Latin American cooking and a top shelf name? Paddington's newest restaurant, Tequila Mockingbird, already ticks multiple boxes for us. Opening this week on Heeley Street in Paddington, this cheeky bird is the brainchild of ex-Sake staffer Michael Fegent, who's thrown his lot in with Riley Street Garage chef Regan Portenous. Together, they've nicked all the best dishes from Mexico to Argentina — along with a healthy assortment of spirits to wash them all down. The menu at the 110-seat eatery is a seasonal affair, and is split into a number of distinctive sections. In the 'raw' section you'll find ceviche tacos and kangaroo tartare nachos, while the standout of the 'street' section looks to be the alpaca and mozzarella empanada. Just make sure you leave ample room for something from the chargrilled 'flame' section, be it barbecue lamb shoulder with red chimichurri, or dry aged rib eye with garlic jalapeno butter. Of course, with a name like Tequila Mockingbird, you know that booze will be a big part of the equation too. Their drinks list begins with a glossary of tequila terminology, in order to help newbies feel at home. In total they offer more than 40 different tequilas and mezcals, along with a dozen signature cocktails and a massive selection of wines. Find Tequila Mockingbird at 6 Heeley Street, Paddington. For more information visit www.tequila-mockingbird.com.au.
Hello Kitty's imminent fate as a burger has been confirmed. Chur Burger's award-winning chef Warren Turnbull has joined the team heading up the kitchen at the highly-anticipated Hello Kitty Diner in Chatswood. The first-announced 'local food hero' bringing their mad skills to the diner, Turnbull will be given the opportunity to interpret Hello Kitty according to his own personal style. That means burgers, people. Turnbull's Surry Hills laneway joint, Chur, still has lines out the door on a weekday, so this is a strong poach from the Diner team. Turnbull will be pretty hands-on with the Diner's exclusive Sydney menu, kitchen set-up and staff training. His menu will include burgers (of course) and yet to be revealed snacks — we've been given 'Asian twist' as a clue here, with the promise of Korean fried chicken and classic American diner vibes. "Food is my way of telling a story and I’m excited to introduce people to a whole new Hello Kitty experience," says Turnbull. "The menu will take you on a journey that’s tasty, fun and full of surprises.” Sydney's first Hello Kitty Diner revealed its opening date and location last week, and remains one of the year's most awaited Sydney openings. Watch this space for more details — we're hanging out for the menu.
LA clubbing royalty is headed to Australia for the first time ever this month — and she's making sure its a debut to remember. High-octane, inclusivity-focused party A Club Called Rhonda has become something of a legend in the States, described as a "pansexual paradise, a haven for all identities and inclinations". And, having graced venues across LA, San Francisco, New York, Canada and Berlin, she's making an extravagant one-night appearance at Sydney's own home of good times, The Lansdowne. Making the most of the pub's freshly approved 5am lockout-free licence, Picnic + Terzini Presents A Night In LA with A Club Called Rhonda crashes into town for one debaucherous evening — filled with glitter, lasers and colour — on Saturday, August 24. A star-studded cast of US and Canadian guests will be along for the ride, from Atlanta QTPOC crusader Leonce to Montreal's ghetto-house superstar Martyn Bootyspoon and Rhonda Co-Founder Goddollars. Joining the internationals on the bill will be a lineup of local dance legends and queer icons, including Stereogamous — the self-proclaimed gayest band since The Village People — and Ayebatonye. Other DJs and performers working their magic across the Lansdowne's two levels include Sarah Moany, Adi Toohey, Millie Skyes, Felicia Foxx, Luen and Freda's Spicy Salami (aka owner David Abram). Of course, with that lineup and those hours, you're going to need some decent fuel, which comes in the form of tropical disco cocktails from Yael Vengroff — American Bartender of the Year 2018 and head bartender at The Spare Room in LA. Picnic + Terzini Presents A Night In LA with A Club Called Rhonda will run from 9pm–5am.
Cruising into Sydney Harbour, tourists aren't given too much of a heads up that Sydney is and always will be Gadigal land. Passing the Sydney Opera House (by Danish architect Jorn Utzon) after sailing by the Sydney Harbour Bridge (realised by multiple English-born or -descended minds), there's plenty of European heritage on show. But the City of Sydney intends to give the Aboriginal peoples of Sydney their own monument, to remind both tourists and Sydneysiders of their ancient heritage and also that Indigenous people are a still a huge part of the city's modern identity and community. The City of Sydney is commissioning an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander artist to get started on a new $1.25 million monument to be located near Sydney Harbour, making moves to fix Sydney's lack of visual recognition of the land's original and remaining inhabitants. According to SMH, the new monument means to publicly celebrate the Eora people of Sydney and recognise the city as traditionally and currently Gadigal land. "The Monument for the Eora will be a prominent public artwork to honour the Eora Nation and, in time, a Sydney Harbour landmark like the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge," Lord Mayor Clover Moore told SMH. It's all part of the City of Sydney's Eora Journey, a huge project that celebrates the living culture of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Sydney with seven major public artworks, a huge major event, an economic development plan and an upcoming Aboriginal cultural centre. This isn't Sydney's first major Indigenous public artwork plan, but as SMH points out, past initiatives haven't been realised as they should. Apparently the Biennale of Sydney actually commissioned a huge memorial to Indigenous people in 2010, to be carved into the cliff (carved into the cliff!) across from the Opera House. But it never happened. In better news, many works by Indigenous artists have been commissioned for the Barangaroo site, which has just opened its foreshore park. Artists need to submit their monument proposal to the City of Sydney by November 16. The $1.25 million artwork is expected to be installed on Sydney Harbour by 2017. Via SMH.
Rockpool Dining Group is making good on its promise of rapid expansion, with the hospitality group now boasting a whopping 60 venues. This includes last year's openings of Rosetta Sydney and Cantonese restaurant Jade Temple, along with Burger Project openings in Brisbane and Parramatta and the launch of two takeaway spinoffs, Fratelli Famous and Saké Jr. Not to mention openings of Rockpool and Sake planned for Paramatta in 2020. Now, the Neil Perry-led mega group is teaming up with Patrón Tequila on a new Mexican restaurant and bar in Circular Quay. Considered a 'premium dining venue', Bar Patrón by Rockpool combines Mexican flavours with fresh Australian produce and, of course, lots of tequila. The fit-out, familiarly designed by Grant Cheyne (who looked after Jade Temple, Burger Project and Rockpool Bar & Grill), takes inspiration from Mexican haciendas, the sub-tropical timber homes of Queensland and Caribbean bungalows — though this space is certainly no humble bungalow. Located in the old Café Nice — and, most recently Café Ananas — space, the venue boasts the same large windows looking out towards the harbour but with a window-side marble bar, Italian leather furnishings, lush greenery, retro bronze light fittings and some red-orange tones. Perry will oversee the menu, which focuses on modernised Mexican classics for lunch and dinner, serving the pre-theatre and late-night city crowds — the kitchen will stay open past midnight. Think snacks like wild mushroom empanadas and chicken adobo tamales, tacos including al pastor and zucchini flower, tortas and ceviche for lunch and larger plates of enchiladas, chicken mole and shared taco platters for dinner. It's also offering a daily range of house-made pastries and desserts, including flan, dessert tamales and traditional corn cakes. Patrón is, not surprisingly, the only tequila on the menu, which includes its core range alongside special edition tequilas like Roca Patrón and Gran Patrón for top shelf drinkers — with five limited and numbered barrels distilled exclusively for the bar. For the really high rollers, the bar also houses bottles of hard-to-find drops of Patrón en Lalique Serie 1 and 2, which come in limited edition crystal decanters that cost over $10,000. Signature margaritas sit alongside other cocktail offerings including classic Mexican favourites like palomas and horchata. For wine, the list features local drops but also spans regions from Spain and Portugal to Argentina, Chile and the States, with an extensive Champagne menu to boot. For private events, the space accommodates up to 150 of your nearest and dearest, or a small VIP area for up to 20 guests is also available — which might come in handy on Thursday through Saturday nights when DJs take the stage. Rockpool Dining Group's foray into Mexican follows a recent wave of Mexican restaurants that have opened in Sydney, including Chula in Potts Point and Bondi's Fonda. Bar Patrón opens for dinner on Thursday, March 8 at 2 Phillip Street, Sydney. It'll be open from for lunch and dinner until midnight seven days a week, with the kitchen staying open later on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights (with a bar menu from 11pm). For more info or to make a booking, visit barpatron.com.au.
SXSW has hit Sydney for its first-ever event outside of the US and Concrete Playground is on the lineup. We're putting on a panel about news and information in the era of short-form video during the eight-day conference. Gone are the days of "I read an article about". Gone are even the days of "actually, I just saw the headline". We're now well and truly in the age of "I watched a TikTok". The way that we absorb information is constantly changing, and right now video is ruling — especially among gen z and millennials. Our SXSW Sydney panel is looking at just this, pulling together a group of video-first creatives to discuss how young people are consuming info in the digital age. The panel will feature Pedestrian.TV's Issy Phillips to discuss digital news and journalism; astrophysicist and scientific communicator Kirsten Banks to chat about the role of TikTok, Reels and YouTube in sparking people's love in all things space; and Concrete Playground's very own Ben Hansen to talk about how we're searching for recommendations and deciding how to fill our calendar in 2023. Moderating the panel will be producer of ABC Radio National's AWAYE! and former Out of the Box host on FBi Radio Mia Hull. If you want to head along, the panel is taking place at Room E3.9 at ICC Sydney at 2pm on Wednesday, October 18. Appetite for Distraction is open to anyone with a Platinum Badge or Industry Badge at SXSW Sydney. Check out our full round-up of the ten panels and talks to have at the top of your hit list for the conference. Top image: Jordan Kirk.
Potts Point laneway anchor Waterman's Lobster Co. is no more. No longer a restaurant obsessed with the perfect lobster roll (only Maine or Connecticut style, no exceptions), the Lankelly Place space is now a moody, late-night wine bar. Owner Matt Swieboda has brought the original team from Darlinghurst small bar Love, Tilly Devine back together for the new venture, which has been dubbed Dear Sainte Éloise. The new venue's name is taken from George Orwell's first full-length book Down and Out in Paris and London, in which the destitute narrator prays to a photo of (who he thinks is) Sainte Éloise for enough money to buy bread and wine. "To us, this passage shows the joy that these really simple things can bring and that's what we're all about," says Swieboda. It turns out the photo in the book is actually of an infamous brothel madame, which the team saw as another sly nod to their Tilly Devine days. Dear Saint Éloise has a strong emphasis on wine, with a whopping 350 list to choose from. "Like at Tilly, we want to over-deliver on people's expectations and show them the diverse kind of wine list you can have in a small space," says Swieboda. The menu spans from Austrian and German to Spanish and Portuguese varieties, as well as South African, Georgian, and the requisite Australian and New Zealand bottles. A section of the wine list titled 'The Less Popular But Very Delicious Wines Of The World' also includes some more obscure French varietals, along with Greek and Hungarian. The rest of the drinks menu is pared back to keep the focus on wine, but includes a very small, four-cocktail list featuring a 'premium' Negroni using Tasmanian gin, Spanish vermouth and Adelaide's Applewood Distillery liqueurs. Joining Swieboda in this venture is a crew of Tilly alumni, from business partner Nate Hatwell (head sommelier at Mercado) and manager Jasmin Natterer (London's Sager and Wilde) to head chef Ben Abiad (co-founder Brickfields Bakery, ex-Sean's Panaroma and Mecca). Abiad will oversee the venue's two kitchens which include a restaurant kitchen and a front-of-house/bar kitchen. Menu highlights include burrata topped with smoked oil and served with charred bread to start, and a Gundooee sirloin served with radish butter and silky fennel for main. The venue also has a particular focus on oysters, which they're sourcing fresh for each service from the farmers at Australia's Oyster Coast Co-op. The Waterman's fit-out has been transformed to take on this small bar persona, swapping out the outdoor seating and bright, open space of Waterman's for an indoor-only, intimate 45-seater with warm lighting and dark timbers. Dear Sainte Éloise is looking to become the next late-night haunt for the area, with the kitchen open until 11.30pm five nights a week. Dear Sainte Éloise is now open at 5/29 Orwell Street, Potts Point. Opening hours are Tuesday through Thursday from 5pm until midnight, Friday through Saturday noon to midnight and Sunday noon to 6pm. For more info, visit dearsainteeloise.com.au. Images: Nikki To.
