The KitchenAid Artisan Mixer is now smaller — which means they're perfect for that infuriatingly tiny amount of bench space in your house. Whether you whip out the classic Empire Red, go for something more tropical like the Orange Sorbet, or opt for something a little newer and classier like the Matte Black – KitchenAid Artisan Minis are just as pretty as they are practical. To celebrate its launch in Australia we've got five (and one attachment) to give away. Choose your colour, and then choose from one of the fifteen KitchenAid Artisan Mini attachments available (food processor, pasta maker, spiralizer are just a few — you can do much more than bake with this thing), and enter your details below. Make sure you agree to the competition terms and conditions, and be quick, entries close at midday on Sunday, October 30. [competition]592968[/competition] Image: Samantha Hawker.
The city is gearing up to pull off the biggest Lunar New Year celebration and you can join in. From 28 January onward, there will be festivities aplenty inside the huge Westfield Sydney in Pitt Street Mall like tea tastings at Laduree and a calligrapher’s exhibition. But our pick is the dumpling eating competition at New Shanghai. Yep, you heard us. On February 19, all the practice you’ve gotten from eating the last dumpling that nobody else could finish will come in handy. Bring your hungriest friends and settle once and for all, who’s the speediest eater. Time to start training. It’s set to be hosted by a celebrity MC but mum’s the word on who it’ll be. That’s not all. Pick up a fortune cookie at the concierge desk from 8-23 February and you might win a $1000 gift card. You can spend it on roomier pants after eating all those dumplings.
For the first time, a generation (or, at least, a privileged segment of it), can work from anywhere, anytime, anyhow. Which means that joyous feeling of holiday mode can be as long as you have imagination enough to keep it going. No more confinement to white cubicles. No more bosses breathing down your neck. No more debating triple j's playlists while languishing in peak hour traffic. And, most gloriously, no more having to get dressed. Yep, with a laptop under your arm, an ability to make the best of an awful to-do list and a few handy tips from us, you can turn your life into a permanent holiday. Here are five ways to make your working days equal parts business and Bahamas (just go with it). GET A DECENT DONGLE AND HIT THE BEACH With a good dongle or smartphone hot spot, connected to a quality service provider, you can consider any beach your office. Just don't forget to fully charge your devices before you get going. Pack a picnic blanket or, for even more flexibility, buy a light, portable laptop stand. That'll let you set up anywhere without wrecking your back and neck — and sand is a punish on laptops, so be wary. If you're in for a long day, a sun shelter can be handy too. Not keen to carry so much gear? Scope out beaches with picnic tables. Whatever you do, throw your swimmers into your bag — you'll need breaks in between typing and posting and emailing. And most obviously, don't leave your laptop on the beach while you're paddling. FIND A BAR WITH FREE WIFI Another advantage of escaping the office is that you can spend time in your favourite bar and be productive (i.e. make those dollars) at the same time. Nothing quite says boss like ticking off things from your to-do list and screening calls in-between cocktails — especially if you can make that happen on a lounge in a cosy bar. So, do some Googling or wandering, until you find a drinking hole with wifi, and you'll be channelling your inner tortured writer in no time. Of course, now's not the time to let things get out of hand. Be smart. There are deadlines to meet, after all. [caption id="attachment_564835" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Bench Accounting via Unsplash[/caption] GO CAFE HOPPING IN A NEW NEIGHBOURHOOD Turn your work day into a travel adventure — in your own city. Even if you've lived in said city all your life, chances are there are neighbourhoods you haven't yet visited — or don't know so well. So, choose one that's unfamiliar and map out a bunch of interesting-looking cafes (oh hai, Concrete Playground can help you there) within walking distance of one another. Spend an hour or two working in each, before heading to the next one. To maximise your productivity, set clear, achievable goals for every session. Not only do you get to discover new places, you also fit in some walking, which, according to this report, might reduce your mortality risk by up to 46 percent. [caption id="attachment_563818" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Dave Meier[/caption] TAKE YOUR LAPTOP ON A DAY TRIP Choose a place just out of town that you've always wanted to visit — but not quite got around to checking out — and take your laptop day tripping. If you can, opt for a destination that's reachable by train, so you can work while you're travelling. This option lets you roll the first three hacks into one — with some planning, you can organise time in cafes, bars, beaches and parks. Also, think about how you'll spend break times — getting outdoors for a dose of swimming, paddling, cycling or hiking can clear your head and help you concentrate better when you're back at your computer. [caption id="attachment_563817" align="alignnone" width="5184"] Henry McIntosh[/caption] PUT ASIDE SOME DOSH AND CHECK INTO A HOTEL One of the challenges of self-employment can be keeping focused while working from home. Some people opt for offices or co-working spaces, but, every now and again, it can be fun to go for a total change of scene. So, treat yourself and check into a hotel or resort for a night — or several. This is an excellent option if you're working on a particular project or collaborating with others. Try to find a place with a pretty pool — there's nothing quite as refreshing as jumping into the water in between work sessions, brainstorms or meetings. An onsite cocktail bar can come in handy, too.
Every Wednesday, the MCA leaves the lights on until 9pm, letting you get to know the gallery when the day time crowds aren't around. Each month there's a Sundown Sketch Club session, the next will be held on Wednesday, 1 November. This laid back art class gives you a chance to have a scribble while sipping a glass of wine and soaking up harbour views, as your guided through the ups and downs of inspiration by an official MCA Art Educator. And once your masterpiece is complete, head to the Sculpture Terrace to celebrate with live music and a tasty morsel or two at the MCA Cafe. Image: Leslie Liu.
This year marks a big milestone for Orange FOOD Week — the celebrated foodie festival is turning a quarter of a century old. As one of the biggest, tastiest events on the New South Wales calendar, Orange FOOD Week hasn't just proven itself with sell-out events, but with the test of time as well. And for 2016, more than 90 events will take place across ten days this April, celebrating the Orange District’s local growers, farmers, foragers, winemakers, chefs, restaurants and cafes. Perhaps the most epic part of the program is the FOOD train, which will leave Sydney Central Station for Orange on Friday, April 15, taking travellers on a weekend-long journey filled with tasting menus, outdoor lunches and brewery tours. Other highlights include the 100 Mile Dinner in Molong, served under the stars on the village green (April 11) and FORAGE on April 16, a 3.6-kilometre stroll through vineyards and paddocks with wine tasting and snacks made with local produce along the way. Other events not to miss are the Sunday Producer’s Market in Cook Park, where local produce will be turned into breakfasts and brunches on the spot (April 17), and the much-loved opening night, which will take the form of a night market at Robertson Park (April 8). In addition to the signature events that sell out every year, there are a whole slew of satellite events hosted by local restaurants, cafes, caterers and cellar doors. These include hunting for truffles, dining in an orchard, cider tastings and many a delicious dinner.
Hot fried chicken has been walking out the door down at Barangaroo since Belles Hot Chicken set up their wildly popular pop-up in November 2015. Apparently serving up over 1000 kilograms of chicken weekly (you fiends), Belles is ready to make things permanent with Sydney, opening the doors on a 130-seat eatery in South Barangaroo. Seemingly all grown up (sorta), Belles operates as a restaurant now instead of a canteen counter, developed by OLA Architects (responsible for Melbourne's Bomba) and co-owners Morgan McGlone and Miranda Campbell. Think table service, space for larger groups, an expanded menu and Belles' infamous bedfellow: Australian natural wines. Not keen for a sit-down meal? You'll still be able to order takeaway from a separate, dedicated window. McGlone and Campbell gave Sydney but a taste of their coveted Melbourne menu at the pop-up, and now they've expanded the menu to include their hot chicken sandwich and hot fish sandwich. You might have already snacked on Belles' fried Portobello mushrooms, crinkle cut chips, three bean salad, and you've probably dug into a personal serving of their signature chicken wings, lovingly laden with different levels of spiciness: southern, medium, hot, really hot, or really f**kin hot (and don't forget All The Sauces, from peach barbecue sauce to the Mississippi Comeback). Expect drumsticks, tenders, red cabbage slaw and mac 'n' cheese too — even $20 chicken and waffles for lunch on weekends. Picked the really f**kin hot wings? Put out the fire with a glass of natural wine, something Belles has championed since opening in Melbourne (they even opened their own natural wine bar, Bar Clarine, which has sadly now closed). Belles' permanent digs won't be the only Sydney opening for the crew this year, with another eatery set to open at Harold Park Tramsheds in October. Find Belles Hot Chicken is located at Shop 5, 33 Barangaroo Ave, Wulugul Walk, Barangaroo. Open Monday to Saturday 12pm to 11pm and Sunday 12pm to 10pm. Images: Nikki To.
That annual coming together of all things design, Semi-Permanent Sydney, has announced its first round of speakers for 2015, and the guests are as varied as the discipline. Although best known for his work in film and television, actor Noah Taylor has recently earned acclaim for his artwork and will attend Semi-Permanent to talk about this transition. 2011 Archibald Prize winner Ben Quilty will likewise be on hand to discuss the challenges of working as an artist in an increasingly commercial world. Patrick Clair will take audiences through the evolution of his Emmy Award-winning opening titles for True Detective, which have been haunting our dreams since the show wrapped up in March, while leading surfboard designer Hayden Cox will be joined by LA artist Jason Woodside and pro-surfer Craig Anderson to talk about their collaborations. Semi-Permanent has also announced a retrospective exhibition of the work of English artist and writer Stanley Donwood, who is best known for his frequent collaboration with Radiohead, having designed all of their album artwork since 1994. FBi Radio, meanwhile, has been given the job of organising parties, which if last year is anything to go by, should work out quite nicely. The conference will kick off Vivid Sydney on May 22. First round tickets are on sale now – and while a decent portion of the program is still a mystery, this sprinkling of guests has gotten us pretty damn excited. Two-day passes to Semi-Permanent clock in at $265 for students and $430 for everyone else. That includes entry to the event, plus tickets to the opening and closing night parties. VIP passes are available for $650, while single day tickets will go on sale in 2015. Head to the Semi-Permanent website to book.
"We all live in our own little worlds spinning around in an erratic universe. It is uncontrolled by our thoughts, needs and wants that we traverse as best we can, letting the chips fall where they may." One of Art Month's most colourful exhibitions this year, The Strutt Sisters' Let the Chips Fall Where They May takes over new space Kensington Contemporary Gallery, conveniently down the road from The Old Clare Hotel, Kensington Street Social, Automata et al. Post gallery-bevs ahoy. Twin sisters, artists, designers, musicians, jewellery-makers and synesthetes The Strutt Sisters – Catherine and Jennifer Strutt —have a fascination for colour and patterns. These two riveting artists create one heck of a spectacle in their work — and this show, a bespoke interior and architectural venture accompanied by visual works, ain't an exception.
