composer Adrian Younge and the Delfonics on Twelve Reasons to Die (soon to get a sequel) for a time capsule-like recreation of live 1970s instrumentation that spawned a series of unlikely singles, capped by 'Murder Spree'. Fresh off the back of a headlining slot at Meredith — where he invited Australian paralympian Dylan Alcott onstage for 'Protect Ya Neck' — Ghostface is playing an unmissable sideshow at The Metro. Co-headlining with Pharoahe Monch. Supported by The Tongue + Soul Benefits.
Heaps Gay are taking their undisputed party-throwing finesse and taking it to the next level — an all-day festival Marrickville's Factory Theatre especially for Vivid. Having earned a reputation for their hectic, monthly, all-inclusive LGBT dance parties at the Gladstone Hotel (now they're at Erskineville's Imperial Hotel) raising money for ACON, Heaps Gay is partnering with FBi Radio and Vivid to put on a special edition, all-day jamboree. The seriously impressive lineup includes KIM (The Presets) on the decks, Black Vanilla, Catlips, dreamy house pop from Tees, The Magda Subanski's, Levins, Sveta, Hissy Fit and many more. Expect flash parties by No Lights No Lycra, light installations and burgers by Mary's to keep you going from day to night. Image: Heaps Gay.
The Coathanger, the Iron Lung, or, simply, the Bridge. However you refer to it, we can all agree that the world’s largest steel arch bridge is not only a powerful monument to humanity’s collective ingenuity but also just a dope addition to an already breathtaking harbour. Add on the fact that hundreds of thousands of vehicles cross its epic span daily and you’re dealing with an object of immense beauty and incredible civic utility. If you can’t tell by now, we're fans of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. What’s the best aspect of the bridge though? You can climb that motherflippin’ beast! It's one of the most satisfying touristy experiences for a local Sydneysider around — and also one of the best Christmas presents you can get someone who already has everything. From atop your mighty steel throne you gain some of the best views in the city, if not the world, thanks to the folks at BridgeClimb. So what’s good to peep? Concrete Playground took upon ourselves to find out, so we strapped on our harnesses, passed our compulsory blood alcohol check, and clambered up that mighty arch. THE MAZE-LIKE STREETS OF THE ROCKS With all that shimmering, resplendent water to catch your eye, the site of Australia’s first European settlement often gets ignored, but no longer! The Rocks is a labyrinthine warren of dense, intersecting, occasionally superfluous, lanes, alleys and walkways that are still in use today. A birds eye view of the maze of paths that make up The Rocks is like looking at a living breathing rendering of colonial Sydney. Each cramped stairway and cul-de-sac representing the frenetic energy of the early colonists and their impatience to try to come to grips with this foreign land. THE POORLY DESIGNED BUT LOVABLE FORT DENISION This literally used to just be a colossal sandstone rock jutting fifteen metres out of the briny depths. Then Governor Phillip decided that we needed all that sandstone to build ourselves a colony and lo, with the assistance of a bunch of convicts who probably suffered horribly but let’s not think too much about that, Fort Denison was literally hewn from the stone on which it rests. Pinchgut Island, as it came to be known, has had a macabre history as a penal site, a defensive fortress, as well as serving as the burgeoning colony’s preferred site for hanging recalcitrant convicts. While there’s no denying that a lot of blood has been spilled on that islet, the history of Fort Denison is not all doom and gloom. The centerpiece of the island is the distinctive circular Martello tower, it was the first built in Australia and the last built in the British Empire. This was presumably because poor designs meant that the cannons the tower was built to house were so powerful that their recoil had the potential to undermine the structural integrity of the tower they were in. Never have you seen a more scenic monument to the fine Australian tradition of giving it a red-hot go only to end up half-arseing it because disregarding architectural plans means you are a true-blue, dinky-di ‘Strayan. THE MIGHTY, MIGHTY HEADS Sydney Harbour, or Port Jackson for any cartographical purists, is the world’s largest natural harbour. The jewel in the Emerald City’s crown, the entrance to this expansive inlet is flanked by two imposing sandstone promontories, North and South Heads, that shelter us from the wrath of the Tasman Sea. Perched amid the scrub of North Head is the Sydney Quarantine Station, one of the last remaining facilities that were erected in each colony to ward off whooping cough, small pox and other nasty illnesses. If historical significance and communicable disease prevention is not your bag, don’t fret, the Sydney Harbour National Park has preserved as much of the heads as possible, leaving the undisturbed bush as a potent reminder of the thirty-thousand years of human habitation pre-1788 when the Gadigal people of the Eora nation walked its pristine beaches and byways. THE OTHER BRIDGE, ANZAC BRIDGE Often overlooked in favour of the larger and more grandiose eponymous bridge over Sydney harbour, the Anzac Bridge is a stunning example of architectural restraint. From a distance two soaring pylons appear to be trussed by metal gossamer, the sleek steel cables managing to make the bridge appear simultaneously buoyant and grounded. Formerly known as the Glebe Island Bridge before being renamed in a fit of nationalistic fervour, the Anzac Bridge is a gravity-defying memorial to the contribution of the Australian and New Zealand armed forces and a real pretty sight to boot. CUSTOMS HOUSE'S LOOMING CLOCK TOWER The tallest building in Sydney when the Harbour Bridge was built, you’ll recognise Customs House as that building everyone Instagrams when Vivid is on because there’s always some hectic display projected on to it. Located opposite Circular Quay, this iconic landmark is now dwarfed by skyscrapers in every direction, but don’t let that diminish its grandeur. Once the heart of colonial Sydney this imposing sandstone edifice is a heritage-listed reminder of the overwhelming isolation that early colonists must have felt when maritime trade was the only link to the outside world. On an equally historic but more tragic note, it’s said that the House is built on the spot where the Eora people witnessed the arrival of the First Fleet. Want to see one of the best views in Sydney for yourself? How about getting your nearest and dearest a climb for Christmas? Head to the BridgeClimb website and book your climb. Images: BridgeClimb, Dollar Photo Club, Bentley Smith (Flickr CC).
“Right now, I’m at the House With No Steps in Hurstville,” says Peking Duk’s Adam Hyde. “We’re helping paint murals and hanging out with the people here. We’ve made some great new friends, who have some hilarious stories. It’s such a good time and it’s for a great cause.” Peking Duk, who will play at Luna Park’s Big Top on September 30 for Optus RockCorps 2015, took some time out from their hit-making schedule to volunteer. “When we arrived,” says Hyde. “The walls were dull, but now they’re very, very vibrant. There’s a beach with a massive whale and leopards and tigers in the jungle. In between painting, I’ve been rapping and having a little dance-off.” Hyde and co-Duk Reuben Styles were joined by loads of other volunteers, swapping four hours of their time for a ticket to Optus RockCorps, where Wiz Khalifa, Raury and The Veronicas will all perform. “I think it’s awesome, because you can’t buy a ticket, you have to do a good deed,” says Hyde. “It’s great that so many people are getting involved and a lot of them aren’t here just for the ticket. They’re here to help out of the kindness of their hearts. I’m blown away that there are so many young people getting amongst it. And I think more people should embrace it because it’s not hard at all.” Ready to take his advice? Here are five ways you can help out your community during the next week – and earn yourself a concert ticket. GET YOUR BANKSY ON AT COUNTERPOINT COMMUNITY SERVICES, WATERLOO Give Banksy a run for his money by helping to paint a new mural at Waterloo’s Counterpoint Community Services (the place that used to be known as the Factory Community Centre). Simply register your interest here and turn up at 10am on Thursday, September 10. Spray cans will be handed to you. And if you don’t feel ready to exercise your art muscle, you can still do your bit by taking care of cleaning and clearing. Counterpoint Community Services provides a meeting space for local organisations and runs helpful programmes dealing with particular issues, including employment, domestic violence, drug and alcohol abuse, literacy, housing, parenting and immigration. FLEX YOUR GREEN THUMB AT MORT BAY COMMUNITY GARDENS, BIRCHGROVE Whether your thumb’s greener than Costa Georgiadis’s or the closest you’ve ever got to gardening is buying growing basil at Coles, you’re invited to join the Mort Bay Community Gardens working bee. It’ll be happening on Wednesday, September 9 from 10am in McKell Street, Birchgrove. The plan is to landscape, mulch and generally make beautiful a bunch of vegetable boxes. Mort Bay Community Gardens were founded in 2011 and have since expanded, thanks to support from Leichhardt Council and a 2013 NSW Government grant. Register for this opportunity right here. FIGHT AGAINST WEEDS AT CHOWDER BAY, MOSMAN Ever since the Brit colonists brought their strange beasts, seeds and people halfway around the world, Australia’s native environment has had to battle relentlessly against intruders. Right now, Chowder Bay, which is located on Middle Head’s south side and is one of Sydney’s most beautiful spots, is being strangled by nasty weeds and flora. But, as always, the National Parks and Wildlife Service is fighting the good fight and beating them back. And you can add your hands to their efforts by joining other Optus RockCorps volunteers on Sunday, September 6 from 10am. Sign up over here. TEST OUT YOUR LANDSCAPING IDEAS AT THE HOPE HOSTEL, PARRAMATTA The Hope Hostel and Crisis Apartments have been providing men in Western Sydney with emergency and long-term accommodation during times of crisis since March 2011. But they don’t just provide shelter, they also offer extensive support. So, on Wednesday, September 9 from 10am, Optus RockCorps volunteers will spend a few hours landscaping The Hope’s outdoor area, which is an important place for meeting, thinking and relaxing. You can expect to get creative, by contributing your aesthetic ideas, and practical, with tree-planting, gardening and rearranging. Find out more here. GET PAINT ROLLING AT ST GEORGE PCYC, ROCKDALE St George PCYC is ready for a paint job. And if you get down there on Thursday, September 10 you can make it happen. There’ll be two types of painting going on — a straightforward new coat in the corridors and murals in other areas. You can get involved with whichever takes your fancy. The St George PCYC provides local children with a gym, chill-out room for playing table tennis, pool and fussball, and organised activities like boxing, martials arts, basketball, indoor soccer, gymnastics, volleyball and baton twirling. If this sounds like the right volunteer opportunity for you, go here. Find out more about how you can volunteer for a ticket to Optus RockCorps here. Images: Aleksandar Jason and Dollar Photo Club.
Simple Pleasures Camping Co. is taking over the grounds of Oberon's Mayfield Garden for its next luxurious eco-friendly camping retreat. Glamping in the Garden will pop up from March 23 through April 30 in one of the world's largest privately owned cool climate gardens. Located three hours west of Sydney's CBD, the gardens are seriously impressive and include an 80-metre waterfall, a walled kitchen garden, an Islamic-style pond and a six-acre water garden — plus a bluestone chapel, aviary and rose garden. Bookings include three-day passes to all 160-acres, with exclusive nighttime access for glamping guests. There's plenty to do apart from moseying around, including romantic canoe rides, interactive garden games, tours and workshops, with the garden's Autumn Festival also on during April. The intimate campsite will include only 15 two-person tents, situated next to the picturesque obelisk pond. The bell-shaped tents are fitted with Hugo Sleep queen mattresses, IN BED linens, goosefeather pillows, bedside tables, solar lighting and vintage rugs from around the world. The experience also comes complete with towels, an outdoor table and chairs to sit at, lanterns and torches, along with on-site bathrooms and showers, which are exclusive to the glamping area. Bookings also include a 'paddock and garden-to-plate' barbecue menu for two, with 80 percent of the produce sourced on-site and 20 percent handpicked from local suppliers. The cook-it-yourself menu includes steaks, marinated chicken, a fresh vegetable platter and vegan salad, with all cookware provided and communal barbecues and alfresco dining area available on the campground. If you really want to be greeted to your personal oasis in style, you can add on a drink and food package, which includes bubbles, cheese and charcuterie on arrival. Bookings for Glamping in the Garden are now open. Each tent costs $290 per night and includes dinner for two, with the option of drinks ($45) and charcuterie ($26) on arrival and family packages are also available. If you're looking for more glamping options, check out our ten favourite glamping spots near Sydney. Glamping in the Garden will run from March 23 until April 30 at Mayfield Garden, 530 Mayfield Road, Oberon. Check out the website to book or for more information.
A new rooftop hotel in Melbourne is offering a luxurious alternative to the cramped family camper you would have piled into as a kid. Opening on Friday, August 26 atop a Flinders Lane carpark in the CBD, this boutique venture consists of six vintage airstream caravans transported from the U.S. and completely refitted as "designer urban accommodation", complete with queen size bed, split-system heating and cooling, and a fridge full of complimentary craft beer and wine. Throw in a little laneway graffiti art and this couldn't get any more Melbourne if it tried. In addition to the amenities listed above, each caravan at Notel Melbourne comes with a television, linen and an en suite bathroom with full height shower. Sounds a little cosy, but sometimes that's exactly what you need, especially when you're dealing with chilly Melbourne weather. There's also an 'Airstream with benefits' ultra-luxe option, which includes access to a goddamn spa outside your trailer. The rooftop itself, meanwhile, has recently gotten a new lick of paint courtesy of local artist Ash Keating. A photo posted by Notel Melbourne (@notelmelbourne) on Aug 24, 2016 at 3:03am PDT Guests will have access to tablets loaded with music and movies along with a virtual guide to help them explore the city. The space will also be available for functions, with room for up to 300 people on the roof. Keen to book a night up there? Airstreams are going at $395 a night for two people, and bookings are officially open here. Notel Melbourne is now open on the corner of Flinders and Harper Lanes, Melbourne. For more information and to book visit notelmelbourne.com.au.
