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.
Returning to the Tyagarah Tea Farm over the Easter long weekend, Bluesfest is set to gumboot-stomp its well-worn spot in the Australian festival game as one of the tightest productions on the calendar. This year's lineup has generated more buzz than usual, landing one of the most awaited Australian returns of the last year — Kendrick Lamar. Alongside the multi-Grammy-winning artist and The Blacker the Berry maestro comes Bluesfest's usual, eclectic, heavily star-studded lineup. 'The Voice' is coming. Not the Delta kind, the only kind. Living legend and eternal 'Sexbomb' Tom Jones sits at the top of the bill, alongside The National, D'Angelo, Modest Mouse, City and Colour, Eagles Of Death Metal, UB40, Haitus Kaiyote, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds and more. Things are going to get real Byron when The Wailers perform all four of Bob Marley's albums Exodus, Survival, Uprising and Legend in their entirety. Memories will be flooding (along with Bluesfest, if it rains again) with the appearance of Jackson Browne, alongside the The Decemberists. Returning Bluesfester Steve Earle is back with The Dukes, and we'll be front and centre for The 'Original' Blues Brothers Band. Add to this some of the best festival food in the game? You've got yourself a humdinger of a muddy, muddy weekend. BLUESFEST 2016 LINEUP: In alphabetical order... Allen Stone Archie Roach Ash Grunwald Backsliders Blackberry Smoke Blind Boy Paxton Chain City And Colour Cold War Kids Con Brio Digging Roots Dustin Thomas D'Angelo And The Vanguard Eagles Of Death Metal East Journey Elle King Emdee Emma Donovan & The Putbacks Eugene Hideaway Bridges Fantastic Negrito Frazey Ford Grace Potter Graham Nash Harts Hiatus Kaiyote Houndmouth Hussy Hicks Irish Mythen Janiva Magness Jason Isbell Jeff Martin (The Tea Party) Joe Bonamassa – Bluesfest exclusive Kaleo Kamasi Washington Kendrick Lamar Kim Churchill Lord Huron Lucky Peterson Lukas Nelson & The Promise Of The Real Marshall Okell Melissa Etheridge Mike Love Modest Mouse Mojo Juju Nahko and Medicine For The People Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds Pierce Brothers Playing For Change Band Raw Earth. Rhiannon Giddens Richard Clapton Russell Morris Sahara Beck Shakey Graves Songhoy Blues St. Paul & The Broken Bones Steve Earle and The Dukes Steve Smyth Sturgill Simpson Tedeschi Trucks Band Tex Perkins & The Ape The Blind Boys Of Alabama The Bros. Landreth The Cat Empire The Decemberists The Mastersons The Mick Fleetwood Band The National – Bluesfest exclusive The Selecter The Wailers The Word The "Original" Blues Brothers Band Tom Jones Tweedy UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell, Astro & Mickey Virtue – Bluesfest exclusive Vintage Trouble Wards Xpress + more Bluesfest runs Thursday, March 24 – Monday, March 28 at Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, Byron Bay. Tickets from Byron Bay Bluesfest. Image: Andy Fraser.
One of Australia's most beloved film critics is coming to a cinema near you — and she's bringing some of the greatest movies ever made along for the trip. Co-curated by Margaret Pomeranz, the Hollywood Retro Film Festival will showcase 22 classic titles from the 1930s to the 1960s, including many which have not been seen on the big screen in decades. This could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Trying to narrow down the program into a list of highlights is all but impossible — after all, there's not a single weak film on there. The Searchers, Spartacus and Gone with the Wind should please fans of historic drama, while lovers of film noir can catch Sunset Boulevard and The Maltese Falcon. If you want something a little lighter, try It's a Wonderful Life, or tap your toes along to Singin' in the Rain. And if you're really undecided, perhaps try Citizen Kane. We hear that one's meant to be pretty solid. For the full Hollywood Retro Film Festival program, go here.
Missed Masterclass 1? It matters not. Get along to Redline Productions' Masterclass 2 and you'll still be in with a chance of following your dreams. In this satirical take on the acting masterclass, comedic duo Charlie Garber and Gareth Davies promise to teach you everything but deliver nothing. Along the way, you'll be treated to any or all of the performance arts, from dance to mime to musicals. The journey begins with Garber and Davies taking you by the hand and leading you into a dark, mysterious world, whispering encouragement as you go. Don't be afraid: drama lessons don't get any better (or funnier) than this. The original Masterclass premiered at Goodgod Small Club as part of the 2011 Imperial Panda Festival. Lamenting your absence? Catch up at one of three special reprises, to be held January 23, 24 and 30.