Between work and errands, who has time to visit art galleries during the week? Luckily, the Art Gallery of NSW is kind enough to invite us into their galleries every Wednesday until 10pm for their ongoing Art After Hours event. But this week has more Australian '80s-style synth pop than usual, with Sydney's own Client Liaison playing a free show as part of the After Hours festivities. Renowned for their infectious '80s synth and '90s pop influences, this pair continues to pack a punch with the release of their debut EP, Queen, last year. If their sold-out Spiegeltent shows at Sydney Festival this year are anything to go by, the AGNSW had better put a few more nails in the wall — furious dancing is mandatory. Extravagant and over-the-top in every way, Harvey Miller and Monte Morgan are well worth checking out, revisiting or continuing your straight-up superfandom for. If a high-energy midweek dance party sounds like your jam, check out Client Liaison from 7.30pm in the Entrance Court. Again, it's free. Words by Lucinda Starr, Emily McHale and Shannon Connellan.
Grab your diary. Call your mates. Reserve your horse. Secret Garden has just announced its 2017 dates. And we're happy to tell you that Australia's beloved, grassroots, made-for-mates-by-mates festival will be taking place over 48 hours, across Friday 24 and Saturday 25 February. You have less time, however, to scrape your cash together. Ticket sales kick off at 9am on Thursday, September 29. If you're a regular gardener, you'll know that they sell out pretty damn quickly, so don't dilly dally. Good news is, though, that, were you at the festival in 2014, 2015 or 2016, you're in for a sweet surprise in the form of pre-sales. To find out exactly what that involves and when it'll be occurring, keep a close eye on your inbox. As usual, we won't know anything about the lineup or festival program until tickets are sold out. But, we can tell you that, as always, Secret Garden will bring you an immersive experience, a long way out of the city, within a magical natural setting transformed into a wonderland. You'll find yourself wandering through a forest maze, getting lost in massive installations, discovering unexpected pop-up performances and coming across tucked-away parties in custom-made rave caves. Maybe. All we know for sure? As always, you're invited to wear your craziest, most dressed up fancy dress. Start planning. Secret Garden will run over Friday 24 and Saturday 25 February. Tickets on sale 9am Thursday, September 29. More details on the festival's (insanely awesome) website. Images: Tim Da Rin, Zakarij Kaczmarek.
If you've found yourself walking, riding or driving past Darling Harbour and Tumbalong Park of late, it would have been impossible to miss Sydney's sparkling, newest development. Set to open in December 2016, the $1.5 billion International Convention Centre Sydney will boast three new theatres, an entertainment precinct, an open-air event deck and more, and has had Sydneysiders talking since the first bulldozer hit the site. So who's behind this colossal new resident? ICC Sydney is being delivered by the New South Wales Government and Darling Harbour Live, part of a larger AU$3.4 billion, 20-hectare transformation of Darling Harbour. It's operated and marketed by AEG Ogden, who manage some of the Asia Pacific region's biggest stadiums and convention centres, from Qudos Bank Arena to Newcastle Entertainment Centre, The Gabba, Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Suncorp Stadium Brisbane Convention Centre and Sydney Exhibition Centre at Glebe Island, among others. A next-level, co-designed project by Hassell + Populous, ICC Sydney aims to function as one of Sydney's go-to venues for conventions, exhibitions and events as "Australia's first fully-integrated entertainment and events quarter", creating thousands of new jobs as a result. So, what can we expect from this spectacular harbourside venue? We took a peek inside the future ICC Sydney. THREE EPIC NEW ENTERTAINMENT VENUES Arts lovers, you'll get more than a kick out of this. ICC Sydney not only boasts a cheeky 35,000sqm of internal exhibition space, the building will also feature not one but three new theatres. The ultra contemporary ICC Sydney Theatre is a tiered venue capable of seating 8000 or holding 9000 with GA standing floor. According to ICC Sydney, the theatre "has been specially designed to host the world's greatest performers and entertainment spectaculars with state-of-the-art technical facilities." Events are already on sale. Meanwhile the Darling Harbour Theatre has 2500 seats tiered and is more intimate, with the furthest seat just 32m from the stage. Last and most snug, the Pyrmont Theatre seats 1000. Entry to the main theatre at ICC Sydney will see you entering underneath a 180-square-metre screen with large scale projections. A NEW PUBLIC DOMAIN FOR OUTDOOR EVENTS Right outside ICC Sydney, Tumbalong Park has long served as a prime outdoor event space for festivals, live music and food events. There's been a massive overhaul of the public domain that surrounds the building, with an outdoor event space for up to 11,000 people planned and improved pedestrian access from Chinatown and Haymarket, Pyrmont, Ultimo and Central Station. AN OPENAIR EVENT DECK Imagine having a cheeky beverage overlooking the Sydney skyline before a concert? Sitting on the roof of the exhibition centre is, a 5000-square-metre event deck, offset with a bar and lounge area and views over Tumbalong Park and the city. Sure to host some pretty damn great parties. AUSTRALIA'S LARGEST BALLROOM You heard us, ICC Sydney will play host to Australia's biggest ballroom. Located on the very top floor of the building, this sure to be spectacular room will boast some of the best views in the city. Set to host 2000 people in banquet mode and over 3500 in cocktail mode, the ballroom will likely host some of Sydney's most bigwig events and award ceremonies — cough ARIAs cough Logies cough. NEXT-LEVEL EVENT FOOD OFFERINGS Aiming to debunk the party pies and sausage rolls realms of convention centres worldwide, ICC Sydney has recruited some significant chefs for the culinary side of the centre. Executive chef Tony Panetta is behind the wheel, with executive sous chef Constantin Kautz (former head chef at Sydney's Intercontinental). They're joined by former chef at the National Gallery of Victoria Jack Astin, chef de cuisine Dylan Sanding and pastry chef Michael Belcher — all overseen by ICC Sydney director of culinary services Lynell Peck. The team has committed to a focus on NSW regional suppliers, and will serve up seasonal, high quality produce and fresh seafood. Visit ICC Sydney to find out more about career opportunities, opening December 2016.
When it comes to creating and nurturing a family, all you need is love. That's the main message Gayby Baby pushes, as encompassing the perspective of those too often told that affection, commitment and forging a life together aren't enough for their unions to be legally recognised. Yes, we're talking about same-sex couples and their children — i.e. those at the centre of many a political and newspaper debate about sexual orientation and lifestyle preferences. Maya Newell's observational documentary, as inspired by her own upbringing by two lesbian mothers, gently works to refute perceptions about societal structures other than the stereotypical, so-called nuclear unit of a mum, dad and two kids that the suburbs are supposedly founded upon. In a broader sense, that's what the first-time feature filmmaker achieves in her follow-up to TV doco Growing Up Gayby, showing episodic slices of domestic and school life. However, honing in on the details, Newell also crafts a moving look at the experience of adolescence as told from the rarely seen vantage of the young hearts and minds at the centre of it all. Accordingly, an engaging group of 10- to 12-year-olds monopolise the movie, each united in their age range and stage of maturity, as well as in belonging to families with same-sex parents. Of course, they're brimming with diversity in other ways, namely their hopes, dreams, circumstances and personalities. Gus loves wrestling, much to one of his mothers' dismay, while Ebony is endeavouring to gain acceptance into a prestigious performing arts school. Matt is overcome with difficulties reconciling the teachings of his church with his home life, and Graham is learning to read as he relocates from Sydney to Fiji with his fathers. The tales their experiences touch upon could tie into many a kid in many a home across Australia, and that's Gayby Baby's strongest element. Gus, Ebony, Matt and Graham aren't different because their parents are gay, though they're needlessly forced to worry that they are. Interweaving political content — including Matt and his mothers meeting then Prime Minister Julia Gillard — helps emphasise the point, albeit with subtlety. The film doesn't focus on shouting an agenda, but rather lets the reality that these families face on a daily basis do the talking. So skips along a sensitive documentary made with the intimacy and authenticity its topic deserves. That the project was largely crowdfunded demonstrates the desire for on-screen explorations of the subject. That it bubbles over with earnest affection rather than overt statements shows how heartfelt and personal the end product feels. And while there's little that's revolutionary about the filmmaking at play in Gayby Baby, comprised of footage that flits between fly-on-the-wall and chats to camera as it is, the overall result proves as effectively constructed as its content. Students can access discount tickets to Gayby Baby at the Dendy Newtown.
The queen returns. Legendary fashion icon, unforgettable Bond villain and music superstar Grace Jones is returning to Australia, announced this morning as headlining Vivid Sydney's Modulations mini-festival at Carriageworks. Locked in for two performances on Sunday, May 31 and Monday, June 1, Jones marks her first Sydney appearance since her jaw-dropper of a show at the Enmore in 2011 (there were costume changes every two or three songs, we swear) and is set to be one dramatic, high fashion affair. This will be Jones' only Australian appearance this tour, not unlike last year's Modulations headliners, the Pet Shop Boys. “A truly iconic singer, songwriter, model, actor and all round enigma,” said Modulations creative director Stephen Pavlovic. “[Jones’s] live sets are duly renowned as nothing short of incredible, segueing from disco to funk, from pop to punk, all presented within a visual spectacular as stunning as the musical artistry.” Jones marks the top of the bill for Vivid's six-day Modulations festival-within-a-festival. After a hugely successful weekend pairing music, food and ideas at Carriageworks last year, Modulations returns with an expanded program set across two weekends. Sitting at the top of our Modulations priorities, a brand new pop-up called Italo Dining and Disco Club. Sydney restaurants Da Orazio Pizza + Porchetta, 10williamst, Icebergs Dining Room & Bar and Fratelli Paradiso will come together to present a weekend of Italian specialities, natural wines and itallo disco legends on the decks. Italo will be held May 31, June 1, June 2, June 5, June 6 and June 7 from 5pm til late at Carriageworks. But the music doesn't stop there. Alongside already-announced living jazz legend saxophonist Pharoah Sanders (who was just in Sydney performing at Atomic Bomb! for Sydney Festival), and the Pelvis/Motorik/Kooki dance club team-up party on June 7, another iconic musician joins the Modulations party. One half of KLF — one of the UK’s biggest successes of the early 1990s — and one of music's most provocative personalities Bill Drummond will deliver a keynote address and unveil a new artwork on June 6. Drummond famously burned one million pounds sterling (the KLF's earnings) for a work called Watch the K Foundation Burn a Million Quid at a boathouse on the Scottish island of Jura, so expect the unexpected. Modulations runs over two weekends starting Sunday, May 31 during Vivid Sydney (22 May to 8 June). For more information and tickets, head to Carriageworks' website. Image: Andrea Klarin.