Wedged up in the corner of Eastern Europe, bordered by the Baltic Sea to the north and Latvia to the south, sits Estonia. It's a quiet little country that's spent most of its life as a Russian-German pull toy and has a population of only 1.3 million. But if there's one thing that these 1.3 million people can do, it's cook. Estonia is throwing around some legit food and drink game at the moment, and now is the perfect time to get on board. Tallinn might be one of the trickiest places to get to from Australia, but it's certainly one of the most worthwhile if you have a palate for affordable, fine dining. Think fresh local produce, age-perfected cooking techniques and more craft beer than you can poke a stick at. Good meals won't cost you more than $15, and most come with a view worth more than the plate itself. Pack a knife, fork and your best appetite and head to the new culinary crux of Europe. GETTING THERE First and foremost, you're going to have to get to Tallinn, Estonia's capital. Unfortunately there's no speedy, one stopover flight from Australia to Tallinn, so if you're going to visit, we suggest tagging it onto a European adventure. Flights out of most major European airports won't break the bank. Another option, depending on where you're coming form, is by boat — there are direct sea routes from Helsinki, St Petersburg and Stockholm. While this sounds like a city in the middle of nowhere (and it kind of is), don't think you're signing up for some Bear Grylls-inspired brush with danger. Most Estonians in Tallinn speak very good English, and they have Vapiano if homesickness kicks in. STAY Estonian Airbnb is a dream. While the Australian dollar doesn't fair so well against the Euro, the cost of living, eating, drinking and dancing in Estonia is a cheap as cheese (cheese in Tallinn is very cheap). You can get a good Airbnb for about $20-40 a night, and some spacious ones for about $100. Of course, there are fancy, Old Town penthouses with six plus bedrooms you can splash out on for about $1000 a night too (pictured). Don't be afraid to suss out the suburbs when it comes to accommodation. Unlike London or Paris you can reside just about anywhere in Tallinn and be able to get into the Old Town (the epicentre of Tallinn) without a hassle, because a) Tallinn is a fortieth of the size of Brisbane, b) the tram system is a breeze, and c) Uber is dirt cheap (we're talking $5 from the airport to city centre here). There are some great, tinea-free hostels near and in Old Town that cost anywhere between $10-30 a night. EAT Now this is what we're talking about. Estonian cuisine is influenced by its Scandinavian and Russian neighbours, with a strong emphasis on fresh, homegrown or locally produced elements. Estonians really care where their food comes from, so most dishes contain a lamb or fish base, and are paired with local veggies, homemade sauces and yeasty, dark bread. Old Town has some great restaurants but, like any tourist hotspot, you're always at risk of being overcharged for a stew that was cooked last week, frozen, and stuck in the microwave for a couple of minutes. Head there first to do the touristy thing, take some snaps, have a look at the architecture, trip over a jaded stone on the old footpaths and work up a hunger. Then get out. Mere Puiestee street runs parallel to Old Town's eastern side, and the huge brick buildings and line of trees hide some of the city's best and trendiest restaurants. SfääR (pictured above) is an award winning, quaint little restaurant and clothing store that has a menu and cocktail list worth crossing a few major oceans for — definitely try the homemade zucchini and sun-dried ravioli with a buttery sage sauce. If you're after something a little heavier and/or hangover friendly skip next door to Scotland Yard Pub. The street behind homes Alter Ego, a classy, upper-class restaurant that showcases the best Mediterranean in the city. Down by the water, you'll find the abandoned Linnahall, an old sports and concert venue, which is haunting and definitely worth an explore. But before it you'll find the Eesti Kaasaegse Kunsti Muuseum (Museum of Contemporary Art), an adjoining art book shop and Klaus. Klaus really brings home the term 'modern Estonian food'. Think mussels with green curry and lime, Estonian lamb casserole with jasmine rice, duck breast with plum puree, wild mushroom tartare, and desserts that deserve Nobel Prizes. On Friday and Saturday evenings you'll find a lot of very important and trendy looking people dining and getting drunk there. This is the insider's Estonian restaurant. The one place in Old Town we will push you towards is Vegan Restoran V. The meals are huge, cheap, inventive and tasty beyond expectation. It's in pretty high demand since it racked up a number of global vegan eating awards. It's currently ranked the 16th best vegan restaurant in the world — and the prices are cheaper than McDonalds. Carrot cake in Estonia makes the stuff over here look like grated carrot chucked in the microwave for a couple of minutes. Gustav's variation consists of about five thin layers of velvety, nutty carrot cake and citrus sour cream mousse. This was our equivalent of falling in love abroad and being faced with the decision of whether to stay or leave and risk never loving again. Gustav has two locations in Tallinn, with their Vabriku street venue adjoined to Fabrik Restoran — which features an award-winning, Asian influenced menu and possibly the best duck fried rice and pork bao you'll find in a 1000km radius. DRINK Like most of Eastern Europe, drinks aren't too pricey in Estonia, and you can get a wine from one of those fancy glass bottles with a cork for only a couple of bucks. Estonia has a number of emerging, microbreweries — and if you're looking to scour, then head to Uba Ja Humal or Drink Shop. They're both craft beer Meccas. Make sure to try Siidrikoda — an Estonian craft cider — and anything by Käbliku or Põhjala Breweries. There's a lot of clubs targeted towards backpackers, so if you're chasing a bit more of a local, relaxed drinking vibe, try any one of Estonia's underground theatre bars. Von Kraahl is one of the most popular, showcasing homegrown productions and local beer. Protest is a pretty 'in' kind of place, so don't worry if you feel like everyone here is already best friends and you've just crashed a party. Just drink up, sing some Aerosmith on the man-built karaoke set up and you'll eventually make your way in. Top image: Mike Beales. Second image: Mark Litwintschik.
Time to update your reading list: the program for the latest edition of the Sydney Writers' Festival has just been revealed. One year shy of its 20th anniversary, this year's festival will run from Monday, May 16 through to Sunday, May 22, and will welcome more than 450 authors to Sydney to discuss their work and ideas in panels, lectures and workshops around the city. Standout guests from abroad include feminist icon Gloria Steinem, critically acclaimed author Jonathan Franzen (Purity), novelist, rapper and poet Kate Tempest (Brand New Ancient), and North Korean defector Park Yeon-mi (In Order to Live). They'll be joined by Man Booker Prize winners Marlon James (A Brief History of Seven Killings) and Julian Barnes (The Sense of an Ending), and overnight success story Paula Hawkins (Girl on the Train). The local contingent, meanwhile, includes numerous recognisable names, including Tim Flannery, Anna Funder, Magda Szubanski, Kerry O'Brien, Andrew Denton, Peter Garrett, Stan Grant, Sarah Ferguson and Annabel Crabb. The theme of this year's festival is bibliotherapy, with a focus on reading for its therapeutic effect. "I very much like the idea of bibliotherapy and its premise that you can improve your life," said festival Artistic Director Jemma Birrell in a statement that accompanied the launch of the program. "A good literary festival, like a good book, should bring real life benefits — joy, solace and a new understanding of the world." The Sydney Writers' Festival will run from May 16-22. For the full program and to buy tickets, visit swf.org.au.
Bright sparks, light bulb moments, the invention of fire – glowing matter and smart ideas have a long history together, and Vivid Ideas' 2015 program brilliantly renews this union. You may find your own brain cells overcooking at the number of events on offer this year, however, as over 30 venues across Sydney get more activated than a handful of Bondi almonds. If you're lucky, your choice can be guided by your industry-specific mixers and panels, but for those of us with FOMO for innovation and creativity across multiple platforms, the following list may be a helpful guide. ROBOWARS 2015 What was once the mainstay of illegal gambling and entertainment in far-flung futures (and the start of animated feature Big Hero 6) has actually been a reality here in Australia for the past ten years. Real robots built by real humans will smash and saw one another into sparks as they battle for your love. Just wait until they start adding aero combat drones to the mix. This one is FREE and more information can be found on this handy video. 30 May, 3–11pm at Cargo Hall, Overseas Passenger Terminal. FUTURE OF WORK Ask around and you'll find that a major obstacle for many dedicated, intelligent employees is that they don't have clear, inspiring leadership in their workplace. Maybe after spending a day at Google's Sydney HQ, you will become the leader they both need and deserve. This is a big creative conference for those of you who want to lead meaningfully in the 21st century, with an entry price big enough to deter pretenders. 4 June, 8.30am–5.30pm at Google Sydney. THE SUNRISE: THE SILICON VALLEY MYTH EXPLAINED Everyone loves an origin story. Here you'll learn about the early days of some of Australia's more prominent tech companies, back in those hazy startup years where more than a good idea is needed to avoid vanishing in the crowd. The Sunrise features a Q&A session as well, so you baby geniuses out there can dig up all the lessons and inspiration you need to feed your own future success story. 25 May, 9am–5pm at Roslyn Packer Theatre Walsh Bay (Formerly Sydney Theatre). GAME-CHANGERS: TYLER BRULE This year's Vivid Ideas launches a new series of events entitled Game-Changers, with three international creative industry leaders featured in one-on-one conversations. Silver fox Mr Brûlè is one of those in this spotlight, talking through his impressive career in publishing and branding. His flagship publication, Monocle, is helping print to be more resilient than Rasputin, and a lot of it has to do with Brûlè's innovative linking of physical magazines with digital radio, fashion and a global retail presence. 25 May, 7.30–9pm at Roslyn Packer Theatre Walsh Bay. GAME-CHANGERS: MATTHEW WEINER While you can expect there to be quite a lot of Mad Men fan-loving in this session, Vivid Ideas' focus on practical creativity suggests that this event is definitely going to be full of invaluable insights and advice for scriptwriters and others who work with character and narrative. It's also a fantastic sign to see that Australian librettist, playwright and actor Kate Mulvany will be guiding the conversation, giving you access to two great creative minds for the price of one. 31 May, 5.30pm–7pm at Sydney Town Hall. RECONNECTING SYDNEY: HOW WILL EMERGING TECHNOLOGY CONNECT SYDNEY AND CHANGE THE WAY WE MOVE? We're living in the city of the future right, where we have access to Opal cards on our public transport system and can summon private transport with a simple thumb press. Surely that is cutting edge enough? Absolutely not, but here is a chance to gain insight into the gadgets and urban philosophies that actually aren't outdated by the time they arrive on our shores. At the very least, it may teach cyclists the latest in non-lethal road defence technology. 4 June, 5pm–9pm at Vivid Ideas Exchange, MCA. THE MYTH OF WORK-LIFE BALANCE IN A GET-AHEAD CULTURE If you're going to be working until you die (and by that point we'll be selling our bodies to become zombie drones), you should learn how to keep that epic employment period as long and rewarding as is sustainable. This session features a number of perspectives from business, wellness, psychology and mental health communities, all aiming for that key word: balance. Without it you'll be gluing touch screens under your eyelids tomorrow. 7 June, 12–2pm at Vivid Ideas Exchange, MCA. IS TRUTH IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER? Given how prevalent the camera is in our lives, both in long-form documentaries and quick-fire bursts online, it is important to dissect the varied interests at play when broadcasting anything as contested as truth. Here you'll find a panel of documentary stakeholders, from the director to the subject, recounting their own personal experience of this fraught area. Their discussion will definitely be timely in light of the current dispute over the portrayal of Mount Druitt residents in the upcoming SBS observational documentary Struggle Street. 29 May, 3–5pm at Vivid Ideas Exchange, MCA. LOCKED OUT - CIVIL LIBERTIES & THE STATE OF PLAY IN SYDNEY'S NIGHTLIFE So, how have those lockout laws affected Sydney's nightlife since they came into effect back in February 2014? Held at the conveniently not-in-the-zone establishment of Freda's, this event pools together experts and parties with a vested interest in the health of both Sydney's inhabitants and its night-time economy. Best not to get tanked for this one, but definitely hope for some passionate debate on what is being won and lost in the CBD entertainment precinct. 26 May, 6pm–12am at Freda's. THE STORY OF LIGHT — THE ASTRONOMER'S PERSPECTIVE You may have noticed the increased spike in interest for space in recent years — whether it's packing people off to Mars, having Matthew McConaughey save humanity, or the imminent return of a certain wookie, it's pretty clear that we're getting a little worried about our longevity on this planet. This event will quite possibly not help allay any of those fears, but what it will do is inject some grand geekery into your otherwise industry/creative/innovation overload throughout the rest of Vivid Ideas 2015. 24 May, 2–3.30pm at Powerhouse Museum.
