Winner of Concrete Playground's Best New Product of 2015. Gym classes in Sydney — what a gamble. You'll fork over your hard-earned cash for a big chain membership, only to be sorely disappointed with their 'yoga' offering. Or even worse, you'll learn the subtle art that is making every excuse to miss class week after week, because burpies and Bondi Junction's aggressive Body Attack ladies. But imagine if you could handpick your own gym program from Sydney's best, most novelty and most fun classes, without committing to one gym? Bodypass is a new Australian all-encompassing gym pass launched in Sydney that lets you attend unlimited gym classes at Sydney's best studios — from Shannon Dooley's Retrosweat to Mermaid Swim Academy at Bondi Icebergs to classes at Madonna's Hard Candy — with one $99-per-month membership. Similar to the City of Sydney's 360 gym pass and US program Classpass, you can book yourself into thousands of indoor and outdoor activities like hip hop dance, spin, yoga, pilates, strength training, martial arts, Barre, HIIT, stand-up paddle boarding and more at some of Australia's best fitness studios — all with one card, and no long-term commitment (you can cancel anytime without charge). Exercise scientist Georgia van Tiel and yoga teacher and health food cook Carla McMillan created the program with a need to break the whole 'gym culture' stigma associated with fitness and take exercise back to being an accessible, dare we say it, fun part of life. "When some people think of fitness and exercise, they immediately conjure a vision of the ‘dread-mill’ or hitting the gym which can be perceived as boring, repetitive and simply, not very fun,” says Van Tiel. Focusing on Sydney's fitness studios to start with, Van Tiel and McMillan took it upon themselves to personally try and test every studio currently included in the handpicked program — Sydney's Bodypass partners include Hard Candy, Retrosweat '80s Aerobics, Mermaid Swim Academy at Bondi Icebergs, F45 training, XtendBarre, Peak Altitude Training, P.E. Dept. Potts Point, Jazzercise, Physicore, Sky-Lab, RollerFit, Bonza Bike Tours, Centred Meditation, Dance Central, House of Yoga Redfern, One Wave, Power Living and plenty of Sydney's park-based fitness classes (to name a few). You can only visit the same studio up to three times per monthly cycle, but otherwise, go nuts. Bodypass is available in Sydney currently and will shortly broaden its network to Melbourne, with a national program planned. For more info, visit www.bodypass.com.
You used to have to leave the Hills District for a decent meal, but times have changed. There are now cafes, bars and restaurants serving incredible food in the area (that's Castle Hill, Dural, Winston Hills, Glenhaven and surrounds). If you live in the area, we're truly sorry to have neglected you with food and drink listings thus far. It stops now. In partnership with Castle Towers (which has just launched The Cooking School—a series of food-focused workshops), we've put together a guide to the best food and drink options in the area. Leave your inner city bubble and you'll find inventive breakfasts in Dural, burgers and fries in Winston Hills and extravagant cocktails to drink with dinner in Castle Hill. THE BARON, CASTLE HILL Part of the allure of living in the Hills is the suburban atmosphere and the idyllic setting, but getting something good to eat can be tricky. Matt Stone and Mike Ico of The Baron recognised this, so they took all of their zero hospitality experience and opened up a cracking joint in Castle Hill that champions solid food, great specialty coffee and local produce. The two have taken to food service like a duck to water—on the breakfast menu are wood-fired Smoking Gun Bagels, and there are the delicious beef burgers and toasties for lunch. The Baron is licensed and champions Australian wine, playing host to an occasional burger and natural wine pairing night. WOLFE AND CO, DURAL At Wolfe and Co, every ingredient, design decision and cup of coffee is lovingly chosen, created and delivered with pride. From the delicate kingfish fillet with grains and gazpacho to every Five Senses flat white, the Dural cafe is about lifting the hospitality game in the Hills and providing its people with the finer things in life. The cafe has an elegant, black and white fit-out, which is comfortable but plain enough that it draws attention to the craft rather than the building. As many places in the Hills seem to be, Wolfe and Co is licensed—it serves alcohol alongside an all day breakfast and lunch menu. It's the perfect to take your family for a slightly fancy meal. YOUENI, CASTLE HILL Youeni is all about healthy eating and clean living. The cafe started out in Surry Hills a while back, then it moved over to Castle Hill to bring its philosophy of holistic dining out west with a second venue (as if Surry Hills wasn't already spoiled for choice). The cafe is light, airy and the menu is vegan friendly. It covers all your cafe classics from sandwiches to a salad that will literally save your life—the Life Extending Bowl gets you all the nutrients you need in the most delicious way possible. Youeni is the perfect spot for a healthy weekend breakfast date. THE TUCKSHOP, GLENHAVEN Not content with just one entry on the list, The Tuckshop comes to you from the same boys behind The Baron. Their second digs takes a similar approach to food, where it must be tasty, but it must also be good for you—a philosophy that extends to their famous burgers (the beef is a spectacular option). If you're looking for somewhere that serves up ace food and coffee in an idyllic setting with an old-school canteen feel, then The Tuckshop's the joint for you. Printed on the wall is 'Greetings from Glenheaven, where it's not the city and you couldn't care less'. Delightful. AUSTRALIAN BREWERY, ROUSE HILL The 20-year-old Australian Brewery is the birthplace of some super delicious beers (its own pale ale, pilsner, lager and cider), but it also takes food very seriously. The spacious dining area is inspired by great beer halls, with high ceilings and long tables that are the perfect place to throw back a freshly brewed frosty beers while chowing down on some hearty pub grub. The menu has great pub classics, everything from a parmigiana to a grilled T-Bone or a pizza. There are also extensive gluten free options. This Rouse Hill local caters for everyone, and the large tables make it an obviously perfect choice for a function, should you need to gather up your friends and family for a celebration. WILD PEAR CAFE, DURAL Wild Pear is an institution in the Hills region—locally famous for its fresh, colourful and delicious food. The menu covers some great cafe classics—there's the standard, delicious shakshuka, then there are pancakes with banana and honeycomb and burgers with crispy chips for lunch. Creativity is turned up to eleven with the garnishes—think fairy floss and edible flowers. The food is great, but you can't talk about Wild Pear without mentioning the view—the verandah looks over a huge, beautiful nursery of plants, trees and flowers. A stunning, peaceful spot to sit down and relax with a coffee. EL BURGER, WINSTON HILLS El Burger is a popular spot in Winston Hills, serving up twelve delicious burgers for lunch every day inside the local shopping centre. Take your pick from a menu that features burgers made with beef, chicken, lamb, pork, vegetarian or fish. As is customary in a burger shop, there are multiple versions of loaded fries too—some topped with cheesy bacon, others with chicken or pork. Milkshakes are on the menu too—flavours include Nutella, honeycomb caramel and strawberry swirl. CROOKED TAILOR, CASTLE HILL Castle Hill was dying for a new bar that's not Hillside. We're not saying there's anything wrong with Hillside, but we are saying that sometimes you just want to get a drink somewhere where you won't be surrounded by fresh-out-of-high-school teenagers and possibly underage kids. When Crooked Tailor opened, the people of Castle Hill breathed a sigh of relief. Mainly because at this bar there's a lovely, leafy courtyard, a great food menu and an extensive cocktail menu to order off. The food menu features barbecue meats alongside a healthy smattering of vegetarian food, and the cocktail menu features drinks like the Waterside—gin, lime juice, mint and house-made watermelon soda— and the 49'RS—made with chilli honey jam, lemon juice, whisky and orange bitters. THE HILLS FOOD FESTIVAL, ROUSE HILL The Hills obviously has some spectacular food offerings, but the Australian Brewery recognises that there's other great food in Sydney too. In that spirit, the brewery hosts The Hills Food Festival—an annual festival of good eating where the very best Sydney street food is showcased. Last year Messina popped by, as well as the crew from Knafeh Bakery. Stay tuned to the brewery's website for information on the festival—it was extremely popular last year. Castle Towers is running The Cooking School over April and May—a series of food-focused workshops, classes and events for kids and adults. Visit the Castle Towers website for tickets and details. Words: James Whitton and Kelly Pigram. Images: Steven Woodburn. Top image: Wolfe and Co, Dural.
Leaving the safety net of university life can be daunting. Taxes, health insurance, budgeting and eating greens are all tricky requirements of adulting, not to mention trying to get a job ("Graduate position, minimum two years of experience required..." what is this madness?). But fear not, there is hope. We've profiled five young go-getters who hit the ground running after uni and achieved their success through unconventional means. They did it and you can too (stop that, yes you can). [caption id="attachment_562120" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Image: @sedgebeswick.[/caption] SEDGE BESWICK, 26, GLOBAL SENIOR SOCIAL MEDIA AND COMMUNITY MANAGER AT ASOS For most of us, using social media is just that a social activity. For others it’s a way of life and a strategic marketing tool; when wielded properly can elevate a start-up and polish a personal brand no matter how small. Sedge Beswick is one such social media maven and part of a young generation of digital natives that are coming up through volunteer positions and internships to absolutely kill it at the media game for big companies. That playful tone you adore on ASOS social media? That’s Beswick. And while managing the global social media for ASOS, she’s also racked up a neat little 11k on her personal Instagram, written a book about using Twitter strategically and designed a line of t-shirts emblazoned with social media slogans. She’s literally #killingit. BECKY SUI ZHEN, 31, MUSICIAN Sui Zhen is one of the many monikers of Melbourne-based musician Becky Sui Zhen who has risen through the ranks of the music scene to be hailed as a 'social media musician' due to her pristine and eye catching artistic vision. She’s put in the hard yards over the years, studying graphic design and Japanese, winning grants, releasing EPs in Japan and doing overseas residencies and all while playing prolifically around Australia. She also produces and edits the iconic film clips for Sui Zhen and has collaborated with artist and photographer Phebe Schmidt. She’s poised to take over the world in 2016 following the late-2015 release her first Australian LP ‘Secretly Susan’. The LP caught the attention of FADER who clocked her as one of 25 international artists to watch and she’s supported Toro Y Moi in Melbourne on his 2016 Aussie tour. We imagine 2016 is only going to get better for this kawaii gem. GERMAINE STATIA, JAMAL OULEL + AYOUB AOURAGH, 23, 25 + 24, FOUNDERS AND DEVELOPERS AT REFUGEE HERO When the Syrian refugee crisis peaked in 2015, Dutch trio Germaine Statia, Jamal Oulel, and Ayoub Aouragh, responded with a contemporary and altruistic solution. Refugee Hero, hailed as the Airbnb for refugees, is a platform that allows people to offer their spare room up to refugees who have just arrived in their country. “We want to give back humanity to mankind,” says Statia. The service is 100 percent free and mobile-friendly. It allows individuals or institutions to offer help and shelter whether or not their government is pro-refugee. The team hopes the service can one day expand to cover all elements of resettling, from applying for passports to finding a new school for children and is a shining example of how modern technology can be used for good in the face of adversity. EMMA MULHOLLAND, 27, DESIGNER There’s something about Emma Mulholland that Australia is crazy for. The young designer hit the ground running after graduating from TAFE in 2010 and hasn’t stopped since. Her latest project, a collaboration with iconic Aussie label Mambo, proves that in a few short years, she’s explored, honed in on and defined exactly what makes her work so popular. The garish '80s and '90s themed prints and icons of our childhood combined with a(h)ctivewear references hit the nostalgia nail right on the head and the collection has resonated with Aussie kidults who grew up wearing bike shorts and climbing trees. Far away from the catwalks of Paris and Milan, Australia often struggles to define itself outside of a European reference and it’s no easy feat to export a uniquely Australian line, but Mulholland has done so with aplomb, straight outta TAFE. [caption id="attachment_562121" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Image: @louislazarus.[/caption] LUKE HAMPSHIRE AND ALEXANDER ROBINSON, 28 AND 32, AVIATION ENTERPRENEURS AT AIRLY In January, the Australian aviation scene had a sorely need shake up. Two young guns, 28-year-old Luke Hampshire and 32-year-old Alexander Robinson announced their airline company Airly which completely turns air travel on its head. Airly members pay a fee of $2550 (minimum) per month to fly as much as they like on the company’s private jets which operate between Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney. For frequent fliers, the minimum waiting time and luxury service is a tasty drawcard. Hampshire, a former Air Force pilot, recognised a gap in the marketplace and despite the pair’s youth, turned an insight into an industry shake-up and paved the way for more options and versatility in air travel. Top image: Sedge Beswick.
There's a brand new festival coming to New South Wales, sporting a mini-Meredith lineup, an outdoor cinema and an independent record market. Plus, it's in one of Australia's prettiest coastal towns. Fairgrounds is Australia's newest boutique music festival, coming to the NSW town of Berry this December. It's just two hours out of Sydney on the south coast, so one easy peasy road trip. Pioneered by Handsome Tours, the shiny new festival fuses local food, boutique beverages, markets, movies and music in one sweet-sounding event. Taking cues from the recently-announced Meredith lineup, Fairgrounds' folk, pop and garage-focused lineup will see LA-based crooner Father John Misty headline, with Brooklyn glitchy duo RATATAT and dream pop legends Mercury Rev at the top. San Francisco's quirky characters Unknown Mortal Orchestra will be there, alongside folk-rocker Jessica Pratt, Sydney's immortal Royal Headache and the gospel dancehall blues of C.W. Stoneking. While music is your main drawcard to most festivals, Fairgrounds has given more weight to the in-between elements than many festivals do. Foodies will find a gastronomical paradise at the event, the Fairgrounds Garden Bar, with wines and local nibbles sourced from neighbouring estates. Think gourmet cheese plates, Kangaroo Valley Olives and fresh rock oysters from An Australian Affair Oyster Bar, harvested less than half an hour from the festival site. There's more casual offerings onsite too, from woodfire pizza food truck Happy As Larry to Enmore American nosh-lovin' newcomers Bovine and Swine Barbecue Co and Mama Linh’s Vietnamese Street Food — all washed down with Young Henrys and Berry's own Silos Estate wine. Fairgrounds’ Village Markets will also be right there for the best in South Coast snacking, including beef jerky, popcorn, homespun cakes, fresh donuts and much more. There'll be markets and field games — sounds like someone enjoyed Secret Garden Festival — and the best bit? There'll be an outdoor cinema: Fairgrounds' Cinema Under the Stars, presented by Madman Films. FAIRGROUNDS 2015 LINE-UP (SO FAR): Adam Gibson and the Ark Ark Birds Ben Abraham C. W. Stoneking Father John Misty Le Pie Jessica Pratt Le Pie Meg Mac Mercury Rev Methyl Ethel Ratatat Royal Headache Shining Bird Unknown Mortal Orchestra Fairgrounds Festival is happening on Saturday, December 5 in Berry, NSW. Earlybird 'Fairgrounds Founder' tickets are $110 and go on sale on Thursday 20 August at fairgrounds.com.au and moshtix.com.au. Kids under 12 enter the festival for free. You can choose to stay offsite in a B&B, or Fairgrounds offers onsite camping. Image: Dollar Photo Club.
Freshwater welcomed a new Mexican eatery in 2022 that boasts an expansive set menu of food and drink. A sibling to Avalon's Alma, St. Alma joins the long-standing venue in the northern beaches, 30 minutes south of the OG eatery. Located on Albert Street, the restaurant joins a bustling food and drink neighbourhood, with a host of bars, cafes and restaurants occupying the same corner and Freshwater favourites Harbord Hotel and Pilu just down the road. "What people don't know is we signed a lease in Freshwater back in 2017 before opening Avalon, but unfortunately it fell through," owner Jack Leary. "Ever since Freshwater has been on our wish list for a restaurant venue – you can't beat the location for its beach vibe and sense of community." At St. Alma you can start with freshly prepared chips and guac, scallop tostadas and mezcal-cured kingfish served with pistachios and preserved lemon. Continue down the menu, and you'll find a selection of tacos. Choose between a changing fish taco with coleslaw and peanut macha aioli and the carne asada taco with guac, flank steak and a rich burnt chilli sauce. While the majority of the menu is set up for a banquet-style experience, there is a spread of impressive larger mains on offer that can be served as a personal feast or work as the centrepiece to a table of share plates. These change seasonally, but you might find confit mushrooms, chicken in adobo, grilled octopus covered in pickled turnips and prune mole and crispy pork belly. The drinks list stretches on just as far as the food. If you're prepared for a big night, tasting flights are an ideal place to start, offering up four tequilas and other Mexican spirits for you to try. Bevs include seven different kinds of margaritas, plus a slew of other classic Mexican cocktails. Eight tequila and mezcal tasting flights are also available for those looking to learn more about these increasingly popular agave-based tipples. End your afternoon of feasting with a walk along the beach at Freshwater, and there you have a pretty marvellous day out in Sydney's Northern Beaches.