If you’ve eaten edible gardens at Ananas, sampled perfect sushi at Sake or dined like a New Yorker at The Cut, then you’re familiar with the culinary creativity of the Urban Purveyor Group. If you haven’t, we reckon it’s about time you gave them a good whirl. To that end, we’ve teamed up with UPG to give one of our clever, hungry readers 200 bucks worth of free nosh. Yep, 200 bucks. That’s enough cash to buy you and your loved one or mate or mum a serious feast. To enter, all you have to do is pop over here, fill in a quick form and write something vaguely interesting in ten words or less. That’s it. The winner will be free to spend their prize at any UPG venue. So, whether you fancy French glamour and cracking champagne at Ananas, premium steak in New York-style at The Cut Bar and Grill, the city’s finest contemporary Japanese at Sake, en epic European feast at The Lowenbrau or a lazy afternoon in The Argyle’s sandstone courtyard, the choice is yours.
The ploughman's lunch: it's a meal packed with old-world connotations of country living and hard labour, loved by many, even those who have never touched a plough in their lives. A standard definition is a small meal of bread, cheese and pickle, generally eaten in the middle of the day, usually served in a pub. From its time as a farmer's mainstay to the pub classic it is today, the dish has gone through many changes. When we tried the ploughman's at the White Rabbit Brewery in Geelong, we wondered, where does the dish actually come from? What is it that makes it such a legend? Here's a little bit of history, from ye olden days to the here and now. [caption id="attachment_584446" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Flickr.[/caption] YE OLDEN DAYS Back in the day, the world ran almost exclusively on agriculture. Aussies were farming as early as 1788, and agriculture remains a large part of Australian trade today. This is likely why the dish remains so prominent and evokes such overwhelming cultural nostalgia – even in those who have never stepped foot on a farm. For the farmers of old, the meal made perfect sense; clearly, the ploughmen of centuries ago didn't return home for a long lunch and siesta before finishing the day's work. Nor did they spend lunchtime hours hanging at the pub over a few pints — tough days, we know. Historians surmise that it is more likely farmers took with them some cheese, bread and pickles for luncheon, which didn't need to be refrigerated and could last out in the heat of the day. The notion of a 'pub lunch' is a much more modern and luxurious one than could have been afforded centuries ago. FROM RAGS TO RICHES While the meal itself was certainly a mainstay of farmers, its name, and indoctrination into society, came way, way later. The meal actually gained popularity after a nation-wide marketing push that happening between 1958 to 1977. At this time, post-war rationing was a thing of the past and businesses were not happy with the swift decline in the amount of cheese being eaten. To whip up nostalgia for this time-honoured dish, a marketing company made a bold claim that English cheese and beer have for centuries formed a perfect combination enjoyed as the 'Ploughman's Lunch'. This is the first historical reference to the dish, which was essentially invented as a marketing ploy to sell cheese — and not just one type of cheese, but all cheeses, thus making the dish popular across all regions and allowing for the creation of endless regional versions. Of course, the combination of bread and cheese was a timeless one and an obvious accompaniment. At that time, many rural pubs wouldn't have had a proper kitchen, so the Ploughman's Lunch was embraced as it could include simple ingredients that would be stored in the cellar and assembled easily by staff. THESE TIMES, THEY ARE A-CHANGIN' Once the dish was named, it was swiftly taken from the fields into the pubs. The emphasis on fresh produce, which in the past was a necessity, is a big part of why it fits so well into today's organic culture where we expect nothing less. Since the derivation of the dish is a farce, the components of a 'traditional' ploughman's lunch are also widely open to interpretation. An entire book was written on the subject – The Definitive Ploughman's — which found that one region of England uses thirteen ingredients in their ploughman's, adding sweetcorn, olives and beetroot components to your average cheese and bread. The variations don't stop there – Jamie Oliver's version contains spinach and fennel artisan bread and a scotch egg, while Barfoot Contessa's Ina Garten prefers an English-American fusion of thickly sliced Virginia ham and English cheddar. The restaurant within Geelong's White Rabbit Brewery allows patrons to pair any number of craft cheeses and meats, like wagyu bresaola paired with a Barossa triple cream. Each platter is served with a baguette from local bread makers Born & Bread and Yarra Valley's Cunliffe & Waters chutneys and spreads, along with pickled veg galore. This is truly the crème de la crème of ploughman's. Also agreed upon is that a good ploughman's lunch is a true testament to the overall quality of a pub. The dish continues to take many forms, and at its fanciest, better resembles a charcuterie. But even in its simplest form, there really is nothing better than a plate of crusty bread, homemade chutney, pickled vegetables and of course, a wedge of artisan cheese. Don't forget to wash it all down with a nice cold pint — it makes the dish taste just right. Find White Rabbit Brewery at 221 Swanston Street, South Geelong. Open Sunday to Thursday 11am – 5pm, Friday to Saturday 11am – 9pm.
Sydney’s Sepia has won prime position on the Australian Financial Review’s inaugural
Don't wait for Art Month or Vivid to roll around — it's always a good time to channel your inner creative and head out for some culture in Sydney. If you're looking for something free that goes beyond the MCA and AGNSW permanent collections, something new and different that may even add a bit of provocation to your gallery hop, we've got a list for you. Dotted around Sydney, there are several places to catch fresh works for free from both emerging and established contemporary artists. Many of these places were first set up in support of young talent, and have now become creative institutions featuring the most prominent Australian and international contemporary art. Clear your schedules and start pounding the pavement to visit some of the best free art available in Sydney. Your itinerary starts here. GALERIE POMPOM, CHIPPENDALE Galerie pompom has absorbed the much loved Modes of Practice, which closed at the end of 2016. What this really means though, is that MOP has simply entered a new era, with Galerie pompom continuing its efforts in supporting mid-career artists. The gallery remains within the former MOP space, hosting two to three shows a month plus artist talks on the weekends, while the MOP spirit lives on in an exhibit and book dedicated to its history and archives, set to release mid-2017. See what's on. [caption id="attachment_612089" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Vile Bodies, 2016[/caption] WHITE RABBIT, CHIPPENDALE A Sydney favourite, the White Rabbit Gallery is home to one of the largest collections of contemporary Chinese art in the world — as of 2016, it held almost 2000 works by over 500 artists in total. With two exhibits a year, the gallery opens the conversation up to the artistic renaissance that's taken place in China since 2000. Every exhibit provokes, fascinates and leads you down a rabbit hole of the best, most innovative contemporary art coming out of China. See what's on. [caption id="attachment_612095" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Unalienable, 2016[/caption] SULLIVAN + STRUMPF, ZETLAND Female-founded Sullivan + Strumpf has two locations, in Sydney and Singapore, with both spaces promoting the work of artists across different contemporary art genres and media. As a key player in the Asia Pacific region, the gallery hosts both solo and group exhibitions, and often collaborates with galleries across Australia and the world. Expect to see cutting-edge works from their 27 represented artists including painter Dane Lovett, 'felt-tip super-heroine' TextaQueen and leader in the modern rediscovery of ceramics, Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran. See what's on. [caption id="attachment_612314" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Before The Rain, 2017[/caption] 4A CENTRE FOR CONTEMPORARY ASIAN ART, HAYMARKET 4A is the brainchild of the Asian Australian Artists' Association, and looks to foster an open, cultural relationship between Australia and our Asian neighbours. Through exhibitions, performances and festival commissions, the gallery shines the spotlight on Asian-Australian art and culture. Catch up-and-coming and seasoned talents here, including renowned visual artists like 2016 Archibald finalist Abdul Abdullah, 'high-low' Javanese artist Hahan and jewellery designer Annie Gobel. See what's on. [caption id="attachment_612128" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Beastman: Art for the Streets. Billy Zammit for aMBUSH Gallery[/caption] AMBUSH, AROUND SYDNEY Following an 18-month residency in Central Park that saw 220 exhibitions come to life, aMBUSH is now looking outside the traditional gallery space. Though the award-winning gallery has moved back into its permanent gallery in Waterloo (currently under renovation), you should really set your sights on their public art spaces around Sydney. From permanent art at Westfield Chatswood and Warringah Mall, to ephemeral street art by Beastman at 10 Shelley Street, to an ever-changing outdoor exhibition space in the Darling Quarter, aMBUSH strives to nurture and support the Sydney cultural scene, making art accessible to all. Keep your eyes peeled in the coming months for a special Vivid exhibit, plus the reveal of a new residency. See what's on. ALASKA PROJECTS, KINGS CROSS Set in the basement of the Kings Cross Car Park, Alaska Projects is probably the most unconventional gallery space on this list. Open on Fridays and Saturdays, it not only holds regular exhibitions, but also hosts an entire events program with film screenings, musical performances and readings. Alaska Projects also features an outpost for the ultra arty bookshop Big Ego Books, where you can enrich your inner art nerd and discover obscure works and hard to find titles. See what's on. BLACK EYE, DARLINGHURST Black Eye is a meeting place for artists, collectors and lovers of contemporary photography. Holding a new exhibition every few weeks, the gallery keeps a constant stream of pictorial genius flowing through the space from emerging and established Australian and international photographers. A stone's throw from the National Art School, Black Eye also hosts free artist talks so you can go behind the lens of some of the most celebrated photographic eyes. See what's on. BLENDER GALLERY, PADDINGTON Capsule of the good ol' days of rock 'n' roll, Blender Gallery is Sydney's home of fine art music photography. It's here where you can peep behind-the-scenes shots of The Beatles, Hendrix and Debbie Harry, see our beloved Bowie and Prince through the decades, and maybe even purchase limited edition prints of Cher in all her '70s glory, Joni Mitchell ice skating and Kurt Cobain in concert. The gallery of iconic rock through the ages hosts an unbelievable collection of photographers from Tony Mott to Brian Aris. To see what's on, just stop by the space to see whose famed face is immortalised this week. [caption id="attachment_612094" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Grey Matter, 2015[/caption] ARTBANK, WATERLOO Artbank presents one of the largest Australian contemporary art collections in the world — second only to the National Gallery of Australia — but also invites you to take these renowned works home with you. The gallery aims to make contemporary art so accessible that you can lease works from their collection. The best part? Some of the art costs only $150 a year (that's like a sixth of what you probably spend on coffee annually) and all funds go back into buying and commissioning additional works, further supporting the artists. Visit the gallery for free to view iconic Aussie art, and if you like what you see, borrow your favourites right then and there. See what's on. GAFFA, TOWN HALL Gaffa is a veritable creative precinct in the heart of Sydney. Spread over three levels, the gallery delivers an inspiring haven for artists and art lovers alike. On the ground floor, The Arcades offer ephemeral spaces for innovators, designers and makers to show off their craft on a pop-up basis — though the resident coffee roaster is there to stay. One floor up, you'll find four galleries where young creators show fortnightly through a curated exhibition program. And even though the next floors aren't open to the public, this is where the creative juices really flow with studios and one of Australia's largest jewellery and object art workshops. See what's on. Images courtesy of the galleries.
If you want to see glamping taken to a whole new level, get thyself to Uluru right now. As if sleeping under the stars while taking in views of an ancient sacred site wasn't enough, you can do it in a luxury desert camp named Longitude 131°. What's more, all 15 of its tents have been made even fancier (and altogether less tent-like), thanks to the addition of some extraordinary Ayers Rock-facing balconies. The brainchild of designer Max Pritchard, these dreamy verandas come with lush day beds, armchairs and EcoSmart fireplaces, made of stone and rosewood. So, you can loll around and toast marshmallows, while keeping an eye on Uluru all night long. If you're travelling with your bestie, you'll be snuggling in front of the fire in a bespoke swag. Handmade by South Australia's Country Sew 'n' Sew, it's an all-Aussie creation, made of a cotton underlay, wool and a canvas exterior. As you might've guessed, it's based on an old-school Aussie drover's bedroll, but is built for two and, needless to say, is way, way comfier than what swaggies were lugging around in Henry Lawson's days. Plus, while you're kicking back, you'll be invited to order port, Cognac and other digestifs of your choosing. The balconies are just one of many extras brought to Longitude 131° since Baillie Lodges took over in late 2013. Since then, the tents have also scored a mega, multi-billion buck revamp, which brought new fabrics, designer furnishings, ceramics, Indigenous artworks and signature 'Baillie Beds'. "Our aim is to take the property to new levels of luxury, while at the same time enhancing its connection with Uluru and the desert environment," says managing director James Baillie. "The new balconies and luxury swags create a whole new level of intimacy, completely removing any barrier between the visitor and the landscape at Australia's spiritual heart." Prices start from a cool $1350 per person per night. We're sure you'd forget about the cash once you're snuggled up in that swag under the stars though.
Fans of Sydney-based artist eX de Medici's intricate watercolours will no doubt already have Spies Like Us in their calendar – opening at Sullivan+Strumpf on June 10. This arresting new body of work focuses on western political power, the rise of surveillance states, and the relationship between life and death. The collection of watercolours combines the artists beautiful ornamentation and seriously virtuosic miniaturist technique with unsettling themes of violence and destruction. Expect images of helmets, guns and military paraphernalia garlanded by flowers, foliage and tiny birds. Works like 'Root and Branch' and 'Persistence of Error' entwine the beautiful with the violent and militaristic, the delicate with the brutal, challenging the viewer's response and their destabilising their sense of aesthetic boundaries. Those aware of eX de Medici's background will see a connection between her experience as a tattoo artist (some of the works would make truly epic tats) and the overall aesthetic of Spies Like Us, with its nod to the vanitas tradition. Not one to miss. Image: eX de Medici, Persistence of Error, 2016.
