Overcoming systemic discrimination, both in the music industry and society more broadly, Indigenous hip hop artists are the vanguard of an exciting new era of Aussie hip hop. In the words of politically-conscious rapper Briggs, star of the ABC's Cleverman and Black Comedy: They're growing up fast, they're growing up tough, They're giving back everything they never got as a pup, And if they want something, you're giving it up, If they want something, you're giving it up. It's tempting to say that Indigenous hip hop is undergoing a renaissance of late, but it wouldn't be entirely accurate — the scene has been strong for years, it's just that now it's finally starting to get the attention it deserves. One initiative responsible for this greater recognition is Klub Koori, a regular showcase of emerging and established Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians produced by Koori Radio. This year's lineup includes hip hop producer/MC Jimblah, alongside Nooky, Lady Lash, Tasman Keith and first-ever performances by Young Black & Deadly [YBD] artists. Australian hip hop icons Izzy and MunkiMuk will be hosting the whole thing. So, before they storm the stage on Thursday, July 7 at Carriageworks and with NAIDOC Week in full swing, we thought we'd introduce you to some Indigenous artists who are coming up fast and coming up tough. Read up.
Vivid Sydney is almost here — which means the city is about to explode with art, music and entertainment (enough to keep you warm over winter). Instead of spending all your time looking at the lights and crowds at Opera Bar, head over to Kings Cross Hotel, because the venue is teaming up with Vivid once again and throwing a number of parties throughout the festival. The celebrations kick off on Saturday, May 27, when a whole bunch of Sydney's best DJs will each take over a level of the Kings Cross Hotel for the opening weekend of Vivid. Sydney's best party crews and DJs will be there — Flexmami, Rhythm of the Night, Bad Deep, Body Type and Levins included. This one-night-only party will be one to remember, so head to the Kings Cross Hotel and prepare to dance up a storm. Tickets are $5 online and $10 on the door.
Well, it’s official: animal-themed cafes have reached critical levels of absurdity. After cats, owls and even teacup pigs, an impending eatery in East London will pay tribute to the humble blobfish, the gelatinous sea dweller that was recently voted the ugliest animal in the world. Set to open in summer 2016, the Blobfish Cafe will be home to three blobfish specimen named Barry, Lorcan and Lady Swift. No word on how the aquatic trio are handling their newfound celebrity, although Lorcan already has his own twitter account, where he mostly tweets about Tom Cruise. Of course, running a blobfish cafe isn’t as simple a proposition as just rounding up a few stray cats. The fish reside on the ocean floor off the east coast of Australia (booyah!) at depths of around 1000 metres, where the pressure is several dozen times that of the surface. As a result, the owners of the cafe have had to construct a special tank capable of replicating the deep sea environment, a mammoth undertaking described on their website as 'not cheap'. Still, the trade-off for the blobfish community may well be worth the cost. The 2013 public ballot by the Ugly Animal Preservation Society threw the species into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons, with the fleshy pink fish beat out the axolotl, the proboscis monkey and the kakapo, aka the New Zealand owl parrot, to claim the title of God’s most hideous mistake. To make matters worse, a rise in deep sea trawling is threatening blobfish populations. Do you really want to live in a world without this guy? The cafe is yet to reveal their food and drinks menu, although they’ve promised a mix of light lunches and more substantial evening meals, along with weekly gourmet nights consisting of an eight course deep sea themed tasting menu. Presumably that doesn’t include eating blobfish. A number of online retailers also sell plush blobfish toys. That piece of information doesn’t really have anything to do with the cafe, but we still thought it was worth mentioning. We’re also not entirely convinced this whole story isn’t an elaborate hoax, although if it is it’s a pretty amazing one. Via London Evening Standard.
Ever cruised past that beautiful, old train station just down from Central and wondered how it could possibly be disused? Regent Street station, better known as Mortuary Station for practical reasons, is the Venetian 13th century Gothic style building sitting on the western side of Sydney Yard in Chippendale. It's name isn't a joke, it once saw funeral trains depart for Rookwood Cemetery in the 1860s. In the '30s it was used as a platform for horses and dogs, in the '80s as a pancake restaurant called Magic Mortuary and then in 1985 it was restored and given heritage status by the State Rail Authority. Until now, it's been a sporadically used for functions. But next March, it'll play host to some extraordinary art installations — the Biennale of Sydney has adopted it as one of their newest venues their 2016 exhibition. The Biennale of Sydney will turn twenty in 2016. Artistic director Stephanie Rosenthal spilled the beans today on what we can expect, naming the first 73 artists and revealing the Sydney venues and 'in-between' spaces the exhibition will inhabit between 18 March and 5 June. The seven venues will transform into temporary 'embassies of thought' rather than galleries, with each 'embassy' embracing a specific theme. Cockatoo Island will become the Embassy of the Real, the Art Gallery of New South Wales will be transformed into the Embassy of Spirits, alongside Carriageworks (Embassy of Disappearance), Artspace (Embassy of Non-Participation), Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (Embassy of Translation), and a bookshop (Embassy of Stanislaw Lem). Mortuary Station will become the Embassy of Transition, in its first ever Biennale appearance. Exhibiting contemporary artists at the Embassy of Transition will be Taiwanese artist Charwei Tsai and UK artist Marco Chiandetti. The 20th Biennale of Sydney runs between 18 March and 5 June. As always, the exhibition is free. Check out our 2016 program rundown for more. By Shannon Connellan and Jasmine Crittenden. Image: J Bar, CC.
If there's an Aussie film that's had everyone talking over the last few months, it's Down Under. You don't make a comedy about the 2005 Cronulla riots — and about racism in Australia in general — without causing some chatter. The fact that the flick has reached cinemas at a time when the subject of prejudice and discrimination has been splashed all over the local media has certainly helped. Actually, unless you're actor-turned-writer/director Abe Forsythe, you don't make a movie about either the horrific events of more than a decade ago or the pointless hatred behind them at all. Determined to create "a communal experience where we can all just share in just kind of how stupid and how scary everything has kind of gotten," Forsythe didn't hold back when it came to shining a light on the more problematic side of our multicultural country — and he spoke with us about his motivation, spreading a message through laughter and the timeliness of the film's release. ON DECIDING TO MAKE A FILM ABOUT THE CRONULLA RIOTS "I think the main thing for me personally was that I found that I was going to be a father, and there were two things in play. One was that I realised I didn't have much time to get the script happening because soon there was going to be someone that I was just completely responsible for, and I was kind of running out of time. And then the other was that I felt like I was bringing someone into the world and I guess I was concerned about that. This was six years ago that I wrote it. I was looking around, and going, 'This child that I'm bringing into the world has absolutely no say about it — and what kind of world is he going to be exposed to?' So that was all stuff that led me to the Cronulla riots. Because, I mean, I've got a son, and so much of the Cronulla riots, I feel, has to do with masculinity and displaced masculinity and the way males in our country — but also everywhere around the world — the way they can deal with certain things. So it was at a particular time in my life where everything just kind of bubbled up and just fell into place. And then it wrote itself very, very easily and quickly. I mean, I spent five years working on the script, but the initial draft just kind of poured out of me." ON TURNING A HEATED HISTORICAL SITUATION INTO A COMEDY "Before writing this script, [comedy's] what I had been working in. I had been working in comedy a long time ago when I made my first film [2003's Ned] — but the years preceding writing Down Under I'd been experimenting with telling these sorts of stories but in a comedic way in a couple of films I'd made for Tropfest and a couple of other things I'd been working on. "For me, it's really interesting to use comedy to take an audience into a subject matter which I guess can shine light on that subject matter in a different way. And also, it's my experience that if you can make people laugh, you're actually opening them up in a way to accepting other things. If you're laughing, you're opening yourself up emotionally, and if you're opening yourself up emotionally, then you're more receptive to, you know, a movie that's actually saying something about something." ON BALANCING HUMOUR AND TRAGEDY "To use an example, the opening two minutes where we have all that real riot footage, one consistent thing throughout every screening of this movie that we've had has been how shocking everyone finds the opening two minutes. And I think that's partly to do with the fact that it has been ten years — and when I wrote this six years ago, one of the reasons I wrote it was that I felt like we we hadn't dealt with what happened during the riots. So, it kind of feels like we've just brushed it away, and obviously recently everything's been changing locally and internationally as well. But people were shocked by — people have always been shocked by — that first two minutes. "We actually tested the movie without opening the movie with that footage, and when we didn't have that footage at the beginning of the movie, people actually had trouble with all the stuff that happens later in the movie because it kind of took them a little bit by surprise. But by opening the movie with all that footage, where you go, 'This happened, these people did this, and it's as bad as it looks,' we were actually kind of making people go, 'Okay, this subject matter, even though we're going to ease into comedy, there's going to be all of this other stuff which appears every now and then and eventually it's going to end this way too.' "So it was a tricky tonal balancing act to go from scenes where you're laughing at all sorts of different things and behaviour, but then it was always important that we were jolting back into the darker aspects and easing back into the comedy... It was tricky and it took a lot of time to get it right. But I felt like you couldn't tell this particular story and deal with this subject matter without having the darker aspects in there." ON THE TIMELINESS OF THE FILM'S RELEASE "I think it's going to make people question what we've done more, definitely. But it is one of those things — you can have a preconceived notion of what this movie is before you see it, but after you see it, I think it's pretty clear that we're trying to be respectful with how complicated this movie is and the issues are. "Even if we're going to get specific about it, the last couple of weeks with everything that happened with Sonia Kruger's comments on television and Pauline Hanson and everything — it is a little bit crazy that for me, writing something six years ago dealing with this issue, that it is getting released at a time that I could not have guessed with everything that's happening in Australian and also internationally." Down Under is currently screening in Australian cinemas. Read our review.