Film buffs, prep your saliva glands for the Sydney Film Festival entree you’ve been waiting for: the organisers have revealed their first wave of programming, featuring several of the year’s most hotly anticipated movies not named The Avengers or Star Wars. The tantalising teaser includes 27 titles, many of which have already begun generating buzz at festivals overseas. Slow West, a suspense-filled Western starring Michael Fassbender and Ben Mendelsohn, won the Dramatic Grand Jury Prize at Sundance, while post-war German thriller Phoenix was one of the most talked-about films in Toronto late last year. Other dramatic standouts include the Brian Wilson biopic Love & Mercy featuring Paul Dano and John Cusack, and a new take on the world’s most famous detective starring the great Ian McKellen as an ageing Mr Holmes. But even more impressive than the festival’s dramatic lineup is the first round slate of documentaries. Acclaimed non-fiction filmmakers Alex Gibney and Kirby Dick tackle scientology and campus sexual assaults, respectively, in Going Clear and The Hunting Ground, while How to Change the World chronicles the early years of Greenpeace. Joshua Oppenheimer also returns with The Look of Silence, a kind of sequel/spin-off to his stomach-churning masterpiece The Act of Killing that delves further into the atrocities of Indonesia’s anti-communist purges. If all that sounds a bit depressing, the programmers have also included a couple of more light-hearted films, such as the whimsical Irish animation Song of the Sea. Fans of Swedish comedy will get a kick out of the new movie from Roy Andersson, the brilliantly named A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on Existence. And speaking of the Swedes, film criticism’s honorary dad David Stratton has put together a special retrospective on the quintessential Swedish filmmaker, the one and only Ingmar Bergman. The Sydney Film Festival will run from June 3 – 14. Check out the currently announced program on the festival website, and keep your eyes peeled for the full program, which is expected to launch on May 6. Image: Slow West
If you thought NYC was the only city proudly dominating the global bagel scene, you've overlooked Montreal. Canada's creative, culinary-minded city has a fierce bagel industry, with longtime bagel houses like St-Viateur and Fairmount waging war over 'best bagel' naming rights. Now, Sydney's going to get a piece of the action, with seasoned coffee roasters and San Fransisco-trained bakers Mark Treviranus and Dave Young gearing up to open a Montreal-style bagelry in Woolloomooloo. Set to open on Cathedral Street this May, Smoking Gun Bagels will be Sydney's first bagelry to serve authentic Montreal-style bagels. The bagels will be made onsite in what's apparently going to be Australia's largest purpose-built bagel woodfired oven — sitting at 14 tonnes, constructed by stone masons and flown in from Canada, so it's legit. Melbourne's already got a Montreal-style bagelry in Mile End, but this will be Sydney's first. So what makes Montreal-style bagels any different? "Montreal style bagels are smaller and sweeter than other bagels," says Treviranus. "We individually hand roll, boil them in water sweetened with honey, before placing them into the woodfire oven. That gives them a crispy outside and chewy inside, quite different to any other style produced in Sydney." Smoking Gun's bagels will even be Montreal-advised; Treviranus and Young developed the recipe with the St-Viateur team — one of the aforementioned top bagel houses in Montreal (the head baker is even in Australia right now helping the pair learn the tricks of the trade). They've also worked with Jo Barrett, head of pastry at Yarra Valley's Oakridge Winery to craft the menu. All bagels will be presented 'open style' and will feature local artisan products including our favourite cultured butter producers Pepe Saya. You'll be able to see your bagel rolled, boiled and woodfired at Smoking Gun, with the oven positioned to let you watch the whole process. Smoking Gun Bagels opens May 11 at 129 Cathedral Street, Woolloomooloo. Open Monday to Friday 7am – 3pm and Saturday 8am – 3pm and Sunday 8am - noon.
Beloved Austin rock band Spoon, who are playing headline shows in Sydney and Melbourne this month, have announced an addition to the schedule: intimate gigs at two of Australia's favourite record shops. Hitting Sydney's Red Eye Records on Wednesday, March 22 and Melbourne's Polyester on Friday, March 24, the band will appear in duo mode. Lead singer and guitarist Britt Daniel will be bringing you stripped-back takes on songs from Spoon's newest album, Hot Thoughts, alongside keyboardist and guitarist Alex Fischel. As you can imagine, spots at both gigs will be limited. To get your name on the guest list at Polyester, you need to pre-order Hot Thoughts — in person or online. Red Eye is a different story. Turn up as early as you can and hope for the best. It's an all-ages event, and it's first in, best dressed. Spoon's visit to Australia is a bit special — after all, the band started making the new album in a rented house in Collingwood. "I took a bunch of unfinished songs with me," Daniel said. "When I got down there, I was more excited about coming up with all new stuff. I'm not sure if it's just the AC/DC connection or what. Australia just seems like this other world. It's like this weird combination of Texas and England."
Think you know what you're seeing at this year's Sydney Film Festival? Think again. Sure, the 2016 fest kicks off in just two days, but that doesn't mean they've finished tinkering with their program. In fact, the city's premier cinema celebration has added a whole host of Cannes titles to mess with your schedule. It's enough to make #firstworldfilmfestivalproblems your new favourite hashtag, but once you see the flicks on offer, you'll be doing whatever you can to get these nine efforts in front of your eyeballs. For starters, who doesn't want to see Adam Driver play a bus driver named Paterson who lives in the New Jersey town of Paterson? Yep, Jim Jarmusch's latest feature basically sells itself. It's also called Paterson, of course, and won Cannes' coveted Palm Dog for best canine performance. That's not the only high profile movie sliding into the lineup, with Personal Shopper — a French psychological thriller, and Kristen Stewart's second collaboration with director Olivier Assayas after Clouds of Sils Maria — on the bill as well, and screening alongside new South African short film The Beast. The rest of the fresh batch of features includes silent animation The Red Turtle, which was co-produced by Studio Ghibli, Park Chan-wook's sensual thriller The Handmaiden (which also showed at Cannes), and the FIPRESCI Prize-winning German comedy Toni Erdmann, which boasts an applauded performance by actress Sandra Hüller. Plus, doco fans should flock to The Cinema Travellers, which delves into India's mobile tent theatres, and Hissien Habre, A Chadian Tragedy, which honours the victims of the titular dictator. And on the retrospective front, film buffs can take in the glory of Marlon Brando at his best in the brooding 1961 western One-Eyed Jacks. That makes 18 films heading straight from the French Riviera to Sydney Film Festival this year, aka more than most cinephiles could've ever hoped for. We've said it before, and we'll say it again: if you're looking for us from June 8 to 19, head to a cinema. The 2016 Sydney Film Festival runs from June 8 to 19. To check out the complete program and book tickets, visit the festival website.
As lockout laws push weekend revellers further outside the CBD, Newtown's King Street has long offered an alternative to areas like Kings Cross. Drinks are served until the pub shuts and the music is… well, the music is still pretty strictly policed. But the times, they are a-changing, according to Bourke St boss and new owner of the newly revamped Botany View Hotel, Paddy Coughlan, and we should be looking to the south. South King Street, that is. The Sydney Park-end of Newtown's main drag hosts a slew of pubs that have carried the 'Keep Newtown Weird' flag for years, keeping the music loud and frequent, and punters happy with a good brew, great company, and especially live music. "I think that south end of King Street represents all that used to be good about Newtown in general, and a big part of that was live music," says Coughlan. "We need to support and foster music venues." Under his ownership, the Botany View Hotel — which has just undergone a low-key revamp, including a relaunch of the dining room — will host live music every Friday and Saturday night to keep up the area's gig scene. Reviving the old vibe, for Coughlan, means maintaining the authentic edge of a pub's pub. "I like to think people come to our pubs for the authenticity of what we're doing, not because we've overthought every piece of furniture," he said. The Botany View will also aim to rehash the grub at the pub, looking to nail down a menu that the everyday punter can get behind with good quality produce and reasonably priced food. Though, with two of his other venues — The Lord Gladstone and The Lady Hampshire — serving their fair share of tacos and burgers, Coughlan has made this menu more "considered". The menu is less snacky, and leans towards knife-and-fork dining with dishes like the cauliflower tagine, a soft-shell crab spaghettini and a 'fancy' schnitzel with parsnip puree and chicken jus. They're also doing platters, including a vego one with zucchini fritters, haloumi, falafel and babaghanoush, and a $10 lunch menu Monday to Friday. The revival of King Street's south end is already underway, with Coughlan pointing out stalwarts like the Union Hotel and the Sydney Park Hotel, as well as the Botany View Hotel, as part of "our own little community" — although we're said to see the Newtown Social Club gone, which is reopening as a mini golf bar this week. With pubs like these continuing to support live music, good feeds, and cheap beers, Coughlan is confident the "that old Newtown vibe" is on its way back. "The already strong sense of community will get stronger," he says, which is something we can all raise our lighters to. The Botany View Hotel is now open at 597 King Street, Newtown. For more info, visit their Facebook page. Images: Kimberley Low.
