Good food doesn't have to be fancy. Sure, it can be fun dining out on ingredients that you can't spell. But, sometimes, all you want to do is sit down in front of a familiar dish, cooked with love. At March Into Merivale's The Kitchen Table, chef Danielle Alvarez and author/cook Nadine Levy Redzepi, will be bringing dinner back to basics — and to what the season says is right. There's every chance you're familiar with one half or the other of this dynamic duo. Alvarez, who's sharpening her knives in preparation for taking on head chef position at Fred's, Merivale's new Paddington destination, has cut her teeth at San Francisco’s Chez Panisse and Napa Valley’s three-Michelin-starred French Laundry. Meanwhile, Levy Redzepi is a celebrated home cook and writer (who happens to be married to Noma's René Redzepi). These two have chosen the lovely, open venue of Uccello for their feast, where they'll be serving fresh, Australian produce, turned into simple, generous dishes.
It’s been one of the most anticipated openings Sydney’s seen in many an age. After an 18-month to-and-fro with tenders and short-term contracts, the new Peter Gilmore-driven Bennelong at the Sydney Opera House is set to open on July 1 — and you can already make a reservation. Flying a culinary flag for the homeland, Bennelong's focus will be on Australian produce and wine. With celebrated Australian chef and Quay mastermind Gilmore at the helm, the revamped restaurant intends to showcase local, seasonal foods on one of the city's biggest, multi-level foodie stages. Taking over the long-lovedstepfront space, the new Bennelong will feature different dining options depending on what you're up for. The big gun, ‘The Restaurant’, is your fine dining realm on the lower-level, serving innovative Australian cuisine by Gilmore. Diners can choose from a two- or three- course a la carte menu for lunch (Friday through to Sunday $95 for two, $125 for three), or a three course a la carte menu for dinner (Monday through Sunday $125) — and reservations are recommended. If you're taking in a spot of theatre or a Concert Hall gig, there's a 'Pre-Theatre' option: two- or three- courses, seven nights a week ($80 for two, $105 for three, Monday to Sunday 5.30 and 6pm sittings). But it's not all pricey fine dining at Bennelong this time around, with the introduction of the 'Cured and Cultured' menu. This is Bennelong's more relaxed, casual dining option, the type of set-up to have a tipple and a bite without breaking the bank — you'll find a sharing menu with nothing over $30. Nice. You can watch the chefs at work on the central level or take a seat at the casual seating area known as 'The Circle' (not named for the Dave Eggers novel or Australian morning talk show). Wanting to absorb the fancyschmancyness without actually sitting down to a proper dinner? Check out 'The Bar'. Bar manager Aaron Gaulke has worked with Gilmore under the Australian local ingredient focus to create a cocktail list worthy of a landmark, open every night from 5.30pm to late. Find Bennelong at Sydney Opera House Bennelong Point, reopening from July 1. For bookings, (02) 9240 8000 or reservations@bennelong.com.au.
Seekers of the avant-garde will want to check out Tennessee's Holly Herndon at Sydney Festival. She has received universal plaudits over the last decade for her forward-thinking, boundary-pushing take on sound creation. The musician uses code to create unique, custom-made digital instruments, and she'll be in the Magic Mirrors Spiegeltent off the back of her latest full-length, Proto. The Berlin-based US musician has developed an AI program called Spawn, that she duets with — collaborating with her AI baby to make music. Human melodies meet synthetic sounds in this scientific and dizzying performance.
Both the heartbroken and the heartbreakers should take a lesson from Sharon Van Etten, heading to Australia for her 2015 Are We There tour. Renowned for embracing life's emotionally crippling moments, Van Etten has been putting her heart on a platter since her first offering 'Because I Was In Love' in 2009 — released after TV On the Radio's Kyp Malone gave her a nudge in the right direction. The Brooklyn-based, New Jersey and Tennessee-raised singer/songwriter hasn't stopped since, with four gripping albums under her belt including 2012's Tramp. Headlining Secret Garden (February 27-28) with Parquet Courts and Golden Plains (March 7-9), Van Etten is also playing one Sydney sideshow for those who missed out at the Factory Theatre Marrickville. Supported by Tiny Ruins (NZ) + Jack Ladder + Heather Woods Broderick (USA).
Since 2008, 4 Pines Brewing Company have carefully cemented themselves as one of Australia's premier brewing companies. The team behind the craft beer brand has never hidden their support and loyalty to Sydney's north, and in particular, the Manly and northern beaches areas — the home of their original microbrewery. So, it should come as no surprise then that 4 Pines have just announced the roll out of not one, but three completely different and varied new venues within the next 12 months, all north of the Harbour Bridge. "The time has come for 4 Pines to launch some hospitality spaces," says 4 Pines publican Ged Dore. "We looked at some places over on the west coast of America, and these brands had venues along three different beaches. When we got back to Australia we looked at potential spaces in Sydney, the inner west, then in Melbourne but we just kept coming back to the northern beaches." The first of these three new venues, 4 Pines Manly Underground, will take over the old Out of Africa space, offering breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a menu put together by 4 Pines executive chef Rob de Paulo. He'll be stepping away from the classic pub meals offered upstairs in the BrewPub, instead focusing on seasonal ingredients and fresh produce. The vibe is expected to be more food and family friendly, with booth seating and a cabin-like feel. Next up, Newport is set to become the home of barrel-aged beer, with the opening of the 4 Pines Newport Barrelhouse. The idea of barrel-aged beer is something 4 Pines has been fine tuning for the past few years, and are ready to showcase with the opening of this specialty venue in the early summer. The venue, located in the heart of Newport on Barrenjoey Road, is being touted as the first of its kind in the state, if not Australia. Finally, for those who enjoy a beer with breakfast, a 4 Pines beer and bread concept will open in the Glen Street Theatre in Belrose in 2017. Perfect for a for a drink and dinner pre- or post-theatre, 4 Pines Belrose will offer beer and freshly baked bread, including the stout bread which has been baked in the Manly BrewPub since 2010. Even though 4 Pines also have a brewery in Brookvale which uses an old truck as a bar, Dore isn't convinced they've covered all bases in the Northern Beaches area just yet though. "The [Manly] cinema has been closed for over two years, so we'd love to own the cinema so we could do 4 Pines movies. We'd love to be able to do a 4 Pines showcase arthouse cinema — you're allowed to dream aren't you?" says Dore.
Been dreaming about supping at Peter Gilmore’s Bennelong, but not managed to scrape the cash together quite yet? Well, there’s good news afoot. Come January 8, a bar will pop up on the restaurant’s private balcony. For three-and-a-bit summery weeks, you’ll be able to soak up those supreme Bridge-Quay views, without smashing a huge hole in your wallet. After all, you’ll surely want to save some of your hard-earned pennies for the cream of the Sydney Festival’s gig program. To be known as Bennelong Balcony, the bar will open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from midday-late, until January 31. Topping the drinks menu is a selection of signature cocktails, which bar manager Aaron Gaulke has designed specifically for Sydney’s balmy evenings, like Whispers on the Breeze (Sauvignon Blanc, St Germain, soda, cucumber, lemon peel). There’ll also be Piper Heidsieck Champagne and Endeavour Pale Ale. And, should you grow a little peckish, the bar menu will sort you out. Chef Peter Gilmore (Quay) has been running at the show at Bennelong since the middle of this year. He replaced the degustation menu with a few casual, yet no less outrageously delicious, options: from three course dining in The Restaurant dining, to share ‘Cured and Cultured’ plates, to supper. And they just nabbed Concrete Playground's Best New Restaurant in our Best of 2015 awards, so pay 'em a visit. The Bennelong Balcony opens January 8 and will be open until January 31. Open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from noon. Via Elle.
Contemporary art fans are in for a treat this March. Sydney Art Month is returning for another year with a stellar line-up of talks, tours, and exhibitions across the city. The fun doesn't end when the sun goes down — quite the opposite, actually. Art at Night gives you after-dark access to the city's premier galleries and creative spaces, followed by some epic after-parties. So, clear your calendar, grab your mates, download an Art Month precinct map, and get ready for some artsy adventuring. The Art at Night program kicks off in Redfern and Chippendale on March 1, then it moves on to East Sydney on March 8 and finishes up in Paddington and Woollahra on March 15. In Redfern and Chippendale, one of Sydney's most vibrant art precincts, these neighbourhoods are practically bursting at the seams with galleries, studios, and Artist Run Spaces. See jaw-dropping dystopian works by Baden Pailthorpe projected onto garage walls, artist Chris Fox attached to a steel drawing machine (really), and visit artist collective Studio A's courtyard of colour and movement. Galleries on the trail include the Japan Foundation Gallery, The Bearded Tit, and Verge Gallery. Finish off the evening with music and drinks by Cake Wines at the Eveleigh Creative Precinct. The Redfern/Chippendale Art at Night trail will run from 6-8pm, followed by the Cake Wines Art Bar at Eveleigh Creative Precinct, 7.30-10.30pm. Download the map for the night, here. Don't miss the Art at Night events in East Sydney and Paddington/Woollahra.