Hold our calls, feed our fish, tell our mums we love 'em. There's a brand new, purpose-built pop-up hotel travelling around Australia called 'The Spontaneity Suite', and it's just landed in Victoria's Yarra Valley. Hotel booking app HotelTonight (which just launched in Australia in June) and Ovolo Hotels (Sydney's 1888 and Blue Hotel and Melbourne's Laneways Hotel) are behind this, teaming up for one jaw-dropper of an activation. This stunning little moveable hotel room, valued at $32,000, is built from — what else — two shipping containers, and will be travelling around Australia. It's a fully-stocked suite with all the trimmings, with interiors designed by Coco Republic. We're talking rooftop hot tub, cocktail station, rain shower, stone bathtub, Egyptian cotton robes, lambskin recliners, terrace and straight-up insane panoramas of the nearby vineyards, framed by a floor-to-ceiling glass window wall. Sick of that horrible, horrible view? The suite's equipped with Apple TV. Available to book exclusively through the HotelTonight app, lucky adventurers can book a stay in The Spontaneity Suite for a one-night stay for just $99, with limousine transfers from Melbourne, a personal concierge, a TarraWarra Estate wine-tasting tour, all your meals and everything from the minibar included. Yep, what the actual. The catch? It's only available between August 27 and 31. There's another night you could aim for on September 1, but the price starts at $32,000, dropping by $1000 every ten minutes until someone snaps it up. All dosh raised from this night and all other nights booked will go straight to OzHarvest, top marks. Sydneysiders, if you can't make it to the Yarra Valley, keep your hat on. The Spontaneity Suite will pack up and move to a secret location somewhere in Sydney next, then head on to other pretty Australian sites. Want to try your luck at booking a night? Download the HotelTonight app via Google Play or iTunes. Via Traveller.
Inner city pork bun diehards, here's something to cheer about. New Shanghai has officially opened in the CBD, sitting pretty within the shopping juggernaut that is Pitt Street Mall. Opened on Monday at Westfield Sydney, this New Shanghai chapter is the largest in Australia — all the bigger to accommodate crowds of dumpling, pork bun and wonton fiends. New Shanghai's CBD venue joins sibling Sydney restaurants in Chatswood, Chatswood Lemon Grove, Bondi Junction and Ashfield, alongside other Australian venues. One of the most anticipated openings of the last few weeks, New Shanghai is in good culinary hands. Renowned Sydney chef, Neo Nee (formerly head chef at Lotus Dumpling Bar) is steering the ship, with coveted dishes like slow-braised pork belly with sweetened Shanghai soy sauce, rainbow beef, Shepherd’s purse and pork wontons served with chilli oil and peanut butter on the menu. But of course, most punters will be donning bibs for New Shanghai’s famous pan fried pork buns. Hell, NS even created Free Pork Bun Week in Melbourne — fingers crossed for Sydney. New Shanghai is now open at Westfield Sydney, Shop 1017-1020, 188 Pitt Street, Sydney. For reservations call +61 2 8386 8368 or email reservations@newshanghai.com.au. New Shanghai is one of our favourite BYO restaurants in Sydney. Head over here for the full list.
A quick search for the origins of the surname Leanfore yields few results. A website called forebears.io lists it as the 6,300,947th most common surname in the world and estimates that there is only a single person on the planet who carries it. According to Sydney photographer Ken Leanfore (陳漢駒) — not the only Leanfore, but it's certainly a short list — this is due to a tendency by immigration officials in the 19th and 20th centuries to anglicise or create phonetic spellings of migrant names they couldn't understand. Leanfore is fourth generation Australian-Chinese but is often mistaken for having French heritage. This set him wondering about the experiences of other Chinese Australians with "dodgy" approximations of their original names and how it might affect their sense of identity. The result is a photographic exhibition called What's in a Surname? at Klei Gallery in Albion Place, held in conjunction with Sydney's Chinese New Year Festival. His subjects are all Chinese Australians whose unusual names sometimes place them at a distance from their cultural heritage. Harvey Young, a farmer from Glen Innes, for instance, says that he is often approached over the phone by members of the Young clan in Scotland looking to reunite him with his relatives. "It doesn't take long to talk them out of that, though," he says with a grin. Image: Dennis O'Hoy AM 雷社源, Lei She Yuan - Pinyin, Leui Sai Yuen - Cantonese. Harvey Young, 關少雄, Guan Shao Xiong - Pinyin, Kwan Siu Hung - Cantonese. Photographs by Ken Leanfore.
No longer just the realms of Monica Trapaga residencies and kiddie-aimed pantomimes, Twilight at Taronga — the after-hours live music series that boasts perhaps the best view of Sydney Harbour as well as lots of adorable animals — has proven they've got some real cred when it comes to hosting outdoor gigs in the past few years. This summer, they're back with a brand new lineup playing spesh live sets every weekend from Friday, January 27 through Saturday, March 11. Considering it includes the likes of Kurt Vile and Tegan and Sara and then Killing Heidi, it's probably their most diverse yet. Picnic-bringing is encouraged, but there'll also be incredibly delicious hampers available onsite — we tasted them, they're extremely generous and genuinely great. There's a bar on-site, and general nosh available from the canteen. Either way, it's actually the one of the best dates in Sydney — lock those tickets down. All proceeds from Twilight at Taronga go back into the zoo's ongoing conservation work with Wildlife Witness to help fight against illegal wildlife trade. PLUS, your ticket includes free entry to the zoo on the same day. That's a big deal. TWILIGHT AT TARONGA 2017 LINEUP Friday 27 January – PETER GARRETT & THE ALTER EGOS and KEV CARMODY Saturday 28 January – JO JO ZEP & THE FALCONS and THE SPORTS Thursday 2 February — THE RUBENS supported by Bec Sandridge Friday 3 February – THE RUBENS supported by Bec Sandridge Saturday 4 February – KILLING HEIDI supported by Abbe May Friday 10 February – KASEY CHAMBERS supported by Thelma Plum Saturday 11 February – BALL PARK MUSIC and THE JUNGLE GIANTS Thursday 16 February – JET with special guests Friday 17 February – george supported by Felix Riebl (Cat Empire) and Jack Carty Saturday 18 February – JAMES MORRISON BIG BAND Sunday 19 Februrary — Jet supported by Bloods Friday 24 February – BJÖRN AGAIN Saturday 25 February – BJÖRN AGAIN Friday 3 March – KURT VILE (US) supported by Mick Turner Saturday 4 March – THE LIVING END 'TWANGIN' AT TWILIGHT' Sunday 5 March — THE LIVING END 'TWANGIN' AT TWILIGHT' Thursday 9 March – TEGAN AND SARA (CAN) with special guests Friday 10 March – TEENAGE FANCLUB (UK) supported by The Goon Sax Saturday 11 March – MARTHA WAINWRIGHT (CAN) supported by Oh Pep! Tickets go on sale at 9am on Tuesday, October 25 at twilightattaronga.org.au.
History was made. For once, the vibe was casual and relaxed rather than tense and overdone. And it seems that even the Academy itself was surprised by the very last winner of the night. Yes, the Oscars have now been and gone for 2021, albeit a couple of months later than usual — one of the many changes implemented in response to the pandemic. First, the exceptional news: after nominating two female directors for the first time ever — yes, the first time in the awards' 93-year history — the Academy also gave one of these talented ladies the nod. Only The Hurt Locker's Kathryn Bigelow has ever won the coveted field before, so Chloé Zhao's win for Nomadland is the hugest kind of deal there is when it comes to finally recognising that women helm movies, too. Zhao is also the first woman of colour to ever win the Best Director prize. Also phenomenal: the wins that went Daniel Kaluuya and Yuh-Jung Youn's ways, for their supporting roles in Judas and the Black Messiah and Minari respectively. Their individual speeches were something special as well. When you're thanking your parents for having sex and therefore bringing you into this world, and trying to cosy up to Brad Pitt, you're going to grab attention. But, in a year filled with worthy winners and just-as-deserving nominees, the thing that everyone will be talking about for the next 12 months is the Best Actor field. It seems that the folks behind the Oscars thought that Chadwick Boseman would win posthumously for Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, with the category moved to the last slot of the evening — breaking with tradition. But, then Anthony Hopkins emerged victorious for The Father, wasn't in attendance or available via video, and the show came to a close without a big speech. Perhaps that kind of chaos is apt, given that nothing about the past year has been normal — in cinema, or in life in general. It's also worth remembering that this year's Oscars ceremony was partly brought to the world by Steven Soderbergh, with the prolific filmmaker producing the awards broadcast. Yes, that means that the man who made the most prophetic movie of the past decade, aka Contagion, had a hand in the making Hollywood's night of nights happen in the pandemic era. Now that the longest Oscars season in memory is done and dusted for the year, more fun awaits. Whether you're watching them for the first time or the tenth, a list of stellar winning films is there to be seen by your movie-loving eyeballs. Some you can stream at home right now. Others, you'll need to head to the biggest screen near you. Either way, we've rounded up ten of 2021's Academy Award-winning must-sees. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSFpK34lfv0 NOMADLAND Frances McDormand is a gift of an actor. Point a camera her way, and a performance so rich that it feels not just believable but tangible floats across the screen. That's the case in Nomadland, which has earned McDormand her third shiny Oscars statuette just three years after she nabbed her second for Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. Here, leading a cast that also includes real people experiencing the existence that's fictionalised within the narrative, she plays the widowed, van-dwelling Fern — a woman who takes to the road, and to the nomad life, after the small middle-America spot she spent her married life in turns into a ghost town when the local mine is shuttered due to the global financial crisis. Following her travels over the course of more than a year, this humanist drama serves up an observational portrait of those that society happily overlooks. It's both deeply intimate and almost disarmingly empathetic in the process, as every movie made by Chloé Zhao is. This is only the writer/director's third, slotting in after 2015's Songs My Brothers Taught Me and 2017's The Rider but before 2021's Marvel flick Eternals, but it's a feature of contemplative and authentic insights into the concepts of home, identity and community. Meticulously crafted, shot and performed, it's also Zhao's best work yet, and the best film of 2020 as well. Won: Best Picture, Best Director (Chloé Zhao), Best Actress in a Leading Role (Frances McDormand). Where to watch it: In cinemas, still — and it'll be available to stream via Star on Disney+ from Friday, April 30. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0ox9ExOA1M&feature=youtu.be THE FATHER Forgetting, fixating, flailing, fraying: that's Florian Zeller's The Father, as brought to the screen in a stunning fashion from Le Père, the filmmaker's own play. Anthony's (Anthony Hopkins, Westworld) life is unravelling, with his daughter Anne (Olivia Colman, The Crown) springing the sudden news that she's about to move to Paris, and now insistent that he needs a new carer to replace the last home helper he's just scared off. He also can't find his watch, and time seems to jump suddenly. On some days, he has just trundled out of bed to greet the morning when Anne advises that dinner, not breakfast, is being served. When he brings up her French relocation again, she frostily and dismissively denies any knowledge. Sometimes another man (Mark Gatiss, Dracula) stalks around Anthony's London apartment, calling himself Anne's husband. Sometimes the flat isn't his own at all and, on occasion, both Anne (Olivia Williams, Victoria and Abdul) and her partner (Rufus Sewell, Judy) look completely different. Intermittently, Anthony either charms or spits cruel words at Laura (Imogen Poots, Black Christmas), the latest aide hired to oversee his days. So goes this largely housebound film, which is also a chaotic film. Despite its visual polish, and that mess, confusion and upheaval is entirely by design. All the shifting and changing — big and small details alike, and faces and places, too — speak to the reason Anne keeps telling Anthony they need another set of hands around the house. And, diving into it all is simply heartbreaking. Won: Best Actor (Anthony Hopkins), Best Adapted Screenplay (Christopher Hampton and Florian Zeller). Where to watch it: In cinemas. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbE96sCJEjo MINARI Although they can frequently seem straightforward, films about the American dream aren't simply about chasing success. The circumstances and details change, but they're often movies about finding a place to call home as well. Such a quest isn't always as literal as it sounds, of course. While houses can signify achievement, feeling like you truly belong somewhere — and that you're comfortable enough to set your sights on lofty goals and ambitions that require considerable risks and sacrifices — transcends even the flashiest or cosiest combination of bricks and mortar. Partly drawn from writer/director Lee Isaac Chung's (Abigail Harm) own childhood, Minari understands this. It knows that seeking a space to make one's own is crucial, and that it motivates many big moves to and within the US. So, following a Korean American couple (Steven Yeun, Burning and Yeri Han, My Unfamiliar Family) who relocate to rural Arkansas in the 80s with hopes of securing a brighter future for their children (first-timer Noel Cho and fellow newcomer Alan S Kim), this delicately observed and deeply felt feature doesn't separate the Yi family's attempts to set up a farm from their efforts to feel like they're exactly where they should be. Complete with a film-stealing performance from Youn Yuh-jung (Sense8) as Monica's mother, the result is a precise, vivid, moving, and beautifully performed and observed film told with honest and tender emotion — so much so that it was always bound to be equally universal and unique. Won: Best Actress in Supporting Role (Yuh-Jung Youn). Where to watch it: In cinemas. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ivHf4ODMi4 JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH The last time that Daniel Kaluuya and LaKeith Stanfield appeared in the same film, Get Out was the end result. Their shared scene in Jordan Peele's Oscar-winning horror movie isn't easily forgotten (if you've seen the feature, it will have instantly popped into your head while you're reading this), and neither is Judas and the Black Messiah, their next exceptional collaboration. With Kaluuya starring as the Black Panther Party's Illinois Chairman Fred Hampton and Stanfield playing William O'Neal, the man who infiltrated his inner circle as an informant for the FBI, the pair is still tackling race relations. Here, though, the duo does so in a ferocious historical drama set in the late 60s. The fact that O'Neal betrays Hampton isn't a spoiler; it's a matter of fact, and the lens through which writer/director Shaka King (Newlyweeds) and his co-scribes Kenneth Lucas, Keith Lucas (actors on Lady Dynamite) and Will Berson (Scrubs) view the last period of Hampton's life. The magnetic Kaluuya has already won a Best Supporting Actor Golden Globe for his performance, and now he has an Oscar as well — and if he wants to keep acting opposite his fellow Academy Award nominee Stanfield in movies this invigorating, ardent, resonant and essential, audiences won't complain. Won: Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Daniel Kaluuya), Best Original Song ('Fight For You' by HER, Dernst Emile II and Tiara Thomas). Where to watch it: In cinemas. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ord7gP151vk MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM Chadwick Boseman didn't end up winning an Oscar for his last screen role, but the late, great actor really should've. Boseman is just that phenomenal in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. He has earned that term before in Get on Up, Black Panther and Da 5 Bloods, but his performance in this stage-to-screen production is such a powerhouse effort that it's like watching a cascading waterfall drown out almost everything around it. He plays trumpeter Levee Green, who is part of the eponymous Ma Rainey's (Viola Davis, Widows) band. On a 1920s day, the always-nattering, big-dreaming musician joins Ma — who isn't just a fictional character, and was known as the Mother of Blues — and the rest of his colleagues for a recording session. Temperatures and tempers rise in tandem in the Chicago studio, with Levee and Ma rarely seeing eye to eye on any topic. Davis is in thundering, hot-blooded form, while Colman Domingo (If Beale Street Could Talk) and Glynn Turman (Fargo) also leave a firm impression. It's impossible take your eyes off of the slinkily magnetic Boseman though, as would prove the case even if he was still alive to see the film's release. Adapting the play of the same name by August Wilson (Fences), director George C Wolfe (The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks) lets Boseman farewell the screen with one helluva bang. Won: Best Makeup and Hairstyling (Sergio Lopez-Rivera, Mia Neal and Jamika Wilson), Best Costume Design (Ann Roth). Where to watch it: On Netflix. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gs--6c7Hn_A SOUL Released early in 2020, Onward definitely wasn't Pixar's best film — but Soul, its straight-to-streaming latest movie that capped off the past year, instantly contends for the title. The beloved animation studio has always excelled when it takes big leaps. Especially now, a quarter-century into its filmmaking tenure, its features prove particularly enchanting when they're filled with surprises (viewers have become accustomed to seeing toys, fish, rats and robots have feelings, after all). On paper, Soul initially seems similar to Inside Out, but switching in souls for emotions. It swaps in voice work by Tina Fey for Amy Poehler, too, and both movies are helmed by director Peter Docter, so there's more than one reason for the comparison. But to the delight of viewers of all ages, Soul is a smart, tender and contemplative piece of stunning filmmaking all on its own terms. It's Pixar at its most existential, and with a strikingly percussive score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross to further help it stand out. At its centre sits aspiring jazz musician-turned-music teacher Joe (Jamie Foxx, Just Mercy). Just as he's about to get his big break, he falls down a manhole, his soul leaves his body, and he's desperate to get back to chase his dreams. Alas, that's not how things work, and he's saddled with mentoring apathetic and cynical soul 22 (the always hilarious Fey) in his quest to reclaim his life. Won: Best Animated Feature, Best Original Score (Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross and Jon Batiste). Where to watch it: On Disney+. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vdaJcoKk0s PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN Promising Young Woman would've made an excellent episode or season of Veronica Mars. That's meant as the highest compliment to both the bubblegum-hued take on the rape-revenge genre and the cult-status private detective series. Writer/director Emerald Fennell clearly isn't blind to the parallels between the two, even casting Veronica Mars stars Max Greenfield (New Girl) and Chris Lowell (GLOW) in her feature debut. Don't go thinking the Killing Eve season two showrunner and The Crown actor is simply following in other footsteps, though. At every moment, the brilliant and blistering Promising Young Woman vibrates with too much anger, energy and insight to merely be a copycat of something else. It's a film made with the savviest of choices, and provocative and downright fearless ones as well, in everything from its soundtrack to its weaponised pastel, peppy and popping Instagram-friendly imagery. You don't include Italian quartet Archimia's orchestral version of Britney Spears' 'Toxic', Paris Hilton's 'Stars Are Blind' and an abundance of vibrant surface sheen in a movie about a woman waging war on the culture of sexual assault without trying to make a statement — and Fennell succeeds again and again. She has also made the smart decision to cast Carey Mulligan (The Dig), and to draw upon the acclaimed actor's near-peerless ability to express complex internalised turmoil. Mulligan's fierce lead performance scorches, sears and resounds with such burning truth, and so does the feature she's in as a result. Won: Best Original Screenplay (Emerald Fennell). Where to watch it: It's available to rent or buy via Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Amazon Video. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFOrGkAvjAE SOUND OF METAL When feature filmmaking debutant Darius Marder begins Sound of Metal just as its title intimates, he does so with the banging and clashing of drummer Ruben Stone (Riz Ahmed, Venom) as his arms flail above his chosen instrument. He's playing a gig with his girlfriend and bandmate Lou (Olivia Cooke, Ready Player One), and he's caught up in the rattling and clattering as her guttural voice and thrashing guitar offers the pitch-perfect accompaniment. But for viewers listening along, it doesn't quite echo the way it should. For the bleached-blonde, tattooed, shirtless and sweaty Ruben, that's the case, too. Sound of Metal's expert and exacting sound design mimics his experience, as his hearing fades rapidly and traumatically over the course of a few short days — a scenario that no one wants, let alone a musician with more that a few magazine covers to his band's name, who motors between shows in the cosy Airstream he lives in with his other half and is about to embark upon a new tour. That's not all the film is about, though. Ruben's ability to listen to the world around him begins to dip out quickly and early, leaving him struggling; however, it's how he grapples with the abrupt change, and with being forced to sit with his own company without a constant onslaught of aural interruptions distracting him from his thoughts, that the movie is most interested in. Won: Best Sound (Nicolas Becker, Jaime Baksht, Michelle Couttolenc, Carlos Cortés and Phillip Bladh), Best Film Editing (Mikkel EG Nielsen). Where to watch it: In cinemas and on Amazon Prime Video. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5R46NgopPw&feature=emb_logo ANOTHER ROUND Even the most joyous days and nights spent sipping your favourite drink can have their memory tainted by a hangover. Imbibe too much, and there's a kicker just waiting to pulsate through your brain and punish your body when all that alcohol inevitably starts to wear off. For much of Another Round, four Copenhagen school teachers try to avoid this feeling. The film they're in doesn't, though. Writer/director Thomas Vinterberg (Kursk)) and his co-scribe Tobias Lindholm (A War) lay bare the ups and downs of knocking back boozy beverages, and it also serves up a finale that's a sight to behold. Without sashaying into spoiler territory, the feature's last moments are a thing of sublime beauty. Some movies end in a WTF, "what were they thinking?" kind of way, but this Oscar-shortlisted Danish film comes to a conclusion with a big and bold showstopper that's also a piece of bittersweet perfection. The picture's highest-profile star, Mads Mikkelsen (Arctic), is involved. His pre-acting background as an acrobat and dancer comes in handy, too. Unsurprisingly, the substances that flow freely throughout the feature remain prominent. And, so does the canny and candid awareness that life's highs and lows just keep spilling, plus the just-as-shrewd understanding that the line between self-sabotage and self-release is as thin as a slice of lemon garnishing a cocktail. Won: Best International Feature. Where to watch it: In cinemas. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSfX-nrg-lI MANK In 2010's The Social Network, David Fincher surveyed the story of an outsider and upstart who would become a business magnate, wield significant influence and have an immense impact upon the world. The applauded and astute film tells the tale of Mark Zuckerberg and of Facebook's development — but it's also the perfect precursor to Fincher's latest movie, Mank. This time around, the filmmaker focuses on a man who once spun a similar narrative. A drama critic turned screenwriter, Herman J Mankiewicz scored the gig of his lifetime when he was hired to pen Orson Welles' first feature, and he drew upon someone from his own life to do so. Citizen Kane is famous for many things, but its central character of Charles Foster Kane is also famously partially based on US media mogul William Randolph Hearst, who Mankiewicz knew personally. Accordingly, Mank sees Fincher step behind the scenes of an iconic movie that his own work has already paralleled — to ponder how fact influences fiction, how stories that blaze across screens silver and small respond to the world around them, and how one man's best-known achievement speaks volumes about both in a plethora of ways. Mank is a slice-of-life biopic about Mankiewicz's (Gary Oldman, Crisis) time writing Citizen Kane's screenplay, as well as his career around it. It's catnip for the iconic feature's multitudes of fans, in fact. But it also peers at a bigger picture, because that's classic Fincher. Won: Best Cinematography (Erik Messerschmidt), Best Production Design (Donald Graham Burt and Jan Pascale). Where to watch it: In cinemas and on Netflix. Read our full review. Top image: Nomadland. Image courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2020, 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved
Listen up: Listen Out is back for its 11th year and, after first announcing its dates and venues, it isn't slouching on the lineup front. The just-dropped bill for the touring festival boasts 21 Savage, Skepta, Tyla and Flo Milli among its hip hop and R&B names. On the electronic side, John Summit and Sub Focus feature. Yes, the list goes on from there. Fans of 21 Savage, Tyla and Flo Milli — and of Teezo Touchdown, Jessie Reyez and Jazzy, too — should be especially excited. When they each take to Listen Out's stages this spring for the fest's 2024 trip around Australia, they'll be hitting the country for the first time. Among their company, Lil Tjay, Lithe, Folamour, The Blessed Madonna, Cassian and Disco Lines are just some of the fellow acts that'll have festivalgoers in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth dancing. With Groovin the Moo announcing its dates then cancelling, and Splendour in the Grass sadly doing the same, everyone's plans for 2024 have been missing a few music festivals. But Listen Out is aiming to buck the trend, locking in its return for September and October. Adelaide's Listen In is also taking place this year, and has similarly just unveiled its lineup. 2023's fest was Listen Out's most successful in terms of ticket sales ever, and the crew behind it are hoping to continue that trajectory. Something that might help: turning the fest into a 16-plus event, age-wise, which is a first for 2024. As the roster of names on the lineup demonstrates, the festival's focus is staying true to its niche, filling its stages on electronic and hip hop artists — both international and local talents, too. Four stops are on the Listen Out agenda: Caribbean Gardens in Melbourne, HBF Arena in Perth, RNA Showgrounds in Brisbane and Centennial Park in Sydney. If you've been worried about missing the NRL final in Sydney and the AFL final in Perth thanks to Listen Out's dates, the fest has news there: at both legs, there'll be screens showing the football. Listen In, the condensed version of the fest with a smaller lineup, is headed to Ellis Park in Adelaide. It'll feature 21 Savage, Folamour, Jessie Reyez, John Summit, Lil Tjay, A Little Sound, Skepta and Theodore Kittens. Listen Out and Listen In 2024 Lineups: Listen Out: 21 Savage Skepta Lil Tjay Tyla Flo Milli Jessie Reyez Teezo Touchdown Lithe John Summit Sub Focus Folamour The Blessed Madonna Cassian Disco Lines Jazzy Koven Conducta A Little Sound Ben Gerrans AK Sports Foura B2B Tom Santa Miss Kaninna Djanaba Soju Gang Melbourne: Yo! Mafia Sixten Kelly T J-OK Perth: Sammythesinner Janeethevirgin Dr Pepper Bodie Brisbane: Trance Mums Jacob Tompkins Mikalah Watego Melanin Mami Sydney: Dayzzi Malfunkt x Banno Bodego Collective Bella Backe Listen In: 21 Savage Folamour Jessie Reyez John Summit Lil Tjay A Little Sound Skepta Theodore Kittens Triple J Unearthed winners + more [caption id="attachment_957218" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jordan Munns[/caption] Listen Out and Listen In Australian 2024 Dates: Friday, September 27 — Listen Out Melbourne, Caribbean Gardens, Wurundjeri Land / Melbourne Saturday, September 28 — Listen Out Perth, HBF Arena, Mooro Country / Joondalup Sunday, September 29 — Listen In Adelaide, Ellis Park / Tampawardli (Park 24), Kaurna Country / Adelaide Saturday, October 5 — Listen Out Brisbane, Brisbane Showgrounds, Meanjin / Brisbane Sunday, October 6 — Listen Out Sydney, Centennial Park, Gadigal Country [caption id="attachment_957226" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jordan Munns[/caption] [caption id="attachment_957221" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sam Venn[/caption] [caption id="attachment_957224" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mitch Lowe[/caption] [caption id="attachment_957228" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anna Warr[/caption] Listen Out and Listen In's 2024 season tours Australia in spring 2024. For more information — and for tickets from midday local time in each city on Thursday, June 6 — head to the festival website. Top image: Sam Venn.
Equal parts delicious and disturbing, Dark Mofo is an immersive celebration of the winter solstice that descends upon Hobart to flaunt the gruesome and the visceral, exploring ancient ritual and ceremony from the past to the present day. Kicking off on June 8, the 14-day festival features a slew of music, food, performance art, light and sound installations alongside exhibits that are beyond the boundaries of regular categorisation. Presented by the Museum of Old and New Art (Mona), the festival is the brainchild of the museum's founder David Walsh and creative director Leigh Carmicheal, and 2017 will be its fifth iteration. Mona was built as an extended, underground labyrinth, 11 kilometres north of Hobart — an easy 25-minute ferry ride along the Derwent River — with the private fortune of Walsh. It's explicit and unashamed, and is affectionately referred to as 'the museum of sex and death'. In short, you have to go. And Dark Mofo is the perfect excuse to head down to Tassie and make a weekend of it. Spectacular events (like this one) are worthy of a big trip, and aside from casual laziness and a little lack of inspiration, there's really nothing stopping you from squeezing Dark Mofo into your schedule. We've teamed up with Mazda3 to help you plan your out-of-the-city trips ahead of time, so you can detour from your regular routine and inject a little adventure into your life. The festival will keep your schedule jam-packed, but you should make some time to explore Hobart too. Here are the best places to eat, drink and stay if you're visiting for Dark Mofo. Pack a coat (and gloves, and a beanie) and bring a palate laced with intrigue — hedonism is the order of the day. [caption id="attachment_619495" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dark Mofo's Winter Feast, shot by Rémi Chauvin.[/caption] EAT It's no coincidence that Hobart's restaurant scene is undergoing a new wave. Local chefs are giving restaurateurs on the mainland a run for their money, establishing eateries that significantly reduce the time it takes to transport produce from paddock to plate. No visit to Hobart would be complete without a Saturday morning trip to Salamanca Market. Every weekend, the harbourside suburb becomes a bustling marketplace, showcasing a broad and delicious range of local produce, artisanal crafts and food stalls. Be sure to drop by Machine Laundry, a cafe that doubles up as a laundromat serving some of the best coffee in town. Another honourable mention for coffee and brunch is Room for a Pony — it's located up the hill in North Hobart. While Salamanca is an iconic (and necessary) weekend tourist stop, it's worth noting that the market can get very busy, particularly over the festival period. A quieter alternative is the Farm Gate Market, which closes off Bathurst Street every Sunday from 8.30am until 1pm (late enough for you to sleep away the sins of the previous night). Brimming with local farmers, this is the place to source some of Tasmania's best game and fresh meat, as well as fresh-from-the-farm produce, such as pickles and chutneys. Bathurst Street is also a hotspot for brunch options; The Flipped Egg serves a mean breakfast burger, while Bury Me Standing is your go-to for pot-boiled bagels. Tasmania is also said to boast some of the freshest fish outside of Japan and the Farm Gate Market is lucky enough to host Masaaki Koyama's hugely popular sushi stall. And you absolutely need to get a dozen oysters (yes, even for breakfast). If your budget extends beyond market nosh, make time to have a meal at Franklin. David Moyle's ten-tonne Scotch oven warms up the concrete space with a tight but top-notch menu of modern Australian dishes and some prized Tasmanian seafood. It's also totally fine to drop by for a drink and a snack before or after a show, so you can still visit without spending up a full storm. In the evening, Dark Mofo offers two avenues for gluttonous excess. Set along Hobart's waterfront, the Winter Feast is a holy pilgrimage for the hungry. Local and international chefs serve hawker-style hedonism within a medieval-themed banquet hall, lined with naked flames and a diverse range of food outlets. Otherwise, head down to Dark Park at Macquarie Point — this is the free and interactive epicentre of Dark Mofo. The space is an industrial expanse littered with art installations, food trucks and the obligatory fire pit — a must for anyone still fanging for sensory stimulation. [caption id="attachment_619511" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Preachers.[/caption] DRINK If you're looking to make a boozy discovery, Hobart is a bonafide goldmine. Cascade Brewery sits pretty at the foot of Mount Wellington and takes home the trophy for Australia's oldest operating brewery. For a small fee ($25-35), you can tour the 185-year-old building before enjoying a selection of ice-cold, just-pulled beers and ciders from the Cascade portfolio. If whisky's more your thing, Lark has won countless awards for its single malt, a dram that holds its own on the global market. For $75, you can take a tour of the distillery — it's located 15 minutes northeast of the CBD — and discover the intricacies of the production process. Of course, whisky tastings are included in the cost of the ticket, and you'll round off the tour with a well-earned G&T made with their Forty Spotted Gin. And if you've got access to a car, it's worth making the 20-minute drive out to Sullivans Cove. In 2015 they were awarded World's Best Single Malt Whisky at the World Whisky Awards for their French oak cask — so a dram of their stuff is hard to come by. They do tastings and tours on the hour, Monday to Friday. Back in town, Preachers is your go-to for craft beer (they have 16 on tap), cider and boutique wines. It's a laidback pub with a vibe suited to all seasons — they have open fires to warm you up on cold nights (and the nights are very cold). There's even a vintage school bus parked on the front lawn — a gimmick that doesn't seem to wear off. Keep an eye out for South Seas Cocktail Lounge too, a secretive den for rum-based cocktails and tropical vibes. It's tricky to spot and often bypassed — but be sure to look for the red abstract artwork at the front of the building, located at 13-17 Castray Esplanade. At Dark Mofo's own Dark Park, drop by the Talisker Dark Bar serving hot toddies and Irish coffees, and pairing ten-year-old single malt whisky with blue cheese jaffles — a melty fusion of Tasmanian stilton and mozzarella. DO Dark Mofo's creative director Leigh Carmichael has called this year's program the most ambitious to date. The lineup combines typical plumes of fire, feasting, bacchanalian imagery and challenging performance pieces that are as confronting as they are spectacular. Austrian artist Hermann Nitsch will exhibit 150.Action, a visceral performance piece that is not for the faint-hearted. This performance will feature 500 litres of blood and an animal carcass with the backing of a full orchestra. Heavy. On the lighter end of the spectrum, Crossing invites participants on a 200-kilometre pilgrimage north of Hobart, visiting six different churches across six different nights. Each church will provide a backdrop for soundscapes and light shows. This year, Mona will also host The Museum of Everything for its first Australian showing, a world-wandering exhibition that lays focus on the untrained, the unintentional, the undiscovered and the unclassifiable artists of the last three centuries. The musical lineup is the strongest yet. Scottish post-rock stalwarts Mogwai will perform a vast and soaring soundscape, and German experimental noise art pioneers Einstürzende Neubauten will delve into their portfolio, which spans 37 years. Dark Mofo has also secured a performance from indigenous hip-hop group A.B. Original and Norwegian black metal experimental musicians Ulver. Xiu Xiu will celebrate the music of David Lynch's Twin Peaks. Then there are the Dark Mofo regulars. The Nude Solstice Swim is a communal dip in the ocean on the first sunrise after the winter solstice, and the Ogoh-Ogoh, the traditional Indonesian monster procession, arrives in Hobart in two parts: the purging and the burning. STAY If you're visiting Hobart during Dark Mofo, you'll want to be in the thick of it. Events are scattered across the city, but are centralised around the Salamanca, waterfront and CBD areas. Filling the gap between backpackers and budget chain hotels, the Alabama Hotel offers boutique, budget-friendly accommodation at the centre of Hobart. You won't find elevators, fluffy robes or en-suite bathrooms here — rather, every room has its own decorative style, heaps of character and super-fast WiFi. The bar is well-stocked and serves a good coffee throughout the day. If you're on a higher budget, consider renting a Mona Pavilion. You won't be staying at the museum (you're only allowed to do this if you're dead, the Pavilion website kindly reminds us) but a luxury den sitting on the bank of the River Derwent. Each pavilion is named after an influential Australian architect and is decorated with Mona artworks. It's fancy. Alternatively, The Henry Jones Art Hotel is close to the waterfront and just steps away from Macquarie Point, the site of Dark Park. Rooms are pricier than The Alabama, but tastefully decorated with works from local artists. You'll also wake up to the glorious views of the harbour. Dark Mofo runs from June 8 to 21. Top image: Rémi Chauvin (2014), courtesy of Mona. Personalise your next adventure via The Playmaker, driven by Mazda3.