All Aussie hip hop festival Come Together is back in 2015 and is doing its very best Jekyll and Hyde impersonation. After being cancelled two weeks out from its 2014 dates due to poor tickets sales, this year the all-ages festival is going all out at Luna Park's Big Top, splitting itself over two days with two unique lineups. Announcing a solid hip hop lineup for Saturday, June 6, the festival will be headlined by Melburnian hip hop champion Seth Sentry, alongside crowdpleasers Thundamentals, and chart-topping Horrorshow, with young prodigy Remi, Coin Banks and Ivan Ooze joining the fold. For the second day of the festival, Sunday, June 7, the festival takes a sharp turn and goes all indie, all day. Festival favourites Ball Park Music will be headlining the Sunday lineup, with The Jungle Giants joining them straight off their sold-out tour. Alongside them comes electro-pop from SAFIA, the smooth beats of Elizabeth Rose as well as welcoming new kids on the block Montaigne and Ecca Vandal. Keeping those emerging Aussie artists coming, lucky triple j Unearthed winners will be making surprise appearances across both days. Adding substantial excitement for anyone whose inner child is still stubbornly kicking them, tickets will come with the added bonus of unlimited rides from 1pm to 5pm on each day; so you can make yourself thoroughly ill on the Rotor before you dive into the mosh. It's a weekend that promises to finally make you comfortable with the split personality that is your music taste. Come Together Festival understands you, Australia, you big confusing mess. Come Together Festival runs June 6 - 7, 2015 at Luna Park. Tickets and more info over here.
Grab your midnight blue dinner jacket and holster your Walther PPK: the team at Hijinks are heading back to Madame Tussauds for a James Bond-themed party in September. The after dark pop-up specialists will channel their inner secret agent for a night of sophistication and intrigue, complete with roulette table, costume competitions and complimentary vodka martinis. Best start practicing your worst puns now. The Hijinks Casino Royale Party takes over Madame Tussauds on the evening of Friday September 25. Entry into the wax museum normally costs $40, but tickets to the Hijinks event will run you just $25 and come with a free beer or Stoli cocktail on arrival. Activities for the night will include Bond trivia, a best costume competition and a roulette table where you can gamble with chocolate chips (put it all on black, trust us). There'll also be live performances, including burlesque star Diesel Darling as Goldfinger's ill-fated Bond Girl Jill Masterson, as well as no less than five separate pop-up bars. And if you forget your bowtie, don't worry: you can always make a new one at the crafts table. You'll also be able to take photos with all the museum's famous faces, from Barrack Obama to Albert Einstein to The Queen. There'll even be a crocodile, ala Live and Let Die, although to be honest we're not entirely sure whether he'll be real or wax. If nothing else, this should be a hell of a lead in for Spectre, which opens in November. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujmoYyEyDP8 For more information about The Hijinks Casino Royale Party and to secure tickets, visit www.hijinkssydney.com
Western Sydney will has a new rooftop bar, complete with pool, sun lounges, cabanas and panoramas of 300 acres of greenery. It's called The Chiltern and you'll find it atop the five-star William Inglis Hotel in Warwick Farm, which is this week opened to the public. In between taking dips and gazing out at the view, you can also order cocktails and light bites. Should you work up an appetite, head downstairs to the Newmarket Room, a paddock-to-plate restaurant headed by chef Samuel Bull (The Stables, North Bondi Italian). If you have any whisky-swilling mates, you'll probably notice them heading straight for the mezzanine level, where the 1867 Lounge serves up high-end spirits, Champagne, fancy cocktails and boutique wines. The $140 million hotel precinct is named after the founder of William Inglis and Sons, one of Australia's best-known thoroughbred companies, and has been funded through thoroughbred horse sales. It's located across from the Warwick Farm racecourse. Anyone who happens to have too good a time in the whisky bar will be able to sleep over in one of 144 uniquely-designed rooms. The hotel is an MGallery by Sofitel, so it's fairly decadent, including über-comfy beds, luxe bathrooms, picture windows, racing memorabilia, a state-of-the-art 24-hour gym and a day spa. The property has also refurbished existing structures — 'The Big Barn' can be booked out for large conferences and weddings and the stables are more suitable for smaller functions. The William Inglis Hotel is now open at 155 Governor Macquarie Drive, Warwick Farm. For more information or to book a room, visit williaminglis.com.au.
A Saturday tradition for beachbound residents, the Bondi Farmers’ Markets may be a fashionable place to shop but its popularity isn’t a superficial evolution. Consumers are increasingly more interested in where their food comes from and how it’s grown, as well as buying local produce to support farmers and reduce their carbon footprint. The Bondi Farmers’ Markets are your go-to spot for fresh, locally-made produce every Saturday morning in Bondi Beach Public School. With artisan bread, smokey salt, honey, fruit and veg, home-made ice blocks, macaroons, yoghurt, cheese and coffee only some of the produce on offer, not to mention the pleasure of doing the grocery shop in the sunshine, Bondi Farmers’ Markets is a very pleasant way to spend a Saturday morning. Image: Dollar Photo Club.
