Vivid Sydney is really cranking it up this year. With a kaleidoscopic festival program of light, music and ideas, Vivid's 2016 will be taking over building facades, creative spaces and music venues throughout the city from May 27 through to June 18. Obviously, the lights are the main event here, the drawcard millions of visitors descend upon Sydney for. This year, Sydney Opera House features the absolutely stunning Songlines, with new and iconic contemporary Indigenous works from Karla Dickens, Djon Mundine, Gabriella Possum Nungurrayi, Reko Rennie, Donny Woolagoodja, and the late Gulumbu Yunupingu. The Light Walk is back, with Sydney's building facades lighting up with spectacular artistry — including Selena Griffith, Edison Chen, Nila Rezaei, Nathan Adler's I LOVE YOU, a giant heart that changes colour when you scream those exact words at it. Taronga Zoo is playing host to an illuminated animal trail, and The Royal Botanic Gardens is celebrating 200 years with its own highly Instagrammable installations — including Mandylights' Cathedral of Light. The Chatswood precinct lights up with WildLight, inspired by the animals of Gondwana, and Martin Place sees the technical debut from NIDA in Martin Place called Fountain, a giant installation of human birth rate data as 'water jets', and Simon Aitken's unmissable Geometrics. Have a flick through our gorgeous gallery from Concrete Playground's Bodhi Liggett, then rug up and get amongst the lights, music, parties and ideas. Want to have a bite while you're watching the lights? Here's ten spots with panoramic Vivid views.
A new prepaid initiative from Uber looks set to deal yet another blow to the rapidly dying taxi industry. You remember taxis don’t you? They were those cars that used to drive around the city not picking you up, which didn't show up when you called them and whose drivers didn't know how to operate a GPS. They were all the rage back in the day, before people had literally any other option. Rolling out in New York City over the next couple of weeks, UberEVENTS will allow event organisers to arrange prepaid Ubers for their guests. You simply log on to the Uber website and enter your information, including how many guest passes you'd like to prebook. Uber then sends those passes to you so you can forward them on to your guests. When the big day arrives, they enter their passcode into the Uber app, and before they know it they're being whisked away to your very exciting party. If you didn't follow all that, don't worry: this nifty little graphic helps lay it all out. "When planning a company happy hour, client appreciation dinner, or even upcoming nuptials, there is a lot that goes into ensuring that your event goes off without a hitch—including how your guests can safely get to and from without any fuss," wrote Uber Senior Marketing Manager Kimiko Ninomiya in a post on the Uber blog. "We want to make the experience of planning transportation logistics as seamless as ordering a ride at the touch of button [sic]." The service will only be available to select riders and Uber for Business users at first, although assuming it's a success, then presumably it won't be too long before it becomes a standard feature. In the meantime, Uber's legal status in Australia remains a point of contention. A Victorian state Magistrate yesterday rejected the company's attempts to have a legal case against one of its drivers thrown out of court. The taxi industry, for their part, continues to flail around feebly in the face of progress. A strike in Melbourne a couple of weeks back saw about 500 cabs taken off the roads – Uber retaliated by offering people free rides across the city. Yeah, it's pretty clear who's winning this fight. Via Tech Crunch.
Apple's first wearable computer, the Apple Watch, is almost here. After months of furious pub debates, Android-loving naysaying and know-it-all speculation, Apple finally announced the release date for its next 'must-have' device at its 'Spring Forward' event in San Francisco — and the price tag for its sold gold version. Starting at AU$499 and running all the way up to AU$14,000 for their ultra-hard 18-karat gold version, the shrunken, wearable computer fits into a watch body and runs a modified version of iOS — the system running your iPhone and iPad right now. Available in two sizes (38 and 42mm height) the Apple Watch comes in three different 'collections' including the Apple Watch Sport Collection — with 60 percent stronger anodised aluminium case, though not completely waterproof — and the pretty, pretty AppleWatch Edition made from 18-carat yellow or rose gold, sapphire crystal glass (and costing that cheeky $10K). Not as baller as these watches, but a good first model. Preorders for the Apple Watch start April 10, available in the US, UK, China, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, and Hong Kong. The watch will be available from April 24, but if you wander into a Genius bar you'll be able to try one on from the 10th. Analysts are predicting Apple could up to 60 million shipments within a year of its release — perhaps not if Pebble Time has anything to do with it. So, how does the Apple Watch work? Behold, the 'digital crown' controls all The primary joystick of the whole device, you can go all James Bond by using the rotating dial on the side of the watch to navigate (something many smartwatches leave out for aesthetics). Even so, the display is also used as a touch screen classic smartthing style. For all you constant screencrackers out there, that face is made from a super hard-as-nails single line sapphire material. Your watch can tell you to run faster Using four sapphire lenses on the back of the watch and the mighty, custom-designed S1 chip, the watch can detect your pulse rate (along with an epic amount of other info). Combine this with the accelerometer measuring body movement and the GPS tracking your distance, the watch can figure out how hard you're exercising and suggests fitness goals. What a beneficial jerk. 'Glance' at your most important info The Glances feature is where you make the watch all about you. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and your custom-selected screen of notifications pops up. Weather, dirty messages, calendars of events you're avoiding; it's all on your wrist. You can charge wirelessly No winding here. To charge up, the Apple Watch fuses MagSafe and inductive charging — you just hold the back of the watch near the charging connector and let the magnets pull everything together. Apparently the battery lasts 'all day', which could be anywhere from a probably 18 hours to 72 hours in Power Reserve mode. Siri runs the show Because the Apple Watch is so mini in screen size, Siri comes into play for a significant amount of commands. Yep, you'll feel like a spy. An awesome, awesome spy. You can send doodles to your mates Using the newly revealed app Digital Touch, watch wearers can create little animated drawings and send them to other watcheroos. Cute. App developers will be able to create Apple Watch versions, we're thinking Snapchat is particularly made for this. You need an iPhone for it to work And there's the catch. The Apple Watch needs an iPhone 5 or 6 nearby in order to function, feeding from the web or GPS info to work. Music, photos and contacts come across, sure, but this makes the device one of Apple's most you-need-that-to-get-this products ever, even the iPad stood on its own little stand. The Apple Watch will be available for purchase in Australia from April 24, pre-orders open from April 10. Via Mashable, TIME and PC Advisor.
Ladies and gentlemen, turn off your engines. One of the world’s most outlandish racing events is headed to the harbour city later this year. The 2015 Red Bull Billy Cart Race will invite both amateur and professional teams to design, build and pilot their own gravity-powered racers along a downhill racetrack/obstacle course in Sydney’s Centennial Parklands. Entries are currently open, and you get bonus points for being funny. No, seriously. Scheduled to take place on Sunday, November 15, the race will see 60 of Australia’s strangest and most innovative vehicles battle it out for the chance to be crowned champion. Competitors will be judged on three separate criteria: performance, speed and creativity. Ludicrousness appears to be a pretty big factor as well, with memorable competitors in previous races built to resemble teacups, corncobs and even the Golden Gate Bridge. Red Bull has hosted more than 40 billy cart races since 2000, in locations ranging from England to South Africa to Helsinki. The Sydney event has already been given a distinctly Australian flavour thanks to the unveiling of a racer shaped like a pair of bright red budgie smugglers. Hey, they don’t call us the lucky country for nothing. Applications to race in the event are open until July 17. Entry is free, and successful teams will be notified by July 31. Vehicles must be powered by gravity only, although proper braking and steering facilities are a must. Costumes are encouraged, but should not obscure the driver’s eyesight. Here's a classic dress code for you: For the full list of rules and safety regulations, as well as general information about the event, head on over to the Red Bull Billy Cart website. Images: Red Bull.
Deck the halls and unpack the plastic tree — the festive season is well and truly upon us. And while that whole Christmas tradition stuff is nice, we're not going to deny what we're most excited about: a whole stocking-load of new films. Along with the cricket and stampeding through shopping centres, going to the movies is one of our favourite Boxing Day traditions. After all, what better place to recover from your post-Christmas food coma than in a nice, dark, air-conditioned cinema? Of course, not all of the end-of-year titles measure up. That’s why we’re reporting in with our annual Boxing Day Battle Royale, to ensure that you get maximum bang for your Kris Kringle gift voucher buck. Or you could just go see Star Wars for the sixth time. That's also a totally valid option. JOY See it if: you can't get enough J-Law in your life. We give it: 3.5 stars Jennifer Lawrence stars in the latest film by David O. Russell (American Hustle, Silver Linings Playbook), a fictionalised account of the rise of a real-life home shopping network star. Joy is a rags-to-riches tale of a battler trying to improve herself and her situation. Wrestling Russell's current patterns and preferences into a canny character study, the film watches on as a woman fights for agency and control, despite constantly being told that she should take care of others and rein in her go-getting ways. Weaving in surreal soap opera segments, it's an astute and engaging dissection of the power of selling a fantasy. Read our full review here. SUFFRAGETTE See it if: you want to be inspired. We give it: 3.5 stars Sarah Gavron's Suffragette may play out somewhat conventionally, but that doesn't make its impact any less resounding. Carey Mulligan is fantastic as Maud Watts, a downtrodden washerwoman in early 20th century London who becomes involved in the fight for women's suffrage. It's a timely tale that will no doubt strike a chord with many modern viewers, reminding us of how far we have come and how much further we still have to go. Just don't expect much Meryl Streep. Despite being a major part of the marketing campaign, she's in the film for less than five minutes. Read our full review here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9p0qnj4OC4 THE BELIER FAMILY See it if: you love a good coming of age tale. We give it: 3.5 stars A box office smash in its native France, The Belier Family is an immensely charming holiday crowd-pleaser. The film tells the story of 16-year-old Paula, who acts as an interpreter for her deaf parents and brother in the running of the family dairy farm. But her future becomes uncertain when her music teacher encourages her to apply to a prestigious singing school in Paris. The film is overlong, a tad melodramatic and gets bogged down at various points in underdeveloped side-plots. But the family drama remains compelling — and surprisingly poignant — throughout, as does the remarkable performance from singer-turned-actress Louane Emera. THE GOOD DINOSAUR See it if: you're hoping to get in touch with your inner child. We give it: 2.5 stars In their stories and themes, Pixar often play in the same territory over and over. And yet, when it comes to visuals, they rarely do the same thing twice; each new Pixar movie might feel somewhat similar, but they always look different. The Good Dinosaur, the animation studio's latest effort, demonstrates both extremes. The tale of a dinosaur and his primitive human friend trying to make their way back home, the film takes a routine narrative that pales in comparison to the animated splendour that surrounds it. It's not often that the background proves more engaging than the figures at the centre of the frame, yet that's frequently the case here. The photorealistic details evident in images of fields, mountains, waterfalls, trees and other natural features are the real stars of the show. Read our full review here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhVDSzj2Lrw YOUTH See it if: you want something pretty to look at. We give it: 2.5 stars Michael Caine and Harvey Keitel wonder about days gone by, while Rachel Weisz and Jane Fonda deliver verbal tirades designed to awaken the ageing men from their apathy. All four spend their time in an expensive Swiss spa, and in a film as visually luxurious as their lush surroundings, Paolo Sorrentino's Youth unravels — its seasoned cast and opulent images its obvious selling points. Musings about life, love and legacy have rarely looked as exquisite, even if the movie's charms remain somewhat surface level. It's a decadent picture about watching the world go by, rather than really experiencing it. Read our full review here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kqe1kFb0xTk PEGGY GUGGENHEIM: ART ADDICT See it if: you're an art addict yourself. We give it: 2 stars Audio snippets from the eponymous art addict are all that keep this unremarkable doco afloat. Director Lisa Immordino Vreeland struggles with tone, never quite knowing whether to interrogate the gossip that surrounded Guggenheim's personal affairs or to simply recount the rumours. It still makes for pleasant-enough viewing, particularly for art addicts themselves — but it just never manages to fully do Guggenheim justice. In fact, it's only her vocal presence that stops the movie from amounting to little more than an interesting video of a Wikipedia listing. Read our full review here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arhMMJx7tCU DADDY'S HOME See it if: you're a sucker for punishment. We give it: 1 star Apologies to fans of Will Ferrell, but watching Daddy's Home is one of the more agonising experiences we've had in a cinema all year. Ferrell stars as a dweebish music exec married to an improbably tolerant wife (Linda Cardellini), who is forced to compete for the love of his step-children when their cool but irresponsible biological father (Mark Wahlberg) rolls back into town. Cue a mind-numbing comedy that mixes kindergarten-level humour with weirdly adult sex gags and feels about three times as long as its 96-minute runtime. Stand-up comic Hannibal Buress manages to scrape a few laughs here and there, but otherwise it's slim pickings. Do yourself a favour and steer well clear. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNkSYE6HiOE ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: THE ROADCHIP See it if: ...yeah, we've got nothing. We give it: N/A Look, we're going to level with you here: we didn't actually see this. Life's too short. But if you want to go out and spend your hard earned money on a ticket for a film about a group of wise-cracking rodents, feel free to let us know what you thought. If you're looking to steer well clear of cinemas on Boxing Day, take a look at our list of the year's ten best films that hardly anyone saw here. Words by Tom Clift and Sarah Ward.