Barangaroo House has been three years in the making — we first wrote about this back in 2014 — and the anticipation around it will surely injure someone if it continues to grow. Thankfully, the first concept within Matt Moran and the Solotel Group's three-tiered stacked bowl masterpiece in Barangaroo has just been announced. Taking the name Smoke, the rooftop level will be a cocktail bar nested on the rooftop level of the harbour-straddling oasis. Needless to say, there's going to be a 'smoke' theme which will be evident in both the 50-plus cocktail menu and interior design. The architecture of the building is striking as it is, and the interior will mirror these standards. We already know that there will be colours of black, white, pink, burnt orange and green across tallowwood timber floors, brass fittings and leather and velvet upholstery. The building will be draped in plants, from which garnishes will be sourced. Head sommelier of Barangaroo House, John Paul Wilkinson, has created a 400-bin wine list featuring both small and large growers and a huge selection of Champagne. You'll also be able to choose from at least 50 other cocktails, both new and classic with spirits from local and international distillers. Food throughout the building will be overseen by credential-heavy Cory Campbell, who previously headed Noma and Vue de Monde. Moran has long hoped to showcase contemporary Australian cuisine, and the food at Smoke will be matched to cocktails. Expect oddities such as fried smoked brisket doughnuts, spiced crisp chicken skin skewers and a sea urchin and orange jam toastie. It'll have a capacity of 150 outdoors and 100 indoors and a specially-designed soundscape will allow live music. With the harbour at arm's length, we can already see it being the perfect place for Friday evening drinks. When the building is fully open to the public on December 15, it'll be a gargantuan addition to the Streets of Barangaroo, which is already teeming with bars, cafes and restaurants. The two other levels are set to be announced in the coming weeks. Barangaroo House will open at 35 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo on December 15. We'll keep you tuned about further Barangaroo House openings as news is announced. Until then, visit barangaroohouse.com.au.
It's usually only politicians, land owners and military leaders who get pubs named after them. But, this NRL Grand Final, Chippo's Lord Gladstone is flipping the tradition. For one glorious weekend, the pub will change its name to Lord Gallen, after Sharks captain Paul Gallen. "Even though we're not in the Shire, we decided for this week only to rename the pub in honour of the great man Paul Gallen," said publican and Glad owner Paddy Coughlan. "We love the Sharkies and, in particular, Paul Gallen — and how he's led the team all year is remarkable. I think everyone in Sydney will be adopting the Sharks as their team for this Sunday's Grand Final and we're no different." Behold: What's more, Lord Gallen's also getting a humble Glad dish dedicated to him — because nobility dammit. Between today and game day, you'll be able to order Pico Degallen Fajitas for ten bucks at lunch and dinner time. This puntastic meal comes with chicken breast, salsa verde, rice, cheese and jalapenos, topped with salsa rojo, melted cheese and... Pico DeGallen. Hee! "Paul Gallen has some mongrel in him and we love a bit of mongrel. With any luck, he, Benny Barba and Jack Bird can bring home a premiership to the Shire and the rest of Sydney," says Paddy. Find the Lord Gallen at 115 Regent St, Chippendale. Long may he reign.
Playwright Kate Mulvany has adapted Craig Silvey's 2009 Indie Book of the Year, Jasper Jones, for the stage — and scored a 2015 Nick Enright Prize nomination in the process. It was one of the hardest tickets in Sydney to get when it graced the Belvoir stage in January 2016, and now it's back by popular demand for a limited run. If you see a ticket, jump on it. Seriously. It's Western Australia in the 1960s. Charlie Bucktin is a clever 14-year-old whose ambition is writing The Great Australian Novel. But he's faced with a moral dilemma when Jasper Jones, an indigenous boy who serves as the town's scapegoat, turns up at the window asking for help. Jasper has unwittingly come across a crime scene. But he's too scared to tell anyone, because he knows he'll cop the blame, without question or fair trial. So he asks Charlie for help in solving the mystery. In the suspenseful story that develops, Jasper Jones explores race relations, the Vietnam War and small-town Australian culture, alongside teenage friendships, word play and the complexities of growing up. Mulvany deftly adapts Silvey's words for the stage, keeping the right balance of tension and humour. At Belvoir, her script is directed by Anne-Louise Sarks, with Guy Simon playing Jasper Jones and Tom Conroy in the role of Charles Bucktin.
It's no secret that few things get us as excited as food and booze. But one place in particular is getting us really, really excited: Brix. Now open in Surry Hills, the distillery and bar not only serves booze — it makes it on-site. And it's the first craft distillery dedicated to rum in Sydney's inner city in a long time. Rum? Yes, rum. It used to be distilled at the old Pyrmont CSR factory from the 30s till the 80s, but — apart from a limited release batch of Archie Rose virgin cane spirit — isn't something that's made widely made locally. We're all pretty up to speed and pumped about locally distilled gin, thanks to the likes of (the game-changing and continually impressive) Archie Rose Distillery and Poor Toms, but rum, generally speaking, is yet to infiltrate our collective craft spirit radar. Brix is a working distillery, shop, barrelling room and bar. The three passionate guys behind the whole thing are James Christopher, Damien Barrow and Siddharth Soin, and they're justifiably enthused about seeing their vision — which has been over three years in the making — come to life. The co-founders are old friends (and are also partners in Cammeray's popular local restaurant Public) and together they want to change the people's attitude to rum. Part of their job is to educate the public about the diversity of the spirit, which runs from a clear rum in a mojito to a syrupy spiced rum. The venue features a fully working distillery with an Australian-made 1200-litre still, which is overseen by head distiller Shane Casey (previously at Archie Rose). The team has launched with a core range of rums: Brix White, Gold and Spiced, which are, for now, only available at the Surry Hills distillery. As well as its own haul, Brix has a 'rum wall' with over 150 varieties from around the world, and a selection of Australian wines, local spirits and craft beer also available. A cocktail list, designed by bar manager Doug Laming, includes rum heavy-favourites, such as mojitos, piña coladas and daiquiris, and more inventive creations like the Bitter & Twisted, with grapefruit-infused rum and Antica, and the Pash the Distiller, with rhubarb bitters, tepache and Brix Gold. If you're keen to dive deeper in rum (not literally, we don't recommend jumping into the still) order one of the seven rum flights available at the bar — or hail the rum trolley. Roaming the bar every night on the hour, it gives guests a chance to sample different rums and chat to the in-house 'rum guru'. The grand space, which has been designed by interior design firm Amber Road, includes an intimate mezzanine barrelling room, overlooking the still, and an open kitchen with counter dining and banquette seating fitting 70 people on the ground level. It features lots of greys with copper details and wall art by local street artist Nico Nicoson. Brix isn't a restaurant, but food is still a central part of the distillery and bar. A compact menu, designed by Ivan Sanchez — who previously worked at Bodega and Porteño — features South American-inflected dishes, such as crisp tostadas topped with ceviche and pink grapefruit, pickled tongue with capers, jerk pork belly and a lineup of arepas (stuffed corn flatbreads). As for the name, 'brix' is a measurement of sugar in a liquid and is actually part of the rum making process. "At some point the distiller has to measure the brix of the liquid he's about to throw yeast into," Christopher explains. So what is the rum making process, in short? "Rum is made from sugar cane juice or molasses that is fermented, then yeast is added to produce alcohol. "It's then boiled at a temperature below boiling water, which makes the alcohol evaporate, leaving water behind, the alcohol goes into the column of the still as a gas, which is re-condensed, turning back into the clear liquid," he says. It can then be aged, spiced, mixed and blended at the hand of a distiller, and as Barrow says, "it's science up to a certain point, when it comes out of the still, and then it's an art — that's when the craft element comes in". And if you skimmed over all the sciencey part of that explanation, fear not — things will make a lot more sense at the distillery. AMENDMENT: AUGUST 22, 2018 — This article previously stated that Brix was the first inner city rum distillery to open in 200 years. This wasn't quite right, and we've amended this article to reflect Sydney's boozy history with the sugar cane spirit. Brix Distillers is now open at 352 Bourke Street, Surry Hills. Its regular opening hours at 12pm–midnight Monday–Saturday, and 12pm–10pm Sunday. Images: Dave Wheeler.
There are few better ways to spend a warm afternoon than by grabbing your mates for a few summer sundowners. In a city spoilt with beautiful vistas, you don't need to be by the ocean to enjoy the glow of the setting sun while sipping on a few refreshing ales or cocktails. From restaurant decks on suburban streets to hidden rooftops, these are our favourite spots in Sydney for watching the evening roll in — with a drink in one hand and snacks in the other.
The Eastern Suburbs' main watering hole is turning over a new leaf, with the reopening of their new beer garden and ground-floor venue, The Garden Bar. It's the first part of renovations for the Sheaf, with the upstairs spaces locked in for transformations later in the year. Design-wise, The Garden Bar in good hands, with creative team Alexander & Co at the helm (they're responsible for well-dressed Sydney spots like Surly's, The Morrison, Daniel San, The Print Room and Watsons Bay Beach Club). The crew have created a lush, fairy-lit outdoor space of the Sheaf's beer garden, with creeping vines, wooden tables and plenty of flora. Plus, the greenery and pastel decor extend to the ground-floor bar. Sounds like prime cocktail habitat to us. So what kind of garden-friendly nosh can you expect to be nibblin' on here? Chef Matt Weller, formerly of Swine and Co. and Ananas, has created a whole new bistro menu full of pub classics and contemporary bites. If you're looking to nibble, there's some oceanic share plates like the seafood board with blue swimmer crab, potted prawns, oysters and grilled half-shell scallops ($37) or the sashimi plate with salmon, kingfish and tuna ($25). But we're keen to try the Cracker Jack chicken lollipops with spicy green tomato relish ($14) — the last meat lollipops we had at Darlinghurt's The Powder Keg were out of control. If you're after something a little more hefty, there are mains like the prawn pizza with chilli, spinach, garlic zucchini and parmesan ($21) or the Sheaf wagyu burger ($19). Plus, there's going to be lunch and daily specials to shake things up. But this is a garden bar isn't it? Where are those beverages at? Alongside the Sheaf's new signature cocktail, The Garden Sling (St Germain, Limoncello and seasonal fruits), the team have created some pretty quirky cocktails for the new venue, like popcorn-infused tequila with lime caramel and grapefruit, or a soda and Earl Grey tea cocktail spiked with spiced rum and pomegranate (all $17). If you're down for a little live music, there's set to be local bands in the Garden Bar on Thursdays, with a bit of yazz on Tuesdays, and DJs like Luen, Chivalry and Sippy cranking out sets on the weekend. The Garden Bar at The Sheaf opens on Monday, June 15, at 429 New South Head Road, Double Bay. Images: Nikki To.
A bootery, a boarding house and an opium den. These are just a few of the past lives of 77–79 George Street, but The Doss House is the latest moniker for this heritage-listed building — and this time round, it'll focus on whisky. And we mean a lot of whisky — 150 bottles, to be exact. This enormous whisky collection is showcased in American oak cabinets throughout the venue and spans international regions from Australia, Scotland, Ireland, Japan and the States. Rare whiskies on offer include 30-year-old Hibiki and Glenglassaugh, as well Nikka 'Taketsuru' Fortune 80 and a GlenDronach bottle from 1994. Whisky flights will be introduced in the coming months so you can maximise your breadth of tastes. If you're not one to drink whisky neat, The Doss House has also got all the classic cocktails on offer, along with signatures like The Dusky Scotchman (Laphroaig 10-year, Branca Menta, honey and saline), a blackberry and lemon myrtle fizz (blackberry-infused Stolichnaya, lemon myrtle, fresh lemon and Cynar) and My Name Is Earl (earl grey-infused gin, peach aperitif, orange marmalade, fresh lemon and basil). For whisky-induced snacking, the kitchen is putting together share platters featuring a selection of pickles, chutney, cheese and meat, with the Aussie-themed platter specifically including emu prosciutto and kangaroo salami paired with native cheeses. Guinness and oyster pairings are on the horizon, too. The basement bar boasts five distinct spaces that each pay homage to a past tenant. The exposed sandstone walls and renewed original fireplaces are paired with brass fittings, antique mirrors, luxurious orange velvet banquettes and an antique chesterfield sofa. The custom-made leather armchairs in one room are offset by high bar stools in another, plus it's got a revitalised outdoor courtyard to boot. The soft lighting completes the vibe, giving off the dark and cosy feel of an old Irish pub. Which makes sense, considering the two owners, Colm O'Neill and Eoin Daniels (who's the founder of Top Knot Carpentry and Joinery), are Irish expats and childhood mates. Daniels boasts quite the Sydney resume — his carpentry business has fitted iconic venue interiors at Opera Bar, The Old Clare Hotel, The Clock Hotel and The Golden Sheaf. The duo is joined by local heavy hitters, including bar manager Alex O'Brien (Bar No. 5, Archie Rose) and Bobby Carey (Big Poppa's, Shady Pines, Riley Street Garage), who consulted on the menus. The Doss House is now open at 77–79 George Street, The Rocks. It's open 2pm–2am Monday to Wednesday, noon–2am Thursday to Saturday, and midday–midnight Sunday. For more info, hit thedosshouse.com.au. Images: Alana Dimou.