No city in the world does the scenic run quite like Sydney. Home to not only the world's biggest natural harbour but also one hundred or so beaches, Sydney provides plenty of opportunities to combine your fitness regime with a view. So, if you're tired of the treadmill's monotony, get out amongst it with Concrete Playground's guide to Sydney's most scenic runs. Whether you find your motivation in the vigour of the waves, the calm of still water, or the majesty of human-made landmarks, you're sure to find a route here that will have you reaching for your running shoes. Bondi to Coogee This 14km-long run, which kicks off at the world's most famous beach, is the city's most popular. However, unless you're visiting on a scorching Sunday, you'll find that there's usually plenty of room on the path. What's more, the constant ocean views enable an immersion in nature that's surprising, considering you're on the coastal fringe of Australia's biggest city. If you're inclined to take a break for refreshments, there are cafes in Tamarama and Bondi, and Coogee's Wylie Baths provide a stunning location for a cool-down swim. The Bay Run This inner-west beauty offers welcome relief from the stresses of crowded city living. The Bay Run is a 7km circuit passing through Drummoyne, Russell Lea, Rodd Point, Five Dock, Haberfield, Lilyfield, and Rozelle. Following the Iron Cove shoreline all the way, you'll be able to take advantage of the tranquil atmosphere and cooling effect of the still water. You're likely to be accompanied by cyclists and dog walkers, but the space created by surrounding parkland means that you're unlikely to find your style cramped. Every year, thousands of Sydneysiders gather to participate in the Bay Fun Run, a community event that is all about celebrating staying healthy and keeping fit. Harbour Bridge Run If you enjoy landmarks as part of your scenic experience, this one is for you. Beginning on grassy, idyllic Observatory Hill, this run takes you over the Harbour Bridge, past Luna Park's crazy grin and along the waterfront trail that runs through McMahons Point and Lavender Bay. You can either call it a day at that point, or complete the 10km circuit by returning back via the bridge. Taking the pedestrian footpath on the eastern side offers some variety, affording inspiring views of the Sydney Opera House, Circular Quay, and the comings and goings on the harbour's busier side. Circular Quay/Opera House/Botanic Gardens/Darling Harbour Circuit This circuit provides a comprehensive Sydney experience, including harbour, gardens and parks (certainly a terrific option if you're around for a quick visit). Take your pick of starting points, but Circular Quay is our recommendation, being a public transport hub and offering an array of cafes, bars (best post-run, of course!), and facilities. From there, coast along the walkway towards the Opera House. Stay left to run around the white sails or take a short cut to the Botanic Gardens via the stairs. Follow the the harbour edge of the gardens, around to Mrs Macquarie's Chair, past the art gallery and through the Domain and Hyde Park. Turning right into Liverpool St, follow it all the way down to Darling Harbour. Cross Pyrmont Bridge to head back towards the city and take a left into Sussex Street, which turns into Hickson Road. Keep on running until you're back at the Quay. Having passed so many distractions, you'll be surprised to realise that you've just run 12 or so kilometres! Manly to North Head Run Just across the harbour lies the fifth run on our list. Manly is situated between the surf and the still water, so this run incorporates the best of both worlds. Start wherever you like on Manly Beach, follow the path along Shelly Beach — a gorgeous, sheltered gem that's worth another visit — and grit your teeth for the challenging uphill climb to North Head. Once you're up there, the pain is bound to fall away as you lose yourself in the panoramic views. It's a much easier downhill jog, especially in the knowledge that a swim is coming up.
The folks behind profit-for-purpose eateries Gratia and Folonomo have come up with a brand new way for you to give to charity. And it's dead easy. All you have to do is shop online — in your regular fashion, at your favourite stores — and, with every purchase, a percentage goes straight to a not-for-profit of your choice. To make it happen, simply download the free Folo browser extension, which takes about 30 seconds. In case you're wondering, this miracle doesn't cost you (or your nominated charity) a cent. In fact, it's the retailers' pockets that cover your donations. "It works according to a cash back system," explains Folo's Jaimee Abict. "A percentage of what the user spends online goes into their Folo account. This money accumulates and, once a year, the user decides to keep it or give it away." More than 700 retailers are already on-board. These include big names like Expedia, Dan Murphy's, Eurocar, Woolworths, Coles, The Iconic and Sephora. And, later in the year, the Folo team plans to roll out across the US, where the online shopping industry is worth around $300 billion annually. "Folo has the potential to solve the age-old problem of regular fundraising. And its scale can't be overstated," Abict says. "500 users spending $95 a month would raise more than $30,000 in a year. Beyond that, the numbers get ridiculous. A million users could raise over $60 million per year." Users get to choose from hundreds of charities, including large organisations, like Medecins sans Frontieres, the Australian Red Cross and St Vincent de Paul, as well as smaller ones, such as the Australian Breastfeeding Association, Interchange Inner East and the Victorian Deaf Society. If you can't make up your mind, you can opt to support a cause, like climate change, indigenous equality or global education.
Maintaining that perfect yoga pose may have just gotten a wee bit easier, thanks to the latest innovation in wearable tech. Australian company Wearable Experiments have developed a pair of yoga pants with electronic sensors that will vibrate when you're body is out of alignment. Thanks to the Nadi Smart Fitness Pants, you'll never have to feel self-conscious at beginner's yoga class again. Y'know, except for the fact you're wearing vibrating leggings. The unassuming looking pants come fitted with sensors that can sense your body's position. If you're not downward dogging quite hard enough, subtle haptic vibrations on the wearers skin let them know they need to adjust. And while you might think wearing vibrating pants would be distracting (get your mind out of the gutter), the vibrations are designed to be so subtle that you process the feedback subconsciously. "As someone who doesn't always know the correct form or alignment or pose, I find having that proper guidance is crucial," said Wearable Experiments co-founder and CEO Billie Whitehouse at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas earlier this month. "As a lifestyle product, Nadi not only acts as that guide, but also integrates into your everyday life – reminding you of something as simple as uncrossing your legs while sitting down." The pants, along with corresponding Android and iOS apps, will be available later in the year for an undisclosed amount of money. According to Mashable, the pants will last up to 25 washes, and can be recharged by a basket that is currently being developed. In addition to their yoga pants, Wearable Experiments also make smart rugby and football jerseys that let fans feel what the players on the field are feeling. What a brave new world. Via Mashable.
The ever-popular Kitchen by Mike has long left Rosebery's Cannery precinct, with Mike McInearney moving to the CBD instead, but the team behind Koskela design store aren't going to let the shared warehouse space go to waste. Instead, they've repurposed the space themselves as a brand new restaurant. Meet Koskela Kitchen. Bright, airy and plush, the warehouse feel of KBM was swept out along with the canteen style service. "Canteen style is reaching the end of its lifespan," says co-owner Sasha Titchkosky. She started the design-loving business with partner Russel Koskela five years ago, during which time KBM took on a life of its own. The redesign allowed the duo to realise their original vision for the space, one that very much mimics what Koskela is all about — keeping it natural and local. Part-greenhouse, part-warehouse, the interior is "a more pleasant space for diners — relaxing, open, not as frenetic," according to Titchkosky. Ceiling fans and plants hang from the exposed rafters along with large wicker basket lights. The original concrete slab flooring remains and the spattered walls are intact, purposefully showing the age of the building — over a century old. The garden, a vast departure from the industrial street, is fully replanted with edible seeds, leaves and nuts for use in the kitchen. The herbs aren't the only garden item being used on the menu; honey from the rooftop is used in the grilled lamb ribs ($18) — think juicy, succulent, fall-off-the-bone goodness — and the grilled asparagus ($12.50). The muntries used in Koskela's wonderful crackling pork dish ($22.50) are from the garden as well, as is the kitchen vinegar, made from home-grown verbena. Koskela Kitchen's menu is seasonal, served up from the bustling open kitchen, with Mike Box behind the helm (Momofuku, Nomad). Yes, another Mike, but his menu is a complete departure from KBM. The fresh, bright ingredients well mimic the clean, crisp space. The dishes are simple with a fancy twist — a duck egg omelette with smoked eel ($15 - $18) and an avocado toastie with sesame nori ($13.50) sits alongside brekkie classics like croissant with jam ($5.50 - $5.80) and crumpets ($12). Overall, the menu is inventive, unusual, and best of all, great for sharing. Koskela aren't about to leave you thirsty either, with an all-Australian wine menu is also carefully selected to complimenting the food. The Swinging Bridge #003 amber wine ($12/$55) is the colour of summer and pairs well with the Hawkesbury squid ($21), which in itself is bright, beautifully plated and impeccably fresh. With local craft beers rotating on the taps, this place is local through and through. The Cannery precinct will continue to expand, with a butcher, Greek restaurant and cafe already in the works for the block. The like-minded restaurateurs will be incorporating Australian, home-grown ingredients wherever possible, and a boozy brunch at Koskela Kitchen is our number one reason to visit. Koskela Kitchen is located at 1/85 Dunning Ave, Rosebery; open Mon – Fri 7.30am – 4pm and Sat – Sun 8am – 4pm, with the possibility of extending to dinner hours in summer months. Image: Benedict Torrefranca.
If you're a female chef, sommelier, waiter, restaurateur or manager — in short, if you're a woman and you work in hospo — there's a brand new not-for-profit in Australia dedicated to you. It's called WOHO and it's already attracted the support of some big names in the industry, including Christine Manfield, Danielle Alvarez and Nadine Ingram, who'll be acting as mentors. Even though 51.8 percent of Australian hospitality workers are women, only 15.4 percent of CEOs in the same industry are. So, when it comes to the top jobs, females are seriously underrepresented. WOHO will be bringing educational opportunities and forums to professionals at all stages of their careers. Members will be able to share experiences, ask questions, discuss issues, seek advice and access a supportive network. There'll be a formal mentoring program, regular events and meet-ups. "It is a very exciting time for Australian hospitality, which is now getting more recognition on the world stage," says Julia Campbell, founder and chair of WOHO. "While our forward-thinking approach to food and concepts is well-recognised, it is imperative that we face the issue of female underrepresentation at a senior level in the industry. WOHO is a vehicle for us to inspire, recruit and retain more females and to give them the confidence to support themselves and each other in their professional development." The rest of the WOHO Board is made up of Anna Pavoni (Ormeggio), Jane Hyland (4fourteen), Claire van Vuuren (Bloodwood), Michelle Maiale (A Tavola), Jane Strode (Bistrode CBD), Lisa Hobbs (Dedes Group), Lisa Margan (Margan Estate), Kerrie McCallum (delicious and Stellar) and Lyndey Milan (OAM). WOHO will launch on May 29 at 6pm at Three Blue Ducks, 1/85 Dunning Avenue, Rosebery. There'll be food by Bloodwood, 4Fourteen, Pastry Project and Bistrode CBD, and drinks by Printhie, Lisa McGuigan, Margan Estate, Young Henrys and Santa Vittoria. Tickets are $25 (members) or $30 (non members). WOHO membership is $10/month.
Goodbye Hollywood, hello Hallyuwood. No, that's not a typo. Instead, it's the thriving Korean film industry, which has become a major player in the global cinema realm in more ways than one. First, there's the spate of high-profile Korean directors making the jump to English-language movies, such as Okja's Bong Joon-ho and Stoker's Park Chan-wook. Next, there's the growing list of Korean flicks that have earned American remakes, like Oldboy and The Lake House. And finally, there's the all-round ace movies that Korean's finest cinema talents keep pumping out. It's the latter that's in the spotlight at the annual Korean Film Festival in Australia, which marks its eighth year in 2017. From high-octane crime efforts to different takes on familiar genres to thoughtful dramas, this year's lineup is filled with highlights — including these five must-see picks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoc0KZQnoKA THE VILLAINESS It's a great time for kickass women in cinema, finally. Wonder Woman and Atomic Blonde have company, however, and her name is The Villainess. This killing machine-focused thriller ramps up the action and body count as a trained assassin seeks bloody vengeance after her husband is murdered on their wedding day. Spies, secrets, Kill Bill-like mayhem, and La Femme Nikita-esque trickery and duplicity — they're all on the bill, as is a memorable display from star Kim Ok-bin (perhaps best known for Park Chan-wook's Thirst) as the formidable Sook-hee. THE DAY AFTER Another Australian film festival, another Hong Sang-soo film. It's becoming a habit, but the Korean writer/director is nothing if not prolific, having made four flicks in the past year alone. Hong's latest boasts his usual trademarks — booze and interpersonal battles — in a tale about a publisher's affair with his assistant, his wife's expectedly unhappy reaction, and his new helper caught in the middle. Fans will know that misunderstandings and written missives feature as frequently in his movies as free-flowing soju, and that's the case here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7STTUWI0as SEOUL STATION One of 2016's unexpected highlights gets an animated prequel — and yes, that's a rather rare development. Train to Busan was exactly what a zombies-on-a-train flick should be, and while Seoul Station isn't that movie, it is intriguing in its own right. Flesh munching and mindless shuffling takes over the titular railway stop, as brought to light in grittily drawn frames that somehow make the ravenous masses of undead even more frightening. You might think you've seen every take on zombie movies ever made, but we're betting that you haven't seen this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvqaLwfh0C0 THE WORLD OF US Winner of best youth feature at the 2016 Asia Pacific Screen Awards, The World of Us uses the friendship between two ten-year-old girls to explore the social reality facing kids in modern-day South Korea, and dissect the situation given to them by their adult counterparts. In doing so, the small in feel, sizeable in impact effort relays a relatable story audiences all around the world have been through. There are few things tougher in childhood than realising the inequities and differences that are used to separate the population, particularly when they don't go in your favour, something that director Yoon Ga-eun clearly understands. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jhPgL0_3ac BECAUSE I LOVE YOU Even given their fantastic premise, a good body swap film can not only entertain and amuse, but can also offer ample insights about walking in someone else's shoes. Because I Love You is the latest to attempt that feat, though it's not just content with making songwriter Lee-hyung inhabit one other person. No, a sole soul switch clearly isn't enough. Instead, after an accident renders him hospitalised, he hops from body to body trying to solve their romantic problems, all while his own potential fiance waits for him to wake up. Need a couple more suggestions? Here's two others. We recommended The Bacchus Lady highly back when it played at the 2016 Brisbane Asia Pacific Film Festival, while Karaoke Crazies caught our interest from the 2016 SXSW lineup. The Korean Film Festival in Australia tours the country from August 17 to September 23, screening at Sydney's Dendy Opera Quays from August 17 to 26, Melbourne's Australian Centre for the Moving Image from September 7 to 14, and Brisbane's Event Cinemas Myer Centre from September 8 to 10. For further details, check out the festival website.