When the sun goes down every Wednesday, the Art Gallery of NSW decks the halls with jam-packed evenings of talks, guided tours, and live music. A super-charged extension of the Gallery's usual Wednesday night Art After Hours program will run on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights, dubbed Up Late with The Greats. After the Gallery's usual closing time of 5pm, you can take an extended jaunt through The Greats exhibition — featuring the likes of Titian, Botticelli, Gauguin and Degas, all the way from the National Galleries of Scotland — and partake in a ramped up range of activities. On Wednesday nights, celebrated comedian and SERIOUS art nerd Hannah Gadsby will be unveiling her SERIOUS art history chops and treating gallery-goers to a VERY SERIOUS rundown of different eras of Western art history each week. There'll be salon drawing on Thursday nights, and live music by members of the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra on Friday nights. On all three nights, Young Henrys will be serving a limited edition masterpiece-inspired brew at the Gallery’s pop-up bar. Up Late With The Greats will run Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays from January 6 – 29.
If you’re one of those picky coffee connoisseurs whose beverage requires roasting by a particular machine, milk from a certain cow, frothing at the hands of a special barista and ritualistic dances by the full moon, there’s now a place for you. It’s called Haven Café and you’ll find it at 30-34 Chalmers Street, Surry Hills, right near Central Station. Regardless of how fussy you are, your specifications will be embraced with open arms — because Haven’s bringing tailored coffee to Sydney. Its chief mission is to provide every single customer with a drink designed around their set of taste buds. Not only are milk type and brewing styles taken into consideration, you’re also asked to outline what you like in terms of acidity, sweetness, aroma, body, even aftertaste. Yep, for not one microsecond are you to experience a lack of personalised satisfaction. The coffee heavy behind this operation is one Mr Bruno Koo, ex-judge of the sensory section at the Hong Kong station of the World Barista Championship. He wants Sydneysiders to think of our coffee as more than just a desperate morning hit. "Through our coffee tailoring, we are redefining how [they] treat their coffee, from a routine drink to something with higher expectations," he said in a media statement. "We dare to remind coffee lovers that they deserve a better cup of craftsmanship, prompting them not to limit their coffee experience." To match the experience, Haven has an all-day menu on offer, inspired by "rustic elegance". Expect healthy ingredients, big flavours and influences from both East and West. Head chef Thomas Taylor said, "We can’t wait to see the surprised faces from our customers who try our food. The Drunken Chicken Kale Caesar, Pork Belly Kimcheese Burger and Masfogato (an upgraded affogato) are the must-try dishes — along with my baked sweets." Haven Café is open at 30-34 Chalmers Street, Surry Hills with a full menu Monday to Friday between 7am and 4pm, and on weekends for pastries and drinks only between 8am and 4pm.
When the 20th Biennale of Sydney arrives on Friday, March 18, Carriageworks will become the Embassy of Disappearance. As you wander through the transformed space, you'll encounter works dealing with absence, memory and vanishing entities — from histories and languages to currencies and landscapes. To find out the stories behind the many works appearing — and disappearing — during the Biennale, check out the artists' talks, which will be happening throughout the first weekend. On Friday, March 18 you'll hear from Yannick Dauby and Wan-Shuen Tsai at 10.30am, who have spent years in Taiwanese communities, gathering sound archives and materials. At 11am, Mette Edvardsen and Andre Lepecki will take to the floor, to discuss their two projects: a collection of "living books", to be held at Newtown Library, and a performance titled No title. Other speakers on Friday's program include Aura Satz in conversation with writer Douglas Kahn and multi-disciplinarian Robert Zhao Renhui, who'll be talking about Christmas Island. This will be followed by the Biennale's Keynote Address on Saturday, March 19 at 6.30pm, which will be delivered by Boris Charmatz, director of the Dancing Museum in Rennes, France, and followed by a performance of his work manger at 8pm. Then you'll get to meet María Isabel Rueda, whose work features 36 slides documenting the crumbling Colombian home of artist Norman Mejía, and Yuta Nakamura, who'll be discussing his Japanese ceramics-inspired installation. Neha Choksi, whose work will be prefaced with a performance named In Memory of the Last Sunset, will also be speaking, along with Chen Chieh-jen, a legendary conceptual artist from Taiwan. And, for the ultimate "disappearance", join Lee Mingwei as he recreates — and then destroys — Pablo Picasso's powerful anti-war mural, Guernica at midday on Saturday, April 23. After he's replicated the painting using sand, the audience will be invited, one by one, to walk all over it, before watching Mingwei and his colaborators sweep it away, turning it into a complete new artwork. The Carriageworks 20th Biennale of Sydney program will run from March 18 until June 5, 2016. For more details, visit their website. Image: Lauren Brincat, 'This Time Tomorrow Tempelhof', 2011
Meat eaters, your days may well be numbered. Just a few short months after beloved Newtown pizzeria Gigi caused a social media meltdown by announcing they would be removing all animal products from their pizzas, another fast food eatery has embraced veganism whole hog. As of this week, Randwick's Soul Burger have ditched the beef patties and cheese slices, and shifted to a menu made up entirely of plant products. And believe it or not, it actually sounds pretty damn tasty. Diners at Soul Burger will be able to choose from eight different, animal-free burgers. The Sumo, for example, consists of a plant-based spicy sausage along with field mushrooms, vegan cheese, roasted pepper, lettuce, tomato, herbed mayo and relish. In addition to the burgers, customers can grab fries in regular or sweet potato varieties, shakes made with coconut-based icecream, as well as a selection of beers and organic soft drinks. While ditching meat may seem like a rather radical step for a burger joint, this isn't the first time Soul Burger has dabbled in animal-free dining. Owner Amit Tewari started the restaurant based on the concept of flexitarian eating, only ever using ethically sourced animal products and encouraging customers to try meatless options by offering discounted vegetarian burgers. He also gave vegans the chance to 'veganise' non-vegan items on the menu. Whether Tewari's meatless burgers will win over card-carrying carnivores remains to be seen. Still, it's hard to ignore the growing vegan trend in Sydney – in addition to Soul Burger and Gigi, Newtown recently welcomed its first ever vegan fish and chip shop, the wonderfully named Bliss and Chips. Soul Burger is located at 49 Perouse Road, Randwick. For more information, visit their website and Facebook page.
Two of our fave Sydney food institutions are heading down to Circular Quay, where they're working together on a new 200-seat restaurant and bar. Due to open mid-October, Popina is the new venture from Salt Meats Cheese in partnership with the team from Shuk in North Bondi. Think Middle Eastern cuisine meets wood-fired pizza, and you'll be somewhere on the right track. Located within the new Gateway Building with views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, the two-storey restaurant and bar was born out of the long-time friendship between SMC directors Stefano de Blasi and Edoardo Perlo, and Shuk head chef German Sanchez. The latter will bring his culinary expertise to the kitchen at Popina, where he'll combine Italian, Turkish, Lebanese and Israeli flavours with those of his native Argentina. Think pizza, pasta and Italian cured meats alongside kofta, falafel, shakshouka and house-made hummus. "Our menu will be truly unique," said Sanchez. "The flavours and spices of the Middle East perfectly marry the wood-fired pizzas, and ancient grain flour pastas. This is the dream chef kitchen where you can play with so many different ingredients all together." In addition to its mouth-watering menu, Popina will boast a 150 person rooftop bar. Open until midnight, it'll feature a selection of cocktails paired with "a very unique BBQ offering", and play host to local DJs every night. Popina is scheduled to open within the Gateway Building at Circular Quay on October 15. Stay tuned for more information. Image: Salt Meats Cheese Broadway.
Because you're reading this, we know you're not someone who received a pet for Christmas, only to decide it wasn't for you. We know you're one of the good folks. You're probably wishing that you did receive a loveable animal as a gift, even if you already have one — or several — that you adore. We understand your yearning, and so does the RSPCA. And, to find permanent homes for pups, cats, bunnies, guinea pigs and ponies surrendered into its care from all over the state, it's lowering the adoption fee to $29 this weekend. The weekend-long initiative is called Clear the Shelters and will run from Friday, February 23 until Sunday, February 25. Although you can't put a price on the happiness a new four-legged friend will bring, it's hoped that the low adoption fee will encourage people who have been thinking about adding a pet to their fam (and have considered it thoroughly) to make the commitment this week. Last year, the RSPCA found new homes for 793 pets in NSW through the campaign. This year, Clear the Shelters will run across Australia in all states except WA and Tasmania. The adoption fees — which usually range from $20–600 — help cover some of the costs of vaccines, training and microchipping for the animals. Whether you're in NSW, Victoria or Queensland, there are hundreds of animals that need a new home full of love and pats. There's more to pet adoption than overdosing on cuteness, of course, with making the commitment to care for an animal is serious business. For further information, read RSPCA's FAQs and head to a shelter this weekend.