Award-winning design studio Luchetti Krelle (behind ACME, Banksii) is at it again, further transforming the look and feel of the Sydney hospitality scene with the opening of a new beachfront destination. Manly Greenhouse will open this year in the former Shore Club Hotel space, a prime piece of real estate that has been empty for nearly four years. The duo from the north shore's Sails on Lavender Bay, Greg Anderson and Patricia Nunes, are behind the venture and have smartly entrusted the A-team with the design. The revitalised space will bring the region's lush coast indoors, complete with plentiful greenery by local plant specialists The Plant Room. To pull off the greenhouse feel — which has been widely used of-late, most recently by The Fernery in Mosman — the designers are using steel structures, an abundance of glass and other transparent materials to accompany the plant life. The Nunes have also teamed up with illustrator Beci Orpin, with whom they've commissioned an artwork series of pressed natives flowers and other indigenous flora that will adorn the walls. The three-levels will have room for 400 all-up, starting with a glass-fronted bar at street level with all-day dining, a coffee counter and pizza oven. A charcoal grill-focused restaurant will sit at the middle level and will focus on steak and steafood. The rooftop bar (pictured) will surely be the venue's main draw – boasting an opulent central bar, booth seating, hanging greenery and glass skylights that run the length of the room, along with panoramic ocean views. Of course, just because it's designed by Luchetti Krelle doesn't mean it will be a successful venue, but we're pretty happy to go with the odds. UPDATE: APRIL 24, 2018 — It was originally slated to open in April, but Manly Greenhouse will now open on Friday, June 8 — just in time for the Queen's Birthday long weekend. We'll update you with more details and a look inside when it's closer to opening. Manly Greenhouse will open on Friday, June 8 at 36–38 South Steyne, Manly. For more info, visit manlygreenhouse.com.au.
Songwriting legend Paul Kelly's Making Gravy tour is becoming a bit of an Aussie Christmas tradition. Back for a second year in Sydney, the outdoor concert is kind of the perfect opener to the festive season — time to start thinking about getting the tinsel and ugly jumpers out of storage. As in 2018, you can expect to hear a stack of songs from Kelly's four-decade long career. Listen out for all the hits, from 'Dumb Things', from the album Live, May 1992, to 'Love Never Runs On Time' from Wanted Man (1994). Of course, the Christmas classic 'How To Make Gravy', first released in 1996 on an eponymous EP, is on the menu, too. The tour will coincide with the release of Kelly's new greatest hits album Songs From The South (1985–2019), his collaborative avian-inspired album 13 Ways To Look At Birds and a book of poetry he's curated, called Love Is Strong As Death. Kelly won't be hitting the road alone, either — he's inviting a bunch of special guests. He'll be joined by ARIA Award-winning rocker Courtney Barnett, Aussie Eurovison finalist Kate Miller-Heidke, NZ singer Marlon Williams and Gamilaraay songstress Thelma Plum. Image: Cybele Malinowski.
Hating on everything in your seasonally inept wardrobe? Feeling like dropping a sizeable chunk of your pay cheque on some new threads? You're in luck. Incu are set to host a warehouse sale at Paddington Town Hall from Friday, April 26 to Sunday, April 28. Best bit? The reductions are going up to 80 percent. Yep. EGADS. There'll be grabworthy stock from a heap of brands — including A.P.C. , Acne Studios , Isabel Marant Kenzo, Stone Island, GANNI, bassike, Common Projects, Mansur Gavriel, Alexander Wang, Matteau, Wood Wood, Nike, Maison Kitsune, Rag & Bone, Saturdays NYC, Cecile Copenhagen, Adidas, Y3 and more. Phew. Cash, EFTPOS and credit cards will be accepted, so maybe skip a few coffees this week. You can head along on Friday and Saturday from 9am–5pm, and on Sunday from 9am–2pm. Image: Incu.
If you've been hanging out at any of the inner west's microbreweries of late, you're probably familiar with Busboy. It's a pedal-powered food cart that delivers tasty, affordable eats to events, parties and pop-ups. Now, owner Ben Ogden wants to apply the same strategy to craft beer. And he's asking for your support through a Pozible crowdfunding campaign. "We've developed strong relationships with local brewers," Ben says. "It's such a great community ... I'd love to be able to make the craft beer experience more mobile." To make his dream happen, Ben needs to build a brand new cart. He'll be naming it Brewboy, then fitting it with a fancy dispensing system that can offer two beers and/or ciders at once. The next step will be to fill it with various brews — including Young Henrys, Wayward and Batch — before cycling to various festivals, parties and backyards. One of his longer term aspirations is to take Sydney's craft beers to far-flung country pubs, where mainstream brands still tend to dominate the taps. Cash raised on Pozible will go to the building process, as well as to liquor licensing, branding, artwork and promo. Pledgers are in for some pretty fun rewards, from Brewboy t-shirts and launch party VIP invitations to beer-and-bikes tours and epic burger cook-ups. As long all goes to plan, Brewboy will be rolling by November, just in time to bring more craft beer to your summer — wherever you are. Check out Brewboy on Pozible.
Outdoor yoga may be off the cards for the next few months, but you can continue to revel in Sydney's spectacular sunrises with the Opera House's indoor winter yoga classes. They'll be held in the Concert Hall's stunning harbourside northern foyer, where the morning sun will stream in through floor-to-ceiling windows while you practice. The nine-week program — which follows the House's outdoor autumn fitness series — kicks off on July 4 with classes running on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday mornings. The hour-long flow will be led by Crawf Weir (of Barefoot Yoga in Paddington) and will be followed by a brief meditation. Tickets are a little steep at $25 each, but there's surely no better way to start your day than by saluting the sun as it shimmers over the harbour. Images: Daniel Boud.
If you’re desperate for a Willy Wonka experience but don’t have the patience to look through all those candy bars for the golden ticket, we’ve got you covered. Sydneysider Katherine Sabbath, the cake magician whose outrageously Instagrammable creations look like they came straight from a unicorn-run Wonka factory combined with a touch of fairy dust, is hosting a high tea at The Tea Salon. Known for her wonderfully cartoon-like, candy-coloured creations, Sabbath is an up-and-coming fixture in the Australian foodie scene and has recently collaborated with big names such as Luke Mangan and Anna Polyviou. As you’d expect, her beautiful cakes have made quite a splash on Instagram. So what better way to let this talented Sydney food artist spread her wings than constructing an entire adorable high tea? On July 16 and 17, you'll be able to get your hands on a bounty of Sabbath’s marvellous cakes, cake pops, donuts and other weird and wonderful baked treats at The Tea Salon in the CBD. She’ll also be demonstrating how to make one of her epic cakes (you know what they say about teaching someone to bake an insanely delicious pastel cake masterpiece... they’ll eat it straight away. Totally an old saying.). But be sure to harden your heart and charge your phone camera, because Sabbath's creations look so good you'll almost (almost) not want to eat them. A spread of tea, sparkling rosé and scones will also be provided, as if you needed more reasons to attend. Here's a little taster: Katherine Sabbath’s Exclusive High Tea is happening on Thursday, July 16 (6pm-8pm) and Friday, July 17 (10am-12pm) at The Tea Salon, corner of Pitt Street Mall and Market Street, Sydney. Tickets are $45 pp, available here. Images: Katherine Sabbath and The Tea Salon. View all Sydney Events.
What would Thor do if he built a bad-ass carvery and whiskey bar today? That's the exact question master barman Sven Almenning is asking himself as gets ready to go to work on his latest boozy business venture, Mjolnir. Owner and director of The Speakeasy Group — which operates Eau De Vie and The Roosevelt as well as Boilermaker House in Melbourne — Almenning is no stranger to fancy digs. Still, it's safe to say that Mjolnir is shaping up as his most audacious project yet. Set to open early next year in an old tobacco factory on Cleveland Street, Mjolnir takes its name from the thunder god's mighty hammer, with Almenning describing the venue as "contemporary Viking luxe". "Imagine that The Avengers are real," laughs Almenning. "One of the Avengers is Thor, the Norse God, and he's the protector of human kind. So he fights down on earth, but he misses home. So he builds this bar, to recreate the feasts and merriment of Valhalla. And that, my friend, is what we are doing." https://youtu.be/CIQ7kgJnQz4 As for the drinks list, think whisky — they'll have around 600. "My business partner and I have been wanting to do a heavily whiskey-focused bar in Sydney after we opened Boilermaker down in Melbourne last year," says Almenning. But as great as that much whiskey sounds, what we're really excited about is the food. "We're running with a carvery, which will kind of happen in your face in the restaurant," he says. "So you'll be able to sit there and we'll have the chefs out with big-ass knives cutting up big bits of meat. It's going to get bloody." "We'll see what happens by the time we open, but the plan at the moment is to have the menu change daily. The goal is to have one red meat, one white meat, one fish and one vegetarian dish as a main each day, at a set price. And we'll try and do the whole animal. So we'll have whole suckling pig, and then whole roasted lamb." Construction on Mjolnir is set to begin in October, with February eyed as a potential start-of-service date. The 300-square-metre venue, which is part of a site currently being developed, will be licensed for 120 people initially, although Almenning hopes that number will be increased before too long. The plan is that the bar will operate from around 4pm until midnight, six or seven days a week. "Closing at midnight unfortunately, because it's Sydney," says Almenning ruefully. "I'd love a 3am license." Mjolnir will open at 267 Cleveland Street, Redfern come February next year. For more updates, keep an eye on their Instagram. Image: Eau de Vie.
Sydney Fringe Festival is back for its seventh year this September and, true to form, they'll be breathing new life into Sydney's neglected spaces. The largest independent arts festival in NSW is expanding its program yet again, with a new creative precinct called 'Off Broadway' set to see pop-up spaces, performances and street activations taking over previously unused shopfronts and business spaces down Parramatta Road. The festival's 'call to party' theme is an amped up version of last year's inner west Festival Village. Sydney Fringe CEO and festival director Kerri Glasscock is promising a "reawakening (of) old haunts" and a "reviving (of) long forgotten venues." It's a brilliant partnership between Fringe and the Inner West Council, considering all that sadly unused space you spy every time you're stuck in Parramatta Road's god awful traffic. Launching in the heart of the festival (running September 1-30), the Off Broadway precinct will open on the weekend of September 10-11. But it's not the only part of Sydney to be taken over. As part of the program, Fringe is bringing back last year's wildly popular silent dinner party to the Paddington Town Hall on Saturday, September 24, which set the record in 2015 for the world's largest silent dinner party. The two-hour dinner gives guests the chance to be part of a 'living artwork' and is hosted in eight countries worldwide. This year, Fringe will span more than 300 productions in over 50 venues, spread across five cultural villages. With the intention of highlighting Sydney's vibrant, non-mainstream culture, the program spans theatre, music, comedy, visual art, film, dance, circus, literature and poetry. This year, we're seeing a more specific commitment to the local community in support of both small business and our fledgling nighttime economy. We're psyched to see this new, upcycled precinct in action. Sydney Fringe Festival 2016 will run from September 1 – 30, with the launch of 'Off Broadway' on September 10. The full program will be announced on 1 August 2016. Check the Sydney Fringe website for details and updates.