Rather than a wasted day of woe, Sundays are meant for nourishment. For homecooked meals, meaningful chats and creative beverages. Over the weekend, Concrete Playground and Secret Garden — keen weekenders and lovers of good food, new friends and general tomfoolery — teamed up to create the ultimate Sunday fortress of fun: Cubby House. Taking over the stunning Strickland House, the very first instalment of Cubby House saw a temporary haven created purely for punters to reclaim the weekend. We feasted on braised Mirrool Creek lamb and fire baked whole cauliflower salad from Raven's Eye, had one too many Bloody Marys from the Golden Age bar, marvelled at Tracey Spicer talking sex robots, listened to Omar Musa school us on Rendra, tackled the heavier parts of the news with Tom Tilley and the Guardian journos, had our shoes polished, learnt how to do a cryptic crossword, played croquet on the lawn, and had our socks harmonised off by All Our Exes Live in Texas. Obviously, with such a bloody lovely day in such a postcard perfect spot, Cubby House punters were Instagramming up a storm. Here's our favourites from the bunch. Much balloons. Such skyline. Well that was a BLOODY GREAT Sunday. Big big big big ups @concreteplayground @secretgardenfestival @cubbyhou.se you know who you are you unicorns. XXXX #CUBBYHOUSE A photo posted by Bridie Connellan (@bridieconnellan) on Oct 25, 2015 at 2:18am PDT Lunchtime ? @cubbyhou.se @padraigmageean A photo posted by Marco (@mark_mcc85) on Oct 24, 2015 at 10:02pm PDT Sundaze...at #cubbyhouse @concreteplayground @richardfogarty @melfogs @nesscharlston @ad_ski @kyliemonteith23 @cubbyhou.se A photo posted by Lizzie Pearl (@lizzie_pearl) on Oct 24, 2015 at 9:49pm PDT Lunch is served @cubbyhou.se A photo posted by Richard Fogarty (@richardfogarty) on Oct 24, 2015 at 9:11pm PDT Braised Mirrool Creek Lamb with caponata and eggplant purée, sitting in an incredible jus. A highlight of the feast at #cubbyhouse @cubbyhou.se by @ravenseyebar #food #foodporn A photo posted by the AU review (@theaureview) on Oct 24, 2015 at 9:42pm PDT We don't have time for a glass ????#bloodymarys #cubbyhouse #sundayfunday #sydneylife A photo posted by A N N A (@annafloridaxx) on Oct 24, 2015 at 7:54pm PDT Farshurn x Sun Protection @kasielise A photo posted by Vuki (@vukiv) on Oct 24, 2015 at 10:38pm PDT Lunchtime at @cubbyhou.se. ? Nothing like a @ravenseyebar long lunch of spit-roasted Melinda Park pork, fire-baked cauliflower salad, braised Mirool Creek lamb and Al cartoccio Tasmanian ocean trout on a Sunday. #cubbyhouse @secretgardenfestival #sydney #sydneyeats #lunch #ravenseye #food #noms #noms #noms A photo posted by Concrete Playground Sydney (@concreteplayground) on Oct 24, 2015 at 9:50pm PDT Meet @concreteplayground's @rimasabina, Cultural Concierge extraordinaire at @cubbyhou.se. She can hook you up with the best gigs in town (she recommended @ourgoldenage, ask her about #SamKlemkesTimeMachine!). #Cubbyhouse A photo posted by Mathieu Ravier (@mattriviera) on Oct 24, 2015 at 9:07pm PDT Tackling the heavier stuff with @triplej's Tom Tilley, unpacking the news headlines with @guardianaustralia's Michael Safi, Bridie Jabour and Adam Brereton. #cubbyhouse @secretgardenfestival @concreteplayground #sydney #triple #secretgardenfestival #concreteplayground A photo posted by Cubby House (@cubbyhou.se) on Oct 24, 2015 at 9:36pm PDT #cubbyhouse A photo posted by incredijen (@incredijen) on Oct 24, 2015 at 6:32pm PDT Wow. An eye-opening chat with senior writer for Future of Sex magazine Hugo Gray about robots and teledildonics. His website is here: http://futureofsex.net/virtual-sex/new-virtual-reality-girlfriend-take-things-far/ #cubbyhouse A photo posted by Tracey Spicer (@traceyspicer) on Oct 24, 2015 at 10:28pm PDT @concreteplayground and @secretgardenfestival nailing the Sunday afternoon vibes with Cubby House. A photo posted by Stephen Goodhew (@stephengoodhew) on Oct 24, 2015 at 9:55pm PDT Bob Ross would have been proud!! @samhillahoy #cubbyhouse @concreteplayground @secretgardenfestival #bobross #daydrunk #sundaybloodyfunday A photo posted by Yaya Stempler (@yayastemp) on Oct 25, 2015 at 12:02am PDT S U N D A Y // made for Pimms, cryptic crosswords, group feasts and deep thoughts with @sassinreallife at #cubbyhouse A photo posted by m i c h e l l e (@chellicans) on Oct 25, 2015 at 1:07am PDT We pulled off the ultimate Sunday at @cubbyhou.se. And the weather came to the party. A+ sun. #cubbyhouse #stricklandhouse #concreteplayground #milkbeach #sydney #ilovesydney #sydneylife #sydneysun #sunnydays #funinthesun #sundays #makethemcount A photo posted by Rima Sabina Aouf (@rimasabina) on Oct 25, 2015 at 3:06am PDT what a day - thanks to @secretgardenfestival - encore please! ?? @maxfdownes @willowtreewfc @milllito ? #cubbyhouse A photo posted by alice nivison (@alice.nivison) on Oct 26, 2015 at 6:14pm PDT Not bad Sydney, not bad ?#cubbyhouse A photo posted by Georgia Mooney (@georgiamooney) on Oct 24, 2015 at 10:24pm PDT These guys thought they'd learn a bloody thing or two on a Sunday. Landscape drawing classes at #CubbyHouse. ? @concreteplayground @secretgardenfestival #sydney #art #drawing #landscape #secretgardenfestival #concreteplayground A photo posted by Cubby House (@cubbyhou.se) on Oct 24, 2015 at 10:48pm PDT Höstruskigt i Sydney @pernillenorenberg @pettersomikkeerpaainst @magnusaurus_rex #cubbyhouse A photo posted by Anton Nytorp (@newthorpe) on Oct 25, 2015 at 2:26am PDT Sunday in Sydney #cubbyhouse A photo posted by Andrew Kyle (@andrewkyle1979) on Oct 24, 2015 at 11:05pm PDT Sunday love #cubbyhouse A photo posted by @stephanieclues on Oct 24, 2015 at 10:42pm PDT Top image: Bridie Connellan/Instagram.
Boasting the 'best burgers in the beaches', Danno's Cafe is issuing a takeover of Cafe Lounge in Surry Hills for one night only. Yes, they're bringing the burgers over the bridge. Commence drooling now. Presented by burger lovin' crew Hashtag Burgers, with burger wizard Josh Arthurs pumping out his very own latest and looks-to-be-very-messy burger creation on the night, this event is one you probably shouldn't take a date to... unless you're up to 'testing comfort zone' phase. Introducing the New York burger ($15), featuring a Wagyu beef patty, American cheese, pastrami, swiss cheese, house-made sauerkraut, lettuce, beer battered onion rings, house-made russian dressing, deep fried pickles and lastly a one of a kind hybrid brioche x milk bun. Now that's a burger. And if you have a death wish, extra patties are available for an extra $5. BUT burger numbers are limited, with no variations allowed and are expected to sell out. Just look at it: Looook at it: Resident DJ's Archie and Trent Hardwood will be spinning beats and old school hip hop as well as international DJ Zac Hendrix (DJ to the mighty Del the Funky Homosapien) will be getting his groove on. But that's not all. Cafe Lounge is partnering with Young Henrys for this special burgery night and will be featuring their beers on all the taps for just $6 for a schooner or $9 for a pint. This is going to get loose- that's if you can move after finishing a New York burger.
The Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) is on the verge of a massive expansion, with founder David Walsh announcing his vision for an epic five-star hotel — among other things — on the site of the iconic Hobart gallery. The Hotel at MONA — or HOMO for short — has been described as the next phase of growth for the museum, which, since opening in 2011, has become one of Tasmania's biggest draws. "It's very simple really. We like building stuff," said Walsh. "So far it has gone pretty well for us." Pretty well is a bit of an understatement, with the gallery's citywide winter festival, Dark MOFO, having just wrapped up quite possibly its most successful and most talked about instalment so far. Walsh's HOMO announcement is well-timed — and, it must be noted, these plans are by no means approved, as they haven't yet been submitted to MONA's local city council — but what exactly can visitors (and locals) expect from the proposed addition to the Berridale site? And what other changes do Walsh and co. have up their sleeves? Well, a lot. We've broken in down so you can begin to understand what is going on in Walsh's brain. [caption id="attachment_628671" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Fender Katsalidis Architects.[/caption] A HUGE NEW HOTEL The hotel will be built on the museum's current site in Berridale. With rooms elevated over the Derwent River, the design has been based on San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge flipped upside down.HOMO will consist of 172 rooms, including a number of special 'experience' rooms developed by a selection of internationally renowned artists. Rooms facing the northeast will enjoy a view of Kunanyi/Mount Wellington, while rooms facing southeast will look up the river towards Claremont and Otago Bay. It looks nuts. [caption id="attachment_628672" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Fender Katsalidis Architects[/caption] AN AMPHITHEATRE The hotel will also house a three-storey library to house Walsh's collection of rare books and manuscripts and an indoor theatre with seating for over 1000 people. Most notably, there will also be an outdoor stage and amphitheatre complete with playground designed by textile artist Toshiko Horiuchi MacAdam. A restaurant, conference centre and spa will also be on-site. [caption id="attachment_628674" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rémi Chauvin.[/caption] A MOVE FOR MONA FOMA In related news, MONA is also planning to move the Festival of Music and Art (FOMA) from Hobart to Launceston. "The festival's original ten-year plan — to change the culture in Hobart — has come to fruition ahead of schedule," said FOMA creative director Brian Richie. "We'd like to embark upon a new creative journey - to relocate to Launceston in search of new challenges, new collaborations, fresh partnerships and novel creative models." MONA has requested funding from the State Government to do this. [caption id="attachment_628675" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Fender Katsalidis Architects.[/caption] AN ART 'ANTI-CASINO' Perhaps the most intriguing element is 'Monaco', a private, high-limit, pokies-free 'anti-casino' that will double as an outlet for art and design. We're really not sure what this means, but that's probably the point. [caption id="attachment_628676" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Fender Katsalidis Architects.[/caption] WHEN WILL IT ALL HAPPEN? Construction is expected to take approximately three years — although the start date could still a while away as the hotel's development plans are yet to be submitted to Glenorchy City Council. A "comprehensive consultation process" with the public will also be held. MONA hopes to start building in 2019 for an opening in early 2022. For what it's worth though, State Premier Will Hodgman seems keen on the project, telling reporters that "I think whatever comes out via Mona and David Walsh is always worth listening to." We'll keep an eye on this one. Top image: Fender Katsalidis Architects.
If you love surrounding yourself completely in Zara, you'll now be able to extend the Zara-love to your bedroom. Zara Home has opened its first Australian store at Melbourne's Highpoint Shopping Centre, with a flagship store set to open in Sydney in just a few months. The home decor arm of the Zara-owning Inditex Group, the Australian stores is home to Zara's gorgeous printed bedding lines, table and bath linens, decorative furniture (we're talking seriously cute lamps and rugs), tablewear worth investing in, cutlery and ornamental items, all based on seasonal fashion trends — so you might be able to match your handbag to your bedspread for an undeniably strong look. The brand new 310-sqm Melbourne store embodies the Zara brand in interior design — think elegant chestnut wood and marble floors, neutral paints and mother-of-pearl details, not to forget that epic gold logo. Coinciding with international Zara Home stores (now operating in 60 countries with 437 stores), the Australian stores will unveil two collections per year, with new items delivered every week. Along with the slick furnishings and oaky utensils you'll be visualising in your rich mahogany-smelling apartments, you can pick up the Zara loungewear/pyjama line and bath and body collection instore. With 13 Zara stores currently operating across Australia, it's safe to say we're pretty dedicated Zarans. The stores mark some of the first international brand openings this year, following hugely hyped openings H&M and Uniqlo last year. Zara Home opens in Melbourne's Highpoint Shopping Centre on February 12, head for 120 - 200 Rosamond Road, Maribyrnong. Sydney flagship date still to be confirmed.
One-and-a-half kilograms of paper are making their way to Australia from studio in Suffolk, England, via sea. “It’s a whole shipping container’s worth,” laughs Mira Calix, the artist behind the ream. To be transformed into an enormous, ethereal maze, the cargo will form the basis of her new work, Inside There Falls, premiering at Sydney Festival 2015. Spoken word, original classical music and dance will combine in an immersive experience. The project began life about three years ago, as a result of a chance email from a stranger, who sent her a piece of writing. “I started reading it and responding positively. It really resonated,” she says. Or, as she puts it in her artist statement, “The text had taken hold of me. A stream of consciousness I found so enigmatic and elusive, creating feeling before reason. I felt compelled to take that avalanche of words off the page and let them breathe in a new form ... The writer had handed me the shoots and left me to grow my own forest.” A year or so later, with the initial concept in mind, Mira came to Sydney, where other elements fell into place: seeing Carriageworks and meeting Sydney Dance Company artistic director Rafael Bonachela. “When I saw [Carriageworks] it was like love at first sight. My little heart said, ‘This is perfect.’ It has character, but it isn’t dominating, and, physically, it’s such an exciting space, if you’re thinking big ... We don’t have places like this in England. Space is at a premium. In London, anything on this kind of scale would be turned into chichi apartments very quickly.” As for Rafael, Mira was already a fan. “He used to run a dance company on South Bank in London,” she says. “I gave him my construct and my narrative and he’s interpreting it. I like to work this way, sparking ideas, so that even among us, the work is becoming different versions of itself.” In keeping with Inside There Falls’ spontaneous, temporal nature, the dancing, despite being choreographed, won’t be scheduled. So whether or not audiences catch a fleeting figure among the paper will depend on chance. In the meantime, they’ll be kept busy with an open invitation to touch the installation at their will. “I want people to physically interact,” Mira explains. “There’s a bit of ritual and participation element to this work. You step into the story through a big blue room, which is like an overture or a prologue, so you start off as a blank page. Then you step into a white room, where the paper starts off very dense, but opens out. At the same time, you are surrounded by the story – the text [narrated by actor Hayley Atwell] and the music are moving around you ... Everything to me is the story, including you." Some artists are driven by their chosen medium, which they commit to for life. Mira, on the other hand, is driven by ideas. Combining music, sound and art, she draws on whichever materials are best suited to the story she has to tell. “I shift materials a lot,” she says. “Philosophically, to me, they’re all materials and it’s all composition. I see it all as one thing.” In 2009, a 100-strong choir played an integral role in her installation, My Secret Heart, which won the Royal Philharmonic Society Award. And, in 2012, a monolithic stone sculpture featured in her interactive piece, nothing is set in stone, which appeared at the London 2012 Olympic Festival. “You know what’s really strange about Singapore?” Mira Calix leans in, as though she’s telling me a secret. “Even though it’s tropical – even though it’s steaming hot – there are no insects. Isn’t that the weirdest thing?” “Last time I was there,” she continues. “I did a performance with an orchestra, where I put insects inside boxes, and mic-ed them. That was interesting.” Inside Their Falls is one of our top ten picks of the Sydney Festival. Check out our other favourite events over here.
Just when you thought Barangaroo, despite its mammoth size, couldn't squeeze in another eatery, along comes 12-Micron. This epic, 230-seater opens today, bringing with it a bar, late-night dessert and those now-standard Barangaroo harbour views. The name 12-Micron comes from wool — not just any wool, but a rare thread that is spun into extremely comfortable (and rather expensive) clothing. That said, there are no external sheepy bits on the menu — the name aims to capture the restaurant's focus on the best and freshest ingredients. Executive chef Justin Wise, formerly of The Press Club or The Point Albert Park, has been busy building relationships with Australia's finest producers, as well as a collective of foragers. With their offerings in mind, he's created a four-part menu that's divided into some semi-Captain Planet territory: Earth, Ocean, Land and Air. To give you an idea, Earth covers your vegetable needs, featuring paperbark-baked veg with fruit spice and goats curd. Ocean encompasses your sea creatures, for example, Skull Island king prawn steamed buns with wasabi, green mango and tobiko. Land covers your paddock-dwellers, lamb with spinach, native ironbark honey and damper. Air features anything that once flew, like half-pigeon with Aussie master stock, red cabbage and Illawarra plum. When you're done with elemental feasting, move into the 64-seater dessert bar to live your sugary dreams — and it's taking bookings until 11pm. Famed dessert chef Darren Purchese is in charge here. Just a few of his creations include coconut sago with passionfruit, ginger and mint; and dark chocolate mousse with salted caramel, tonka bean, mandarin and Zokoko chocolate. For a snackier experience, stick to the 120-seater bar. You'll get uninterrupted harbour views, thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows, a simple menu featuring a mushroom taleggio toastie and a wagyu cheeseburger; and a significant treasure trove of wines to choose form — 400 if you're bottling and 32 if you're glassing. They're the picks of sommelier Lyndsey Carr. Alternatively, try a cocktail, such as Riberry Limy Tia (Rebellion Bay spiced rum, Védrenne spicy chilli cinnamon, orgeat, lime, riberry confit) or Smoking Chaplin (Plymouth Sloe Gin, Védrenne apricot brandy, lime and rosella jam). SJB (The Buena, The Light Brigade, Melbourne's L'Hotel Gitan) took care of the interior by bringing the outside in. By that, we mean you'll be sitting among gum leaf-coloured stone cobbles and tiles and granite finished with leather that looks and feels like bark. There are cosy couches, too. Find 12-Micron at Level 2, 100 Barangaroo Avenue (enter via Watermans Quay), The Streets of Barangaroo. The restaurant is open seven days for lunch and dinner, the bar is opening seven days from midday-1am and the dessert bar takes bookings until 11pm.