The man behind Belle's Hot Chicken is taking over the kitchen at Harpoon Harry. After pop-up gigs around Sydney including multiple stints at Harry's and a nine-month residency in Barangaroo (which has just been confirmed as a permanent site), chef Morgan McGlone has taken on the role of 'culinary curator' at the Surry Hills bar and restaurant — and this week he began his tenure with the launch of a brand new menu at the Harpoon Harry public bar. Drawing on his passion for southern American cuisine after spending time in kitchens in South Carolina and Tennessee, McGlone has put together a menu laden with finger-licking favourites. However, instead of the same fried chicken schtick, he'll be doing something a little different at Harry's, employing his custom one-tonne smoker, Harriet. "We're using Harriet like a trump card," says McGlone. "Certain elements and foods speak better when smoked. But just using it in everything is redundant. So when we do use it, we want it to be fucking great. Restraint is so important." Restraint or no restraint, the menu sounds pretty awesome. Snacky options include crispy pork rinds, freshly shucked oysters and devilled eggs with smoked trout and roe, while those with a more pressing hunger can grab a rack of lamb ribs, grain-fed steak, or the Harpoon Harry burger. McGlone will also unveil a menu for room service, special event catering and — most importantly — the upstairs dining room, with service in the latter space commencing on Wednesday, April 20. You can find Harpoon Harry at 40-44 Wentworth Avenue, Surry Hills. For more information visit hotelharry.com.au.
Blossoming foodie fest Parramatta Lanes has just announced their heaving 2016 lineup and, like a rich, cheesy arancini sent from the heavens, it's stuffed full of the best, brightest and most filling industry folks. You might want to start fasting now because come October it'll be a smorgasbord. Headlining the festival are the team behind Efendy in Balmain, including head chef Somer Sivrioglu, who'll be serving up contemporary Turkish fare. Neil Perry's Burger Project has burger lovers covered with his broad menu of burgs, while Surry Hills hip-hop/sneaker fiends Butter will be offering up their particularly beloved brand of fried chicken (it's unclear at this stage whether sneakers will also be on the menu). Brew-wise, you'll find gin wizards and cocktail artists Archie Rose shaking up some crisp bevs, and Young Henrys will be serving their famous craft beers. For dessert? KOI Dessert Bar, the project of Masterchef alum Reynold Poernomo, will be whipping up his treat/work of art creations. Also on board are local favourites Saffron Restaurant, Courtney's Brasserie, The Emporium, Temesek Knafeh, Adora Handmade Chocolates, StroopBros, N2 Gelato, KayterCon and Paper Street Ice Cream. The festival is taking place across ten of Parramatta's inner city laneways and squares. And there will (of course) be a food truck food court because no festival is complete without one. Parramatta Lanes runs from October 11-14 across ten Parramatta laneways. See the festival website for more info.
Rejoice, fans of excellent television, fried food and pop culture-themed pop-ups alike — Los Pollos Hermanos is coming to Sydney. Ever since the TV-viewing world was first introduced to Gus Fring's fast food chain, every fried chicken fiend has been hankering for a piece of their juicy poultry. Yes, we all know that it's a fictional chicken empire in a television show, but Breaking Bad was just that damn addictive. With Los Pollos Hermanos' head honcho once again crossing paths with Jimmy McGill/Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk) and Mike Ehrmantraut (Jonathan Banks) in the third season of ace Breaking Bad prequel spin-off Better Call Saul, subscription streaming video provider Stan is making everyone's dreams come true with two days of chicken goodness. The pop-up will take over Potts Point's Thirsty Bird for lunch and dinner on April 11 and 12 — and it that's not that's not exciting enough, good ol' poultry-cooking, drug baron Gustavo himself, aka actor Giancarlo Esposito, will be there. Is everything to your satisfaction? It's the event we've all been waiting for since the idea that Los Pollos Hermanos could actually become a real-life restaurant first came up, and it's timed to coincide with Better Call Saul's season three premiere on April 11. Attendees are encouraged to dress up in their very best Better Call Saul-themed outfit, so expect to see plenty of pretend dodgy lawyers around. No word yet if anything blue will be on the menu. Find the Los Pollos Hermanos pop-up at Thirsty Bird, Shop 3, 2-14 Bayswater Road, Potts Point from 11.30am-3.00pm and 5.00pm-8.30pm on April 11 and 12. For more information, check out the event Facebook page. Image: Robert Trachtenberg/AMC/Sony Pictures Television. Copyright: © 2017 Sony Pictures Television Inc. All Rights Reserved.
If you find yourself in our fair capital this summer, don't leave without checking out Hyper Real at the NGA. Featuring nearly 50 extraordinary digital art and ultra-real sculptures by 32 international artists including Ron Mueck, Patricia Piccinini, Sam Jinks, John DeAndrea, Carole A Feuerman and Marc Sijan, you can expect to see everything from a frozen sculpture made from an artist's blood, a virtual journey through a human skull floating in space and a transgenic creature giving birth. An incredible opportunity to see sculpted forms so true to life you'll get goosebumps (prepare to suppress the urge to reach out and touch them), Hyper Real takes humanity and amplifies it, asking 'what makes us human?' whilst displaying the ever-expanding artistic potential of the genre itself. "Contemporary hyperrealism has pushed beyond static sculpture and into the digital realm. It is a shape-shifting genre, simultaneously traditional and innovative, familiar and provocative" says Jaklyn Babington, NGA Senior Curator of Contemporary Art. Trust us, you won't have seen an exhibition like this before. Image: Patricia Piccinini, The long awaited, 2008, silicone, fibreglass, human hair, plywood, leather, clothing, Collection of Detached Cultural Organisation and the artist, Hobart. Courtesy of the artist, Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, Sydney, Tolarno Galleries, Melbourne and Hosfelt Gallery, San Francisco.
With the world still reeling after losing one of its most iconic voices, two of Australia's best repertory cinemas are paying tribute to his legacy. In the wake of Prince's sudden passing, both The Astor in Melbourne and the Hayden Orpheum in Sydney have announced upcoming screenings of 1984's Purple Rain, giving fans the chance to see the artist weave his magic on the big screen once more. The Astor will hold two screenings — one on the afternoon of Saturday, April 30 and a second (added due to the first selling out in record time) a week later on Saturday, May 7. What's more, $1 from each ticket sold going to Edgar's Mission, a non-profit sanctuary that provides assistance to rescued farm animals. More than 2,000 people have already expressed their interest on Facebook, so anyone hoping to attend had better snap up tickets fast. The screening at Hayden Orpheum will take place a few weeks later, on the evening of Friday, May 13. The cinema previously payed tribute to rock legend David Bowie and recently departed actor Alan Rickman with a special screenings of Labyrinth and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 earlier in the year. Prince's death has sent shock waves through popular culture and inspired countless tributes, from Spike Lee's massive Brooklyn block party to landmarks lighting up purple in cities around the world. US President Barack Obama described him as a "creative icon." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuXK8ZbTmLk Find out more about Purple Rain at The Astor here and The Hayden Orpheum here. Updated: April 26, 2016.
The man who conquered Melbourne’s laneways has set his eyes on the sky. Co-creator of Laneway Festival and the man behind Thousand Pound Bend, Ponyfish Island and Sister Bella, Jerome Borazio will stake his claim to a prime piece of high-altitude Melbourne real estate, with an upscale camping ground on the Melbourne Central roof set to open on May 20. "I was literally just looking at the building, and I had this idea," Borazio tells us. "I’ve worked with Melbourne Central on and off on projects for five or six years now, and I know they’ve been trying to activate it, so I knew the space was available. But I wasn’t just going to put another pop-up restaurant or pop-up bar up there." Christening the project St. Jerome’s – The Hotel, Borazio promises "five-star intelligent design" and "high level personalised service" to go along with panoramic views of the Melbourne skyline. The accommodation consists of 30 canvas bell tents, with a combination of standard 'rooms' and suites. There's the 'Luxe' (a four-metre Homecamp bell tent) and 'Luxe Plus' (five-metre Homecamp bell tent, with mini-bar, electric blankets and heating) option to pick from, both fitted out with pretty stunning bed linen from Linen House's latest collection — and they'll provide you with one of their fluffy white robes too. Guests will have access to a range of amenities including 24-hour concierge service, free wi-fi, a guest-only communal lawn area, complimentary breakfast hampers, morning coffee by Plantation, goodies from the Swisse Body Care range and free Tai Chi and meditation sessions every morning. The St. Jerome’s – The Hotel General Store will be stocked up with everything from postcards to bed socks, amenities to Laurent Perrier Champagne, Victorian wines from Treasury Estate to Melbourne-based Fire Drum Vodka (yeah, not your average camping ground kiosk). The five-star trappings also mean a five-star bill, and Borazio says prices would start from around $330. That puts it about in line with other high-end CBD accommodation, but a tad more expensive than just pitching a tent in your own backyard. But this is a pretty unique stay in a significantly epic setting. The Melbourne Central rooftop has seen sporadic use over the years, and was recently home to a pop-up tennis court during last year’s Australian Open. The space is expected to open for business on May 20, and Borazio remains undeterred by Melbourne’s notorious winter weather. "We actually think it’s quite romantic," he says. "You’ll be in the tent, hearing the rain on the canvas. It's a pretty unique experience." St Jerome’s – The Hotel currently intends to occupy the space for a limited time only. St. Jerome's — The Hotel opens on May 20. Stay glued to their Facebook page for more updates.
You're trekking across Botswana and Victoria Falls, putting one foot in front of the other from Beijing to Shanghai, kicking off your shoes on the coast of Goa. First thing you do? Take an Instagram of your feet — it could win you the whole damn trip. Thanks to STA Travel, the popular act of taking a photo of your feet is now deemed a 'shoefie'. This new term isn't just for social media fun, but for charity. Instead of simply making your followers jealous with your toes in the sand, do some good with those kicks. STA Travel is teaming up with Soles4Souls Australia for #mynextstep, an unprecedented travel adventure coupled with a charitable cause. Enter and you could win a return trip to some of the world's most adventurous, beautiful locations. The shoefie gig is simple: take a shot of your feet and Instagram @statravel with #mynextstep and your dream destination. The most creative shot wins a return trip, an adventure tour and $2000 in spending money. All for taking a shoe pic. The catch? There isn't one. But since CP readers are decent people, we're betting you'll also follow through with the other half of the partnership — hit up an STA store and donate a nicely worn pair of shoes for a cause to Soles4Souls. The Australian charity raises more than just awareness for disadvantaged people, both locally and internationally. The partnership between STA Travel and Soles4Souls is a no-brainer, and them combining forces for a great cause is the icing on this sweet, sweet deal. At its core, this campaign is asking Aussies to 'put their best foot forward', both socially and charitably. And with the bonus possibility of winning tours that span sailing Croatia to an epic adventure from Delhi to Kathmandu, what better way to nab your dream holiday. STA Travel's #mynextstep promotion runs until 30 November, so get your shoefie on. To find out how you can enter the competition, head to the #mynextstep website.