N2 Extreme Gelato, BlackStar Pastry, Doughnut Time, Butter, Bearded Bakers, Good Times Artisan Ice Cream, MakMak Macarons, Cacao Barry Kids and Thievery. You've seen their goods all over Instagram. We've sent you news about 'em. You've probably gone looking for those sweets. Now you need look no further than Sweet Street. In its third year, Sweet Street is a dessert festival designed to showcase some of Australia's leading pastry chefs and give you a serious sugar high. Three rooms of the Shangri-La Sydney will be converted into a Willy Wonka's factory-level wonderland. There will be awesome giveaways, and in the spirit of street: graffiti artists, DJs and break dancers. Entry includes eight tokens to start your #SweetStreet adventures. For one night only, you'll get to enter your the Candy Land of your childhood dreams, and you'll be the one to decide when you've had too much sugar (hint: never). Image: Eddie Hart.
Melbourne's chilli powder-encrusted fried chicken specialist, Belle's Hot Chicken, is well worth the lengthy road trip. Luckily, you'll just have to brave the crowds at Bondi this summer to nab a little tasteroo of Nashville, Belle's Hot Chicken is going interstate and popping up at Bondi Icebergs for the season. Serving up those celebrated, Nashville-style, cayenne-crusted wings on Sundays 16 November, 28 December and 18 January, Belle's Hot Chicken is one for the spicy-inclined. Choose your level of intensity, from mild to 'really fucking hot' and lather up with Belle's specialty sauces. The team are also serving up Belle's special whiskey to wash it all down — or you might need a spot of Belle's locally-made natural wine if you're choosing from the end of the scale.
Underbelly Arts is in its tenth year, and what better way to celebrate than with a new festival director, 21 brand spanking new commissioned artist projects and a new home at the National Art School? If you're a first-timer, this is how it works. First up: the Arts Lab. Artists spend a two-week residency working on what will become their exhibited festival work(s). You can visit the Lab for a behind-the-scenes glimpse into their progress (6pm tours will run Tuesdays to Thursdays from September 25 – October 6). The lab fosters collaboration between the artists and simultaneously opens up the artistic process to the public. Next is the festival (October 7 – 8), where all is revealed — and you get to spend blissful hours wandering around incredible contemporary, experimental art and having the occasional snack. So what's in store this year? A lot. Festival director Roslyn Helper is using a music festival format to curate projects bursting with creativity and ambition, embracing everything from installation, dance, visual art, radical opera, dance, sound, internet art, activist and interactive theatre. The vibe is all about creating an immediate, impactful connection between artists and their audience. Apparently, the majority of this year's artists are from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. "The artists are squeezing the stories of their multi-geographical, multi-cultural, multi-faith, multi-historical, multi-gendered upbringings," says Helper. "I am honoured and excited to share them with you at Underbelly Arts 2017." Tickets are now on sale, with general admission getting you access to both the festival and all Lab events. UNDERBELLY ARTS 2017 DATES: Arts Lab — September 25 – October 6 Opening night party — October 6 Festival — October 7–8 Images: Tom Jones, Gabriel Clark, Christine Francis.
Sydney is mad for modernism with new exhibition The Moderns: European Designers in Sydney showing a new side of Australian modernism at the Museum of Sydney. Taking place as part of A Modernist Season, the exhibition combines original furniture, design objects and art with photographs from the Max Dupain archive to celebrate and explore the struggles, achievements and influence of the émigré furniture makers, architects and interior designers working in Sydney in the 1930s and 1960s. Hailing from design centres like Vienna, Budapest and Berlin, they brought with them a direct experience of European modernism — something available to few Australians at that time. Basically, they were a key factor in the growth of modernist design in Sydney, transforming what was a suburban, low-scale city into a modern metropolis. With the obvious exception of Harry Seidler, many of these designers with remarkable European design pedigrees are now virtually unknown — something the exhibition firmly sets out to correct. Guest curator Rebecca Hawcroft says, "Through exploring the stories behind our émigré design community, we are reminded of the richness that migration brings." The Moderns shows at the Museum of Sydney from Saturday, July 22 to Sunday, November 26, as part of A Modernist Season — an amazing program of talks, tours and exhibitions embracing all things modernist, including the Mad About Modernism mini festival taking place at Rose Seidler House on Sunday, August 27. Check out the season's full modernist program here. Lead Image: Mansfield house at 191 Riverview Road, Stokes Point, 1959. © Max Dupain Archives, State Library of NSW.
Cancel all your sad, leftover lunch boxes for the next three months because Tim Maxwell of Kubrick’s and Eli Challenger, former executive chef of Rupert & Ruby and Bondi’s Fat Ruperts, have a much better alternative. They’ve teamed up to open a brand new pop-up called Eli’s Deli at Kubrick’s, which is running from 7am-7pm for three months in Darlinghurst. They’ve got the goods to get you through another dreary day in your The-Office-level-grim office job without rotting your internal organs with fat and sugar. In a refreshing departure from the current trend of dense, salty American-style diner food (we love you fried chicken but there’s only so much we can take), Eli’s Diner will be serving up a fresh and clean range of salads, sandwiches and delicacies from Eli’s new venture, Challenger Smallgoods. But get in early as sandwiches will be limited to 50 per day. The vibe of the menu is simple and old-school, just a few sangas and salads, and your basic brekky options (maple bacon and egg rolls, avo toast or chia seed pudding with fruit and muesli) all available for $10. And Sensory Lab will be there too, to brighten your day with caffeine. But Maxwell and Challenger are turning their combined expertise towards the biggest culinary challenge of all: making salad moreish. The key? Combine it with smoked meats of course, such as a smoked brisket sandwich, hot smoked creole sausage, housemade kale kraut with smoked brisket and quinoa salads with broccoli, mint and turmeric. Following his wildly successful Icon Park pop-up Rupert & Ruby, housed right across the street, late last year, Challenger is no stranger to the well-trodden culinary turf of Stanley Street. “I love being down here in Darlinghurst, its got a great mix of people from the older Italian community to the creatives and young professionals, its just got a great vibe," he says. "I learned a lot about what people like in the area with Rupert & Ruby, what worked and what didn’t work so well. So I‘m stoked to be back down here again, working with my mate Tim." Eli’s Deli at Kubricks is open now from 7am-3pm. 79 Stanley Street, Darlinghurst
The advertising will tell you that Brisbane's BIGSOUND is all about a whole lot of music, played by whole lot of bands, at a whole lot of venues over a whole lot of nights. And it is. But there is a deeper subtext to the festival — it's a deliberate symposium of an important cross-section of 'the music industry'. Music label representatives, radio producers, agents, artists, producers and even lawyers descend upon the Valley in an expedition to unearth and support Australian talent. BIGSOUND 2017 had an especially broad and eclectic showcase this year, guaranteeing no two punters had the exact same experience. But, in an attempt to compress four nights worth of amazing performances into a list, here's the ten most kickass, going places artists we came across. [caption id="attachment_636231" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Bec Taylor.[/caption] BOAT SHOW Boat Show might be one of the most important bands that played BIGSOUND this year. They've opened for San Cisco and Pond, yet still haven't reached the acclaim one would expect for possibly the best punk band in Australia at the moment. Punk — not post-punk. Boat Show don't just play sharp and sweet compressed guitar lines with nonsense lyrics about petty modern gripes. Boat Show are angry, and their tracks are poignant, feminist anthems about the many patriarchal constructs in society that need to change — and the energy Boat Show brought to Heya Bar made the entire audience embrace the notion that it can be achieved. Lead singer Ali Flintoff jumped from amp to amp, got amongst the crowd, and demanded to be heard. She even approached the lanyard-wearing audience members and made a public, ironic, and hilarious attempt to 'network'. Boat Show has big things ahead of them. [caption id="attachment_636279" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Bec Taylor.[/caption] OH MERCY Oh Mercy aren't exactly undiscovered as such — they've been around since 2008, have four studio albums under their belt and an ARIA. But the aesthetic of Oh Mercy, canvassing both the ensemble and the sound of the band, is perpetual, and the band we saw at BIGSOUND 2017 seemed to resemble a contemporary take on Brit-Pop, with some remnant of resemblance to the Hoodoo Gurus. The founding member Alexander Gow took to the Woolly Mammoth stage looking like a dashing Garth Marenghi with his leather jacket, and sung of love and heartbreak in that way only an acoustic guitar-playing front man can. His backing ensemble was tight and rich, and it was evident Gow had complete faith in his band, and this afforded him the complete freedom to engage with the audience in an authentic way. [caption id="attachment_636239" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Bec Taylor.[/caption] DONNY BENET There's nothing about Donny Benet and his big band that doesn't scream '80s, with his killer saxophone solos, rippling, almost ironic synth tones and endless hip movement. Benet himself might have been one of the most personable performers at BIGSOUND. At both his shows he danced with the crowd and was seen around the Valley inviting people to rub his bald head. A man you could call the king of anachronistic fashion (a heavily contested title amongst the BIGSOUND crowd), he was a favourite for photo opportunities, and embraced the role with relish. His songs are sensual synth-pop anthems detailing sexual ballads, all homages to the age of shoulder pads and powersuits. As a musician, Benet is doing something no-one else is in Australia is — and as a live-act he's wickedly fun. [caption id="attachment_636252" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Bec Taylor.[/caption] SLOW DANCER Slow Dancer (Simon Okely), along with Didirri and Stella Donnelly, completed the trio of the most beautiful, simplistic artists at BIGSOUND 2017. His whispered anthems and minimal instrumentation made for one of the most heartwarming sets of the festival. His music is deeply thought-provoking — best listened to with closed eyes, prompting reflection on childhood memories and lost loves. His set at the Blackbear Lodge was one of the last acts of night one of the festival, and the crowd sat absorbed in an appreciative silence. [caption id="attachment_636230" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Bec Taylor.[/caption] BIG WHITE Big White is Australia's answer to Pavement, almost two decades later. Their distinct jangle rock filled The Zoo on the second day of BIGSOUND to a solid crowd. The five-piece seem to be an ensemble in the truest meaning of the word, a single pulsing organism working as one to produce technically fanciful yet fun music. Their almost ineffable stage demeanour is that of a band of brothers (and sister), and is one expressed well by their music. While they haven't made the festival headlines yet, if their insanely dedicated fanbase keeps growing as they are, it won't be long before Big White are an established name in the national scene. [caption id="attachment_636255" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Bec Taylor.[/caption] BRIGHTNESS There is a certain kind of band where someone can listen to the lead singer and think "gosh, I hope he's okay". Such are the lyrics of Brightness. Lead singer Alex Knight conducts his backing ensemble as an iconoclastic figurehead. His sound is an angry indie-rock but the resounding authenticity of the sound lies in Knight's acoustic guitar and gripping vocals. One only needs to listen to their hit single 'Oblivion' to perfectly understand the allure of Brightness. Simple lead guitar and bass lines (usually played on one string) create a musical vacuum in which Knight's art is free to grow and dominate the stage. [caption id="attachment_636258" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Bec Taylor.[/caption] DIDIRRI Like Slow Dancer, Didirri was one of the more acoustic, meditative sets of BIGSOUND. Comparable to Slow Dancer's beautiful lyrics and stage presence, and Stella Donnelly's endearing modesty, Didirri is a natural performer. Even when only using a nylon-string guitar, Didirri, in his recordings and in his live performances, fills all spaces in an uncanny way. Didirri might actually be magical — or a great vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and gripping storyteller, at the least. [caption id="attachment_636248" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Bec Taylor.[/caption] MADDY JANE Maddy Jane's entry on the Spotify BIGSOUND playlist was 'No Other Way', a dole-wave, blues pop hit that's fiercely catchy and reminiscent of Courtney Barnett. With interesting guitar lines and endearingly peculiar lyrics, one might have expected her BIGSOUND sets (of which she played an above-average, three) to mimic Barnett. But her sets were far beyond this scope. Maddy Jane's musical prowess, lyricism, and engaging stage presence is amazing for someone of only 22 years old. Both Jane and her band seem to truly enjoy performing, and the audience of 256 Wickham couldn't help but get on board with this compelling energy. [caption id="attachment_636225" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Bec Taylor.[/caption] BAKER BOY A lot is said about Australia's hip hop and rap scene, and most of what is said is generally valid criticism. Which is why talented Australian rappers are such diamonds in the rough and usually cause a good deal of excitement. Based on Baker Boy's set at Oh Hello! on the second day of BIGSOUND, he's an Australian rapper to get very, very excited about. This 20-year-old artist is from remote Northern Territory and he is doing everything right — poignant lyrics (some of which he sings in the language of his people, the Yolgnu), a bit of didgeridoo, and the best dance moves of BIGSOUND. Baker Boy told the crowd we could expect new music from him shortly — so look out for that. [caption id="attachment_636263" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Bec Taylor.[/caption] STELLA DONNELLY Stella Donnelly was one of the last acts of BIGSOUND. This may have been a deliberate choice as her performance was nothing short of emotionally draining (in the best conceivable way). She is an endearingly human performer and engages her audience in frank conversation. She committed herself fully to her performance at the Heya Bar, from crossing her eyes when she hit her high notes, to throwing her body into each and every rhythmic beat. With only an electric guitar and a microphone as her instruments, every member of the crowd was moved by Donnelly's performance, laughing and even crying together as a single presence. In the course of half an hour she sung little comedic ditties, and deeply heartbreaking ballads — an especially impressive juxtaposition to her equally striking work as the rhythm guitarist for Boatshow. Go listen to her stuff.