For chef Kylie Kwong, it’s artworks. For artist William Yang, it’s Chinese scrolls. For director Will Edwards, it’s marbles. The ancient, eccentric art of collecting continues. Despite virtualisation, there’s no substitute for an object with history. To celebrate this, Carriageworks and BresicWhitney have commissioned renowned photographer Daniel Boud to photograph ten notable Sydneysiders with the things they love. Between November 4 and December 7, the resulting artworks will appear on Instagram, hashtagged #TheThingsILove (with a heart emoji). We see Kwong in her Potts Point-based restaurant, Billy Kwong, holding a Tibetan yak’s skull, surrounded by statues and blown glass. “It was important to me that the space was filled with energy and soulfulness," she says. "[These artworks] are especially close to my heart because they remind me of how important the spiritual dimension is in life.” Meanwhile, Boud depicts artist Abdul Abdullah masked with the Australian flag. “I collect and use nationalist memorabilia in my work as signifiers of difference," says Abdullah. "The Southern Cross and Union Jack in recent contexts has become as much about what and who it doesn’t represent, as much as what it does … These symbols have become signifiers of rejection for large sections of the Australian community.” And a collection of resin and plastics back drops a close-up of artist Louise Zhang. “I collect [these] from my artworks because each piece is accidental and unique – bits that have fallen off, spills that solidified, hiccups in the way they've set," she says. "They remind me of fake gemstones, precious, but as plastic, and cheap as half the stock in the $2 shop. Perhaps it's the novelty of the unexpected.” The other five Sydneysiders depicted are architect Penelope Seidler with miniature building models from all over the world, fashion designers Deborah Sams and Mary Lou Ryan (Bassike) with vintage kimonos and Levi’s, TEES front woman Elizabeth Tillman with pewter goblets, actor Rarriwuy Hick with badges and ABC Classic FM host Julian Day with books. Carriageworks and BresicWhitney invites you to join the Instagram exhibition, by posting a photograph of yourself with your unique collection tagged with @carriageworks and @bresicwhitney and the hashtag #TheThingsILove. The best photo will win a ten-year Carriageworks Friends Membership worth $1000 and a Daniel Boud print. Keep an ear out on Friday, December 11 for the announcement of the winner. Images: Daniel Boud.
In 1955, J.R.R. Tolkien claimed that 'cellar door' was one of the most phonically beautiful phrases in the English language. We really have to agree, but it's mostly because of what's behind the cellar door — Wine! Cheese! And hidden away in Chippendale is a cellar that we're really keen to explore. Handpicked Cellar Door, sitting on the corner of Kensington and Outram Streets, is opening early next week, much to the delight of Sydney wine enthusiasts. It's the project of Handpicked Wines, a young but celebrated winery, with vineyards operating across Australia, Italy, Chile and New Zealand. Their cellar door project aims to bring wines from across their vineyards together in one place — along with charcuterie, of course. Handpicked Cellar Door is pushing the whole 'cellar' vibe, decorating with exposed brick and littering the venue with fermenting wine tanks. Guests can also be educated by interactive iPad experience or go deep with 30-minute tutorials and tastings. Even better (if possible) is the fact that HCD will also operate as your new off-license and booze delivery service. Take away wine by the bottle or order online and have it delivered straight to you. Oh, and the cheese! The selection's being curated (along with other charcuterie staples) by Formaggi Ocello, cheese specialists from Surry Hills. Find Handpicked Cellar Door at 50 Kensington Street, Chippendale. Opening hours are Monday to Friday, 11.00am-10.00pm; Saturday and Sunday 10.00am-10.00pm. Check out their website for more info.
Amrita Hepi wants you to dance away shame. She told you, us and thousands of keen ears at this year's TEDxYouth last week. A lifelong dancer, a writer, an activist and a Bundjulung/Ngapuhi woman, Hepi is a busy one. From running the Hollaback dance class in Surry Hills and highly popular Beyonce and Rihanna dance classes at Plan B Small Club to hosting Dance Dance Revolution on FBi Radio and curating a performance for Melbourne's Next Wave Festival, TEDx is the next achievement she can add to her impressive resume. We were lucky enough to nab an exclusive interview with Hepi the day before TEDx, 24 hours before she delivered a speech on 'dancing your way through shame' to a Sydney audience and streaming listeners Australia-wide. Think nuggets of wisdom like this on stage: "Even the best dancers and heaviest drinkers have that worry... [of] not wanting to make a total fool of [themselves]... The next time you get an offer to join in, commit to your movements. There's nothing to lose in your movement, you can be as loud and as big as you want... The next level, the Jedi level, is to commit to your action and be able to be generous enough to help others dance with you." Let's get moving. How does it feel to have been asked to speak at TEDxYouth this year? What's your TED Talk about? I feel really privileged and grateful. When they first asked me, there was a list of 50 people to interview, so I was not expecting much! I may call the speech 'How to Dance Better at Parties' — it's about commitment to action and the idea that, if you're a really good social dancer, you're committed to your movement, and if you're exceptional then you can involve others in it too, without shame. Can you tell us more about this concept of 'shame'? It comes with being a woman, and also as a woman of colour. There are these ideas of embarrassment around certain parts of the body and the way people are looking at you. There's especially a long history of shame in the Indigenous community. When I started teaching, I wanted to find a way to navigate that shame — to get rid of it for myself and help others to do the same. The only way to do it is to have the discussion. But shame doesn't only apply to women either. It's more the way people, men and women, assign themselves to gender fields. It's the idea of engendered roles and how we're taught to operate in society. How did we get to that? You don't really have to operate on that level or do that role, and that's part of what I try to teach through my classes. Can you tell us a bit more about your own background as a dancer? I started dancing when I was three and I loved it. I went to dance school from about age nine until I was 18 or 19 when dance, for me, became so shame fueled and uncomfortable. I was worried about being looked at in the right way, at the right time. Women have to disappear or only appear in the right ways. So I stopped dancing for a year. I started teaching classes again to dance through this shame. What sets TEDxYouth apart from TEDx? There's such a difference between the two rooms – people in the main hall are all very professional in their fields and the speeches are looked at as a tool. People watching TEDxYouth are looking up and getting inspired. It's that mentality of "I could do that one day." Movement and body for youth are specifically important and can be really instrumental in spacing language. Language is so important because the language we use goes straight into the mouths of others. I remember watching public speaking and debating when I was in primary and high school and the lasting effect it can have. If one person finds my speech helpful and it changes one person's idea of shame, well the butterfly effect of that is very powerful. It's a small conquest. Amrita wasn't the only one dropping truth bombs at TEDxSydney and TEDxYouth this year. Returning to the Opera House with an all-star lineup of speakers and performers, TEDx saw an overriding theme focused on the importance of communication and the connections you can make through different forms of conversation. For those really looking to connect, TEDx replaced Tinder for the day, supplying event goers with red and rainbow heart shaped stickers to help the singles to mingle. Dr. Jordan Nguyen spoke about the ability to communicate with ourselves and with others more effectively through virtual reality, giving users the ability to literally step into someone else's shoes. Neurogamer Karen Palmer discussed how mind-focusing virtual games can help take control of your life and find courage in your goals and ambitions. Peta Murchinson expressed the power of human connection and kindness, while finance researcher Elise Payzan-Lenestour discussed the recklessness inherent in human nature. Cartoonist Cathy Wilcox spoofed on the same theme in her satirical speech on the "culture of outrage." Masculinity expert Dr. Michael Kimmel urged men to "talk our walk" and to re-communicate the meaning of masculinity to boys. Radical body activist Kelli Jean Drinkwater discussed self-worth, shame, and reclaiming your body and space. Natalie Jeremijenko, donning a tiara, spoke about a physical version of reclaimed space, discussing her projects to create a healthy urban ecosystem and reconnect to the world around us. These include tree offices, butterfly bridges, and an inner city zip line transportation system. Emily Parsons also touched on our environment and gave one of the most powerful speeches of the conference in her discussion on the breathable air of our past and future and its unspoken influence for life on earth. You can watch TEDxSydney and TEDxYouth talks here.
Tramsheds Harold Park has announced a fresh round of residents, and leading the pack are the cluckers at Belle's Hot Chicken. Yes, come late August, the people of the Inner West will be choosing from wings, tenders and dark meat, and deciding on what level of spice suits them best, all while enjoying the sights and sounds of Sydney's eagerly anticipated new food precinct. "We are thrilled to be amongst the excellent company of retailers and food offerings curated by Tramsheds," said Belle's co-founder and head chef Morgan McGlone. "This will be our fifth location in Australia – our second in Sydney, so we are excited to introduce more Sydneysiders to the ultimate Belle's experience of hot chicken and natural wine!" Belle's set up its first ever home in Melbourne back in 2014, and has since taken poultry fans by storm. The restaurant made its Sydney debut with a series of pop-ups at the likes of Harpoon Harry and Bondi Icebergs, with a permanent spot in Barangaroo set to open this September. Joining the chooks at Tramsheds will be boutique coffee venue Garçon and Middle Eastern eatery Bekya. The former is the creation of Little Marionette owner Edward Cutcliffe, who is hoping to bring some magic to your morning cappuccino. "Coffee making is a theatrical process and we want to bring that theatre to Tramsheds," said Cutcliffe. "The Little Marionette beans will be roasted onsite in a vintage Probat so diners can watch the magic happen, whilst sipping on a perfectly crafted espresso at the bar." Bekya, meanwhile, was founded by mates Wally Mostafa and David Conceicao, expert creators of flat breads and traditional Egyptian breakfasts. "We are excited to introduce our Egyptian street food to Tramsheds' diners," Mostafa said. "The dishes are inspired by many different cultures and we are honoured to offer a taste of our heritage at Sydney's first Bekya restaurant." Belle's, Bekya and Garçon will join previously announced Tramsheds tenants Butcher and The Farmer, Flour Eggs Water, Fish & Co, Bodega 1904 and Gelato Messina. Keep an eye out for further announcements in the coming weeks and months. Visit Tramsheds Harold Park at 1 Dalgal Way, Forest Lodge from late August. For more information head to www.tramshedsharoldpark.com.au.
It's no surprise that many of us are looking to upgrade our home comfort level at the moment. Aussie furniture brand Koala is keen to help you do just that with its end-of-financial-year sale, where you can nab major discounts on Koala's bedroom range, sofas and even its brand new desk built for WFH. That sturdy desk is made in Ballarat from hand-sanded timber, is easy to assemble and designed specifically with home office use in mind. During the sale, you'll get ten percent off this WFH lifesaver (which brings it down to $360). Other living room products on sale include 25 percent off the two-seater sofa, bookshelf (in three different sizes) and television unit, as well as 15 percent off the three-seater sofa and sofa bed. If it's the bedroom you're looking to elevate, you can also score 15 percent off the award-winning Koala Mattress, the Koala bed base, the gel-infused memory foam pillow and the incredibly silky sheets. The mattress, for the uninitiated, feels a little like memory foam and latex, but without the sink factor. All products come with free four-hour delivery (to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane) and a 120-night trial — though, it might be hard to give any of these up after four-months of pure comfort. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy.