If you think you’ve missed your chance to nab tickets to an epic New Years' music festival, think again. Jump across the Tasman and head to the unassuming vineyard city of Gisborne for three days of pumping beats and good vibes this December. Now in its 13th year, Rhythm and Vines has roped in some of the globe's best and brightest international and local artists to welcome in the first sunrise of 2016. From hip hop heavyweights to smooth electro sets, you’re guaranteed to be making at least one solid resolution after seeing this year's huge lineup. Heading up the bill on opening night, Pittsburgh-based rapper Mac Miller will be delivering tracks fresh from his latest record GO:OD AM after playing to sell-out crowds across the States earlier this year. Night two sees local rascals Sticky Fingers take the stage, along with iconic Canadian dupstep/house duo Zeds Dead. Throw in killer DJ sets by Grammy award-winning electro trio Nero and English producer Sub Focus and you'll be throwing shapes long into the night. Rounding off the festival, siblings Angus and Julia Stone will put their serenading skills to the test, before the ever-epic Pendulum kick things up a notch alongside NZ DJ Sir-Vere, plus many more legendary acts. Phew, it’s going to be a hell of a ride. If the thought of forking out the funds for an airfare is dampening your spirits, we’ve got some good news. Thanks to the crew at Air New Zealand, you and one lucky music-loving mate could be jetting off to Rhythm and Vines in A-class style. With return flights, a four-night stint at the Quality Hotel Emerald Gisborne and Vintage Club VIP access to the entire festival, you’ll be the envy of all your pals. Did we mention you’ll even score stageside access to Peking Duk’s opening night performance? Our Concrete Playground NZ team will host you on a backstage tour of the festival before getting side of stage to Peking's highly-anticipated set. Talk about a party to remember. To land a spot to this ripping NYE bash, click here to enter the Party with Peking competition. Image: Nick Gee/Paul Hoelen.
Murals have been painted, skate parks revamped, herb gardens built, and plenty of punters have a pretty damn great concert experience in their pocket. After 40 projects, 3000 volunteers and a lot of paint and hard work, Optus RockCorps has wrapped up for its third year with a huge concert at Luna Park's Big Top. Filled with 3000 volunteers who had volunteered their free time helping out their community in exchange for tickets, the Big Top saw hip hop superstar Wiz Khalifa perform alongside Canberran dance duo Peking Duk, Brisbane pop sisters The Veronicas and bright young Atlanta artist Raury. You couldn't buy tickets to this gig — everyone who attended had participated in DIY, hands-on projects at community centres around Sydney. Well earned, team. By the numbers, Optus RockCorps is a pretty impressive feat: 3000 volunteers took part, 12,000 volunteer hours were clocked up in Sydney throughout the initiative, 40 different community groups were helped out including youth groups, schools, community centres and environmental groups, 1446 litres of paint were used, 5180 muesli bars were given out, 4742 bottles of water were drunk, and over 100 x 50 litre bags of potting mix were dished out. Top notch.
One of the last Art Deco theatres in town, The Ritz has given Sydney locals eight decades of cinematic education. From its early days at the forefront of modern cinema, to its current status as peddler of box office hits and quirky indie flicks alike, it's impossible to say when The Ritz had its heyday. If you were to ask anyone around town, they'd tell you its still having it. The heritage-listed building was built and designed by Aaron Bolot in 1937, the man behind a number of immaculately preserved Art Deco constructions in Potts Point. The iconic facade, which has been carefully added to over the intervening years, is a stunning example of the Art Deco style from the 1920s and 1930s, taking cues from the aesthetics of Chicago and New York. After World War II, the minimalist and pragmatic architecture of Modernism began to take hold around the world, but The Ritz clung on, not as a relic, but as a beacon of brilliance, standing out against a city that became more and more about functional design. In 1993 The Ritz almost met an untimely demise, when owner, Jack Ziade proposed demolishing and remodelling the cinema complex. Rather than watch the icon go to waste, the Randwick City Council intervened, pushing through a Permanent Conservation Order that had been filed in the mid eighties. Generations of Sydneysiders continue to frequent The Ritz. Beyond the silver screen, the cinema serves as a reminder of the glitz, the glamour, and the glory that cinema has always given us. To celebrate its 80th birthday, The Ritz is harking back to the bygone Hollywood era with regular screenings of classic movies from another age. Showing on Wednesdays and Sundays, the selections of classics spans the 1940s, 50s, and 60s — from the drama of Casablanca to the thrills of North by Northwest (you can check out the full list here). To help celebrate Sydney's iconic cinema, we've got ten double movie passes to give away, so you can catch any flick you want to at The Ritz. All you've got to do is enter your details into the box below and you're in the running. [competition]616883[/competition]
Whether you're an architecture fiend or just appreciate that next-level house in your neighbourhood, you'll get quite a kick out of this year's Sydney Architecture Festival. The fully-loaded 2016 event will be headlined by internationally renowned architect and Wikihouse founder Indy Johar, specialist in socially-driven sustainability and home ownership game-changer. If you've ever dreamed of owning a house, if you've given up on the dream, sit up and pay attention — he's about to change your mind on October 3. What is socially-driven sustainability? Well. Today's world certainly looks different than the world our parents and grandparents grew up in and nowhere is this more acute than in the built environment. Generally speaking, house prices are skyrocketing, land is at a premium and millennials, unlike our Baby Boomer counterparts, have far less opportunity to own a house. But while we might not ever own the three-bedroom terrace house of our dreams, architects like Johar are working to change the paradigm of home ownership (and low-key saving the planet at the same time). His project Wikihouse is an open source catalogue of design and construction blueprints for cheap, material-light houses that offer a glimmer of hope that even the lowest of socioeconomically positioned people may own a house in this century. They're also developing a chain of manufacturers and partners to follow the process through and cut down cost while minimise environmental harmful material wastage. This cute cottage (the 'Microhouse') will only cost you approximately AUD$77,000 to build. It's a big deal as localised prefab and 3D printers are ushering in a fourth industrial revolution and changing the way construction and design is executed. Like so many pioneering companies that shift more control back to the individual (like Airbnb and Uber), Wikihouse makes these sustainable designs public property. Of course, it's a little more complex than simply picking your design and plopping it on a block of land. Truly sustainable architecture responds to the conditions of the site, the needs of the inhabitants and the available materials so while the building technology is universal, it can be adapted to each site and then printed and assembled like IKEA furniture (check out a video of the designs in action here). Indy Johar will appear at Sydney Architecture Festival, running September 30 to Monday October 3 across Sydney. Register to here to see Johar talk or check out his work through his firm architecture00 here.
Redfern's brimming with good coffee nowadays, from the legendary talents of Coffee Tea and Me, to the sandwich wizards at Scout's Honour and the lauded skills of the Three Williams baristas. But there's a new kid on the block, serving up solid cups of espresso goodness on Redfern Street. And they're only $3. This teeny cafe might seem new to the likes of the inner west, but south Sydney has been lining up for this brew for years. Meet Communion Coffee, the very first city offshoot cafe for Sutherland's White Horse Coffee. WHC has built up quite the cult following over the years, sourcing, roasting and extracting specialty coffee in both their Flora Street espresso bar and roastery. Lines out the door are commonplace at the espresso bar, customer nicknames are ingrained, baristas are seriously loyal. So after solidifying their community in the south, WHC set their sights on a more northern location — picking Redfern for their first venture outside the Shire. Named 'Communion', the Redfern Street cafe started with a need to bring people together over coffee — both within the cafe, but more significantly between south and inner Sydney. Communion's run by two of White Horse's best, Benji and Kyle. They're keeping coffees at $3 (which let's be honest, is a bloody steal). If you're feeling peckish, Communion has a modest food menu — various flaky pastries alongside brekkie rolls ($8), muesli ($7) and an avo smash ($10). But soon you could be feasting on smoked barbecue goodness; Benji's keen to get a smoker out the back — think smoked brisket, portobello mushrooms, haloumi, you name it, they're thinking of smoking it. Find Communion Coffee at 86 Redfern Street, Redfern. Open Monday to Friday 6am - 3pm, Saturday and Sunday 8am - 2pm. To go straight to the source, find White Horse Coffee's espresso bar at Shop 2/137 Flora Street, Sutherland.
The girls are taking over Gaffa Gallery this month. From July 20 all four galleries will be occupied by diverse exhibitions featuring an all-female line-up of artists and curators. In Gallery 1 you'll see HEY GURL, a group show curated by gallery manager Kimberley Peel. Twenty female-identifying artists use a range of media (everything from puppet-making to photography to audiovisual installations) to respond to issues of identity and gender equality. Over in Gallery 2 is String Line, a solo show by Helen Amanatiadis that presents a series of sculptural and textile works, showcasing intricate techniques for working with string. Amanatiadis considers various types of string – "from fluorescent builders line to soft baby's nylon" – to investigate the significant role that string has played in human evolution and invention. In Gallery 3 you can check out Amy Elizabeth's solo show Pin up Girl – a series of screen-printed illustrations responding to a resurgence of 1950s pin up culture in contemporary Australian society, and its connection to gender identity and notions of femininity. Finally, in Gallery 4 emerging curator Kristina Neumann draws together six ACT jewellery and object artists who work across a range of media (glass, metal, clay, wood and more) to reference "architecture, the body and the spaces in between." In explaining the show's origins, Peel says 'We noticed that 75% of our 2016-17 exhibition program artists identify as female. I was first developing my own curatorial endeavour HEY GURL, and then I thought – why not extend this into Gaffa's gallery program?' All four shows end July 31 so get in quick. Image: smalltime magic, 'Distance Dialogues' 2017
Sydneysiders have been pretty damn stoked with their lofty tourist attraction, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, since it opened on March 19, 1932. Then, in 1998, Bridgeclimb Sydney let keen beans walk all over it — bringing even more sweet, sweet tourist dollar to the city. Even we walked over it. Now, Melbourne wants a piece of the high-flying action, with a brand new attraction planned for the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Confirmed by Sports Minister John Eren on 3AW Breakfast and reported by The Vine, the Victorian and Federal Government are planning to spend $3 million on a 'tourist walk' at the MCG, built high above the hallowed turf. Apparently you'll be able to survey your crickety kingdom from 70 metres up — the ultimate spot for one heck of a Classic Catch. The best bit? There are reports of a flying fox or zipline to send you whizzing across the MCG. A ZIPLINE FLYING FOX. Official plans and dates haven't been revealed as yet, but we can dream. Via 3AW and The Vine. Image: Sascha Wenninger.
