UPDATE, February 13, 2021: Issued late on Friday, February 12, the NSW Government's public health order only requires travellers from Victoria to NSW since 11.59pm on Friday, February 12 to stay at home for the duration of Victoria's lockdown. The government body advised that "the date previously advised has been updated following advice from the NSW Chief Health Officer". As all of Victoria enters a snap five-day lockdown in a bid to contain its latest COVID-19 outbreak, many states are introducing border closures and restrictions of their own. In NSW, the Government is requiring anyone in NSW who has been in Victoria at any time on or after Friday, January 29 to follow the same stay-at-home restrictions as those coming into force in Victoria. That means, any returned travellers will need to follow Victoria's stage four rules between 11.59pm on Friday, February 12 and the same time on Wednesday, February 17. Returned travellers will only be able to leave their homes for those familiar four reasons: shopping for essentials; medical and other care and caregiving; exercise; and essential work. https://twitter.com/NSWHealth/status/1360083780795465730 Travellers arriving from Greater Melbourne by road or from Victoria by air or rail must also complete a traveller self-declaration form before entry into NSW. The NSW Government is also strongly advising against all non-essential travel to Victoria at this time, saying "people who do choose to travel will be required to follow the stay-at-home requirement on their return". For more information about COVID-19 restrictions in NSW, head to the NSW Health website. To learn more about the Victorian stay-at-home orders, head to the Victoria Department of Health website.
Marco Pierre White is a star of kitchens and screens alike. He was the first British chef — and the youngest chef at the time — to be awarded three Michelin stars. He's popped up on everything from Hell's Kitchen to MasterChef, including in Australia. Back in 2019, he was one of Melbourne Good Food Month's huge headliners. He's also the culinary force behind cookbook White Heat, the 1990 tome that played up his "bad boy" image. He's been dubbed "the first celebrity chef" as well. And, he's trained fellow famed food figures such as Mario Batali, Heston Blumenthal, Gordon Ramsay and Curtis Stone. That's a brief run through White's resume, but you're best to hear the full details — and the ups and downs that've come with being White — from the chef himself. So, in May, the culinary whiz is touring Australia's east coast capitals with his first-ever live theatre show. White's Out of the Kitchen gigs will chat through his beginnings, his training and his stardom, plus the kind of success that led to his "enfant terrible" label. That means hearing about his arrival in London with just "£7.36, a box of books and a bag of clothes", and his tutelage under Albert and Michael Roux at renowned French fine-diner Le Gavroche. And, there's nabbing those three Michelin stars at the age of 33, of course. Out of the Kitchen will start its Aussie run at Brisbane's Convention and Entertainment Centre, then see White head to Sydney's State Theatre and Melbourne's Hamer Hall. 2023 has already taken Israeli chef Yotam Ottolenghi around the country on a speaking tour, and is bringing Mauro Colagreco and his French Riviera eatery Mirazur to the Sydney in March, plus British chef Simon Rogan and his restaurant L'Enclume to the Harbour City for a five-week residency this winter, in what's clearly a great year for getting tips from the world's culinary masters. MARCO PIERRE WHITE – OUT OF THE KITCHEN: Tuesday, May 23 — Great Hall, Brisbane Convention and Entertainment Centre Thursday, May 25 — State Theatre, Sydney Tuesday, May 30 — Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne Marco Pierre White's Out of the Kitchen tour hits Australia in May 2023. For more information, or to buy tickets, head to the tour website.
Let's be real: too many aspects of our locky-d can make us feel like we're living in Groundhog Day. But, we ask you, why should drinking — that great lockdown pastime — feel the same? Of the many things we're missing these days, right up the top of the list is enjoying a perfectly crafted cocktail while perched at a lovely bar. And sure, we can try our hand at making our own, but, in these trying times, why not leave it to the professionals? Not only will it taste better, but you'll also be supporting our hospo industry, especially as many of our favourite venues are doing it tough right now. With that in mind, we've teamed up with Patrón to highlight six city venues — and two regional ones — delivering the good times to your door. We're talking litres — literally — of ready-made margaritas, as well as DIY taco kits, seafood feasts and more. Here's where to place an order for your next big night in. TEQUILA MOCKINGBIRD, PADDINGTON: TACO KITS AND DIY MARGS Paddington agave den Tequila Mockingbird is not messing around this lockdown, with single serves, batch pours and even DIY marg kits available to be delivered straight to your door. The eponymous Tequila Mockingbird Margarita is always a winner here, a house signature which features Patrón Silver, St Germain, jalapeño-infused agave, cucumber and lemon. This lockdown, it's available in bottles for one, four, six or eight (at least in theory — because, these days, who's counting?). The same pours are also available for a selection of the bar's other classics or you could even try your hand at shaking your own drink with a DIY kit featuring all the ingredients as well as a jigger, shaker, strainer and a Patrón agave cup to pour it into. Hot tip: complete your order with an eight-serve DIY taco kit, or a hearty winter warmer like a slow-roasted lamb shoulder served with chimichurri rojo. Discover Tequila Mockingbird's full takeaway offer and place your order at its website. [caption id="attachment_822949" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Alana Dimou[/caption] PS40, CBD: CUSTOM COCKTAIL BOXES CBD cocktail den PS40 was among the first venues in town to pivot to cocktail delivery last year, and, thankfully, the service is still going strong now. You can customise a box of three bottled cocktails with multi-serve bottles of signatures like the Breakfast Negroni, which includes hints of banana bread, coffee and tonka beans, and the Spicy Verdita Margarita, in which the verdita is made from ripened pineapple, jalapeño, parsley and mint. If you're looking for something a little more hands-on, the Watermelon Margarita Fun Pack is just the ticket. The airtight pouch contains a delicious combo of tequila, sake, cold-pressed watermelon and bergamot — all you need to do is cut it open, pop it in your blender and blitz away for those summer holiday vibes (BYO paper umbrella). The pouch serves two and has a three-month shelf-life in the freezer. Discover PS40's full delivery offer and place and order at the website. Delivery is available Sydney-wide from Tuesday to Saturday. THE BOATSHED, LA PEROUSE: SEAFOOD FEASTS AND $10 MARGS While it's not quite the same as sipping a marg from the sunny outdoor bar overlooking Frenchmans Bay, you can bring a bit of The Boatshed to your place thanks to its excellent takeaway deal. Every day, the La Perouse waterfront hangout is slinging a huge selection of cocktails — including three types of marg — for just $10. They're all served in fun-sized Patrón glass bottles, which you can return empty for ten percent off your next takeaway cocktail order (as if we needed an extra excuse). Pair your drinks with one of the kitchen's fresh seafood dishes to really make a night of it. Discover The Boatshed's full takeaway offer over on its Instagram. You can order via Uber Eats or call ahead on 9661 1817. LOW AND LOFTY'S, CRONULLA: INDONESIAN BITES AND SMOKY MARGS An order from Shire fave Low and Lofty's will take your lockdown night in from low to lofty. Every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday night, the Cronulla restaurant and bar is delivering mouthwatering Indonesian dishes as well as a number of its excellent cocktails Shire-wide. Pair a chicken satay or full-bodied beef rendang with a mini Patrón bottle filled with a classic marg or a smoked jalapeño variety finished with cinnamon smoke. Discover Low & Lofty's full takeaway offer and place your order at its website. ROXY'S, DOUBLE BAY: MIDDLE EASTERN BITES AND MARGS Double Bay newcomer Roxy's has made a name for itself since opening earlier this year for its creative interpretations of classic Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavours — and this is an influence that extends, naturally, to its bar program. This lockdown, the all-day eastside spot is offering a heap of takeaway goodies every Wednesday through Sunday, with an offer that ranges from freshly baked pastries to flavour-packed pita pockets. You can also pick up a margarita or five — opt for either a single serve or a 500ml bottle of the house marg which features Marionette dry curaçao, lime and hints of sumac. Discover Roxy's full takeaway offer and place your order at its website. CHECHO'S, PENRITH: FOUR-COURSE FEASTS AND ONE-LITRE MARGS Buzzy Penrith diner Checho's is hoping to bring the (socially distanced) fiesta to yours this lockdown. You can choose your own adventure, too, with the restaurant cooking up its ready-made favourites like charcoal corn ribs, patatas bravas and DIY taco kits; or, if you prefer to take matters into your own hands, opt for a cheekily named Hola Fresh box featuring a stack of fresh ingredients and instructions on how to make a four-course meal perfect for two, with dishes like beef brisket tacos and watermelon salad. Whichever you choose, you'd be remiss not to add a one-litre margarita bottle. There are five varieties to choose from, including charred pineapple and mango — if you want to work your way through all five, that is perfectly acceptable, too. Find out about Checho's takeaway offer and place your order at its website. Takeaway is available Wednesday–Sunday evenings. TOWRADGI BEACH HOTEL, WOLLONGONG: CANDY-INSPIRED MARGS The folks at Wollongong's Towradgi Beach Hotel know how to bring the good vibes, whether at the bar or in your home. As well as its indulgent $70 Netflix and Chill packs, which feature a pizza, pasta, garlic bread and a large margarita jar (or bottle of vino), the bottle shop is slinging over ten varieties of margs. You can choose to keep things classic or opt for a fruit-fulled one, including strawberry, mango and passionfruit flavours. Feeling adventurous? Then sample one of the limited-edition candy-inspired margaritas. The rotation changes weekly — previous flavours include Nerds Grape and Wizz Fizz — so keep an eye on the venue's Facebook page to see the latest selection. Find out about Towradgi Beach Hotel's takeaway and delivery offer and place your order at its website. Food is available for takeaway Friday—Sunday evenings; the bottle shop is open daily. [caption id="attachment_823880" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Pop'd Shop (Unsplash)[/caption] POCKET BAR, TERRIGAL: WEEKEND SESSIONS Central Coast favourite Pocket Bar is helping you indulge over the weekends — even in lockdown. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening, the Terrigal hangout is offering next-level dinner packs (which can serve up to six people) for pick-up and delivery. Food-wise, expect dishes like 60-day dry-aged scotch fillet, heirloom tomato burrata salad and potato gratin.If you're seeking a little libation, be sure to add its pre-batched cocktails, such as a strawberry negroni or classic marg, to your order. All cocktails are available in three different sizes, too, meaning there'll be plenty to go around. Find out about Pocket Bar's takeaway and delivery offer and place your order at its website. For more cocktail inspo, head to the Patron website. Top image: Alana Dimou