Drinking delicious and expertly made cocktails for a good cause is something we can all get behind. This International Women's Day, Darlinghurst's much-loved Shady Pines Saloon is doing it for the girls and bringing in an elite team of Sydney's finest female bartenders for a women-only bar takeover. The all-star team is made up of Georgia Collins and Alexandra Hooker from The Baxter Inn, PS40's Meg Litherland, Jas Pirovoc from Cantina Ok!, Brit Rowe and Sarah Mycock from Old Mate's Place, Bulletin Place's Atlanta Pahulu, Emma Bernadi from Alberto Lounge, Double Deuce Lounge's Claudia Morgan and Shady's own Gracie Peters and Felicity Eshmann. They'll all be donating their time for the event, and shaking and stirring their own signature creations — with all proceeds going to Rize Up. The Australian charity helps victims of domestic violence by providing them with food, bedding, funding and education. Doors to the basement bar open at 4pm, with the cocktails and festivities kicking on until midnight. As is always the case at Shady Pines, there'll be plenty of peanuts to snack on and honky tonk tunes to boogie to. Images: Leticia Almeida
Cooking with beer: it's a tradition as ancient as the Egyptians. Yet for many modern beer drinkers, beer's potential ends at the bottom of the bottle. It’s no great secret that beer and food go hand-in-hand, whether paired with an arvo barbecue or late-night munchies. But beer can — nay should — be so much more than just an accompaniment to the food you eat; it adds rich flavours, tenderises meat and makes for all-round juicier dishes. And its helping hand can reach all the way down to dessert. Here are five key you'll want to try wielding your beer in the kitchen. GRILLING WITH BEER Aussies are known for their barbecues, which more often than not involve booze. To baste any grill food with beer, simply pour your favourite beer over the top and close the lid. The beer has a caramelising effect and adds to the juiciness of the meat. Possibly the most epic way to cook beer is the beer butt chicken — achieved by sitting a whole chicken on top of a can of beer. (You know when a recipe instructs you to take a swig it’s going to be a winner.) For beer grilling, VB really comes in handy, but if you’re looking to go craft, a James Squire Sundown Australian Lager will also do the trick. Image: Manners. BATTERING WITH BEER Beer-battered food is probably the most widely known form of cooking with beer. For beer battered fish, make sure the beer is cold and freshly opened so it’s still fizzy — the bubbles add body and lightness to the batter. The beer also makes the batter appear thicker while keeping it airy and also imparts aroma and flavour. Most recipes will call for a simple lager, but we like the added flavour of easy drinking ales like Riverside Brewing Company 69 summer ale. Image: Kimchi Chronicles. STEWING WITH BEER The classic beef and Guinness stew is pretty self explanatory; simply add and simmer, burning off the alcohol but not the caramel or nutty flavours. You aren’t limited by beer choice, though, and can use any stout/porter or even dark ale you like. Jamie Oliver's recipe does just that. A few easy pairings for a stew are Mornington English brown ale and Holgate Temptress chocolate porter. This recipe is perfect for those chilly nights in. Image: Redbrick. SAUCING WITH BEER Beer doesn’t have to be boiled or heated down to be useful in cooking. It is great for a variety of sauces, from vinaigrettes to barbecued sauced ribs. Beer also works really well as a marinade, since its enzymes help break down tough fibres and really tenderise meat. Beer’s role as a marinade is so versatile, the best rule here is to use a beer you enjoy drinking. If you like the taste, you’ll like it in your food too. Image: Droolworthy Daily. BAKING WITH BEER The parallel history of beer and baking goes back to the Egyptians — a topic dear to beer geek/historianJohnathan Hepner of Batch Brewing. This is true especially in the case of bread, the ingredients of which make it a close cousin to beer. A few Australian bakeries have beer and barley sourdough, but there’s nothing more satisfying than baking your own. The malted syrup used in this recipe mimics the malt in the beer, giving a well-balanced and complex flavour. Beer brownies? Absolutely. Stouts and porters add a richness and nutty sweetness to desserts. Try The Butcher Porter from The Rocks Brewing Co or James Squire Jack of Spades in your next chocolatey dessert. Image: Community Table. Image: Dollar Photo Club.
The One Day crew is hitting the road, bringing their famous daytime block parties to live music venues around Australia. Between the end of October and the week before Christmas, DJs from the beloved Sydney hip hop collective will bounce from coast to coast, stopping by a dozen capital cities and country towns along the way. Taking its cue from the group's massive monthly blowouts in Sydney, the One Day Block Party National Tour will see the One Day crew team up with local DJs and artists as they roll through pub, beer gardens, courtyards and car parks. Expect food and booze, live graffiti and a whole bunch of hip hop. The tour will start on October 29 in Adelaide before rolling through WA, Queensland, NSW and Victoria, finally wrapping up in the nation's capital on December 18. ONE DAY BLOCK PARTY NATIONAL TOUR Saturday 29th October – The Ed Castle, Adelaide Sunday 30th October – The Rosemount, Perth Saturday 12th November – Kirwan Tavern, Townsville Sunday 13th November – Magnum's, Airlie Beach Saturday 19th November – Miami Tavern, Gold Coast Sunday 20th November – Ric's Backyard, Brisbane Saturday 26th November – The Rosemount, Perth Sunday 27th November – Dunsborough Tavern, Dunsborough Saturday 10th December – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle Sunday 11th December – Beer Deluxe, Albury Saturday 17th December – Proud Mary's, Erina Sunday 18th December – Westside Village, Canberra To book tickets, visit www.onedayblockparty.com.
William Onyeabor is perhaps the most mysterious man ever to have fused Afro-funk with space-age jams. After powering through the creation of eight albums over just as many years, he suddenly decided to stop talking — about himself or his music. However, it's a well-known fact that it takes an awful lot to 'stop the funk'. So, in what's certain to be one of the hands-down most epic musical events of Sydney Festival, an 18-strong band made up of artists from all over the world are getting together to jam on Onyeabor’s music at the Enmore Theatre. Led by Sinkane, Money Mark, Luke Jenner (The Rapture), Alexis Taylor (Hot Chip) and Pat Mahoney (LCD Soundsystem), the performance will feature special guests in the form of Gotye and the legendary Mahotella Queens. Atomic Bomb! is one of our top ten events to see at the Sydney Festival. Check out our other picks over here.