As any published author will tell you, settling on a cover design is tricky. But California-based designer Maria Mordvintseva-Keeler has come up with a novel approach. She's repackaged classics in cans — with labels that reveal their 'ingredients' without giving away their storylines. Titled Food for Thought, the design series features three classic books, each of which contains a foodie reference in its title — Truman Capote's Breakfast at Tiffany's, William Burroughs' Naked Lunch and Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant. The label lets the reader know if the book suits his/her mood and literary diet. Breakfast at Tiffany’s, for example, reads: "[It] has the characters, serving size, with the number of pages, and emotions in the daily value sections," Mordvintseva-Keeler told Mashable. "I sometimes wish they featured something like that on the cover, since the right book at the right moment is better than any sort of therapy. Reading is certainly better than stress eating." Originally from Moscow and now based in San Diego, Mordvintseva-Keeler's previous projects include Packaged Pets, which promotes the adoption of animals from shelters; EcoBag, a biodegradable plastic-bag replacement containing seeds (and similar to these coffee cups); and Bold as a Rooster, a typographical study exploring the "potential of roosters’ combs, feathers and legs to become legible letters". Take a leaf out of this artist's book. Via Mashable. Images: Maria Mordvintseva-Keeler.
Want your Uber ride to be even cheaper? Don’t mind sharing a ride with strangers and making awkward small talk? UberPOOL might just be your perfect service. As reported by The Guardian, it’s rolling out in London today and allows Uber users to opt into a carpooling option with a very attractive 25 percent discount on the standard Uber fare. Sharing is caring. It’s not guaranteed there’ll be another user opting into UberPOOL in the vicinity, but if you don’t get matched you still keep that tasty discount. So basically, you get rewarded for being a chill and environmentally conscious Uber user, even if you don’t even right share (it’s the thought that counts). As well as making Uber even cheaper for anyone willing to share, UberPOOL also environmental benefits — more seats on bums and more cars making full use of their capacity means less cars on the road and less pollution. The option has been rolled out in a few cities and even accounts for half of all rides taken in San Francisco (half!), so it’s not exactly a new concept but it’s certainly taking off. We’re still waiting for word of when it will hit our shores but you can guarantee it's likely to. Gizmodo's Luke Hopewell wrote an interesting account of his experience in an UberPOOL and pointed out the one major flaw in the plan: as well as being hella awkward to ride with a complete stranger, if you hop our first, that complete stranger knows where you're going or where you live. The app doesn't give you the name of your riding buddy, but that's no guarantee you won't be Ubering home with a weirdo. While we wait to see how it all plays out, let’s just scroll through #yourtaxis and giggle gleefully over terrible PR ideas. Via The Guardian.
As much as we love catching a movie under the stars, outdoors cinemas are usually more of a summer activity. After all, it's sort of hard to focus on the story when your extremities are going numb. Enter Hot Tub Cinema Sydney. Coming to the Newmarket Hotel in July, this novelty nickelodeon works exactly the way you think it does: you and your mates strip down to your togs and enjoy a flick from the comfort of a bubbling tub. Melbourne has already dabbled with the concept, with retro films and cocktails aplenty. Spots will be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis. You can hire a full hot tub or purchase an individual hot tub seat (oh hey, intimate new friends).
Locked in to return to all three levels at Manning Bar in the University of Sydney, the boutique music festival cooked up by Sydney touring and management agency Astral People and record label Yes Please returns for its fourth instalment on Saturday, September 26. Forecast to sell out like its previous events, OutsideIn will spread its super solid lineup over three stages. Enough chatskies, who's on the bill? Headlining the bunch, Philadelphia's neo-soul gem and Common/Dilla/Kendrick Lamar collaborator Bilal will bring a full eight-piece band to the main stage. Then you'll be getting a big ol' dose of Southern rap with Big K.R.I.T and Devin The Dude, while Manchester producer Star Slinger brings new EP goodness to the table. Vancouver multi-instrumentalist producer Pomo will be there, alongside Mood Hut co-founders and progressive jazz soul beatsmiths Pender Street Steppers, while Sydney's own twin duo Cosmo's Midnight make their live set debut. The local love doesn't stop there, with dance-inducing crew Total Giovanni, Perth's electro-pop enigma KU KA and Melbourne's Harvey Sutherland cranking out an improvised show dubbed "equal parts 808 rattle and double disco". There's still over 20 international and local artists still to be announced, but just roll around in this first release for now. OUTSIDE IN 2015 LINEUP (FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT): Bilal Big K.R.I.T Devin The Dude Cosmo’s Midnight Star Slinger Pomo Total Giovanni Pender Street Steppers KU KA Harvey Sutherland OutsideIn 2015 will be held at Manning House, Sydney on Saturday, September 26, 2015. Early bird tickets have sold out. General admission tickets available from first announce at $85 +bf. Tickets over here.
The inner west's long-dreamed-about Greenway — a 5.8 kilometre, car-free path linking the Cooks River and Iron Cove, following the light rail's route — is finally set to become a reality. Last month, federal Labor promised $7.5 million to the project, in the event of being elected. And, it appears the NSW Government has responded to the pressure by pledging $7 million of its own. Convenient timing, before a federal election. Just sayin'. This money will be matched by another $7 million from the newly created (and highly controversial) Inner West Council — an amalgamation of Leichhardt, Ashfield and Marrickville Councils. Over three years, the $14 million will go towards mending the Greenway's eleven 'missing links' – spots where the path is broken by obstacles, like bridges and tunnels. "The great advantage of doing this is that it does get cyclists off roadways and onto the type of infrastructure that they deserve to have. The cycling community is only going to increasingly grow," said transport minister Andrew Constance. Honestly, this is pretty transparent timing. Local MPs, councillors and residents have been hassling the State Government for help for years. However, in 2011, then transport minister Gladys Berejiklian rejected the plans. Since then, local councils have built bits and pieces of the Greenway with their own money — its current length is now 2.6 kilometres. "It is very much a priority for this council. We have been seeking the finalisation of a funding commitment from the state government for some time so it will be well received," said Inner West Council administrator Richard Pearson. Via SMH.
Earlier this year, some of Australia's best bar teams went head-to-head to nab mad bragging rights, an epic photo shoot and a huge trip to Glasgow for Auchentoshan Whisky's national Distilled Different competition. Bar teams across Australia created an Auchentoshan American Oak cocktail for the competition, and twelve were then paired with an up-and-coming Australian photographer who worked with them to create a photographic masterpiece to reflect the team's personality. On Tuesday October 18, the winner of the cocktail competition was crowned. Sydney bar team Eau De Vie won for the originality of their cocktail and portrait, which was snapped by Brendan Fitzpatrick in a fully-styled photo shoot that judges agreed captured the essence of their bar. Eau De Vie and Fitzpatrick were chosen as the winning team by a panel of industry professionals, including our very own managing editor Shannon Connellan. The team from Eau De Vie will be jet-setting off to Glasgow as part of their prize. Glasgow is the home of Auchentoshan — the only triple distilled Scottish single malt whisky in the world. Triple distilled, people. The winners will of course get to visit the Auchentoshan distillery while they're there. The team at Ramblin' Rascal Tavern were also chosen on the night as the winners of the People's Choice Award. Take a look at what went down on the night.
They've made fireworks you can eat, cooked T-bone steaks with lava and served bespoke cocktails tailor made to match your DNA. But this past week in London, culinary wizards Sam Bompas and Harry Parr may have outdone themselves yet again. Hosted in a converted warehouse in partnership with deals website bespokeoffers.co.uk, The 200 Club can claim the title of the world's longest tasting menu, featuring 200 different dishes over 24 non-stop hours of service. Eight chefs toiled away in the kitchen creating the tasting plates, which ranged from truffle bubbles to coffee-compressed watermelon. A two hour sitting cost between £49 and £99 depending on the time of day, or you could attempt the entire gastronomic marathon for £2,000 per couple. Only four people have the stomach for the latter option, but we have to imagine they were happy with their decision. Of course it wouldn't be a Bompas & Parr affair without a little additional visual theatre. As such, each sitting was differentiated by the colour of the food, a move inspired by the monochromatic feasts of Emperor Nero. Check out the menu, as well as some photographic highlights, below. 200 CLUB MENU Yellow Breakfast: A morning repast that zings with citrus, caffeine and craft. This culinary explosion will hybridise flavours of the East and West in a high-energy, high-end display of homely food love. White Elevenses: A British tradition bejewelled in surreal sparkle. Expect custards, shortbread, quiches, clouds of confection sugar and a dreamy sweet vision of the classic treats. Green Lunch: This meal will be a rustic yet refined version of the garden snacking of yore. Look forward to leafy eating including the freshest greens, meats and cheeses, plus a procession of fluorescent jellies. Blue Afternoon Snack: A powerhouse of flavour for the lazy hours of the day. Taste an otherworldly array of vibrant and dusty turquoises in the form of naturally tinted roots and skilfully prepared fish. Purple Five O’Clock Tiffin: Rooted in the wild and rich darkness of summer, enjoy ingredients such as wild game and dark summer fruits. Dishes will speak to simple food traditions reinterpreted with modern culinary craft. Pink Dinner: Forget “trendy” food items like burgers or hot dogs. Your table will be buzzing with eye-popping fuchsia, cured meats, and smouldering wood smoke. Red Party Time: A sultry explosion of party vibes and hot weather flavours. You’ll see Australian and Asian influences, balancing classic spice and tropical tangs with modern style. Orange Drunchies: The extension of a great night out. Expect contradicting textures, bleeding edge techniques, and lashings of moreishness to tantalise the palate. Brown Blackout: Indulge in a meal of carnal urges – sweet, hot and savoury dishes. The chef will keep you on your toes with coffee, chocolate, black garlic, squid ink, soy sauce, and liquorice. Multicolour Final Countdown: A communal carousal of globally-inspired festival food. Mark the culmination of The 200 Club with a multinational flavour and colour explosion, using vibrant colours with grand presentations. Images by Adam Laycock via Bespoke Offers.
Newsflash: fashion isn't just about looking good. Sustainability is playing an ever-increasing role for many designers, and there's a new Australian magazine trying to to support and highlight their noble pursuits. With their first edition launching only a matter of months ago, Hessian is your new go-to publication for feel-good fashion. For those a little out of the loop, we spoke to editor-in-chief Siggi McCarthy to get the inside scoop. How are people embracing this new trend? Where can you get your hands on the good stuff? What does it all mean? So, what is Hessian? "Hessian was founded simply out of necessity," McCarthy says. "Violette Snow (founder) felt there needed to be a magazine that packaged sustainable fashion in a way that was accessible, exciting and fresh. Without sounding like a crazy hippy, the earth and the people living here are in trouble and we need to step up and do something about it." McCarthy first met Snow when she was working for Ethical Clothing Australia, manning their stall at the Sustainable Living Festival. The two got chatting and soon realised they were very much on the same page. "I was immediately drawn to the idea of Hessian and knew I wanted to be a part of it. Violette was putting onto paper what I'd been thinking about for a long time: Why can't sustainable fashion be aesthetically pleasing? Why don't we expect more from fashion labels? Can someone please stop using the word 'green'?" "There needs to be a greater dialogue when it comes to ethical issues in the fashion industry but we can't create real change if we alienate young consumers. This is why Hessian uses a concept called subtle sustainability." Sustainability is a bunch of small choices "Subtle sustainability is a stripped back easygoing concept that encourages us to think about leading a more conscious lifestyle," McCarthy says. Instead of shoving it in people's faces, Hessian focusses on making realistic and achievable lifestyle changes — people want to feel as though they're making a difference, but they also don't want to read about doom and gloom. "Put simply, we just want young people to make informed choices and realise that mindful living can actually be fucking cool." Focussing on the bigger picture, Hessian prefers to think of itself as a style magazine rather than a fashion rag. "We encourage people to embrace quality local production, independent design, good craftsmanship, and style that transcends seasonal fads." You don't have to look bad to feel good Good news do-gooders! These days you can buy sustainable products without compromising on quality or style. "While some brands unfortunately reinforce the stigma attached to sustainable fashion — that it's heinous — there are labels out there that are encouraging people to buy ethically through beautiful clothing," McCarthy says. "I think that's the key to a more sustainable fashion industry — blending ethics with aesthetics so seamlessly that sustainable clothing becomes the more desirable option." Bottom line: people want to buy clothing because they look good and that's never going to change. "They’re not going to settle for something that looks like crap just because it has a nice story behind it." There are lots of brands doing great things "I think us young folk get a bit of a kick out of knowing who is behind the clothing and wearing something that comes from a small run," McCarthy says. And, luckily for us, there are a bunch of local independent designers doing us proud in the sustainability stakes. In particular, Siggi recommends Kuwaii, Celeste Tesoriero, PER-TIM, Julie White, Thursday Sunday, YEVU, Kester Black, Nobody Denim and The Social Studio. Working at Ethical Clothing Australia, McCarthy also tries to support accredited labels. "R.M. Williams, for example, is ECA accredited and make the best boots locally in South Australia," she says. "I also dig NICO Underwear, which is made in Queensland using organic cotton and bamboo." Overseas favourites include Honest by, Everlane, Kowtow and Study. The good stuff can be hard to find The difficult thing about small independent labels is that they can be tricky to hunt down. In lack of an outlet store, McCarthy recommends hitting up Monk House Design, Dagmar Rousset, and trusty old op shops. But her hot tip is social media — there a bunch of great Facebook groups selling good quality, secondhand clothing. "When I meet girls to pick up items bought in these groups, it always feels like a drug deal," she says. "You generally don't know what the seller looks like, so you stand awkwardly on a corner hoping to make eye contact. When you suspect it's the right person, you walk up to them hesitantly, exchange pleasantries, inspect the garment, give them the money and then go about your day. Sometimes I think I buy clothing off these groups more for the experience than the clothing!" You can do it for cheap Of course, doing things right doesn't always come with a huge price tag — this isn't like the organic section at Coles. If you're doing this on a budget McCarthy suggests you stick to Facebook or Instagram and hit up online swaps like The Clothing Exchange. She also suggests you invest in quality over quantity. Buying one great item that lasts you saves you a bunch of money in the long term. You should also shoot for a well-curated wardrobe. This means thinking about what you already own and how your clothing can be worn with the garment you're considering buying. There's not much point having a wardrobe filled with pieces that don't work together. Last but not least, don't worry about wearing the same clothes often. If you look good — work it. For more on sustainable fashion pick up Hessian from their online store or Happy Valley, Brunswick Street Bookstore, Save Yourself Boutique, Dagmar Rousset, Greenhorse Boutique, Limedrop in Victoria. In NSW you can pick up a copy at Darley Collective. Images via Hessian Magazine, Dagmar Rousset, Kuwaii, Monk House Design.