Our society has a love affair with retro. From vintage clothing to a quirky antique find, we cannot seem to get enough. Yet no retrospective romance seems to be as durable or resonate as emphatically as our relationship with vinyl records. No matter what market you go to on the weekend, the lure of a full crate of musical treasures is irresistible, causing fingers to curiously flick through the collection before finding that gem to take home and play on your record player (that you probably bought at the same market immediately afterwards). At First Sight understands this fascination and is taking over Carriageworks on Saturday, July 20, with an enormous record fair and live music event. So whether you are an audiophile or you just have an intangible sensory relationship with those black discs, you are sure to find something at this brand new utopia for vinyl fans. To better understand this connection with vinyl, Concrete Playground asked some of the musicians performing at the event just why these musical mementos retain their aura. Amy Franz, SUPER WILD HORSES What is your favourite memory involving vinyl? I must have been about 14 and there was a boy on whom I had a debilitating crush — the kind of crush that is crushing, as happens when you're a teenager. He gave me a 7" of the Stone Roses, 'She Bangs the Drums', and at the time I felt like he was trying to tell me that I should be a drummer. We'd had a jam at my house with a whole lot of music gear I took home on loan from the school music department and I think I'd bashed something out on the half a drum kit I had. It was probably the biggest musical encouragement of my life. It took me another 12 years to get around to playing the drums. Antonia Sellbach, BEACHES Why do you think vinyl retains its popularity in the digital era? Music sounds better on vinyl. There's also the whole sense of tradition and ritual to vinyl. By having to turn over a record at the halfway point you're more connected to the whole album experience. It's the ultimate surviving format, partly because it provides a much needed counter to the digital era. Vinyl is an object, a thing. It takes up space, it's a commitment. If you truly love an album, you'll probably buy it on vinyl. And album artwork always looks better in 12"x 12". Kate Wilson, THE LAURELS What was the first vinyl you ever purchased and why? I think my first was Frenzal Rhomb's 'Sorry about the Ruse' 7" single. I still have it, although I've lost the insert. The insert was a letter from Depeche Mode's record label, (unfairly) denying Frenzal Rhomb permission to release a song based on 1981 smash hit 'Just Can't Get Enough', entitled '(How can I) Fuck the System (If I just can't get it up)' — it was included as the B-side anyway. You could get it with a blue or a green cover — I got the green one, and my friend the blue. I remember we fabricated some loose and spurious pretence to bring them not only to school, but also into the classroom, where I recall we just kind of lovingly gazed at them. Being a severe teenage dork who carried a record like a teddy bear meant incredible parties and first dates were not on the agenda for me at that time. Why do you think vinyl retains its popularity in the digital era? Trends can often be retaliatory in nature. I think vinyl is the counterpoint to the impermanence, and inability to tangibly "own" digital media. There's a healthy element of childhood nostalgia, courtesy of parent's record collections. There is also the wildly addictive sport of crate digging. Additionally the length of the LP's reign as the dominant medium, coupled with the fact that people discarded whole collections when digital took over, mean there is a hell of a lot of music out there. The abundance keeps the price low and the variety high. Record collecting is one of the greatest and most rewarding strategy games on earth! You have to be quite knowledgeable about music to derive pleasure from flicking through dusty LPs for hours on end, so I think there is a carry over to the more casual music buyer that vinyl is the format of choice for people who are seriously into music, an idea abetted by the fact it's seen by most audiophiles as the superior sound format. Ben James, SONGS What is your favourite memory involving vinyl? Buying my own record player. Listening on my brother's before that was a no go, and annoying — I could only listen at half volume so that I could still listen out for him coming home and avoid a good thrashing. Emma Ramsay, HOLY BALM Why do you think vinyl retains its popularity in the digital era? VHS has not disappeared. The technology may have been surpassed but there will always be people interested in hacking old technology in creative ways or wanting to 'experience' older technology. VHS is still in people's lounge rooms, attics, garage sales. Vinyl retains popularity in the digital era, because the analog era still exists, it has not ended per se. They co-exist. And so one informs the other, giving an extended network and experience of how we find new music, and dig up old favourites. MARTY DOYLE, At First Sight Curator and FBi Presenter What was the first vinyl you ever purchased and why? I was born in the '80s. The ideals of the time were all about the race for the latest technology, so that meant cassettes and Walkmans with Dolby Noise Reduction for me. My dad had a lot of records, but i just thought they were things he rolled 'cigarettes' on. It wasn't until i was about 12 and started listening to hip hop that I paid attention to vinyl. When i saw footage of Grandmaster Flash DJing at a Block Party, i thought it was the coolest thing ever. 2 turntables and scratching? I went straight to my dad's record collection and started digging through it and I was amazed to find all this stuff in there I had heard from hip hop samples. I think the first record I found and recognised was Boz Scaggs 'Low Down' which was sampled by Sparky D. That was really the start of my vinyl obsession. I still bump that Boz Scaggs record, it's the definition of sophisticated easy listening. Owen Penglis, STRAIGHT ARROWS What was the first vinyl you ever purchased and why? I first started buying records because they were heaps cheaper than CDs — as a 14 year old you've got plenty of time to burn digging through the $2 bin, and you'd usually come out with something you'd heard of before. I pulled out The Eagles The Long Run because I'd heard they were supposed to be good. Let me tell you, they are fucking terrible: boring cocaine country rock shit. I threw the album in the oven and learnt that not only do LPs make for unusable bowls, but there's no time for shitty music. Why do you think vinyl retains its popularity in the digital era? It smells better than CDs. At First Sight is on at Carriageworks on Saturday, July 20. The record fair is free and entry to the live music is $35.
When Iron Man, Thor, Scarlet Witch, Black Widow, Captain America and their fellow caped-crusader pals all cross paths on-screen, they do so within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. When it's Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and Aquaman's turn, they populate the DC Extended Universe. But these kind of big-screen franchises aren't just the domain of superheroes. In the Sony Pictures Universe of Marvel Characters, for instance, a number of Spider-Man supervillains are getting their own interconnected movies. First came 2018's Venom, starring Tom Hardy (Dunkirk) as a journalist who is forced to share his body with an alien symbiote. Next year — delayed from 2020 — Morbius will see Jared Leto (The Little Things) play a figure also known as the "Living Vampire". In-between the two, Venom: Let There Be Carnage is also hitting screens. The initial flick about Hardy's Eddie Brock and his parasitic pal did ridiculously big business at the box office, so it was always going to get a sequel. Due to hit cinemas Down Under this October — after being delayed from its September release date — Venom: Let There Be Carnage signals its other main point of focus in its title. This time around, Venom isn't the only formidable figure that Brock has to deal with, with Woody Harrelson (Zombieland: Double Tap) joining the cast as Carnage. For those who haven't dived deep into Spider-Man's comic book history, Carnage is another of the web-slinger's adversaries. Inhabiting the body of a serial killer called Cletus Kasady, he's also Venom's nemesis. And while Eddie's life isn't all that straightforward as seen in both the original Venom: Let There Be Carnage trailer and the just-dropped new sneak peek — living in harmony with Venom is about as easy as it sounds — things get a whole lot more chaotic when Carnage enters the scene. As these two villains face off, here's hoping that Venom: Let There Be Carnage gives Michelle Williams (Fosse/Verdon) more to do than the first Venom movie did, with the four-time Oscar-nominee returning as Eddie's ex-fiancée. Also seen briefly in the trailers: Naomie Harris (The Third Day) as yet another Spider-Man villain, Shriek, plus Stephen Graham (The Virtues) as Detective Mulligan. And, behind the lens, Lord of the Rings actor-turned-Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle filmmaker Andy Serkis directs. Check out the latest trailer below: Venom: Let There Be Carnage opens in Australian cinemas sometime in October — we'll update you when an exact date is announced.
Hej! Spring has arrived, the sun is out and colourful dresses complete with Swedish clogs have started to reappear on the streets. There’s no better time to head over to Sydney’s unofficial Swedish enclave, the relaxed beachside 'burb of Manly. This trendy north-shore hub has an enviable collection of Nordic design stores, and amongst the mix you’ll find Fika Swedish Kitchen. The breezy, chic cafe was founded by expats whose wistful thoughts of home resulted in the brainwave of bringing the best of Swedish culture to the heart of Manly. It channels a Scandinavian summerhouse vibe and seems staffed entirely by attractive blondes like something from a Swedish travel brochure. The sunshine streams into the neatly curated space, illuminating the modern whitewash interior, rendered concrete benchtop and simple artwork. The minimalism is balanced with homely touches of wooden furnishings, scattered cushions, pops of vibrant yellow and decorative jars of Swedish sweets. Fika translates as ‘taking a break for coffee and a bite to eat', and with that welcoming attitude and the open pavement dining, it buzzes with laidback Manly locals over the warmer months. We decide to take a time out from our Marimekko homeware shopping, and dabble in some Swedish fare — but first we crack open a Rekorderlig cider while we peruse the lunch menu casually scrawled across the back wall. The obvious crowd-pleaser is the Swedish meatballs with potato mash, gravy and lingonberry jam ($18), comfortingly served up on canteen-style enamel plates. If you miss the lunch hours, open sandwiches are available throughout the afternoon. Try the gravlax cured salmon skagen, a lavish open sandwich heaped with mashed egg and håvmästar sauce. If you are feeling a little indecisive there is always the smörgåstårta, a sandwich as complicated as its name is to pronounce. It's a three-layer stack of smashed egg, prawn skagen, gravlax, meatball, ham and Jarlsberg ($15). Our table quickly became a smorgasbord, which literally translates to ‘sandwich table’. There was so much sandwich on our table that there was hardly any table. Not for long though. There were only a few crumbs left on our plates to remind us of what once was. Now, everyone knows that hanging out in Manly is like being on holiday, and on holiday one always has room for dessert. With such an endearing name, it was impossible to go past Grandma Elly’s Apple Pie ($8) — the just-out-the-oven golden goodness served with a hearty dollop of vanilla whip made me momentarily wish I were related to Grandma Elly. For an authentic brew, try the refillable Swedish coffee ($2), which is perfect coupled with a cinnamon bun ($5) from the freshly baked batch sitting enticingly on the counter. After you tear into this traditional pastry, you’ll be tempted to order a few as souvenirs to take on the trip home. With such sincere fare, simple Scandi design and the happy chatter of Swedish expats enjoying a taste of home, you’d be forgiven for forgetting that you aren’t actually in Stockholm.
Locals will soon score their first taste of Sydney Tower's multimillion-dollar food and drink makeover, with the first of three impressive new venues set to open its doors in a matter of weeks. First announced back in February, the Trippas White Group's $12-million redevelopment will see the creation of a new three-level bar and restaurant precinct for the famous CBD building. And we now know what's in store, with the company today revealing more about its plans for the three new offerings. Launching first, on Friday, September 25, is Infinity at Sydney Tower: an upscale restaurant replacing the former 360 Bar and Dining on Level 1. Under new Head Chef Mike Dierlinger (The Bridge Room), it's set to plate up a modern Australian menu fusing local produce with international flavours and technique. Dierlinger will draw on his experience working at Michelin-starred restaurants across the globe, to deliver a menu of elegant fare "crafted with an international twist". And you can expect a pretty flash setting to match, as the venue serves up those stunning revolving views across the city and its surrounds. [caption id="attachment_782344" align="alignnone" width="1920"] An artist's impression of Infinity[/caption] Dierlinger is also helping to guide the culinary offering of fellow Sydney Tower newcomer, Bar 83, which is also opening on September 25. Housed up on Level 3, a soaring 83 floors above street level, this one is set to be the city's highest drinking destination. It'll take the form of a luxury cocktail lounge and bar, also rocking some pretty spectacular views — till 2am on Friday and Saturday. The lounge will have a retro vibe with white and red circular seats, gold banquettes, metallic lights and art deco mirrors. Plus, it'll have some big-name talent on the floor (and behind the bar) with award-winning bartender Jenna Hemsworth (Restaurant Hubert, The Baxter Inn) stepping in as venue manager. [caption id="attachment_782937" align="alignnone" width="1920"] An artist's impression of Bar 83[/caption] Rounding out the trio will be Level 2's casual dining offering, known as SkyFeast at Sydney Tower. This one's gearing up to be a modern update on the touristy buffet of old, featuring unlimited dining options celebrating cuisines from around the world. Infinity at Sydney Tower and Bar 83 are set to open on Friday, September 25. SkyFeast will launch later this year. All three can be found at Sydney Tower, between Pitt and Castlereagh streets, Sydney CBD. Top image: Sander Dalhuisen Updated September 10, 2020.