Well now, if this isn't the sweetest thing we've seen all week. CineFix have transformed Hayao Miyazaki's Academy Award-winning Studio Ghibli film Spirited Away into an adorable 8-bit 'video game'. You can't pop a quarter in to play it, but you can see the entire film summarised in five minutes with a delightful video game version of Joe Hisaishi's score. Follow Chihiro, Haku, No-Face and Yubaba through the 'levels' (No-Face's bathhouse fight scene is particularly great) below: Via Geekologie.
Prepare yourself for a night of whimsy, wonder and a weird, scaly, hermaphroditic fish man named Old Gregg. Noel Fielding, the androgynous co-lead of the surreal British comedy series The Mighty Boosh, is bringing his live show, An Evening with Noel Fielding, to a capital city near you. Combining stand-up comedy with animation and original music, as well as special appearances from some of Fielding's most beloved and baffling characters, including Fantasy Man and The Moon, the April 2015 show marks Fielding's first time in Australia since his sold-out tour in 2012. This time he'll also be joined by his younger brother Michael, best known for his recurring role on The Mighty Boosh as Naboo the Enigma, an alien shaman from the planet Xooberon. Fielding previously played the part of Richmond in The IT Crowd, appeared as a team captain on the music comedy panel show Never Mind the Buzzcocks, and helped create the comedy sketch program Noel Fielding's Luxury Comedy. He is also a member of the band Loose Tapestries along with Kasabian guitarist Sergio Pizzorno, whose music will be featured in the tour. This is one of our top picks of the Sydney Comedy Festival. Check out our full top ten.
The future of Sydney's nightlife in the face of the NSW Government's infamous lockout laws might still be in a state of polarising uncertainty, but the perseverant bunch at nightlife lobby group Keep Sydney Open are attempting to reinvigorate one of Sydney's legendary night spots. Kings Cross has undeniably seen significant change since the introduction of the laws, including a well-covered (and debated) string of venue closures — for a discussion on whether the closures are directly linked to the lockout laws, meet every interested Sydneysider at the pub later. But now, KSO, alongside local collective Eastside Sydney, will take over seven of Kings Cross's nightlife venues for a full precinct festival, dubbed Meet Me in the Cross, on Saturday, July 1 from 9pm. Pick up a $30 ticket and it'll give you access to parties and nosh deals inside Kings Cross Hotel, The World Bar, Candy's Apartment, Potts Point Hotel, Crane Bar, Jangling Jack's and Sweethearts Rooftop. You can hop between bars until 3am. Who will you find having a mad boogie within these venues? Party-starved revellers and live performances from some of Sydney's best record labels and party crews like Future Classic, Astral People, Elefant Traks, Heaps Gay, Lovebombs and more. "Kings Cross is the heart and soul of Sydney nightlife," says KSO campaign director Tyson Koh. "We all know it has suffered in recent times, but the truth is venues are still kicking in the Cross — you can still see great local live bands and dance to amazing music ... Now it's time to support the venues and artists that make this city great in the best way possible: by having a party!" Meet Me in the Cross is happening at seven Kings Cross venues on July 1 from 9pm to 3am. Tickets are $30 for all-access across the venues, and are on sale now.
Since opening on January 27 (Chinese New Year's Eve), Redfern's new dumpling bar Happy D's has been easily recognisable from a distance, given the lengthy queues outside. "It's been manic," says Andrew Watts, who co-owns Happy D's with his mum, Debra. After running successful catering business Yum Cha for years, she was ready to set up shop. Meanwhile, Andrew had gained his fair share of hospitality experience, including managing The Old Fitz for 18 months. "We wanted to keep things simple," Watts says. On the Happy D's menu, you'll find just eight, straightforward steamed options, including mushroom, chicken, pork soup and barbecue pork buns, plus a weekly special. This week, it's prawn and snow peas. To match is a food-focused drinks list. The wine selection features several sakes from Japan, as well as a bunch of Australian 'light reds' and 'mainly dry whites'. Among the beers, there's Asahi on tap, Young Henrys cider, Little Smith's Golden Child from Melbourne and some unusual Japanese craft beers. If a cocktail's more your thing, order a classic or a Happy D's signature creation — a jalapeño-infused twist on the margarita and a new version of the old-fashioned, sweetened with a ginger-honey concoction instead of sugar syrup. "We want people to feel comfortable, eating and drinking however they like," Watts says. "You can come in for a quick bite or stay as long as you like, ordering as you go." Happy D's design follows suit. Four metres by 20 metres, the space is a narrow oblong. On one side, there's an electric red bar dotted with LEDs and, on the other, a six-metre long golden curtain. The pièce de résistance, however, is a 12-metre long, 15-centimetre wide faux fish tank. There's no water and the 'fish' are all attached to fishing lines. "We're encouraging locals to bring in objects to add to the tank," Watts says. On weekends, between 12pm and 4pm, Happy D's runs a 'Dumps 'n' Booze' special — $30 buys you four dishes (that's 14 dumplings) and a drink. On Saturday nights, look out for DJs. The rest of the time, the soundtrack is all soul and disco. Find Happy D's at 169 Regent Street, Redfern. Open Tuesday to Friday 12–3pm and 5–10pm, Saturday midday–10pm, and Sunday midday–8pm. Images: Bodhi Liggett.