It's such a shame David Bowie's not around to see this. Sydney installation artist Michaela Gleave has come up with an app that translates constellations into musical scores so you can 'play' the stars above you. Wherever you are in the world, at anytime of night, A Galaxy of Suns can read your geolocation and plays the music it transcribes from the constellations within your view. But don't expect space to sound like Ziggy Stardust or Sun Ra. Instead, the app reads the galaxy as though it's a score. The transposing — which has been years in the making — was a collaboration between Gleave, composer Amanda Cole and programmer Warren Armstrong. What's more, every 'song' comes with a matching light display, choreographed according to the stars' movements, as they rise, cross the sky and set. Gleave launched the A Galaxy of Stars app at Dark Mofo's Dark Park this month, where the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra helped to bring the night sky's songs to life. She'll be doing a similar performance with the Bristol Choir at the Bristol Biennial in September this year for the work's international premiere. But you don't need a choir to do this thing. You can download the app for yourself via iTunes (for iOS) or Google Play (for Android).
The Hotel Palisade was once the highest building in Sydney. It's true, back in 1915 it was built as a pub for port workers and the residents of Millers Point; a feat of modern commercial development. After many long and hearty years as a Millers staple pub, hotel and prized Brian Sudek/Annie Parmentier restaurant, it closed in 2008. But now, the Palisade is finding new life in its 100th year, reopening in July 2015 and about to open its rooftop bar and boutique hotel section on November 11. Dubbed Henry Deane (named for the Australian engineer responsible for electrifying the Sydney tramway system), the Palisade's new split-level cocktail bar and restaurant will sit proudly atop the historic pub, with chef Joel Bennetts at the helm and 360 degree views of Sydney. Although the official opening is set for November 11, the very first celebration coming to Henry Deane will be a big Melbourne Cup party, where a team of chefs will be serving up a huge feast of fresh seafood, grilled meats and roast salmon, with champagne on arrival. The party, with tickets sitting at a cool $200 a head from askusanything@hotelpalisade.com, will kick off at noon on Tuesday, November 3. Also opening with the launch of Henry Deane will be the Palisade's nine boutique hotel rooms. Like the rest of the Palisade, they're all decorated by Sibella Court, owner of The Society Inc and interior stylist for the likes of Palings, Mr Wong, Palmer & Co, El Loco, Ms G’s and more. Quite the prime real estate spot, the Palisade was snapped up for about $20 million by entrepreneur Richard Sapsford. With the ground floor bar now open for business — serving cocktails curated by Mikey Enright (The Barber Shop) and Dave O'Brien's hearty pub grub like pies, soup and toasties alongside lighter fare like lentil and beetroot salads — the Palisade's fancier upper levels will be the jewel in the Palisade's crown. What a sight! The final stages of our rooftop spaces are being carefully craned together. We can't wait to reveal the final levels of this beautiful beast. Posted by Hotel Palisade on Monday, October 19, 2015 The Palisade's ground floor bar is now open at 35 Bettington Street, Millers Point. The Henry Deane rooftop bar and restaurant will officially open on November 11. Images: Belinda Rolland/Hotel Palisade.
Dumplings and beer: two things that make us glad to be alive. Brews and piping hot dumplings go together so well, in fact, that Potts Point has an entire restaurant and bar named after the combo. Dumplings and Beer has been doing a roaring trade since opening in late 2014, to the point that even now you may find yourself struggling to get a table without a wait. It's little wonder then that the owners have decided to open a second store. The second iteration of Dumplings and Beer can be found at 83 Stanley Street in Darlinghurst. Open from noon until 10pm Tuesday through Sunday, the menu at D&B 2.0 is the same as in Potts Point. That means steamed and pan fried dumplings and gluten free gow cee, plus a number of other bites including eggplant and tofu wraps, and crackling pork belly sliders. Of course dumplings are only half of the equation. The drinks list at Dumplings and Beer includes brews from Asia, Europe and right here at home, along with a small selection of Chinese teas. Come visit our new shop #new #opennow #food #yum #dumplings #foodporn #sydneyeats #foodies #artwork # A photo posted by D&B (@dumplingsandbeer) on Jun 5, 2016 at 2:34am PDT Find the new Dumplings and Beer at 83 Stanley Street, Darlinghurst. For more information visit their website or check them out on Facebook. Images: D&B.
Sex and horror movies go so well together, but it never turns out good for anybody. Despite being the most deviant of genres — kids have been sneaking into gory flicks for as long as there have been cinemas, plus slasher movie sleepovers and late-night screenings of cult classics have been corrupting young minds for generation after generation — these gruesome films sure do have some old-fashioned attitudes to this most natural of human interactions. Here are eight films that have given us something to think about when it comes to scary cinema and what goes on between the sheets. IT FOLLOWS Last year it was The Babadook, but 2015’s must-see horror film is this chic American indie, perhaps the ultimate culmination of cinema’s warnings about sex. When small-town beauty Jay (Maika Monroe) sleeps with her boyfriend, little does she know that he is passing along to her a sexually transmitted haunting. The only way to stop this mysterious, shape-shifting being from slowly and methodically hunting her down is to have sex with somebody else and pass it along. It sounds loopy, but it works, and is super scary to boot, as Jay and her friends must not only outrun her supernatural infection, but weigh up the moral and bodily obligations of irresponsibly sending somebody else to their potential doom. It echoes with a throbbing synth-driven score that would make John Carpenter smile, and never lets the audience question its ridiculous conceit. It Follows is in cinemas nationally on April 16. GINGER SNAPS The 2001 teen-horror flick Ginger Snaps takes a trope as old as the hills — this time lycanthropy — and injects it with a heavy dose of subversive smarts. Director John Fawcett essentially made 'Puberty: The Horror Movie' in this energetic and entertaining horror comedy, presenting the terror of adulthood and its horrific body-altering effects in a terrifyingly new way. Brings new meaning to the old menstruation euphemism, “the curse”. SCREAM The characters in Wes Craven’s 1996 bloody whodunit have seen all the horror movies and know all the tricks, including that “sex equals death”. So when Sidney (Neve Campbell) loses her virginity to bad boy high school boyfriend Billy (Skeet Ulrich) and lives to tell the tale, it effectively flipped the script on horror conventions that audiences had come to expect. Unfortunately for poor Randy (Jamie Kennedy), who was “happy to be a virgin” after surviving the genre-reviving slayings, he went to college in the sequel and found out the hard way that some traditions are hard to keep down. VIDEODROME The term “body horror” was around long before Canadian auteur David Cronenberg made his first forays into filmmaking, but his unique brand of frights popularised the term. Perhaps never was he more warped than in Videodrome, which is about a television executive who broadcasts a Malaysian program that he believes to be staged snuff (the real torture and murder of anonymous victims), but which leads him down a dangerous path that includes his own torso becoming a sexually suggestive VCR player. Hallucinogenic and bravely surreal, this 1983 film not only demands audiences confront the increasingly techno-oriented world of sex, but asks us to question their own desire for the sexualised violence made so popular in films of the era. HALLOWEEN Virginal high school student and babysitter Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) can’t even get a date let alone sleep around, which makes her perfect for John Carpenter’s groundbreaking 1974 slasher, Halloween. Every one of Laurie’s friends are dispatched as easily as they take their tops off, but Laurie puts up one hell of a fight in this and the sequel Halloween II. It wasn’t until 1998’s Halloween H20 that a sexual Laurie Strode (now Keri Tate, single mother and private school principal) battles Michael Myers and lives to see another day. Well, until the sequel Halloween: Resurrection, wherein she plummets to her death from the roof of an insane asylum. The slasher movie’s sex = death rule found even stronger adherence in the never-ending Friday the 13th franchise, which began in 1980. ROSEMARY’S BABY If you’re sick and tired of explaining why you don’t want to have children, just reference Roman Polanski’s film about a young woman who believes there is a witch’s coven in her fancy new Manhattan apartment building and that they’re planning on having her birth Satan’s baby. That’s messed up! This scandalous creeper classic is every expectant mother’s worst nightmare. Just six months after the film’s release, Polanski and then-wife Sharon Tate would discover they were expecting a child, but no amount of Hollywood horrors could prepare him for the violent events that followed. PSYCHO Alfred Hitchcock’s iconic 1960 Oscar-nominated horror begins with a cheating couple lounging in their risque underwear in post-coital bliss. Not even five minutes in and already audiences of the day were aware they were seeing something new and different, including a heroine who was a thief with dubious sexual morals. But when Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) strips down to take a shower in the unassuming Bates Motel, she gets her comeuppance. Smartly playing with audience expectations, Psycho shocked crowds and gave karma a wicked name. NOSFERATU Vampires have always been a much sexualised villain. Whether it’s the teen sexual angst of Buffy the Vampire Slayer or the after-dark strip club employees of Vamp, the art of seduction is key to the nature of being a vampire. And so despite its age, it’s not surprising that FW Murnau’s 1922 gothic horror Nosferatu, a blatantly unauthorised adaptation of Dracula, is full of it, too. In the film’s famous climax, the female heroine, Ellen (Greta Schroder), uses her goodness of heart and distracting beauty to hold the nefarious Count Orlok at bay just long enough to see him stung by the rays of the morning sun, ultimately brought down by his need for sex (aka the drinking of her blood) from a virtuous woman.
The Pop-Up Globe has been nominated for Best New Event in our Best of 2018 awards. Like it? Vote for it right 'ere. Dust off your petticoat and get your doublets out of the attic, because London's historic Globe Theatre is popping up in Sydney for six weeks this year — well, sort of. Pop-Up Globe is the world's first full-scale replica of the historic theatre, which was built by Shakespeare's playing company and housed his greatest works. It originated in Auckland in 2015 and popped up in Melbourne last year, and version will set up shop in Moore Park this September. History buffs and Shakespeare enthusiasts alike will have the opportunity to soak in plays A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Merchant of Venice, Macbeth and A Comedy of Errors. Inside the round three-storey venue, no member of the 900-strong audience will ever be more than 15 metres from the stage, and all performances will be conducted without the use of mics, just as it was in 1614. Organisers promise that Pop-Up Globe won't host 'dusty' versions of Shakespeare — rather, performances will be more like a party. "It is bawdy, hilarious, brutal and blood-soaked," says founder and artistic director Dr Miles Gregory. The Sydney season will run from September 5 until December, with performances happening every evening, along with afternoon matinees every day except Wednesday, and morning shows on Saturdays. Images: Jay Wennington. Updated: December 3, 2018.
Award-winning Japanese architect Shigeru Ban is bringing a project to Australia for the first time. On March 25, he'll be taking over the Sherman Contemporary Art Foundation with installations showcasing his dedication to humanitarian work. In the courtyard, you'll find two signature relief shelters. One was developed in the wake of the Great Hanshin earthquake, which hit Kobe in 1995. The other was a response the earthquake that rocked Eucador's coast in 2016. Step inside to immerse yourself in scaled models of Cardboard Cathedral (2013) and Japan Pavilion, surrounded by a handpicked selection of works and elements of works, capturing the evolution of Ban's output between 2000 and 2014. Ban has spent most of the past 20 years helping out in disaster zones, working out how to turn affordable, local materials into housing. In 2014, he won the Pritzker Prize (pretty much the Nobel Prize for architects). "Architects mostly work for privileged people, people who have money and power," says Ban. "Power and money are invisible, so people hire us to visualise their power and money by making monumental architecture. I love to make monuments, too, but I thought perhaps we can use our experience and knowledge more for the general public, even for those who have lost their houses in natural disasters." Image: Shigeru Ban Architects, Centre Pompidou-Metz, France, 2010. Photo: Didier Boy de la Tour.