Woolloomooloo favourite Flour and Stone is loved among locals and visitors alike for its top-notch pastries, delicious sandwiches and overall simple comfort food. Its counter treats are baked daily and change regularly, with sweet options including a strawberry and rosemary brûlée, a quince and custard tart, a delightfully crunchy rocky road and blueberry scones with jam and cream. If you're after something more savoury try a cheese and chive scone (only available Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday), a leek and gruyere cheese tart or a spanikopita. [caption id="attachment_747204" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Samantha Mackie[/caption] For something more substantial it also offers a great range of sandwiches, including a sage roasted pumpkin with taleggio, walnut, cavolo nero, bechamel and cayenne pepper; a leg ham option with gruyere, smokey wholegrain mustard and aioli on sourdough; as well as a poached chicken variety with mayonnaise and granny's pickles. The pies here are famous too, with people making the trek from all over Sydney to enjoy one. Options include chicken, leek and tarragon; beef Rendang; dahl-tadka; and a scrumptious pork and caraway sausage roll. Images: Destination NSW/Alan Benson/Samantha Mackie. Appears in: The Best Bakeries in Sydney for 2023
So long MissChu, hello Saigon Lane. Restaurateur Aki Kotzamichalis has taken over the licenses of the popular Vietnamese eateries in Bondi, Glebe, Darlinghurst and the CBD — which, from December, will be trading with new menus and a new moniker to match. Kotzamichalis is best known as the man behind Bali restaurants Ku De Ta and Saigon Street, with the latter establishment inspiring the Sydney rebrand. "It's a massive undertaking" Kotzamichalis told Concrete Playground. "Rebranding, painting, renovating, new menu, staff training, you name it." The Saigon Lane menu will be inspired by chef Phil Davenport, who previously served as head chef for seven years at Ku De Ta. Think green rice fried tiger prawns, Vietnamese chicken coleslaw with peanuts, and pork belly banh mi. They'll also retain a number of favourites from the old MissChu menu, including the popular Atlantic salmon dish and a selection of dumplings. "We didn't want to alienate anyone," said Kotzamichalis. "Anything that is really popular we'll keep or tweak." The menu will be the same at all four sites, although there'll be a bigger focus on takeaway at the "rush in, rush out" tuck shops in Darlinghurst and the CBD. The restaurants in Glebe and Bondi, on the other hand, will feature a selection of signature cocktails, at least two of which will be available on tap. The new interiors, meanwhile, will come courtesy of Alex Zabotto-Bentley, who'll make use of the same bright colour palette seen over in Seminyak. "Saigon Lane will have a similar look and feel to its big brother, but with a few unique twists that will be revealed when we open our doors in December," promised Kotzamichalis. For more information about Saigon Lane visit www.saigonlane.com.
Earlier this year, when events worldwide started cancelling, postponing and rescheduling due to COVID-19, the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA)'s Dark Mofo was sadly one of many that had to pull the plug. It's also just one of the annual festivals that the venue holds and, thankfully, MONA's summer event will be forging ahead — with the venue announcing dates and locations for Mona Foma 2021. Come January, arts and music fans will be able to soak in the fest's eclectic sights and sounds across two weekends — and in two locations. Although Mona Foma was originally held in Hobart, where MONA is located, the event made the move to Launceston in 2019. In 2021, however, it'll split its program between both Tasmanian cities. Launceston will be up first, from January 15–17, with Hobart getting the nod the next week from January 22–24. Just what'll be on the bill hasn't been announced as yet, and won't be until later this year, but the fact that the festival is happening at all is the kind of great news that 2020 has been lacking. As Mona Foma curator Brian Ritchie explained, "Mona Foma thrives on reinvention and we are compelled to do that big time in January 2021. One weekend in Launceston, and one weekend in Hobart, to spread the love. Great Tasmanian artists, unusual venues, and an irrepressible creativity". Focusing on Tassie artists isn't new for the fest, with 61 percent of creatives involved in the 2020 event hailing from the state. [caption id="attachment_784488" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Robin Fox laser installation at the Albert Hall, Launceston, Mona Foma 2019. Photo Credit: MONA/Jesse Hunniford. Image courtesy of the artist and MONA Museum of Old and New Art, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia[/caption] Of course, before you go making big plans for a weekend getaway down south, you'll want to keep an eye on Tasmania's current border restrictions — which, at the time of writing, requires 14 days in quarantine in government-designated accommodation for non-Tasmanian residents who aren't classified as essential travellers, and additionally requires pre-approval from the Deputy State Controller if you're entering from a location considered high-risk, such as Victoria. Mona Foma will take place from January 15–17, 2021 in Launceston, and from January 22–24, 2021 in Hobart. We'll update you when the full program is announced later this year — but head to the festival website in the interim for further details. Top image: The Flaming Lips, Mona, Hobart, Mona Foma 2016. Photo Credit: MONA/Rémi Chauvin. Image Courtesy Mona, Museum of Old and New Art, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
Nearly 250 metres above street level sits Bangkok's newest attraction: the highest outdoor whisky bar in the world. Opening at The Tower Club at Lebua, Alfresco 64 takes sipping on Scotch to towering extremes — and pairs its tasty tipples with quite the killer view. Located on the 64th floor of the building immortalised in The Hangover Part II, the sky-high whisky haven isn't just about drinking any old beverage while taking in the city's scenic sights, though. Alfresco 64 was designed to showcase the hotel's very own drop, the Chivas Regal Exclusive Lebua Blend. Made from whiskies from 1985 and earlier, it's a limited and expensive drink, with each one of the 96 bottles made only available at the bar for a price of US$7ooo each. No wonder the whole 200-square-metre space is decked out like a luxury yacht, including the outdoor counter and indoor VIP room, which comes complete with a captain's seat. Alas, to hop inside, you have to part with enough money to buy a bottle. Don't worry — other varieties are available outside for those who can't part with such a huge chunk of cash for some whisky, i.e. most people. Via: Forbes. Images: Alfresco 64.
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras comes but once a year, but when it does, it brings all the pomp and splendour that an international festival of equality of this magnitude deserves. From parties that last all night to exhibitions of dance, from celebrations of culture to intense discussions of social progression, Mardi Gras compiles the most important events that celebrate the diversity in this city that defines our daily life. With such a magnificent array of things to see and do and with so little time to see and do them all, picking the best of the bunch can be a bit tricky. So here's our list of the top events to soak in this Mardi Gras. Image: Ann-Marie Calilhanna.
Following a Golden Globe haul earlier this year, Donald Glover's series Atlanta has landed an Australian premiere. Heading to the newly minted SBS Viceland channel on Tuesday, February 28 at 9.30pm, the award-winning series will be shown in double episodes weekly. Even better, the entire series will be available on SBS On Demand from the same date. Created, co-written, and produced by Glover, also known as artist Childish Gambino, Atlanta follows the life of Princeton dropout Earn Marks (Glover) and his cousin Alfred 'Paper Boi' Miles (Brian Tyree Henry). The series sees Earn supporting his two-year-old daughter and managing his rapper cousin trying his luck at breaking into the music industry. The series took out two Golden Globes in January, with Glover landing Best Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy, and Atlanta taking out Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy. Atlanta is one series we think you should catch up on after the Golden Globes. Read the whole list here.
Both Sydney institutions and both beloved around Redfern and the Inner West, Young Henrys and the South Sydney Rabbitohs are a match made in heaven. The brewery and the NRL club have been linked for the last half-decade with Young Henrys the team's official beer sponsor for the past five years. To celebrate the anniversary, the pair have teamed up to create a new limited-edition beer. Taking inspiration from South's team song Glory Glory to South Sydney, the Young Henrys Glory Haze XPA is an easy-drinking beer with citrus and tropical aromas. The collab has just launched across the country, with the can decked out in the club's signature red and green to celebrate the long-running partnership. The limited-run beer is available in bottle shops nationwide in both six-packs and cases. It's also getting a run in kegs so you can expect it to pop up in a pub or bar near you as well. "This beer is all about the fans!! Fans of the Rabbitohs. Fans of Young Henrys. Or just fans of bloody good-tasting beer," says Young Henrys Director Dan Hampton. The collaboration is the latest creative brew produced by the Young Henrys crew following previous team-ups with the likes of Dune Rats, The Art Gallery of NSW, Foo Fighters, DZ Deathrays and Dylan Alcott. "Young Henrys are all about bringing people together — sharing a beer when celebrating moments with friends and family — a sentiment shared with the South Sydney Rabbitohs and their members who enjoy celebrating our victories both on and off the field," said South Sydney Rabbitohs CEO Blake Solly. The pre-sale for the Glory Haze XPA is already sold out, so you'll have to pick up a six-pack from your local bottle shop if you want to get your hands on them. In the meantime, you can watch the passionate launch video below: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Young Henrys (@younghenrys) Young Henrys' and South Sydney Rabbitohs' Glory Haze XPA is available in stores now across Australia in six packs, cases and kegs.
If you're a pet owner, you'll know if can be difficult getting your dog/cat/iguana/parrot/rat from A to B — especially if you don't own a car. Example A: your friend has given you and Fido a ride to the beach, then bailed and left you and the fluffy boy stranded. Trains are out (in NSW or Queensland), Fido's too big for a box on a bus, you're nowhere near a ferry or CityCat, so you book a taxi, but the drive takes one look at sandy Fido and says no. Thankfully, this type of scenario will be left in the past when Uber Pet launches in Sydney and Brisbane tomorrow, Tuesday, March 10. Launching as a trial, Uber Pet will be available in your Uber app as a separate option — alongside UberX, Comfort and Pool — and will match you with a driver who's happy to pick up pets. It'll cost an extra $6–7 per ride, with some of that passed onto the drivers, too. While the cat below may not agree, it's really a win-win scenario. If the trial is a success, it'll be rolled out nationally as a permanent option on the app. So, you can plan more trips to dog-friendly pubs, beaches and parks. And get to the vet a little easier (don't tell your cat). While Uber expects cats and dogs will be the most common passengers, it allows any kind of domesticated animal use the service — at the driver's discretion. Assistance and service animals are still allowed in regular Ubers, as they are on all forms of public transport. You can read more about travel for assistance animals in NSW and Queensland here. Uber Pet is available in Sydney and Brisbane from Tuesday, March 10.
Lives don't just thrive in New York City apartment buildings. As Only Murders in the Building keeps showing, sometimes they end, too. Folks connected to the fictional Arconia complex haven't been having a good run in the hit mystery-comedy series, but neighbours and podcasters Mabel Mora, Charles-Haden Savage and Oliver Putnam — as played by Selena Gomez (Emilia Pérez), Steve Martin (It's Complicated) and Martin Short (Grimsburg) — keep investigating their untimely demises, and talking about it. Audiences keep watching, too. You'll next be viewing the trio's antics and sleuthing along with the series' latest whodunnit scenario from spring Down Under, with Only Murders in the Building setting a Tuesday, September 9, 2025 premiere date for its fifth season. There's no trailer as yet, but the show has unveiled its first-look image, and also enlisted Gomez, Martin and Short in a clip announcing the day to pop in your calendar. [caption id="attachment_972138" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Disney/Eric McCandless)[/caption] Yes, it's happening again: to continue to live up to its title, there's been another murder in the building. This time, Charles, Oliver and Mabel refuse to accept that the death of a beloved figure was accidental. As they endeavour to prove that's the case, mobsters and powerful billionaires all become involved, as do more Arconia residents. Michael Cyril Creighton (American Horror Stories) is back among the cast as well, as are Meryl Streep (Extrapolations), Da'Vine Joy Randolph (Bride Hard), Richard Kind (Poker Face) and Nathan Lane (The Gilded Age). Season five also features Bobby Cannavale (Unstoppable), Renée Zellweger (Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy), Logan Lerman (We Were the Lucky Ones), Christoph Waltz (Old Guy), Téa Leoni (Death of a Unicorn), Keegan-Michael Key (Dear Santa), Beanie Feldstein (Drive-Away Dolls), Dianne Wiest (Apartment 7A) and Jermaine Fowler (Sting). [caption id="attachment_912213" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Patrick Harbron/Hulu[/caption] By now, everyone should already well-aware of Only Murders in the Building's setup. Each season, a new murder takes place in the apartment tower that its main sleuthing trio call home. It was true in 2021's season one, then 2022's season two, 2023's season three and 2024's season four. Also accurate in every season: when Mabel, Charles and Oliver are on the case, a heap of fellow big-name talent both help and hinder their investigations. There's no trailer yet for Only Murders in the Building season five, but check out the date announcement video below: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Only Murders in the Building (@onlymurdershulu) Only Murders in the Building streams Down Under via Disney+, with season five premiering on Tuesday, September 9, 2025. Read our reviews of season one, season two and season three. Top image: Disney/Patrick Harbron.