El Jannah has earned cult status for its Lebanese-style charcoal chicken and finger lickin'-good garlic sauce, but for inner-city folk, it's never been all that easy to get to. Sure, the much-loved chicken joint has an impressive 15 outlets under its belt, but — if you've lived east, north or south — you had to trek out west to get to any of them. Until a few years ago, that is. El Jannah opened its first inner west store — El Jannah Express — in 2019 in the heart of Newtown, just across the road from cocktail bar Corridor and The Marlborough Hotel. This means that inner city folks finally have easy access to that chook goodness (and that Sydney's 'chicken curtain' needs some urgent adjustments). While you'll find all of the cult favourites on the menu — including the EJ Meals with chicken, chips, pickles, pita and that garlic sauce — El Jannah Express also has an exclusive, very Newtown addition: fried chicken. Yep, even El Jannah can't stay away from it. It's doing drumsticks and tenders, in three-, five- and ten-piece packs. Of course, you can still drop by and pick up a whole rotisserie chicken, and bowls of hummus and baba ghanoush. The Express store also sells the chain's burgers, which are often looked over in favour of the main event. There are a few seats for dining in — but this'll be a prime takeaway spot as it's open until 11pm on weekends. Just look for the neon green sign. El Jannah has won plenty of fans for its offering of charcoal chicken matched with that famed garlic sauce, along with hot meat-stuffed rolls, grab-and-go meal packs, burgers, salads and Middle Eastern skewers. Following stores in Blacktown, Campbelltown, Punchbowl, Granville, Kogarah and Penrith, this Newtown outpost is group's first 'express' offering. Appears in: Where to Find the Best Burgers in Sydney for 2023
One of New York's initially best and eventually worst kept secrets is coming to Melbourne for one of the most squealworthy pop-ups we've seen in an age. East Village's Please Don't Tell (or PDT) is locked in to take over Fitzroy's Black Pearl this August, with legendary PDT bar team Jim Meehan and Jeff Bell at the helm. Ever found your way to PDT? Hidden behind a secret wall in a vintage phone booth, inside Crif Dogs hotdog joint on St Marks Place in the East Village, PDT is one of NYC's most beloved speakeasies — and the cocktails are seriously next level. Bell, who was crowned 2013 Diageo World Class US Bartender of the Year, is one of the best in the game, with marvels like the Bulleit Bourbon Sweet Tea Smash. But you won't just be sampling Bell's world-famous cocktails, Bell and Meehan will join forces with Bluebonnet Barbecue chef Chris Terlikar for an Australian version of PDT's menu — featuring two hot-dog variations: 'The Spicy Redneck' (house dog, bacon wrapped, with chilli, coleslaw and jalapenos) and a yet to be announced local adaptation. Locked in for August 6 to 9 in The Attic at Black Pearl, PDT's trailblazing cocktail aficionados will have three sittings available at Black Pearl: 6-8pm, 8-10pm and the last at 10pm-12am — and it goes without saying, you're strongly advised to make reservations to avoid disappointment. PDT pops up at Black Pearl (304 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy) Thursday 6 – Sunday August 9. Sittings are 6-8pm, 8-10pm or 10pm-12am, Reservations through Eventbrite. Image: PDT.
Got a birthday coming up? Feeling like truly treating yourself on a Wednesday? Then get yourself a handcrafted cake courtesy of one of Sydney’s most decadent dessert chefs. After a successful run as the pâtissier at Hartsyard in Newtown, Andrew Bowden is setting out on his own with a bespoke online cake shop that already has us drooling. After teasing the move via his heavily frequented Instagram, Bowden has officially launched his new venture, known simply as Andy Bowdy Pastry. You can visit his website now, although he’s currently only taking orders for August and beyond. Do you like eating your cake and drinking a stubbie too? Www.andybowdypastry.com, where all your deep dark g-rated cake related fantasies can come true. Orders being taken for August and beyond. Malted milk cookie, pistachio cake, malted vanilla mousse, fresh strawberry, salted caramel, lemon jam and an avalanche of torched meringue. #andybowdypastry #bespokecakesbyandybowdy #cakes #cake #desserts #weddingcake #weddingcakes #wedding #cakespo A photo posted by Andrew Bowden (@andybowdy) on Jul 2, 2015 at 1:10am PDT Anyone familiar with Bowden’s tooth-rotting work over at Hartsyard can probably hazard a guess as to the kind of insanity he’s got planned for his new customers. Options listed on his website include a chocolate fudge cake with Milo mousse, Maltesers and torched meringue; a banana cake with peanut butter, salted caramel, passionfruit and caramelised popcorn; and a vanilla sponge with strawberry mousse, vanilla cream, salted caramel and lemon. He also offers custom flavours and of course, wedding cakes on request. On top of all that, you can look for Bowden at a number of events over the coming months, including dessert pop-ups at Artificer Specialty Coffee Bar in Surry Hills, and as one of a number of culinary guests at the Underbelly Arts Festival. He’s also part of the massive line-up at the Sweet Street Dessert Festival happening tonight at the Shangri-La Hotel — although unfortunately for most of us, it’s already well and truly sold-out. To order your own sugar coma-inducing Andy Bowdy cake, visit www.andybowdypastry.com Via The Unbearable Lightness of Being Hungry. Image: Andy Bowdy.
A fashion designer activist, a Wagga Wagga community leader, an Oscar-winning documentary maker. They're the faces Australia's gasbagging about with the Art Gallery of New South Wales’s annual portraiture competition, the Archibald Prize, drawing crowds for another year. The AGNSW handed out the blue ribbon (and a cheeky $100,000) to Newcastle artist Nigel Milsom, who nabbed the Archibald Prize for his haunting, Edgar Allan Poe-like portrait of barrister Charles Waterstreet. After 832 entries, this year, these 47 Archibald finalists are the top tier of artists trying to make us wake up and pay attention (whether for great or WTF reasons) to Australia’s big ol’ faces. But there’s a few standout favourites for us this year, which you can see at the AGNSW’s exhibition until September 27. There’s Carla Fletcher’s striking portrait of Australian fashion designer Jenny Kee, Paul Ryan's Noah Taylorfest, Adam Alcorn’s sharply figurative portrait of Sydney comedian Alice Fraser, Peter Churcher's saddeningly beautiful portrait of his mother Betty, and Stewart MacFarlane’s strange portrait of Cory Bernardi holding some kind of whip. It's hard to pick a handful, but we can't stop staring at these Archibald finalists. SALLY ROSS — EVA This gorgeous portrait of Academy and Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker Eva Orner (Taxi to the Dark Side) wouldn’t be out of place on the cover of Frankie. But there’s nothing twee about this kickass human rights crusader, whose upcoming Australian-focused doco Asylum is sure to ruffle a few feathers. “In our image-saturated world I would love to see less selfies, gourmet meals, renovations and lingerie models blowing kisses, and more pictures of women, humans like Eva Orner," says Ross. ADAM HILL (AKA BLAK DOUGLAS) — SMOKE AND MIRRORS (UNCLE MAX EULO) When Adam Hill, or as he's better known, Blak Douglas, first saw Aboriginal cultural entertainer Uncle Max Eulo at an Ashfield launch, he'd never forget it. "His introductory catch phrase was: 'My name’s Uncle Max Eulo and I’m from Bourke, where the crows fly backwards'." Uncle Max can be seen at most Indigenous events, cleansing the setting with his coolamon and smoking gum leaves — "Where there’s smoke, there’s Uncle Max." A largely self-taught artist from Dharug Country (Blacktown), Hill is the first identified Dhungatti Aboriginal artist to have been selected as a finalist in the Archibald Prize with his pop art-inspired portrait of Uncle Max. Kudos. CARLA FLETCHER — JENNY KEE A pioneer of Australian fashion and an internationally-acclaimed artist in her own right, Jenny Kee is officially one of the most kickass humans on the planet. Fatefully heading along to the launch of Kee’s A new beginning 2015 knitwear collection, Carla Fletcher was struck by the designer's bold, in-face use of colour — something she's obviously brought into this Archibald portrait. For the sitting, Fletcher stayed with Kee in her Blue Mountains studio, going on bushwalks, collecting ochre for the portrait and meditating at the base of waterfalls — how all artistic connections should start. MITCH CAIRNS — PETER POWDITCH Mitch Cairns' genuinely stunning portrait of renowned painter Peter Powditch almost took the top prize. This year's Archibald runner-up, Cairns' work was the result of a visit to the Gallery's recent Pop to popism exhibition, where the artist saw Powditch’s Seascape II 1969. Cairns headed to Powditch's NSW north coast home and painted the celebrated artist in his studio. The result is a wonderfully elegant, angular portrait evoking Powditch's own modernist style, one of the most stop-you-in-your-tracks works of the finalists. ADAM ALCORN — ALICE FRASER An ex-academic, ex-corporate lawyer comedian with a Masters degree in English Literature from Cambridge, sold-out shows at Edinburgh and Melbourne International Comedy Festival, and her own podcast Tea with Alice, Alice Fraser is one of Sydney's secret comedy weapons. Painted by her buddy Adam Alcorn, Fraser's portrait is both figurative and minimal, praised by Leigh Sales in her Archibald Twitter review for having a "wonderfully arresting face". SOPHIA HEWSON — DELIVERED One of the most confronting Archibald portraits this year, Sophia Hewson's self portrait opens up a dialogue on female self-objectification. Paying tribute to different methods of pornography, Hewson’s self portrait came from one of her Melbourne public performance works, in which she intentionally objectified herself as a constructive means for women to claim back ownership of their bodies and reforge their identity in a patriarchal value system. "I can exhibit my sexuality without it amounting to my sexual availability." KIM LEUTWYLER — START THE RIOT Activist, designer, model and found of the fashion label and youth empowerment project House of Riot, Ollie Henderson is a bit of a boss. Using fashion as her weapon of choice, this 26-year-old has started more productive conversations about social change in Australia than many politicians could ever hope to. Kim Leutwyler, who typically creates paintings of LGBTQI-identified and queer-allied women, has rendered her buddy Henderson both figuratively and in abstract form, using the same broad brushstrokes as her globally celebrated 'Start the Riot' t-shirts and giving a rather beautifully complex identity to the activist and feminist member of the LGBTQI community. PAUL RYAN — THIRTEEN NOAHS It's almost physically impossible to not enjoy thirteen renderings of actor Noah Taylor's face. Made even better? When they're painted over curiosities found in junk shops and some of Paul Ryan’s very early works. Ryan, who grew up watching Taylor on the big and small screen, is represented by the same gallery as the actor/artist, Olsen Irwin. They met, and down the track Ryan decided to paint Taylor for the Archibald, referring to the actor's face as "so interesting it practically paints itself." The thirteen Noahs are all depictions of Taylor as a fictional character in fictional films, from Noah the mysterious figure in Murders at the lake, to Noah as a black American pimp in Hawaiian hustle, and Noah in the Australian classic Death on the Murray. This is inevitably one of the most sneakily Instagrammed works in the exhibition. TONY CURRAN — LUKE Sitting for hours for a portrait can be tedious business, often resulting in a stiff, unnatural representation of your subject as staged and uppity as a 17th century Spanish royal court portrait. When Tony Curran wanted to paint Wagga Wagga community leader and Museum of the Riverina manager Luke Grealy, he let Tony roam. "For this portrait, I invited Luke to move freely while I continued to draw and redraw him. I didn’t want to try to capture every aspect of his identity in this painting; instead I wanted to give the sense that the self can continue to grow into new manifestations." The result? An identity both in flux and measured, the perfect rendering of a man who's lived multiple lives as a commercial radio presenter, a city council executive, an electrician and even a masseur. PETER CHURCHER — THE LAST PORTRAIT It's impossible not be moved by Peter Churcher's beautiful portrait of his mother, Betty, who ran the National Gallery of Australia from 1990 to 1997 and was a highly regarded painter and arts administrator. This was the final portrait Churcher made of his mother before she passed away at 84. "Painted just weeks before her death, in her bedroom where she died, I was at the foot of her bed with canvas and easel and my mother lying there, her one still-good eye carefully studying my every move," says Churcher. "I was ordered to turn the canvas around frequently and comments were made such as: “Now, if you tinker around with that mouth I’ll kill you!” I did my best to obey." (DIS)HONORABLE MENTION: CORY BERNARDI BY STEWART MACFARLANE Is that a whip? A riding crop? We're not sure, but we've stood perplexed in front of Stewart MacFarlane's portrait of Liberal South Australian senator Cory Bernardi ever since the Archibald finalists were revealed. Author of The Conservative Revolution and perpetual utterer of WTF statements, Bernardi's been rendered quite lovingly (and quite beautifully) by MacFarlane, who "relates to his honesty and strength in the face of derision." There's two sides to every story, we know, and MacFarlane gives the man who continually links same-sex marriage to polygamy and bestiality heaving praise. "He is no coward. He is approachable, intelligent and charming." Righto. See the Archibald Prize at the Art Gallery of New South Wales until September 27. For more info or to book tickets, head over here.
If you're keen to score good deals on flights and accommodation, then it's never too early to start planning next year's international adventure. Chances are, though, that between Christmas shopping and hitting the beach, you don't have a lot of spare time on your hands. So, we've done some research for you. Here are ten spots around the world that are definitely worth a visit in 2018. For spectacular scenery, head to the Azores Islands off Portugal; for incredible colonial architecture and watery sunsets, try Cartagena in Colombia or Valletta in Malta; for world-class cocktails and Gordon Ramsay-defeating laksa, make tracks to Singapore; and for a live music marathon, there's New Orleans, which is gearing up to celebrate its 300th anniversary. NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA, USA New Orleans turns 300 this year, so prepare for the shindig of all shindigs. Official tricentennial events include gigs, art exhibitions, parties, film screenings and more. There's a block party dedicated to Martin Luther King, a burlesque opera celebrating Tabasco sauce and a concert telling the story of jazz history, among loads of other happenings. 2018 will also mark 13 years since Hurricane Katrina devastated the city, but rebuilding has been extensive and tourist numbers have recovered to pre-2005 numbers (about 10 million visitors annually). In between anniversary parties, head to Bourbon Street for a 24/7 music festival, St Claude Avenue for jazz bars and Royal Street for art galleries. MEXICO CITY, MEXICO With a population of more than 21 million, Mexico City is one of the biggest cities in the world. Once considered a place to avoid, on account of its high crime rate and even higher pollution levels, the metropolis has transformed over the past few years. Public spaces have opened up to emphasise majestic architecture; restaurants and cantinas are flourishing; art exhibitions, live gigs and museum are countless. Be sure to visit the Palacio Nacional, famous for the Diego Rivera murals which convey Mexico's history from the moment the Quetzalcóatl (a serpent god of the Aztecs) arrived to the 1910 Mexican Revolution. CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA Like Mexico City, Colombia was once struck off many travellers' lists for fear of kidnappings, guns and cocaine deals. However, it too, has gone through a bit of a renaissance. The country's most beautiful city is Cartagena, which you'll find on the northern coast, overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Expect dreamy sunsets, stunning 16th century architecture, brightly-coloured flowers and old-fashioned horse and cart. A short boat ride away are the Rosario Islands, part of a national park that offers exceptional snorkelling and diving. Other spots for underwater aficionados include the Providencia and Santa Catalina islands: the gateway to the world's biggest coral reef system. [caption id="attachment_650530" align="alignnone" width="1920"] SDSU[/caption] AZORES ISLANDS, PORTUGAL The extraordinarily beautiful Azores Islands lie in the Atlantic Ocean, about 1,360 kilometres west of Portugal. They form one of the nation's two autonomous regions, the other being Madeira. If you're looking for a nature-centric holiday, this is the place to go to. You'll be wandering along calderas covered in greenery and filled with sparkling lakes, lazing about on subtropical beaches watching out for whales and dolphins (year-round), diving among loggerhead turtles and blue sharks, and walking through intricate cave systems. Even though the Azores are becoming more popular with visitors, the natural environment continues to be well protected by the locals — only 5% has been developed. VALLETTA, MALTA Valletta is the capital of Malta, an island nation in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, about 80 kilometres south of Italy and 284 kilometres east of Tunisia. Described by locals as "the city built by gentlemen for gentlemen", it was created in just 15 years from 1566 — entirely by hand. Not only the complex architecture — dotted with forts, churches, palaces, fountains, sculptures, hidden gardens and narrow alleyways — is spectacular, but the location, too. Valletta covers the rugged Mount Sceberras peninsula, which is flanked by two deep, steep harbours. [caption id="attachment_651184" align="alignnone" width="1920"] John Robinson[/caption] SHEFFIELD, UK Sheffield? You're probably thinking gloomy weather, industrial cityscapes and, of course, steel. While all these things are or have been true of this Northern English city, there's a lot more to it. Firstly, Sheffield is the happiest city in the UK, according to a 2013 survey. Secondly, there's a happening arts scene, which has given rise to several big bands, including Arctic Monkeys, Pulp and Def Leppard. The theatre complex is also the largest outside of London. Thirdly, extensive redevelopment during past few years has added loads of greenery and, if you're keen to get deeper into nature, the Peak District National Park is just next door. [caption id="attachment_651175" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Göran Höglund[/caption] LAYA, BHUTAN While we're on the topic of happiness, let's talk about Bhutan. This tiny Himalayan nation, which lies just east of Nepal, is famous for measuring progress in terms of Gross National Happiness (GNH), instead of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). On top of meeting lots of friendly people, you'll find yourself surrounded by dramatic mountain scapes, ancient monasteries and prayer flags. If you can, venture to Laya, Bhutan's highest settlement — and one of the highest in the world — at 3,800 metres. It's home to just 3,000 indigenous Layap people and every October hosts the Royal Highlander Festival, a celebration of their unique culture. [caption id="attachment_651085" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jasmine Crittenden[/caption] SINGAPORE Have you always struck Singapore off your list because it's "boring" and "sterile"? Such things are often said of this island city found just south of Malaysia, but, get beneath the surface, and you'll discover some diverse, dynamic neighbourhoods — as well as the best laksa on the planet. A good way to start is with a ramble around Little India, which should include curry at Banana Leaf Apollo and chilli crab at Wing Seong Fatty's. After that, head to Katong, home to Singapore's Peranakan population, whose culture combines Chinese, Malay, Indian, Arabic and European influences. Finally, be sure to end a hot day with a stop at one of Singapore's many new cocktail bars, such as the Tippling Club, which came 31st in the 2017 World's Best Bars Awards. More tips are in our Less Obvious Guide To Singapore. [caption id="attachment_651178" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Arian Zwegers[/caption] GEORGIA Georgia is smack bang in the middle of the Caucasus, with the Black Sea to the west, Russia to the north and Turkey to the south. So, on one side, there's beautiful coastline, and the other, rugged mountains. In between, you'll pass flower-dotted meadows, rushing rivers and enchanting villages, with tavernas full of welcoming, carousing locals. Yes, they'll probably expect you to sing. Although tourism is growing, Georgia still has a wild, undiscovered feeling to it. The best way to travel is with an openness to adventure and surprises, rather than a strict itinerary. [caption id="attachment_651191" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Vahid Yarmohammadi[/caption] IRAN Speaking of adventure and surprises — if you're a fan of them, then book a ticket to Tehran, the buzzing, colourful capital of Iran. For a shopping experience you're unlikely to forget, spend a morning getting lost among the mazes of The Grand Bazaar, poring over spices, gold jewellery and handwoven carpets. At the Golestan Palace, you'll get an insight into Iran's royal history; it was here that the Qajars, the country's second to last dynasty, had their seat of power. Think marble fountains, blinding mirror halls and magnificent furniture. The city also has a strong contemporary art scene. Check out Aaran Gallery for work by young artists and A.J for photography.