Flume is teaming up with LA-based, Australian-born visual artist Jonathan Zawada for a blink and you'll miss it multimedia pop-up in Surry Hills this December. Named after the ARIA chart-topping musician's sophomore album Skin, for which Zawada created the cover art, live graphics, related videos and merchandise, the free exhibition will be open at Special Group Studios on Devonshire Street from Wednesday, December 7 through to Sunday, December 11, and will feature a series of new video works created exclusively for the show. "I've always been a huge fan of Jonathan's work so it's been a privilege to have him involved in the visual aesthetic around Skin, from the album art to the live show and merch," said Flume. "Visually I'm interested in the contrast of organic and synthetic, Jonathan's work so cleverly depicts this so it's been a natural fit for the music. I love the way he embraces technology to twist and contort things from the real world in alien ways." The pop-up will feature eight never-before-seen videos that combine fantastical animation by Zawada with ethereal sound design by Flume. Alongside these will be a series of large scale silk prints that further highlight the pair's unique creative partnership. You can check out Skin from December 7 to 11 at Special Group Studios, 270 Devonshire Street, Surry Hills. Keep your eyes on social media for more information closer to the opening date.
Get your ridin' boots, Texan hat and burger chops prepped for Americana Fiesta, happening this Sunday at the Bald Faced Stag. The Leichhardt hotel has teamed up with The Fatties Burgers Appreciation Society to bring you a celebration of all things Deep South. From midday in the carpark, you'll be able to sample creations from some of Sydney's smokin' experts, while getting into cracking drink specials. Leading the culinary lineup are Burgers By Josh, barbecue experts Bovine & Swine, Chicken & Sons and Grumpy Donuts. In between all this finger lickin' goodness, you'll be kicking back to live music and getting involved in other manifestations of Americana fun, including a stag riding machine. Image: Burgers by Josh.
First came Messina. Then came kittens. Now, finally, Uber has rolled the dice on the ultimate delivery treat, and will be bringing babies right to your office. That's right — we're talking UberBUBS. Like some sort of stork in an Audi with a 4.8 star rating, Uber drivers have teamed up with trusting mums and dads all around the country to unlock the clucky in all of us, but be warned: the waiting list is expected to be huge. "If there's one thing you hear time and time again from successful, white collar types in the CBD," explains Uber Australia CEO Pieter Rank, "it's the regret of having put career ahead of family. Today at least, even if only for 15 minutes, we're giving them the chance to have both — no strings attached." Naturally, parents will be present at all times, and if the younglings find themselves overwhelmed, the visit will be cut short and a 50 percent refund offered in return. So how can you grab your chance to experience all the adorableness of kittens with the added benefits of dribble and mumbling? 1. Download the Uber app. 2. Request the 'BUBS' option in the app TODAY between 12pm and 4pm within the Sydney/Melbourne/Brisbane CBD and surrounding suburbs. 3. If available, you'll get to enjoy 15 minutes of wide-eyed (or possibly stinky, wailing) cuteness delivered to your office, your home or even your reluctant partner to show them what they're missing. All funds raised will go to local not-for-profit nappiesandinsomnia.org.au to help raise funds for future Uber marketing activations.
The team at the Sydney Film Festival have revealed their full 2015 program, and it is seriously impressive. Once again headed by ace festival director Nashen Moodley, this year’s festival boasts more than 250 titles, including hotly anticipated works from some of the biggest name in international filmmaking as well as plenty of hidden gems just waiting to be uncovered. To help make your scheduling process a little bit easier, we’ve locked down ten of the most exciting titles that no self-respecting film lover can afford to miss. Whether you’re taking annual leave and pulling a five-film-a-day marathon, or just looking to catch the crème de la crème, make sure you leave room in your schedule for our selections. STRANGERLAND It speaks to the quality of domestic cinema in recent times that the festival will be opened and closed by Australian films, in the form of Ruben Guthrie and Holding the Man, respectively. Of all the local entries though, our pick would have to be Strangerland, a gritty outback thriller starring Nicole Kidman and Joseph Fiennes as the distraught parents of two missing teenagers, and Hugo Weaving as the local cop trying desperately to track the kids down. Alternatively: Other notable Australian titles in the program include Last Cab to Darwin, a film about a terminally ill taxi driver travelling to the Northern Territory to commit medically assisted suicide, as well as The Daughter, theatre director Simon Stone’s modern-day take on Henrik Ibsen’s play The Wild Duck, starring Geoffrey Rush, Ewen Leslie and Miranda Otto. TEHRAN TAXI The winner of the prestigious Golden Bear at this year’s Berlin Film Festival, and a competitor in this year’s SFF Official Competition, Tehran Taxi is the third film made in secret by acclaimed director Jafar Panahi after being struck with a 20-year ban on filmmaking by the Iranian regime. Shot entirely within a taxi with Panahi himself at the wheel, the film provides a humorous meta-commentary on the director’s legal troubles while addressing many of the broader problems facing Iranian society at large. Alternatively: Panahi’s dashboard camerawork isn’t the only formal boundary being broken in competition at the festival this year. Taking its cues from Rope and more recently Birdman, German heist film Victoria tells the story of a bank robbery gone wrong in a single elaborate take. American director Sean Baker, meanwhile, gets low-tech with Tangerine, a bawdy comedy about a pair of transgender sex workers shot entirely on an iPhone 5. A PIGEON SAT ON A BRANCH REFLECTING ON EXISTENCE With a name like that, you know it’s got to be funny. A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on Existence marks the third and final part in a loose thematic trilogy from master Swedish filmmaker Roy Andersson. Made up of a series of strange, deadpan, tragicomic vignettes, this is a must-see film for anyone who likes their comedy a little left of centre. Alternatively: While some people tend to think of film festivals as being mostly dour affairs, there are plenty of laughs to be found in this year’s program. American coming-of-age film Me and Earl and the Dying Girl follows a pair of tragically nerdy movie buffs making parodies of classic films, while French comedy The Price of Fame recounts a bumbling criminal plot to kidnap Charlie Chaplin’s corpse. GOODNIGHT MOMMY With almost half the films in the Freak Me Out section screening at the Dendy Newtown rather than in the city, horror buffs could be forgiven for feeling a little bit marginalised by festival organisers. Still, there are a number of creepy gems in the program, including this stylish Austrian entry about two young boys who suspect something is terribly wrong with their mother. Alternatively: Kiwi horror flick Deathgasm got strong reviews out of SXSW, while anthology movie German Angst is three scary stories in one. There’s also a nice nod to retro horror, with a double feature screening of Them! and Invasion of the Body Snatchers at the Skyline Drive-In. AMY As always, this year’s festival has a number of must-see films for music lovers — and none more so than this hotly anticipated doco about the life of Amy Winehouse. Directed by Brazilian filmmaker Asif Kapadia, the man behind the absolutely masterful F1 documentary Senna, this new film makes extensive use of never-before-seen archival footage to paint a portrait of the pop star and her struggles with her unexpected fame. Alternatively: Paul Dano and John Cusack star in Love & Mercy, a biopic about Beach Boys frontman Brian Wilson, while Australian documentarian Marc Eberle chronicles the rise of a Cambodian rock band in The Cambodian Space Project. PHOENIX One of the best reviewed pictures at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival, Phoenix marks the latest collaboration between award-winning German director Christian Petzold and lead actress Nina Hoss, whose previous film together, the Cold War drama Barbara, was one of the highlights of SFF 2012. In Phoenix, Hoss plays a concentration camp survivor who undergoes facial reconstructive surgery, only to be caught up in a strange, Hitchcockian inheritance scheme when her own husband doesn’t recognise her face. Alternatively: Toronto isn’t the only major film festival represented at SFF this year. John Maclean’s Slow West, a western starring Michael Fassbender and Ben Mendelsohn, won the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize at Sundance, while Kore-eda Hirokazu’s Our Little Sister is one of a number of films that will arrive in Sydney directly after their premiering at Cannes. SONG OF THE SEA A surprise nominee in the Best Animated Film Category at the Academy Awards back in February, Song of the Sea is the new hand-drawn fantasy film from Irish animator Tomm Moore. Drawing from Celtic mythology, the film follows two children attempting to find their way home to their father with the aid of various mystical guides. Alternatively: Get the full picture of what's going in the independent animation scene by attending the International Animation Showcase (for ten diverse shorts) and the Animation After Dark Showcase (for just the weird stuff). Avoid these if you have an actual child in tow; instead, the Kids Animation Showcase will have you both smiling. THE TRIBE Meanwhile, no child should be allowed anywhere near Myroslav Slaboshpytskiy’s The Tribe, which is unquestionably one of the most shocking and unsettling films you’ll see at the festival this year. Set in a Kiev boarding school for deaf teenagers, the film is told entirely through Ukrainian sign language, with no spoken dialogue or subtitles. It’s a fascinating formal exercise, albeit one that’s made very hard to watch due to the film’s unflinching depiction of sexual exploitation and violence. Obviously, this one’s not for the faint of heart. Alternatively: Suckers for punishment can follow up The Tribe with South Korean people-smuggling drama Haemoo, or Kirby Dick’s rape-on-campus documentary The Hunting Ground. That said, we’d probably recommend getting something a little lighter in there as well, just to help break up the misery. THE LOOK OF SILENCE Sydney has had a remarkably strong slate of documentaries in recent times, and this year is certainly no exception. Of all the true-life stories on offer, it’s hard to go past Joshua Oppenheimer’s The Look of Silence, a companion piece to his masterful The Act of Killing, about the perpetrators of Indonesia’s violent anti-communist purges that left more than half a million people dead. Alternatively: Honestly, we could have almost made a list of ten must-see documentaries (and maybe we will), the lineup is just that strong. In addition to the already-mentioned films from Kapadia, Oppenheimer and Dick, Oscar-winner Alex Gibney has two films in the program: Going Clear tackles the murky world of Scientology, while Mr. Dynamite chronicles the life of musician James Brown. We’re also keen to see the Australian documentaries Sherpa, about disaster on Mt Everest, and Gayby Baby, which has been gathering goodwill since its 2012 crowdfunding campaign. JOE BULLET One of the festival sidebars this year focuses on the cinema of South Africa. Rather than single out a contemporary film, however, we're giving the nod to this recently rediscovered blaxploitation film from 1973. Like Shaft if it had been produced under apartheid, the film follows a martial arts expert named Joe Bullet who is hot on a tail of a vicious gangster after the murder of a local soccer team. Unsurprisingly, it was banned by the South African government after just two screenings, but has now been digitally restored. Alternatively: Necktie Youth paints a portrait of disaffected youth in modern-day Johannesburg, while award-winning documentary The Shore Break depicts a battle between local communities and developers on South Africa's Wild Coast. The Sydney Film Festival runs June 3–14. For the full program and to book tickets, visit the festival website. Top Image: The Look of Silence
From award-winning Australian novel to sold-out mainstage production, Jasper Jones is now getting the long-awaited big screen treatment it deserves. Madman Entertainment has today released the trailer for the anticipated film version of Craig Silvey's lauded novel, a revisualisation directed by Rachel Perkins (Bran Nue Dae, Radiance, One Night the Moon) and produced by Vincent Sheehan (Animal Kingdom, The Hunter) and David Jowsey (Mystery Road, Goldstone). Jasper Jones follows the classic story of 14-year-old Charlie Bucktin, a wide-eyed, book-loving kid living in small-town Western Australia in the summer of 1969. When local mixed-race outcast Jasper Jones wakes him up in the middle of the night, one heck of a mystery starts for the pair (and the town). Who's in the cast? Oh, just Australian royalty Toni Collette and Hugo Weaving, alongside Levi Miller (Pan, upcoming Red Dog: True Blue), Angourie Rice (These Final Hours, The Nice Guys), Dan Wyllie (Offspring, Muriel's Wedding), Matt Nable (Riddick, Son of a Gun) and Aaron McGrath (GLITCH). Get your eyes all over the trailer, it comes with a new song from Sydney lad Dustin Tebbutt, 'Atlas in Your Eyes'. Jasper Jones will be released in cinemas on March 2, 2017.