On the last Friday of each month, the Museum of Contemporary Art transforms into a stylish, after-dark art experience. Supported by Audi and curated by prominent Australian artists, Artbar fills the four levels of MCA with pop-up exhibitions, live acts, music and chic Sydneysiders sipping sparkly beverages. If you haven't already danced away in the foyer, this month's Artbar makes for an excellent debut. First, it's in the midst of Vivid, so you'll already be down in Circular Quay screaming at light installations. Second, the MCA facade features Mechanised Colour Assemblage, Perth artist Rebecca Baumann's audiovisual collaboration with French projectionists Danny Rose. Baumann is the May curator for Artbar, so you'll be wholly in her creative world for the night, inside and out. As a clue for how this may look, Baumann's works heighten our experience of colour, transforming spaces with shimmering reflections, coloured smoke and raining glitter. Add an optional ticket bundle with MCA's Light Show exhibition, and you'll be aglow all night long.
Coffin Bay Oysters, charcoal pork neck and baklava with quince ice cream. These are just a few of the creatively decadent items you'll find on the menu at Marrickville's new Mediterranean joint, Barzaari. Set to open on Addison Road in mid-July, the restaurant and bar is a brand new venture from chef Darryl Martin, whose resume includes the casually high-flying likes of Quay, Foveaux, and 3 Weeds. In other words, our expectations are pretty damn high. Co-owned by Martin along with friend Andrew Jordanou, the look and feel of the restaurant is inspired by — you guessed it — a bazaar, complete with exposed brick walls, charcoal pit and wood-fire oven. Diners will be greeted with artwork by local artist Jack Egan, along with the scent of Cypriot coffee cooked in heated sand. Once seated, visitors will have their run of the menu, most of which is designed to be shared. Start with snacks such as lamb's breast with cracked spices, sheep's yoghurt and black olive oil, before moving onto small plates like loukaniko (pork sausage) with silverbeet, mustard, fennel and roasted grapes. The mains are similarly appetising, and range from swordfish served in vine leaf to Spencer Gulf woodfired prawns. And for dessert — assuming you're somehow not tempted by the aforementioned baklava — try buttermilk custard with aniseed and apple tea granita. At the bar, meanwhile, you'll find a healthy selection of cocktails, along with a wine list curated by sommelier Dennis Roman. Three words: bring it on. Find Barzaari at 65-69 Addison Road, Marrickville from Tuesday, July 12. For more information visit www.barzaari.com.au.
Whether it's your life, your heart or your wardrobe that's a mess, let self-described 'dedicated absurdist' Geoff Sobelle help you explore it in this surprising, saddening show. Part-installation, part-storytelling session, The Object Lesson begins by inviting you into a vast room, filled with cardboard boxes. Inside them, you discover pile after chaotic pile of objects, trinkets and souvenirs. They're an imagining of what you might collect over the course of a lifetime — were you to keep each and every object that crosses your path. Using these items as a springboard and adopting a clown-like character, Sobelle relates a series of enchanting, thing-inspired tales. Drawing on humour, heartbreak and even a little bit of magic, his stories compel us to consider our relationship with objects — both past and present. The Object Lesson scored the 2014 Carol Tambor Best of Edinburgh Award, which is the Edinburgh Fringe Festival's most prestigious award.
For the first time ever, the Sydney Opera House is scoring a pop-up bar for Vivid LIVE. And the last thing you can expect is chicken sandwiches and regulation sparkling. Because the duo making it happen is Jeremy Blackmore and Alex Dowd — whose work you already know if you've ever knocked back a tequila or two at Tio's or a tiki cocktail at The Cliff Dive. The bar, to be known as the Deep Purple Pool Hall (what a name), will be found inside the Concert Hall's northern foyer, where you can get cosy and warm while still taking in those epic harbour views. Expect a crafty menu, featuring what Blackmore and Dowd have dubbed 'downtown favourites', as well as live DJs and free pool. "I have wanted to set up a cool bar in this space for five years, ever since I arrived at the Opera House," said Ben Marshall, curator of Vivid Live. "Overlooking the harbour, it has the best view in Sydney and people will be absolutely blown away that this jewel in the crown of the Opera House hasn’t been used for this before. Whether you’re up for a pre or post-gig drink or on the look-out for the neon eight-ball outside, you can sneak up the back stairs of the Opera House to the Deep Purple Pool Hall and settle into an incredible secret space in the heart of the city, in the middle of this incredible festival." The Deep Purple Pool Hall will open in the Concert Hall Northern Foyer from 6pm till late every night of Vivid LIVE, which runs between May 22 and 31. Look for the neon eight ball on the Western Boardwalk and head up the back stairs.
A who's who of Sydney's culinary scene will descend on Carriageworks for one night in June as part of this year's Vivid Food lineup. The Carriageworks Night Market is back on Friday, June 16, bringing a hefty lineup of food and drink stalls curated by the one and only Matt Stone to the expansive Eveleigh space during the yearly winter festival's first-ever dedicated food program. So, what impressive eats are in store for the one-night pop-up? There will be more than 45 stalls celebrating sustainable hospitality practices and tasty creations from around Sydney. A few choice selections include a native-heavy menu from Bush, a one-off selection of tacos from Ricos Tacos centred around sustainable wild game, and a Messina stall serving apple galette made from rescued apples. That is truly just scratching the surface of this impressive bill that also includes stalls and limited-edition menus from OzHarvest, Rockpool, Porcine, Queen Chow, Spice Temple, Sake, Three Blue Ducks, Jimmy's Falafel, Colombo Social, Anason, Kepos St Kitchen and Rising Sun Workshop. Wow. If all of that wasn't enough, there will be producers on site showcasing their wares including LP's Quality Meats, Bondi Oysters and La Bastide. And if you want to get a little boozy, you're in luck, with pop-up bars from Brix Distillers, Cantina OK!, Re-, Jacoby's, Archie Rose, Atomic Beer Project, Yulli's Brews, Wildflower, Grifter and P&V all taking part in the market. "We hope visitors will come away with a renewed understanding of the wider environmental impact of their food choices and an appreciation for the small positive changes that contribute to a more sustainable future," says Stone. Entry is $15 — a small price to pay for access to so many of Sydney's top restaurants and bars in the one spot.