A number of prominent Australian musicians, including Little May, Montaigne, Ngaiire and Abbe May, are uniting through social media in order to throw their support behind International Breast Cancer Awareness month. The I Touch Myself Project was inspired by the 1990 hit song by Australian rock band Divinyls, whose lead singer Chrissy Amphlett died from breast cancer in 2013. The campaign was originally launched by the Cancer Council in 2014, with the likes of Megan Washington, Sarah Blasko and Olivia Newton John collaborating on a music video to encourage women to check themselves for the disease. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeaO2BrrIf8 Now the campaign has been resurrected by a new group of female artists, who have taken to Instagram to share photos of themselves holding their breasts in their hands and encouraging other women to do the same, using the hashtag #itouchmyselfproject. "Every year, hundreds and thousands of women die from treatable breast cancer, simply because they are diagnosed too late," posted the members of Little May. "In memory of the late legend, Chrissy Amphlett, we have joined friends @ngaiire @actualmontaigne @katysteele @abbemayzing to touch ourselves as she had asked." Every year, hundreds and thousands of women die from treatable breast cancer, simply because they are diagnosed too late. In memory of the late legend, Chrissy Amphlett, we have joined friends @ngaiire @actualmontaigne @katysteele @abbemayzing to touch ourselves as she had asked. The Divinyls 'I Touch Myself' is now an anthem for the early detection of breast cancer. For International Breast Cancer Awareness month take a picture of your own hand bra, and tag 5 of your friends to do the same.. @becsandridge @catalish @ella_hooper @lexi_b__ @jessicahamiltn #myhandbra #itouchmyselfproject @itouchmyselfproject A photo posted by Little May (@littlemaymusic) on Oct 3, 2016 at 8:54pm PDT Every year, hundreds of women die from treatable breast cancer, simply because they are diagnosed too late. @actualmontaigne @abbemayzing @katysteele , @littlemaymusic and I have stepped out in our hand bras in honour of the late Chrissy Amphlett who wanted her song 'I Touch Myself' to be an anthem for spreading the awareness of touching ourselves for early detection. Spread the word this Breast Cancer Awareness Month by taking a pic of your own hand bra and tagging 5 of your friends to do the same. Will you touch yourself @beemcsee @haileycramer @julianedisisto @summerpagaspas @mamikoyo @vassi_lena ? #myhandbra #itouchmyselfproject #ngaiire A photo posted by N G A I I R E (@ngaiire) on Oct 3, 2016 at 7:07pm PDT Chrissy Amphlett did a wonderful thing before the world lost her to breast cancer, and that was to make sure she was doing the most she could to avail women of a similar fate. I am proud to be a part of the #itouchmyselfproject and to raise awareness of breast cancer alongside a plethora of other excellent women and @berleiaus. I touch myself for breast cancer awareness. Will you? Photographed by the amazing Tony Mott! A photo posted by Montaigne (@actualmontaigne) on Oct 4, 2016 at 2:08am PDT Every year, hundreds and thousands of women die from treatable breast cancer, simply because they are diagnosed too late. In memory of the late legend, Chrissy Amphlett, I am humbled to join friends @ngaiire @actualmontaigne @littlemaymusic @abbemayzing to touch ourselves as she had asked. The Divinyls 'I Touch Myself' is now an anthem for the early detection of breast cancer. For International Breast Cancer Awareness month take a picture of your own hand bra, and tag 5 of your friends to do the same.. @tanzertanzertanzer @leelulahula @sezzyfilmy @wheelsanddollbaby @jaala_bandthing Photo by #tonymott @itouchmyselfproject #itouchmyself #myhandbra A photo posted by Kａt y S t e e l e (@katysteele) on Oct 4, 2016 at 3:02am PDT Every year, hundreds of women die from treatable breast cancer, simply because they are diagnosed too late. The great @ngaiire, @actualmontaigne, @katysteele , @littlemaymusic and I have stepped out in our hand bras in honour of the late Chrissy Amphlett who wanted her song 'I Touch Myself' to be an anthem for spreading the awareness of touching ourselves for early detection. Spread the word this Breast Cancer Awareness Month by taking a pic of your own hand bra and tagging 5 of your friends to do the same. #itouchmyselfproject #myhandbra Photo taken by the radical Tony Mott. A photo posted by Abbe May (@abbemayzing) on Oct 3, 2016 at 7:10pm PDT
Located at the dividing line between Enmore and Newtown — on one of Australia's best roads, Enmore road — Macellaria is billed as the butcher that sells you your meat and then politely cooks it for you. Starting out in Bondi, Peter Zaidan opened the Newtown iteration back in 2017, and hasn't looked back since, with Macelleria now open in five locations across two states. If you're keen to dine in with mates or get some takeaway for the barbie, they've got you covered. This place is basically a carnivore's paradise, with only the finest MSA grade beef, free from hormones and antibiotics. It source its beef from across Australia, be it South Australia, NSW, Tasmania, Gippsland or Flinders Island. Alongside Cape Grim beef, they also offer Tajima wagyu, which originated from the Hyogo prefecture in Japan and is amongst the most famous cuts in the world. The interior itself is akin to a big and bustling foodcourt, with copious amounts of space and an airy open layout. If you're planning lunch out with the whole family, then know this is the kin of place where they'll be welcomed warmly. And there is plenty on the menu to excited the kids. If you're vegetarian or looking to take it easy on the meat, they have you covered too. For a place that is literally a butcher shop, the vegetarian burger and eggplant parmigiana, as well as fresh salads, are surprisingly good. On your way out, be sure to window shop at the open counters and grab some sausages and lamb chops for the freezer. In a world where butcher shops have all but disappeared, Macelleria has found a way to not only survive, but thrive. Appears in: Where to Find the Best Steak in Sydney
At this point, it's not really a surprise when Uber announces some strange, attention grabbing promotion. Sometimes they bring you ice cream. Other times, it's kittens. And this Australia Day, they're delivering the most Australian thing of all: an umpire to officiate your high stakes game of backyard cricket. Starting from 11am on January 26, Uber users in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Canberra will be able to log onto the app and, with the touch of a button, request an UberUMPIRE who can lay down the law when it to comes to the at best sketchily laid out rules of the countries favourite backyard pastime. "Like so many great traditions, the official ‘rules’ of this revered sport have long been a cause of debate, testing the patience (and mateship) of well-meaning backyard athletes across the nation," reads a statement on Uber's website, confirming that yes, this is in fact an actual thing that is happening. "We thought it was about time someone put a stop to this, so we’ve joined forces with the legendary Billy Bowden and our mates at Optus to bring you UberUMPIRE – your very own, real-life, legit, Cricket Umpire on-demand." https://youtu.be/7Gxi6TKtVFk Via Pedestrian. Image via Dollar Photo Club.
The world now has unprecedented access to Australia's most recognisable landmark, after the launch of a new partnership between the Sydney Opera House and the Google Cultural Institute. More than 1000 historical items, including photographs and architectural drawings, have been made available online as part of the new digital collection, along with a virtual reality tour featuring some of Australia's leading classical musicians. Developed over more than six months, the online exhibition can be accessed by anyone with an internet connection, providing them with a behind the scenes look at one of the most iconic performance in the world. Archival footage, interviews, photographs and other documents take visitors through the history of the building's design and construction, but perhaps the most exciting element of the collection is the 360-degree tour for Google Cardboard, complete with performances by young Australian soprano Nicole Car, and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in rehearsal on the Concert Hall stage. "The Sydney Opera House is the symbol of modern Australia, its premier cultural venue, number one tourist destination and a World Heritage-listed masterpiece of human creativity," said NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for the Arts Troy Grant. "The launch of this incredible collection will mean more people can explore the Opera House's rich history and the diverse artistic and cultural experiences it offers, wherever they are." "We're delighted to have worked with the Sydney Opera House to bring this cultural icon online and make it available for all the world to experience," added Google Cultural Institute Director Amit Sood. You can access the Sydney Opera House on the Google Cultural Institute via desktop, tablet or mobile. Just visit the Google Cultural Institute's Sydney Opera House page or download the Google Arts & Culture app from the App Store or Google Play.
Home wine delivery is finally catching up with the wine fiend’s need to sample as many drops from as many places as often as possible. A new US-based service by the name of Vinebox brings wines to your door — by the glass, rather than by the bottle. For a neat monthly price, subscribers score three premium drops, sourced from wine regions all over the planet. Fingers crossed for an Australian version. Each tasting comes in the form of a 100ml vial. Thanks to Vinebox’s patented, cutting-edge tech, the packaging process meets the stringent standards demanded by bottling. The wine is not exposed to oxygen at any point, so you can store your samples for at least three years. Vinebox’s team of specialists and sommeliers are experts in unique vineyards, obscure locations and wines that wouldn’t normally be available in the US, so subscribers can count on fun and interesting discoveries. And the company provides your own user account, enabling you to keep track of your tastings and thoughts. Once Vinebox has established your preferred flavour profiles, you can choose to receive personalised recommendations — very much like this savvy taste-predicting app. So who dreamed up this handy service? Vinebox is the creation of two former attorneys from New York City, Matt and Rachael, who quit their jobs to pursue their passion for wine. Their goal is to promote “spectacular” wines made in independent wineries around the world that often don’t make it to bottle shop shelves. Unfortunately, Vinebox is only taking sign-ups from US residents at the moment. We’re hoping it’s not long before it catches on here.
Cities make possible the suspension of night and day. With enough neon and insomnia at our disposal, we can turn them into places where we can do anything we want, whenever we want. In New York City, for example, you can shop for nuts and bolts, stalk your crush with a nocturnal flower delivery, nab the latest smartphone and spruce up your hairdo 24/7. Like Simone Beauvoir wrote, “There is something in the New York air that makes sleep useless.” The big question is, now that we have this potential at our fingertips, what should we do with it? To what extent does a cosmopolitan city depend on infinite opening hours? Many laud the energy, excitement, romanticism and economic benefits of the 24-hour metropolis. Marion Roberts, a professor of urban design at the University of Westminster, concludes that it “generates more jobs, activities and social solidarities”. Others fret about excessive alcohol consumption, noise pollution and the next generation turning into a horde of sleep-deprived, hedonistic narcissists. With the one-year anniversary of Sydney’s controversial lockout laws looming over us, we take a look at how much napping is happening (or not) in some of the world’s best cities, and how essential it is their success on the world stage. WHERE NIGHTLIFE IS A RELIGION BERLIN In Germany, closing times are determined by each town or city. For Berlin, this means there’s no such thing as last call. Bars decide on their hours independently, with oodles of them operating according to the ebb-and-flow of demand, and a bunch of
From vending machines lining the streets to combinis (that is, convenience stores) taking up real estate on every corner of Tokyo, it's clear Japan is a nation puts a lot on emphasis on convenience. The Japanese attitude to fast food is no different — except in Japan, convenience doesn't have to mean compromising on quality. From curry houses filled with salarymen, ubiquitous heartwarming hamburgers and contemporary takes on traditional Japanese meals that will set you back less than $5AUD a pop, this is where to get real fast food in Japan. [caption id="attachment_629778" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lucy Dayman[/caption] SUKIYA No matter how long you spend in the country, Sukiya (すき家) is one sight you'll become familiar with fast. With over 1600 stores dotted throughout the nation, the store's red, white and gold logo is a staple on the Japanese urban landscape. The 24-hour restaurant delivers no fuss, classic Japanese dishes, though their most iconic dish is gyudon, which translates to 'beef bowl'. What you'll get is shredded beef served over rice accompanied with topping of your choice. What's great about Sukiya is the chain's dedication to experimentation and perfection, with additions and modifications being made to the menu — so no matter how many times you've visited, there will be something new to try. A meal will set you back about ¥500-800 ($6-10AUD). [caption id="attachment_629781" align="alignnone" width="1920"] cathykid via Wikimedia Commons.[/caption] OOTOYA Ootoya might be a little steeper in price than beef bowl outlets like Yoshianoya and the aforementioned Sukiya, but it's worth the extra yen. Plus, with the average price hovering around ¥800 ($9-10AUD) it's still cheaper than anything in Australia. Ootoya specialise in classic Japanese teishoku 'meal sets'. Though a meal set sounds like something you'd get in a retirement village or jail, it's actually the best way to appreciate carefully curated Japanese cuisine. It will usually include rice, miso soup, and a main dish, which might be fish, or soba noodles. At Ootoya the sets are seasonal, so you won't be stuck eating the same thing over and over. [caption id="attachment_629779" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lucy Dayman[/caption] HIDAKAYA RAMEN It's impossible to speak about Japanese fast food — or just Japanese food, for that matter — without giving time to the nation's most internationally loved culinary creation: ramen. In Japan, ramen is as diverse as it is popular; every prefecture, city, restaurant and even chef has a different take on the dish. In Tokyo the ramen options are almost excessive, so, if you do your research, you can definitely find the most perfect bowl for your palate. However, if you're after consistently good, cheap, filling and easy-to-access ramen, you can't miss Hidakaya. This generally 24-hour outlet is the perfect place to rest your weary body and dive into a warm comforting bowl any time of the day or night. Most meals will cost you little more than your pocket change at ¥500 ($6AUD) and, if you want to drink, booze options start at ¥270 ($3AUD). [caption id="attachment_629782" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dick Thomas Johnson via Flickr.[/caption] UOBEI GENKI SUSHI Like ramen, you sushi is incredibly diverse in terms of options, price points and specialties — but as a little local tip, Uobei Genki Sushi is kind of special. Cheap and always delicious, the crew at Genki Sushi have reinvented the concept of conveyor belt sushi. Rather than constantly rotating dishes, the Genki Sushi use the conveyor belt method to deliver specifically ordered dishes right to you. With touch screen menus, all you have to do is select what you feel like and, within moments — like some strange futuristic dream — the sushi will take a ride on a little delivery plate stopping right in front of your face. With dishes costing around ¥100 ($1.20AUD) and simple English ordering, there's really no excuse not to go. [caption id="attachment_629783" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Hunter Nield via Flickr.[/caption] MOS BURGER It's impossible to speak about fast food in Japan without acknowledging the country's growing love of western cuisine. Like so many things here, Japan has turned appreciation into full-blown obsession and somehow managed to improve the already perfect. Though from the outside it seems like an average burger joint, MOS Burger is a not-so-little takeaway restaurant with a connection to the land: M.O.S stands for 'mountain, ocean, sun'. With over 1700 stores across the country, the store's mission is to "make people happy through delicious food". In a time where other burger chains are constantly unveiling artery clogging Frankenstein-style creations to garner publicity, Mos' humble attitude to producing made-to-order, well-crafted hamburgers is pretty refreshing. Depending on how fancy you want to go a MOS Burger will cost between 200- ¥600 ($2.50-8AUD) [caption id="attachment_629784" align="alignnone" width="1920"] kici via Wikimedia Commons.[/caption] COCO ICHIBAN Though the icon status goes to ramen and sushi, curry is actually the most popular dish in the country. With over 1200 locations sprinkled throughout Japan (and more internationally), Curry House Coco Ichibanya are the local curry kings. Traditionally, Japanese curry is a more mild take on the Indian dish and it comes in a variety of forms. From curry with udon noodles, 'curry pan' (that's curry-filled bread) and the classic karē raisu (aka curry rice), this dish is a lot more Japanese than you anticipated. What makes Coco Ichiban so exciting is your freedom to fully customise your order. The amount of rice, spice and all those toppings are so nice that it means you're never going to get a mass-produced run-of-the-mill plate here. Depending on your order you can easily get a serious meal for less than ¥700 ($8AUD).