There's a brand new brunch haven in the north, right on the damn beach. Housed in the Avalon Surf Club, the just-opened waterfront space (dubbed The Avalon on the Beach) is the northern beaches' newest bragworthy spot — doubling up as a slick, casual restaurant and breezy, beachy kiosk. Come summertime, the ground-floor kiosk is likely to be swarmed with afternoon bathers — mirroring equally successful set-ups like Manly Wine, Balmoral's Bathers Pavilion, Tamarama Kiosk and even Coogee Pavilion. Sitting almost on the sand, this pretty little kiosk will be serving up Double Roasters coffee, bacon and egg rolls with tomato chutney, bircher muesli with roasted pistachios, gruyere jaffles, prawn sliders, burgers and Instagrammable ice cream cones by the sea daily. But the clincher? Of course, they'll be cooking up fish and chips for all your nostalgic summer needs. On the upper level of the Avalon Surf Club is the casual dining restaurant; serving 180 degree views of Avalon Beach with your lunch. Open for lunch and dinner daily and breakfast on the weekends, the restaurant features a seasonal menu that has been crafted by newly appointed head chef Athos Galassi and focuses on locally, ethically and sustainably sourced produce as much as possible. You can rock up for bar snacks like prawn rolls, spiced salami nduja bread or Coffin Bay oysters, or if you’re up for something a little more substantial, there’s a hefty lunch and dinner menu. Think blue eye cod al cartoccio, chargrilled spatchcock, spinach and ricotta retolo and the mighty Round Table burger. The Avalon is the newest incarnation of the surf club space, under the direction of Trippas White Group — the huge hospitality group behind 360 Bar and Dining in Sydney Tower, Centennial, Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain restaurants and Queens Park Shed. Find The Avalon on Avalon Beach. The Kiosk is open Tuesday to Sunday from 7am - 4pm, while The Avalon on the Beach restaurant is open Tuesday to Friday midday to late, Saturday 8am to late and Sunday 8am to 5pm.
There's a brand new plant-based eatery in town, and they're putting down roots in Bondi. Which should come as no surprise, really. Having opened this week on the likely location of Bondi Road, The Plant Gallery aims to dispel the notion that healthy cuisine can't also be delicious, serving up raw, nutritious food free from gluten, refined sugars and animal products. And while some of you out there might be sceptical, it actually looks pretty damn good. The Plant Gallery kitchen is helmed by chef Juan Carlos, whose culinary career has taken him from his native Peru to Switzerland and now, finally, to Sydney. Everything on the menu is prepared at temperatures less than 48 degrees and made with ingredients including fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts and seeds. Start you day with banana pancakes served with agave and lime Thai basil syrup, chocolate sauce, fresh fruit and coconut Chantilly cream, or enjoy a Big Breakfast of smoked eggplant 'bacon', onion bread, marinated mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, mung beans in tomato salsa, turmeric sauce and baby spinach. The options at lunch and dinner time are similarly varied, including a sweet onion pizza with a tomato base, nut cheese, caramelised onions, olives, sweet corn and coriander. A Caesar salad made with eggplant, coconut chips, cashew parmesan, paprika bread, nori and sliced avocado is also on the menu, along with a mushroom ceviche dish with lime juice, onion, coriander, ginger, chilli and corn. On the off chance you're not already full to bursting, you can grab dessert in the form of the deconstructed Inca berry cheesecake with cashew cheese and orange nut crumble, or the lucuma mousse with chocolate crumble and special chocolate sauce. The drinks list, meanwhile, includes a number of different flavours of Kombucha and cashew milk, as well as fresh juices, smoothies, teas and non-alcoholic mocktails. A number of the items on the menu can be made to go, while you can also purchase ingredients like Himalayan rock salts and coconut curry chips from their food gallery. The restaurant also plans to feature work by local artists with regular art shows in the near future. The Plant Gallery can be found at 95 Bondi Road, Bondi. For more information and operating hours visit theplantgallery.com.au.
If you work up an appetite while roaming Vivid this year, make tracks to Martin Place, is looking like one of the festival's tastiest, most spectacular hubs for a pit stop. One reason for this is Motti+Smith, who've collaborated with Stagekings on Lux Populi. It's a massive glowing tree made of a kilometre's length of neon rope, which reflects nearby buildings, creating a corridor of light. Beneath the branches, you'll find Porteno, Sydney's legends of Argentinian fare, cooking on a roaring open fire. And joining them will be a bunch of guest chefs, including Luke Powell of LP Quality Meats and Ibrahim Kasif of Stanbuli. Keep an eye on the Vivid-inspired specials menu, which will change weekly. Match your smoky goodness with a pick from the bar, which will be big on boutique drops and crafty numbers from around New South Wales. There'll be gin and vodka by Archie Rose, beer by Cattleyard Brewing and wines by Azure. Come sugar-hit time, step into Motti+Smith's magical Glow Cave Dessert Bar. Inside, you'll be wandering through a wonderland of desserts that glow-in-the-dark, including glowing donuts. Be sure to turn up in your '80s fluoros. Judgement will be left at the cave door, alongside your health kick.
The Plot is back. And this time, it’s heading for Parramatta Park. For those unfamiliar with the name, The Plot is a new music festival that first happened back in 2013 – in Sydney at Luna Park’s Big Top and in Melbourne at the Palace Theatre and Ding Dong Lounge. Locked in for Saturday, December 5 at Parramatta Park it’ll be an epic, summery, outdoor affair, with gorgeous Old Government House at its centre, and the beautifully revived Parramatta River alongside. There’ll be three stages, an abundance of locally-made food featuring local produce, craft beers, boutique wines and an eclectic mix of music from both Australia and overseas. Expect purveyors of Jerusalem street food Knafeh alongside Parramatta’s The Emporium, fusion sandwiches Sundweesh, local brewhouse Riverside Brewery, Hillybilly Cider, Bella Vista Hotel’s Bella Shack’s Burgers, lemonade cocktail lovers Citrus Factory, award-winning brother brewers The Australian Brewery, dumpling experts Yan’s Asian and plenty more. Plus, The Plot is promising to celebrate the diversity and community spirit associated with Sydney’s Greater West. Tickets will go on sale to the general public at 9am on Thursday, October 8 at $69 (+bf). But if you’re a Past Plotter, you’ll score the 2013 price of $45 (+BF). Just keep an eye on your inbox for a unique link that’ll allow you to take advantage of this bargain — it’ll arrive around 9am on Thursday, October 1 and will remain valid until midnight, Wednesday, October 7. After that, you’ll be paying full price. THE PLOT 2015 LINEUP: ANDY GARVEY ART VS SCIENCE ASTA BASENJI BOO SEEKA B WISE CROOKED COLOURS E^ST FRIEND WITHIN (UK) FUTURE LOVE HANGOVER THE GRISWOLDS JAWZ L-FRESH THE LION LUEN LUKE MILLION MATOMA (NOR) THE MEETING TREE NGAIIRE PACES SAFIA SHANTAN WANTAN ICHIBAN SPIT SYNDICATE STONEY ROADS DJS TKAY MAIDZA TUKA URTHBOY UV BOI YOUNG FRANCO triple j Unearthed winner to be announced
Newtown Lebanese restaurant Arabella has been attacked by unidentified vandals, in what appears to be a blatantly racist attack. Early Tuesday morning, the King Street restaurant's windows were smashed and horribly racist messages like 'fuck Arabs' were scratched into the front glass using a key. Speaking to Pedestrian, owner Moey Hachem said he was called by security last night, when the vandalism occurred. Hachem posted images of his damaged restaurant on Facebook, with the caption, "Talking about racist people this what happen at my restaurant (Arabella) tonight at 1.30am and they left racist comments on the glass. Let's see if media pays attention to such event." Sadly, this isn't the first time Hachem and Arabella have been targeted by racist harassment. Hachem told Pedestrian incidents like this have happened before, but after reporting them to Newtown Police Station, nothing happened. He, his family and his employees have been getting phone calls over the 15 years the restaurant has been operating. "The girls that work here, they tell me that they get phone calls from private numbers, with people talking bullshit, talking crap," he said. "Two months ago, when I was away in Lebanon, that happened. Most of my clientèle is Aussie, and I never have problems with Australians, they're really nice — last night was really terrible. "This is not going to stop me loving and respecting Australia — I came to this country at six years old, and I belong to this country, I'm an Aussie." If you've got any information about this attack that could be useful to police, call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Via Pedestrian.
Sydney's schwanky rooftop pool bar, Ivy Pool Club, has had a big ol' revamp just in time for the warmer months. Unveiling a brand new look this week, moving the space from LA-inspired glamour to Italian Riveria-style trimmings, Ivy Pool Club is prepped for a whole new season of poolside lounging, overt splurging and a whole bunch of Italian-themed festivities. To royally christen the refreshed rooftop space, Merivale's crown jewel is hosting a five-day Italian extravaganza over October 19-23: La Dolce Pool Club. Think long table feasts, a decadent pool party and long, boozy lunches with Merivale's best. Here's the rundown. Monday, October 19 will see a free 'Date Night with Sinatra', with cheap pizza and pasta by the pool and live Rat Pack-era music. Then, on the Tuesday, Pool Club joins forces with Uccello for a big long table feast of Italian cocktails and hearty nosh, curated by David Lovett and Vincenzo Biondini. Wednesday will see a free mini Italian market, showcasing Sydney's best Italian cuisine — Italian barbecue, cheese and charcuterie, pizza, and gelato — among live roaming performers and special cocktails from Avión Espresso, Absolut Elyx and Havana Club. Entry is free but numbers are limited so RSVP. Friday is the long, long lunch day, as Mr. Wong’s super chef Dan Hong teamed up with Merivale chefs Danielle Alvarez and Ben Greeno for a huge poolside barbecue feast. La Dolce Pool Club runs October 19-23 at the newly revamped Ivy Pool Club, Level 4, Ivy, 320 George Street, Sydney. Check out all the event details at Merivale's website.
It's Easter. Time to stuff yourself with baby animal-shaped chocolates and cross-covered pastries while feeling absolutely zero shame. To help you make the most of it, here are the best holiday treats making up your Easter hunt this year — from hot cross loaves to raw vegan caramel eggs and hot cross bun ice cream sandwiches. HOT CROSS LOAF AT BOURKE STREET BAKERY A big favourite around Easter time, the Bourke Street Bakery hot cross loaves skip the part where you eat a whole bag of hot cross buns and just give you the loaf-sized portion you know you want. They're available up until Easter Monday at all eleven bakeries, and this year, they're even doing a variation containing Belgian chocolate and cranberry. They're perfect to share around at Easter family gatherings and are great to toast up for breakfast all throughout the Easter season. HOT CROSS BAGELS AT SMOKING GUN A more savoury, chewy alternative to the Easter staple, Smoking Gun's hot cross bagels or 'bunny boilers' are an excellent addition to your long weekend breakfasts. They're full of cloves, coffee grounds, cinnamon, candied citrus peel, white wine (!) and are stacked with fruit — over 2.5 kilograms goes into a 5 kilogram dough mix. Best served with Pepe Saya's coveted cultured butter. HOT CROSS BUN ICE CREAM SANDWICH AT LOVE CREPE Pyrmont's artisanal gelaterie and creperie is teaming up with neighbouring bakery Pioik to bring you a new spin on this Easter classic. The freshly made hot cross buns will be stuffed with Love Crepe's house-made cinnamon gelato ice cream, giving a majorly delicious face lift to the old favourite. This treat will only be available from Wednesday, April 12 through Easter Sunday, so get on in while supplies last. EASTER GARDEN AT KOI DESSERT BAR Innovative dessert crafters Koi are really outdoing themselves for Easter. Among the three specialty desserts they're putting out for the season, the Easter Garden ($20) is the most unusual — resembling, you guessed it, a spring garden. The dish is complete with matcha soil, a tree stump formed from chocolate brownie and edible dew drops. Almond sable, hazelnut praline, popping candy bonbon, dulce caramel, passionfruit curd, raspberry mousse and vanilla anglaise are also present in this decadent dessert, which is available from April 11. SOURDOUGH HOT CROSS BUNS AT BRICKFIELDS Brickfields offer you a different take on the traditional hot cross bun with their own signature sourdough version. Made with whey and mixed with cranberries, currents and sultanas, they're denser then the traditional Easter bun, and somehow extra delicious. Get in early though. DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE AT ADRIANO ZUMBO Adriano Zumbo always gets right into Easter. Along with a special Easter Cake and a wide assortment of bunny shaped chocolates, this year they've come out with 'Down the Rabbit Hole' — a limited-edition carrot cake with lychee gel, cream cheese mousse, ginger and lemon cream and hazelnut sable glaze. If these don't sound like enough toppings, the dessert is completed with toasted hazelnuts, chocolate carrots and mini chocolate Zumbarons. This year, all Zumbo Easter treats are also available in all stores. RAW VEGAN CARAMELLO EGG AT PANA If there's anything more satisfying than biting into a gooey, chocolatey Caramello egg, it's biting into one that isn't even bad for you. Pana's epic raw, vegan, sugar-free, gluten-free and dairy-free caramel lava egg is making its annual Easter appearance, and cult followers couldn't be more ecstatic. We recommend you order online to guarantee your guilt-free fix and avoid disappointment. HAND-PAINTED EASTER GOODIES FROM OH! BOO CHOCOLATES Barangaroo's chocolate shop is adding a personalised touch to treats this Easter by offering hand-painted chocolate bunnies, chooks and eggs. They're offering a whopping 15 different treats, from classic flavours like milk, dark and white chocolates to less conventional flavours like green tea with macadamia and strawberry with coconut. The chocolates can be ordered with a plaque donning a name or Easter greeting of your choice. All of Oh! Boo's chocolates are made from scratch onsite, so you know you're giving, or getting, that little extra love this year. AUSTRALIA'S LARGEST EASTER EGG AT THE GROUNDS OF ALEXANDRIA The Grounds love to celebrate Easter in a big way — say, with a giant Easter egg that is over three metres tall. Australia's largest, in fact. No bookings, pre-orders or payments of any kind are necessary — the 'community cracking' will take place at 2pm on Easter Sunday where patrons are encouraged to show up and fill their bellies with as much chocolate as they like. EASTER BEER AT KEG & BREW Keg & Brew is turning your 'traditional' Easter celebration on its head with a special craft beer offering. Over the duration of the long weekend, patrons can enjoy $6.50 schooners/$8.50 pints of Willie the Boatman's lager, along with Willie The Boatman's Black Bunny Dark Ale. It's an 'Old' style ale using four kinds of dark malts and coffee and chocolate malts. NOT X BUNS AT SONOMA While most of Sydney's baked shop are putting the finishing touches on their bun crosses, Sonoma adorn their sourdough hot buns with their signature S instead — hence the nickname, 'Not X Buns'. Their version is studded with plumped sultanas and cranberries and spiced to perfection. The buns are available in all Sonoma stores right up until Easter Sunday. HONOURABLE SOLD-OUT MENTION: VERUCA SALT 2.0 AT GELATO MESSINA This incredibly lavish, over-the-top golden egg would do Willie Wonka's Veruca Salt proud. The glimmering egg is made of salted caramel gelato, passion fruit puree yolk and a caramelised chocolate crunch base. Topped with passionfruit mousse and passionfruit caramel ganache, then all sitting on a bed of spun sugar and white chocolate feathers, the gooey centre oozes out upon slicing. It's everything we expect from Gelato Messina and then some. Suffice to say these babies are severely sold out. By Marissa Ciampi with Libby Curran and Shannon Connellan.