Yesterday, the world was rocked by the horrific events that took place in Paris. With information on the attacks still coming to light, it will take a long time for the global community to fully come to grips with the tragedy. In the meantime, however, the outpouring of international sympathy has already begun. World leaders, including Barrack Obama and Malcolm Turnbull, have been quick to condemn the attackers and offer their condolences. But perhaps more moving has been the site of many of the world's most famous landmarks lit up in the colours of the French flag. Below, we've compiled some photos of familiar Australian landmarks that took part in the spontaneous display of support for the people of France. Je suis Paris. Sydney Town Hall has been lit in the colours of the French flag #PrayforParis pic.twitter.com/dTy38ATiMS — City of Sydney (@cityofsydney) November 14, 2015 pic.twitter.com/4LFei1TAxl — NGV (@NGVMelbourne) November 14, 2015 Story Bridge lit up last night for #ParisAttacks victims. Photo by Craig Capper. #9News pic.twitter.com/hS7KJqR6es — Nine News Brisbane (@9NewsBrisbane) November 14, 2015 Well played, @MCG #Paris #PrayForParis ?? ?? pic.twitter.com/zJm8yxAE9P — Clint Stanaway (@cstanaway) November 14, 2015 We'll be lighting Adelaide Oval in blue, white and red from 6pm tonight to show our support #Pray4Paris pic.twitter.com/c5LoGJGffi — Adelaide Oval (@TheAdelaideOval) November 14, 2015 .@LisaScafPerthLM @CityofPerth Looks stunning. #JesuisunParisien pic.twitter.com/QR8ZfK8Mbp — Matt Rosich (@subjectmattr) November 14, 2015 #Brisbane City Hall has also been lit tonight to show our support for the people of France #ParisAttacks pic.twitter.com/bvKtLgqxB1 — Team Quirk (@Team_Quirk) November 14, 2015 Melbourne town hall. ???? @LordMayorMelb @cityofmelbourne pic.twitter.com/hduJyWhYz5 — Sharnelle Vella (@SharnelleVella) November 14, 2015 Header image: Prudence Upton.
What can you achieve in 5 minutes? Devise an uber-witty 'Gram caption? Shoot a spectacular Snapchat story? Consume an obscene quantity of tacos? Respondents with the latter, it's your time to shine. Redfern's local landmark The Norfolk is celebrating its fourth birthday by dishing up some killer Mexican delicacies, ready to be inhaled by the eager participants in this year's 'Annual World Famous Taco Eating Competition'. The night is set to include an array of mouth-watering options for competitors and spectators alike. Those brave enough to tackle the almighty taco challenge will have five minutes to gulp down as many of the spicy little suckers as they can manage. Everyone else can leisurely nibble on the special birthday burger on the menu for the event. Wash down the gluttonous feast with $10 Lageritas, coconuts slushies or any one of the beers from the Norfolk's impressive selection while recovering from your post-comp food coma in the pub's spacious outdoor courtyard. Get in quick if you want to compete, as spots are strictly limited. Email mark@thenorfolk.co to register.
If you're yet to catch Melbourne's Grammy-nominated future-soul outfit Hiatus Kaiyote, do yourself a favour and meet their leader. Few artists have the same wild, raw vocal control as the group's inimitable singer and guitarist, Naomi 'Nai Palm' Saalfield, and for Vivid Sydney, she's branching out on her own for a special solo performance. Set in the Drama Theatre, this Sydney Opera House show will see Nai Palm's solo debut, an intimate performance of Hiatus Kaiyote favourites and new solo material. Prepare to spend a few hours not realising your jaw's been on the floor.
After one humdinger of a debut year, Young Henrys are bringing back their highly successful celebrating of all things inner west Sydney: Small World Festival. Pairing their beloved craft beer with some of Sydney's best live bands and the inner west's most beloved food joints. Young Henrys have turned it to 11 this year, announcing the 2015 lineup this morning. Locked in for Saturday, September 19, at a new location at Sydney Park, Alexandria, Small Worlds will see Australian rock royalty The Church headline one heck of an Aussie bill. Formed in the inner west some 35 years ago, The Church will be burling out everything from 'Under the Milky Way' to new album gems. They'll be joined by Brisbane's face-melting lads DZ Deathrays, Sydney's long-labouring electronic barons PVT (celebrating ten years since releasing debut album Make Me Love You), Sydney supergroup Jack Ladder and the Dreamlanders (Jack Ladder, Kirin J. Callinan, Laurence Pike and Donny Benet), beloved wailers PALMS, haunting foursome All Our Exes Live In Texas, a SPOD-fronted Bon Scott era ACDC cover band called Bon Voyage and more. Plus, monthly artist showcasers VISIONS will kick things off with a mystery happening. Making sure you fill your belly between sets, the inner west's leading culinary crews are bringing their nosh to Small World: Mary’s, Bloodwood, Porteño and Black Betty. And of course, Young Henrys will keep punters well quenched on the day with their celebrated brews. SMALL WORLD FESTIVAL 2015 LINEUP: Jack Ladder & The Dreamlanders All Our Exes Live In Texas The Church DZ Deathrays PVT PALMS Bon Voyage Summer Flake Green Buzzard The Lulu Raes Local Artist Showcase (presented by Visions) Young Henrys Small World Festival is happening on Saturday, September 19 at Sydney Park, off Euston Road, Alexandria. Tickets are $69+BF, on sale Thursday, July 9 at 9am from the Small World website.
Kicking off with a light-hearted caper, ending with happy tears — that's what we look for in an Italian jaunt. And even if you're not heading over to Europe anytime soon, sitting in a cinema this September might be the next best thing, in the form of the 2017 Italian Film Festival. Marking its 18th year, Australia's annual celebration of Italy's filmmaking finest will kick off with screwball effort Let Yourself Go!, which won the 2017 Italian Golden Globe for best comedy, stars The Great Beauty's Toni Servillo, and follows a tightly wound psychoanalyst's dalliance with an upbeat personal trainer. Bookending the festival is a 20th anniversary screening of Roberto Benigni's bittersweet Life Is Beautiful, an Academy Award winner for best foreign language film. One of the more popular film events in Australia, IFF's 28-film, six-week national tour features brand new highlights, excursions off the beaten track, jaunts all over the country and an ode to coffee. Yes, there really is a film called Coffee in the program, which intertwines three tales about everyone's favourite caffeinated brew, and was inspired by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu's 2006 Oscar-winner Babel. As for the rest of the fest, highlights include the tender portrait of conjoined twin sisters that is Indivisible (the festival's centrepiece), to Sea Girls Dreaming, a documentary about carefree grandmothers living in the tiny Italian mountain village of Daone. Plus, Italian movie buffs can also enjoy romantic comedy Emma, which comes to Australia straight from the Venice Film Festival, and the based-on-a-true-tale Sicilian Ghost Story, about the disappeared teenage son of a Mafia informant. There's more where they came from, including Roman ex-cons attempting to start a new life, broad Christmas comedies and topical accounts of ex-terrorists fleeing extradition — and a special guest and a new initiative. This year's festival will welcome Australian-Italian actor Greta Scacchi, who'll attend screenings of her latest effort Tenderness, and sit on IFF's first jury. The Looking for Alibrandi star will help pick the festival's best from a six-film competition, with help from The Space Between's Ruth Borgobello, actor Daniela Farinacci, actor Damian Walshe-Howling and Radio National's Jason di Rosso. The 2017 Italian Film Festival tours Australia between September 12 and October 25, screening at Sydney's Palace Norton Street, Palace Verona and Chauvel Cinemas from September 12 to October 8; Melbourne's Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Kino Cinemas and The Astor Theatre from September 14 to October 8; and Brisbane's Palace Barracks and Palace Centro from September 20 to October 8. For more information and to buy tickets, visit the festival website.
With all due respect to them, the cast of Patti Cake$ don't look your average movie stars. And they certainly don't look like your average rappers. There's Cathy Moriarty as a pack-a-day smoking grandma, Mamoudou Athie as an awkward would-be anarchist, Siddharth Dhananjay as a smooth-talking pharmacy worker and, finally, Sydney's own Danielle MacDonald as Patricia Dumbrowski, aka Patti Cake$ aka White Trish aka KILLA P, a downtrodden woman who dreams of becoming a hip hop sensation. Of course, it's precisely because the film focuses on such an unconventional set of protagonists that this inspiring indie drama works so well. Written and directed by first-time filmmaker Geremy Jasper, who workshopped the film with his cast at the Sundance Directors Lab, Patti Cake$ is a classic underdog story — one that will have audiences cheering for its misfit heroes at every turn. "I think we all want to be represented," says MacDonald, her Aussie accent sounding nothing like Patti's New Jersey drawl. "We see what normality is on screen, but that's not really true to real life. I don't know any one person who would say that they're normal, quite honestly. And I think now that we're seeing different stories and different people on screen, it's really cool." After screening at the Sydney Film and Melbourne International Film festivals, Patti Cake$ is now in Australian cinemas. We spoke to MacDonald about how she went from Sydney's northern beaches to suddenly being the talk of LA. That, as well as the importance of on screen diversity, and what it's like being cast as a rapper when you have literally no idea how to rap. A STAR ON THE RISE Since Patti Cake$ premiered to a standing ovation at Sundance in January (prompting a bidding war between five major production companies — Fox Searchlight came out on top), critics have been singing MacDonald's praises — and rightfully so. But while it might seem like she appeared out of nowhere, the actor has been putting in the hard yards for quite some time. "I grew up in Clareville [a small suburb in Sydney's northern beaches]," she tells us. "I did acting classes in Sydney at the Australian Institute for the Performing Arts. I did some tours to America, just to learn about the industry out there, and one of the casting directors I met introduced me to my managers. My managers got me an audition, I moved to the States, and I've been there for seven years, working my way up." It was MacDonald's small part in indie thriller The East that caught the attention of Patti Cake$ director Jasper, who invited her — along with Dhananjay and Bridgett Everett, who play's Patti's alcoholic mother Barb — to help develop the project at the Sundance Labs in 2014. "That was kind of my audition process," MacDonald says. "It was really cool, because Geremy hadn't finished the writing process yet, and I feel like his writing was influenced by myself and Sid and Bridget. We all workshopped with him and kind of figured out who these characters were, based off this time that we got." HIP HOP 101 MacDonald displays phenomenal talent in the film, but even she admits her casting was a bit of a gamble. After all, it's one thing to teach an Aussie girl a Jersey accent, but it's another thing entirely to teach her how to rap. "I was terrified," she admits. "And I could tell [Jasper] was terrified as well." "It was a lot of repetition," MacDonald says of her hip hop training. "I listened to a lot of different artists, a lot of different songs and styles of music. On top of that I worked with a rap coach for a month before we started shooting. He really helped me sit in the beat nicely, and just relax into it and not stress about it, which you do when it's not a natural skill. He helped me find that." "I feel like so much of rapping is just confidence, and I had no confidence. Trying to get over that was very mentally challenging." When asked if rapping is now a skill she'll possess forever, MacDonald laughs. "I only know how to rap as Patti — I learnt how to do these songs in her voice and in her head. I would never be able to do it as me. With my voice and my no swag, it would go very badly." CONNECTING ON A HUMAN LEVEL Of the all the elements in Patti Cake$, it's the diverse characters that make the film so gratifying. "[They] reflect society," MacDonald remarks. "These are people of all different shapes and sizes and ethnicities and religions and genders, that all come together and connect just on a human level. Connecting "through their weirdness", MacDonald observes they're all outcasts in a way. "It's special. They find their own way of doing things," she says. "My small town in the northern beaches is very different to this small town in Jersey," MacDonald continues. "It's cool to be see something different and be able to play something different, but something that I can still relate to. And that's the thing. I think when you see these films and you can go, 'Oh I can relate to that person, even though they're so different from me', I think it really helps bring people together."