This month, MAY SPACE plays host to Neoplasm, a surreal and visceral solo show from artist, curator and writer Claire Anna Watson. Known for her installations, video and photographic works questioning (recently) concepts like scientific manipulation, here Watson is exploring "ephemeral matter" as a jumping off point into discussions around humanity, our relationship to the environment and the associations between science and the food we consume. To what extent do we control the natural environment? What exactly happens when natural elements are distorted and synthesised? And what could the consequences be of our ongoing customisation of the natural world? Are humans "unwittingly cultivating a world engulfed in mutations?" From an artist with both sharp sociocultural curiosity and a playful penchant for the absurd, Neoplasm promises to be an arresting show. Plus, while you're there, you can treat yourself to One day I will live in a forest — the latest solo exhibition from the endlessly imaginative sculptress Mylyn Nguyen. Image: Claire Anna Watson, Neoplasm (still), 2017, HD Video.
Over the span of the universe, ten years is the blink of an eye. In a human lifetime, a decade can zip by unnoticed. In the realm of public works (a realm so dense that all previous laws governing time and space break down around it) ten years is, in practice, a millisecond. Projects can drag on for eternity before we see a single blade of grass (hell, in six seasons of Parks and Rec they only managed to fund one weeny little park). So you can understand why people may secretly believe Leslie Koch, president and CEO of The Trust of Governors Island in New York City, to be some kind of time-travelling magician. Since her instatement in 2006, she's worked with city government and private sector alike to transform a flat, derelict military island off Manhattan into a thriving public space with nearly half a million visitors each summer. Under Leslie's guidance, the first phase of the master plan, including 12 hectares of parkland, was opened to the public in May 2014. The second phase (named The Hills for the rolling Teletubbyland-esque vista and 360 degree panoramic views of New York City) is slated to open in July, a year ahead of schedule. And the next phase for Governors Island is even more ambitious: a 13.4 hectare innovation incubator and public campus to service the growing startup culture in New York. Leslie's flying in to Sydney to appear as one of the keynote speakers for REMIX Sydney 2016, so we found a tiny window in Leslie's obviously jam-packed schedule to sit down and talk big. [caption id="attachment_572737" align="alignnone" width="1280"] The Hills, Governors Island.[/caption] THE PESKY PROBLEM OF HAVING MORE IDEAS THAN EMPLOYEES Revamping Governors Island as a startup haven is a superhuman feat in itself, but let's backtrack for a moment. America is in a bind: the age of manufacturing has passed and technological innovation is now the hot economic commodity to sink graduates into. Tech startups are bread-and-butter for the emerging generation of computer scientists. However, there's a gaping crevasse between practice and education theory. The tech industry waits for no one, particularly not one who spends four years and a small fortune on a tertiary education only to emerge and find the skills they've learned are not the skills employers want — nor, often, are they even relevant anymore. "I was meeting with a very successful serial entrepreneur the other day and he said, 'Look we actually can't hire enough people for the ideas that we have'," Leslie Koch muses "There's no shortage of ideas, there's a shortage of people." The solution, she believes, begins with physically merging private sector components into the education model, eliminating the lag between industry practice and educational canon. It's an inevitable direction, considering our career path structure is changing — everyone's a freelancer, untethered by company loyalty, each in possession of a long resume dotted with short tenures. If you want to stay employable in a competitive marketplace rocked to and fro by the all-powerful internet and all her resplendent memes, you've got to freshen up your skills every now and then. ON BUILDING THE SILICON VALLEY OF THE EAST COAST Governors Island represents more than a green lung to New York City's concrete playground. In its second phase it will become an incubator for innovation, the Silicon Valley of the east coast and, as Jack Donaghy would say, 'innoventually' develop a solution to the human capital crisis in the tech industry in NYC. But just what is so magical about Silicon Valley that's worth mimicking? Does innovation bubble up from the very ground water? General consensus is the Valley works for two reasons. First, early in the game, big companies collaborated with educational institutions (to mould their chickens before they hatched). Second, a close physical proximity, as well as a focus on innovation, encouraged knowledge convergence and cross-fertilisation between tech startups. The underlying lesson here? Physical space organisation is incredibly important for knowledge sharing (there's a reason why open-plan offices are everywhere, and it's not just to keep you off Facebook during work hours). ON CREATING AN 'INNOVATION INCUBATOR' ON THE ISLAND The next stage for Governors Island is to build an 'innovation incubator'. It may sound like jargon, but the articulation of an 'incubator' draws on those ideas that people, and young startups in particular, hugely benefit when they physically share space with their contemporaries. "[A technology incubator] gives companies flexibility in leasing and acts as a social space, a cross-fertilisation space, that you wouldn't have in a conventional 'I'm going to rent my office, hire my people and I'm never going to interact with the other companies in my building' model," says Leslie. The needs of early stage technology startups go beyond infrastructure and financial support — expertise and knowledge must be shared freely to the benefit of all. WHY NEW YORK CITY GENERATES A DIFFERENT KIND OF STARTUP TO CALIFORNIA The Silicon Valley of New York (coming soon to Governors Island!) won't actually be all that similar to the Californian model. The startups coming out of New York (such as Tumblr, Kickstarter, Etsy) are an intrinsically different breed than the West Coast startups (Facebook, Google, Apple) — they're flavoured by the city. Leslie is very aware of this. "The second chapter of my career was in technology on the West Coast. I worked at Microsoft and, like its analogist companies in the Valley, it started in the suburbs and there were a few of us who commuted out to Redmond, Washington. What you're now seeing is companies recognising that to innovate, there's something about being in a city rather than isolated. When you create campuses with an urban flavour, that really makes sense for innovation." A city, unlike the 'burbs, is a cluster model in itself. The Governors Island incubator model will perhaps not be a scaled down version of Silicon Valley but of NYC itself, with educational institutions and private sector components physically merged instead of adjacent. "High-tech companies move to the city because of the messiness of the city and the interactions you have with all kinds of people and different kinds of industries… I personally believe that cities are the place where innovation takes place," she says "What I couldn't have planned for was the amount of emotion that New Yorkers have for Governors Island. We made a place people have embraced, have come to love, even though it's a place no-one has ever spent the night and it's never been open for more than 120 days a year." Australia has only 10 percent the urban density of America so notions of space can be a tricky to wrap your head around; space is a nuisance most of the time. But the cluster model is starting to take hold in Sydney and it works, no doubt in part, thanks to the mapping done on the front lines in the US. [caption id="attachment_572738" align="alignnone" width="1280"] The Hills, Governors Island.[/caption] WHAT'S NEXT? Sadly, Leslie recently announced she'll be stepping down as CEO after the Hills opens to the public. "This is a natural inflection point and when you run a seasonal recreation destination, you're on-duty every weekend so the thought of having my first summer off in 11 summers was just too good to pass up." And what a hard-earned summer it'll be. You can catch Leslie speaking at REMIX Sydney from June 2-3 at Sydney Town Hall. Your mates Concrete Playground will be there too, introducing you to Sydney's most successful entrepreneurs — the businesses we couldn't write fast enough about — with a special curated session on 'How Long Does It Take to Become an Overnight Success?'. More info right here. Top image: Iwan Baan/Governors Island.
It's Easter. Time to stuff yourself with baby animal-shaped chocolates and cross-covered pastries while feeling absolutely zero shame. To help you make the most of it, here are the best holiday treats making up your Easter hunt this year. HOT X BUN ZUMBARONS AT ADRIANO ZUMBO Adriano Zumbo Patissier has to win the award for the most creative and varied range of Easter treats in Sydney. Alongside Easter Bunny Pause tarts and fish, bunny and chicken couverture dioramas, a favourite for pure simplicity is the Hot X Bun Zumbarons. They lend an Easter touch to the patissier's year-round mouthwatering macarons. Check the Zumbo website for locations. FRANKINCENSE COATED HOT CROSS BUNS AT BLACK STAR PASTRY For a pleasant old-world feel with your Easter treats, have a try of Black Star Pastry's traditional hot cross buns. Famous for their strawberry and watermelon cake, this patisserie coats all of their hot cross buns in Frankincense glaze to truly take over all your senses with the spirit of the season. At $4.50 each, get in quick — they usually cap the amount each customer can order because the demand is so high. 277 Australia Street, Newtown and corner of Dunning Avenue and Hays Road, Rosebery GELATO MESSINA'S CHICK MAGNET Easter gelato? Yep, it's a thing. Every year, those frozen wonder wizards at Gelato Messina whip up a specific dish that'll make you think they've grown their very own pair of rabbit ears. In 2016, none other than the Chick Magnet is on the menu, offering up milk chocolate ganache and white choc hazelnut gelato inside a milk and white chocolate shell. DARK EASTER BEERS AT KEG & BREW Keg & Brew, along with their big sister venue the Dove & Olive and new family member The Dog in Randwick, is turning your 'traditional' Easter celebrations on their head with a special craft beer offering. Look for Willie the Boatman's Black Bunny Dark Ale on tap, with hints of chocolate, vanilla, cream, caramel and toffee. There'll also be a selection of 'hot cross burgers' at the K&B, D&O and The Dog, in two versions: tempura soft shell crab and Ohio turkey hot cross burgers. BABUSHKA EGG FROM KAKAWA + SORRY THANKS I LOVE YOU This could be the most grown-up Easter egg/piece of chocolate art we've found this year. Purveyors of lovely things Sorry Thanks I Love You have worked with Sydney chocolate wizards Kawawa Chocolates to create this gem. Painstakingly constructed by hand by master chocolatier Jin Sun Kim over a few days, these limited edition Babushka eggs are three layers of delicate, chocolatey goodness. Hand-painted 'quail' eggs are encased within a fine milk chocolate shell, within a thick, single origin dark chocolate outer shell. It's about 20cm long and will set you back $60, available from Sorry Thanks I Love You's Martin Place store. [caption id="attachment_564065" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Image: @brickfieldsbakery.[/caption] SOURDOUGH HOT CROSS BUNS AT BRICKFIELDS Brickfields offer you a different take on the traditional hot cross bun with their own signature sourdough version. Made with whey and mixed with cranberries, currents and sultanas, they're denser then the traditional Easter bun, and somehow extra delicious. SOURDOUGH HOT CROSS BUNS AT SONOMA Ok, so we're including two sourdough hot cross buns. But Sonoma's buns are worth including too. Balancing that tricky ratio of moisture to fluffiness, Sonoma's sourdough delights come with just right amount of juicy fruit bits. Whack a big dollop of local butter on them, we're done. CLASSY PRALINE EGG INSIDE A REAL EGGSHELL FROM WINNOW CHOCOLATES For some a bit of whimsy and a touch of "how the hell did they get that in there?" look no further than Winnow Chocolates' praline eggs. Sealed inside a real eggshell that you have to crack and peel yourself to reach the sweet hazelnut praline inside, they're a completely reasonable $4.50 each. The perfect treat to hide through your garden for a natural egg hunt look. HOT CROSS BUN BRITTLE BY WINNOW CHOCOLATE When sweet things pose as other sweet things, we're always on board. Dark couverture chocolate, decorated with edible 23 carat gold leaf, lemon rind, candied orange and sultanas, and spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, Winnow Chocolate's signature Easter treat is one decadent slab. While this one's a little exxy for one slab of brittle at $22 each, we reckon it's worth every bite. HOT CROSS BEN TRUFFLES AT HAIGH'S In a precious little crossover of your favourite Easter treats, Haigh's is offering hot cross bun chocolates ($23.75 for six). Filled with fruit and spice fudge, covered in dark chocolate and finished with a white cross, they'll go perfectly with the traditional Haigh's chocolate bilby. HOT CROSS LOAVES AT BOURKE STREET BAKERY A big favourite around Easter time, the Bourke Street Bakery hot cross loaves skip the part where you eat a whole bag of hot cross buns and just give you the loaf-sized portion you know you want. They're perfect to share around at Easter family gatherings and are great to toast up for breakfast all throughout the Easter season. DRAGON EGG AT SAKE Taking three days to make, the signature Dragon Egg dessert at Saké Double Bay has a bit of a cult following (around 400 are made each week at the Double Bay venue). It's a Valrhona chocolate shell filled with toasted chocolate crumble, edible soil, passionfruit yoghurt crispy chips, chocolate mousse, passionfruit curd, and mango caramel, A light gold dust finishes everything off and the egg comes served with passionfruit ice cream, under a pouring of liquid nitrogen — so it can be broken open with a mere spoon. Over Easter, you'll be able to order the Dragon Egg at Sake in The Rocks (Sydney), Hamer Hall (in Melbourne) and Eagle Street Pier (Brisbane) too. Only 50 will be available at each venue and for a limited period — Friday, March 25 to Monday, March 28. Spotted any other inventive and tasty Easter treats around town? Let us know in the comments below. By Elise Newton, Sarah Ward, Shannon Connellan and Gemma Mollenhauer.