For the past few decades, the line between news and comedy has become increasingly ill-defined. From The Daily Show to Jon Oliver's Last Week Tonight, programs that offer a tongue-in-cheek look at current events have proven increasingly popular with young audiences across the globe. Here at home, similar escapades like Shaun Micallef's Mad as Hell, The Chaser, and The Weekly with Charlie Pickering work hard to cut through the noise of the 24-hour news cycle, packaging hard-to-digest news stories in funny, accessible ways that make viewers actually want to tune in. The coalescence of real news and satire will be the subject of a panel at Storyology, Sydney's four-day journalism and storytelling festival presented by The Walkley Foundation. Among the speakers tapped for this particular panel, dubbed 'News Meets Comedy', are two poles of this new era: journalist Jeanette Francis, host of SBS TV's The Feed, and satirist James Colley, creator of The Backburner and a writer on The Weekly with Charlie Pickering. Ahead of the event, Concrete Playground spoke to both about the line between comedy and journalism, and how a blend of the two can help engage the public with news they might otherwise try to ignore. [caption id="attachment_580286" align="alignnone" width="1280"] The Feed.[/caption] IS IT FUNNY NEWS OR INFORMATIVE COMEDY? One of the big questions faced by programs like The Feed or The Weekly is what comes first: the news or the comedy? "I think we're still debating amongst ourselves," admits Francis. "Are we a news program that's funny or a comedy program that's kind of newsy?" Colley, for his part as a satirist (as opposed to a conventional journalist), sees The Weekly more as "a comedy program that uses news as its fodder," but also says that the aim should be to both entertain and inform. "If I can keep this funny, but also teach you something worthwhile, that's like the Golden Goose," he says. "You can't be spending your day watching and reading everything... and I don't blame people for not wanting to tune into the news. I don't want tune into the news a lot of the time, and I get paid to do it. But I think if what we can deliver is half an hour where you're laughing a lot and you're having a good time, and if we are so lucky as to also impart something worthwhile, then that's a dream position to be in." For Francis, it boils down to a pretty simple formula. "One, it's got to be factual, and two it's got to be funny," she says. "As long as you've got the facts in there and as long as it's funny, I feel like you can kind of do whatever you want." [caption id="attachment_580287" align="alignnone" width="1280"] The Weekly with Charlie Pickering.[/caption] MAKE PEOPLE WANT TO PAY ATTENTION Of course finding the humour in a serious news story isn't always easy. "One of the first big stories I got to work on in the first season was about Indigenous incarceration," says Colley. "Frankly, not a barrel of laughs. But it's a topic of deep importance, and one that means a lot for me." "What you're trying to do is turn an eye towards something, and make it less scary," Colley continues. "I know I'm onto a good story if something is absolutely horrifying and I'm wondering, 'Why didn't I know about this?' And the answer is always because I didn't bother to engage with it. And if I didn't, chances are other people might not have either. So then it's your job to form that into something [people] would want to engage with." This idea of making the news more engaging is something that appeals to Francis as well. "I think satire and comedy is a great way of communicating anything, and news is not an exception to that," she says. "For me, the journalist in the monochrome dress or suit standing in front of wherever it is talking into a microphone with that very journalistic voice that everybody has to learn, I think it's a style of journalism that is becoming a little bit more transparent... I think when there's comedy and there's satire, it goes a little bit past the headline and past just lifting the information and the facts of what happened. And I think that appeals to people." IT PAYS TO AVOID THE EASY JOKE With the rise of figures like Donald Trump in the US, as well as the resurgence of Pauline Hanson here at home, you'd imagine that this is a pretty good time to be working in satirical news. "Pauline Hanson will say a lot of things, and a lot of them don't make any sense," says Francis. "Sometimes you don't really need to point the finger at her repeatedly to get the point across. She does a very good job herself. But it's always been the case that conservative politicians, or politicians with a bit of flair, have always made good fodder for satirists." On the other hand, you don't always want to be grabbing at low-hanging fruit. "What I've come to understand in the last couple of years, is that as much as you would think that chaos and absurdity and the absolute worst of these people is good for satire, it's actually the opposite," says Colley. "When you're trying to be substantive, and do in-depth looks at things, it doesn't help for someone to be blatantly wrong and awful. A good example would be a couple of years ago when Abbott bit into that onion. It doesn't take a satirist to work out that hey, that's weird and funny. It doesn't help you because it's too easy... no one wants to dunk on a child's hoop. "I like when people talk in substance, because I don't want to be a flag-bearer for a side," he adds. "I want to have a debate of ideas to improve our democracy. To put it as loftily as I can, when I realise what I'm writing is dick jokes." See Jeannette Francis and James Colley speak at Storyology from August 10-13. Find the whole program here. To sweeten the deal, the first 20 Concrete Playground readers to book tickets score 20 percent off, thanks to our partners at the Walkleys. Book here.
After more than two years of public pressure to bring it back, Insert Coin(s), is returning to Oxford Art Factory with enough large pixelated Pac Men to satisfy any veteran arcade gamer. Presented by OAF and Reboot PR, in conjunction with Turn Left Distribution and QV Software, the night will have the patented Insert Coin(s) combo of good music, '80s-style arcade games, and in-demand new release games. For gamers this will include the 'first-ever Australian public hands-on' of the much-anticipated Street Fighter V, with prizes from Turn Left and QVS for those of you showing up in Street Fighter cosplay including free entry to future events. To keep up the energy levels you’ll need to beat that high score on pinball there will a Woofy’s hot dog cart serving grass-fed Angus beef hotdogs with all of the toppings, free candy and Street Fighter-themed cocktails — they won’t last all night though so get in quick if you want your red ‘Ryu’ or blue ‘Chun-li” concoctions. Doors open at 6pm.
Get outside for a little fresh air and exercise with a pack of marauding, flesh-eating zombies snapping at your heels. After pulse-racing chases around the US and Asia, undead obstacle course Run For Your Lives is headed to Sydney and Melbourne. Halfway between a marathon and a Romero movie, the rules for the event are relatively simple: participants navigate various obstacle, including a blood pit, a ropes course and even a Resident Evil-style 'laser grid', while trying their very best not to be eaten tagged. Every survivor gets three lives, represented by blood coloured flags tied to their waist. Lose all three lives and it's game over. You can also choose to play as a zombie, with a hair and makeup team on hand to help with your ghoulish transformation. Regardless of which team you’re on, don’t wear anything you won’t mind getting damaged, and make sure you bring a spare change of clothes, shoes... and a towel. And before you get any bright ideas, this is strictly a weapons free event, so leave the sawn-off shotgun at home. After the race, players will be able to attend an apocalypse afterparty, with dance music, live entertainment and zombie-themed activities. You'll probably need to let off some steam after this. Run For Your Lives hits The Dairy in the Western Sydney Parklands on Saturday September 5, before heading to a yet to be confirmed location in Melbourne on Saturday October 24. Tickets to the Sydney event are available now and start from $59. For more information, visit www.runforyourlives.com.au. View all Sydney Events.
One of Sydney's best bakers, Iggy's, is starting a new chapter. Closing their beloved Macpherson Street shop in Bronte, Iggy's founders Igor and Ludmilla Ivanovic have opened a brand new headquarters for their lauded sourdough loaves — just up the road at number 131. Usually selling out of their naturally leavened, hearth-baked breads by around 11am, Iggy's Bread is no stranger to queues down the street — queues that, regardless of the new venue's bigger capacity, probably aren't going to get any shorter. The Ivanovics simply have more room to experiment with new baking techniques — although they'll still be specialising in country sourdough, whole wheat sourdough, francese and seedless white rye. Of course, Iggy's Belgrave Street venue still stands. But the new Macpherson Street space allows Iggy's to be more environmentally-friendly. According to Good Food, Iggy's now has an energy-recovery system that uses the heat generated by the bakery for things like hot water and shop's heating system. Find Iggy's Bread at 131 Macpherson St, Bronte or 49 Belgrave Street, Bronte. Via Good Food.
How much is too much to pay for a movie, particularly when you're watching it on your own couch? Film lovers have been asking this question since the days of VHS rentals; however the streaming revolution keeps bringing it up again and again. If you've spent the last year trying to work out whether forking out for Netflix, Stan or Presto is worth it, here's another service — and expense — to consider. No, we're not talking about the much-discussed Screening Room, which wants to charge a premium to stream first-release films at the same time as they're in cinemas. Instead, Sony's finally getting in the game, with a brand new service that's causing us to ponder our bank balances. Called Ultra, due to land in the US on April 4 on Android-compatible Sony 4K TV sets (yep, already niche), and kicking off with 40–50 titles such as The Walk, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Ghostbusters, the streaming platform will enable viewers to watch 4K-quality films in their own homes (something Netflix is already doing). But — and this is a very big but — it'll cost $30 per movie. Yes, if and when it comes to Australia (with details of local availability unknown at the time of writing), you'll need to lay down three tenners for every single flick — or the same amount it'd cost two people to see a film on the big screen. That's not much of an incentive to sign up, particularly given that cheap Tuesday tickets continue to excite cinema-goers in droves. On the other hand, $30 is the same price you'd pay for a new release DVD, and you do get to keep a copy on Sony's UltraViolet cloud storage solution. So, the real point of contention is: do you really want to pay extra for better streaming quality? As always, waiting and seeing is the only real answer, though we're not optimistic that anyone will rush to Ultra given the price. 4K content is already available on Netflix for $14.99 per month, after all — and even if you've lost your sneaky access to the US version of the service, their local range is still much larger than Sony's planned catalogue. Via The Next Web.
Trips between CBD and Parramatta could one day be a whole lot faster as the NSW Government has today promised to put a fair chunk of funding towards its plan for an ambitious new high-speed underground train between the two Sydney business districts. The State Government today committed a huge $3 billion to the Metro West project — which includes $28 million in the coming financial year — as part of its Budget 2018. The project — which would see a completely new underground train line built from the CBD to Parramatta — was first announced back in November 2016. If built, it would complement the existing overground (and at-capacity) T1 line and service a range of areas, including Sydney Olympic Park, White Bay, Rozelle and Westmead. The funding is expected to pass through Parliament and, should there be a change in government at next year's election, still go ahead under Labor — Labor leader Luke Foley has said that the Metro West is the "number one transport project" for the party. The $28 million in the 2018 budget will go towards planning and designing the stations so that the next stage of development can be finalised. Work on the project is expected to begin in 2020, and it's slated for completion in 2025. If all goes to plan, Parramatta will also have a new light rail system by then and the CBD could have nine new metro stations.