Vivid Sydney is really cranking it up this year. With a kaleidoscopic festival program of light, music and ideas, Vivid's 2016 plans will have you squealing over social and locking in dates — lights are on at 6pm May 27 through to June 18. Vivid Ideas is of course, back for the brainiacs among you — and this year it's bloody huge. Vivid Ideas curator Jess Scully revealed the mega lineup this morning, including House of Cards creator Beau Willimon and legendary US filmmaker Spike Jonze at the top of the bill. They'll be part of the popular 'Gamechangers' series, alongside Orange Is The New Black writer Jenji Kohan and creative wunderkind Margaret Zhang. Vivid LIVE is back again with one humdinger of a lineup, revealed by curator Ben Marshall. Ready? There'll be 15 Sydney-only performances, including legendary outfit New Order, heartbreak king Bon Iver, chameleonic gem Anohni, alongside Ezperanza Spalding, Polica, Max Richter, Haitus Kaiyote with Sampa the Great (!), Tiny Ruins, Deafheaven, Oneohtrix Point Never, Future Classic nights and more to be revealed. Vivid Music will expand again, with curator Stephen Ferris behind the wheel. In one heck of a slam dunk, Carriageworks will see a contemporary program in which none other than Bjork (BJORK!) launches a huge virtual reality project dubbed BJORK DIGITAL — a collaboration with some of the world's best filmmakers and programmers. To celebrate the opening, Bjork herself will travel to Sydney to curate a one-off music event at Carriageworks, where she'll DJ with special guests. Obviously, the lights are the bigwig here, the event millions of visitors descend upon Sydney for. Sydney Opera House will feature Australian Indigenous art with new and iconic contemporary works from Karla Dickens, Djon Mundine, Gabriella Possum Nungurrayi, Reko Rennie, Donny Woolagoodja, and the late Gulumbu Yunupingu. The Light Walk will return, with Sydney's building facades lighting up with spectacular artistry. The eastern side of the Harbour Bridge will be lit up for the first time and Taronga Zoo will play host to an illuminated animal trail, celebrating its 100th birthday. The Chatswood precinct will light up with WildLight, inspired by the animals of Gondwana, and Martin Place will see the technical debut from NIDA in Martin Place called Fountain, a giant installation of human birth rate data as 'water jets'. There's plenty more where that came from, check the Vivid Sydney website for more details.
There's a brand new eatery in Cronulla by the name of Blackwood Pantry. Opening last week, the cafe-restaurant is the domain of chef Rob Lechowicz, a local lad who's spent the last few years honing his skills in Michelin-starred establishments in London and Paris. Now he's taking everything he learnt abroad and bringing it back home. In the food department, expect an all-day menu made up of some seriously appetising dishes. The vegetarian Buddha Bowl is made with fried eggs, quinoa, kale, roasted cauliflower, picked red cabbage, toasted almonds, lemon and buttermilk dressing; while the 'Miss Piggy' consists of crispy pork belly, roasted peaches, chimichurri and goat's cheese on toasted ciabatta. You can also grab a range of gluten-free salads, including a roast beetroot number made with yellow beans, pickled onions, goat's cheese and toasted pistachio. Those of you with a sweet tooth can indulge in their daily pastry offerings, or even grab a fresh fruit paddle pop. Okay so technically that last item is on the kids menu, but we're sure they'll let you order one for yourself if you ask them nicely. Drink options include coffee, tea and a variety of fresh squeezed juices, plus a cookies and cream milkshake we can't wait to try for ourselves. If you're looking for something a little stronger, they've also got beer, wine and cocktails, as well as white sangria with peaches by the jug. Blackwood Pantry is located at 5/33 Surf Lane, Cronulla. For more information including operating hours visit www.blackwoodpantry.com.au. Via Good Food.
Norway’s capital Oslo has recently elected a leftist city government and they’re already implementing radical new plans that may soon see Norway grow more famous for its sustainable practices than its Viking history and fjords. Oslo's city centre is about to go car-free. By 2019, private vehicles will be banned from Oslo's CBD, where according to local press Verdans Gang, about 90,000 people work, but only 1000 live. The pedestrianisation of Oslo's centre is an attempt to reduce carbon emissions to 50 percent of 1990 levels by 2020. Don’t it bring a tear to your eye? Snaps for Oslo. The plan isn’t without controversy, obviously. The proposal has raised concerns for local businesses who worry the program will reduce the amount of shoppers out and about. Others have raised legitimate concerns that seniors, people with disabilities or families with young children will suffer without access to private transport. To counter, the city will allow vehicles with disabled stickers and zero-emissions vehicles on the roads, but ultimately the message is: if you’re able, you gotta use bike lanes or public transport. The city government also plans to supplement the scheme by building more bike lanes, subsidising the purchase of electric bikes and moving away from fossil fuel investments in pension funds. Around the world, many big cities are coming to the realisation that the only way to improve the health of the population and reduce urban pollution, is by reducing traffic rather than managing it. In September, Paris implemented a one-day scheme wherein large parts of the inner city were closed off from traffic for a day, including the iconic Champs Elysees (we’ve heard it’s a busy street, but maybe that’s thanks to all the traffic?). The Guardian reported Parisians walked around in awe of the quiet, clean air, with one citizen even saying “Everyone seems to be smiling, and not as stressed,” (awww bless). In Seoul, a forward-thinking city government in 2003 ripped up a highway to execute a plan to restore the Cheonggyecheon stream, which runs through the centre of the city and was laden with pollution and debris. The restoration meant getting rid of an overland highway that ran along the stream and carried a huge amount of traffic. What their traffic engineers found however instead of acting as a liquid and clogging adjacent streets, the traffic acted as a gas and contacted to fill the space available. It seems that highways follow the same basic principles as baseball fields — if you build it, they will come. Another stellar example comes from Curitiba in Brazil, otherwise known as the Green City. In 1972, architect Jamie Lerner was elected as mayor and his first act was to physically blockade a major traffic artery in the heart of the city, without approval from anyone but himself, and restore it for pedestrian use. Total baller. The coup took less than 72 hours and was the first of many environmentally sustainable initiatives that have rendered Curitiba a shining example of smart, cheap design. And now, fingers crossed, Australia is looking to follow suit. Long term plans for Sydney’s George Street include reclaiming a large portion of it for pedestrian use. Brisbane’s controversial City Centre Master Plan aims to pedestrianise Albert Street to create a 'green spine' from one side of the city to the other. Yassss. Onya ‘Straya. Now if you’d just bump down the price of public transport and we’ll be all gravy. Via The Guardian. Images: Dollar Photo Club/City of Sydney.
In light of the devastation caused by this season's bushfires and the ongoing long-term drought felt throughout the state, the Taronga Conservation Society Australia invites you to take a moment to reflect and focus on what's to come at a guided group meditation. Mindful Mornings at Taronga will be a chance for the community to gather and support Taronga Zoo's ongoing response to the bushfire crisis, with proceeds from the events going towards the Taronga Wildlife Crisis Appeal. Plus, you'll get to hear more about what the zoo is doing to help the thousands of injured Australian animals. Over three mornings — on Friday, March 6; Sunday, March 8; and Sunday, March 29 — Nicho Plowman will lead you through a 25-minute meditation aimed at calming minds. Plowman is a vedic meditation teacher and co-founder of the app Insight Timer. The meditation will then be followed by a talk with a keeper about Taronga's commitment to supporting wildlife. Tickets are $55 per person and include all-day zoo entry so you can make a day of it with a visit to meet the koalas, elephants, tree kangaroos and more. CORRECTION: FEBRUARY 18, 2020 — This article previously stated that the meditation session would run for 90 minutes, but this is incorrect. It will run for 25 minutes and will be followed by a talk with a Taronga keeper. The above copy has been updated to reflect this.
Strolls around the city have been much brighter in recent weeks, all thanks to the addition of some unexpected blooms. The CBD's grey, concrete streets have had a makeover as a part of the City of Sydney's twice-yearly 'Living Colour' floral display project, taking over Martin Place, Green Square, Town Hall, Alfred Street and the forecourt outside St Mary’s cathedral. But as the plants have been blooming since September, these flowers need a new home. Want some more snapdragons, celosia, golden marjoram and bromeliads in your life? On Sunday, November 8 from 8am, St Mary's Cathedral will be the spot to snag some cut-price botanical beauties. For just a gold coin donation, you'll be able to take home everything from petunias to curly parsley. Best of all, all funds raised will be heading directly to the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation. Add some colour to your own space and feel good about it too. Who could resist adopting these little blooms that've seen it all? People can pick up plants from St Marys Cathedral forecourt on College Street from 8am on Sunday, November 8 while stocks last.
Just when you thought you'd kicked back on every secluded beach in Sydney and plunged into every unusual swimming hole, another beach appears, just like that. Its name is MacKenzies and it's one of the teeniest-tiniest strips of sand in Australia, if not the world. In fact, it's so small that sometimes it's not there at all. Confused? Well, here's the lowdown. MacKenzies is a tucked away bay in the Eastern Suburbs, found about 100 metres north of Tamarama. Most of the time, its shoreline is made up of rocks and nothing but rocks. But, every now and again, enough sand washes up that it qualifies as a beach. And that's just what's happened over the past day or two. The bay goes from this... ...to this: If you get yourself down there for a bit of an explore, do take care. Underwater is laced with jagged rocks and the surf is rough and rippy. Swimming isn't particularly recommended. Images: Dave Keeshan.
They streaked in their Birkenstocks, now they're headed our way. Portlandians Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks are touring Australia this March, hitting Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Hobart, Adelaide and Wollongong, with guest appearances at Perth International Arts Festival and Melbourne Zoo Twilights and Golden Plains. The band describes their 2015 tour plans to be "a rambunctious and raucous bunch of shows", so gear up for one humdinger of a shindig. Fresh off the back of their most recent (and wonderfully-named) album, Wig Out at Jagbags, the Oregon-based crew are bringing their playful, intelligent rock-pop to your town. Jeff Rosenstock from Alternative Press rated the Wig Out album four stars, stating "this album is full of so much life and melody that it stands as a refreshing alternative to the increasingly homogeneous state of indie rock." Letterman thought they were "lovely" after their debut performance. Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks will play two Sydney shows before jetting off to Victoria for Golden Plains — Tuesday, March 3 at Newtown Social Club (SOLD OUT), then Wednesday March 4 at Goodgod Small Club.
Contemporary art fans are in for a treat this March. Sydney Art Month is returning for another year with a stellar line-up of talks, tours, and exhibitions across the city. The fun doesn't end when the sun goes down — quite the opposite, actually. Art at Night gives you after-dark access to the city's premier galleries and creative spaces for free, followed by some epic after-parties. So, clear your calendar, grab your mates, download an Art Month precinct map, and get ready for some artsy adventuring. The Art at Night program takes over three precincts throughout Sydney for one night only. It kicks off in Redfern and Chippendale on March 1, then it moves on to East Sydney on March 8 and finishes up in Paddington and Woollahra on March 15. In Paddington and Woollahra, one of the city's original art precincts, you can expect massive sculptures from Sri Lankan-born, Sydney-based artist Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran. These explicitly political works explore issues of gender, religion, and sex in a unique and enticing format. As well, look out for artist Rosie Deacon — she'll be constructing a large, site-specific work that plays with kitsch, colour and spectacle of obsession. Galleries on the trail include COMA, Sabia Gallery, and Wagner Contemporary. End the night with music and drinks at the Cake Wines after-party (that takes place at the Paddington Uniting Church). The Art at Night Paddington/Woollahra trail will run from 6-8pm, followed by the Cake Wines Art Bar at the UNSW Art + Design Building on Greens Rd, Paddington, from 7.30-10.30pm.
This stirring piece by famed Indonesian choreographer Eko Supriyanto explores the diverse roles women play in the country's society. With choreography inspired by traditional Indonesian martial arts, and performed by five young female dancers from the remote coastal town of Jailolo, Balabala will pull at your heartstrings and challenge your perceptions. Balabala will be performed at Carriageworks from January 7-10. This is a world premiere show at Sydney Festival 2017. Check out more world firsts coming to the festival over here.