Film buffs will get the chance to catch up with the highlights of the Sydney Film Festival, with organisers revealing a special encore program featuring some of the biggest titles of the festival. Screening at Palace Verona in Paddington and Palace Norton Street in Leichhardt from Monday, June 20 to Wednesday, June 22, the By Popular Demand lineup features 11 of this year's best selling films, including critically acclaimed dramas, jaw-dropping documentaries and that one movie where Daniel Radcliffe plays a farting corpse. Of the 11 films that will screen in the days following the conclusion of the festival, major standouts include SFF Official Competition entrant Aquarius, the Kristen Stewart-led ghost story Personal Shopper, and John Carney's charming jukebox musical Sing Street. They'll be joined by a few more esoteric choices, including The Lure — a Polish musical about a pair of flesh-eating mermaids who become nightclub sensations — and Swiss Army Man, the divisive American indie that sees Paul Dano become friends with Daniel Radcliffe's dead body. The lineup also features a number of documentaries, including the hilarious political comeback doc about disgraced US Congressman Anthony Weiner and Tickled, an astounding and surprisingly controversial expose that explores the world of competitive tickling. "This is the second year we will extend our run for top-selling films beyond the end of the Festival," said SFF Director Nashen Moodley. "These screenings are a wonderful way for audiences, if they missed out on Festival tickets, to see some of the most talked-about films of the year." For the full By Popular Demand program including screening times, go here. SFF wraps up on Sunday, June 19. You've still got time to catch some of our top ten picks of the festival.
Rub elbows with world class journalists at Storyology 2016. Presented by The Walkley Foundation, Australia's premier journalism and storytelling festival returns to Sydney from August 10-13, and will be hosted this year at the Chauvel Cinema in Paddington. Whether you're a career journalist, aspiring writer or just like hearing interesting people talk, there's sure to be something on the program for you. Indeed, festival organisers have put together an extraordinarily lineup of speakers, including International Consortium of Investigative Journalists director Gerard Ryle, Storyful global news editor David Clinch, and Egyptian digital journalist Lina Attalah. Panel topics, meanwhile, will range from freedom of the press in the Arab world to the coalescence of news and comedy on programs like The Weekly and The Feed. You can also get a double dose of political podcasting with live recordings of Two Grumpy Hacks and The Party Room. [competition]580444[/competition]
You could pay a hefty ticket price to see Boy and Bear at a top-tier venue like the Sydney Opera House. Or you could watch the dudes busk at Sydney's Night Noodle Markets. Sydney's ARIA-winning fivesome will be setting up for a free session at tonight's Night Noodle Markets, during which they'll sing for their supper as buskers. Celebrating the release of their new album. Boy and Bear will be playing acoustic versions of their new material from 6pm in Hyde Park. SYDNEY SIDERS: to celebrate the release of the album we're heading to the Noodle Markets in Hyde Park from 6pm tomorrow night (the 15th) to play you guys some of our new stuff. We'll be playing a handful of songs acoustically, so come down and say hi and watch us busk for our dinner! #limitoflove A photo posted by Boy & Bear (@boyandbear) on Oct 14, 2015 at 1:44am PDT Find Boy and Bear busking at Sydney's Night Noodle Markets from 6pm in Hyde Park.
Botany Bay locals, rejoice. Paddy Coughlan, founder of Sydney hospitality group Bourke Street and brains behind the Lord Gladstone relaunch, has announced the Botany Bay Hotel as the proud new site of a Sydney pub revamp. It's not dramatic, the Botany Bay Hotel has undergone a quick facelift but essentially stays true to the bones of the building. "The Botany Bay Hotel is a great pub," says Coughlan. "Until now, we've been buying venues that need a lot of work, and we then do a complete overhaul. The bones of this place were great — and we wanted to retain features like the sandstone and timber, which are a nod to the heritage of the venue. So this time around we've tweaked and freshened up, with the main changes coming in the kitchen via an all-new menu in the bistro." The biggest change is in the kitchen — the menu has been completely overhauled by Bourke Street staple Ernie Priestly. "Ernie's cheeseburger is famous across Sydney, as is his modern take on pub classics," says Coughlan. "Ernie first worked with us at the Marlborough Hotel, then again at the Lord Gladstone, and now at the Botany Bay Hotel." The new bistro offering is in the classic pub vein but broader, with favourites cherry picked from a range of different types of gastropub. The new menu includes the classic parma (is a pub really a pub if it doesn't serve up a parma? We think not), steak and nachos as well as crispy skinned salmon, Baja fish soft shelled tacos, jalapeno poppers and Southern fried chicken wings. Not bad for a pub dinner, we have to say. Coughlan and the Bourke Street crew have been responsible for some of the most dramatic Sydney revamps in the last few years, with a long list of successes under their collective belt (including the Lord Gladstone, The Workers and the under-construction Hampshire Hotel to name but a few). The revamped Botany Bay Hotel is now open, operating seven days a week with lunch from 11am–3pm and dinner from 5pm–9pm. Image: Lord Gladstone.
Get up close and personal with Melbourne's Alpine tomorrow night, at an intimate gig at the Oxford Art Factory in Darlinghurst. Presented by GiggedIn, the new live music subscription service that gets you unlimited access to gigs around Sydney, this one-night-only show will see the six-piece pop ensemble take the stage along with up and coming electro-pop artist R.W. Grace and hugely hyped newcomer Jess Kent. Sounds pretty bloody excellent to us. Tickets to the gig are currently on sale via Moshtix at $40 a head plus booking fee — unless you're a GiggedIn member, in which case the whole thing is free. Doors open at 7.30pm. Thanks to GiggedIn, we've got ten double passes to give away. And on top of that, they're giving you 30 percent off your first month if you sign up for a membership before June 18. Just enter the code CPFRIENDS at checkout. [competition]572928[/competition]
After snagging their second ARIA for Best Heavy/Hard Rock Release, DZ Deathrays are doing a victory lap of Australia this February and March in celebration of their second album, Black Rat. Big, loud and in-face, the lads' second offering demonstrated DZ Deathray’s versatility, from their classic DZ sound on 'Reflective Skull', to the wonderfully frantic 'Gina Works at Hearts', to the moodier 'Northern Lights'. It’s all there and it’s all good. The Get Rich or Drunk Tryin’ tour will see the boys reunited with past touring pals, and good mates in general, Bass Drum Of Death (USA) and Hockey Dad. After an absolutely massive 2014 filled with international touring, it's nice to have the Brisbane lads home. Catch them while you can.
Sydney's inner west is about to get in on the openair cinema action. Ben & Jerry's Openair Cinema has just announced they'll be opening their very first inner west cinema this summer, adding another location to their free ice cream-loving lineup of Bondi, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide and Perth this November. And they've just announced their first film program. Setting up on the lawns of Cadigal Green at the University of Sydney, Ben & Jerry's Openair Cinema will debut with new releases and cult classics including Joseph Gordon Levitt's Oscar tip The Walk, Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway teaming up in The Intern, Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg's Bridge of Spies, Kate Winslet's The Dressmaker in rural Australia and the Christmas rom-com to rule them all, Love Actually. Plus, there'll be a 25th anniversary screening of Thelma and Louise. The team are keeping their tried and true formula intact — live music and free ice cream nights. Local artists will hit the stage before the film for cruisy sets, including Nic Cassey, Angus Murphy and many more, and local DJs will spin a few for Aperol Sunsets — with free Aperol samples aplenty. There'll also be a fully-licensed bar, gourmet food stands, and lawn games aplenty, with putt putt and something called Giant Cow Jenga. Tickets for the Bondi Openair Cinema tend to sell out, so get in early. Earlybird tickets are just $15 online ($10 concession), until October 21. You can also hire deckchairs, beanbags and blankets, or go all in for a Volkswagen Polo Class ticket with reserved seating, blanket, cushion, beer or wine and a Ben & Jerry's ice cream included. Ben & Jerry's Openair Cinema will take over Cadigal Green, University of Sydney from November 19 to December 12, 2015. For the full program or to buy tickets, head to the website. Check out CP's roundup of Sydney's best openair cinemas over here.