When it comes to spooking cinemagoers, A24 has a mighty fine track record. The Witch, Hereditary, Midsommar and In Fabric sit among its on-screen nightmares, and X, Bodies Bodies Bodies and Pearl as well. The latest film on the independent film and TV company's list is Talk to Me, which is clearly joining immensely impressive company. It also slips into another category: flicks that make it nerve-shreddingly plain that no one should ever mess with the dead. Whether they're zombies or vampires, or ghosts haunting various abodes, or spirits possessing people or dolls, little good ever seems to arise when someone — or, in this case a group of folks — decides not to let the deceased remain deceased. Of course, if people did heed this advice, we wouldn't have anywhere near as many scary flicks to watch, including this Australian effort. A24 has found its latest frightfest Down Under, with Talk to Me stemming from Adelaide-born twins Danny and Michael Philippou. They're also known as RackaRacka, which you might know from the YouTube channel, and this is their feature debut. A word of warning: if you're not a horror person — and, generally, you either are or you aren't — then neither the initial trailer nor the just-dropped new sneak peak is for you. Based on a concept by Bluey producer Daley Pearson, Talk to Me's premise is horror 101, but it doesn't feel like that for a second in its glimpses so far. This eerie affair is all about conjuring up spirits using an embalmed hand — because what else would you use a mummified appendage for? It starts as a game between friends, another scary-movie staple, then opens the door to the spirit world. Starring Sophie Wilde (The Portable Door), Miranda Otto (The Clearing), Zoe Terakes (Nine Perfect Strangers), Otis Dhanji (June Again), Chris Alosio (Millie Lies Low) and Alexandra Jensen (Joe vs Carole), Talk to Me enjoyed its world premiere at the 2022 Adelaide Film Festival, and has kept doing the rounds from there. Sundance, Berlin, SXSW, Overlook: it's scared them all since. The movie will hit general release on July 27 in Australia and New Zealand. The film's soundtrack is a drawcard, too, including New Zealand hip-hop collective SWIDIT — plus tracks from Lucianblomkamp, IJAE, Sia, Takara, ONEFOUR and The Kid Laroi. Composer Cornel Wilczek (Clickbait) takes care of the score. Check out the latest trailer for Talk to Me below: Talk to Me opens in Australian and New Zealand cinemas on July 27, 2023.
By this point in 2020, you probably feel like you've spent most of your year at home — and either watching or cooking something while you've been there. Thanks to both country-wide stay-at-home requirements and city-specific lockdowns, that's how the past six months have played out. And, as a result, you likely feel as if you've seen every cooking show and made every recipe there is, too. Enter Raph's Mean Cuisine, the YouTube culinary series hosted by Melbourne restaurateur Raph Rashid, who the city's residents will know from Beatbox Kitchen, All Day Donuts and Juanita Peaches. In bite-sized episodes clocking in at under 12 minutes, the show adopts a very nostalgic approach to helping you up your kitchen game — because if there's one thing we're all experiencing this year, it's a yearning for a time before the pandemic. Specifically, Rashid is focusing on 80s cooking classics, with each instalment of his seven-part first season showcasing a dish that's bound to bring back memories. They're simple, easy recipes, too, which you'll be able to recreate at home without any trouble. As Rashid explains, "I just wanted to inspire people to cook in real kitchens, in sharehouses. And I just love cooking with friends. It's kinda what life's all about". Accordingly, he teams up with a different guest in each episode, and together they whip up the cuisine in the spotlight in Rashid's home kitchen. And, as well as recipes, every episode includes tips and hacks as well. On the menu: apricot chicken made with sommelier Matt Skinner, chow mein made with artist Esther Olsson's help and curried sausages with assistance from 1800-Lasagne's Joey Kellock. Six episodes are available at present, also covering Mars bar slice, chicken kievs and tacos, as cooked with florist Hattie Molloy, chef Mike Hoyle and artist Nadia Hernandez. Fancy trying your hand at a lamb roast as well? In the show's finale, that's on offer. Dropping at 6pm on Tuesday, September 8, it'll see Rashid join forces with pro skater Nick Boserio and Melbourne Food and Wine Festival Creative Director Pat Nourse to revive an 80s (and Sunday) staple. Check out Raph's Mean Cuisine's first episode, focusing on apricot chicken, below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVHsUwQAlhk The first six episodes of Raph's Mean Cuisine are available to view on YouTube, with the seventh — the season finale — dropping at 6pm on Tuesday, September 8.
We don't recommend taking regularly life advice from cartoon characters, but ever since an animated crab sang about the joys of living under the sea, it's an idea that's been lodged in everyone's minds. Nearly three decades after The Little Mermaid told us "darling it's better down where it's wetter", we'll soon be able to see for ourselves like we've never been able to before. If you've ever wanted to make like Ariel and slumber surrounded by sea life, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is making that dream a reality — yes, they're building a lavish underwater hotel suite. Due to open in late 2018, the US$15 million space is being called the world's "first undersea residence" — and while a series of submerged villas in Dubai and a room at an African hotel might beg to differ, this still looks and sounds mighty impressive. Named The Muraka, which means coral in Dhivehi, the Maldives' local language, it's a two-level apartment that comes complete with sleeping and living quarters both above and five metres below the waterline. While the top floor boasts two bedrooms and bathrooms, including one with an ocean-facing tub; a powder room, gym, living room, kitchen, bar and dining area; two separate decks facing directly towards the sunrise and sunset; an infinity pool; and even butler's and private security quarters, it's the lower level that's the main attraction. Let's face it – you know that's exactly where everyone will head first. Down a spiral staircase, guests will find a king size bedroom, living area and bathroom, all surrounded by 180-degree panoramic views of the Indian Ocean's marine inhabitants. In total, the suite sleeps nine, making it a luxe destination for travelling groups with plenty of cash. Just how much it'll set you back hasn't yet been revealed, though you'd expect this latest underwater adventure won't come cheap. For the past 13 years, the resort has also been home to an undersea restaurant, so you can eat beneath the ocean's surface as well. Images: Conrad Hotels & Resorts.
In January this year, Internet freedom activist Aaron Swartz committed suicide while awaiting trial. Having downloaded millions of papers from digital academic journal archive JSTOR, he had been accused of computer fraud. His death caused outrage among those passionate about public access to information and inspired Internet inventor Sir Tim Berners-Lee to write, 'Aaron dead. World wanderers, we have lost a wise elder. Hackers for right, we are one down. Parents all, we have lost a child. Let us weep.' Now, in order to honour Swartz's memory, poet Kenneth Goldsmith is planning on printing out as much of the Internet as possible. Between July 26th and August 30th, he will occupy 500 square metres of space in Mexico City, where the piles of pages will be on display. Members of the public are invited to send in as many Internet print outs as they can. Length is not an issue. 'There are many ways to go about this,' the project's Tumblr pages read. 'You can act alone (print out your own blog, Gmail inbox or spam folder) or you could organise a group of friends to print out a particular corner of the internet, say, all of Wikipedia, the entire New York Times archive, every dossier leaked by Wikileaks for starters. The more the better.' Some argue that the concept promises to make a vital statement about our right to know; others are concerned about the potential environmental costs. A petition against the project has been started at Change.org. [Via PSFK]
The Museum of Contemporary Art's annual Conversation Starters program is all about getting us talking about the issues that really matter. And in 2019 Conversation Starters 2019: Temperature Rising, will feature another groundbreaking lineup of events as part of Vivid Ideas. The program will run across Saturday, June 1 and Sunday, June 2 — and, this time, it's focusing on climate change, in response to the MCA's current exhibiton Janet Laurence: After Nature. From talks and performances to film screenings and workshops, we've picked out just a few spectacular highlights that will have you chin-wagging about the environment for hours.
Neutral Bay has a new laneway bar and it focuses on one of the best food pairings in existence — wine and cheese. The Cheese and Wine Co started out as a beloved Instagram account and online wine store and has now opened its first venue, showcasing Australian drops and artisanal cheeses. The casual bar sits on Grosvenor Lane, just around the corner from the institution that is The Oaks. Focusing on homegrown wines and cheeses from around the country, the new bar will include a few international names on the list as well. The wine list will rotate every three months on a seasonal basis and be limited to 50 wines maximum, with the list currently at 33 different drops. It spans from easy-to-drink vino to wines geared for a more complex palate, so both novice oenophiles and budding sommelier types can feel at home here. If you find a wine you really like, you'll eventually be able to take it home with you — all of the wines will make their way onto the online shop once they're rotated off the bar list. On the cheese side of things, the bar has 13 different types to choose from at the moment, with specialties like deep fried camembert and baked brie also making the menu. And like the wine, this list will change regularly as well. Cheese boards are served as share platters alongside charcuterie, salumi and other antipasti, so eating with your hands is encouraged. If you're looking for a taste of the lot, check out the monthly cheese and wine nights, where winemakers and cheesemongers will be invited to show off their stuff. The Cheese and Wine Co is now open at 1 Grosvenor Lane, Neutral Bay. Opening hours are Tuesday through Wednesday from 4pm to 9pm and Thursday through Saturday from 4pm to midnight.
Love, sex, internet dating, a charismatic conman, psychological abuse, murder — in the realm of true-crime stories, Dirty John had it all. Hosted by Los Angeles Times journalist Christopher Goffard, the podcast became a huge hit when it dropped back in October 2017. Now the tale of John Meehan has been adapted into a TV series, and it's heading to Netflix. Come Thursday, February 14, you'll be able to watch Aussie actor Eric Bana step into the notorious con artist's shoes, opposite Connie Britton as interior designer and Meehan's mark, Debra Newell. The high-profile cast also includes Juno Temple and Maniac's Julia Garner as Newell's daughters. If you've listened to the podcast, you'll know that all four actors will be re-enacting quite the ordeal. The eight-episode series has just finished its week-to-week run on US television, but Netflix will drop all eight episodes when Valentine's Day hits. It's a stroke of great timing on behalf of the streaming platform — if you were looking for alternative plans for what's supposed to be the most romantic day of the year, consider yourself sorted. Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fG70KroYlik&feature=youtu.be An anthology series, when Dirty John was picked up by its US network Bravo, two seasons were ordered. That means there's more to come; however, when the next season will arrive — and what it will focus on — hasn't yet been revealed. Dirty John drops on Netflix Australia/New Zealand on February 14, 2019.