This year has been a stellar one for art lovers, with the Sydney Festival and Art Month keeping our calendars packed with creative delights between January and March. Luckily, the artsy fun is far from over. Up next is The National 2017: New Australian Art, a new biennial initiative from Sydney's top cultural institutions: the Art Gallery of NSW, the MCA, and Carriageworks. Celebrating the latest and greatest in contemporary Aussie art, The National will present a series of exhibitions and performances across the city between March 30 and July 16. To kick things off, head over to Carriageworks to catch one of these opening-weekend performances—the events won't cost you a cent, but bookings are essential. [caption id="attachment_615320" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Justene Williams, Two Fold 2016. Image courtesy the artist and Sarah Cottier.[/caption] A METAL CRY This epic new work by Sydney-based multimedia installation artist Justene Williams promises to be unlike anything you've ever seen. There will be dancers in fluoro pink concertina fan costumes fitted with accordions, dresses with chimes sewn into them, singers climbing up three-meter-high fake trees, electronic violinists, and a live score to boot. Yes, it's going to be intense. It's also going to be utterly mesmerising. Drawing on Japanese dance theatre and the modernist avant-garde, Williams has created a work that explores contemporary suburban culture and our place in a chaotic and fracturing world. Saturday April 1, 11am and 12pm [caption id="attachment_615321" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Zan Wimberley.[/caption] ALL I HAVE IS DREAMS OF YOU Born in Colombia and raised in Australia, multimedia artist Claudia Nicholson draws on her South American heritage to explore issues of identity through sculpture, performance, and internet-based works. For her newest piece, All I have is Dreams of You, Nicholson has created a memorial to the Queen of Latina pop Selena Quintanilla, who was murdered by the president of her fan club in 1995. Nicholson's vibrant and creative tribute will include an Andean teenage band playing Selena's greatest hits and dancers performing over an alfombra de aserrín, a colourful sawdust carpet that appears in many Latin American religious ceremonies. Saturday April 1, 4.30pm [caption id="attachment_615322" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Alan Griffiths & Robert lazarus Lane, Bali Bali Balga 2017. Courtesy the artists and Waringarri Aboriginal Arts, Kununurra, WA.[/caption] BALI BALI BALGA A traditional Indigenous dance, the Bali Bali Balga captures the history of the Noongali people, telling stories about spirits and country through movement. Indigenous artist, dancer, and senior law man Alan Griffiths will bring this iconic cultural ceremony to the Carriageworks stage along with a team of dancers. In this intricate ritual, 15 dancers move to the accompaniment of clapping sticks and singing while carrying large woven dance boards that depict key elements of the dance story. This performance features dance boards designed and built by Griffiths and offers a snapshot into the rich culture of his community. Friday March 31, 7pm [caption id="attachment_615323" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brett Whitely. Production poster for National Black Theatre's Basically Black. Image courtesy Wendy Whitely, Brett Whitely Studio.[/caption] BASICALLY BLACK SCREENING In 1973, ABC screened a pilot for a TV version of Basically Black, a production that had taken Sydney's Nimrod Theatre by storm the previous year. Presented by the National Black Theatre, the performance was a series of political and satirical sketches about Indigenous Australia. While the planned television series never went beyond the pilot, Basically Black was an important sociopolitical work that still resonates today. If you've never seen the show, now's your chance with a screening that will be introduced by Richard Bell, a Brisbane-based artist and activist whose work is renowned for challenging conceptions of Aboriginal art. Saturday, April 1, 3pm [caption id="attachment_615329" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Winds of Woerr, 2014. Performance documentation, Next Wave Festival. Image courtesy the artist. Photography: Gregory Lorenzutti.[/caption] THE UNSETTLING Award-winning choreographers Atlanta Eke and Ghenoa Gela have joined forces with Ghost Bird, Sezzo Snot, and RDY STDY (Hana Miller and Jacob Perkins) to create this innovative work that delves into the issue of invisible violence in Australian culture. A supernatural horror film produced in real time, The Unsettling is bound to be pretty epic. Each performance will include live music as well as pre-recorded and live video feeds. You can catch the show in the form of an exhibited rehearsal between June 19 and June 23, or as a performance on the weekend of June 24. Various dates in June All five of these performances take place at Carriageworks—245 Wilson St, Eveleigh. For more information and to reserve a space, head to The National's official website.
If you're heading to New Zealand's Christchurch region for a short holiday, you can't leave without going bungy jumping. There are plenty of opportunities to get your adrenaline going, so why not live on the wild side of life? Experience breathtaking views of the Southern Alps, beautiful coastal vistas and lush green forest while you get reacquainted with the thrill-seeking side of yourself. If you're into the kind of fun that leaves your stomach in knots, then this guide will not disappoint. The adrenaline-junkie kiwis seem to know a thing or two about going on an adventure. TACKLE THE RAPIDS IN HANMER SPRINGS Drive for 90 minutes to Hanmer Springs and book yourself in for a white water rafting adventure. You'll find yourself situated within a stunning mountain range, with pink marble land formations heading all the way down the Waiau River canyon. The rapids are Grade 2 in Hanmer Springs, so expect medium-size rapids and low drops with waves less than a metre high. After all the twists, turns and drops you can still get your fair share of serenity — Hanmer Springs is known for its beautiful blue water and stunning scenery. Don't forget to pack something to swim in, there's no doubt you're going to want to relax with a swim at the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools after a day out on the rapids. Even adrenaline junkies need some time to chill out. GO JET BOATING IN WAIMAKARIRI GORGE The Waimakariri River, translating to 'cold water' in Māori, is the home of jet boating in Christchurch, with canyons, gorges, rock faces and native forest lining an adventure trail through the water. You can choose between a 30- or 60-minute jet boating adventure in the beautiful blue water — expect 360-degree spins, hairpin turns and a high-speed ride that'll get your heart racing. The Waimakariri river is 90 minutes from Christchurch, but Alpine Jet organises transfers that pick you up from the city and drop you back when the day is done. Because there are so many beautiful rivers in the Christchurch region, there are many places to go jet boating. Another option is at Hanmer Springs. Once you've tested the strength of your stomach there'll be plenty of opportunities to sit back and take in the fresh air in both locations — catch a glimpse of the snow-capped Southern Alps if you're lucky. BUNGY JUMP AMID STUNNING SCENERY You're heading to New Zealand, which means you're going to want to throw yourself from a tall structure connected to an elastic cord — this is the home of bungy jumping after all. Why not let yourself free fall from a bridge for 35 metres towards a surging river to get the blood pumping and the bones jumping? It's an adrenaline rush like no other and one that you're bound to get addicted to. The idyllic Hanmer Springs Bungy, 90 minutes from Christchurch, is the perfect spot for first timers who may need to distract themselves with stunning scenery before taking a leap of faith. MOUNTAIN BIKE THE EDGE OF THE CITY The Christchurch region's beautiful scenery and stunning mountains make it an ideal destination for avid mountain bikers. There are many cycling tracks to discover, but the Port Hills is one of Christchurch's best kept secrets and one of our favourites. With its dramatic landscape of tussock grasslands and rugged mountain terrain, it's easy to see why. Ten different trails in this area each have their own unique highlights — and they're perfect for both new and experienced riders. The new Christchurch Adventure Park is another mountain biking option. The huge trails inside range in difficulty — from beginner courses to those designed for experts only. If you're new to mountain biking and want to learn some skills in a safe environment, head here. It's the biggest mountain biking path in the Southern Hemisphere — you won't be short on space. FLY THROUGH THE ADRENALIN FOREST If you consider yourself to be a little bit of a George of the Jungle, here's your chance to prove yourself in the tree tops. A 20-minute drive from Christchurch is the Adrenalin Forest, a two-kilometre aerial obstacle course set in the beautiful Spencer Park. We can't promise you'll have the opportunity to hang from vines, but there's more than enough to keep you challenged with over 100 activities and six courses to sink your teeth into. If you're a real adrenaline junkie, tackle the high-wire course. It's not quite walking between the twin towers Man On Wire-style, but you're sure to get up to 20 metres into the forest canopy — that's at least two or three stories off the ground and more than enough to get you shaking in your boots. 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, nature and relaxation guides.
Getting down to your local for a nice cold beer is now as easy as pushing a button. As part of a new marketing campaign, Czech beer company Kozel has devised the Tap Out button, which when pressed will summon a taxi to ferry you to the nearest pub. Could this be the greatest scientific innovation of the modern age? Until Dominoes rolls out that pizza robot of theirs, we reckon it might just be. The buttons, of which there are three, will be made available via twitter. All beer lovers need to do is mention a mate and use the hashtag #PushforPub, and they could soon be on their way to the closest establishment that serves Kozel. What's more, there'll be two pints waiting for them on arrival. Pretty crafty. The button is good for three uses, at which point it presumably self-destructs, Mission: Impossible-style. Now the bad news: for the time being at least, the Tap Out buttons are only available in the UK, although according to PSFK, there's a chance more will be made available if the initial campaign is successful. And frankly, how could it not be. Rest assured, we'll let you know if they make it down to our part of the world. Until then, it looks like you're stuck with walking. https://vimeo.com/175340774 Via PSFK.
Crusaders for saving Sydney's nightlife Keep Sydney Open have issued the battle cry once again, announcing another large-scale rally in Sydney on Sunday, October 9 starting from Belmore Park. Protesting NSW's controversial lockout laws and Justice Ian Callinan's (honestly pretty general) liquor law review, released by the NSW Government yesterday, the KSO rally will reiterate the sentiment that fuelled their huge February rally that saw around 15,000 Sydneysiders take to the CBD streets. "It's good to finally hear what Sydneysiders have already known for a long time, that these laws are putting Sydney's reputation as a dynamic, international city at risk," says Keep Sydney Open founder Tyson Koh. "We shouldn't have to settle for lock-them-up-and-throw-away-the-key policy solutions, when only an hour's flight away Melbourne has created a safe and dynamic nightlife with a cool-headed smart policy." "With each passing day the lockouts are in place, Sydney's cultural life is damaged, small businesses are jeopardised and our internationally recognised artistic talent is finding it harder to be paid for their work", said Koh. "A thirty minute extension misses the point, that Sydney wants policy that encourages safe and vibrant nightlife at anytime. Major cities around the world can do it and we can too." Image: Kimberley Low.