Gallery-hopping after hours? Talk about a perfect Sydney date idea. Art Month Sydney's beloved Precinct Nights are back, offering you the golden opportunity to enjoy a spate of art venues open late, transforming your art viewing into an adventure trail after closing time. Art at Night | Chippenedale and Redfern in partnership with Concrete Playground and Cake Wines is the ultimate artventure, with over fifteen galleries in the two suburbs open from 6-8pm on Wednesday, March 15. Galleries on the trail include A The Bearded Tit, The Commercial, Eveleigh Creative Precinct, Galerie pompom, Harrington Street Gallery, Home@735, The Japan Foundation Gallery, Kensington Contemporary MOP Projects, M2 Gallery, Smallspaces, Spot81, UTS Gallery, Wellington St Projects and 107 Projects, who all have pretty damn great Art Month programs in store. But every great trail walk needs a solid watering hole at the end. Once you've perused enough art, make your way to the official Art Bar by Cake Wines at the Eveleigh Creative Precinct open from 7.30pm through to 10.30pm. There's plenty going on while you have a well-earned Pinot Gris, including an exhibition with works from Sarah Contos, Lara Merrett and Lucas Davidson, with performances by Lian Loke and Wade Marynowsky's Robot opera. Download the map here. Images: Daniel Boud.
Inner-Sydney staple The Chippendale Hotel has been revamped and rebranded with a new interior, moniker and menu to match. Now open under its official new name The Chippo Hotel, the iconic venue known for its A+ live music vibes now boasts Louisiana-born chef Charlie Fisher in the kitchen. From the looks of things, it was a very smart appointment indeed. At a glance the new menu seems like classic pub grub — think wedges, steak and the requisite chicken parma. But look a little closer, and Fisher's influence becomes clear. Entrees include popcorn chicken (or shrimp) tossed in Cajun spices, along with buffalo wings, southern fried chicken and American-style mac and cheese. As for the main course, if you're not feeling sirloin, why not make a mess with pork ribs served in Dr Pepper BBQ sauce. They're also serving up a selection of burgers, inspired by their previous Cheekyburger pop-up. And for dessert, there are few things more American than homemade pecan pie. On the entertainment front, The Chippo will feature pub trivia on Mondays, comedy on Tuesdays, improv on Wednesday and live music Thursday through Saturdays. On Sundays from November 5 they'll be cooking up pig on the spit — because at least that way you'll start your week with a belly full of bacon. Find The Chippo Hotel at 87-91 Abercrombie St, Chippendale. For more information visit www.thechippohotel.com.au.
Time to scope out an enormous bib and the hardiest pair of gloves you can lay your hands on. On March 12, House of Crabs are bringing back their decadent, annual seafood orgy by the name of 'Endless Bags'. And yes, it means exactly what you think it does. You get to eat as much blue swimmer crab, prawns and mussels as you, your stomach and your shell-cracking knuckles can handle. All you have to do is book a two-hour sitting. We suggest you arrive right on time because you'll have only two hours to get your money's worth. Tickets are $100 a head, which ain't cheap but, the boil is banging and the atmosphere streaks ahead of the city's hotel seafood buffets. Given that the venue inspires queueing on regular nights, bookings are most definitely recommended. Guarantee yourself a bottomless bag by calling (02) 9699 3177 or sending an email to houseofcrabs@drinkndine.com.au.
There's rarely a bad time to wander through a rainforest, especially after a year that's had everyone spending more time at home than usual. But if you're planning a trip to the Blue Mountains to take in its vivid greenery, visiting during April 2021 is particularly recommended. That's when Sculpture at Scenic World is back in the area after a two-year break, after its 2020 event was cancelled due to the pandemic. The exhibition is as straightforward as it sounds, and also as striking. Between Thursday, April 1–Sunday, May 2, Scenic World in Katoomba is placing dozens of large-scale sculptures and installations throughout its ultra-scenic surroundings, with visitors able to mosey through them and enjoy their oversized sights at their own pace. You'll walk past trees, peer at giant artworks and find yourself in an openair gallery — and, you'll check out pieces from both emerging and established artists in the process. Everything on display will compete for the Scenic World Major Award, too, as judged this year by National Art School's Head of Sculpture Hany Armanious, Sydney-based sculptor Margarita Sampson and The Lock-Up Artistic Director Courtney Novak. [caption id="attachment_802600" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Jono Gooley[/caption] The 2021 event features sculptures not only in the rainforest, but, as part of a free outdoor exhibition called Twist & Shout, it extends to sites such as the Carrington Hotel, Mountain Heritage Hotel, and the Fairmont Resort and Spa. The aim: to get folks heading to the area to not only explore Sculpture at Scenic World, but to take in everything that the Blue Mountains region has to offer. Entry into Sculpture at Scenic World comes with a regular Scenic World ticket, which means that attendees can also enjoy the venue's skyway, railway and cableway while they're there. Top images: Nick Warfield, Georgina Galea, Mark Surtees and Hannah Surtees, David Jensz, Jono Gooley.
Miami Horror's just released their first music for two years. And, to mark the occasion, they're hosting a block party in Marrickville. Get along to the Portugal Madeira car park on Sunday, April 2 to immerse yourself. When we say immerse, we mean it. The band's brand new album, titled The Shapes, goes to places they've never been before. We're talking Caribbean funk, African beats, Talking Heads-influenced lyrics and visual art. You won't be just listening to the music, you'll be watching it, too. "I've always been a fan of colourful art and murals, especially those from the late '80s and early '90s," said MH's Ben Plant. "As a child, they excited and inspired me every time I passed them. This left a lasting effect on me into adulthood, a lust for colour and the extraordinary amongst the mundane colours of suburbia or the greyness of Melbourne city." Also making appearances at the party, which kicks off at 3pm, will be Touch Sensitive, Running Touch, Broadway Sounds, Gameboy/Gamegirl, Mezko and Queen Magic. Taking care of DJ sets will be Souseme, Falcona DJs and SPORTS. There'll also be Mr Black cold drip espresso martinis, a Miami Horror Holidays Cocktail Bar with $8 mai tais, margaritas and more, Eat Art Truck pulled pork burgers, The Weinery's bacon-wrapped hot dogs and donuts, custom art projections from Eyebyte and a Miami Horror convertible car photobooth. Miami Horror have been touring the world since releasing debut album Illumination in 2013. They split their time off-the-road between Melbourne and Los Angeles.
Alright, people of Sydney, we get it. Y'all love a tight rooftop. You love to drink bevs under the open sky and in line with your demands, venues countrywide are opening up rooftop bars. It's a glorious new era with a skyline of rooftop bars extending into the horizon and, happily, Paddington's Light Brigade Hotel is the latest place to jump on the bandwagon. It's one of many recent changes for Woollahra's beloved Oxford Street hotel. In November, they reopened after an extensive renovation and came out the other side a whole lot fancier. And come June, the Brigade Bar and Brigade Dining will be joined by Brigade Rooftop, a lush space with views of the Paddington rooftops and Sydney harbour skyline. The rooftop will function as a combination space for drinking and dining and is designed to feel "as casual as a neighbour's terrace," according to Jonathan Richards, director of interior design company SJB (the design wizards who executed the renovation). "We have designed a circular bar that fans around the terrace to enable the visitor full access to the horizon." Executive chef Marco Adler has also developed an accompanying wood-fired pizza menu available on the rooftop and in the Brigade Bar. Pizza and drinks on the rooftop? It's like they read our mind. At the same time the Brigade Lounge will be opened downstairs, a 1920s-themed cocktail bar that blends right into the art-deco vibe of the building and is the perfect spot for a post-rooftop-pizza tipple. Brigade Rooftop will open in the coming weeks on the corner of Oxford Street and Jersey Road. Keep your eyes on their Facebook page for further information.