Downtown Drive-In has released tickets to two extra screenings today, adding cult films Raising Arizona and Stand By Me to its popular program. And lucky for you, we have five double passes to giveaway so you can experience it first hand. Boasting an outrageously talented cast of young actors, including River Phoenix, Jerry O'Connell, Wil Wheaton, Corey Feldman, Kiefer Sutherland and John Cusack, few films have captured the magic or intransigence of youth better than Rob Reiner's nostalgic coming-of-age drama Stand By Me. Adapted from Stephen King's autobiographical novella The Body, Stand By Me takes place in the summer of 1959 in a small, out of the way town in Oregon. With a full weekend at their disposal, four young boys embark on an adventure through the back roads of their community in search of a dead body rumoured to be hidden in the nearby swamp. It's a sort of 'road movie on foot', complete with significant rites of passage, ridiculous childhood hijinks and, occasionally, some deeply tender moments. Richard Dreyfuss features as the film's narrator, reminiscing from the perspective of one of the boys now in his middle age. "I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was 12," he observes at one point. "Jesus, does anyone?" – and therein lies the heart of Stand By Me. Each of the four boys carries with him the shame of some social stigma, be it abusive parents, physical deformity or simple obesity, yet as a group they're confident and unassailable, loved unconditionally by each other in a way not found back home or by the township. Filmed almost thirty years ago, Stand By Me remains a poignant, moving and uplifting testimony to the capacity for friendship and the joy of childhood adventure. Concrete Playground has five double passes to giveaway to see Stand By Me at Downtown Drive-In on December 1 at 9.30pm. To enter, just subscribe to Concrete Playground (if you haven't already) then email hello@concreteplayground.com.au
Amid wondering how everything and anything would cope with feelings — elements such as water, fire, air and earth being the current example — Pixar also enjoys venturing to infinity and beyond. The Disney-owned animation studio first became famous and beloved thanks to the Toy Story franchise, and a space ranger figurine who loved spouting an intergalactic catchphrase, but the company is no stranger to heading into the heavens in its movies. With 2022's Lightyear, Pixar left earth for obvious reasons. When you're making a film about said space ranger toy — well, about its inspiration, to be exact — space is part of the package. With 2024's upcoming Elio, the studio is instead playing with aliens and putting earth on trial. Oh, and hanging out with a kid who says he's the planet's leader. That child is the movie's namesake, who isn't short on imagination, but could never have dreamed up the adventure that awaits. In the feature's just-dropped first teaser trailer, Elio goes on an out-of-this-world journey when he's beamed up to the Communiverse. That's an interplanetary organisation that looks after galaxies far and wide — and it mistakes the kid for earth's ambassador. How does an otherwise ordinary child cope with being in space, meeting alien lifeforms and being put through a number of challenges? What does he learn about himself along the way? Cinemagoers will find out on February 29, 2024, with Pixar's next flick after Elemental arriving on leap day — a date that no one should forget. Adrian Molina, screenwriter and co-director of the gorgeous Coco, helms the movie, while the cast includes Yonas Kibreab (Sweet Tooth) as Elio, America Ferrera (Superstore) as Elio's mom Olga, Jameela Jamil (Poker Face) as Ambassador Questa and Brad Garrett (High Desert) as Ambassador Grigon. While 2023 will only see one Pixar movie hit screens, Elio is one of two slated for 2024. Also on the lineup next year: Inside Out 2. Check out the teaser trailer for Elio below: Elio will release in cinemas Down Under on February 29, 2024.
This breezy, often boisterous Surry Hills establishment is another example of a previously overlooked drinking hole which has been revitalised around craft beer. It's a modern space with well-presented pub grub, but it's in their expertly curated beer offerings where the Dove & Olive really shines. Grab a beer paddle and select from a range of unusual tipples on tap. If you're here for a nosh, the D&O also features four-course dinners where each stage of the meal is matched to a beer, while their Craft Beer Fight Club — where brewers 'fight to the death' for the chance to get their brew on tap for a month — is quickly becoming the stuff of legend. Plus, the trivia here is some Sydney's best and most boisterous.
We hope you're hungry for more kitchen chaos: after dishing up stellar viewing in its first, second, third and fourth seasons, The Bear is returning for a fifth serving. What does this mean for the restaurant that shares the show's name? For Carmy Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White, The Iron Claw)? And for fellow chef Sydney Adamu (Ayo Edebiri, Inside Out 2), too? You should hopefully find out in 2026. The news of The Bear's renewal for season five comes just days after season four dropped its full ten-episode run, ready for prime winter viewing. So, if you've binge-watched your way through it and were left with questions about what happens after its season finale, answers are indeed on the way. "The Bear continues to be a fan favourite worldwide, and their response to this season — as seen through incredibly high viewership ‚ has been as spectacular as any of its previous seasons," advised John Landgraf, Chairman of FX, the US network behind the series. "Year in and year out, Chris Storer, the producers, cast and crew make The Bear one of the best shows on television, and we are excited that they will continue to tell this magnificent story." There's no word yet on any specifics beyond The Bear's locked-in fifth season, including timing, storyline, and returning and guest cast members. But expecting to get watching mid-2026 is completely reasonable, given that each of the Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning show's four seasons so far have all arrived in winter Down Under. In season four, Carmy's days running his dream restaurant were potentially numbered. In fact, a literal clock put on the business by The Bear's key investor Cicero (Oliver Platt, Chicago Med). As time ticked down, pondering the future became a theme not just for Carmy and Syd, but among the rest of the crew — including Carmy's sister Natalie (Abby Elliott, Cheaper by the Dozen), the Berzatto family's lifelong pal Richie Jerimovich Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Hold Your Breath), and the eatery's staff Marcus (Lionel Boyce, Shell), Tina (Liza Colón-Zayas, Cat Person), Ebraheim (Edwin Lee Gibson, Unprisoned) and Neil (IRL chef Matty Matheson). Check out the trailer for The Bear season four below: The Bear streams via Disney+ Down Under — and we'll update you with more details on season five when they're announced. Read our reviews of seasons one, two and three. Images: courtesy of FX Networks and Hulu.
If movies were an assessable component in the American SATs, one might easily expect to find a question like: Ralph Fiennes is to comedy as Tyler Perry is to...? (a) Costumes (b) Makeup (c) Playing multiple characters (d) Films accessible to white people. After all, this was the chap with the burned face from The English Patient, the Voldemort with the no face from Harry Potter and the Naziest bloody Nazi in Schindler's List. Excluding, for argument's sake, that 'incident on the plane', to think upon Fiennes was to consider class, panache and gravitas. Certainly, the next Bill Murray he was not. There's no doubt Fiennes is now experiencing something of a cinematic resurgence, particularly given his run as the newly minted 'M' in the Bond franchise, yet few could ever have expected that this Lazarus-esque revival would've seen him not just turn his mind to comedy but excel in it. Yes, that was a long-winded prelude to reviewing Wes Anderson's The Grand Budapest Hotel, but in this — now his eighth feature film — it's the first time the director has centred everything on just one character, and, thankfully, his leading man delivers something extraordinary. Fiennes is, quite simply, perfect. Playing the inimitable Monsieur Gustave H (the eponymous hotel's storied concierge), he's every bit the quirky protagonist an Anderson film requires but brings to the role an added layer of, well, Fiennes. Monsieur Gustave is, as one of the film's narrators observes, a man of a forgotten age. He's the manifestation of the Grand Budapest itself: elegant, refined, admired yet on the cusp of being left behind in a world scrambling over itself to modernise just as soon as anybody can arrange it. Filmed in three separate aspect ratios to reflect the three distinct decades in which this story takes place, The Grand Budapest Hotel is, typically, steeped in playful innocence yet forever flirting with a darkness just beneath the surface. It's been a growing trend for Anderson, whose last film, Moonrise Kingdom, was a decidedly black comedy grounded in his otherwise traditional quirkiness. Grand Budapest takes it even further: fingers are severed, cats are lobbed out of windows and prison guards are dispatched with bloody abandon. That all such moments elicit more laughter than horror is a testament to Anderson's unique style and direction. Naturally, The Grand Budapest Hotel is also brimming with cameos from Anderson faithfuls and newcomers alike. Murray, Wilson, Swinton, Schwartzman, Norton, Goldblum, Dafoe and Brody all have their go again, whilst Saoirse Ronan, Harvey Keitel and Jude Law gain entry into the team. There is a caper-based plot focused upon the contested inheritance of a priceless painting, but The Grand Budapest Hotel begins and ends as a character study, and it's in that study that the unbridled joy of watching this film is to be found. https://youtube.com/watch?v=1Fg5iWmQjwk
Fans of the Avengers franchise are getting a special treat on Saturday, August 3, when cinemas around the country will screen double bills of Infinity War and Endgame. You'll get to watch all six glorious hours of the last two Avengers films, and you'll be doing it for a good cause to boot — with 100 percent of ticket sales going towards the Curing Homesickness initiative. In an attempt to get kids home from hospital sooner, Curing Homesickness is raising funds for research, equipment and more health professionals at eight children's hospitals across Australia. And you can help by stocking up on popcorn and watching the Avengers (Iron Man, Thor, the Hulk, Captain America, Black Widow — everyone) and the Guardians of the Galaxy team up in an attempt to destroy Thanos in Infinity War. Then, in Endgame, more stuff happens with Thanos — we won't reveal too much, in case you haven't seen it — and you'll get to watch a fitting sendoff to the 22-film, billion-dollar Marvel Cinematic Universe. [caption id="attachment_718483" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Avengers: Endgame[/caption] This Disney and Marvel Studios screening will take place at Sydney's Event Cinemas George Street, South Yarra's Village Cinemas Jam Factory and Brisbane's Event Cinemas Chermside. Alongside Disney, other brands involved in the campaign include Assembly Label, which has released a limited-edition line of t-shirts (in-stores and online), and Sydney's Pasta Pantry — who is donating funds raised from its pasta and lasagne, too. The Avengers double bills will take place on Saturday, August 3. Tickets are $20 and available at the Event Cinemas website for Sydney and Brisbane and the Village Cinemas website for Melbourne. For more information on Curing Homesickness and to donate, head over here. Top image: Avengers: Infinity War
Gone are the days when mobile phones didn't fit in anyone's pocket and Snake was the only game available; however the process of charging your trusty device hasn't changed much over the years. Cable ports might look a little different and smartphones have definitely gotten smaller, but juicing up your handset still takes the one thing we all don't have enough of: time. Well, it does at the moment — even if you have your own portable charger always sitting at the bottom of your bag, and even if you've scoped out every free charging station and spare powerpoint around town. Enter an Australian researcher who wants to make this timely chore not only quicker but instantaneous, all through the use of quantum batteries. In fact, the University of Adelaide's Dr James Quach is planning to build the world's first quantum battery, which will harness the unique properties of quantum mechanics. He's just been appointed the institution's newest Ramsay Fellow — a scheme that aims to keep local bright minds working to advance scientific research — and will now spend the next four years trying to create quantum batteries to replace the ones in everyday electronic devices. If you're wondering how it all works — and how your phone, Kindle, computer or other gadget will go from one to 100-percent charge faster than you can click your fingers — it's based on a feature of quantum mechanics called entanglement, which sees two objects sharing their individual properties. Accordingly, the more batteries that are placed together, the more powerful their charging capacity. "If one quantum battery takes one hour to charge, then two would take 30 minutes, three would take 20 minutes, and so on," Dr Quach explains. "If you had ten thousand batteries, they would all charge in less than a second." While the concept has been discussed in papers since 2013, the academic plans to "take the theory from the blackboard to the lab." More than that, the ultimate goal is to build larger quantum batteries for use beyond simply making sure your iPhone keeps buzzing. "The long-term aim is to scale up, to build bigger batteries which will support renewable energy technologies by making it possible for continuous energy supply no matter the weather conditions – rain, hail or shine," says Dr Quach.