Feel like greening up your life with and giving a little back to your city while you're at it? Good news. The City of Sydney is giving away one thousand trees next month, with the aim of increasing the size of the city’s urban canopy while promoting green action— all while helping you tick something off your bucket list. To nab your free tree, be at Sydney Park Road car park in St Peters on Saturday, March 12 from 10am. Like all good community weekend events, there'll be a tasty, tasty barbecue and experts on hand to give you planting, fertilising and nurturing tips. There'll be small or medium trees in native, exotic, evergreen and deciduous varieties, to ensure you find your perfect match. The free tree giveaway is only available to people living in Alexandria, Annandale, Barangaroo, Beaconsfield, Camperdown, Centennial Park, Chippendale, Darlinghurst, Darlington, Dawes Point, Elizabeth Bay, Erskineville, Eveleigh, Forest Lodge, Glebe, Haymarket, Millers Point, Moore Park, Newtown, Paddington, Potts Point, Pyrmont, Redfern, Rosebery, Rushcutters Bay, St Peters, Surry Hills, Sydney, The Rocks, Ultimo, Waterloo, Woolloomooloo and Zetland. Make sure you bring along proof of residence, like a bank statement or driver's licence. The City of Sydney's Tree Giveaway is happening on Saturday, March 12 from 10am at the Sydney Park Road car park. For more information, go here.
Remember when Big Poppa's head chef Liam O' Driscoll cooked us up a feast of epic proportions? We sure do. To celebrate the launch of the KitchenAid Mini in Australia, we created a Mini Dinners video series and asked two of our favourite chefs to throw a dinner party and cook up three courses of their favourite food. Obviously, O'Driscoll stayed true to his Big Poppa's menu and cooked three courses of simple, rustic Italian food. He's given us his recipes so you can recreate the dishes at home. The Big Poppa's food philosophy is all about using fresh, local produce and letting it speak for itself. You're not allowed to do anything fancy, because if the produce is great to begin with you won't need to. Make sure everything you cook with is of the highest quality. If you've sat down and dined at Big Poppa's upstairs restaurant you'll know this is a big deal. Treat these recipes with respect. HAND CUT TAGLIATELLE WITH GLOBE ARTICHOKE, PARMIGIANO-REGGIANO, PANGRATTATO AND SALMORIGLIO INGREDIENTS PASTA 500g '00' flour or plain flour plus a little extra for rolling 3 whole eggs 4 egg yolks 20ml olive oil pinch of salt ARTICHOKES 8 artichokes 2 lemons 2 cloves garlic sprig thyme PANGRATTATO 2 cup of home made bread crumbs (made from day old white ciabatta or sourdough) 2 cloves garlic finely chopped 1/2 bunch of parsley chopped 2 lemons zested SALMORIGLIO 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 3 sprigs rosemary chopped 1/2 bunch oregano chopped 1/2 bunch flat leaf parsley chopped 1 teaspoon salt zest of 1 lemon 2 garlic cloves, minced dash of freshly ground black pepper METHOD PASTA Place all ingredients into the bowl of the KitchenAid Mini with the dough hook attachment and mix on speed setting 4 for around 4 minutes, or until dough starts to form a ball Remove dough to a lightly floured bench and knead until dough comes together and has a uniform consistency (the dough should spring back a little if pressed with thumb) Wrap tight in cling film and place in fridge for 30 min Remove from fridge and rest dough for 20 min Unwrap dough a cut into 4 pieces On a lightly floured bench roll each piece out with rolling pin Take 1 piece of rolled out dough and feed through the KitchenAid Mini pasta rolling attachment on setting 10, continue to feed dough through roller decreasing the setting 1 mark at a time, until you reach the 0 setting, Lightly dust finished pasta sheet at set aside Repeat process till all sheets are rolled out. Stack sheets on top of each other and slice with a sharp knife into 2cm strips Set cut pasta aside covered with tea towel until ready to cook ARTICHOKES Snap back tough outer leaves until you begin to expose the pale yellow ones. Trim top off and pare down the leaves which cover the base of the heart and trim stem down till the pale yellow is showing Cut Artichokes in half lengthways and with a spoon scoop out the choke and place artichokes in water mixed with a small amount of vinegar or lemon juice to stop oxidisation In a large pot of cold water place the lemons that have been cut in half, garlic, thyme and artichokes, simmer until the base of the artichokes can easily be pieced with knife Strain and set aside, when cooled slice each half in two PANGRATTATO Bring 1/2 cup oil to medium heat in heavy based frypan, add bread crumbs and toast a light golden colour. At this stage add garlic, lemon zest and parsley, and continue to toast until golden brown Remove pangrattato from pan using a slotted spoon on to a baking try lined with paper towel, and let drain of excess oil and cool SALMORIGLIO Place all ingredients in the KitchenAid Mini food processor attachment and blitz BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER Bring large pot of salted water to the boil and add pasta, cook for 2 min, add artichokes to water with pasta and cook for a further minute, strain and place in large mixing bowl with the salmoriglio, season with salt and pepper and mix Divide between 4-6 bowls and grate parmigiano-reggiano over each portion Top with pangrattato FLAT IRON STEAK TAGLIATA WITH CONFIT GARLIC BUTTER, TREVISO AND POTATO AL FORNO INGREDIENTS 1 kg flat iron steak, if unavailable flank or thick skirt can be substituted 1.5 kg waxy potatoes 2 heads of treviso or radicchio 3 sprigs rosemary 2 lemons 250g unsalted butter 1 head garlic 1 cup veg oil 1/4 cup chopped parsley salt pepper good quality Australian extra virgin olive oil METHOD BUTTER Place peeled garlic cloves in small pot with vegetable oil and heat at a low temperature until garlic is soft and starting to caramelise. Strain garlic and let cool In the KitchenAid Mini beat butter with paddle attachment and some salt until soft and pale in colour, add garlic and and parsley and mix until combined Take a sheet of foil and place a sheet of baking paper over this, spoon butter onto paper and then roll into a log twisting both ends until tight and butter feels firm Place butter log in fridge or freezer until firm Remove from fridge, unwrap and cut into 2cm wheels THE REST With are sharp knife thinly slice the potatoes into rounds and place slices overlapping each other into an oiled, deep, heavy based ceramic or glass baking dish. Drizzle with oil and season with salt and pepper and add water but do not cover potatoes with liquid Bake in oven at 200 celsius for 30 min Add rosemary leaves and continue to bake for a further 15min or until potatoes are cooked and golden brown Slice treviso lengthways into quarters and place on baking tray, drizzle with oil and season wit salt and pepper, roast for 10-15 min Season steak and bring a non-stick frypan up to smoking with a little oil, cook steak for approx 3-4 minutes on each side till a nice crust forms Remove steak and rest for 3min before slicing across the grain and serving on plate or board with butter crumbled on top and lemons cheeks, and treviso on side TORRONE SEMIFREDDO WITH DOLCE LATTE INGREDIENTS 2 cups heavy cream 1/4 cup good quality honey 225g hard hazelnut or almond torrone, finely chopped (Torrone is an Italian nougat made with honey, egg whites, sugar and nuts) 1 can of sweetened condensed milk METHOD In a deep pot place the can of condensed milk, cover the can with water and bring to a steady simmer for 3-4 hours. (Be sure to keep an eye on water level and top up pot to avoid water level dropping below the top of the can. The cans may explode if not fully submerged). After 3-4 hours remove can with tongs and set aside In a large bowl, whip the cream with the honey until firm. Fold in the chopped torrone. Transfer the mixture to a large, deep plastic container and press a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface. Freeze until firm. Spoon semifreddo into bowls and open the can of condensed milk. Thanks to science it will have magically transformed into delicious caramel. Spoon caramel over semifreddo and enjoy Images: Samantha Hawker and Bodhi Liggett.
Gourmet providores Salt Meats Cheese may soon be forced to add another food group to their name, with the upcoming launch of a brand new patisserie at their site in Alexandria. Set to open on August 1, the new concept store and bakery will supply freshly made breads, cakes and pastries to SMC venues around Sydney, while also selling directly to the public. Just imagine all the ways they'll be able to incorporate Nutella. Located at 21 Fountain Street, the patisserie will be headed by chef Laurence Pagano, who spent eight years training under the legendary Adriano Zumbo before managing the patisserie at Mercato and Cucina. "This is a new chapter in my career and I'm excited to be joining the vibrant team at Salt Meats Cheese to create a signature range of cakes and sweets that's on a whole new level," said Pagano. In addition to functioning as a patisserie during the day, Salt Meats Cheese Alexandria will be available as an event space, and will play host to cooking classes on weekday evenings and on the weekend. According to SMC co-director Stefano De Blasi, "the shop will be open every day for walk-ins to buy the freshly baked cakes and pastries and this new venue will enable us to host three times the number of guests and cooking classes per week to meet demand." Last but not least, the venue will be the home of The Chef's Table Restaurant, a new Italian offering featuring an ever-changing seasonal menu. Find Salt Meats Cheese Patisserie at 21 Fountain Street, Alexandria. For more information stay tuned to their Facebook or visit www.saltmeatscheese.com.au.
"I always quote Einstein, who said that if an idea is not at first absurd, then there's no hope for it," says artist Konstantin Dimopoulos. "I guess what Einstein meant was that normal ideas don't go anywhere." Einstein may very well have been onto something. As a general rule, human beings tend to be attracted to things outside of the ordinary, and are more likely to consider big ideas if they're delivered in a way that grabs our attention. It's for this reason that Dimopolous, intent on generating discussion about deforestation, is colouring the trees in Pyrmont's leafy Pirrara Park a radioactive shade of blue. Part of this year's Art and About program in Sydney, The Blue Trees is actually an ongoing project, with Melbourne-based Dimopoulos having previously tampered with the foliage in a number of global cities including London, Vancouver and Seattle. Ahead of its debut in Sydney, we spoke with the artist about what he hopes audiences will make of his endeavour, and the importance of public artwork in shaping the way people think. Where did the idea for The Blue Trees come from? "I moved from New Zealand to Australia in 2003, and what we don't have in Wellington is a lot of trees, because it's so windy. So the first thing I saw was the amazing trees. Then I got to talk to people from [Melbourne community-based activist organisation] Friends of the Earth. One person who'd just come back from South East Asia showed me images of huge deforestation. I remember his comment was 'I wish we could get it on the front page of the newspapers instead of just a postscript.' "I've always had in the back of my mind the idea of social art. And it comes from people like Joseph Beuys, the German artist. It's using art to highlight issues that happen outside of that arena. We're highlighting, through colour and through art, a hugely serious issue of global deforestation." So once you've decided to make art about deforestation, how do you settle on colouring trees blue? "That is a question that I really don't have an answer to. I was walking by the MCG, and the way they set the trees, they're on both sides of the road, and they almost create this church-like canopy over the top of you, and the trunks are like the pillars. And I saw that and for some reason I had this idea of blue trees. I don’t know what it was. "It's such a bizarre colour for a tree, and that was the idea. You colour something completely different from what people expect. I've said to people that if I coloured them brown, nobody would care. It's about creating something that has a magical quality that makes people stop. And it's not just a blue, but an electric blue. When people see it on my website they think it's been photoshopped. It almost looks like it's glowing, or like it's some form of radiation." It really does look quite unnatural. "That's exactly it. It looks unnatural. But what we're trying to say is that the real unnaturalness is when you have human beings destroying huge amounts of forest without any thought that we're changing the environment and the ecosystem. And once that habitat goes, [animals] disappear. We don't think about that. We tend to think that we're the top dog. "There are statistics, which I won't go too much in to, but there was one recently from a guy called Matt Hansen, a professor at the University of Maryland, who said that we lose 50 football fields of forest every minute... These forests have no voices. What I'm trying to do is raise a voice." What has the reaction to the work been like in other cities? "Often you can put the most non-toxic of artwork out there, and there'll be someone who dislikes it. People don't have any opinions on life and death, but they have opinions on public sculpture. So whenever you create a public work, there's always someone asking why we've spent money on it. But art is where ideas come from. It's an artistic process. Whether it's Steve Jobs or Picasso, ideas come from that point of wanting to create something. It'd be much cheaper if we removed all the architecture, and all the sculpture, and all the landscape from a community, and just concreted everything. But the people who change the world love theatre, love music, love architecture, love public art. "I'll give you a quote from Warren Buffett, who said 'I don't know the secret to success, but the secret to failure is trying to please everyone.' Public art isn't going to do that, and The Blue Trees isn't going to do that. But what it does is raise awareness. And it isn't possible for me not to do something when you hear the statistics about global deforestation. As an artist, I'd rather be in the ring throwing the punches than be one of the observers sitting and booing." The Blue Trees will be coloured by the community from 10am – 4pm on Saturday March 5. More details over here. Images: Nikki To.