Fishbowl is Bondi's first pokè dedicated restaurant, serving up nothing but pokè seven days a week from morning 'til night. With the cheesy slogan "everything will be pOKè," owner Nathan Dalah is bringing a bit of LA food culture to Bondi with his new venture. Set apart from Coogee's Love Pokè Hawaiian-style sushi, Fishbowl is rockin' it LA style while using modern Japanese ingredients. The bar is 'BYOB' only — build your own bowl. In case you're intimidated, it's pretty easy — the sashimi salad bowls essentially deconstruct a sushi roll and take it to the next level. The five bowl-building steps are simple — base, sashimi, toppings, sauces and garnish — but the flavour combinations are complex and seemingly endless. Bases don't only offer the standard sushi rice, but also include inventive options like vermicelli, coriander and carrot. The toppings are a wide range as well, from avocado and edamame to tobiko (flying fish roe) and beetroot. For sauces, think miso tahina, roasted sesame and wasabi or truffle mayo, garnished with the likes of wasabi peas, togarashi (Japanese capsicum) and nori. If you love the flavour combos but aren't feeling like fish, tofu sashimi is also available for the vegos out there. Tofu sashimi. The price is right too — patrons can choose to build a shallow ($12.9) or deep ($17.9) bowl. We must say their Instagram photos are looking pretty damn tasty with all those bright, contrasting colours of pokè goodness. We're already creating our own order for the day the door opens: quinoa and brown rice base, kingfish sashimi, avocado, seaweed salad and ginger toppings and spicy ponzu sauce, garnished with toasted coconut. Feel free to copycat. Fishbowl Poke Bar is now open at The Pacific Bondi, 180 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach. Open seven days a week from 11am to 10pm. For more details visit fishbowlpoke.com.au. Updated: Monday, July 18.
Tucked in behind the hub of Central Park, away from the traffic of Broadway, sits number 48 Kensington Street, a sandstone building that's been taken over by the natural world. Vines creep through the windows, run along the walls, and sneak under the doors. It's the home of Stoneleigh Hotel, a house by Stoneleigh wine that's been filled with overgrown plants, moss-covered furniture and of course, wine. From November 11 until December 3, there will be hosting workshops, classes, live music and entertainment among many, many wine tastings inside the hotel. It's all because of Stoneleigh wine and its relationship to nature. The vineyard is situated in New Zealand's iconic Marlborough region and sits atop an ancient riverbed that weaves its way through the vines. The stones that form the riverbed, called 'sun stones' by the winemakers, soak up all the sunlight during the day and release this heat come nightfall, ripening the grapes by moonlight. This is the philosophy behind their wines — they let Mother Nature do the work, just as they have within the Stoneleigh Hotel (kind of, it's a man-made overgrown hotel). The hotel immerses us in the natural processes that bring their wine to life, and brings a little bit of nature to our inner-city bubble. Take a look inside. THE GREAT WINING HALL Upon arriving at the Stoneleigh Hotel, guests will be greeted by the concierge and shown through to the Great Wining Hall. The room has been overrun by creeping vines, spreading roots and a canopy of leaves. Vines hang from the glass ceiling and high window sills, and a moss-covered armchair sits against the wall. Over the next few weeks workshops (like our own fermentation workshop with Cornersmith, stay tuned for details), events and live music will all happen here. Visitors will take their place at a banquet table covered in plants and be treated to a tasting session of the Stoneleigh range. The vast selection of wines extends to far beyond the Sauv Blanc that made the region famous, and there is no better place to sip on these wines than surrounded by this man-made version of the natural world that crafted them. THE WILD VALLEY BALLROOM Last year, Stoneleigh released their first vintage of the Wild Valley range, comprised of wines fermented entirely by the forces of nature. Natural fermentation (or wild fermentation) uses the micro-flora already present in the environment to ferment the grapes, rather than introducing foreign yeasts into the product. The result is a richer, more texturally intricate wine that's intense yet elegant on the palate. Now in its second vintage, Stoneleigh brings the Wild Valley range to life in the ballroom, where guests are treated to a taster of the unique vinos, as well as a thorough rundown on the process that shaped them. Just like the wines themselves, the ballroom is an emblem of the slow march of time and nature, unimpeded by the hand of man. This room has a wall of bubbling chemicals and moss-covered furniture. THE SAUV BLANC POWDER ROOM This part of the experience pays homage to one of the two main grape varietals that made the Marlborough region famous, the humble Sauvignon Blanc. No celebration of New Zealand wines would be complete without mention of the grape, and Stoneleigh won't break the mould. Step into a world that reflects the time that's passed in the hotel, surrounded by the forgotten belongings of guests that have long since passed. Amongst the thriving forest within the Powder Room are the personal effects of past visitors, man-made objects left to disappear inside the grips of time. Dresses and jewellery hang from the walls alongside a delicately cream-coloured dresser — light and airy like the wine that inspired it. THE PINOT NOIR STUDY The other grapes perfected by our brothers and sisters across the ditch is the elegant, delicate Pinot Noir. Notoriously the hardest grape to grow and prepare properly, Pinot lends an air of quiet distinction, and the study in the hotel reflects this. Inside the study, guests are treated to another tasting session, and are invited to aquaint themselves with the excess of possessions that have melted into the foliage that surround the room. Get amongst the jewellery, the clothing and the vintage slippers. Find the Stoneleigh Hotel is at 48 Kensington Street, Chippendale from November 11 until December 11. Images: Michael Wickham and Kimberley Low.
It's an annual event of the deliciously unconventional variety. As the name suggests, World Whisky Day gives this beloved dark spirit its own global day of festivities. Sydney's Japanese-inspired laneway bar Tokyo Bird is renowned for their selection of over 80 whisky varieties, making it the perfect venue to celebrate the nectar of the gods, with a week of whisky-focused celebrations. From May 16, let bar manager Yoshi Onishi mix you one of Tokyo Bird's five World Whisky Cocktails, using spirits sourced from around the globe ($18 each). Don't miss the Pear Drop (with Writer's Tears Irish pot still whisky, pear liqueur, whisky barrel bitters and smoked cinnamon), and make sure to get a taste of their American-style Boulevardier (with Bulleit bourbon, Campari and sweet vermouth). Fancy a feast to pair with your whisky creations? Nab a spot at TB's Japanese Whisky Dinner on Tuesday, May 17 (sittings at 6 or 8.30 pm,). Bringing in Melbourne's Adam Liston (celebrated chef and former owner of Northern Light Yakitori Bar), the night promises five premium Japanese whiskies alongside five courses of modern Japanese cuisine ($135 per person, bookings essential). But if you'd rather wait for the day itself on May 21, head to Tokyo Bird from 1pm to sample their World Whisky Day tasting slights from the around the world ($38 each). After a sold-out day of festivities in 2015, we'd be getting in early to snatch up the best these guys have to offer. Tokyo Bird is one of our favourite whisky bars in Sydney. Read the whole list.
Connecting opposing cultures through art, Sydney-born photographer Robyn Beeche captured imaginations globally for decades with her experimental images. Despite sadly passing away at just 70 years old, Beeche’s impact on the photographic world remains immortalised through Black Eye Gallery’s retrospective exhibition, showing now until February 28. Straddling two distinct realities, her work moves from the 1980s new romantic, post-punk scenes of London to the vibrant, bustling streets of India. Noted for her ability to distort and disrupt the body with lighting and makeup, Beeche’s early sculpture-like shots gave way for a completely opposing aesthetic following her life-changing pilgrimage to the Indian town of Vrindavan in the mid-'80s. Trading collaborations with notable personalities such as Zandra Rhodes, Vivienne Westwood and Leigh Bowery, these later years of self-discovery see her work take on a refreshing sense of movement and life to reflect her shifting cultural climates. Head along to see the spectacular offerings from this beloved artistic treasure.
As temperatures (finally) begin to drop and sidewalks become blanketed with layers of leaf-litter, its time to take things indoors. But rather than skipping straight to the wintery ritual of cozying up in front of the fireplace of your neighbourhood pub, we've found you the perfect autumn watering hole. A Surry Hills institution, The Winery welcomes the team from champagne house Perrier-Jouet for a residency you'll want to get along to. Le Jardin by Perrier-Jouet brings drinkers a Garden of Eden-inspired pop-up bar, complete with lush indoor greenery and plenty of champagne flowing. Opening their doors from 5pm Thursday and Fridays, as well as Saturdays and Sundays from 3pm, Le Jardin is the grown-up garden party you've always wanted to be a part of. And this Wednesday, April 27, Perrier-Jouët will host a champagne masterclass in the Le Jardin space. The masterclass, hosted by Perrier-Jouët's Global Champagne Ambassador Chris Sheehy, will take participants through a selection of the French champagne house's famed cuvees — including the Grand Brut, the Belle Epoque 2007 and the Blason Rose. Each Champagne will be paired with a specially created menu, featuring natural oysters with cucumber granita, pan seared salmon with Champagne Beurre Blanc, orange and fennel, and white chocolate pannacotta berry compote. You can buy tickets here, or enter your details below for your chance to win a spot at the table. [competition]569492[/competition]
There is arguably no better combo than wine and snacks, something the BABS team know all too well. They're bringing their successful pop-up back to Newtown's Either/Or and by all accounts, absolutely stepping it up a notch after two successful sell-outs. Putting some of the city's best female-led kitchens in the spotlight, the third round of BABS (which stands for Bad Ass Bitches, in case you were unaware) has chef Laura Rheinlander (Bar Vincent) and Ellie Hayes-O'Brien behind the menu. Think sharing snackies like Teta's olives, pumpkin tempura with brown butter and lemon, pancetta arrotolata with prune and even BABS' take on a fried sardine sandwich. To wash all that down is a wild wine list from a bevvy of female winemakers curated by Bec Shave— including a glass of Val Frison 'Lalore' blanc de blanc brut nature on arrival. Cheers to that. Running across two sessions on Sunday, August 14, tickets will set you back $90. And don't worry if you're a dietary-requirement darling — the BABS ladies will see you're catered to accordingly (and deliciously). [caption id="attachment_862567" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Haydon Fanning[/caption]
We're only just now wrapping things up for this summer, but already the NGV has us anticipating the next one, today lifting the covers off plans for its most ambitious exhibition yet. Descending on the gallery this December, and then every three years after that, the NGV Triennial series will present a smorgasbord of art and design, plucked from all corners of the globe and representing established artists, emerging talent, and plenty else in between. Each blockbuster lineup will highlight the ever-blurring lines between art, fashion, architecture, design, and performance. Kicking off with a bang, plans for this year's inaugural event are nothing short of grand, with the NGV announcing the free exhibition will take over all four levels of the gallery and host exciting works by over 60 artists and designers. But where it's really upping the ante is in the audience experience, with visitors invited to present their own ideas through cross-platform content, and the exhibition's participatory works designed to engage like never before. Legendary Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, best known for her obsessive patterning and vibrant representations of the infinite, will invite glimpses into the artist's mind with a work titled Flower obsession. Created especially for the NGV Triennial, the interactive exhibition will have visitors unleashing some creativity of their own, as they help plaster a furnished space with an array of colourful flower stickers and three-dimensional blooms. Kusuma joins other international names like Germany's Timo Nasseri and Canada's Sascha Braunig, alongside an Aussie billing that includes the likes of Ben Quilty, Louisa Bufardeci, and Tom Crago. There'll be an installation from Chinese haute couture fashion guru Guo Pei, designer of Rihanna's canary-yellow Met Ball gown, and an epic display of 100 oversized human skulls created by Australian artist Ron Mueck. Chemist and odour theorist Sissel Tolaas will create the 'scent of Melbourne' exclusively for the Triennial. And Alexandra Kehayoglou will be creating one of her monumentally-sized, lushly illustrated carpets, spanning over eight-metres-long. The NGV Triennial lands at the NGV Melbourne in December 2017. Image: Yayoi Kusama.