One of London's best, most groundbreaking labels Young Turks is teaming up with Australia's electronic slam dunk of a label Siberia Records for a New Year's Eve party worth road tripping for. The two are putting on a huge party in a sorta secret venue in Globe Lane, Wollongong, just 15 minutes walk from the beach. Last year's party took over a beach location in Tulum, Mexico, and Wollongong is their next beachy venture. The lineup is yet to be released, but guessing from the fact that Young Turks' Jamie XX will be in town for the festival season, we're guessing he'll be dropping by. Tickets are pretty affordable — $85 first release, $95 second and $105 third release. Get amongst it.
Want to see a burlesque show that tells it like it is? Or circus cabaret that contemplates race relations in contemporary Australia? How about singing and striptease while smashing stereotypes? Or a performance that packs a punch of hip hop politics? All that makes up Hot Brown Honey, as well as dance, poetry, drama and a reflection of everyday problems. They return to the Sydney stage for an extended three-week season from June 7-25 following last year's sell-out Opera House season. And these bold performers aren't just trying to entertain, they're also working through issues of colour and culture — and courting controversy — in a show that's certain to get people talking. The story jumps from the simmering shores of Polynesia to the bogan streets of Australia, peering through the eyes of an Indigenous drag queen and stepping through the life of a single mother who just happens to be a DJ. Hailing from Polytoxic Dance Theatre, Circus OZ and Briefs, the Luscious Lisa Fa'alafi, the Curvaceous Candy B and the Bodacious Busty Beatz package their tale and topics in spicy humour and simmering honesty. Some like it hot, indeed.
With every new report from Manus Island or Nauru, it's easy to start feeling hopeless about Australia's treatment of asylum seekers. So, Newtown's Parliament on King is inviting you to a dinner that'll restore your faith — and have you astonished at what some people can endure without losing their optimism. Introducing the first Hope Dinner. To be held on Saturday, June 25 as part of World Refugee Week, this three-course meal will feature traditional cooking by asylum seekers and refugees now settled Australia. In between dishing up, they'll be telling you stories, about how they came to be where they are today — from leaving their homelands to adapting to life in a new country. Plus, there'll be spoken word performances, presented by WWM Poetry. Two sittings will take place — the first at 6pm and the second at 7.30pm. Tickets are just $20, food included, so you'd be well advise to snap yours up ASAP.
What do Helmut Newton, Judy Cassab, Yoko Ono and Ai Wei Wei have in common? They're all world-renowned artists and they all come from refugee backgrounds. Some of their works, as well as those from 19 other artists who had similar experiences, are brought together in this powerful exhibition titled, simply, Refugees. Gathered from public and private collections all over Australia, the 65 pieces have never before been displayed in Western Sydney. Other names in the mix are Marc Chagall, Max Ernst, Lucian Freud and Aida Tomescu. Plus, there are two new works by Australian artists Guo Jian and Ah Xian, commissioned for the exhibition. Collectively, they explore the many dimensions of the refugee's plight, from being forced to leave home to taking risks on boats to arriving in strange countries. Australia's hardline treatment of asylum seekers is also examined.
Nocturnal creatures and art lovers, get on down to the National Art School this Thursday night for their second free after-dark shindig — and this time they're heading back to the Beat Generation. From 6pm, for three hours, you'll be immersed in '50s and '60s-style Beatnik culture. Channel a strong love for jazz bars, coffee and post-war American art, music and literature into a humdinger of an after-hours event. Berets and turtlenecks strongly encouraged. Enjoy a cheeky vino from Cake Wines, watching Chicago's spoken-word star Miles Merrill perform a spoken-word poetry piece inspired by legendary beat poets Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg. Find your inner Jackson Pollock with a free action painting workshop. Wander current exhibition Ann Thomson & Contemporaries (open till 9pm) and see a Floor Talk by curator Judith Blackall and the artist herself. Then dance your Beatnik butt off to an acoustic set of '60s inspired tunes from Frances Castley.
Looking for the next wave of Australian choreography? Just after a solid cultural night out in Sydney? This one's for you. Four of Australia's boldest new choreographers have joined forces to present their latest and most ballsy work for this year's instalment of New Breed at Carriageworks. New Breed is the product of a brilliant collaboration between Carriageworks and the Sydney Dance Company, first launched in 2014. The idea is to give a leg-up to the next generation's most impressive dance talents. After all, launching a career on your own can be tough. So, Carriageworks's associate director of programming Lisa Ffrench teamed up with Sydney Dance Company's artistic director Rafael Bonachela to scope out four of Australia's most promising youngsters: Rachel Arianne Ogle (Perth), Shian Law (Melbourne), Jesse Scales (Hobart) and Richard Cilli (Perth). Each of these gifted, creative creatures was given six months to come up with a new dance piece. To help them along, they had access to Sydney Dance Company — both its beautiful studios and its ridiculously skilled ensemble. Now, you get to lap up the results with four new works.
Western Sydney, loosen your belts. More than 40 food trucks will soon be powering your way. And, when they gather at Rooty Hill RSL on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 November, they'll form the heart of Off the Eaten Truck, the biggest food truck festival ever to hit Western Sydney. For two glorious days, you're invited to do nothing but sample their wares. You'll be tucking into burgers from Mister Gee, Neapolitan wood-fired pizzas from Happy as Larry, organic creations from Agape, Mexican snacks from Cantina Movil, Vietnamese street food from Mama Linh's and so much more deliciousness. And, while you're feasting, there'll be live and local music to keep your ears happy. Entry is free, but should you decide to make a gold donation, it'll go to the Movember Foundation. Off The Eaten Truck is a collaboration between Rooty Hill RSL and Knafeh's Bearded Bakers. Creative director Ameer El-issa said, "For too long Western Sydney has been a forgotten market when it comes to food festivals. We are excited to have the opportunity to bring together a collective of operators who are all likeminded — who love food, and love bringing it to people."
What's better than one annual showcase of French movies ? Two, of course. After giving Aussie audiences the best in Gallic cinema once a year for the past 26 years — and building the biggest festival of French films outside of France, too — the folks behind the Alliance Française French Film Festival are doubling their efforts. In fantastic news for anyone who likes diving back into the great flicks of times gone by, the Alliance Française Classic Film Festival will shine a light on a heap of old favourites. It's the second time the fest has done so, but the first time it has toured around the country. Heading to screens in Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra, Perth and Melbourne during September through to November, the fest will unleash classic efforts starring everyone from Brigitte Bardot to Catherine Deneuve to Isabelle Huppert for your viewing pleasure, . Feasting your eyes on the game-changing wonder that is Jean-Luc Godard new wave hit Breathless is a must, whether you're keen for a revisit or you're watching it for the first time. Also check out extravagant French western Viva Maria!, the love triangle-focused Cesar and Rosalie, the Venezuelan-set Lovers Like Us, and black-and-white underworld crime drama Casque d'Or. Alliance Française Classic Film Festival will run at two Sydney venues: August 26-28 at Palace Norton Street and September 2-4 at Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace.
St Leonards is often overlooked as one of Sydney's more productive artistic hubs, but this is quickly changing thanks to the TWT Creative Precinct, an artist-run initiative that provides workspaces for over 70 artists working in visual, performing, music and film disciplines. To witness the lower north shore's cultural evolution in action, head along to this year's block party, a free annual event celebrating local artists and creatives. The jam-packed program will feature a range of exhibitions, performances, film screenings, music and workshops, happening in 16 different spaces over 11 buildings on Atchison and Chandos Streets. Highlights include the unveiling of a two-storey high public mural by renowned Sydney street artist Beastman, as well as an immersive installation by William Mansfield, short film screenings by Arcadia and even a shadow puppetry show by interdisciplinary artist Aesha Henderson. Follow the trail through TWT Creative Precinct's exhibition spaces and finish up at X&Co Cafe, a non-profit, artist-run social enterprise where you can enjoy a drink and a bite to eat.