Sydney mega-restaurateur and MasterChef hanger-on Matt Moran is taking over ownership of the Abercrombie Hotel. Located on the corner of Abercrombie Street and Broadway, the iconic Chippendale venue, officially known as The Australian Hotel, was renowned for its sticky floors and raucous club nights, but ceased operation in 2014. A resurrection has been on the cards for a while now, with Moran's company Solotel Hospitality Group inking the deal this week. Just don't expect the return of S.A.S.H. or Purple Sneakers. "Our refurbishment of The Australian Hotel will see the pub restored to its original art-deco glory including its rear courtyard beer garden," said Solotel co-owner Bruce Solomon. "Solotel will deliver a contemporary expression within the original heritage character of the pub reminiscent of this bygone era whilst ensuring its seamless integration into the broader Central Park precinct." In addition to the main building, Moran and Solomon have acquired the three adjacent terrace houses facing Abercrombie Street, with an eye to opening a European-style wine bar. With work on final Central Park plans still ongoing, however, neither venue is expected to begin trading before 2018. Moran is but the latest in a string of high-profile chefs to dip his toes into the publican game this year. Iceberg's Maurice Terzini recently took over The Dolphin in Surry Hills, while Guillaume Brahimi is revamping the dining room at Paddington's The Four in Hand.
If you haven't heard of Shenanigans Brewing Company, this Sydney Craft Beer Week event should be at the top of your list. If you have heard of them, then we're sure it's already at the top of your list. Combine one of our personal favourite Sydney brewers with The Hive Bar, one of the best small bars in the city, and you've got yourself one serious Sunday session. The event will include a special SCBW beer launch, along with specially paired dishes and beer-inspired cocktails.
During the working week, time away from your desk is a rare and precious commodity. We're all guilty of killing time mindlessly trawling the web, but as excellent as cat GIFs may be there's far more exciting things we could be doing on our coffee break. Make even the shortest of respites count and carve out time in your day for a bit of adventure, whether it's a morning mission or an after-work moment to blow off steam. Take the break you, as a hardworking human being, deserve. [caption id="attachment_537982" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Barangaroo Delivery Authority.[/caption] TAKE A WALK ALONG BARANGAROO RESERVE If you work in the city and are looking to step out and clear your head, go check out Barangaroo Reserve. Starting at Circular Quay, if you keep up a brisk pace you should have time to explore some of the finger wharfs and the foreshore at Barangaroo. Once a concrete slab, the area now boasts tiered lawns sectioned off by 6500 sandstone blocks — and of course a harbour backdrop. If you've got the time, it's a transformation worth checking out. And, from January 7-29, a giant ball pit will be set up at The Cutaway as part of Sydney Festival for you to jump into. [caption id="attachment_531698" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Centred Meditation.[/caption] MEDITATE We've all experienced those work days where it feels like you're devoting more energy to keeping your rage at bay than you are to the task at hand. On those days, more than any other, you need to take a break. If you're in dire need of a bit of zen, Centred Meditation offers 30-minute meditation classes in the centre of the city. And if you're struggling to achieve inner calm, don't stress, you can always squeeze in a quick nap before heading back to the office. If it will stop you from having a rage blackout, it's $16 well spent. [caption id="attachment_583596" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Endota Spa.[/caption] GET A MORNING MASSAGE It may be decadent, but it's hard to think of a better way to break up your morning than with a quick massage. Endota spas are located across Sydney and offer 30-minute massages for around $65. But if you want to achieve peak relaxation in a short amount of time, Nature's Energy's Bath House in Balmain is where it's at. Don't let the unassuming shopfront fool you, hidden out the back is a hot and cold spa, a sauna and a steam room. Only $28 for 30 minutes, you'll be on cloud nine for the rest of the day. LISTEN TO A PODCAST Walking the streets of Sydney these days you need to keep your wits about you or risk running into someone blindly trying to catch them all. Along with the added benefit of making it through your break injury-free, listening to a podcast means you can also enjoy your surrounds. Find your nearest park, or better yet a local dog park — pup time and podcasts, the ultimate combo — and simply sit and listen. Our picks are Girls creator Lena Dunham's series Women of the Hour, Dinner Party Download and Conversations with Richard Fidler, a podcast devoted to telling the stories of interesting people, famous or otherwise. TAKE A GUILT-FREE SNACK BREAK Anything you eat from Gratia in Surry Hills is by definition guilt-free. Gratia donates 100 percent of their profits to charity — 50 percent to a charity nominated by their customers and 50 percent to a long-standing charity of their choosing. So, when the mid-morning hunger pangs strike — or you're simply looking for an excuse to get away from your desk — do the right thing, don't resist the call of the protein pancakes topped with rhubarb, ginger honey and goats cheese ($16). Once you're fed, head upstairs to Folonomo Gallery, where 100 percent of the profits go to a charity of the exhibiting artist's choosing.
Sydneysiders, prepare to take your love of the outdoors to its fanciest extreme. You'll get some fresh air, party by the ocean and swing a mallet like your life depends on it. That's right — the Royal Croquet Club will soon be making its New South Wales debut. After wowing Adelaide since 2013 and popping up in Melbourne and Brisbane earlier this year, March 24, 2016 marks Sydney's turn to enjoy an all-ages festival dedicated to the pastime many might associate with cult '80s teen flick Heathers. But the Royal Croquet Club isn't just about whacking balls around. Think 11 days of food, drinks, music and more good vibes than you can shake a croquet club at — which is an option here, clearly. Event organizers are keeping tight-lipped about the food and entertainment lineup, so we'll refrain from wild speculation. Based on what they put together for Brisbane, however, you should probably be getting excited. Games, sun, shade, tunes, food by local vendors and cocktails that won't stop flowing. What more could anyone possibly want? The Royal Croquet Club hits Bondi Park from March 24 to April 3. For more information, visit their website and Facebook page.
Australian dance theatre company Force Majeure creates theatrical movement-based storytelling that really is unforgettable. We're still recovering from the tour de force of 2018's You Animal, You, programmed as part of Sydney Festival, and its latest show has us just as hyped. Inspired by the themes of Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, the world premiere production prods questions about human survival, ageing and environmental destruction — so, just the little things. And performers Pamela Rabe, Paul Capsis and Olwen Fouéré will be joined by 13 young performers to tussle with those intergenerational questions.
After nearly five decades roaming the globe and shooting images, American photographer and icon Roger Ballen is finally coming to Sydney to hold a major solo exhibition at the Sydney College of the Arts. His show, which coincides with the 20th Biennale of Sydney, is a retrospective of 75 works from the last two decades and has been carefully curated by SCA Dean at the University of Sydney, Colin Rhodes. Aptly titled Roger Ballen’s Theatre of the Mind, the show will feature new work inspired by the SCA site’s history as a mental asylum. The new work will be on show in the underground cells so bring your best scream and a spooky ghost preparedness kit too. Although Ballen has spent five decades pursuing photography and travelling extensively through South Africa, he’s best known by the younger generation for the Die Antwoord video clip for 'I Fink U Freaky'. Ballen collaborated with Die Antwoord to produce a clip that brings his still-life photography work to life and references elements of his unique, bleak and uncanny imagery. The clip has been viewed in excess of 76 million times, pushing Ballen into favour with digital natives and Die Antwoord fans everywhere. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Uee_mcxvrw[/embed] But outside of this wildly successful contemporary collab, Ballen is an old-school film photographer and possibly the last of his kind. His work is shot in black and white because he believes it to be an abstraction on the way we naturally perceive the world (that is, in colour). Often photographers have an affinity for reflecting the world around them, turning the lens outward and sometimes hiding behind the lens. Interestingly, Ballen has frequently noted that the motivation for his work is a journey of self-discovery, a "fundamentally… psychological and existential journey". Roger Ballen's Theatre of the Mind descends upon Sydney College of the Arts from March 16 to April 30 at Sydney College of the Arts, Callan Park, Rozelle. Images: Roger Ballen, still from 'I Fink U Freeky' video, Die Antwoord 2012; Caged, 2011; Mirrored, 2012; Bewitched, 2012. Images courtesy of the artist.
Yoga and craft beer is taking hold in Sydney this month, starting with Wawyard's Brewhouse yoga and now Urban Yoga's Detox to Retox, a class combining yoga and, you guessed it, craft beer. It's a men's only class, and while we usually wouldn't promote a 'boys club', we have to give kudos to the studio for their attempt to get more men into yoga. Yoga is for everyone, after all, as is craft beer. Advertised as "an event for the dudes", the $35 class will take you through a 60-minute yoga 'detox', followed by a 'retox' including a craft beer tasting, table tennis and other surprise activities. Urban Yoga is an ultra modern Surry Hills studio, promoted as "yoga with a pulse". Their classes are designed to effectively clear your mind while limiting the intimidation factor. It'll be an unlikely guys night out, but thirst quenching all the same. Tickets are available through Eventbrite.
From the perfume that reminds you of a particular person to the scent of freshly-baked cookies that brings you back to your childhood kitchen, our noses play a key role in our most treasured (and not so treasured) recollections. In her innovative installation Scent of Sydney, Cat Jones encourages us to use our olfactory system to gain a new understanding of our city. Exploring themes like democracy and resistance, this immersive piece will give you a fresh perspective on the metropolis we call home. You can see the installation from January 7 to 29, but it's closed on Mondays. Talks by Cat Jones are on January 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, and 25. It's all free to attend. This is a world premiere show at Sydney Festival 2017. Check out more world firsts coming to the festival over here.
This March, the National Gallery of Victoria hosted a symposium to accompany the opening of its splendid 200 Years of Australian Fashion exhibition. Industry insiders, curators and commentators reflected on the question: 'What is Australian fashion?' — something we did too. It was a masterstroke on the part of symposium organisers to include the designers behind cult Melbourne label DI$COUNT, Cami James and Nadia Napreychikov. A more obvious choice would have been to invite the Australian scene's currently reigning faces — think Young Turks, Anna Plunkett and Luke Sales of Romance Was Born. Nevertheless, James and Napreychikov provided a level of insight about fashion that would come as no surprise to fans of their long running blog — but could have surprised a few industry figures. Why? Why has DI$COUNT been so popular with their fans, but has been left out of so many Australian fashion conversations? We took a stroll through 200 Years of Australian Fashion to find out where this bold, highly original label sits in the Aussie design landscape. THEY LEAPFROGGED FASHION WEEK AND MADE FRIENDS WITH THE INTERNET A stroll through the NGV's seriously delightful exhibition reveals just how varied Australian fashion, particularly in the late 20th century, has been. As a result, the NGV symposium panel members were hesitant to spout generalisations. For James and Napreychikov, the notion of defining DI$COUNT in terms of national boundaries would be especially wrongheaded. Even before the pair had finished their studies at RMIT, they were receiving and disseminating ideas about fashion in a global context (thanks to that wonderful beast, The Internet). This interweb-fluency can probably account for DI$COUNT's rapid international success, despite the label having leapfrogged certain channels traditionally traversed by up-and-coming Aussie designers, such as presenting at Australian Fashion Week and being picked up by one of the big two department stores. Indeed, given the nature of James and Napreychikov's designs, it's possible that avoiding the beaten path was a wise move. The spiciest part of the symposium came when the two designers noted (with appropriate disdain) that their wares have been featured in every international Vogue magazine — save the Australian edition. If only the symposium's audience (myself included) had had the cojones to question Vogue Australia's deputy editor, Sophie Tedmanson, who was a member of the next session's panel, about this curious oversight. Then again, the omission by Australian Vogue (which seems to be in competition with its US counterpart for the title of Most Soporific Vogue) is unsurprising. The heavily sequined, badass imagery with which DI$COUNT has made its name is a world away from Australian fashion's Serious Designers — think Dion Lee, Toni Matičevski and (since his Spring/Summer 2015/16 collection) Michael Lo Sordo. There's no doubt that the work of these designers is exquisite, intelligent, and entirely deserving of the local fashion media's attention. Still, one wonders why there isn't room for coverage of both the beautiful and the brash in our local mags. [caption id="attachment_566976" align="alignnone" width="1200"] YouTube.[/caption] AUSTRALIAN VOGUE HASN'T FEATURED THEM, BUT THE ART AND MUSIC WORLD HAS It's a relief that the Australian art world has picked up the local fashion establishment's slack.Within the NGV's exhibition itself, DI$COUNT is represented by a truly gorgeous trompe l'oeil beaded bodysuit, originally worn by Kimbra at the 2012 ARIAs. An adaptation of the piece was later created by James and Napreychikov for Katy Perry. The bodysuit is DI$COUNT at its exuberant, witty and glittering best. Perry's version (which the popstar wore on her Prismatic tour during renditions of 'Birthday') included sweet smiling balloons on her boobs, cake on the cooch and DI$COUNT's trademark (ahem, more on that later) eyes on the hips. The ready-to-wear DI$COUNT line includes pared down versions of such couture-level creations. The label's loyal following and impressive sales come despite the few concessions made in their designs to the traditional notions of wearability that RTW supposedly demands (see for example the currently-stocked high cut briefs entirely covered in hand-sewn sequins). Densely sequined garments constitute some of DI$COUNT's most recognisable designs. Of course, figural representation in beading isn't exactly new in western fashion history, and antecedents to DI$COUNT designs can be found in the work of Elsa Schiaparelli, Patrick Kelly, Geoffrey Beene, and Gianni Versace. Apart from their inherently satisfying tactile qualities, sequins bring to the table a lot of fashion baggage concerning conceptions of bad taste, camp and luxury. Crucially, these are ideas that James and Napreychikov have given plenty of thought to, and as designers they're really more Leigh Bowery than Bob Mackie. Incidentally, there was a moment during the symposium when James and Napreychikov mentioned that they will eventually move on from sequins. NO! [caption id="attachment_566979" align="alignnone" width="1280"] MTV.[/caption] THEY'VE BEEN ROYALLY RIPPED OFF The problem, of course, for designers who focus on surface decoration (including beading and print) is the ease with which your ideas can be ripped off. This happened to James and Napreychikov most famously when Miley Cyrus (who had previously been a conspicuous DI$COUNT fangirl) performed with dancers at the 2015 MTV awards wearing evil eye-emblazoned costumes that MTV itself initially attributed to the Australian label (spoiler: they weren't DI$COUNT). This wasn't the first time that James and Napreychikov had dealt with this kind of thing. In 2010, the label twitter-slammed celebrity jack of all trades, Ruby Rose, for designing a pair of studded denim shorts for her Milk & Honey Collection, which bore a remarkable resemblance to a DI$COUNT pair she herself had previously worn. A more cynical designer might have seen the Miley episode as an opportunity to gain valuable media coverage. Similarly, other labels might have judged it unwise to publicly accuse Ruby Rose of plagiarism, given her status as one of the few Australian celebrities who will even dip their toe in the pool of experimental fashion. Instead, James and Napreychikov's response to Cyrus' performance, via Instagram, included the lines, "The one thing you can't TAKE and get away with is someone's IDENTITY. We know it might be risky for us career-wise to comment on this, but if we didn't, it would mean that we stand for NOTHING." The highly manicured world of fashion seldom sees such raw emotions put on display for all to see. THEY KEEP ON KEEPIN' ON, RIGHT INTO RIHANNA'S WARDROBE Creative souls generally recover from such unfortunate incidents ("It is much more disheartening to have to steal than to be stolen from,"), and, indeed, James and Napreychikov continue to go from strength to strength. (Rihanna's wearing of their YOU DON'T OWN ME/ I WILL NEVER FEAR YOU dress, has to be one of the most moving pop culture/ fashion moment of recent times). That the NGV recognised DISCOUNT, firstly by including their work in the exhibition, but also, and perhaps more significantly, by including James and Napreychikov in the symposium, elevated the discourse of Australian fashion. Despite the fact that their designs don't adhere to mainstream notions of elegance and beauty, James and Napreychikov are both extraordinarily talented and earnest about the very idea of fashion as an intellectual pursuit. So put em on your cover, Vogue, yeah? Get a good dose of DI$COUNT in Kimbra's video for '90s Music'. Top image: Miley Cyrus for DI$COUNT UNIVERSE by Terry Richardson.