For one night only (December 15), Sydney Living Museums will bring together some of your favourite artisan foods for their annual Christmas Fare at the Hyde Park Barracks Museum. Featuring up to 50 stalls, this is your chance to grab an edible Christmas present for that difficult to buy for person, in the form of food, or grab a last-minute addition to your Christmas table spread. Sydney's finest artisan producers and stores will be there supplying their gourmet food and artistic wares. There will be a pop-up bar, food stalls serving ready-to-eat food, live entertainment and as a bonus, you'll get free entry to the Hyde Park Barracks Museum for the night. It's your chance to try some of the Sydney icons you've been meaning to tick off. The Christmas Fare food line up features Newtown brewers Young Henrys, our favourite butter company Pepe Saya, fermentation experts Cornersmith, pudding from Black Star Pastry, gourmet marshmallows from Black Pantry and the best bagels money can buy from Brooklyn Boy Bagels. Entry to this festive delight of a food fair will only set you back a gold coin donation. Keep Thursday the 15th from 4pm-9pm free.
Welcome mats be damned; a red neon sign declaring "Everything with tequila" is the best way to be ushered into a venue. It beckons you off the street and downstairs into a dark basement space with hanging wire lamps, potted succulents, booth seating and a cluster of chandeliers above one long table. There are underplayed touches of the Mexican influence throughout, but it's more a stylish hang-out for suits than a dive bar to swill Tecate. A spinoff of the once popular Kings Cross restaurant/bar Barrio Chino, it features a cocktail list that makes good on the promise of that neon sign, with seven variations of the classic margarita and a huge selection of signature cocktails — championing tequila and mezcal. Barrio Cellar used to have a secret menu that featured a bowl of fries with guacamole, salsa and chunks of steak, but everything is written out these days. Try some loaded fries and tuna poke nachos, or get around some of the nine different tacos. Come Tuesday, these bad boys are all $5 each — an absolute steal. Burgers, quesadillas and churros round out the rest of the menu, with a $50 set menu available to those who want to feast without the fuss of choosing what to order. Barrio Cellar works equally well for those just wanting tequila and snacks, and groups of diners looking for a big night out of eating and drinking in the city. Appears in: Sydney's Best Underground Bars for 2023
What would you do if you were a little less freaked out by consequences? Would you talk to more new people, fear a bit less, dance a little more like FKA Twigs, quit your desk job and start that no-guarantees creative career you've always had in the back of your mind? Some sparkling young Australians are already flinging their inhibitions into a ziplock bag and seizing this little ol' life with both hands. Concrete Playground has teamed up with the Jameson crew to give you a sneak peek into the lives of bold characters who took a big chance on themselves. They've gone out on a limb and rewritten their path, encapsulating 'Sine Metu', the Jameson family motto which translates to 'without fear' — getting outside your comfort zone and trying something new. After all, we only get one shot at this. Take notes. Who doesn't want to watch movies all day, and get paid for the privilege? That's not all Kate Jinx does as the director of programming at Sydney's Golden Age Cinema and Bar; however finding challenging features you wouldn't see elsewhere and championing under-appreciated classics really is how she has made a living since the boutique theatrette opened in September 2013. It's what Kate herself calls "a ridiculous job", and given that she previously studied graphic design then lectured in the field, worked for record labels as well as triple j and FBi Radio, it almost didn't happen. Of course, you don't give up the great gig of designing album covers, start chatting about movies on the radio, and then score the dream position of programming an indie cinema without channelling a little Sine Metu. LISTEN TO YOUR INNER CHILD, EVEN IF SHE'S SKIPPING SCHOOL "What do you want to be when you grow up?" is a question all kids are asked, but when Kate was a child, it was a fondness for skipping school that provided her with the best answer. Whenever she could, she would miss class to indulge in her cinema obsession — aka watch Bill Collins' midday film on TV. "I was always coming down with something so that I could stay home and watch a movie," she says. Kate didn't quite take heed of her younger self straight away, though — and, let's face it, who really thinks they're going to be able to make watching movies their actual job? Instead, she leapt into graphic design, worked for triple- j and forged the kind of career others might be envious of, until she recognised that something was missing. MAKE YOUR OWN OPPORTUNITIES — AND ANSWER THE PHONE WHEN IT RINGS Kate realised that graphic design was work for her, and that her out-of-hours film pursuits were her real passion. hosting a movie-focused show on Sydney's FBi Radio — initially called Too Much, and then Picture Show — was filling up all of her free moments, while her designer peers were spending "all their time reading about it [graphic design] and researching, and going to conferences, and talking to other designers about what they were doing and the best new typeface. "Every hour I wasn't being a designer at triple j, I was putting into this radio show that I wasn't being paid for. And who knew if there was anyone apart from my dad listening to it? But I just found myself always doing those other things, and eventually I decided to transition into doing that full time." Changing course from the career you went to university for — particularly when you've been enjoying more than a small amount of success in your chosen field — is a big, bold, bad-ass move. Not only did Kate put her nose to the grindstone and turn her FBi Radio experience into a regular gig — something that would see her interviewing everyone from Miranda July to Steven Soderbergh — but she paved the way for more opportunities to come — everything from film criticism, to DJing to working on her PhD on archival cinema. Indeed, it was Kate's pursuit of film not just as a hobby but as a full-time profession, that lead her to Golden Age. "It was through doing that radio show that I got into film curation," Kate recalls. "I just got a phone call out of the blue one day asking if I wanted to curate a cinema that was about to open. And you know, I thought it was a prank call at first. It's not every day that you get a call like that." REMEMBER, IT'S CALLED DIY CULTURE FOR A REASON Kate's determination to chase her dreams was less of a choice and more a culmination of a life spent challenging the norm and going after whatever she set her mind upon.. In fact, that's just how she has handles everything. If she wants to make something happen, it's under way. Anyone that has glimpsed over her Golden Age programming choices over the years — including showing Aussie punk flick Dogs in Space on the venue's opening weekend, and hosting Sydney's only screenings of Iranian feminist vampire western A Girl Who Walks Home Alone At Night — can see how that attitude influences her professionally. "I was so inspired by DIY culture," says Kate. "I wanted to be a writer, so I made zines. And then I wanted to be involved in music, so I put on a night and DJ-ed and learnt to DJ. It was just that sort of idea of just going after what you want. And trying really hard not to feel like an imposter or feel too scared to voice your opinion if it's a bit different." With an approach like that, it's little wonder that Kate has scored not just her fantasy job, but everyone else's (if you're not jealous of how she spends her days, then we think you're fibbing). That's what a DIY ethos and a willingness to stray away from the safe path can achieve, as Kate has demonstrated in everything from selling her own zines in record stores, to putting on film-based performances, to screening Ukrainian sign-language drama The Tribe, a movie that Golden Age's audiences both loved and were left speechless by. She may have had "about four careers" by now, as she freely acknowledges, but they've all lead her to doing what she loves. In fact, the only fear she has about her decisions to date is of "one day not having a job that I love this much." [embed]https://vimeo.com/161925203[/embed] Want to experience a little bit of 'Sine Metu' yourself? Thanks to Jameson and The Rewriters, one extremely fortunate Concrete Playground reader (and their even more fortunate mate) will get the chance to 'fear less' and go on a big ol' adventure to Ireland. In addition to two return flights departing from your choice of Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane, this epic giveaway comes with five night's accommodation and $500 spending money you can use to paint the Emerald Isle red. ENTER HERE. For more about how 'Sine Metu' influenced John Jameson's journey visit Jameson's website.
Smoking Gringos is a viral Mexican restaurant from an acclaimed Sydney hospo veteran that arrived on Muru Way in Blacktown in 2023. The Western Sydney Mexican restaurant is led by Richard Borg and Jade Jackson. Borg brings experience from a storied culinary career to his latest venture, having previously worked across Momofuku and Park Hyatt before opening Surry Hills' Master and Burger Head in Penrith with a group of mates. Over the last few years, he's been working under the Smoking Gringos name, serving up juicy barbecued meats — first in Kingswood and then out of the kitchen at Newtown pub Websters. Now, Smoking Gringos has reemerged in Western Sydney, bringing its passion for perfectly tender meat to a new canvas: birria tacos. The idea to open a Mexican joint was first fostered after doing a birria special in Kingswood, which Borg says customers "went ballistic" for. "A lot of the birria we've had in Sydney kind of misses the mark," he told Concrete Playground. "We make all the meat before we finish it in the broth to give it a bit more body — a bit more flavour." The specialty at Smoking Gringos is the quesa taco, a three-corn tortilla dipped in marinade and fried before being topped with three kinds of cheese, coriander, onion and your choice of beef or chicken. Each serve is paired with pickled onions, lime, consommé for dipping, and a selection of salsas made fresh in-house every day — the habanero is the chef's favourite. If you want to take things up a notch, opt for the mulitas, which Borg describes as a "quesa taco on steroids". A dish popular in Los Angeles, the mulitas closely resembles a quesadilla, piling toppings between two of the fried quesa tortillas. Nachos and loaded fried round out the menu, with plans to introduce a burrito in the coming weeks. If things go to plan, Borg and Jackson say we may even see more Smoking Gringos stores or a roaming food truck pop up. Watch this space.
In this often hectic world, sometimes you need to unplug in order to recharge. You know — switch that fast-paced city life for a healthy dose of Mother Nature and a few deep breaths of fresh, country air. Luckily, you don't have to venture too far from the big smoke for a taste of off-the-grid living, with secluded eco-friendly cabins and delightfully makeshift rooms to be found all across the state. Switch off, disconnect and enjoy a much needed slice of serenity at one of these five NSW off-grid stays. UNYOKED TINY HOUSES, VARIOUS LOCATIONS Aussie company Unyoked delivers an off-the-grid experience that'll see you disappearing to your own private tiny house in the wilderness, miles from any sign of human interference. The company has four solar-powered sustainable tiny houses in NSW, each set in a secret patch of wilderness on a private property an easy drive from Sydney. Eco-friendly features like composting toilets and zero wi-fi invite you to disconnect from your regular life, though fixtures like cosy beds, hot showers and gas stoves will keep you super comfortable while you do so. WILDERNESS HUT AT WEILHOUSE LIVING, HERNANI If you're a sucker for a bit of rustic charm, then WeilHouse Living's eco-friendly wilderness hut could be the off-grid experience of your dreams. Keep that carbon footprint to a minimum while you get a taste of proper country living, surrounded by magical Aussie bush and farmland. The cheery home-spun space has been crafted from mainly recycled timber, runs on solar power and has been fitted out with a slow-combustion stove and gas cooktop, an outdoor bathroom with shower and toilet, and an old-fashioned ice box instead of a fridge. Spend your days hiking the surrounding national parks and your evenings kicking back playing board games by the fire. BUBBLETENT, CAPERTEE VALLEY Have you ever dreamed of spending the night in a giant transparent bubble, with the twinkling stars in full view above you? Well, now you can, thanks to Bubbletent's Aussie-first inflatable glamping tent, which sits in a remote pocket of a working farm, between Mudgee and Lithgow. Overlooking the Capertee Valley, this hi-tech bubble tent has a zero carbon footprint. But while it's off-grid, it certainly doesn't skimp on comfort, boasting a plush queen-sized bed, cooking facilities and a separate bathroom area complete with compost toilet and a sink with pump water. There's even a telescope for late-night stargazing sessions from the comfort of your bed. Getting a booking might be tricky though — so good luck. JR'S HUT AT KIMO ESTATE, GUNDAGAI This architecturally impressive A-frame hut sits proudly atop a hill boasting 360-degree views of the surrounding Kimo Estate, a 7000-acre working farm near Gundagai. Here, you can soak up morning mist, wandering sheep, the meandering Murrumbidgee River and distant mountain ranges, all without getting out of bed. The hut itself offers modern looks and luxe furnishings, and is entirely off-grid, featuring a solar-powered shower, a fire and a barbecue. Pull up a seat on the sun-drenched front deck and you'll feel both at one with nature and on top of the world. SIERRA ESCAPE, MUDGEE Set amongst the rolling hills of Mudgee, about 260 kilometres northwest of Sydney, the idyllic Sierra Escape will find you getting back to nature in style, offering a luxury glamping experience to take your breath away. The property's opulent off-grid tent set-up features a comfy king-sized bed, a crackling wood fireplace, a camp stove and fridge, and floor-to-ceiling windows making the most of those sweeping views. Throw in a freestanding bath, rain water shower and a proper flushing toilet, and you might just forget why you ever lived in the city in the first place. Top image: WeilHouse Living.
Dim sum powerhouse Tim Ho Wan, the cheapest Michelin-starred restaurant in the world, has picked Australia as its first ever venture outside South-East Asia. Set to open in Chatswood on Saturday, March 28, Tim Ho Wan is one of the year's most anticipated restaurant openings we've seen in a while. The original Tim Ho Wan eatery in Hong Kong, led by ex-Four Seasons Hong Kong dim sum chef Mak Kwai Pui, has been attracting hordes of local and international visitors ever since it opened in 2009. A star rating by arguably the world’s most prestigious food guide the year after raised the dim sum stakes and a chain of Tim Ho Wan restaurants in the region quickly followed. Now, it’s Australia’s turn to break open a piping hot pork bun and see what all the fuss is about. The dim sum specialists are set to open three stores in Sydney, starting with the Chatswood outlet this weekend. A flagship Sydney store on George Street is scheduled for an October 2015 opening and Burwood's eatery will open in the third quarter of 2015. Melburnians can expect some Tim Ho Wan goodness in late April and a Brisbane store is possibly in the works too. So what's in store for the menu? Of course, Tim Ho Wan's 'Big Four Heavenly Kings' will be making an appearance: think pan-fried carrot cake, baked pork buns, vermicelli rolls stuffed with pig's liver and steamed egg cakes. Including these four signature dishes, Chef Mak Kwai Pui will be teaming up with acting executive chef Eric Koh to create a menu of 25 fresh made-to-order dim sum treats. And how cheap is the world’s cheapest Michelin-starred restaurant? A Tim Ho Wan in the Philippines has no menu item over the equivalent of $5.17 so similarly bang-for-your-buck prices can be expected when the chain trickles into the country this year. With an emphasis on freshness and made-to-order everything, Tim Ho Wan is likely to follow in the footsteps of fellow fawned over international imports, Ippudo and Hot Star. For everyone except the Sydneysiders who can make reservations, that means some long queues and serious waits. Anything for cheap, Michelin-starred dim sum though, right? Tim Ho Wan is located at Corner of Victoria Avenue and Railway Street, Chatswood. Open daily from March 28, from 10am to 9pm. For more information head over here.
Still coming to terms with the fact that the Newtown Social Club's gig-hosting days have come to an end? Us too. But — for better or for worse — when one door closes, another one opens. And come this Thursday, July 6, the same doors will swing into action — but this time they'll reveal a mini-golf bar. Yes, the old NSC bandroom is becoming an indoor 18-hole mini-golf course. The new venue is called Holey Moley Golf Club, and it comes to Sydney after opening in Brisbane last September and Melbourne earlier this year. Set to open at noon, the bar will pair putt putt and pints across the two-storey King Street space. Every stop on each of the two nine-hole courses is themed within an inch of its life, so you can putt in The Simpsons' living room, through a Mouse Trap-like contraption, into the iconic Luna Park mouth and underneath a donkey with a Donald Trump for an ass. It's as batshit crazy as it sounds. We hope Holey Moley isn't simply filling one of Sydney's many struggling live venues with a gimmick, and their parent company Funlab have advised that music will remain a feature with regular DJ sets. Drinks-wise, expect cocktails from The Caddyshack Bar and a bao station for bites between holes. Newtown isn't the only spot on Holey Moley's expansion trail either, with an Adelaide venture due to open in May. Holey Moley Golf Club will open at 387 King Street, Newtown at noon on Thursday, July 6. Keep an eye on their website for more information. Images: Tom Wilkinson.