If you're the kind of person who is quick to take offence, you might want to give the latest play from writer Declan Greene a miss. Indeed, all you need to do is look at the title to know that The Homosexuals, or Faggots, is not the kind of show to pull its punches. Fresh from a successful run at Melbourne's Malthouse Theatre, Greene's blistering social satire is heading to Griffin Theatre Company. You'll follow Warren and Kim, a pair of wealthy gay men who find themselves in an awkward situation involving a politically incorrect costume party and an easily offended academic. What follows is a farce that takes the piss out of hypocrites on both the right and the left, and has been described by the playwright himself as one of the more provocative things he's ever written. Rehearsal image: Brett Boardman/Malthouse Theatre.
Vivid LIVE expanded last year with its Artist Talks Program, which saw artists taking the stage for their Vivid show and also for a special Q&A. Artists like New Order, Anohni and Wafia chatted to audiences across multiple Opera House foyers, as well as in the Playhouse. The talks are designed to give audiences the ability to both hear artists perform and also reflect on their creative process. This year, the program is somewhat smaller, but will allow Vivid punters the chance to hear from headlining artists in conjunction with their Vivid LIVE show. Australian electronic producer Nick Murphy (formerly Chet Faker) will chat with Triple R broadcaster Lauren Taylor about his new EP Missing Link — and, inevitably, why he's moved on from 'Chet Faker'. Legendary producer Richie Hawtin will chat with Vivid LIVE festival curator Ben Marshall to unpack Hawtin's career and the modern state of electronic music, ahead of his headline performance on the Northern Boardwalk. The Artist Talks series is completely free, you just need to book in advance. Read more about the Vivid Sydney 2017 program here.
It's time to set your inner Grand Designs junkie free. For three months from August 29, the Superhouse exhibition will fill the Sydney Museum with the most innovative, magical and downright amazing buildings in the whole wide world. Whether your fix is small spaces, rooftops, skylines, mixing architecture with nature or transformations, there'll be both photographs and immersive displays to inspire you. Highlights include Astley Castle, a 12th-century ruin-turned-contemporary-home, and Solo House, which is built around a swimming pool. The forces behind the show are author and curator Karen McCartney and photographer Richard Powers, who worked together on Superhouse, the book. Karen was at the Sydney Museum last year with the 2014 Iconic Australian Houses exhibition. “The exhibition demonstrates how architectural experimentation and daring can challenge notions of how we should live," she said in a media statement. "A superhouse delivers a 360-degree completeness of form, its exterior and interior have a seamless execution and above all else, it is awe-inspiring ... This quality can be elicited from the perfection of its natural setting, a remarkable use of materials, an exceptional level of craft, ground-breaking innovation or a use of space that lifts the spirit."
In some circles, brunching is considered a serious artform; well-considered for menu, atmosphere, availability of soothing breakfast booze. Sydney's pretty damn good at brunchery, with smashed avos, applaudable cold drips and all the Bloody Marys filling up Sydneysider bellies every weekend. But if you’re looking to really up your brunch game, there’s one heck of a breakfast party happening in Waterloo’s warehouse conversion tapas and wine bar, mojo. Luke Mangan's Danks Street eatery is holding ‘Brunch of Fun’ on Saturday, April 11, with some of Sydney’s most creative foodie and boozy champs. Pretty much a showcase of Sydney’s culinary ingenuity, Brunch of Fun sounds like a weekend party worth getting up early for. There’s going to be Instagram-worthy desserts from the outrageously talented Katherine Sabbath, fresh ‘wiches from Brooklyn Boy Bagels, crazy, crazy delicious wizardry from N2 Extreme Gelato, locally-brewed goodness from Young Henrys as well as hot treats and breakfast cocktails from mojo. Plus, there'll be local DJs caressing your eardums while you munch. Best of all, it's free entry so you can use all that dosh on nosh. Set your alarm.
What do No Lights No Lycra and Earth Hour have in common? First up, they both started in Australia. Second, they’ve both turned into global movements. Third, neither likes lights. So it makes perfect sense that the two should team up. And that's exactly what they’re doing this Saturday, 28 March at 8.30pm. People all over the world are invited to spend Earth Hour with the lights switched off, dancing, as part of a global event dubbed 'Switch Off and Dance'. The No Lights No Lycra folks are even curating a playlist — so not only will you be letting loose at precisely the same time as thousands of others, you’ll be doing so to exactly the same tunes. As is the case with all No Lights No Lycra events, the danceathon is all about getting down in a place where no one can see you, so there's no being self-conscious or worrying about who's comparing your moves to Beyonce's. The focus is entirely on relaxing, having fun and throwing the worst shapes in your repertoire. Of course, it being Earth Hour, there'll be the added bonus of giving our poor, beleaguered planet some much-needed love and attention. In Sydney, Switch Off and Dance will be happening at Level 1, 251 Riley Street, Surry Hills. To find other events or initiate one of your own, head over here.
Not every Sydneysider has the luxury of being able to nab a cheeky beach dip in Tamarama after work. The words "hectic traffic", "epic trek", "generally CBF" start a long list of pretty solid excuses. If you're an inner-city dweller, chances are you've found your nearest community pool for cooling off and doing mad laps in. Luckily, the City of Sydney's built a fair few aquatic centres around town, five in all. And summer's the perfect time to try 'em all — for free. Over a series of Saturdays, the City of Sydney is hosting a series of free open days in their swimming pools, inviting locals to try out everything each 50-metre pool has to offer — from the insanely pretty Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool located on the edge of the harbour, to the $40 million Harry Seidler and Associates-designed Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre. There'll be a range of activities for all ages on the day, including tours, fitness classes, aquatic inflatables, learn-to-swim information, barbecues and face painting. Plus, you get to swim for free. The idea behind the open days is to give you a chance to test out the facilities associated with the City of Sydney's 360 card — $53.40 a fortnight for access to all five of the City of Sydney's aquatic centres across the city, and their adjoining fitness facilities. CITY OF SYDNEY SWIMMING POOL OPEN DAYS: Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool: Saturday, January 30, 9am-midday Prince Alfred Park Pool: Saturday, February 6, 9am-midday Victoria Park Pool: Saturday, February 13, 9am-midday Cook + Philip Park Aquatic and Fitness Centre: Saturday, February 20, 8am-1pm Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre: Saturday, February 27, 8am-1pm Image: City of Sydney.
Legendary gloomsayer and friend to the animals Morrissey is the headliner of this year's Vivid LIVE. Set to play four exclusive shows at the Sydney Opera House on Tuesday May 26, Wednesday May 27, Saturday May 30 and Sunday May 31, the former Smiths frontman is one epic pull for the Vivid team. But there's one big proviso. In classic Morrissey stylin', the famously vegetarian Meat is Murder singer has requested a ban on meat at the Opera House on performance nights — both in backstage catering and at any food and beverage outlet within the venue. Does this include Bennelong and Opera Bar? Probably. This isn't the first time Morrissey has banned meat at one of his appearances. The outspoken PETA supporter had Belgian festival Lokerse Feesten ban meat in 2011, everything from snails to horse meat sausages. Two years earlier, Morrissey abandoned his Coachella set because he said he could "smell burning flesh," before adding, "and I hope to God it’s human." The Mancunian legend marks a significant booking high-five for Ben Marshall, the Opera House’s head of contemporary music and recently appointed as the curator of Vivid LIVE, replacing the long lauded Fergus Linehan. Having previously booked The National, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds and Flying Lotus for the Opera House, Marshall's booking of Morrissey is the start of one predictably applaudable Vivid LIVE lineup announcement, set for this month. “I’m thrilled that the first announcement for Vivid LIVE 2015 is a Sydney-only residency by the uniquely gifted and inimitably stylish Morrissey," says Marshall. "I have vivid teenage memories of his face all over our lever-arch files in high school. So it’s amazing to now showcase his artistry on the Concert Hall stage. These four vital, intimate concerts will be a very special occasion for all those like-minded souls who’ve been affected by Morrissey." An Evening With Morrissey will be the artist's only Australian appearances. Want more Vivid music? Check out our top ten Vivid gigs over here.