When Elizabeth Street's Spice Cellar served its last Negroni, cranked its last house track and packed its bags for Erskineville, Sydney's hospitality scene knew the space wouldn't stay vacated for long. The owners of Kings Cross taqueria and tequileria Barrio Chino and Potts Point's Cantonese eatery Fei Jai quickly snapped it up, now reopening the Spice Cellar basement as a new tequila bar and Mexican street food joint, Barrio Cellar. Owners Nicole Galloway and Peter Lew have worked with bigtime designers Luchetti Krelle (ACME, The Butler, the new Single O takeaway bar and the upcoming Hello Kitty Diner) to transform the Elizabeth Street venue into a late-night, Art-Deco-inspired Mexican street food den; one which keeps the kitchen open until the early hours (wait for it... until 3am) Monday through Sunday. Plus, Galloway and Lew have joined forces with Rebecca Alder and Murat Kilic of Spice Cellar who have returned to their former home to curate Barrio Cellar’s music program. “When Spice Cellar out grew the space, Nicole and I knew immediately this was our new project," says Lew. "We had been looking for a unique basement space for some time to really expand on our current tequila and mezcal list and create a menu that is very much the heart and soul of authentic street food. We are thrilled to make the move to the city." Galloway and Lew developed the menu after a trip to Tijuana, Ensenada and Baja California, so expect grassroots Mexican street food here. Barrio Chino favourites will be making the city trip, with some of the restaurant's go-to dishes and cocktails appearing on the Cellar menu alongside new specially-created dishes. Best bit? That 3am closing time. You can munch on Chicharron, smokey chilli pork crackling with arbol mayo, a mariscos (seafood) taco selection and Mexican ‘street style’ hotdogs (streaky bacon-wrapped beef dog with pico de gallo, jalapeno, queso) until the wee hours. Of course, this wouldn't be a Barrio endeavour without a little tequila. Try a little of Barrio Cellar’s house Mezcal, Neustra Soledad cocktails and Barrio Chino's speciality, Tommy’s margarita. Barrio Cellar's motto? "Everything with tequila." Find Barrio Cellar at basement level, 58 Elizabeth Street, Martin Place. Open Monday and Tuesday 4pm–midnight, Wednesday to Friday 4pm–3am, Saturday 5pm–3am. Images: Barrio Cellar.
Vivid Sydney is here — which means the city is at full capacity with enough art, music and entertainment to keep you warm over winter. Instead of spending all your time looking at the lights and crowds at Opera Bar, head over to Kings Cross Hotel, because the venue is teaming up with Vivid once again to throw a number of themed parties throughout the festival. On Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from June 1 to 17, the intimate dive bar of the Kings Cross Hotel will host immersive basement parties, featuring bands, DJs, dancers, singers and performers. Expect to party until you can party no more, because each night celebrates something new, something different and something to tempt our pop culture-loving selves. Find yourself kickin' it to the soundtrack of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater on Thursday, cutting a rug on a Lynchian dancefloor on Friday, and booging all night to glam-rock disco on Saturday. Tickets are $12+bf in advance and $15 at the door. KINGS CROSS HOTEL BASEMENT PARTIES Thursday, June 1 — SKATE or DIE Friday, June 2 — Party Monster & The Angry Inch Saturday, June 3 — 500 Somers Thursday, June 8 — Freshancient feat. Alphamama Friday, June 9 — Notorious Women Saturday, June 10 — Radiant Baby Thursday, June 15 — Dive Rock-Ola Friday, June 16 — A Night in the Black Lodge Saturday, June 17 — Glam-o-Rama All Kings Cross basement parties have been postponed except A Night in the Black Lodge on Friday, June 16.
The North Face, who makes your favourite, cosiest down jackets and adventure gear, is celebrating 50 years of exploration and hosting a three-day exhibition at Sydney's aMBUSH Gallery. From November 22 to 24 an immersive gallery will pop up — featuring adventure film screenings, guest speakers and live music. On Tuesday night guest speaker Cas and Jonesy (explorers on The North Face athlete team) will take the stage, followed by a film screening of Antarctica documentary Crossing the Ice. On Wednesday you'll have the chance to meet and greet The North Face Australia and New Zealand athlete team and catch a screening of adventure film Meru. On the last night, Yosemite National Park-based film Valley Uprising will screen followed by live music from Winterbourne. The North Face opened its first store in 1966 alongside a concert from the Grateful Dead, so as a throwback, Winterbourne will open their set by covering the classic band. Movie screenings are ticketed, but include food and drink as well as a 50th anniversary gift pack on arrival. All ticket funds will be donated to the Australian Himalayan Foundation. If you're not keen for a movie, head into the exhibition for free between 10am and 5pm from November 22 -24.
Famous for its support of Australian artists, Artbank holds one of the largest collections of Australian art in the world (approximately 10,000 works by over 3500 artists). The government institution rents out art from their huge collection to individuals, companies, governments and embassies all over the world. While providing direct support to artists and promoting the value of Australian contemporary art to the public, they also regularly curate events and exhibitions for us to enjoy at the Artbank headquarters in Waterloo. The newest is Let's Talk About Text — by Artbank curators Daniel Mudie Cunningham and Miriam Kelly. The colourful, thoughtful and varied exhibition brings together work from a range of artists who have harnessed text-based communication as a pictorial device. "From slogan statements to vernacular fragments and found fonts, the exhibition focuses on how artists respond to and encourage the visual pleasure of inventive typographic forms, for personal and political ends," says Cunningham and Kelly. To curate the cheekily-named exhibition, the pair delved through the large collection of art on hand until they found an area with a rich thematic holding. This is often the process when curating shows for Artbank. "We developed the exhibition initially through the idea of correspondence, bouncing ideas back and forth until we honed into this one concept," says Cunningham and Kelly. "There is a wonderful selection of works that depict text, from narrative to more graphic applications." "Text in art offers an immediacy in an artist's message, yet holds the potential for multiple interpretations through word puns and play. Some works have the potential to pack a punch at first encounter, but then also lie in wait with broader meanings becoming apparent over time. We were interested initially in the difference between looking and reading in relation to how we as viewers engage with contemporary art. There is the assumption that looking and reading require difference levels of active participation. Further, we are interested in the way that text shapes our understanding of the world. Each artist was selected for their distinctive aesthetic and conceptual engagement with text. "They're tied together by this premise yet also superbly individual. As curators we have had to make a rigorous selection drilling down to works by 12 or so artists, but we are looking forward to the possibility of changing over works as they lease from the exhibition, expanding and shifting the dialogues between the collection and within gallery." The exhibition opens on March 16 (the opening party will have natural wine from Jauma and an incredible Salt-n-Pepa tribute performance from Enigma Quartet, if you're keen). In anticipation, we asked Cunningham and Kelly to pick five stand-out artists and give us a little background knowledge on their work. [caption id="attachment_612914" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mumu Mike Williams, Iyakuta Tjukurpa (2016), Artbank collection.[/caption] MUMU MIKE WILLIAMS "Since 2010, Mumu Mike Williams has exhibited striking paintings that document his dedication to Anangu culture and heritage. Iyakuta Tjukurpa is part of a series of bold paintings on paper, maps and re-purposed canvas Australia Post bags that speak metaphorically about the politics of ownership, heritage, knowledge, power, language and law. He makes note of the desecration of sacred sites to mine for materials to build roads, and of the cultural significance of the kulata (spear) as a symbol of protection, of standing guard with the elders over their 'culture, our sacred sites, our heritage, our Tjukurpa'. Mumu Mike Williams is the director of the Aboriginal owned and governed arts Centre Mimili Maku and a practicing Christian pastor." [caption id="attachment_612915" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Eugenia RASKOPOULOS, Untitled 99-00 (1999-2000), Artbank collection.[/caption] EUGENIA RASKOPOULOS "For more than three decades, Sydney artist Eugenia Raskopoulos has explored the tensions between language and translation in contemporary culture. Describing her landmark series 'Untitled 90-00' as 'wordless poems that smirk at the thought of translation', Raskopoulos manifests the visible and invisible through gestural marks drawn in light against a void. Reflecting on the materiality of a medium where light plays a central part in the constitution of form, the artist enunciates Zen-like shapes floating beyond language – either linguistic or numerical, an 'o' or a zero - pregnant with meaning yet emptied out through repetition." [caption id="attachment_612913" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nasim NASR, Erasure (2010), Artbank collection.[/caption] NASIM NASR "Iranian-born, Sydney-based artist Nasim Nasr's two channel video Erasure is part of an ongoing consideration of the complexity of gender relations and cultural identities and the role of language in oppression, particularly of women. In this work, Nasr is dressed in a chador and writes in chalk on an empty version of the same garment, stretched out like a chalkboard. As though writing lines as punishment, or seeking to convey lessons, she writes from right to left in Farsi to recall her memories of growing up in Iran, and from left to right in English translating the words of the feminist Iranian poet Forough Farrokhzad. However, almost as soon as the words are written they are erased." [caption id="attachment_612916" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Emily FLOYD, Child and Adult Sculpture [2] (2009), Artbank collection.[/caption] EMILY FLOYD "For Melbourne-based artist Emily Floyd, text offers both form and function, and has become distinguishing aesthetic and conceptual device in her practice, influenced by an array of social imaginings of the twentieth century, from the teaching philosophies of Rudolf Steiner to the colour and geometry focus of the Bauhaus and Russian Constructivism. Engraved on recycled timber the text in her work Adult and Child Sculpture No.2 includes URLs that point to theories of ecology, and spiral motifs outlining permaculture's key ethics. Part tablet of learning, part wooden plaything, the title of this work refers to Floyd's hope for 'the possibility of generations working together to achieve change'." [caption id="attachment_612912" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Peter DUDDING, Saw her at the Station (2016), Artbank collection.[/caption] PETER DUDDING "Possessed with an exuberant sense of colour, Dudding's work fuses gestural mark making with scrawled fragments of handwritten text referring to personal experience and preoccupations with music and popular culture. In 2016, Sydney painter Paul Williams curated Dudding's first solo exhibition, 'Pig Dog' at Firstdraft Gallery, from which these works derive. An outcome of a mentoring relationship facilitated by Studio A, Williams described Dudding's work as 'like a hard slap in the face, or a good deep belly laugh, a smelly fart or a burp after a good meal – it's real and it wakes you up'." Let's Talk About Text runs from March 16 - June 16 at Artbank Sydney — 222 Young St, Waterloo. Images: Steven Woodburn. Top Image: Alice Lang, 'The Shits' series, 2015.
It might be based on a book by New Zealand author Barry Crump, however Hunt for the Wilderpeople is a film only Taika Waititi could've made. If you enjoyed the writer/director's quirky brand of humour in Boy and What We Do in the Shadows, you'll know exactly what you're in for. Here, hiding out in the wild, dreaming about being a gangster and arguing about which Terminator you'd rather be go hand in hand. Indeed, that's Ricky Baker's (Julian Dennison) story — or, it is after the 13-year-old is taken in by the kindly Bella (Rima Te Wiata) and the cranky Hec (Sam Neill). When tragedy strikes, he absconds to the surrounding wilderness to avoid the controlling plans of an over-eager social worker (Rachel House). A national manhunt ensues, as does plenty of mayhem; think nods to '80s classics, over-the-top car chases, plus Rhys Darby popping up as an eccentric conspiracy theorist. Part coming-of-age adventure, part comedic trek through the New Zealand bush, if the end result sounds both hilarious and heartwarming, that's because it is. And, it's also Waititi's last indie effort before he takes on a rather mammoth task: directing Thor: Ragnarok, and bringing his distinctive sensibilities to the superhero realm. [competition]572050[/competition]
Pens down, close tabs, meetings adjourned. There's free fried chicken afoot and it's waiting for your Friday lunch at one of Sydney's most loved newer eateries. Master is giving away fried chicken today, with every order, for free. WHAT ARE YOU STILL DOING HERE? If you're hanging around for details, the crunchy, golden goodness is being given away from Master on Crown Street from midday to 3pm. You can't book, only walk-ins allowed, so get there early. Simply order from Master's already celebrated menu (we're talking former chefs from Momofuku Seiobo, Quay and Noma) and you'll received a side of the Sichuan fried chicken — the very same they're dishing out at their just-launched weekend lunch menu. Sorry, did we miss something? Stop reading this and get your fried chicken lovin' butt to Master. Find Master at 368 Crown Street, Surry Hills. Free fried chicken is walking out the door from midday to 3pm on Friday, November 6. Via TimeOut. Image: Dollar Photo Club.