Celebrate two centuries of whisky excellence with "The Macallan x Park Hyatt: A Journey Through Time," an exclusive event hosted at The Bar at Park Hyatt Sydney from July 10 until August 31. This unique whisky experience marks The Macallan's 200th birthday with a curated flight of Rob Roy cocktails, masterfully crafted by bar manager Kevin Botte. A Rob Roy is a Scottish twist on a classic Manhattan cocktail, but swapping out the bourbon for a Scottish dram — in this case, The Macallan. [caption id="attachment_970876" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kevin Botte[/caption] During the cocktail flight, guests will be served three twists on a Rob Roy representing the past, present and future of the renowned whisky brand. Begin your journey with a cocktail highlighting The Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old, celebrating the brand's storied past. Progress to the present with a creation featuring The Macallan Double Cask 15 Years Old, and imagine the future with a cocktail crafted from the limited-edition Harmony Collection Amber Meadow. Guests will also receive a full-serve cocktail of their choosing and indulge in a thoughtfully paired two-course dinner from The Dining Room's culinary team. With the Park Hyatt's picturesque Sydney Harbour backdrop, it makes for an ideal setting and a top choice to treat the whisky-lover in your life — especially if that is you.
Who knew that the three key ingredients to a good night out were hip hop, cheese and wine? Lewis Jaffrey and Jared Merlino, the two masterminds behind Big Poppa's, definitely did. "It seems so obvious now that we've built it, but we really didn't know it would be so popular," says Jaffrey. "The idea came from the fact that Jared and I were hanging out and listening to R&B and hip hop and spending thousands — literally thousands of dollars — on good cheese and wine," he says. Unlike most excellent ideas conceived over a few too many, these two hospitality vets (Jaffrey is ex-operations manager at The Baxter Inn, Frankie's and Shady Pines while Merlino is behind The Lobo Plantation and Kittyhawk) put their money where their cheese hole — uh, mouth — is. Cue Big Poppa's, an ode to Biggie Smalls in the old Hello Sailor digs on Oxford Street. The renos have seen the space transformed into a compact restaurant upstairs with a small bar, bare brick walls, candle lights and an attractive leather banquette. It's definitely date territory, without being stuffy. Downstairs is a bigger, darker cocktail bar area, which also serves cheese and snacks. In case you hadn't already caught on, cheese is kind of a big deal here, with about 80 percent of the menu containing it and about 25 cheeses on offer for before/during/after dinner. But don't overlook the rest of the food. Created by chefs Liam O'Driscoll and Jase Barron, it's smart casual Italian, with the likes of kingfish crudo ($17.5), clams with guanciale ($19), baked eggplant with five (five!) types of cheese ($27) and a snappy shaved zucchini salad ($15). The highlight though was the single best piece of burrata I've ever tasted, served with heirloom tomatoes, toasted farro and fig vincotto ($21). The wine list is pretty sexy — mostly Italian with a good range by the glass like a lovely Soave from Veneto ($12). There's plenty to like in the bottle section under $100, or you can just sip Champagne when you're thirsty. In a rare occurrence in this lockout-laden city, BP's is open and serving food till 3am. "We want to show the council and the police that we can operate responsibly as a restaurant, and that people like us want to come in and eat and drink till late and not cause a problem," says Jaffrey. You mean, show them that grown ups can act like, er, grown ups? "Exactly." Get in early though — it fills up fast and they don't take reservations. There's a pleasant lack of attitude on the floor, lead by the affable Jaffrey himself. I bet it's the kind of place you could eat a whole wheel of cheese and no one would even be mad. The tunes, which are loud enough to do that weird shoulder-shaking chair dance thing, seriously make this venue – and even if hip hop ain't your thing, the atmosphere might convert you. The cocktails too are on-point — as is, well, everything about this place. It seems cheese, wine and hip hop is the perfect combo. And if you don't know, now you know. Oxford Street's home of hip hop, cheese and cocktails is giving us even more to love with its new aperitivo hour dedicated to the latter two. From 5–7pm every weekday, Big Poppa's is serving up four $10 cocktails and three heavily discounted cheeses. Knock off work a little earlier and head to the upstairs bar or underground lounge for $10 negronis, martinis and spritzes paired with $7 wedges of brillat savarin, parmigiano reggiano and blue cheese (that's half the regular price). The cheeses come paired with jams, honey, fruit and bread, too. Images: Bodhi Liggett.
This year, Sydney Harbour's New Year's Eve extravaganza will be inspired by an artwork of a much smaller scale — a intricate paper creation by Surry Hills artist and paper engineer Benja Harney. You'll have spied Harney's playful piece, which was commissioned by the City of Sydney, on NYE promo banners and public transport signage across town. Now, it's been revealed that the artwork also played a crucial role back in the planning stages, when creative agency Imagination were dreaming up the fireworks, projections, and light displays set to take over Sydney Harbour next week. Crafted from thousands of pieces of handcut paper, Harney's multi-layered design is the culmination of over 600 hours of work and more than likely a fair few papercuts. Featuring over 75 individual pieces and depicting 20 different native species, it's a fun, papery homage to the artist's favourite city. The iconic crests of the Opera House are represented by a waratah, a thong stands in place of a city skyscraper, and sparkly paper explosions capture the magic of those NYE fireworks. While the world will get to see it all come to life during next weekend's midnight spectacular, the vibrant work is also set to become a part of the City of Sydney's art collection.
Picture this: a cosy, wooden structure somewhere remote, away from the hustle and bustle — and far, far away from mobile phone coverage — of your everyday life, perhaps with a fireplace and/or some kind of heated outdoor bathing fixture. You know the kind of place we're talking about. In fact, you're fantasising about it right now, aren't you? Take a coffee break and take a scroll through some of the world's most dreamy winter cabins that you can actually stay in. We've teamed up with NESCAFÉ to help you take the desk break you, as a hardworking human being, deserve. So start planning your worldwide cold weather escape — we promise none of them were featured in a Joss Whedon-written, Chris Hemsworth-starring horror movie. [caption id="attachment_580297" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Justin Muir[/caption] FOSSICKERS HUT, MARLBOROUGH, NEW ZEALAND Want to go off the grid? Well you've found your place. Fossickers Cottage is located just an hour from Nelson in NZ's Marlborough region, but it feels at least nine hours away from any kind of civilisation. The stunning early settler-style hut is the perfect perch in the middle of the bush right next to the amazingly clear water of the Wakamarina River. Along with a cosy kitchen room and bedroom (with a loft up top for a few extra mates), there's also a fire-heated outdoor bath. It doesn't get much better than that. LAKE O'HARA LODGE, CANADIAN ROCKIES, CANADA If you're looking for an old-school cabin that really does feel like it's in a movie (but sans scares), then Lake O'Hara Lodge is the place to be. This is the type of cabin that Parks and Recreation's Ron Swanson would be proud of — well, aside from the fact that it's in the Canadian Rockies. Constructed in 1926, it's the perfect spot for skiing in winter, hiking in summer, and enjoying the serenity of British Columbia's Yoho National Park all year round. Their one-bedroom lakeshore cabins are of the 'no muss, no fuss' variety, boasting little more than a queen bed for sleeping, a day bed for relaxing, and a deck for looking out at the world. It's just what you need after a long day revelling in the splendour of the site's surroundings. UFOGEL, NUSSDORF, AUSTRIA Whichever way you look at it, there's nowhere quite like Austria's unique Ufogel cabin. You can take that literally, given the mountain hideaway's inimitable design, or you can see it as a statement on the once-in-a-lifetime experience you're bound to have in the one-of-a-kind structure in the village of Nussdorf. Inside, expect wood as far as the eye can see; the entire compact building is completely made of it. Bring a few mates — the place can sleep up to five — and don't waste your time wondering about the name. It's a blend of UFO and vogel, the German term for bird, as inspired by the structure's distinctive appearance. CHALET JEJALP, MORZINE, FRANCE Who hasn't fantasised about a snowy sojourn holed up in a chalet? If you like wintry sports, it's the ideal break: you'd hit the slopes when the sun is shining, and then enjoy the facilities inside looking out over the frosty valley of an evening. Chalet Jejalp is the exact place you want to get snowed in; the house includes a double-height glass wine cellar, bar, pool table, gym, sunken jacuzzi, sauna, cinema room, and on-site chef and chauffeur. Yep, this is the kind of place you need to win the lotto to stay in — but you know it'd be totally worth it. MOONBAH HUT, NEAR JINDABYNE, AUSTRALIA If you stay local, prepare to do some driving to get your Aussie cabin fix. But if you're willing to commit, the rewards really are stunning. Moonbah Hut is located on private frontage on the Moonbah River, the Snowy Mountains' cleanest, most unspoilt home for trout. Give your fishing muscle a flex from your front doorstep, while keeping an eye out for wildlife, from wombats to deer to brumbies. Or bunker down inside, with a huge, stone open fireplace for company. Previous guests have taken the experience next level and invited personal chefs along for an evening. Spanish chef Miguel Maestre is among those to have done the honours. LION SANDS GAME RESERVE, SABI SANDS, SOUTH AFRICA Cabins come in all shapes, sizes and heights — and suited to all climates, too. Your idea of a winter cabin might involve snuggling up by the fire; however if you head to Lion Sands Game Reserve in South Africa, it could involve hanging out in a treehouse, spotting wild animals and gazing at the stars as you nod off to sleep. Constructed out of wood and glass, their Kingston treehouse is designed to welcome visitors all-year-round, so there's no need to worry about any inclement weather. And if that's not enough to tempt you, how about this: it comes complete with a wooden drawbridge. Yes, really. EAGLE BRAE LOG CABINS, SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS, SCOTLAND That ideal image of a wood log cabin you've been dreaming about? Well, that's what you'll find at Eagle Brae. Their seven two-storey open-plan dwellings have been hand-built using massive western redcedar logs sourced from the forests of Canada. And although it's cold, the cabins feature log-burning stoves to keep you warm. Indeed, if there's ever been a place tailor-made for staying indoors and snuggling up, this is it — though there's plenty to see outside, of course. That's where you'll find out just how the Scottish Highlands got their name, spot plenty of wildlife, and maybe even go salmon fishing as well. AZUR LUXURY LODGE, QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND Talk about a room with a view — and a bed and a bath too. If it's a private villa with stunning lake and mountain sights available from every available floor-to-ceiling window that you're after, then Azur Luxury Lodge has you covered. So it's not exactly a 'cabin', but when you're hanging out by the fire with a glass of wine, you're not going to concerned with specifics. Plus, for those who just can't unplug from the outside world completely, the Queenstown resort offers the best of both worlds, with all the mod cons like Wi-Fi in the middle of a gorgeous natural setting. BODRIFTY ROUNDHOUSE, CORNWALL, ENGLAND Centuries ago, in Celtic villages in the Iron Age, chiefs slept in thatched roundhouses. Seeing one is quite a sight, particularly since there's only a handful of replicas littered throughout the world — but spending a night in one? Well, that's something else. At Bodrifty in Cornwall, you can do just that. As well as marvelling at the experimental architecture, you can set up camp inside and stoke the open firebowl as well. And while it might appear as though you're stepping back in time, expect a touch of luxury when it comes to sleeping, as visitors will relish the modern comfort of a four-poster bed. POST RANCH INN, BIG SUR, USA Perched atop the cliffs of Big Sur in California, Post Ranch Inn provides several riffs on the cabin experience. Everyone wants a bit of rustic charm — and you'll get that here in a variety of accommodation types, including circular houses inspired by redwood trees and stand-alone treehouses. Choose from mountain or ocean views, and enjoy a dip in two infinity pools, a spot of fine dining and everything from yoga to nature walks while you're there. Okay, so this one's a modern interpretation of a cabin — but hey, who doesn't want to try that at least once? Words by Sarah Ward with Jasmine Crittenden. Top image: Justin Muir.
People in New Zealand's South Island are generally an active bunch. There is so much adventuring to do that your visit to the Christchurch region will most likely be packed with hikes, fishing trips, seal swims and mountain biking trips. After all of that, you're going to want to wind down, soothe your nerves and relax a little. Luckily the Christchurch region has just as much to offer to those who want to take life a little slower, and enjoy the creature comforts. Whether you're soaking in the warmth of the region's natural hot springs, glamping in luxurious nature at Lavericks Bay or sampling a couple of cheeky vinos at Black Estate, it's easy to kick back and relax in Christchurch. We've shouldered the heavy burden and picked five of the region's most relaxing activities — so you can take it easy. RIDE THE SCENIC TRANZALPINE TRAIN If you're looking to relax and explore at the same time, board the TranzAlpine train at Christchurch and wind your way through towering beech forests, over the Southern Alps and across the sweeping Canterbury Plains. You'll feel at ease in the comfort of the on-board cafe and cabins which are fitted with wide wall and ceiling windows, through which you can enjoy the views of majestic snow-capped mountains. Take the day trip returning from picturesque Arthur's Pass to Christchurch, or ride the whole way and several hours later you'll arrive at unspoiled Greymouth on New Zealand's West Coast, the ideal base from which to explore the world-renowned Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers, or perhaps hide away and relax somewhere beautiful and isolated. TASTE TEST LOCAL WINE AT BLACK ESTATE Black Estate has rustic, locally-sourced food, wine made on-site and good times guaranteed, all in a picturesque vineyard setting. Less than an hour drive from Christchurch's city centre, you'll know you've arrived when you see Black Estate's minimalist, black barn cellar door. It's set at the foot of a burnt orange hill covered in dry grass and bordered by acres of lush vines. All wine is made on-site by a fella named Nicholas, who believes in simple winemaking using organic locally sourced ingredients free of unnecessary additives. Nicholas's wife Penelope takes care of the business and restaurant, where they serve rustic country cuisine like Canter Valley duck and organic greens, or Akaroa salmon caught just down the road. Pop in, stay a while and indulge in the best cuisine, wine and hospitality that the Canterbury region has to offer. WARM UP AT THE HANMER SPRINGS THERMAL POOLS A quick 90-minute drive from Christchurch you'll find Hanmer, a small alpine town rich with character. This little region is like the setting of an adventure film, with old Victorian cottages set against a backdrop of rugged mountains and towering pine trees. The town's main attraction is Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa — the ultimate in slow paced, remote relaxation. Dip your tired body into naturally heated water and soothing rock pools, or perhaps treat yourself to a day of pampering at the premium on-site spa. SPEND THE NIGHT IN A PRIVATE GLASSHOUSE If you fancy spending a night stargazing and surrounded by nature in your own private glasshouse, then the completely isolated, sustainable PurePods that are scattered around New Zealand are perfect for you. Each PurePod has walls, a floor and ceiling made of heavy-duty glass, so you can see everything from the stars above you to the nature beneath your feet. The PurePod in Little River (just over an hour out of Christchurch) is a ten to 15 minute bush walk away from reception, so you're sure to get some peace and quiet for a night. Food packages can be ordered when you book, so you won't need to leave for a whole 24 hours — you'll only need to sit back and immerse yourself in the 360-degree views of the beautiful New Zealand landscape. CANOPY CAMP IN LAVERICKS BAY Under the clean white folds of a spacious tent, look out over the lush farmland and rolling waves of Lavericks Bay. This is glamping how it should be, with your own private black sand cove to relax in that's only an hour and 40 minute drive from Christchurch. Bathe and sunbathe at the same time in the outdoor bath on the campsite, or relax with a book on your own private deck. There are exposed rockpools at low tide and the appearance of Hector's dolphins and seals is not uncommon around your 'campsite'. Maybe you've been to New Zealand's North Island, but have you ever ventured down South? Christchurch, and New Zealand's surrounding Canterbury region, is the perfect place for a quick holiday. Use our planning guide to book your trip, then sort out your itinerary with our food, adventure and nature guides. Top image: Black Estate.
You've tried a pisco sour, but have you had a pisco margarita or a pisco-spiked cosmopolitan? What about a pisco espresso martini? At King Street locale Calle Rey, you'll find all four. It's showcasing the true potential of this under-represented Peruvian spirit at its Diablo Pisco Bar alongside scrumptious plant-based dishes. There is a range of pisco cocktails on offer from a classic pisco sour to more unusual combinations like the pisco espresso which is similar to an espresso martini but a touch sweeter. If you can't choose, you can opt for the pisco-tasting flight with four of the most popular pisco cocktails — available on Thursdays. For something a little 'extra,' you can go for the enormous (and seriously sweet) 'Largaritas', which come topped with either a Vodka Cruiser or a Sol beer — and could easily be shared between four. The Newtown restaurant offers a 100% plant-based menu that melds Mexican, Peruvian and Japanese cuisines. About 90% of the menu is made in-house from some of the faux-meat options to the sauces. At Calle Rey, you'll find cauliflower buffalo wings in a smoky barbecue sauce; 'chicken' nachos (aka jackfruit) topped with guacamole and sour cream; and 'cheeseburger', 'smoked chicken' and crowd favourite 'fried calamari' tacos (konjac) — all of which are made with vegan ingredients, but do a fair job of making you think otherwise. On the Japanese fusion side, there's the sweet chilli togerashi cauliflower with wasabi mayo, black and white sesame, spring onions and crisp shallots. For a true taste of the menu offerings, you can choose between two set menus — The Calle Rey set or the Japanese Fusion — or opt for the 'Taco Experience', available Tuesday to Thursday which includes all of the available tacos. There are also share plates and midweek specials to ensure you get the best bang for your buck.