The legendary, controversial, performance artist who does 'nothing' is finally returning to Australia after a 17-year absence. The subject of two major projects (at Hobart's Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), and at Pier 2/3 with Kaldor Public Art Projects), Marina Abramovic is heading our way this June. Beloved and equally criticised, 67-year-old Abramovic has been invited by both MONA's David Walsh and John Kaldor to create a two experiences for the public — a retrospective solo exhibition at MONA called Private Archaeology, beginning June 13, followed by Kaldor Projects’ Marina Abramovic: In Residence, with a series of 'exercises' from the Abramovic Method happening over twelve days at Pier 2/3 from June 24 to July 5. If you want to see Abramovic throw down her ideas on a pedestal, she'll be giving a keynote address in the Roslyn Packer Theatre in Walsh Bay on Tuesday, June 30 at 8pm, supported by the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney. The legendary artist will speak about her journey towards immaterial art, her engagement with audiences and the impact of long-durational practices. This will be her only public talk during her 2015 Australian visit, so you're going to want to lock down tickets asap. Private Archaeology opens at MONA on June 13 and runs through October 5. Kaldor Public Art Projects’ Marina Abramovic: In Residence at Pier 2/3 Walsh Bay opens June 24 and runs through July 5. To book tickets to Abramovic's keynote address on June 30, head over here. (Tickets on sale Tuesday, June 9 at 9am.)
Time to scope out an enormous bib and the hardiest pair of gloves you can lay your hands on. On March 12, House of Crabs are bringing back their decadent, annual seafood orgy by the name of 'Endless Bags'. And yes, it means exactly what you think it does. You get to eat as much blue swimmer crab, prawns and mussels as you, your stomach and your shell-cracking knuckles can handle. All you have to do is book a two-hour sitting. We suggest you arrive right on time because you'll have only two hours to get your money's worth. Tickets are $100 a head, which ain't cheap but, the boil is banging and the atmosphere streaks ahead of the city's hotel seafood buffets. Given that the venue inspires queueing on regular nights, bookings are most definitely recommended. Guarantee yourself a bottomless bag by calling (02) 9699 3177 or sending an email to houseofcrabs@drinkndine.com.au.
Cybershaming and cybersexism, drug addiction and neurology, the 'extreme centre' of politics, climate change and capitalism, robots and unemployment, and sugar. They're all on the programme for the seventh incarnation of the Festival of Dangerous Ideas. Coming to the Opera House over September 5–6, this year's event will be bringing us a stack of Damn the Man activists, provocative authors and controversial intellectuals from all over the world — with Canadian No Logo author, social activist, and filmmaker Naomi Klein, freed journalist Peter Greste, and The Men Who Stare at Goats author, journalist and NPR regular Jon Ronson just three of the big guns on the bill. Returning to Sydney, Ronson will flesh out his new book So You've Been Publicly Shamed in a talk on 'Shame Culture', while Klein explains the ideas behind her new book This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. Culture. Then, Greste will deliver his first big public talk since being imprisoned in Egypt with two other Al Jazeera English journalists, a talk dubbed 'Journalistic Freedom'. DIETLAND author Sarai Walker will be sticking it to fat shaming in 'Radical Fat Acceptance', while American journalist and Fast Food Nation/Reefer Madness author Eric Schlosser will be unpacking his latest book Command and Control, which digs deep into America's nuclear arsenal secrets. Israeli director, screenwriter and writer Gideon Raff (who created Israeli series Prisoners of War and its US adaptation Homeland) will be talking about the responsibilities of film and television when using 'real life' events in their storylines. British Pakistani writer, journalist, and filmmaker Tariq Ali will present a talk on 'The Twilight of Democracy' (focused on Greece no doubt). The Economist's international section editor Dr Helen Joyce will take you through the publication's controversial right-to-die campaign, and Silicon Valley entrepreneur and Rise of the Robots author Martin Ford will delve into the not-so-distant future in 'Hello Robots', discussing the possibility of a robot economy and subsequent jobless future. And beloved NYC podcast storytellers The Moth will make their first Sydney appearance for FODI onstage. FODI's not just about keynotes and solo speeches, with a panel program set to fire up some furious debate on the Opera House stage. Controversial I Quit Sugar writer Sarah Wilson will chair a healthy eating-focused 'Big Sugar' panel with That Sugar Film creator Damon Gameau and executive manager of the Obesity Policy Coalition (OPC) Jane Martin. Alongside her own talk about the hactivist group Anonymous, academic and author Gabriella Coleman will take her online expertise to the 'Cybersexism' panel with powerhouse writer Clementine Ford and Penny Red/Unspeakable Things author Laurie Penny, and Seoul-born, New York-living writer Suki Kim will lead the hard-hitting 'Inside North Korea' panel, with Michael Kirby and Anna Broinowski. And that's just the tip of the iceberg for the 2015 Festival of Dangerous Ideas, for the full program head over here. By Jasmine Crittenden and Shannon Connellan. Images: FODI, Daniel Boud.
If it's been a while between Chardonnays with you and Orange, or if you've never actually ventured to the regional foodie hub of New South Wales, now's your time to make amends. This Thursday and Friday, Sydneysiders can take in the best of Orange's food and wine right in the heart of the CBD, at the annual Taste Orange @ Sydney festival in Martin Place. Taste your way through NSW's 'food basket' with 15 of the regions best wineries offering tastings, including Phillip Shaw, Brangayne, Logan, Ross Hill, Tamburlaine and more. Seriously, if you haven't tasted a Phillip Shaw Chardonnay, get amongst it. After-work drinks are made for the Pop-Up After Dark Orange Wine Bar, open 5pm to 8pm both nights. But you're going to want some high quality, Orange-grown nibbles with that vino. Taste's lunch and dinner offerings include the incredibly Orange-proud team at Agrestic Grocer’s tasting plate of venison, pork belly with 'agrestic' preserve. Or you could dig in to Union Bank's braised Hereford red short rib with Vietnamese greens — UB's an absolute restaurant must if you're passing through Orange, by the way. There's also Franklin Road Kitchen’s chicken skewers with kusundi sauce for the casual nibblers. Of course, Orange is no stranger to dessert. You'll be able to Instagram and devour (charge your phone for this) some of The Old Mill Cafe's best sweet treats — here's hoping they bring the lemon meringue tarts, or you can sample single origin chocolate from Origin Chocolate. If you can't wait until Thursday, Taste Orange is doing a special Orange four-course preview dinner with Chiswick on Wednesday, September 9 at 6.30pm. Local Orange producers have been working with chef Richie Dolan to create a special Orange-focused menu, with matching Orange wines of course. It's $115 pp and bookings are essential (02) 8388 8688. Taste @ Orange is open Thursday and Friday from 11.30am - 2.30pm, and 5-8pm.
The Sydney CBD is getting a brand new rooftop bar and live music lounge, albeit only temporarily. Presented by Art & About Sydney, the pop-up bar will sit atop Town Hall's Marconi Terrace and will be serving up food, drinks and free live performances over nine nights throughout the second half of September. As if Sydney's office workers needed another reason to look forward to the end of the day. Located on the Druitt Street side of Town Hall, The Terrace has been inspired by New York's rooftop bar scene, particularly the magical arboretum that is Gallow Green, complete with garden-style features by Sydney design duo Amber Road. The venue will be open 5pm–10pm from September 18–27, except on Sundays when it’ll be open from 3pm. The music program features a diverse range of artists including Jones Jnr, Pat Capocci, Microwave Jenny and Richard In Your Mind, along with an acoustic set by Dave and Joji from Gang of Youths and a closing night performance by Paul Capsis accompanied by the Cafe of the Gate of Salvation gospel choir. That's in addition to a lineup of local DJs spinning sets every night. Best bit? Entry to The Terrance is 100 percent free. Here's hoping we see more openings like it. Sydney's rooftop bar scene isn't crowded with options, but with the arrival of spring, it seems like the perfect time to change that. Image: Dave and Joji from Gang of Youths. Picture by Alexander Kalyk.