Australian bars, restaurants, cafes, lounges and eateries are rolling around in international applause this week, with 15 of our best venues making the first round selection at the seventh annual Restaurant and Bar Design Awards. Six spots in Sydney along with five in Melbourne and two each in Adelaide and the Gold Coast made the shortlist, amongst 241 finalists from 70 different countries. Based in the UK, the Restaurant and Bar Design Awards advertise themselves as "the world's only event dedicated exclusively to the design of food and drink spaces." Prizes are handed out in over 30 different categories including Best Bar and Best Restaurant, while they also give out more narrow awards for things like lighting scheme and use of colour. This year’s jury is comprised of 23 industry leaders and includes designers, chefs and restaurant critics. Naturally, the shortlist includes a pretty swish bunch of names. Competing in the Best Australia and Pacific Restaurant category are ACME, Bondi’s Best, Coogee Pavilion and Kazbah Souk in Sydney, Parwana Kutchi Deli and Sean’s Kitchen in Adelaide, and Kiyomi and Vivo Cucina on the Gold Coast. In the Best Australia and Pacific Bar category, Archie Rose Distilling Co. and Stillery in Sydney will compete with Greene Street Juice Co. and George Hotel Bar in Melbourne. Also in Melbourne, Bond Lounge has been included in the Best UK and International Nightclub section, along with Raw Trader and The Kettle Black, shortlisted for Best UK and International Cafe. Last year saw the gong for Best Australia and Pacific Restaurant go to South Australia’s Penfolds Magill Estate Restaurant, while Best Australia and Pacific Bar was given to Howler in Melbourne. This year’s winners will be announced in an awards ceremony in London on October 1. Via Architecture & Design.
The light-filled, open-plan offices of Single Market Events are a hotbed of activity as not one but two art fairs prepare to launch in Sydney next month. Founded by investor Tim Etchells in 1989, Single Market Events produces a host of high-profile food, fashion and art exhibitions in Australia and around the world, including international art fair Sydney Contemporary. Now they're preparing to launch a second art fair in Sydney, aptly titled The Other Art Fair. It’s the latest feather in Etchells’ investment cap, a new art market for emerging and independent artists that will run alongside Sydney Contemporary from September 10-13. Two impressive women, Emilya Colliver and Zoe Paulsen, have been tasked with making it happen. As we sit in a light-filled meeting room, Colliver is quick to point out the differences between The Other Art Fair and Sydney Contemporary. “Basically it’s an artist-led fair, so artists are manning their booth and selling direct to the public,” she says. Another point of difference is that all exhibiting artists are unrepresented (at Sydney Contemporary, it's the galleries doing the representing). “We want to maintain strong relationships with galleries — they play an important role [in selling artists’ works], but in this day and age artists need a new platform to showcase their work and this is what we’re doing. Giving them an opportunity to get a further reach.” Colliver is founder and director of Art Pharmacy, a Sydney-based gallery for emerging artists, and has extensive experience working for galleries, museums and private art collections both here and in London. She also got some insight working as a tour guide for the inaugural Sydney Contemporary in 2013. In fact, Colliver calls Barry Keldoulis, director of Sydney Contemporary, her business mentor. It was he who put her forward for this job. “He said 'you should do it', so it all kind of came about that way,” she says. “I know Zoe through the MCA Young Ambassador Program. We’ve known each other for quite a long time, and I said, ‘Why don’t you come along and help me? Let’s just run it together.’” They’ve been all systems go since February. While they are quick to define The Other Art Fair as an independently run event, Colliver continues, “We definitely wanted to do it at the same time as Sydney Contemporary, because nationally and internationally we’ve got people from all around Australia and overseas coming to Sydney at this time”. The Other Art Fair started in London three years ago as an alternative to commercial art market giants like the London Art Fair. Colliver and Paulsen are recreating the successful London model in Sydney. A curatorial team including artist Mikala Dwyer, collector Dick Quan, MCA curator Meg Robson, public art advisor Virginia Wilson and White Rabbit’s Paris Neilson were tasked with the job of sifting through over 300 applications to choose the 75+ most promising artists for exhibition. Eight to ten thousand people are expected to visit The Other Art Fair over the course of the four days. “What’s great about this is that it appeals to a really broad audience,” says Paulsen. “The fair appeals to first time buyers because the works are so affordable, as well as collectors and gallerists, because these are hand-selected artists.” It's tempting to see it as a chance to scoop the next big thing. So what’s in it for punters? Paulsen explains the benefits of an artist-led fair for collectors. “If you go to Sydney Contemporary you’ll talk to a gallerist who represents the artist and can tell you about the work. But if you go to The Other Art Fair you’ll meet the artist, you’ll talk to them about the artwork — when they did it, how they did it, their emotional state, where their motivations come from or whatnot.” She adds that it’s also an important process for artists to go through. “It gives them an opportunity to learn how to market themselves. They don’t often find themselves in a situation where they have to do that. For some artists it can be really difficult and it’s not necessarily the way that they do it for years to come, but it’s still a good skill to experience. Also I think when the public are actually buying their work, it validates their practice and gives them a reason to keep on going.” And for collectors just starting out? Colliver has three big tips: "Set a budget, choose a medium and buy what you love,” she says. “And don’t buy ‘art’ from IKEA or Freedom Furniture.”
Sweden's sharpest dressers, Hate to Say I Told You So-ers and melters of faces worldwide The Hives are coming to Sydney for a special little DJ set. Manning the decks at Frankies on Thursday, November 5, the Swedish fivesome will represent with their favourite d-floor go-tos, between casual shows supporting AC/DC. Perhaps the ever charismatic Howlin' Pelle Almqvist will throw down a cheeky Donna Summer track? Maybe Nicholas Arson will blow the roof off the joint with The Weeknd? We have no idea! Because The Hives are law, you are crime. But if you do it, do it good, Brutus, and head along to Frankie's Pizza in the Sydney CBD for one heck of a surprise set. There'll be bands from 8pm and The Hives will be on the decks from 10.30pm. And it's bloody FREE. Pizza. The Hives. Free entry. Classic Thursday in Sydney. The Hives' free secret DJ slot is happening from 10.30pm on Thursday, November 5 at Frankie's Pizza, 50 Hunter Street. More details on Facebook.
This immersive, site-specific reimagining of Anthony Neilson’s play The Wonderful World of Dissocia will take place at a secret location somewhere in the heart of Sydney (you can register for clues by signing up at whereisdissocia@thekingscollective.com.au). Protagonist Lisa Jones is trying to find the lost hour that has tipped the balance of her life, a mission that entails surreal visions, comical and unsettling characters and “the shadow of the Black Dog King". An impressive team is behind this production presented by The Kings Collective and supported by ATYP, including Matthew Lutton of Malthouse Theatre and Emma Valente of The Rabble, who have mentored director David Harrison. The Kings Collective won the Fringe Award for Excellence in Theatre with their production of This Is Our Youth by Kenneth Lonergan last year and are making a welcome return to the Fringe season. This event is one of our top ten picks of the Sydney Fringe Festival. See the other nine here.
Farewell, cheap steaks and schnitties, Chippendale's beloved shabby rock and roll pub The Lansdowne is closing for good. But of course, it's not going out without one heck of a shindig. Sitting on the corner of City Road and Broadway, the uni student and local band lover-frequented pub will pour its last beer on Tuesday, September 29. But it's not necessarily a lockout thing. According to The Brag, the site will possibly be turned into a new educational facility by the Academy of Music and Performing Arts (AMPA) — they've already lodged the development application with the City of Sydney, for opening in 2016. Making its mark as one of Sydney’s key live venues since changing ownership in April 2014, the Lansdowne has experienced somewhat of a genuine revival over the last year. Revamped by new owners the Oscars Group (also the brains behind last year’s Annandale Hotel renovation), the Lansdowne has been home to free, well-programmed live music and cheap, cheap steak every week for a a good ten months. We thought the pub had run into trouble in February this year when it closed unexpectedly, but the whole thing turned out to be mere renovations. This is a big blow to the Sydney music scene, who are sadly running out of shabby pubs to plug their amps into. Although the Annandale was reopened by Oscars last year, the venue's restricted its music programming to folk, country and acoustic gigs (read: softer, more neighbour-friendly music than the metal and prog rock that used to tear the place up). The Lansdowne will close for good on Tuesday, September 29. But before the cheapo schooners of Old and Ramones cover bands are gone, the team are putting on a huge farewell bash, a free 'Last Call' mini-festival on September 12 to give the ol' digs the final hurrah it deserves. There'll be 14 bands who have been regulars to the Lansdowne stage over the years, and there'll be a barbecue and giveaways. Running from noon until late, expect this hootenanny to run into the early hours until we finally realise this Sydney icon is closing forever. Farewell, you cheap steak-lovin' legend. Images: The Lansdowne.
Caryl Churchill’s Love and Information is as elusive a play as its central question; what is consciousness? The collection of small scenes answers this question with the notion that love draws us together and information extends our reach outwards, symbolised by a tree planted on set by Glenn Hazeldine towards the end of the show. But there are many more questions than answers: does God have a God, and does that God have a God? Does mathematics relate to reality or is it a human construct? Is there such a thing as free will or is it down to genetics? And, most importantly, does God speak English? Churchill’s work can be recognised by one-word play titles, truncated sentences and loaded pauses. In Kip Williams' production of Love and Information, the pauses are thankfully meaningful and there are only one or two moments when a performer stops their sentence mid-way through without cause. Churchill’s script is like a choose-your-own-adventure play, with flexibility as to which scenes are included, which characters play which scenes and also allows for the addition of new improvisations — which Williams and the cast have devised with expert skill. The group has retained the spirit of improvisation and ensemble in the finished product. The constant scene changes (the shortest scene is two words long) demands a lot from the cast and they manage it with ease and good humour. Anita Hegh opens with a comic dating scene in which she explains her job as a research scientist to her prospective date, failing gloriously to describe slicing open mice brains in a palatable manner. Glenn Hazeldine makes a compelling hysterical author trying to avoid the press; a minor exchange with a journalist sends him into a spiral of existential angst. These two stand out as masters of comedy, and the rest of the cast (Marco Chiappi, Harry Greenwood, Zahra Newman, Anthony Taufa, Alison Whyte and Ursula Yovich) all thrive on the playfulness of the production. That’s not to say it doesn’t have gravity. Alison Whyte’s performance as the bereaved at a funeral under falling snow is moving indeed. Designer David Fleischer’s plain white set with moveable white cubes is brought to life by Paul Jackson’s evocative lighting, and music by Melbourne composer The Sweats (Pete Goodwin) helps to effectively integrate the scene changes into the dramatic action. The creative team under Williams’ direction has elevated what could be an unruly string of scenes into a cohesive, warm 90 minutes of damn good, thought-provoking theatre.