The solar battery industry is still very much in its infancy, but already there's an Aussie upstart taking the challenge to a major brand. The Brisbane-based, Indigenous-owned AllGrid Energy is currently offering its ten kilowatt-hour home battery at a rate significantly cheaper than Tesla's much-touted Powerwall, which is due to enter the local market next year. Like the Powerwall, the AllGrid GridWatt system stores power collected by solar panels, and according to the company can reduce your reliance on the national power grid by up to 75 percent. The system costs $12,000, which they say comes in at about 30 per cent less than the Tesla option – although due to its reliance on old lead acid gel batteries, the system must be installed outside. AllGrid currently services Queensland and South Australia, and sees remote indigenous communities as a potential area for growth. "Obviously as an Indigenous company working with Indigenous communities, it’s a really big area of traction for us," AllGrid marketing manager Deborah Oberon told The Guardian. The company plans to train Indigenous electricians to help install the units, with the hope that they could be used to replace costly diesel generators. "Once Tesla's system is available in February, that will be the moment that the game really starts to change...with the coverage and publicity that a company like Tesla get, we’re really confident the market will heat up," said Oberon, further predicting that 2016 would be "the year that storage really starts to kick off in Australia." For more information about AllGrid, visit their website. Via The Guardian. Image via Dollar Photo Club.
"Unsettling and gross" aren't normally words you'd want associated with your bar. But then again, The Bearded Tit has never been entirely 'normal'. The much loved Redfern watering hole and exhibition space has earned a reputation for its strange and sensational artwork — and their latest piece, from Amaya Lang and Nicky Minus, is certainly no exception. Set to appear in the bar's front window from Monday, January 11, the piece will mark the second collaboration between ceramicist Lang and cartoonist Minus, following their team-up at last year's Underbelly Arts Festival. The work reflects the pair's mutual interest in distorted depictions of the female body, and is sure to draw the attention of unsuspecting pedestrians on Regent Street. "The ceramics are visceral and fleshy, while the bodies in the wall images are contorted and uncomfortably overlapping," says Lang. "Together, the works have a sexual tone that could feel a bit yuck to some." The window display is part of The Bearded Tit's larger Hole Lotta Love series, an all-female art showcase set to run until February 20. Other artists whose work will be featured include photographer Liz Ham and video and performance artists Nat Randall and Emily O'Connor. Hole Lotta Love launches on Monday January 11 at 6pm. For more information visit www.thebeardedtit.com.au.
There's no shortage of venues in Sydney where you can enjoy a drink and simultaneously soak up the elements — we've been blessed with many top-notch beer gardens in our sunny city. The only way to fully show your appreciation is to try them all, so in partnership with Hahn Brewers, we've rounded up twelve of our favourites. From dog-friendly cantinas to fairy lights and lanterns, these Sydney bars sport seriously applaudable backyards. Grab a schooner, order up some slow-cooked barbecue and we'll meet you out back. THE NEWPORT Overlooking idyllic Pittwater, The Newport has been operating since 1880. But gone are the days of the Daytona machines in the courtyard — Justin Hemmes has come in and breathed Merivale all over the place. Renovations finished up in March, so this summer will be the first major test of the beer garden — it's not hard to see them passing. With a pleasing mix of timber and stone, the outdoor area hovers somewhere between a chilled park and the sprawling gardens of Versailles. And with the Kiosk cafe serving brekky before the boozing begins, it's a top notch place to spend the day. THE GREENS Lawn bowls are the perfect way to drink beer and pretend that you're exercising, just like darts, pool or golf. The Greens, rather than gutting their bowling greens in renovations, have stayed true to their roots as a leagues club and are keeping the dream alive of pretending to be an athlete while sinking schooners. Aside from lawn bowls, The Greens offers a beautiful courtyard with an incredible view from back over the bridge and Opera House. With a carefully curated collection of polished woods and shady shrubs, The Greens is a stellar spot to sling back a schooner and watch the sun dip below the horizon over the city. WATSON'S BAY BOUTIQUE HOTEL Although the Watto has been a sanctuary by the sea for many thousands of years, the recent renovations and rebirth as The Watson's Bay Boutique Hotel have really brought the surrounds to life. The beer garden overlooks the bay where moored dinghies float lazily over the water. There's a sense of idyllic island life here — you'll kind of feel like you're on an isolated Cuban beach. The theme is reinforced by the fit-out in the garden, which features dulled pastels, driftwood and rustic furniture. With a cracking seafood menu to boot, it's hard to be left wanting at the Watto. THE SHEAF Having long been the traditional home of Wednesday nights in the eastern suburbs, The Sheaf has also played host to the Sunday afternoon sunshine crowd for years. Mid last year, the venue gutted the old tiled yard and reinvented the space as a garden bar. Since then, the beer garden has gone from strength to strength, hosting acoustic acts on warmer afternoons and DJs at night. The stone paving and the slew of greenery that surrounds the joint creates a vibe of a secret garden, where is a better place to enjoy the sunshine? PUBLIC HOUSE PETERSHAM The beer garden at Public House Petersham hosts a pleasing and eclectic mix of stained timber, ruddy bricks and bits of old shipping containers, and it all comes together to create a jumbled sense of homeliness. There's an air of secluded privacy, despite the fact that you're surrounded by other punters. The pub is the perfect place to throw back a beer — with the arcade games inside, you've got yourself a sunny afternoon sorted. THE BANK HOTEL Since the beer garden renovations that included the construction of a South American grill, The Bank has become one of our favourite spots to spend a sunny weekend. The beer garden soaks up all the sun, yet provides ample shade and cover from the occasional sun shower because it's slightly below street level. The grill in the garden bar smells like heaven, and is the perfect accompaniment to a jug of beer. THE ERKO The Erko has long remained an Erskineville institution. Cosy lounge chairs sit beside Pac-Man gaming tables and couches lines the breezy pub. The Erko's revamped beer garden is the best place to devour some killer barbecue from the smoker — including low and slow brisket and baby back ribs. At the Erko, you can really settle in for the long haul and to try every last item on the menu. THE HENSON Geared toward cool kids and beer lovers, this pub is a home-run across the board in ambience, food and, most importantly, beer. The Henson's expansive, fairy-lit beer is a spacious place to down a few pints. Food-wise, the menu is a delicious combo of American classics and Asian specialities — try the mac and cheese, fish cakes or the Shio Ramen. THE OXFORD TAVERN This once nudie bar is loaded with throwback, kitschy decorations. It's also a pool player's haven. The real draw at the Oxford is the beer garden though, which features live music, fairy lights and the girl worth crossing the city for, Black Betty BBQ. If you're not stuffed full of pulled pork and 'Dino Ribs' from Betty, the tavern's zany dessert menu includes deep-fried Golden Gaytimes and the Jelly Wrestler — a mish-mosh of a sundae that is required to be eaten with gloves. THE COURTHOUSE Popular with students, artists and the grizzly locals who've been frequenting it for the past forty years, The Courthouse is a beloved staple of Newtown's drinking spots. Grungy, relaxed and unpretentious, it features one of Sydney's finest beer gardens — so we have an unabashed devotion to this place. Grab a schooner and set yourself up for a drink under fairy light-clad trees. Be sure to snag a table early, these coveted benches really fill up, especially on weekends. During AFL season, expect not to be able to hold a conversation anywhere near the football-scarfed fans surrounding the televisions, so choose your spot wisely. THE NORFOLK Wizard staffs made of tinnies in the trees, festoon lighting, pooches sitting happily amongst the chatter; the Norfolk's leafy backyard has become a haven for Surry Hills locals to kick back and have a drink after years of a tried and true formula. Dogs are more than welcome. You'll be hard pressed to find a seat during post-work hours, due to its Drink 'N' Dine menu of fried chicken burgers, fish tacos and Mexican street salads. But if you get in early, grab a jug of beer and sit yourself down to discover what all the fuss is about. THE BERESFORD Popular with glamorous young things and the post-work crowd, Merivale's Beresford Hotel is one of Sydney's hippest beer garden pubs. Justin Hemmes has reinvigorated this space with fresh foliage and exceptional Italian bar food from Tuscan chef Gabriele Taddeucci. Perhaps the most lovely part of the whole venture is the courtyard, more reminiscent of a Japanese garden than your typical Aussie beer garden. Think cobblestones, Japanese maples, low wooden furniture and lanterns dangling above your head. The rule is to turn up early and stay late, perhaps ducking upstairs to check out a band while you're here. Sign up to Hahn Brewers and sit back with a sunny beer garden schooner. Top Image: The Bank.
The boffins at Australia's leading scientific institution are branching out into the art world, in an attempt to raise awareness about the need to invest in renewable energy sources. The CSIRO Infinity Swing is a giant light-up swing set powered by the momentum of its users, turning playtime into clean, sustainable power. According to its creators, the light and sound installation came about in response to one of the most challenging questions facing the world today: "how do we make sure energy stays affordable and available while protecting our planet?" The eight-person swing serves as a timely visual reminder of the importance of clean, renewable energy, as well as the things that can be achieved when people work together. It's also given us a great idea about connecting the nation's playgrounds directly to the power grid – although we suspect that child protection services mightn't be quite so keen. The pop-up swing will open to the public at Sydney's Custom House between Wednesday November 4 and Sunday November 8, before travelling down to Federation Square in Melbourne from Monday November 16 until Saturday November 21. Representatives from CSIRO will be on hand to discuss their ongoing research into clean energy – and if you're extra nice, they might even give you a little push.