Birds chirp, rainbows form and the sun shines a little brighter over Moore Park — the award-winning Sydney Dog Lovers Show is returning to the Royal Hall of Industries and Hordern Pavilion for a second year of pats, licks and parades. And yes, the dedicated puppy cuddle zone is returning. Bounding into Moore Park's two biggest venues on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 August, the Sydney Dog Lovers Show will see thousands of dedicated pooch fans celebrating the noble four-legged monarch of human companionship. There'll be dozens of furry friends available for adoption from rescue groups across NSW in the CANIDAE Rescue Dog Zone, where you can learn up on what's actually involved with adoption. Champion canines, including Dr Katrina Warren’s admittedly kickass Wonderdogs, will throw down their mad skills in live doggy demonstrations including agility, flygility (whatever that means) and frisbee shows. Plus, there's going to be an Explosive Detective Dog (EDD) demo presented by the Australian Defence Force simulating a mock checkpoint in a war scenario, alongside a special tribute to Australian military working dogs over the decades. Dogs, amiright? But hold up, you came here to cuddle pooches. We're getting there. Punters can make their way to the Pat-A-Pooch zone, where you can cuddle up to over 30 of Australia’s most lovable and popular breeds from puppy to adult dogs — we're talking uppity Dachshunds to fluffball Samoyeds, all up in your grill. This was undeniably the main attraction of last year's event, and gives kitten cafes a run for their money. There's plenty more happening over the two days of furry friended fun. Not sure which type of schnoochie is perfect for you? Sign up for a Perfect Match session where you'll be paired with your ultimate dog breed. Already found your tail-waggin' soulmate? Get some expert tips on training, behaviour, first-aid and nutrition in seminars by some of Australia's big name vets: James and Anthony from Village Vets Australia on Foxtel’s The LifeStyle Channel, Bondi Vet Dr Lisa Chimes, LauraVissaritis and Dr Katrina Warren. Plus, there's going to be a doggie kissing booth. Yep, pucker up. Sydney Dog Lovers Show returns for the second time at the Royal Hall of Industries and Hordern Pavilion in Moore Park on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 August. Open both days from 10am - 5pm. Tickets are $20 online or $25 on-site (Adult, ages 16 and over), $9 online or $12 onsite (ages 5 to 16, kids under 5 FREE). Everything is free (including cuddles) once you have purchased your ticket, obviously excepting food and drink. To book tickets or for more info and adorable dog pictures, head to the website.
The Sydney Architecture Festival is back for its 11th incarnation and, this time, the event is focusing on the west. Between Friday, September 29 and Monday, October 2, you'll be treated to talks, tours, exhibitions and parties celebrating the city's most beautiful, unusual and controversial buildings — from Punchbowl's new contemporary mosque to The Rocks' Sirius, which was recently saved from demolition. To be among the first Sydneysiders to learn about the former, head to Punchbowl, on Saturday, September 30 at 11am. There, Harry Seidler Award-winning architect Angelo Candalepas, who designed the building, will be launching it to the public. He'll also be chatting about the "Aussie mosque" and the role of architecture in increasing cross-cultural understanding with a panel of commentators. Tickets, which include lunch, are free, but online bookings are essential. "We're inviting Sydneysiders to join the community of Sydney's newest mosque to experience this modern concrete masterpiece," said Tim Horton, festival director. "The festival is also embracing Sydney's love affair with concrete: not only as a brutalist material, but as one that is found in every building we make." It's difficult to imagine modern-day Sydney without the influence of brutalism, the concrete-driven movement that dominated architecture in the 1960s and '70s. To help you find out more about it, the festival is running brutalist history tours, starting at the festival hub — in the new Peter Shergold Building at Western Sydney University in Parramatta — and finishing at Millers Point. Along the way, you'll be led by architect Glenn Harper and comedian Tim Ross, as you take in Sirius, the Surry Hills Police Centre and the Masonic Centre, among other buildings. Tickets are $25 and can be booked online. Meanwhile, if you're wondering what Sydney might look like in another two decades, when another 1.7 million people have joined the multitude, then check out Missing Middle, an exhibition happening at the hub, where you'll see a bunch of solutions to population growth dreamed up by various architects. It's free and open every day during the festival. The festival's biggest party though, is the launch. Hosted in partnership with The Fifth Estate, it's a river cruise, departing King Street Wharf on Friday, September 29 at 430pm, and landing in Parramatta. Between drinks, you'll be invited to partake in a forum about sustainable and affordable development in Sydney's west, featuring experts in planning, government, community and design. Tix are available here. And closing proceedings on Monday, October 2 will be the World Architecture Day Oration, delivered by Kristien Ring, a Pittsburgh-born architect, curator and author now living in Berlin, who'll be discussing a citizen-led housing model, which has the potential to reduce Sydney's housing prices by 15-30 percent. If you're curious, tickets are $25 and include lunch provided by OzHarvest. The Sydney Architecture Festival will run from September 29 until October 2 at various locations across Sydney. For more info and to buy tickets, visit sydneyarchitecturefestival.org. Images: Steven Siewert.
The more niche the pop-up bar, the more squealing it usually incurs. This one's going to invoke some pretty intolerable decibels, as Sydney's king of macarons brings something sweet and Sicilian to Bondi this May. On Sunday, May 3, Adriano Zumbo is opening a one-afternoon-only pop-up cannoli bar. Yep, cannoli bar. Take a moment to find a good quality jacket to squeal into, you've got coworkers. Setting up shop at Bondi Icebergs in South Bondi, Zumbo's pop-up will serve up sweet, sweet cannoli pastries to nibble on while taking in that ever-postcard perfect, panoramic view. This filled-pastry-shell-extravaganza marks a departure from the usual moneymakers for Zumbo, leaving the macarons, croquemboche and hamburger pies behind for an afternoon of dessert burritos. Let's be honest here, cannolis are messy as fuck — maybe avoid as a date option unless you're ready to break down barriers. The Zumbo pop-up's only open from 3-6pm, so you're going to want to get there early to smoosh a Zumboli (not an official term) in your face. Bondi Icebergs seem to be enjoying quite the series of pop-ups of late; Zumbo's follows temporary food shindigs from the likes of Melbourne favourites like Belle's Hot Chicken and Supernormal. Find Adriano Zumbo’s Cannoli Pop-Up Bar on Sunday, May 3 at Icebergs Dining Room and Bar, 1 Notts Avenue, Bondi Beach. Open from 3pm to 6pm.