In 2016, Bar No 5 opened in a repurposed Alexandria warehouse with a clear vision: keeping things local. The long unused building has its roots as a gemstone processing facility and the owners — siblings Sarina, Sarah, Stephen and Sime Jackson — maintained that warehouse fitout and worn-out character. The bar focused not only on seasonality and sourcing local ingredients, but also enacting a closed-loop policy — think foraging, beekeeping, solar panels and a composting worm farm to boot. And, to really solidify its position as a neighbourhood champion, it had an alcove dog area with leash hooks and a gas fire for winter. Four years on, a few things have changed. It's now No 5 Restaurant and Bar and, though much of the aforementioned features remain true, there is a much bigger emphasis on the food offering. With Head Chef Emry Jones at the helm, the kitchen now serves up a tight a la carte menu of share-style dishes, ranging from snacks to larger plates. It changes seasonally but an emphasis on simple, balanced flavours is the through-line. Right now, Japanese influences are evident in the likes of scorched kingfish with lemon emulsion and shiso, cauliflower with truffle yuzu dressing and wagyu with romano beans, burnt soy and peanuts. Set menus are available for $65 per person or $40 for weekend lunch bookings. Drinks-wise, you can expect a decent sake and umeshu offering, plus cocktails, wine and locally brewed craft beers from Yulli's Brews and One Drop. The best day to drop by is Sunday afternoon, when it has live music from 3–5pm. Or keep an eye on its social channels for themed lunches and dinners. Images: TJ Edwards, 1oh1 Media 1
Before Xboxes and Furbies, Tamagotchis and Beanie Babies, there was Lite-Brite. When it was first released in 1967, this colourful toy encouraged kids to unleash their creativity. It was an immediate hit and while it may be something of a museum piece compared to the technology kids have access to today, its simple interface of brightly coloured illuminated pegs remains one of the most ingenious inventions in the history of toy making. Adding to its collection of immersive experiences, Luna Park has partnered with Lite-Brite's creator, Hasbro, to create a new cinematic adventure that will delight visitors of all ages. The event has already wowed audiences in Toronto and Las Vegas, and now it's Sydney's turn to enter a kaleidoscopic realm of storytelling and adventure. Luna Park's 3000-square-metre Big Top is the venue for this dazzling joyride, created by Emmy Award-winning content company Secret Location. Inspired by the pointillistic design of the Lite-Brite toy, this 40-minute, 360-degree installation transports the viewer to a series of fantastical worlds, from a dreamy oceanic plunge into the depths and a time hop back to the era of the dinosaurs to an intergalactic jaunt across the cosmos with a gang of friendly robots. Staying true to Lite-Brite's original design, the visuals are entirely conceived using the toy's distinctive hexagonal peg pattern and only use shades of colours from the six original pegs: orange, pink, green, blue, yellow and clear. Set to a poppy synth-driven soundtrack, this vibrant event is the perfect way for families and friends to share a collective moment of wonder and hopefully leave inspired about the possibilities of self expression. Priced to meet the current moment of high living costs and low going-out budgets, Lite-Brite: Worlds of Wonder costs just $15 per adult to enter or just $12.50 per person if you visit as a group of four or more.
UPDATE, November 19, 2021: Tick, Tick… Boom! screens in select Sydney cinemas from Thursday, November 11, and streams via Netflix from Friday, November 19. "Try writing what you know." That's age-old advice, dispensed to many a scribe who hasn't earned the success or even the reaction they'd hoped, and it's given to aspiring theatre composer Jonathan Larson (Andrew Garfield, Under the Silver Lake) in Tick, Tick… Boom!. The real-life figure would go on to write Rent but here, in New York City in January 1990, he's working on his debut musical Superbia. It's a futuristic satire inspired by George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four, and it's making him anxious about three things. Firstly, he hasn't yet come up with a pivotal second-act song that he keeps being told he needs. Next, he's staging a workshop for his debut production to gauge interest before the week is out — and this just has to be his big break. Finally, he's also turning 30 in days, and his idol Stephen Sondheim made his Broadway debut in his 20s. Tick, Tick… Boom! charts the path to those well-worn words of wisdom about drawing from the familiar, including Larson's path to the autobiographical one-man-show of the same name before Rent. And, it manages to achieve that feat while showing why such a sentiment isn't merely a cliche in this situation. That said, the key statement about mining your own experience also echoes throughout this affectionate movie musical in another unmissable way. Lin-Manuel Miranda didn't write Tick, Tick… Boom!'s screenplay; however, he does turn it into his filmmaking directorial debut — and what could be more fitting for that task from the acclaimed In the Heights and Hamilton talent than a loving ode (albeit an inescapably overexcited one) to the hard work put in by a game-changing theatre wunderkind? If this was a case of telling viewers that this is Miranda's movie without telling them, the concept would obviously do the trick. So would a few notable cameos in a standout song-and-dance number that's best discovered by watching. There's plenty in Tick, Tick… Boom! that was already layered with musical theatre history before it became a film, too; in the source material, Larson even wrote in a homage to Sondheim's own musical Sunday in the Park with George. That's the level of insider knowledge that's a foundation here, and the film frequently reverberates in an insular, theatre-obsessive, spot-the-references register. As great as it is if you stan the same productions and people, it also makes Tick, Tick… Boom! less accessible and resonant. It's as if Miranda can't choose between indulging his own adoration or truly sharing that love with his audience. (Tick, Tick… Boom! also became a three-person stage musical in 2001, and Miranda played its lead in a 2014 revival opposite Hamilton's Leslie Odom Jr and In the Heights' Karen Olivo.) Garfield's sing-to-the-rafters version of Larson is first seen in faux home-video footage, performing the rock monologue iteration of Tick, Tick… Boom!, his bouncy hair waving about as he croons and plays piano. Miranda and screenwriter Steven Levenson (Dear Evan Hansen) then segue between the lively presentation and the tale it also tells about Superbia, the looming workshop and the impending birthday. In the latter scenes, Larson can't come up with the missing song, earn enough as a composer to keep the power on, or juggle his pursuit of his dream with the complexities of his personal life. The alternative: opting for a safe career, which his ex-actor ex-roommate Michael (Robin de Jesus, The Boys in the Band) has done in advertising, and his dancer girlfriend Susan (Alexandra Shipp, X-Men: Dark Phoenix) is contemplating with teaching. Selling out is the villain here, but while there might've been bite to that idea in 1990, when Tick, Tick… Boom! debuted off-off-Broadway, there's far less in a film that's also an origin story for a famous theatre name. Recognising this, Miranda and Levenson start the feature not just with nods to Rent's success — the reason that Larson's dilemma is absent tension in the first place — but also with the tragic news that their subject died on the morning of Rent's first off-Broadway preview performance in January 1996. The passage of time indicated by the movie's moniker takes on an added dimension as a result, as does all the on-screen frenzy about making it before it's too late. Wanting to succeed now, and to savour every moment, also gets another refrain in a HIV subplot, albeit in a more cursory and gratuitous fashion than Larson must've originally intended. Still, when Tick, Tick… Boom! works, it's largely due to its energy — more so than its attempts to hit huge emotional beats. There's no mistaking the two wellsprings of experience that are so crucial to the film, with both Larson and Miranda working with what they knew or know, but that echoes loudest is the frantic and urgent atmosphere. The movie plays like something that desperately had to come to fruition, both in Miranda's quest to pay tribute, and in Larson's initial efforts to turn his Superbia experience into something creatively meaningful. The feature's seemingly non-stop musical numbers bound across the screen with that type of attitude, and Miranda unsurprisingly has the eye and timing to stage them with flair. Perhaps Garfield's on-screen fortunes sum up Tick, Tick… Boom! best, though; he's always on, eager and singing with his fullest voice, and also always putting on a forceful performance. He impresses with his commitment and gusto, yet is less convincing at finding nuance in Larson's frustrations, the daily grind of trying to start his career, and in his relationships. Trying to do too much and swing too big isn't the worst thing that a film and a lead portrayal can do, especially in a stage-to-screen musical that also doubles as an exuberant eulogy — and weaves in a Rent origin story of sorts via its protagonist's everyday life, too — but it's still noticeable. It's clearly a case of art imitating life, with Larson's enthusiasm for the art form he cherished so feverishly coming through strong; however, it also always feels like a show. Top image: Macall Polay/Netflix.
University students might be accustomed to pairing their education with a few alcoholic beverages; however most don't expect their tertiary institution to have its own tipple. That rings particularly true when one of the most famous and prestigious universities in the world is involved — but, as well as teaching bright minds, Oxford University is bursting boundaries. The British uni has just added an official brand of gin to its list of achievements: Physic Gin, aka an especially aptly named juniper spirit. It's a product of The Oxford Artisan Distillery (TOAD), which is located in the same city, but is separate from the university. With their collaboration — the result of one of TOAD's distillers meeting one of Oxford's botany professors — they've created the first gin made for the university and bearing its name. Branding isn't Physic Gin's only Oxford connection. It's also flavoured using plants from the uni's botanic garden. Founded in 1621 to help teach herbal medicine, the patch of greenery in question is the oldest of its kind in the country. In total, 25 botanicals grown and foraged in Oxford's garden are used in the tipple, most of which were listed in a catalogue kept by its first keeper back in the 1640s. According to TOAD master distiller Cory Mason, anyone keen on a sip should expect a rich, earthy taste thanks to ingredients such as wormwood, rue and sweet woodruff — which "bring a deeply complex flavour to bear and take us back to the time when plants formed the base of all medicine." TOAD also use ancient, organic, super-sustainable grains in their production of Physic Gin, plus their original Oxford Dry Gin and Oxford Rye Vodka. For more information, visit www.spiritoftoad.com Via The Guardian. Image: The Oxford Artisan Distillery.
Supporting charities should generally be the kind of thing you do without an expectation of anything in exchange. But there's definitely something nice about getting a return on your good deeds, beyond the fuzzy feeling of helping someone in need. Making it easier than ever is SleepOut for Homeless Youth — the first public fundraiser hosted by the Property Industry Foundation — on Thursday, November 10 at Centennial Park . The event, which takes place right next to the Wild Play Discovery Centre, will encourage attendees to sleep out without a roof over their heads for one night, so they can get a glimpse into the struggles faced by homeless young Australians needing a place to sleep. The event's charitable aim is to raise funds to build a 19-bedroom refuge for young people and change some pretty rough statistics — like the fact that 44,000 people under 25 don't have a secure place to sleep. And what's in it for you (in addition to the aforementioned feel-good vibes)? In the process of spending the evening bundled in a sleeping bag and looking at the night sky, you'll also have the opportunity to enjoy some excellent entertainment, eats and general fun — there'll be goodies like food trucks, lawn games, trivia, an acoustic guitarist, and a fire-making workshop so you can toast marshmallows. Over 16 and keen to get involved? Register for free, for SleepOut For Homeless Youth's overnight fundraiser on Thursday, November 10 at Centennial Park, and do your bit to end youth homeless — while having a stellar evening out in the process.
You've filled your house with their minimalist designs and homewares, and dreamed of living in their flat-pack homes and tiny pre-fab huts. MUJI fans, your love affair with the Japanese home goods giant isn't over yet. Next on the retailer's agenda is their own range of hotels, with sites slated for Shenzhen in China and Tokyo in Japan. Construction on a retail and hotel complex in Tokyo's Ginza began in June, working towards a 2019 completion for the 13-floor building. It'll be comprised of three levels below ground, and ten — including a two-floor penthouse — above. Seven storeys will feature shops, including MUJI's global flagship store, while five will boast their first Japanese hotel. Concept and interior design managed by MUJI-owning company Ryohin Keikaku. The Tokyo digs will join a previously announced location in Shenzhen, which is reported to include 79 rooms spanning five different types of accommodation. A store and cafe are also planned for the Chinese hotel, as are recycled wooden interiors and spaces filled with plenty of MUJI furniture. Yes, your travel bucket list just notched up two more entries. Via Dezeen. Images: Mitsui Fudosan Co Ltd
Sydneysiders with a sweet tooth should make tracks to Clovelly, where renowned pastry chef Yves Scherrer is now pumping out his goods at new patisserie and bakery Madame & Yves. Scherrer — who's opened the venue with partner Jennifer — has worked across several of Sydney's fine dining institutions, creating stunning desserts at the likes of Sokyo and now-closed restaurants Est and Ananas Brasserie. He also recently coached the Australian World Pastry Cup team — which went on to win sixth place worldwide — and is the man responsible for Sake's much Instagrammed dragon egg dessert. While the dragon egg will not make an appearance at Madame & Yves, a few of Scherrer's other famed creations will grace the menu — including the salted caramel eclairs from Ananas and the white sesame gelato from Sake. The leaves room on the menu for a whole heap of new creations, like the matcha yuzu roll (matcha sponge, mascarpone yuzu cream, yuzu whipped ganache, shiso leaf gel and choux pastry) and the piña colada tart (coconut mousse, lime curd, rum-flambéed pineapple and sweet pastry). Expect cakes, tarts, fresh bread and pastries aplenty. There is a whole host of croissants, from the classic ham and cheese, to a Ferrero version filled with hazelnut and dipped in chocolate. There's also a sizeable list of handmade gelato and sorbet on offer, including vanilla bourbon, pineapple yoghurt and lemongrass varieties. You'll also notice a focus on native and seasonal Aussie ingredients here, with no artificial colours or additives to speak of. Patrons can see an environmental focus elsewhere in the shop, too — notably in the biodegradable plant-based packaging and the Green Caffeen swap-and-go cup cups. For those coffees, the patisserie has teamed up with social enterprise Madding Crowd Coffee, a small-batch Sydney roaster which donates a portion of profits back to charity (and whose beans come in reusable tins). The Clovelly Road shop is small, which means you can watch the team of pastry chefs in action from the open kitchen as you order at the counter. There are a few outdoor tables, too, made for morning coffees and croissants.