A George Lambert-style self portrait by Yvette Coppersmith has nabbed the 97th annual Archibald Prize — her work Self-portrait, after George Lambert was chosen from a talented bunch of 58 finalists. The prestigious portrait competition pulls a compelling lineup of artworks each year, portraying an eclectic mix of artists, musicians, politicians, sports heroes and other notable Aussies. This year's $100,000 prize attracted a whopping 794 entries from across the country and New Zealand, their works depicting homegrown icons ranging from NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian to actor Guy Pearce and musician Courtney Barnett. Coppersmith's winning piece pays homage to the stylings of acclaimed fellow artist George Lambert, who himself took out the 1927 Archibald Prize. The win's been a long time coming for Coppersmith, who has been a finalist five times. She's also only the tenth female artist in history to have taken out the top prize. As is custom, all the winning portraits and finalists will be on display at the Art Gallery of NSW. The finalists for the Wynne and Sir John Sulman prizes will also be on display at the gallery — and, this year, both winners are Indigenous women. Pintupi artist Yukultji Napangati took out the former — which awards the best landscape painting of Australian scenery or figure sculpture — for her depiction of a scene among sandhills west of Kiwirrkura in Western Australia. The Sir John Sulman Prize goes to the best mural, subject or genre painting, and was this year awarded to Kaylene Whiskey's work of Cher and Dolly Parton. The exhibition will be on display from May 12 until September 9. And if you do't agree with the judges' pick for the Archibald, you can cast your own vote for People's Choice at the gallery. Image: Self portrait after George Lambert, Yvette Coppersmith. Photo shot by Jenni Carter courtesy of AGNSW.
Humans have made a pastime of staring up at the night sky for as long as history can tell us. Unfortunately, the amount of excess light that our city leaks into the sky makes for pretty poor stargazing conditions on an average night in the inner city. With that in mind, we've scoped out the top spots in and around Sydney where you can take part in this time-honoured tradition. At these locations, all it takes is a telescope — and, in some cases, just looking up — to feel engulfed by the vast night sky above. Whether you're headed to Australia's only accredited Dark Sky Park or to one of our many impressive observatories, this list has you covered. OBSERVATORIES SYDNEY OBSERVATORY, CBD In terms of physical proximity to the night sky, Sydney Observatory is a pretty good starting point. One of the highest points overlooking Sydney Harbour, its building houses three telescopes — including the oldest working telescope in Australia, which was built for the 1874 transit of Venus. The other two are a 40-centimetre computer-controlled lens and, for those of you who prefer gazing at the star closest to us, a telescope that lets you look at the sun. The Observatory runs night and day tours, workshops exploring early Indigenous astronomy and a range of short courses. This is definitely the first step for every would-be Galileo. LINDEN OBSERVATORY, BLUE MOUNTAINS Situated in the Blue Mountains, Linden Observatory was the work of a single brilliant amateur astronomer, Ken Beames. He finished the site's 61-centimetre telescope during World War II, while also building the dome that houses it and the direction control system himself. Access to Linden's heritage-listed building is by appointment only, but you can easily fill out the form here to get in touch. If you're happy enough to check out Beames' handiwork from the outside, Reverend Bob Evans runs monthly beginners astronomy courses on Saturdays in the nearby viewing field — and you can join in with a small donation. PENRITH OBSERVATORY, PENRITH Penrith Observatory is part of Western Sydney University, run by a team of maths and engineering boffins dedicated to cracking the universe open to see what makes it tick. They pause occasionally in this quest to host programs for the public, ranging from paper rocket construction to exploring the life cycles of stars. Volunteers from the Western Sydney Cosmic Data Lab also hold astronomy nights on most Saturdays of the year, regardless of the weather. For the less nocturnal, there are various day programs that give visitors the chance to safely observe the flaming gas giant that supports life on this planet. And it's less than an hour from the CBD. MUDGEE OBSERVATORY, MUDGEE Located just a 15-minute drive from the town centre, Mudgee Observatory is located within some seriously dark skies — so there's zero chance of confusing Jupiter with your neighbour's bug zapper. It's also where, in 1999, Steve Lee discovered Comet Lee. In the past, the facilities have been used by staff of the Sydney Observatory, members of the Sutherland Astronomical Society and by UNSW. This prestigious space is also open to the public, with regular daytime sun tours and night sky tours on offer — and heaps of telescopes and binoculars available to guests. The theatre and flat screen planetarium features a space mission program too. But be sure to booking ahead and expect a $15 entry fee. CRAGO OBSERVATORY, BOWEN MOUNTAIN Just out past Richmond, the Astronomical Society of New South Wales has established one of their "dark sky" observing sites in the middle of the Blue Mountains National Park. The observatory is old-school, comprised of an olive brick building with a basic kitchen on the ground floor and a camping area nearby. The dome itself is made from corrugated iron. Beginners will need to be accompanied by an accredited ASNSW member, but there's also a viewing space that has been cleared so amateurs can wander along and watch galaxies collide and stars implode at a time that suits them. TEBBUTT'S OBSERVATORY, WINDSOR This observatory was hand-built by 19th century astronomy nut John Tebbutt. If the name sounds familiar, it could be because you were flush in the '80s and '90s — his face graced the $100 note until '96. Tebbutt's Observatory in Windsor was rebuilt a number of times as he updated his telescopes, but the building that remains dates to 1879. Tebbutt, it was said, couldn't look up without discovering a comet. So make no mistake — if astronomical greatness is going to find you, it will find you here. DARK SKY SITES If you're feeling more intrepid and would prefer an astronomical experience that doesn't take place through the roof of a building, try a dark sky site instead. Observatories aren't the only place to look up, with these secluded fields and lookouts also offering a great vantage point to take in heavenly bodies. [caption id="attachment_730730" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] WARRUMBUNGLE NATIONAL PARK, COONABARABRAN Located a six-hour drive from Sydney, Warrumbungle National Park is one of the top three places on the planet to revel in galactic goings-on. That's thanks to the State Government, which has dedicated funds to limit light pollution in and around the park, making it Australia's only official Dark Sky Park — it's just one-of-three in the world, sitting alongside Death Valley National Park in the US and Galloway Forest Park in Scotland. Warrumbungle does have its own observatory, but scientists and astronomers have the run of the place after sundown. Amateur astronomy in Warrumbungle is best performed the old-fashioned way, with the humble eyeball. At the moment, all campsites in the area require booking, so make sure to organise it ahead of time here. [caption id="attachment_730726" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Great Orion Nebula as viewed from Wiruna; Photographer: Marc Aragnou; supplied by ASNSW[/caption] WIRUNA, BLUE MOUNTAINS Wiruna is the Astronomical Society of NSW's best kept secret. Located on the outskirts of Wollemi National Park in the Blue Mountains, Wiruna is 107 acres of astronomy lovers' bliss. But there is one catch — this top-notch dark sky facility is for ASNSW members and their guests only. If you don't happen to have any ASNSW mates on hand, you can get in touch and organise a visit that way. Otherwise, simply book into an overnight campsite at Wollemi and enjoy your stargazing the old fashion way — equipment isn't necessary here, it'll be a breathtaking view either way. TERREY HILLS, NORTHERN BEACHES Another patch of unadulterated sky can be found in Sydney's Terrey Hills, near the northern beaches. This is one of the Northern Sydney Astronomical Society's new haunts, where observing nights are run on weekends for novices and experienced sky captains alike. As with most of these astro society hangouts, they've got telescopes to share and keen eyes with which to point out the myriad phenomena taking place in the universal void. If you're a lonely wanderer through the vast wash of space, this may well be the place to enter the orbit of some like-minds.
Like many a great singer-songwriter before her (cue Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen and Tom Waits), Kate Tempest began as a dealer in words. In 2013, she became the first ever person under 40 to win the Ted Hughes Award for innovation in poetry. In 2014, she attracted a Mercury Prize nomination for her hip hop-driven debut album, Everybody Down. Now she's published a novel. Billy Bragg loves her. Chuck D is a fan. Check out her fresh, authentic freestyling for yourself. Kate Tempest plays the Magic Mirrors Spiegeltent on January 21 at 7.30pm and January 22 at 11.45pm. This is just one of our ten picks for Sydney Festival's best gigs. Check out the whole list.
Phil Ferguson, aka Chili Philly, is a Melbourne-based artist proving that crochet is not just for nannas. Creating wearable crochet art in the form of just about anything — from burgers to beer bottles, goon sacks to pea pods, tea bags to sushi rolls — Ferguson has become an Instagram wunderkind, clocking up a casual 140,000 followers to @chiliphilly in a flash. Ferguson's cheeky craftwork is now the subject of a new exhibition at Australian Design Centre, titled Crochet Social. It's his first major solo exhibition and features his crochet art alongside the quirky and slightly awkward self-portraits that have gained him so much popularity on social media. As part of the exhibition, ADC is also presenting a series of events and workshops to incite audiences to jump aboard the crochet bandwagon. There's a 'Cocktails and Crochet' night, a makers market, talks and panel discussions. Images courtesy the artist. Installation images by Simon Cardwell.
It's easy to look at abstract art with an air of confusion, yet it is this initial reaction that strikes at the core of the discipline. The very soul of the principle of abstraction is to challenge a point of view, a way of thinking, or an entire mindset. Superposition of three types gathers brand new and specially commissioned works from 13 Australian artists who have spent their careers experimenting and pushing the boundaries of their craft. The exhibition focuses on challenging conceptions of colour and form in art by displaying works that use varying media to create new and unique ways of expressing dissent from traditionalist art. The exhibition takes place at Artspace, one of Sydney's leaders in contemporary art, from February to April, and will combine not only the colourist work by Sydney Ball, Rebecca Baumann, live-artist Huseyin Sami and a host of others, it will also incorporate audiovisual performances, including a choreographed experience from Shelley Lasica. Image: Brendan Van Hek, Colour Comp.
Why make one drink when you can make ten? Batched cocktails have grown significantly in popularity across the cocktail world. They're a great, easy option for the amateur bartender — particularly useful when you're hosting a party, because you're not going to be stuck behind the bar all night mixing drinks if you plan ahead. You'd expect that bartenders would turn up their nose at a pre-mixed cocktail, but the trend has caught on in multiple Australasian venues — it turns out they love pre-mixing too. One of the main reasons why is that it's much more practical for bartender and consumer. They don't have to spend 15 minutes mixing and muddling up a complex cocktail, and you don't have to wait. Cocktail ingredients are pre-prepared (bars usually pre-mix cocktails two to three hours before opening), and the ingredients in the drink are left to infuse. When you're using gin, this means there's enough time for botanicals to infuse with the other ingredients, and richer, bolder flavours appear. In partnership with Bombay Sapphire, we asked Sean Forsyth (the Bombay Sapphire Australian ambassador) to show us how to mix up a big batch of Coffee Negronis — literally just the Negroni cocktail you know and love with cold-drip coffee added. Like a Negroni, coffee is sweet, bitter and complex — so it's the perfect ingredient to complement and spice up this famous gin cocktail. Get your hands on some cold-drip and you've got yourself a breakfast-appropriate cocktail. "If you walk into a bar and they don't know how to make a Negroni, leave," Forsyth says. He's right. To make a Negroni you just need to know how to mix gin, vermouth and Campari — it's easy. To make a batch of Coffee Negronis, you need water, a one-litre measuring jug, a funnel and a one-litre glass bottle instead of a shaker. It's getting much, much easier to make good cocktails. THE COFFEE NEGRONI (Serves 10) Ingredients: 250ml Bombay Sapphire 200ml Martini Rosso 200ml Campari 100ml cold drip espresso 250ml water 1 litre sealable glass bottle Method: Using a funnel and a one-litre measuring jug, build ingredients into a clean one-litre glass bottle Shake and add into the freezer one hour before service Pour into rocks glass filled with cubed ice Garnish with an orange slice Images: Kimberley Low.
Sydney Harbour's Pullman Quay Grand has opened a new bar — and it looks tremendously luxe. Located within the Circular Quay hotel, Hacienda is a brand new "vista bar", taking inspiration from Cuba's grandiose, plantation-style architecture and the vintage hotels of 1950's Miami. Applejack Hospitality — whose venues include Bondi Hardware, The Butler and Della Hyde — have teamed up with AccorHotels to pull off this stylish throw-back "botanical oasis" of a space. And it's stunning. The harbourside space is filled with luxurious, pastel lounge furniture, brass details and lush roof greenery, all surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows which showcase panoramic views of the city, the bridge and Sydney Harbour. Plus, they can all open to create a terrace-like feel. The drink menus mimics the venue design by using Cuban flavours, slinging cocktails which include classic ingredients like banana, guava and custard apple. The Tropical Sour – banana-infused Encanto pisco, Tío Pepe sherry, lime and honey — sounds especially tasty, as is the Old Smoked Presidente: a concoction of aged rum, orange curacao, dry vermouth, house-spiced raspberry syrup and Angostura bitters. The bar also has an impressive stock of rum and American whiskey for those looking for something neat. The food offering, curated by Executive Chef Stefan Brademann, will complement the drinks and have a Cuban-American flare. Fusion dishes like the yuka fries, buttermilk fried chicken and a pork neck mojo will sit on the menu alongside a Cubano-Reuben hybrid and burgers galore. The menu will be balanced between bar snacks and more substantial dishes to accommodate for anything from nibbling patrons to hangry ones. This little slice of Cuban culture may play to cliches but we're not fussed — especially considering the iconic views that come with it. Hacienda is now open inside the Pullman Quay Grand, 61 Macquarie Street, Sydney Harbour, from noon till late seven days a week. For more information, visit their website.