Although saying goodbye to Pei Modern's ricotta dumplings and cracking Chardonnay selection has been one of the toughest calls of 2017, we do, at last, have a replacement. From mid-July, Francesco Mannelli (ex-est., Balla, and Uccello) will be settling into the space on the ground floor of the Four Seasons Hotel as head chef of Mode Kitchen & Bar. Like Pei Modern, the restaurant will fall somewhere between bistro and fine dining. On the menu are simple dishes based on Mannelli's favourite produce, such as swordfish with citrus, pistachio and radicchio, risotto with fresh Tasmanian truffle and mushrooms, and oven-baked whole perch with fennel, orange and black olive salad. Match your choice with a pick from the 200-strong wine list or go for a cocktail, like the Hemmingway Daiquiri or Rhubarb Fizz. ACME designer Luchetti Krelle — who is also behind the fit-outs for Bar Brosé, Banksii, The Butler and Barrio Cellar — has taken care of the interior for the 200-seater with a glamorous, 1920s art deco-inspired revamp. Expect splashes of velvet, dashes of brass, marble and leather, as well as a variety of seating options, including bar stools, lounges, banquettes and semi-private spaces. What's more, the entire restaurant is now encircled by fluted glass, giving it an intimate feel and separating it from the hotel foyer. Mode Kitchen & Bar will open on the ground floor of the Four Seasons, 199 George Street, Sydney on Thursday, July 20. It will be open lunch and dinner seven days a week. For more info, visit modekitchenandbar.com.au.
As part of their 2017 program, Carriageworks with Room 40 are bringing back the biannual Open Frame festival. Featuring artists Xiu Xiu, Alessandro Cortini and more, Room 40 dedicates itself to curating the best in electronic, improvised and experimental-pop music as well as noise art. On Thursday, June 29, Xiu Xiu will perform their David Lynch-inspired 2016 album Plays the Music of Twin Peaks. The Californian-based group draws on a range of music traditions — such as British post punk, 20th century classical and queer dance pop — as well as sounds like industrial noise and field recordings to create their multifaceted sound which has been described as both "self flagellating" and "luminous". Recently, they have also been involved in visual arts and film. They will be joined by Elysia Crampton, an electronic musician whose debut album American Drift explores the history of Virginia as well as issues of identity related to her Bolivian heritage and life in America. On Friday, June 30, Italian musician Alessandro Cortini — whom you may know from his involvement with Nine Inch Nails — will present his audio-visual show Avanti. He will be joined by Swedish composer Klara Lewis. Image: Klara Lewis, shot by Irma Collin.
Waking up daily and not really knowing 'how to live'? Yep, we're kicking off Friday with some sweet, sweet deep thinking. Often we don't have the answer to this ourselves, so we look to the advice of others to get the glorious tips. And who better than writers, authors, novelists, essayists, journalists, critics and experts to clue our meandering minds in? Taking the theme of 'how to live?' this year, Sydney Writers' Festival has announced its 2015 program lineup. This year, Sydney Writers' Festival has booked more than 400 Australian and 45 international writers to appear, chat and have a few drinks with us in the festival lounge from May 18 - 24. Kicking off the SWF with the opening address is The Reluctant Fundamentalist novelist and acclaimed essayist Mohsin Hamid, author of the book NPR can't stop talking about (H is for Hawk) Helen Macdonald (who'll give the closing address). British actor Alan Cumming is coming (couldn't help myself), who's released novels and opinion pieces over the years — most recently his candid autobiography Not My Father's Son. Fellow British actor David Walliams will be here, who's drummed up quite the Roald Dahlian children's book career after Little Britain. The world's biggest selling author for the last 13 years and inventor of Detective Alex Cross — yep, James Patterson will be here. Then there's crime writer Michael Connelly, journalist Nick Davies (who uncovered the hacking scandal), and the one you can blame for the term 'Generation X', Douglas Coupland. Local legend and 2014 Man Booker Prize winner, Richard Flanagan, is on the bill, along with Miles Franklin Award-winning writer Evie Wyld. Two former Prime Ministers, Julia Gillard and John Howard, and former Queensland Premier turned Sydneysider Anna Bligh are locked in. Podcaster Starlee Kine will be here, alongside happiness expert Paul Dolan and happiness advocate Leigh Ann Henion, war correspondents Christina Lamb and Åsne Seierstad, celebrity critic Daniel Mendelsohn. Medically assessing how to live will be doctors who write, Atul Gawande and Norman Doidge and mortician Caitlin Doughty. Novelists aplenty this year with renowned writers like Amy Bloom, Micheal Frayn, Ben Okri, David Mitchell, Anthony Horowitz, Emily St John Mandel, Jonathan Lethem, debut novelists Zia Haider Rahman and Mitchell S Jackson, and Australia’s bestselling authors Kate Grenville, David Malouf, Liane Moriarty, Graeme Simsion, Helen Garner, Robert Dessaix, Joan London, Steve Toltz, Sonya Hartnett, Nick Earls, Don Watson and Brooke Davis all leaving their pages for a second to come chat. Sydney Writers' Festival runs May 18 to 24. For more info and tickets head over here.
The team at pop-up restaurant space IconPark have announced their latest temporary tenant: a European-style canteen with a different menu every day. Headed by executive chef Naomi Lowry, formerly of Biota Dining and Pilu, the canteen will occupy IconPark’s Stanley Street location from now until the end of March, when the space’s permanent leaseholders are expected to be revealed. Open 7am to 4pm Monday through Friday, the restaurant will focus on rustic, wholesome foods, with diners picking one of two proteins and selecting veggies or salads to go with it. Dishes announced so far include white wine juniper braised lamb shoulder with cumin yogurt, lemon pepper leaf and thyme roast chicken, and cocoa salt-crusted slow roast beef. Sides? So far we've seen balsamic roast beets and roast carrots with almonds and fetta. The IconPark space has previously been the home to Matt Stone’s Stanley Street Merchants and barbecue joint Rupert & Ruby. Tenants are selected through crowdfunding campaigns; whichever restaurant concept raises the most amount of capital gets the keys to the fully licensed kitchen. In December, IconPark revealed that the winners of their latest contest would be awarded a permanent lease. So if you’re keen on the sound of the European Canteen, head down to Stanley Street ASAP. Icon Park's pop-up canteen is open 7am to 4pm, Monday to Friday at 78 Stanley Street, Darlinghurst. Menus change daily.