Chart-topping UK grime MC Stormzy is finally set to return to Australian and New Zealand before the end of 2022, with a slew of previously postponed tour dates being given new dates. Originally scheduled for 2020 before being pushed back multiple times for obvious reasons, the H.IT.H World Tour will make its long-awaited arrival across Australian and New Zealand from Wednesday, November 23. That's when the tour will begin at Perth's HBF Stadium, before continuing on to Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and Wellington — and concluding in Auckland on Sunday, December 11. Folks that purchased tickets to the original tour and held onto them for the past two years need not worry, as their purchase is still valid, while limited extra tickets are on sale now. Stormzy last graced our shores for Splendour in the Grass 2018. In the following half a decade, the rapper has released his second UK #1 album Heavy Is The Head, which was nominated for a Mercury Music Prize; made history by becoming the first black British solo artist to headline Glastonbury; and set up multiple social enterprises including the #Merky Foundation and the Storzmy Scholarship at the University of Cambridge. The tour will mark the first time audiences down under will have the opportunity to catch Heavy Is The Head hits like 'Vossi Bop', 'Own It' and 'Crown', alongside favourites from Stormzy's back catalogue. With many of the tickets already snatched up back in 2020, the remaining spots are sure to fill up fast. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ClYy0MxsU0 STORMZY AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND TOUR DATES 2022 Perth — Wednesday, November 23, HBF Stadium Sydney — Sunday, November 27, Hordern Pavilion Sydney — Monday, November 28, Hordern Pavilion Brisbane — Wednesday, November 30, Riverstage Melbourne — Friday, December 2, John Cain Arena Adelaide — Thursday, December 8, AEC Theatre Wellington — Saturday, December 10, TBS Arena Auckland — Sunday, December 11, Trusts Arena Stormzy will tour Australia and New Zealand in November and December 2022. For further information and to buy tickets, head to Handsome Tour's website. Top image: Raph_PH.
Prolific psych-rockers King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard have pulled out of Byron Bay Bluesfest, the annual festival that's scheduled for the Easter long weekend. The band's decision to withdraw from the festival has been kept reasonably vague but, in a statement, the Melbourne sextet have cited the festival's decision to book content that conflicts with their values as the reason they won't be appearing. "As a band and as human beings, we stand against misogyny, racism, transphobia and violence," the statement reads. "Surprised and saddened to see Bluesfest commit to presenting content that is in complete opposition to these values." "Given this decision by the festival, we have decided to cancel our appearance at Bluesfest," continues the statement. "We are deeply disappointed to be in this position but sometimes you need to be willing to make sacrifices to stand up for your values. This is, unfortunately, one of those moments." The band's decision comes five days after Bluesfest unveiled its sixth artist announcement which featured controversial band Sticky Fingers. The booking of Sticky Fingers received online backlash from others in the music industry including Jaguar Jonze and Camp Cope's Sarah Thompson. Dylan Frost, Sticky Fingers frontman, has been the subject of serious allegations which include physically threatening First Nations singer Thelma Plum and harassing a transgender women at a Sydney pub. Frost and bassist Paddy Cornwall were also caught in an alleged brawl with each other in 2019 which saw Cornwall charged with affray. The festival has responded to the backlash on Facebook and in now-deleted Instagram comments. Bluesfest previously faced controversy after festival director Peter Noble compared a Jewish woman to a Nazi for commenting on the gender imbalance present on the first announcement of the festival's 2018 lineup. The festival will continue without King Giz from Thursday, April 6 until Monday, April 10 with headliners including Gang of Youths, Paolo Nutini, Tash Sultana, Bonnie Raitt, The Doobie Brothers and Sampa the Great. View this post on Instagram A post shared by kinggizzard (@kinggizzard) You can read King Gizzard and the Lizzard Wizard's full statement here. Top image: Jason Galea
Head Chef over at The Lady Hampshire and formerly a member of the Baba's Place team, Brendan King is already carving out his mark as one of Sydney's most exciting young chefs at the age of 25. Now, he's just opened the nostalgic neighbourhood diner Derrel's in Camperdown. Derrel's has arrived on Parramatta Road from King in partnership with PUBLIC Hospitality (The Empire, Oxford House, Maybe Sammy) right next door to The Lady Hampshire. King's former colleagues at Baba's Place Creative have also lent a helping hand in nailing that lived-in suburban energy. A bright pink countertop, an office panel ceiling, menus printed on the back of Woman's Weekly covers from the 80s, Bend It Like Beckham playing proudly on the 2000s-era TV and an abundance of secondhand furniture all transport you back to a trip to your grandparents or your best friend's house for dinner after school. "Working in Sydney, the only opportunities I've had to cook the food from my upbringing is in staff meals," says King. "This is my first chance to represent the food I love and eat all the time and offer it up for everyone to experience." Inspired by his grandfather Derrel's passion for Indian home cooking, King has created an inviting casual eatery and takeaway spot designed to provide affordable feeds to Inner West residents and complement The Hampshire's offerings. "My nana never cooked growing up — it was always grandpa in the kitchen. And while we hope people are a little confused at the start, it's a menu influenced by growing up as an Anglo-Indian in Sydney — whatever that means." The menu is kept simple. There are a few snacks and share plates like samosa chaat and tandoori wings, a trio of kathi rolls that pile tandoori chicken or hara bhara onto flaky paratha flatbread, and a selection of curries paired with rice, roti, lime, onion and chutney. You can also order hot chips with curry sauce or kachumber salad on the side — and round out your meal with a sweet treat like paratha with Nutella (a favourite of King's grandpa). The restaurant is BYO, so feel free to grab a few beers from Camperdown Cellars across the road or bring a bottle of your favourite natty wine to pair with your tandoori chicken plate. Better yet, Derrel's is open late. Paddington has Indian Home Diner offering late-night revellers with curry-filled wraps, and now Derrel's is here to provide anyone out in Camperdown with a kathi roll up until 2am. "It'll complement The Lady Hampshire," continues King. "As gigs finish, late-night hospo workers clock off for the night and people spill onto Parramatta Road, we're hoping Derrel's is a pitstop." Darrel's is the latest in a series of revamps and openings on Parramatta Road. The busy main drag has always screamed potential but never lived up to it — known more for closed shopfronts than must-try venues over the last decade. But, with these new PUBLIC venues joining Parra Road mainstays like Crow Bar, Deus Cafe and Frank's Pizza, the future of the thoroughfare is looking brighter. Derrel's is open 5–12am Wednesday–Thursday and Sunday, and 5pm–2am Friday–Saturday at 89 Parramatta Road, Camperdown. Follow the restaurant on Instagram to stay up to date with everything happening. Images: Michael Naumoff
Whether you're a Queenslander exploring your own backyard, or you're holidaying in the Sunshine State from another part of the country — including New South Wales and Victoria from Tuesday, December 1, once the border reopens to both regions — visiting the beach is probably on your to-do list. The state is known for its sun, surf and sand, after all, but that isn't the only attraction that Queensland holds. In fact, it has just added another big drawcard, which is particularly great news if you're fond of a few vinos. The Vine and Shine Trail is Queensland's first official wine trail, and it's rather hefty — covering more than 70 wineries, vineyards and cellar doors. It's a self-guided affair, so you can choose just how much of it you'd like to explore, and in which spots in the southern portion of the state. If you'd like to try to see 'em all, treating wineries like Pokemon, well, that's up to you. Fancy moseying through the Granite Belt or the Scenic Rim? Eager to see what drops the Gold Coast Hinterland has on offer? Prefer something in the Brisbane area? They're all on the trail. So is everywhere from the South Burnett and Wide Bay-Burnett regions, to the Sunshine Coast — and the Darling Downs and western Queensland as well. And they're split into six separate mini-trails, if you only have so much time to spend hopping between wineries. Just how you interact with the trail's many stops is also a choose-your-own-adventure-type experience, with some cellar doors hosting lunches, some vineyards letting you picnic beside the grapes, and plenty of places offering tastings. And, variety-wise, you'll be able to sip an array of types, whether you're fond of popular drops or you're eager to drink something you mightn't have tried before. The idea, like most things in 2020, is to encourage everyone to get out of the house, explore this area of the country and support local businesses. It's specifically part of a dedicated campaign in Queensland to get folks to do more than just hang out on the coast, enticing them inland to roam along the vines and enjoy a heap of wines. For more information about the Vine and Shine Trail, visit its website.
Forget Christmas carols — when the end of the year hits, one song stands above the rest in Australia. Maybe you just find yourself singing it as December 21 approaches. Perhaps you make an annual pilgrimage to see Paul Kelly play it, given he usually tours at that time of year for good reason. Or, you could celebrate gravy day by, well, making gravy. The recipe's right there, after all. The song we're talking about: Kelly's Christmas classic 'How to Make Gravy', which was first released in 1996 on an EP of the same name. More than a quarter-century on, it's as intertwined with the festive season Down Under as prawns and street cricket — and it's being turned into a movie. As first reported by Variety, How to Make Gravy will hit screens thanks to Warner Bros. Australia and Speech and Drama Pictures — the latter of which is run by musician Megan Washington and writer/director Nick Waterman — who've locked in the rights to make the song into a film. As anyone who knows the words by heart and is currently singing them right now while they're reading this is well aware, Kelly's tune tells a story, starting with a prisoner called Joe who writes to his brother Dan. Presumably, Stella, Frank and Dolly will all also feature, and Rita, Roger, Mary and her new boyfriend. Junior Murvin will have to pop up on the soundtrack, of course. Also, the words "and give my love to Angus" better get uttered — or would it really be a How to Make Gravy movie? It's far too early for announcements regarding casts and release dates, but you could probably put money on it hitting screens — big or small, whichever it heads to — on December 21. Whether that'll be this year or next also hasn't been revealed, but you're about to get a new gravy day tradition either way. (And, given the character of Joe also pops up in other Kelly songs such as 'To Her Door' and 'Love Never Runs On Time', cross your fingers that we're about to get a PKCU — Paul Kelly cinematic universe — too.) How to Make Gravy, the movie, doesn't yet have a release date — we'll update you when further details are announced. Via Variety.
Double Bay has welcomed a breezy, buzzing new restaurant, Brick Lane, which pools the talents of Scott Robertson (Goodbar), chef Drew Bolton (Vine Double Bay), cocktail maestro Jason Crawley, and creative director Alex Zabotto-Bentley (Kittyhawk, Butter, Seadeck). Featuring a New York-inspired dining room and a sunny terrace from AZB Creative, a place we're envisioning as the backdrop to many a weekend Bloody Mary over summer, Brick Lane is equal parts laidback and upmarket. Bolton's menu is casual, yet considered, running from smart drinking snacks (wagyu bresaola pretzel, anyone?) to a range of grass-fed steaks, handpicked from Kyle Farm in Young. You'll spy a similar commitment to quality protein in an assortment of specialty burgers and hotdogs. The Haute Dog teams a Toulouse pork snag with dijonnaise, gruyere, and pickled jalapeno, while a wagyu burger comes loaded with talleggio, bacon, and caramelised onion. Backing up the kitchen's offering is Crawley's range of clever signature cocktails, and a snappy wine list that's sure to inspire after-work visits aplenty. Find Brick Lane at 3 Goldman Lane, Double Bay. Images: Brick Lane.