Working from home has its undeniable perks. Your day begins in your own space, minus long crowded commutes, cramped office cubicles and strained water-cooler conversation. And if you feel like wearing pyjamas the whole damn day, there's no-one to judge. But this no-rules workplace can quickly become all too comfortable. Pot plants and pets can only go so far to providing stimulating companionship. Plus freedom and procrastination virtually go hand-in-hand. That's where the 'coffice' comes in. Work-friendly coffee shops give artists, writers and freelancers a change of pace from their solitary spaces. These ten are our favourite places to head when that mid-morning creativity slump kicks in. All are mostly quiet, relaxed enough to accommodate long sittings and have free Wi-Fi thrown in. 107 PROJECTS CAFE, REDFERN Nestled in the artist-run 107 Projects, the 107 Cafe feels more like a good mate's laidback living room that just happens to have a coffee machine tucked in the corner. Frequented by resident artists and locals looking for an excuse to get out of the house, the space features roomy, sun-drenched tables; indoor and outdoor seating; and the kind of shambolic interior design to get those creative juices flowing. BERKELOUW BOOKS' 1812 CAFE, PADDINGTON Surround yourself with stacks of intellectual inspiration at this cosy cafe bookstore space. With plenty of bar and table seating around, you'll be ticking boxes and meeting deadlines in no time. This place is a coffice classic; you'll notice your fellow patrons either tapping away at laptops or talking through low-key meetings. And if energy levels drop and hunger strikes, fear not. Their menu of homemade baked goods and healthy lunch dishes will keep you fuelled and firing all day long. COPO CAFE AND DINER, DRUMMOYNE Serving up South American-inspired eats just minutes from The Bay Run of Iron Cove, Copo Cafe and Diner is the perfect spot to spend an afternoon working away in the sun. Head to the terrace for a view of the surrounds, or tuck yourself away inside the cafe's laidback lower level. With lush greenery at every turn and spacious seating (so you'll never feel in the way), this is just the place for those needing a change of scenery to get their to-do list done. THE HILL EATERY, BONDI The Hill Eatery gives Bondi-goers the perfect blend of relaxed cafe dining and stunning beachside views. Their wholesome menu of locally sourced ingredients, with everything from egg and bacon rolls and hearty beef burgers to gourmet salads (plus an assortment of freshly baked treats), will keep you truly well fed. Nab a spot on their uber-comfy cushioned benches, or grab a table under their iconic curved window. If you can avoid daydreaming about the water, it's a killer spot to spend a chilled working afternoon. FLEETWOOD MACCHIATO, ERSKINEVILLE Tucked away in the leafy streets of the inner-west, Fleetwood Macchiato answers all your coffice needs. Brimming with tasty snacks and a team ready to deliver every coffee call, it's the perfect weekday space for creative folk and freelancers to set up camp. Their small tables make solo visits perfectly acceptable, but be warned, this isn’t a place to head during the busy weekend rush. Get the timing right, and you'll be greeted with a cosy little gem serving some pretty incredible seasonal dishes. Image by Sacha Fernandez. CLEVELAND'S, REDFERN Decked out with some of the cutest interiors around, Cleveland's is a barber meets coffee shop with a difference. Pumping out brews courtesy of beans sourced from The Little Marionette and whipping up feeds featuring locally sourced produce courtesy of Brickfields, Farmer Jo and Sticky Chai, it's no wonder this place is a well-loved Redfern favourite. A little exposed brick and quaint wooden seating produce the perfect aesthetic to get you working (or at least, make for some great 'gram backdrops). PARLOUR LANE ROASTERS, CBD For those stuck for a spot to work among the crowded inner-city streets, Parlour Lane is the perfect solution. Sure, it may be situated on one of the busiest Sydney CBD streets around, but somehow this nook-style cafe is always an oasis of calm. The dim lighting mightn't suit those with drowsiness-inducing work to do and the mobile reception is apparently patchy (a pro or a con, depending on your procrastination tendencies), but otherwise this art deco spot is a good one. And since Parlour Lane is also a bar, you'll be perfectly places to kick off post-work drinks come 5pm. AMPERSAND CAFE AND BOOKSTORE, PADDINGTON Laneway seating and books sprawled out in abundance. No folks, you don't have to travel to Melbourne for this. Paddington's beloved Ampersand Cafe is a tranquil oasis surrounded by some of the sweetest boutiques, galleries and bookstores around. Sequester yourself away in one of the nooks or tables dotted across four rickety levels, and when all that thinking leaves you peckish, tuck into a freshly made sandwich or gluten-free brownie. THREE WILLIAMS, REDFERN An easy stroll along to the quieter end of Elizabeth Street gets you to this warehouse-style coffice. Though the sound can bounce around a lot in the cavernous space, the ample table space, clean lines and a menu of hearty cafe eats will put you back in the work/study zone. There's also an all-day breakfast menu, for those late risers hanging for a bacon-and-egg fix to ensure an afternoon of productivity. MCA CAFE, THE ROCKS Hello, Sydney! Working or studying up on MCA's Sculpture Terrace is one surefire way to get into an inspiring headspace. Head to the roof for uninterrupted views of all the iconic Harbour sights. Plus, a bit of sun never hurt anyone's energy levels. They don't disappoint with the menu, either, whether a light lunch of salad or a hefty po'boy is your style. And when you begin to run out of steam, you're only a mere flight of stairs up from some of Australia's best contemporary art. Let your mind wander over it and who knows what it'll come up with?
Need to do refresh your spring or summer wardrobe? Online vintage treasure trove Hawkeye Vintage will let you into its covetable virtual closet with a huge sale on bags, clothing and accessories. Held over on its Instagram on September 11–12 and 18–19, it'll feature 1000s of items from the 70s to the 90s, including the likes of Chanel bags and Gucci scarves. The pieces on offer will run from the affordable right up to the super expensive, but all will be going at a reduced price. Given some of the brands on offer — including Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Chanel, YSL, Celine and Fendi — you'll be able to pick up some bargains, or opt for a few investment pieces. As the sale will be help on Instagram instead of in-store (unlike the brand's previous sales), the rules are a little different. There'll be no jostling over bags and boots at this one. You'll find all the nitty-gritty over on one of Hawkeye's Instagram Story highlights, but the short of it is this: when you see an item you like, DM sold with the item number and description, wait for a confirmation message and then you'll need to make a payment within 30 mins. There are a few different payment options available, too, including layby, and shipping is free across Australia. Hawkeye Vintage Marathon Live Designer Sale runs from 9am–5pm.
Winter's your chance to connect with uniquely Australian choreography, and the best place to start is Bangarra's powerful triple bill OUR land people stories. Featuring works from Stephen Page and Bangarra's emerging choreographers Jasmin Sheppard, Beau Dean Riley Smith and Daniel Riley, this world premiere work celebrates stories from our own backyard. Dedicated to the recently passed David Page, Bangarra's inimitable music director, OUR land people stories honours this iconic and beloved Australian's legacy, his dedication to mentoring emerging choreographers and his enduring place at Bangarra. Running until 9 July, the show's last run will coincide with NAIDOC Week, a fitting correlation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, togetherness, storytelling and community. Following the Sydney season, OUR land people stories will travel to Perth, Canberra, Brisbane and Melbourne.
Birds chirp, rainbows form and the sun shines a little brighter over Moore Park — the award-winning Sydney Dog Lovers Show is returning to the Royal Hall of Industries and Hordern Pavilion for a third year of pats, licks and parades. And yes, the dedicated puppy cuddle zone is returning. Bounding into Moore Park's two biggest venues on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 August, the Sydney Dog Lovers Show will see thousands of dedicated pooch fans celebrating the noble four-legged monarch of human companionship. There'll be dozens of furry friends available for adoption from rescue groups across NSW in the CANIDAE Rescue Dog Zone, where you can learn up on what's actually involved with adoption. Champion canines, including Dr Katrina Warren's admittedly kickass Wonderdogs, will throw down their mad skills in live doggy demonstrations including agility, flygility (whatever that means) and frisbee shows. Plus, DockDogs is back, featuring a competitive long jump and high jump for talented dogs into a pool of water. Dogs, amiright? But hold up, you came here to cuddle pooches. We're getting there. Punters can make their way to the Pat-A-Pooch zone, where you can cuddle up to a wide range of Australia's most lovable and popular breeds from puppy to adult dogs — we're talking uppity Dachshunds to fluffball Samoyeds, all up in your grill. This was undeniably the main attraction of last year's event, and gives kitten cafes a run for their money. There's plenty more happening over the two days of furry friended fun. Not sure which type of schnoochie is perfect for you? Sign up for a Perfect Match session where you'll be paired with your ultimate dog breed. Already found your tail-waggin' soulmate? Get some expert tips on training, behaviour, first-aid and nutrition in seminars by some of Australia's big name vets. Plus, there's going to be a doggie kissing booth. Yep, pucker up. Sydney Dog Lovers Show returns for the third time at the Royal Hall of Industries and Hordern Pavilion in Moore Park on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 August. Open both days from 10am - 5pm. Tickets are $25 online or $30 on-site (adult, ages 16 and over). Everything is free (including cuddles) once you have purchased your ticket, obviously excepting food and drink. To book tickets or for more info and adorable dog pictures, head to the website.
From Lebanese rom-coms to Iraqi road movies, you'll find a remarkable mix of Middle Eastern cinema on the program at this year's Arab Film Festival. Return for its 13th year with stops in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Perth, the festival will once again showcase films from across the Arab world, while shining a light on the diversity and eccentricity of its people. The festival begins with an opening night screening of Halal Love, a romantic comedy about a group of devout Lebanese Muslims who find that love and religion don't always mix. It's one of a number of Lebanese films on the program, which also includes a new film version of the classic stage comedy Bennesbeh Labokra, Chou? that incorporates footage from performances more than 35 years ago. Also in the mix is El Clásico, about a pair of brothers trekking from Iraq to Madrid to deliver a pair of shoes to soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, as well as Roshmia, a documentary about an elderly Palestinian couple in a standoff with Israeli authorities who want to demolish their home. For the full Arab Film Festival program including session times, go here.
With its iconic steps sequence and distinctive use of montage, 1925 Soviet-made movie Battleship Potemkin changed the way the world thought about film. Making enduring efforts such as Solaris and Stalker, Russian director Andrei Tarkovsky also achieved the same feat during the '60s and '70s. And in 2003, roaming historical drama Russian Ark did too courtesy of a single 96-minute take. Yep, this was more than a decade before Birdman tried something similar. They're just some of the highlights of Russian film history, and there's more where they came from. In fact, that's the domain of the Russian Resurrection Film Festival, which brings future classics and beloved greats alike to Australian cinema screens for an annual celebration of Russian movie making. In its thirteenth year, the fest has curated a collection of twenty efforts that showcase just what makes the country's film output so stellar. Whether you're keen on diving into a duelling epic, going swashbuckling with a beloved animated pirate, or catching a glimpse of uncompleted relics from the past, you'll find plenty to watch here — plus our five must-see picks, of course.
The Museum of Contemporary Art is 25 years young and throwing a huge, three-day party to celebrate. The gallery has commissioned four new, interactive performance pieces to celebrate the occasion. Lauren Brincat and Bree van Reyk's Molto Echo encourages visitors to ring bells, and listen out for drumming in response, in an artwork intended to shed light on the invisibility of women in art galleries and exhibitions. Hossein Ghaemi, Jess Olivieri and Techa Noble will also showcase performance works created especially for the birthday, while Lyndal Jones will re-perform a piece that was shown as part of the MCA's first exhibitions in 1992. The gallery is also putting on a large number of other events, including talks and debates from artists. Most of the events over the course of the weekend are free, with one very notable exception – the opportunity to tour the gallery completely nude with artist Steven Ringholt after hours on Friday night or before it opens on Saturday morning. And, because it wouldn't be a birthday party without it, you're also invited to share the MCA's birthday cake (which is being impeccably designed by Clifford Liu of Cakes by Cliff with Sydney artists Nicole Barakat and Brook Morgan) in a picnic on the lawns at 12.30pm on Saturday, November 12.
Asylum seekers, at-risk students and the environment are just a few of the issues under the microscope at this year's Human Rights Arts and Film Festival. With its touring arm returning to Dendy Newtown, the latest edition of this socially conscious festival is sure to get audiences all fired up. Kicking off on May 24, the Sydney leg of the fest begins with the already sold-out Chasing Asylum, offering a confronting and extremely timely look at mandatory detention from Oscar-winning filmmaker Eva Orner. Then on May 25, it's They Will Have to Kill Us First: Malian Music in Exile, a frank exploration of the power of music. Other highlights include Sundance prize winner The Bad Kids, about at-risk high school kids in the Mojave desert, and Land Grabbing, a behind-the-scenes look at both sides of the contentious issue of land acquisitions. Read our interview with Chasing Asylum director Eva Orner here.
After a wildly successful run at Melbourne's State Theatre, the work of three world class choreographers from disparate corners of the world will come together in Sydney for an electric triple bill. With just under a dozen engagements at the Opera House's Joan Sutherland Theatre, The Australian Ballet presents Vitesse, a stirring celebration of movement and sound. The performance begins with Christopher Wheeldon's DGVc: Danse à Grande Vitesse, a lightning-fast work set to music by Michael Nyman, which was composed for the inauguration of the TGV bullet train in France. Second up is Jiri Kylian's Forgotten Land, a fluid number that the Arts Centre program describes as "like an Edvard Munch painting come to life". The show will conclude with William Forsythe's In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated, a groundbreaking work widely celebrated for pushing the limits of ballet technique. Want more info? Here's three damn good reasons why you should see Vitesse.
If your boring ol' nine-to-five has you pining for something different, something fun, some kind of mid-week temporary haven of unexpected international beats, we've found just the thing. Run by Bondi Radio duo Greenie and Rich Lucano (Phondupe), On Bridges Monthly extends the lads' radio show into a regular night, transforming Chippendale's Knox Street Bar into a pumping underground oasis of global rhythms. Kicking off this Friday, May 13, On Bridges Monthly is an evening for music makers and lovers to showcase and enjoy the globe's best left-of-centre tracks in one big helping. To launch, special guest producers Freda & Jackson are set to spin an exclusive mix, alongside sets from local favourites Phondupe, Embassy and Konichiwang. Sweetening the deal, Knox Street has just launched a brand new menu, a fresh selection of eats to keep you well fuelled. The new menu promises everything from a deluxe toastie (packed with bacon, brie, pickles, mustard and honey for $13) to a pulled pork baguette (with ginger, molasses, south west slaw and smoked cheddar, for $16). With free entry all night long, this is one killer new Sydney night focused on some of the world's hidden gems. Here, have a sneak preview from Freda & Jackson:
There are few greater, more indulgent and Instagrammable weekend things to do than kicking back with a bubbly and judgementally watching dachshunds parade around in lifeguard costumes in a pub beer garden. Are there? Holler if so. But this is an actual thing you can do in Sydney, and could quite possibly be the greatest date idea you'll see this week. Back by popular demand (of course it is), the Beresford Dog Show is taking over the leafy Beresford courtyard with an afternoon of games, entertainment and a big ol' dog show. There are prizes for best dressed, best in show and — best of all — best rescued dog. Aside from pups to pat, there'll be bacon and egg rolls and coffee on offer — to complete the powerful triumvirate of requirements for a damn nec-level Sunday. Plus, there'll be a marketplace with stalls from Urban Herd, Monika's Doggie Rescue, Good Pet Food Kitchen and more serving up tasty treats, funky toys and designer accessories. Entry is free, registrations commence at 10am and the dog show officially kicks off at 12pm. If you can think of a more adorable thing to do on Sunday please let us know. No really. Comments are right there and no one is stopping you from holding a ferret festival.
The MCA's newest exhibition, Telling Tales, explores what happens when a host of international and Australian artists lock themselves in a room with narrative structure and a hammer. Spoiler: the result is not Game of Thrones. Described by curator Rachel Kent as "an unpicking of conventional storytelling approaches", the works range from paint and sculpture to shadow puppetry and projection and invite visitors to engage with 'unspoken narratives' that have given beginning, middle and ending the flick. Lee Mingwei's Sonic Blossom shrinks public operatic performance to an individual serenade, Jittish Kallat's Covering Letter forcefully implicates the viewer in the distortion of history, while Kerry Tribe's There Will Be _______ re-examines the death of oil heir Ned Doheny through various Hollywood retellings. If these aren't enough, works by Safdar Ahmed, Jumaadi and Phyllis Thomas add further weight to the argument that you should go straight home and throw both volumes of Les Miserables off a roof. Well, maybe not. But you get it. Admission is free. Free guided tours run every day from 11am.