Some people would travel a long way to visit cult West Village piano bar Marie's Crisis — well known for its mass singalongs and made extra famous when Jimmy Fallon paid a raucous, impromptu visit recently — but Sydneysiders soon won't have to. The Marie's crew are bringing the whole experience to Sydney as part of Spectrum's upcoming festival, Spectrum Now. Recreating the dive bar in QT Parlour Lane Roasters from March 19-29, Marie's Crisis are bringing their whole showtune-lovin' team all the way from NYC to gather round the piano for everything from Fiddler on the Roof to Phantom. A word to the wise — brush up on your Sondheim. Functioning as one of the best ideas for a festival bar we've heard in many moons, Marie's Crisis heads quite the festival lineup for Spectrum Now, announced this weekend. No longer just a Saturday brekkie read, Sydney Morning Herald‘s Spectrum section is about to be realised in festival form — casually directed by Rake actor, professional dreamboat and total legend Richard Roxburgh. Kicking off on March 11, Spectrum Now will be centred around the Spectrum Playground (thanks for the mad shout out guys, woo! Yeah!). For two weeks from March 11–22, the Domain will be transformed into what the team is calling a "creative pleasure garden", which sounds so overtly erotic we’re signing up on the spot. There'll be bars, outdoor sculptures and pop-up exhibitions (including the SMH Portraiture Exhibition), alongside a bunch of tasty treats and live music. And the one we're really look forward to: Golden Age Cinema is presenting Hollywood Nights — an outdoor cinema and cocktail garden that will travel through seven decades of movies, food and drinks over 12 nights, showcasing some of Golden Age's favourite "classics, cults, creepies and cheapies", with live music performances, and special menus by fellow cinephiles The Nighthawk Diner. One of the most anticipated events in the lineup, SN will see the Australian premiere of Del Kathryn Barton's short animation film of Oscar Wilde’s classic story The Nightingale and the Rose. The two-time Archibald-winning artist has collaborated with acclaimed filmmaker Brendan Fletcher (Mad Bastards) and the vocal talents of Mia Wasikowska, Geoffrey Rush and David Wenham to create her very first animation film — not to mention multi-ARIA Award winner Sarah Blasko has whipped up the score. The film saw its world premiere at the 2015 Berlin International Film Festival, opening to significant snaps. Cinephiles really clean up for Spectrum Now. UK great Alan Rickman is making his way to Sydney to present a screening of A Little Chaos, ol' Ricko's directorial effort in which he plays King Louis XIV alongside Kate Winslet — whose character Sabine has a little romantic dalliance with the Sun King. Yes, there'll be post-film Q&A with the man himself. Then you can pop over to the Chauvel for the Sydney premiere of the Academy Award-nominted, Golden Globe-winning film Leviathan. If you're keen for something completely different, Gluck's Orfeo ed Euridice is your go-to for SN. A site-specific, three-woman opera set through the chambers of the Art Gallery of New South Wales, the Shannon Murphy-directed, immersive performance stars Silvia Colloca, features the work of florist, artist and academic Dr Lisa Cooper, photo media artist Murray Fredericks and the food of Matt Moran. It'll give you plenty to talk about, and if you're keen to keep the conversation flowing check out '=The Full Spectrum series, a program of arts talks, panels and performances curated by the Spectrum team. For the creatively hungry, art and food combine for the On the Table series — Brad Dobson is taking over Redfern cafe Three Williams with installations, Opera in the Pub brings high art to the Dove and Olive and The Roxbury pubs, and Rock Surfers are stepping out of their Bondi theatre to present a pop-up production of Shabbat Dinner at the old Bel Mondo restaurant in The Rocks. And if you're wanting to continue to eat your way through the festival, check out the Quick Bites program linking you with some of Sydney's best eats. Spectrum Now runs March 11-22 Sydneywide. To check out the entire program and book yourself into Spectrum Now, head over here. Marie's Crisis image: Fogandfireflies.
Out in the middle of the California desert lies the city of Palm Springs. A long-time hangout of film stars known for its lavish hotels and mid-century modern architecture, it's the kind of quintessentially American locale that wouldn't look out of place on a postcard. But as picturesque as Palm Springs may look by day, it's even more incredible by night. After a wildly successful showing in 2016, Midnight Modern is back by popular demand at Darlinghurst's Black Eye Gallery. It's an ongoing project by Melbourne-based photographer Tom Blachford, who has travelled to Palm Springs five times over the past two years to shoot the city as it shines in the moonlight. Capturing bungalows, palm trees and vintage Cadillacs, Blachford's work offers a uniquely cinematic look at a place that is both lavish and desolate – a manicured slice of comfort in the wild.
Sometimes it seems like every second person you meet at the pub is a small business owner. The democratisation of absolutely everything by the internet means you no longer need a corner office in a skyscraper and a salmon tie to be a kickass business person. But it also means that, before long, you might find yourself wading into the unfamiliar territory of ABNs and being your own boss. It’s a lot to learn and most unstable, fledgling businesses don’t give you the luxury of time to figure it all out. Thankfully, there’s now a one-stop shop where all business babies can learn to walk. The New Beginnings Fair is on from February 26 to 27 to inspire you with talks, workshops and networking as well as answer all the tough questions like ‘When you’re self-employed, how often can you knock off early?’ The fair is tailored specifically to young people in creative and challenging fields and covers all the nitty gritty details you didn’t even realise are involved in running your own business. An array of speakers will school you on bizniz (that’s ‘business’ in street slang. First lesson: know your market) including Lisa Messenger from the dreamy monthly publication The Collective, the geniuses behind coffee body scrub Frank Body and copywriting agency Willow & Blake, and Kaylene O’Brien from Startup Creative, a startup that helps other startups start up. Neato. They’ll also be running masterclasses in design, PR, business planning, social media, marketing and branding and bookkeeping — all the stuff you need to know to keep your business healthy and ensure you never go back to your boring office job. And best of all, it won’t break the bank. A general admission pass starts at $35 for one day or $70 for the whole weekend, while a VIP pass for two days is $90 (and hey, consider that a tax write off). New Beginnings is happening in Sydney right now, but Melbourne can expect their own fair later in the year.