Get ready rock fans, for the Arctic Monkeys will be returning to Australia and New Zealand next year. The British band will embark on their biggest down under tour to date this autumn for their latest album, AM. The album, which was released this past September, is the band's fifth consecutive number 1 in the UK and also debuted at the top spot in the ARIA Albums Chart. So, Aussie and Kiwi fans, get stoked because you'll soon have the chance to hear their awesome collection of new jams, including chart toppers such as 'R U Mine?' and 'Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High?' Original fans needn't worry, because the Monkeys never forget to pay tribute to their old school favourites. You'll probably still get your chance to belt out 'Fluorescent Adolescent's, "Oh the boy's a slag / The best you ever had / The best you ever had." Arctic Monkeys 2014 Tour Dates: Auckland: May 2, Vector Arena Wellington: TSB Arena Sydney: May 6, Entertainment Centre Brisbane: May, Entertainment Centre Melbourne: May 9, Rod Laver Arena Adelaide: May 10, AEC Theatre Perth: May 13, Perth Arena Tickets go on sale December 11 https://youtube.com/watch?v=6366dxFf-Os
The human brain has been studied inside and out, and its complexities never cease to amaze us. We can make a fist, take a step or turn the wheel all because our thoughts are connected to our actions, but perhaps the new EPOC Neuroheadset will do away with the need for actions altogether. The neuroheadset is a brain-scanning device that allows you to control your computer with your mind. The headset detects brain signals to determine users' emotions and also contains gyroscope technology that reads your position, body movements and facial expressions to accurately communicate commands. Combined with the EmoLens application, the device can detect the emotions you feel as you browse through photos on Flickr and tag the photos accordingly - you don't even touch your mouse or keyboard. If you're bored of that trick, the headset can also use concentration, number of eye blinks or head shakes to determine how you're feeling. Among other applications that can be purchased include Mind Mouse, which allows the user to perform standard computer commands like clicking or double clicking a mouse or even sending an email, and Master Mind, with which users can play their favourite computer games with their minds. The applications and uses are quite limited at this stage, but along with other superhero-inspired technology coming to market, perhaps it won't be long before we can control things with our minds alone. Like a car.
Chattanooga, Tennessee is poised for a creative comeback. After cleaning up its past image as a dirty city, and experiencing an influx of artistic talents, Chattanooga is on the cusp of a turnaround. D.J. Trischler, a local brand consultant, explains the missing component: "If you think of a brand as a story, [Chattanooga] has an amazing story. If you look at the visual brand, it doesn’t back up that story.” Trischler has recently joined forces with Chattanooga resident and typeface designer Jeremy Dooley to restore the city's look and feel by creating and applying a new font to city signage and print media. The concept of a distinguishing city typeface is common throughout Europe, yet has only been attempted (and failed) once in the United States. The efforts of Trischler and Dooley represent the first attempt to create this city-customized typeface at the grassroots level. The pair teamed up with a second typeface designer, Robbie de Villiers, and Trischner's business partner Jonathan Mansfield. Together, they consulted a local historian to gather inspiration for their Chattanooga-inspired font, including the old Cherokee Native American writing system and Coca-Cola's first bottling plant. The result was what the team describes as a "geometric slab serif", a font simultaneously industrial and futuristic. Chattanooga now had a Chatype. Public events have gathered community support and funding for the launch of Chatype, and the team expects residents to see the font popping up on signage, business cards and city government websites soon. Trischner and Dooley express hopes that Chatype will one day be seen on start-up businesses, road signs, fire trucks and police cars. [Via GOOD]
When your inner child is begging to be let out, you've got to turn the city into your giant playground. Whether you want thrills and spills or sugar rushes and showbags, there are many ways to embrace your childlike sensibilities in Sydney. You can marvel at sea creatures, get set with go karts or give your adrenal gland a workout on wet and wild waterslides in the west. Get ready to spoil your dinner and stay up way past bedtime — you'll soon find being a kid is a whole lot more fun now that you make the rules. BREAK YOUR FAST AT PANCAKES ON THE ROCKS Rise and shine and head to Pancakes on the Rocks for its beloved all-day brekkie menu and a nostalgia-filled start to your day. Settle in for one of its famous pancake stacks like the decadent chocolate peanut butter, sweet and sour lemon meringue or the nutty macadamia stack. Or, if you're after something simple yet satisfying, opt for a classic serve with ice cream and maple syrup. If variety is your thing, order an Aussie Sunrise which includes pancakes, bacon, eggs, fried banana and pineapple rings. There are also savoury options available if you're not in the mood for a sugar rush. [caption id="attachment_844751" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Felipe Bustillo via Unsplash[/caption] CATCH A MORNING MOVIE SESSION Nothing screams 'I'm on school holidays' like seeing a movie before midday. And HOYTS at the Entertainment Quarter is the ideal spot to have a morning cinematic experience. Catch the hottest new releases at the Xtremescreen or book in for a blockbuster on the LED Samsung Onyx screen to get lost in a deeply immersive viewing experience — it's the first LED cinema screen in NSW. Not sure what to watch? This'll help. [caption id="attachment_762120" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sea Life Sydney[/caption] DIVE DEEP INTO SEA LIFE Been a while since you hit up SEA LIFE aquarium in Darling Harbour? Even when you're all grown up, an up-close view of the wonders of the ocean never gets old. Stop in and meet nature's marvellous sea cow, Pig the Dugong, take a boat ride to slide up next to penguins, or explore the famous underwater tunnels where you can watch sharks and wobbegongs float on by. You can also learn about the conservation projects underway, get up close in the rockpool touch tank or just marvel at your favourite undersea pals like serene turtles, gliding rays and bright tropical fish. SPEND THE AFTERNOON GETTING TOPSY TURVY The House Down Under describes itself as "Australia's first inverted house photo experience", which is, well, exactly what it sounds like. Yep, just a perfectly normal house that's completely upside down. Each room is flipped on its head (with all furniture secured, of course), chairs above you, roof below. The whole house is a surreal, Alice in Wonderland-type topsy-turvy experience. Experience it for yourself and snap the most disorienting selfie of your life as you stand on the ceiling and reach up to the living room floor. GET YOUR HEART RACING Speed around Australia's largest indoor go-kart circuit at Hyper Karting at the Entertainment Quarter. Here you'll find a heart-pumping 410-metre track with an environmentally friendly difference. These German-made electric karts not only offer great handling and a smooth ride, they also have higher acceleration than your standard kart meaning you can go faster with a quieter and cleaner vehicle. You can book in for as many 15-minute racing slots as you like, but it's recommended you take a little break in between laps so you can hit the track again in top form. Got a whole swag of mates who want to lean into their childhood? You can book the whole 16-place race for your crew and see who really has the need for speed. GET WET AND WILD AT RAGING WATERS Grab a pass for the day — or the full season — and make a splash at this 25-hectare water park in Western Sydney. Battle white water as you spin and whirl through rushing channels on a whole bunch of thrilling slides. Cool off with high-speed plunges and twists and turns in the enclosed Aqua Tube, hurtle at 60 kilometres per hour on the 260Rush, swing back and forth through tidal waves on T5 or race your mates on the H2Go Racers. When you need to refuel, pick up pizza or grab a salad for lunch to enjoy on the man-made beach before hitting the slides one more time before heading home. STRIKE THE NIGHT Strike at the Entertainment Quarter is a cut above the bowling alleys of your childhood. Seven days a week, this joint buzzes with eight neon-lit lanes, killer tunes and a full bar — one of the perks of going bowling as an adult. Kick back between bowls with a beer or cocktail — there's everything from margs to espresso martinis on offer — or tuck into the tasty food like the smoked beetroot rueben or the beef brisket sando. If bowling isn't enough, enjoy the thrill of the chase in the on-site 30-person laser tag arena or retreat to a private karaoke room to unleash your secret stage persona. TRY YOUR LUCK AT B LUCKY AND SONS B Lucky and Sons is the throwback arcade of your dreams. Your game card is your ticket to fun, so load it up with credits and get ready to be drenched in nostalgia in no time. The arcade has everything from Mario Kart and Space Invaders to basketball hoops and electronic dance games to keep you entertained. Whether you want to hustle to win or simply play for fun, you can test your fortune and, if you're lucky, maybe walk away with a winning prize. Whatever your approach, you can head to the bar to celebrate your wins (or losses) with your mates afterwards. LOSE YOURSELF AT LUNA PARK Remember how it felt visiting a carnival as a kid? The excitement of the rides, the roving entertainers and the intoxicating scent of sugar and fried food wafting throughout the grounds. You can relive all that — and also enjoy the on-site wine bar — at Luna Park. If the last time you visited you were a kid, there's a good chance you're now tall enough to go on the rides you missed out on last time like the Big Dipper, Sledgehammer and the 50-metre drop on the Hair Raiser. Challenge your G-force limits in the Rotor or seek some classic thrills in the wooden Wild Mouse coaster. Check out the mirror maze, fun house and slides at Coney Island, test your skills at the sideshow games and grab a showbag for a token of your trip down memory lane. Ready to relive your childhood? For more information on the Entertainment Quarter and its incredible offering of activities, visit the website.
Along with washing your hands, social distancing and staying home if you're feeling unwell, we've all heard plenty about spending more time outdoors during the pandemic. In the City of Sydney, that notion was the catalyst for a new al fresco dining scheme, which aims to give bars, restaurants and cafes some extra space to play with while still working within COVID-19 capacity guidelines. And, over summer, the economy-boosting tactic has unsurprisingly proven popular. Enjoying a bite to eat and a few drinks while soaking in the fresh air might be a perfect warm weather activity, but the inner city's shift towards outdoor dining isn't going anywhere for the time being. Recognising the concept's success, the City of Sydney has just announced $5.7 million in extra funding for the initiative, which includes waiving al fresco permit fees until June 2022. $3.5 million of the newly pledged cash will be allocated to fee waivers, which will help expand the already hefty number of places that have made the leap to outdoor dining. Since the program launched in December 2020, 204 permits have been issued, including 116 al fresco dining spaces on footpaths and 52 on roadways. In total, 2690 square metres of outdoor dining space has been approved so far. "Waiving outdoor dining fees was one of the first things we did when the pandemic hit Sydney, to make it easier for restaurants, bars and cafes to operate while encouraging physical distancing," said Lord Mayor Clover Moore. "People have really embraced it, with participating businesses telling us they've taken on extra staff and seen increased patronage — a crucial aid to staying afloat in these difficult times." In its quest to help reactivate the CBD by making it easier than ever for venues to offer outdoor dining, late-night trading and live music, the City of Sydney will also put $2.2 million towards inner city events and activations — so you'll more to do than just eat and sip. The NSW Government has also allocated another $20 million towards its CBD Revitalisation program, with NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet advising that it'll be focused on getting folks back into the city, "whether that's working or shopping or coming in for entertainment and dining." "This initiative means venues can apply to transform car parking space into outdoor dining and some venues may request more footpath space to attract customers," said NSW Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope. "It is about greater certainty and opening up more capacity for venues so they can continue to host guests and serve top-notch food and drinks." To achieve this al fresco goal CBD-wide, the government bodies have been working together to cut red tape for businesses to easily reclaim outdoor space. That led to an initial wave of al fresco dining spaces in The Rocks, before spreading CBD-wide. In response to the changes, 90 percent of restaurants and cafes taking part in the program told the City of Sydney that al fresco dining was beneficial or crucial to their business. Forty percent increased their staff hours by 10 hours or more per week as a result, 45 percent employed at least two more staff members a week, and 58 percent have seen their turnover increase up to ten percent. Committing to outdoor dining in a big way, the City of Sydney is also set to further extend George Street's car-free zone, spreading the vehicle-free area across its entire run between Town Hall and Railway Square. For more information about the increased funding for the al fresco dining plan, head to the City of Sydney website. Images: Jes Lindsay