Meet Iris Apfel, the kind of stylish, straight-talking, bespectacled nonagenarian everyone wishes was their grandmother. The New York cult figure has stood out from the crowd across decades of trends, and dabbled in everything from art to interior design. If she sounds much cooler than most people a quarter of her age, well, that's because she is. The 93-year-old's resume speaks for itself, given that she has spent over 75 years in fashion traversing everything from working at Women's Wear Daily to setting up her own textile design firm with her husband to still lecturing about style today; however, it is her personality and outlook, rather than her achievements, that shine brightest. That she says she was probably the first woman to wear jeans speaks to her pioneering spirit. That she notes that she's more excited about dressing up for parties than actually going to parties does as well. Indeed, the ever-flamboyant Apfel remains an individual at a time when such a term has started to lose its meaning, as she herself observes when musing over the common correlation between black attire and fashion. Always decked out in rows of couture costume jewellery and never seen in an outfit that could be classed as boring or bland, she advises that she approaches dressing a bit like jazz — with a little bit of this and a little bit of that. It shows. So bounces forward a loving portrait of blazing your own path — and never compromising for or caring about the opinions of others — as given perhaps the strongest living example. From the moment Apfel graces the screen and thrusts her oversized pearls of wisdom upon the audience, it is immediately apparent why she's the subject of the documentary that shares her name. From the moment the film displays its frame, the affection, energy and insight filmmaker Albert Maysles channels is also evident, as is his making of the movie in the style befitting his subject. Alas, there is a lone sad note to the engaging ode, despite the slight but sweet exploration that comprises the documentary's running time. The joy and vivacity that Apfel exudes on screen, fierce and frank until the last moment, is balanced by the knowledge of the film's director. The great Maysles, noted for crafting the iconic Grey Gardens and Gimme Shelter, passed away at the age of 88 in early 2015, with this his penultimate effort. Accordingly, Iris actually pays tribute to two great trailblazers and showcases what both do best: pave their own way and create their own stories through their chosen mediums of fashion and film.
Have a very Murray Christmas with that most loveable of movie cranks, as the elves at Golden Age Cinema & Bar celebrate the festive season. The venue has been counting down the days to the holiday all week, with a film program featuring such yuletide classics as Gremlins, Home Alone and It's a Wonderful Life. But on Christmas Eve, one jolly man in particular will be sliding down the chimney. And his name isn't Santa Clause. Forget the milk and cookies. On the night before Christmas, the great Bill Murray stars as a mean-spirited television executive in Scrooged, Richard Donner's 1988 retelling of A Christmas Carol. Although it's not put up on a pedestal in the same way as Ghostbusters and Groundhogs Day, this might actually be one of Murray's most underrated films. Watching this guy act like a jerk flat out never gets old. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2fTMi2hoYA
If there was ever a reason for a road trip to South West Rocks aside from that killer coastline, it's a regional craft beer festival. The first ever Crafts on the Coast beer event is coming to the Seabreeze Beach Hotel, located five hours drive from Sydney on the New South Wales’ mid-north coastal hideaway of South West Rocks. It's the hotel's first ever craft beer event, happening March 5 and 6. What a bloody good reason to hit the road. Crafts on the Coast is all about celebrating local and regional boutique breweries. Expect to be surrounded by the likes of Bucket Brewery (Kempsey), Black Duck Brewery (Port Macquarie), Little Brewing Co. (Port Macquarie), Murray’s Brewery (Port Stephens), Six String Brewing (Central Coast), and South Australia's Hills Cider. Best bit? Entry is free. You stock up on tasting tickets ($22 for 10 with a tasting cup), hand 'em over and get to know your local NSW brewer — then of course, taste their wares. The Seabreeze will be creating paired food menus for the event, featuring produce sourced locally from Macleay Valley. If you're serious about your beer-food pairing, there's a big degustation Brewer's Dinner on Saturday night with the brewers behind your chosen tipple. There'll be live music by Josh Needs and Craig Stewart over the weekend too, so you can really settle in for the arvos. Plus, the Seabreeze is offering a range of accommodation packages for the event, so check the website and plan your craft beer-fuelled escape.
If you're in the wretched position of being the world's biggest animal lover but you're not allowed to own a highly Instagrammable Frenchie because your landlord's a dingus, this is the event for you. Behold, the mighty, mighty Super Furry Festival, coming to Surry Hills this weekend. Billed as a "furry, fun day filled with cuddles, activities, music and animal love" the Super Furry Festival will see the most decadent array of adventures for animal lovers in Sydney. Take a breath... there'll be doggy massages from Rocky's K9 Rescue, DIY cat toy classes from the Cat Protection Society, a kissing booth from the Sydney Dogs and Cats Home, caricatures by Greyhound Rescue, fortune telling by Golden Oldies, a kitty cuddle tent and guess-the-weight comp by Monika's Doggie Rescue, a 'cattoo parlour' by Cat Rescue 901, a balance-the-coin comp by Animals Australia and a photobooth by Staffy Rescue. But the animal instincts don't stop there. There'll be stalls selling both human and four-legged treats, including pop-ups from the likes of Peticular, Luxe Pups, Haus of Harley, Paddo Pets, Puss Week Magazine, Twenty3, Sydney Animal Physiotherapy, Sydney pet Vet, Snug Dog, Kookie Box, Potty Plant and Beer Dog's Brewhouse. Entry is free, because sometimes life covers you in glitter and puppies. Plus, Gelato Messina made these for the occasion: Images: Dollar Photo Club, Gelato Messina.
The Smith Street Band have an incredibly endearing habit of looking out for the underdog. Following their November release of their third album, Throw Me in the River, the Melbourne four-piece found themselves in the news as a result of their sold-out EP titled Wipe That Shit-Eating Grin Off Your Punchable Face, which features a portrait of Tony Abbott and protests the Australian government's current treatment of refugees. Throw in a fundraising gig for refugee advocacy groups in Melbourne on Australia Day and you've got one seriously outspoken Aussie band. On their upcoming tour around Australia they're keeping up their determination not to forget anyone, with the aptly titled 'Get High, See Everyone Tour', featuring an impressive 24 dates across Australia, including regional stops like Bendigo and Maroochydore and a whole heap of all-ages gigs for younger fans. The pairing of desperate energy and youthful, emotional frenzy with surprisingly thoughtful and touching lyrics have earned The Smith Street Band a loyal fan base. And, bless them, the band is going to do their best to see every one of you. Supported by PUP (Canada), Great Cynics (UK) + Apart From This.
2014 has been a big year for Firstdraft. After 19 years residing on Chalmers Street, they made the move to a bigger and better space housed in Woolloomooloo, one of the oldest suburbs in Sydney. It's a fitting precinct for the gallery, which itself is one of the longest artist-run initiatives we have in Australia. To celebrate this year's achievements, Firstdraft is holding a cracker Christmas party, curated by Tom Smith, who you might recognise from his musical output with fellow collaborator Marcus Whale. Witness the cultural imprint of wunderkind Holly Childs, the author behind the mind-bending novella No Limit; composer Austin Buckett; intermedia artist Giselle Stanborough; sonic explorers Half High; Young Thug-influenced artist Hamishi Farah; violinist Jon Rose; Lion Mountain Studio; experimental synth musician Nina Buchanan; and Marcus Whale, who will be performing a eulogy to his past nine years producing under the Scissor Lock moniker. There's a $5 entry fee, but free sausage sizzle, so on balance, you definitely win.