Yeah, yeah, so Meghan Trainor spent X weeks at the top of the charts with her multiplatinum mega-single and No 1. album at only 22 years old. Yeah, good. We're pretty set to continue burling 'ROBBED!' for a good few hours after Australia's Courtney Barnett just missed out on her first Grammy award for Best New Artist, with the 'All About That Bass' artist nabbing the gong. But the Melburnian/Hobartian won the live blogging for the event, taking over Tumblr's music page for the day. Apart from Kendrick Lamar rightly dominating errrrthing, Lady Gaga's Bowie tribute and Pharrell's quaint Chanel jacket, Barnett's quiet blogging stole the show for us. Takin' mad selfie GIFs before the show: http://music.tumblr.com/post/139381160531/just-me-and-then-dave-and-then-bones Rockin' the outfit we'd want to wear to the Grammys: http://music.tumblr.com/post/139388982451/me-on-the-red-carpet Waiting for Swifty and Selena to wrap up: http://music.tumblr.com/post/139390159691/taylor-and-selena-in-front-of-me-nbd Before and after-ing on the red carpet. http://music.tumblr.com/post/139390666806/pre-red-carpet-post-red-carpet-we-did-it Scoping out after-Grammy tacos: http://music.tumblr.com/post/139405254176/hanging-with-my-awesome-tour-manager-hook-waiting Go check it out here. What a boss.
When singer George Michael passed away aged only 53 in 2016, Sydney DJs and producers Paul Mac and Jonny Seymour commissioned a mural of Michael outside their home in Newtown. It became a site of cultural importance to Sydney's LGBTQIA+ community, and it was devastatingly destroyed by vandals soon after the result of the marriage equality vote was announced. Now, Mac has teamed up with playwright Lachlan Philpott to create a musical experience as a fitting tribute to Saint George, while also serving as both a celebration of queer culture and a defiant reminder that freedom is always worth fighting for. Tickets for this show are at capacity, however, you can join the waitlist by clicking through to 'buy tickets'. [caption id="attachment_795408" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sarah Walker[/caption] Image: Peter Rubie.
Nakkiah Lui's new comedy could be a riff on Guess Who's Coming to Dinner? Charlotte Gibson is a lawyer and going places, fast. Her parents are stoked, but they don't know that Charlotte's also procured herself a fiancée. He's white and unemployed, a composer. His upper-middle-class parents are at the stuffier end of conservative and they're headed over for Christmas dinner. But Lui says the idea came from somewhere else entirely. "I just wanted to write something for Aboriginal actors that didn't have death in it. I wanted to write something that didn't come from a place of sorrow… This was actually something that had hope, that had happiness in it." Director Paige Rattray has the helm for this one with a cast that includes Shari Sebbens, Luke Carroll and Geoff Morrell. Christmas may be over half a year away, but if Lui's other work is anything to go by, there'll be enough cheer in Black is the New White to stave off the encroaching winter. Image: James Green.
Australia's most sinister festival, Dark Mofo, is back for its seventh year — and it's set to be as boundary-pushing as ever. As always, the festival will take place in the lead up to the winter solstice, exploring connections between old and contemporary mythology through art installations, performance, talks and music — all taking place in the darkness of Tasmanian winter. Hosted by the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), Dark Mofo will takeover most of Hobart between June 6–23, showcasing a melting pot of artists, creatives and thinkers who dwell in the shadows of mainstream culture. Just-announced musicians include FKA Twigs — who's also bringing her experimental dream pop to Vivid Sydney this year — New York-based composer Nicolás Jaar, American singer John Grant and multi-instrumentalist Roger Eno. Other highlights of the music program include an audiovisual 'soundbath' by Sigur Rós; an international metal program, featuring Brazil's Mystifier; and the return of Night Mass, a ritualistic series of multi-venue late-night parties featuring Sampa the Great, FAKA and Empress Of. These musicians and creatives join those announced in the first lineup drop last week, which included boundary-pushing speakers in the Dark + Dangerous Thoughts program, artists Ai Weiwei and Mike Parr, and singer and actor Sharon Van Etten. The festival's dark and quirky arts lineup has grown, too, with the addition of a latex-filled installation and performance by Japan's Saeborg and an immersive group exhibition — of ten international artists, including Canada's Cassils, USA's Paul McCarthy and India's Shilpa Gupta — inside the former Forestry Tasmania Building. The award-winning building — which once housed its own forest — is just one of many new venues to join this year's program. Come June, revellers will also be able to party inside the Old Hobart Blood Bank, the Avalon and Odeon theatres, the Old Davey St Congregational Church and aboard a floating natural wine bar, dubbed Natty Waves. Of course, all the festival favourites are set to make a triumphant return, too. You'll be able to drink and eat amongst inverted crosses and candles at the Winter Feast, try not to freeze during the very cold Nude Solstice Swim and absolve your sins at Night Mass. Images: Rémi Chauvin and Rosie Hastie.
We're living on borrowed time. If it's not the climate that wipes humans out, it'll be our over-inflated desire for financial growth. Given that almost every nation in the world runs on a bloated economy of debt and speculative trading — the prayers of a banker religion — imagine the horror when it all falls apart. How is life, both the barest form of it, not to mention the healthy quality of it, able to flourish in the dusty aftermath? This is the question asked by Perth's tactical media art renegades pvi collective in their new work, blackmarket, presented by Performance Space, which premieres in May at Alaska Projects. Audiences are invited to a future version of Kings Cross, a postcode scorched by riots and the eating of the rich, where a grassroots, underground economy has sprung up based on ancient traditions of barter and gifts. It seems a bleak setting, but there is scope for great humanity in this raw marketplace. Playing the role of post-apocalyptic survivors, known as “hustlers”, audiences arrive at the blackmarket with objects to trade in order to flourish. It may not require dollars, but some sense will help hustlers go far, so we spoke with pvi collective's Kelli McCluskey for her advice on how to thrive in a world after the banks come crashing down.
Sydney wine legends Cake Wines don't just make bloody good wine — they know how to party. If you've been to one of their Lovebombs secret rooftop/warehouse parties, you'll know they throw a quality party with quality tunes and quality tipples. Reason enough for a party in itself, Cake recently opened their own cellar door in Redfern, located in a renovated warehouse on Eveleigh Street (and it is slick). So for this year's Vivid festival, they're not doing things half-assed. There are three Cake parties you should be locking into your diary for this year's Vivid, two at the cellar door and one in a 'left of centre' secret location. First things first, let's organise your cellar door dates. First, it's The Posse, kicking off a three-show residency. New signings to Plastic World, this raw funk/disco/Detroit and Chicago house-inspired outfit includes Andrew Elston (Physique/Toni Toni Lee/Catcall), Ross Ferraro and Jarrol Renaud (AKA The Goods), Michael Di Francesco (Touch Sensitive/Van She) and NZ jazz keys prodigy Andrew Bruce. Yowzer. Next, it's The House of Who on June 5, with longtime Cake collaborator Mike Who and friends. This Sunday session will see Mike alongside NZ producer Julien Dyne and Sydney outfit The Goods, Expect "a mixed bag of soul, disco, boogie, house, latin, african and Brazilian vibes," according to the crew. Finally, Sydney DJ collective Lovebombs has once again teamed up with Cake Wines for one huge secret party on June 11. These parties are always a riot— one took over the Holiday Inn rooftop at sunset. You'll get the directions on the day.
Can you feel a tingling in your toes as your feet start to defrost? That's the feeling of winter slipping away (or maybe you've been sitting cross-legged for too long) and with its demise comes the return of Australia's beloved Moonlight Cinema. Ahhh balmy nights on the grass, we have missed you. Heralding the coming of the warmer months, Moonlight Cinema is a summertime tradition and it always nails the balance between new releases and cult classics. The film program is yet to be announced, but we'll keep you updated as soon as it is. Nosh-wise, Moonlight Cinema will again let you BYO movie snacks and drinks, but the unorganised can also chow down on a plethora of US style food trucks — the perfect, messy treat made for reclining on bean beds. Bean beds and snack trucks, is there anything better? This season includes screens in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth, running from November through to March. Get your pens out and jot down these dates. MOONLIGHT CINEMA 2018 DATES: Sydney: Nov 29–Mar 31 (Belvedere Amphitheatre in Centennial Park) Melbourne: Nov 29–Mar 31 (Central Lawn at the Royal Botanic Gardens) Brisbane: Nov 29–Mar 31 (Roma Street Parkland) Perth: Dec 1–Mar 31 (May Drive Parkland, Kings Park & Botanic Garden) Adelaide: Dec 8–Feb 17 (Botanic Park) The Moonlight Cinema kicks off on November 29. For more information and bookings here.
After a hugely popular debut event last year, New Years Eve at Barangaroo returns for 2016, with 12,000 tickets set to be snapped up by punters over the next few weeks — 6000 tickets are on sale now. New Years Eve revellers will get to see Sydney's fireworks from a prime spot at Barangaroo Reserve, as the park will again be hosting its own waterfront party. Tickets have been released on pre-sale for subscribers to the Barangaroo e-newsletter from 12pm today, and the remaining 6000 tickets will go on sale to the general public this Wednesday, 12 October on the website. Last year, tickets sold out in four weeks — and, at $29.50 a pop (or $14.50 for concession holders), we can see why. According to Craig van der Laan, CEO of the Barangaroo Delivery Authority, the 12,000 cap aims to keep visitors safe and comfy, while keeping neighbourhood hassle to a minimum. The park's Hickson Road gates will open at 6pm on Thursday, December 31. There'll be ample space for picnicking on the Stargazer and Walumil lawns. BYO alcohol isn't allowed, but licensed areas will be offering celebratory beverages — and of course, there'll be food stands for those who didn't plan their picnic effectively. New Year's Eve at Barangaroo tickets go on sale to the general public this Wednesday, October 12 at 9am from the website.