Another stalwart pub in The Rocks has been given a new lease on life. The Orient Hotel has recently reopened after a three-month renovation, which has taken the venue back to its heritage roots. The public bar and sandstone courtyard have both been restored and there's a renewed focus on live music, with bands on seven days a week. The corner pub's reopening will be a welcome addition to The Rocks' nightlife, with the all-day offering available from morning until late daily and a 3.30am weekend licence allowing for some legit late-night gigs. The heritage building was built in 1844 and boasts a multifaceted history as a Chinese laundry, a butchery and, most notably, a shipping company called Orient Line who docked its boats in Sydney Cove, just in front of the hotel. It's now owned by Ryans Hotels, the group that also runs CBD venues the Paragon Hotel, The Ship Inn and Taylor's Rooftop. Expanding on the hotel's refurbished offering is a new cocktail terrace Mrs Jones, which is named after Jane Jones, the Orient's 1897 licensee who was a well-known publican in the area. It officially launches this Thursday, May 17. The space has its own concealed entrance on Kendall Lane and the terrace lounge overlooks The Orient's interior courtyard and the laneways below. Designer Kate Formosa has drawn on the hotel's maritime roots with a replica Orient Line boat model, blue-and-white woven chairs and timber floorboards, all while giving the terrace a greenhouse feel with a lush garden fit-out and sliding glass panel walls. Ex-Merivale drinks-maker Tommy Donnison is heading up the bar and has curated a sizeable cocktail menu with heaps of classics, plus signatures including the Fizzy Jones (gin, green apple liqueur, Baileys and lime juice soda) and the Purple Haze (vodka, blackcurrant and cacao liqueurs, vanilla syrup, blueberries and egg white). For eats, chef Brad Copeland (ex-Est., MG Garage, Bistrode) has created a menu for both venues that aims to showcase Australian produce and focuses on share plates — ideal for nibbling on with cocktail in hand. Think slow-cooked lamb croquettes with truffle honey, panko-crumbed prawns with garlic mayo and peking duck spring rolls, along with your requisite charcuterie platters. For larger dishes, sous vide Queensland kangaroo rump and crispy pork belly accompany pub classic schnittys, parmas and burgers. The Orient Hotel is now open, with Mrs Jones opening May 17 at 89 George Street, The Rocks. Both venues are open seven days a week from morning till late. Head to the respective websites for opening hours.
If you're still mourning the extinction of Jurassic Lounge at the Australian Museum, time to stop your weeping; the brand new Tequila Sunsets is riding in on a white horse to rescue your summer nights. The Australian Museum will be bringing back the booze, the music and the general good times every Thursday night until the end of January for Tequila Sunsets - Aztecs After Dark. In keeping with the current Aztecs exhibition, which follows the blood-drenched rise and fall of the empire, the after-work crowd can enjoy the likes of Mexican food, Latin DJs and a "pinata installation" by Mexican visual artist Sergio Plata (who you may have seen at the museum decorating skulls earlier in the year). "The tremendous success of Jurassic Lounge has shown us that people enjoy coming to the museum to socialise after hours," says Tequila Sunsets program manager Sophie Masters. "Everyone is time poor ... Opening up the museum after hours gives everyone a chance to catch up with friends after work, enjoy a drink and explore the galleries and exhibitions at their leisure." Both the name and program suggest Tequila Sunsets is a more chilled take on the after-hours museum event. One absolutely mouthwatering highlight will come on December 11 when — in honour of the blessed fact that Aztecs introduced the world to chocolate — there will be a chocolate and beer tasting session, with beers provided by 4 Pines Brewing Company and acclaimed food scientist Galit Segev discussing the complex appreciation of both vital foodstuffs. Other talks in the program include discussions of ritual sacrifice in Aztec culture, Aztec astronomy and a feminist critique of the indigenous life before and after the empire's fall. Even after Tequila Sunsets wraps up, Masters says the Australian Museum is dedicated to the kind of community engagement that's enabled your nights of dancing next to dinosaurs. "At this stage [Tequila Sunsets] is being offered for a limited time only, as our Aztecs exhibition must close 1 February, but we may look at other after-hours programming in 2015 — so stay tuned for more." For more information and to book tickets, head to the Australian Museum website. Admission to the Aztecs exhibition will be two-for-one during Tequila Sunsets, so $12 if you go with a friend.
Every last trilby-wearing tween celebrity, President’s daughter and your smug, smug US-based friends will be rubbing their paws together after this morning’s Coachella festival lineup. Running over three weekends from April 10 - 19, the Californian festival has delivered their usual jaw-dropper of a lineup. Big gun headliners AC/DC, Jack White and Drake mark the top of the weekend bills, with a bonafide metric fucktonne of squealworthy buds filling out the rest — Interpol, Belle and Sebastian, Florence and the Machine, alt-J, St. Vincent, Ratatat, Jenny Lewis, FKA Twigs, Drive Like Jehu and Ol’Davey Guett-Guett to name a few. Homegrown legends are heading on over and representing with gusto, with Tame Impala, Chet Faker, Angus and Julia Stone, Vance Joy, What So Not and Alison Wonderland on the bill. Anyway, let’s be honest, you haven’t truly read any of those words — you’ll be wanting this:
It's been a tough few years for Sydney's live music scene, with a number of iconic venues forced to close their doors. Luckily, the merch gurus at Mammoth Merchandise seem intent on bucking the trend. This month marks ten years since life began for the music merchandising firm – and what better way to celebrate their anniversary than by launching a live music venue of their own? The 350 capacity performance space will be integrated into Mammoth's new home at 22-24 Cook Road, Marrickville. Artists will be able to use to space for live gigs, launches and showcases, while Mammoth gets the chance to spruik their wares to punters. "With the decline in live music venues in Sydney, we saw an opportunity to build a permanent space for local fans to come and see their favourite bands do an exclusive show and pick up some exclusive merch on the way out, hot off the press." said Mammoth Managing Director Rowena Crittle. Since opening their doors in 2005, Mammoth has gone from a small music merchandising company to a fully integrated agency. They manufacture and print t-shirts and other apparel, manage logistics for tours and events, and offer guerrilla and digital marketing services for their clients. This venture will see another string added to their bow, and will hopefully go some way towards reinvigorating live music in the inner west. Image via Dollar Photo Club.
Pair a team of imaginative, experimental Australian musicians with one of Sydney's most dynamic cultural spaces, and you’ve got one eclectic recipe for success. Celebrating their 15th birthday, experimental Australian label Room40 brings its annual festival of art, music and sound to Sydneysiders with a two-night stint at Carriageworks — a specially curated program dubbed Open Frame. Not afraid to put on a mighty big show, home-grown label Room40 have pulled together a stellar ensemble of local and international acts for their 15th anniversary to celebrate what they all do best; performance. No stranger to the stage and a longtime labelmate of Room40, pianist and one third of experimental Australian trio The Necks Chris Abrahams will greet audiences spinetingling collaborative show as one of a string of acts at Open Frame. So we checked in with him before the big event to delve into some Australian music history and unearth some Room40 tidbits. From the label’s birth in 2000, Brisbane-based founder Lawrence English has been scouring the nation (and now the globe) for out-of-the-box musicians with unique sounds to share. Working with Room40 since the release of his solo record Thrown (2005), Abrahams has relished the creative freedom and possibilities provided by this progressive music label. “With my solo albums I can work on them for months and months," he says. "I collect lots of things… like recordings from different performances and I make the record from very disparate elements." Manipulating and mixing audio in such an unexpected way isn’t guaranteed to get all listeners on side, but this daring pursuit of individuality is what has seen the label thrive. "Lawrence has got a particular ear for things that he likes to release," says Abrahams. "So, I think there’s a certain type of uniformity [to the label’s records] … and Lawrence is an incredibly hardworking.” Abrahams’ career in music began long before he joined the ranks of Room40 as an independent entity. Since the mid '80s, Abrahams has been involved extensively with steering improvisational jazz band The Necks. Accompanied by Tony Buck and Lloyd Swanton on drums and bass respectively, the group's live and virtually unstructured performances build and flow organically to truly enrapture spectators. Even in his solo endeavours, Abrahams retains the essence of this experimental practice. "I bring to my solo records stuff that I would do with The Necks," he says. "I see them as related." However, there remain obvious points of difference in these latest Room40 releases. “There is a much more disparate use of recording technology, field recordings, programming, digital processing and editing, much more post production.” Despite being around for nearly two decades, Room40’s triumphs have remained largely within the niche circles of Australia’s experimental music scenes. “I guess on the whole … it doesn’t strike me as a very commercial label. I think it’s still operating in quite an independent, experimental way,” says Abrahams. “The amount of money to be spent on promoting just isn’t there.” Now in its ninth year, this appearance of Room40’s Open Frame festival sees Carriageworks (for the first time) play host to an impressive lineup of talented audio and visual artists. Across two jam-packed evenings, ten of the label’s frontrunners will be delighting audiences with their diverse offerings of creativity. Chris will be collaborating with visual artist Louise Curham for a moving solo performance. As he explains, “the work she does is based around manipulating film… reworking film, drawing on it or scraping the surface and then projecting the outcomes.” And the finished product is set to be assumingly beautiful. “She’ll be showing her work and I’ll be playing the piano. It’s very simple.” As for the rest of the performances, the world premier of American musician Jim O’Rouke’s electro-acoustic piece sees a culmination of his time residing in Japan combined with collaborations with the likes of Sonic Youth, Keiji Haino and Christian Fennesz. Continuing this international flavour will be Japanese filmmaker Takashi’s 3D audiovisual spectacle Space Noise, using film, digital projections and deep pulsing sonics to get audiences grooving. Throw in topnotch production by Room40’s own mixing mastermind Tonepacer, and you’ll be in for a sensory explosion of light and sound that will shift your views of the limitations of live performance. Room40's Open Frame comes to Carriageworks on July 30 and 31 at 7.30pm. Tickets are $35. 30 JULY Makino Takashi (JP, Australian Premiere) Jim O'Rourke (USA, Diffusion, World Premiere) Chris Abrahams / Louise Curham (AU) William Basinski (USA) 31 JULY Austin Buckett / Robbie Avenaim (AU, World Premiere) Lawrence English (AU) Grouper / Paul Clipson (USA, Australian Premiere) For tickets, head over here. Images: Mikroton, Carriageworks, Liz Harris.
Held around International Women's Day since 2013, Sydney Opera House's All About Women festival does what many other talk-heavy events historically haven't. Across a huge lineup of speakers, it pushes ladies to the front and puts them on stage to chat about their fields of expertise and their experiences, as well as a broad range of topics that are relevant to women. Now well and truly part of Sydney's annual cultural calendar, the event is returning in 2020 to do what it does best — with an impressive new range of female voices on the program. Taking place on International Women's Day itself — Sunday, March 8, 2020 — AAW 2020 is honing its focus on the post-#MeToo era. Yes, that's a still a rather sizeable realm, and the fest's range of topics is similarly broad. Across one jam-packed day, you can hear discussions about everything from body positivity to sexual assault, plus astrophysics, neuroscience, social justice and sobriety, too. While many of the festival's events have already sold out, there are still plenty of talks, performances and freebies to add to your schedule. You could hear from comedian and writer Lindy West, author and commentator Clementine Ford and multidisciplinary performer Flex Mami on Finding Your Voice; unearth the pioneering women who've made vital contributions to astrophysics with Princeton University professor Jo Dunkley; and explore the subversive art of Ukraine-born, Melbourne-based artist Stanislava Pinchuk (AKA Miso). [caption id="attachment_753369" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lindy West, shot by Jenny Jimenez.[/caption] Attendees can also see Betty Grumble, Megana Holiday, Iya Ya Ya and Stelly G completely disregard the sexist notion that women are meant to be well-behaved in The Working Bitches — and get interactive at digital exhibition My Mother's Kitchen, which asks eight LGBTQIA+ individuals to share their childhood kitchen stories. This year, the festival has added All About Women in Film to its program, which will be diving into feminist cinema on Saturday, March 7. The day before the main event, you can catch a screening of 80s Aussie pop rock musical Starstruck followed by a chat with director Gillian Armstrong, or revisit the famed road trip flick Thelma & Louise, complete with a panel discussion with Judith Lucy, Sarinah Masukor and Michelle Law. Image: Prudence Upton.