Some of Sydney's best bars will become classrooms for one night this October, as 20 academics from The University of Sydney take over 20 of the city's best bars with free talks. Coming to Sydney for the first time, it's called Raising the Bar, a bloody great idea and worldwide initiative that's previously run in New York, Hong Kong and London. Raising the Bar was dreamt up by, of course, a group of students from Columbia University and New York University, keen to get those new, thought-leading ideas they'd heard in class to the general public — for free. People are already ranting, debating and discussing in bars and pubs, why not take things back to the '70s and drop a tweed jacketed academic in the mix to open minds? Locked in for October 20, Raising the Bar will see 20 of Sydney Uni's top academics speaking on a huge range of topics, from Western assumptions of veiling to what's happening at the Paris climate summit, to medicinal cannabinoids. Want to get fired up about Taylor Swift with an academic backing you up? Dr Rebecca Sheehan (United States Studies Centre) is heading for The Record Crate in Glebe to unpack 'Bad blood: Women, danger and popular music'. Professor Sahar Amer (School of Languages and Cultures) will head to Knox Street Bar for 'To veil or not to veil?', discussing the Islamic fashion industry and the many, many reasons why Muslim women choose to veil. Probably the most 'classic university' of the talks, Dr David Allsop (Faculty of Science) will stay on campus at Manning Bar for 'Weeding out the myths about cannabis' to weigh up both sides of the legalised medical marijuana debate. If you're keen for a pint and a climate change adventure, Professor Tim Stephens (Sydney Law School) will head for The Bristol Arms Hotel for 'What’s hot at the Paris Climate Talks?', delving into December's summit and how global decisions are being made in the realm of global warming. That's just five of the talks happening across Sydney bars on the night, with fifteen more set to stir up debate — check out the whole program here. Raising the Bar is happening Tuesday, October 20 from 6.30-7.30pm. All talks are free, and registration opens 9am Friday 18 September 2015. Image: Victoria Baldwin.
So, you've survived the 18-day movie marathon that is the Melbourne International Film Festival for another year. Well done. If you're anything like us, overdosing on films hasn't dampened your enthusiasm for all things cinema. In fact, you're probably itching to catch up on all the great flicks you just couldn't fit into your MIFF schedule. That's the thing about features screening at film fests: unlike Pokemon, you just can't catch them all. We've tried. If you're wondering what you should seek out between now and next year's event, our critics Sarah Ward and Tom Clift are here to help. They've honed down their huge viewing lists to these ten must-see picks — the best, weirdest and most surprising films of this year's MIFF. BEST: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WLx2bARU0k THE NEON DEMON Nicholas Winding Refn loves to push people's buttons. He did it with the flashes of gut-churning violence in Drive. He did it with the oedipal eroticism in Only God Forgives. And oh boy, does he do it in The Neon Demon, too. A slick, stylish, blood-spattered psychological thriller about a young LA fashion model on the rise, the latest film from the provocative Dane has divided audiences around the world, and understandably so. Aided by a pulsing synth score from regular collaborator Cliff Martinez, the nightmarish glow of Natasha Braier's cinematography, and four perfectly calibrated performances from Elle Fanning, Bella Heathcote, Abby Lee and Jena Malone (with special guest appearance from the one and only Keanu Reeves), Refn carves up society's soulless obsession with beauty, before pulling out all the stops for a horrifying, taboo-shattering, laugh-or-you'll-vomit finale. Make no mistakes: there will be walkouts. -TC TONI ERDMANN A 161-minute German comedy might sound like an unlikely prospect, but bear with us. Though the first half of Maren Ade's third film might make you yearn for a bit less time in the titular character's awkward company, that's by design; in contrast, the second half will make you hope that the movie doesn't end. That's also the path Bucharest-based consultant Ines (Sandra Hüller) traverses as she first attempts to avoid her goofy dad Winfried (Peter Simonischek), and then eventually warms to his wig and false teeth-wearing alter ago, as well as his attempts to brighten up her all-too-serious life with a little levity and fun. You'll laugh, you'll cry and you'll break into applause — and you'll marvel not only at Ade's astute direction, but at Hüller and Simonischek's pitch-perfect performances. - SW https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHVFP80Upxw UNDER THE SHADOW The debut film from Iranian-born, London-based writer-director Babak Anvari, Under the Shadow takes familiar horror tropes — the creepy kid, the mother at her wit's end, the shadowy figure lurking just outside the frame — and transports them to a wholly unusual setting. It's 1988, the tail end of the Iran-Iraq War, and Tehran is being bombed by Iraqi forces. But air raids soon prove the least of Shideh's troubles, after she and her young daughter Dorsa find themselves being stalked by a supernatural evil. A rare spooker that manages to be genuinely frightening while offering insight into life in post-revolution Iran, Under the Shadow should appeal to fans of horror films and foreign-language fare alike. We had a chat to Anvari over here. -TC GIRLFRIENDS Girlfriends is the best American indie film you haven't seen — and the one you should go out of your way to watch as soon as you can. One of the six films in MIFF's Gaining Ground: Take Notice retrospective focusing on trailblazing female directors working in New York in the '70s and '80s, Claudia Weill's debut narrative feature brings honesty, authenticity and humour to the tale of roommates Susan (Melanie Mayron) and Anne (Anita Skinner). When the latter decides to move out and get married, the former is forced to navigate her twenty-something life of finding work as a photographer and looking for love on her own. With supporting turns from Bob Balaban and Christopher Guest, the end result is one of the most perceptive and poignant of the ups and downs of female friendship committed to the screen. It's not by accident that Weill's most recent job involved directing an episode of Girls. - SW KEDI When is a cat video more than just a cat video? When it's a documentary about the feline population of Istanbul. Ceyda Torun's film scampers around the Turkish city following a selection of its furry, four-legged residents as they go about their daily lives, however, this isn't the kind of footage you've watched over and over again on YouTube. Don't get us wrong — Kedi (which means cat, of course) is as cute as you'd expect, and it's also wise, warm and insightful as well. Not only does the doco explore the personalities of its central creatures and the people whose lives they've changed just with their presence, but it examines the seaside locale at street level, investigates the importance of kitties in its history and unearths the developments threatening to transform entire communities. - SW https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJ6IPQ2lTeQ OPERATION AVALANCHE An antidote to all those crumby found-footage horror movies out there (thanks Paranormal Activity), the sophomore film from Canadian director Matt Johnson (The Dirties) is the most inventive, entertaining fake documentary we've seen in quite some time. Set in the late '60s, with a grainy 16mm look that suits the era, the film follows a group of low level CIA agents who accidentally discover that NASA can't land on the moon. Their solution? Fake it. What follows is an ingenious comedy that slowly shifts into a white-knuckle thriller – one that's fueled by a love of movies and weird conspiracy theories at every turn. -TC WEIRDEST: MEN & CHICKEN A who's who of Scandinavian film and television stars band together for a family drama that's not quite like any other, even if it initially seems to follow a familiar path. Two brothers (Mads Mikkelsen in a rare comedic turn, and We Are The Best!'s David Dencik) try to reconnect with their long-lost relatives in writer/director Anders Thomas Jensen's darkly hilarious effort; however given that the duo have a few peculiar traits — one can't stop masturbating, and the other has quite the gag reflex — they're in for quite the strange reunion. A search for their father leads them to their three siblings (The Killing's Nikolaj Lie Kaas, Søren Malling and Nicolas Bro), who live in an abandoned asylum on an isolated island with more than their fair share of animals. In a sci-fi-esque premise Kafka would be proud of, it only gets weirder from there — and more silly, slapstick, empathetic and amusing. - SW https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPIKSnBJGo OFFICE 3D Hong Kong director Johnnie To is best known for making gangster flicks. So needless to say, when we heard he'd shot a musical, we were more than a little intrigued. Filmed entirely on a sound stage, at the centre of which stands the elaborate skeleton of a gigantic office building, Office follows the various employees of trading company Jones & Sunn, as they climb the corporate ladder, plan outlandish embezzlement schemes, fall head-over-heels in love with one another and occasionally burst out into song. Mixing tongue-in-cheek social commentary with soap-style melodrama and elaborately choreographed song-and-dance numbers, the film was probably one of the strangest looking films of the festival. And it was definitely one of the strangest sounding. -TC MOST SURPRISING: TRAIN TO BUSAN Is there anywhere that zombies haven't tried to invade? Or any form of transport that hasn't been overrun with unwanted creatures? Yes, Train to Busan lets the undead loose in a locomotive hurtling across Korea, and yet, in the process, it becomes an action-packed, zombie-focused dissection of class clashes and today's me-first mindset that its formulaic concept won't quite prepare you for. Finding both fun and thoughtfulness in all the expected elements, writer/director Yeon Sang-ho does let his movie journey on a little longer than it perhaps needs to, but the film still elicits thrills, tension, emotion and entertainment for the bulk of its running time. Plus, it's also a rare live-action sequel to an animated effort (the much more bleak Seoul Station, which also screened at MIFF); however you don't have to have seen that to thoroughly enjoy this. - SW https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1rMTHBSwuI THE LOVE WITCH Writer-director Anna Biller both recreates and subverts the look, feel and maddening gender politics of '60s exploitation horror flicks. The Love Witch follows the adventures of a seductive sorceress named Elaine, who'll stop at nothing, be it murder or satanic invocation, to find herself a man. From the lighting to the production design to lead actor Samantha Robinson's (wonderfully) stilted performance, Biller absolutely nails the aesthetic that she's going for, while at the same time turning misogynist genre conventions on their head. Admittedly, the novelty wears off after a while — at two hours, the movie feels way too long, although we suppose you could argue that that's part of the homage. Regardless, when it works, this is a jaw-dropping piece of retro-inspired feminist filmmaking. -TC By Sarah Ward and Tom Clift.