We thought an island entirely dominated by wine would be the peak of Sydney Harbour's water-girt events. But there's a brand new event coming to another of Sydney's islands, Goat Island, and it's set to be a certifiable humdinger on Australia Day. Presented by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (go team), Goat Island Sounds is Sydney's newest music festival, taking over its namesake island on January 26. Centred around the countdown to rule them all, the triple j Hottest 100, this shiny new party is all about the live local beats. Expect the likes of Kilter, LUEN, Just A Gent, Kule and Ok Sure cranking out a set each. Plus, the Hottest 100 will be playing on the day, so you won't miss out on joining the rest of Australia in wailing "awwwww too early" when your voted tunes pipe up on the radio. But this is Australia Day right? Where the brews and nosh at? Sydney's favourite, constantly-teaming-up foodies Mary's and Young Henrys will be boating out to Goat Island with their burgs, beer and cider — and there's no BYO FYI. Tickets are wildly affordable at $65 a pop for GA, with your ferry ride included. What a bloody steal. If you're keen to shell out, two VIP tickets will cost $250 all up, and this comes with a luxury picnic hamper containing fine cheeses, cured meats, fruits and accompaniments, a picnic rug and cushions to sit on, a bottle of wine and access to VIP toilet facilities. Noice. Goat Island Sounds is happening on January 26 from 11am. For more info, head to the Facebook page. Tickets are available via Moshtix. Check out Concrete Playground's Guide to Sydney's Islands. Image: Wikipedia.
LCD Soundsystem is finally headed back to Australia in their first visit since playing a national tour and Big Day Out in 2011. The beloved New Yorkers reunited last year, going on to headline some of the world's biggest festivals, including Coachella, Lollapalooza, Glastonbury, Bonnaroo and Primavera. Now, the day after James Murphy, Nancy Whang and co. headline Splendour in the Grass, they're headed to Sydney to bring down the house at Hordern Pavilion on Monday, July 24. Formed back in 2002 by Murphy, LCD Soundsystem's cathartic dance-punk defined the noughties for many. Presented by Frontier Touring and triple j, this highly anticipated show is sure to be one hell of a reunion party. Fingers crossed that the band's new album will be out by then — Murphy has promised a newbie. Tickets go on sale Thursday, April 20 at 11am, with presale happening for Frontier Touring members at 2pm on Tuesday, April 18 through 2pm on Wednesday, April 19. They're sure to sell out insanely quickly, so dawdlers will be sorry. LCD Soundsystem will then go on to play in Melbourne's Margaret Court Arena on Wednesday, July 26, capping off one of the most hectic weeks of live music Australia will see this year. Image: Matt Biddulph via Wikimedia Commons.
Anxiety is the most common mental health condition in Australia, so innovative new event The Big Anxiety Festival should be well-attended. Launching in Sydney from September 20 through November 11, the new festival is an initiative developed by UNSW and the Black Dog Institute, along with over 25 partners across Greater Sydney. Bringing together artists, scientists, technologists and thinkers, the two-month festival aims to use art as a means to transform the way people think about and deal with mental health. The inaugural festival will present over 60 events across Sydney with hubs located at Circular Quay's Customs House, Riverside Theatre in Parramatta and UNSW, with five major themes on focus — awkward conversations, lived experiences, the 'NeurodiverseCity', mood experiments and power, politics and institutions. The immersive exhibitions will include the world's highest resolution 3D cinema, international art shows, theatrical performances, contemporary dance, interactive media events and public forums for all ages. A highlight of the program includes a design competition, during which students will build 'relaxation pods' that they feel encourage strong mental health. The pods will be designed in collaboration with specialist architects and be exhibited during the festival. Participation will also contribute to mental health research, with Black Dog Institute measuring the social and health benefits throughout the festival events. According to the ABS National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing 2007, anxiety is the prominent mental health condition in Australia, with one in four people experiencing anxiety at some point. Add to that, 65 percent of Australians with a mental health problem don't seek help according to the NSW Mental Health Commission. The Big Anxiety Festival hopes to change all that by creating meaningful interactions that expand awareness, support neurodiversity and promote mental health. The festival will run from September 20 to November 11, with the full program available here. The majority of events are free and wheelchair accessible, with select events Auslan interpreted, audio described, and with tactile tours. Image: Nick Cubbin.
Sydney foodies, we're spoilt for choice at every turn. New top-notch eateries are cropping up faster than ever before. If you're struggling to keep up — and who isn't? — never fear Taste of Sydney 2016 is the four-day foodie festival to get to up to speed on the cream of the culinary crop. Setting up residence in Centennial Park from March 10 to 13, Taste of Sydney in partnership with Electrolux is all about bringing diners and chefs together. Ticketholders will be treated with nosh from some of Sydney's top restaurants, including treats from beloved man-on-the-move Mike McEnearney (Kitchen by Mike), Biota Dining's sustainable modern Australian dishes, fire-cooked noms fromFiredoor, nel.'s fine dining dishes, plus Middle Eastern street food from the crew at Glebe's Thievery. Also joining the deliciousness will be Porteno, MoVida, Sake, and the newly opened Kensington Street Social, among others. But we can't wait until then. We annoyed Mike McEnearney to give us a recipe, NOW. NOOOOOOW. So Mike relented and told us how make his fresh, crunchy cucumber, mirin and sesame salad. You can make it too! Mike McEnearney's Cucumber, Mirin and Sesame Salad Ingredients: 800g cucumber 1 whole long red chill, thinly sliced 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil 1 pinch good quality salt ½ bunch fresh coriander 2 tsp toasted black sesame seeds 2 tsp toasted Japanese sesame seeds 120 ml Mirin and ginger dipping sauce Method: Slice the cucumber lengthways discarding the seeds. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, toss and serve. Mirin and ginger dipping sauce Ingredients: 350 ml mirin 250 ml rice wine vinegar 100 ml raw soy sauce 50 g ginger 50 g eshallots, peeled Combine all ingredients in a bowl, and let sit for at least one hour before serving.
When we take that first sip of our barista-brewed coffee on a workday morning, a lot of us can't actually imagine living without coffee. But what about living without a roof over your head or a guaranteed meal? Unfortunately, this is what many homeless people around Australia face each day, but on Friday, August 7, you can help your fellow Aussies out simply by buying a coffee as part of CafeSmart. CafeSmart is an annual event from StreetSmart that raises money and awareness for the homeless and is back for its third year running. Last year, 415 cafes and 20 coffee roasters raised $120,000 to fund 91 community projects. Not too shabby. So how does it work? From every coffee purchased on August 7 at a participating cafe around Australia, $1 will be donated towards local projects. So if your go-to local isn't participating, shake things up for a day and head to one that is. Prefer a hot chocolate? You can also donate at the counter. Simply by aiming for a bighearted cafe, you'll be helping some of our country's most in-need humans, so treat yourself to a third or fourth coffee guilt-free. Look for cafés posting this little guy today. @StreetSmartAust gives $1 from your coffee to help the homeless. #CafeSmart #drinkcoffeedogood A photo posted by Concrete Playground Sydney (@concreteplayground) on Aug 7, 2014 at 9:02pm PDT CafeSmart is happening around the country on Friday, August 7. Check the website for participating cafes near you. Image: Dollar Photo Club.