"Black people. I love you. I love us. Our lives matter." One Facebook post and Alicia Garza made history, a call to action that would gain traction and spark the founding of #BlackLivesMatter in the wake of the violent deaths of African Americans Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Eric Garner and many others. It's one of the world's most important international activist movements, campaigning against violence toward black people, and Garza will bring it front and centre at this year's Festival of Dangerous Ideas. Set to return to the Sydney Opera House over September 3 and 4 for its eighth year, FODI is bringing one of its most serious, enlightening programs yet as part of Sydney Opera House Talks & Ideas. Delivering the opening address with none other than Stan Grant, Garza leads a host of colossal thinkers and strong minds not afraid to question the problematic way things are — over 50 speakers across 24 solo sessions, 12 panels and one free workshop. This year, FODI has four major themes: 'Disappearing Countries', 'Dealing in Death', 'Disruptive Behaviour' and 'Dirty Politics'. One sure to provoke is apparently repentant author of The Game Neil Strauss in his sure-to-be-debated talk 'Cheaters, Sex Addicts and Pick-Up Artists'. UK comedian and The Young Ones legend Alexei Sayle dives into his ratbag past with 'Thatcher Made Me Laugh' — a perfect pairing for anarchists locked in for Henry Rollins' already-announced 'Blood Sport' talk about US politics. In fact, politics in Australia and abroad feature prominently in FODI's response to current 'World is fukt' times. Favourites Annabel Crabb and David Marr will pull apart the recent (and by-FODI, it'll be solved) federal election in 'The Government We Deserve?' — both have written biographies on Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten respectively, so this one's going to be a humdinger. Marr's also hosting an epic two-hour forum titled 'Can We Solve The Asylum Seeker Crisis?'. Perpetual WTF-generator and controversial commentator Andrew Bolt will lead a talk dubbed 'How Many Dangerous Ideas Can One Person Have?', so expect Twitter to be all over that one. Climate change and social justice feature prominently on this year's bill, with Canadian activist Sheila Watt-Cloutier's 'The Right To Be Cold' set to be a highlight — she sees the failure of the world to act on climate change a gross violation of Inuit human rights — and The Economist's Environment Correspondent Miranda Johnson wants fishing the high seas stopped. Arts and sport will both get their turn on the chopping block this year. Sport nuts should jump on tickets to see journalist Tracey Holmes, sports scientist Stephen Dank (yep, that guy), former Olympic swimmer Lisa Forrest, academic Jason Mazanov and former IOC boss Kevan Gosper will be deciding whether drugs in sport should be legalised. Visual artist, activist and Drawing Blood author Molly Crabapple (who designed this year's 'FODI-land' concept on the festival website) will take you from Syria to Guantanamo Bay and back to Occupy Wall Street. We Need To Talk About Kevin author Lionel Shriver wants you to break a rule a day, while author of The Magicians trilogy and TIME's book critic Lev Grossman will argue that 'There Are No Good Books'. But we haven't even scratched the surface on FODI 2016, from former Kevin Rudd staffer Jennifer Rayner standing up for millennials in 'Generation Less', to the incredibly important panel 'Not Worth Living' delving into the specific, tragic epidemic of suicide in Indigenous people. Plus, co-founder of The Maintainers Lee Vinsel wants people to stop worshipping innovation and start focusing on maintenance of technology — something we can't wait to argue with him on. Sydney Opera House Talks & Ideas team of Ann Mossop and Danielle Harvey have curated this seriously epic program, with Simon Longstaff from The Ethics Centre as curatorial adviser . The 2016 Festival of Dangerous Ideas is coming to the Sydney Opera House on September 3 and 4. Multipacks are on sale from July 11 at 9am, single tickets on July 14 from 9am, all from the FODI website — where you'll find the full FODI program alongside Molly Crabapple's web design.
Camperdown is really coming into itself of late. As Newtown's quieter sister suburb, it's always seemed to slightly live in the shadows when it comes to openings — it's pretty geographically dominated by the University of Sydney and RPA. But in 2016, Camperdown is like Cady Heron ala Mean Girls Act Two (that is, after she gets a big ol' makeover, and is still sassy and sabotaging the Plastics, but before she becomes a mean girl for real). Go with it. Camperdown is fetch. We're not the only ones to hold this opinion though, as a whole murder of cafe openings have cropped up recently (yes, the collective noun for cafe openings is murder, sure). First up, we've got Boss Lady Food & Co on Purkis Street — which already has our allegiance for the name alone. The menu is a mixture of Greek and Egyptian influences with an Aussie twist, and dishes are named after the boss ladies themselves. Because they're boss ladies. For something a little more retro, Little Lord Cafe has also just opened on Salisbury Road, and it's definitely pushing the grandma and grandpa's house nostalgia vibes. Their menu is a simple affair of coffee, cakes and sandwiches, all plucked from a few generations ago. Think pineapple upside-down cake and scotch eggs, and all served in cosy, living room-style surrounds. Little Lord took over the space that once housed the adorable Pigeon Ground Records, and we're stoked to see the continuation of twee-ness. And we’re expecting a few more exciting openings in the next few months too, after the unfortunate closure of Mo’s Pantry on Purkis Street. And so the impending gentrification of the inner west continues. But in the meantime: Camperdown, you're lookin' mighty fine. Image: Boss Lady.
Members of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra will surround their instruments with vats, drums and miscellaneous brewing gear on Thursday, September 10, when Young Henrys turns into a classical stage for the night. The unconventional gig is the fourth instalment of Vanguard, a concert series that sees SSO musicians playing experimental, informal shows in unusual locations. So far, they've appeared at a carpark in Kings Cross, a warehouse in Chippendale and the Mortuary Railway Station. “We got involved in Vanguard through a mutual friend,” said Oscar McMahon, co-founder of Young Henrys. “It’s a collective of musicians, who are trying to change the way that people see symphony music and extend it to people who wouldn’t necessarily buy a subscription and go to the Opera House. I love the idea of music being for everybody.” Vanguard performers have the freedom to perform pieces of their choice — in the way that they choose to perform them. “So far, they’ve played avant garde pieces and New Orleans jazz, and there was even a rendition of ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ at one stage,” said McMahon. Audience members don’t know what’s in store until the show starts. In Vanguard, Young Henrys has found a great match. “We’re interested in people who are genuinely interested,” he said. “All the people who make up Vanguard are great people. They’re passionate. They love what they do. They’re inspired it. Vanguard is extracurricular for the musicians — it’s their passion project; it’s them having fun. And Young Henrys is a business built on passion and fun, as well as a bit of doing what people don’t expect us to do.” To attend Vanguard concerts, you need to become a member, which you can pay for monthly or annually. Vanguard is a philanthropic programme, with proceeds supporting the chair of Leah Lynn, Assistant Principal Cello in the SSO. Vanguard is coming to Young Henrys on Thursday, September 10. More info over here.