The One Day crew just keep hitting their stride. A far cry from their humble 2013 pub beginnings as One Day Sundays, Sydney's favourite hip hop crew are getting bigger and bigger crowds with every event, throwing over 50 events across Australia in the last two years and blowing the roof of their monthly Factory mini-festivals. Now, they're ready to throw their biggest Sydney day party yet — One Day Only. Locked in for Saturday, November 21, One Day Only will take over three levels of Manning House — which has already proved its festival ability with years of Sydney Uni gigs and the recently moved-in OutsideIn festival. Building on the tried and true formula of the One Day Sundays parties, the event will see 3000 punters enjoying hip hop, future beats, neo-soul, R&B and electronica across three stages. “The parties have exploded since we started back in 2013 and we felt now is the time to step things up”, said Nick Lupi of One Day. “One Day Only will build on the same party vibe that Sydneysiders have come to know and love, but we’re turning it up a few notches. The bigger lineup and extra stages will incorporate live acts and a wider mix of genres, plus we’ll be decking out Manning House like you’ve never seen it before.” Of course, music's not the only creative element running the One Day parties, so expect live graffiti art curated by international spraypaint brand Ironlak, and a cornucopia of Sydney's finest food trucks. Apparently the crew are taking cues from the most unlikely of hip hop places for the party's 'theming': the social revolutions of 18th century Europe. “The party will combine classical opulence and beauty with a slightly anarchic undertone” said One Day’s Raph Lauren. “We’re taking over the mansion to turn up and share the spoils with the people. This is a renaissance. A party for the ages.” ONE DAY ONLY LINEUP: Anderson .Paak (USA) P-Money (NZ) Jackie Onassis M-Phazes Sampology Ngaiire Joyride Paces The Meeting Tree Baro Feki Young Trapz jayteehazard Jimblah DJ Izm Mike Who Halfway Crooks Left. Thandi Phoenix Shantan Wantan Ichiban Zuri Akoko Adit Nacho Pop Poncho Lazer Gunne Funke Moonbase Commander Finehosue Gravy Camden.Arc Radge Klue Buoy
When you read a news story explaining a tragic, violent event, often you're getting just a fraction of the story. Filled with cold facts and figures, absorbing news coverage of unspeakable crimes like mass shootings and gun-related violence can be a pretty sobering experience. Too often, it's easier to bury your head in the sand. If you're an arts practitioner, tackling a topic like gun-related violence is far from an easy task. But with mass shootings and armed attacks rising on a global scale, more and more artists are taking it upon themselves to grab our collective attention and try to understand what the hell went wrong. For playwright David Greig, Norwegian Anders Breivik's shooting of 69 young people at a summer camp in 2011 stuck a chord too deep to ignore. Translating emotions into art certainly isn't a new notion, but his socially aware play The Events has really got us thinking about the aftermath of these tragic experiences. So we caught up with actress Catherine McClements, the lead in Belvoir's current production of The Events, to unpack the power of theatre for social commentary, what it takes to adopt a character so poignant and personal, and the role of the arts in helping us grapple with these challenging topics and find a way forward. [caption id="attachment_573870" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Belvoir/Lisa Tomasetti.[/caption] HERE'S HOW THINGS STAND 372. That's the number of mass shootings that took place across the United States in 2015 alone, according to the BBC. The Gun Violence Archive reveals that, on average, 36 Americans were killed by guns PER DAY (amounting to a staggering 12,942 by December 23) last year. Not surprisingly, America ranks among the developed nations with the highest rate of gun ownership, according to ABC. But this isn't just happening in the US. Both the UK and Australia have been the sites for numerous horrific mass shooting events in recent decades. From cases such as Martin Bryant (responsible for ending 35 lives during the 1996 Port Arthur Massacre, and which led to private gun ownership laws being restricted in Australia) to the 2014 Lindt Cafe siege in Martin Place, the threat posed by such lethal weapons continues to rear its head in the wake of such devastating incidents. [caption id="attachment_573865" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Belvoir/Luke Cowling.[/caption] SO, WHAT THE HECK CAN ART DO? While gun-related violence is a huge global issue affecting countless lives, individual people turn to art to help them understand such heinous acts on a personal level. When it comes to The Events, we're focused on one woman and her story. Written with reference to the Anders Breivik case of 2011, the play won over crowds at the 2013 Edinburgh Festival for its delicate contemplation of community and compassion in the face of gun-related violence. Closer to home, director Clare Watson brings The Events to life for Australian audiences. Showing at Sydney's Belvoir Street Theatre from May 12 to June 12, this powerful play explores theatre as a medium for social commentary and a means to personalise the events we see splashed across the headlines. [caption id="attachment_573866" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Belvoir/Luke Cowling.[/caption] BREAKING DOWN 'THE EVENTS' Set in the halls of a fictional community centre, Catherine takes to the stage as Claire, a church minister responsible for leading the local community choir. After a young gunman tears the fabric of this group apart, Claire is forced to rebuild herself and her band of singers. "Her journey is to really contemplate the boy who committed the crime," Catherine explains. "The boy" is played by Johnny Carr, who additionally takes on the role of numerous characters in the play, from the boy's father to Claire's psychologist. This deft casting decision reinforces Claire's obsession with this young man; everyone is filtered through the lens of her attacker as she struggles to come to terms with the event. "The play is trying to deal with what is our response to something like that, not during the event when we can't control it but afterwards when we can contemplate it." What sets this production apart is its use of real-life choir members as performers on stage. Each night, a different choir comes on stage, to perform songs for the play and from their own repertoire. "For the audience … it's like seeing themselves up there, because the choir sits behind the action," says Catherine. "We try and do it so the choir have not seen the play, and so they don't really know what's going to unfold at all." And this is what makes The Events such a unique portrayal of gun-violence: its emphasis on the aftermath, on people and emotions rather than the hot-headed brutality of the crime itself. "There is not one answer to why most of these young men commit these crimes," says Catherine. "I think the play just deals with all of the elements of it... the disenfranchisement, the music, the sense of hopelessness. It ultimately comes up with the question of... how we deal with it, what we do in response." [caption id="attachment_573867" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Belvoir/Luke Cowling.[/caption] BUT 'THE EVENTS' IS NOT ALONE Despite its strengths in shining a light on the psychology behind gun-related crimes, The Events is, of course, not the first artistic work to explore mass shootings. For example, Gus Van Sant's film Elephant (2003) won critical acclaim for its unnerving depiction of a fictionalised high school shooting using non-professional actors (drawing clear parallels to the events of the 1999 Columbine high school massacre). What The Events and other works highlight is the creative potential and evocative possibilities that performance offers. They may not be perfect in their delivery, but their value lies in presenting a discourse of the humanity of offenders, families and their victims. As Catherine explains, "It's a contemplation through art, rather than through politics." The Events is now showing at Belvoir until June 12. Top image: Brett Boardman.
After a quick makeover, Cornersmith Marrickville reopened yesterday. And the big news is you can now add an alcoholic beverage to your meal — be it a bloody Mary with brekkie or a local wine with lunch. On top of that, the eatery is open for dinner, Wednesday through to Sunday. In keeping with Cornersmith's approach to food, the drinks list features loads of house-made ingredients, from syrups and fermented sodas to bitters and brines. New sommelier Marc Dempsey (Yellow, 121BC) has come up with a bunch of signature cocktails, including a cherry kombucha spritz, as well as an all-Australian wine, beer and spirits menu, which focuses on small-batch drops and brews. "I'm looking forward to working in the inner west with people I admire for their ethical approach to hospitality and hoping to bring a restaurant experience that is genuine and sophisticated but friendly and relaxed to the community of Marrickville," said Dempsey, via Cornersmith's Facebook page. Dinner, served from 5pm, is all about share plates. New head chef Ava Stangherlin (Hotel Centennial) is mixing and matching local produce, such as Wapengo oysters from Bermagui, NSW, Maffra clothbound cheddar, seasonal veggies and, of course, Cornersmith's famous pickles, preserves and ferments. At lunch, design your own ploughman's plate, with fancy ingredients like pickled blue mackerel and cucumber kimchi. The brekkie menu has seen a few tasty additions, too. There's a new egg roll with Spanish tortilla, watercress, red pepper relish and kefir butter, and a creative take on the classic breakfast bowl, packed with pineapple bircher, summer stone fruit, almonds and poppy seeds. Cornersmith Marrickville, 314 Illawarra Road, is open Monday–Tuesday, 7am–3:30pm; Wednesday–Friday, 7am–late; and Saturday–Sunday, 7:30am–late. Dinner bookings are recommended and can be made through the Cornersmith website.
This year the Sydney Fringe Festival's thematic sprawl is matched only by its geographical reach. With Festival Director Kerri Glasscock placing emphasis on the importance of discovering "new places, sounds, people and genres", this year's Fringe comprises over 300 ticketed events and commandeers close to 50 venues over 11 suburbs throughout the city. Darlinghurst will be one of the first suburbs to find itself under creative governance. To celebrate the opening of the festival, Fringe will take over Stanley Street for an epic street party on Saturday, September 3. Fringe Ignite will see shops, bars and cafes on the strip transformed into pop-up live music and performance venues, all of which will be curated by Grammy-nominated jazz pianist and composer Barney McAll. It's also followed by a drag disco at Oxford Street's Midnight Shift from 9pm. And that's just the start of it. This year, the festival will run from 1-30 September with a series of coordinated artistic invasions taking place throughout the month. Performances hit all points of the compass, from Melita Rowson's Giant Worm Show to the 17-piece Sirens Big Band. Rose Callaghan's Attention Deficit…Ooh a Pony! is just one plank in a raft of comedy acts, while dance and visual arts are strongly represented by Melbourne City Ballet and Polixeni Papapetrou, respectively. The Yoganauts — four heroes who introduce kids to the superpower of yoga, naturally — will be returning to ensure younger audiences lose their minds too. On the Thursday, August 11, musician and Festival ambassador Elana Stone will spearhead the carving out of a new artistic precinct along Parramatta Road. Aptly named Off Broadway, an army of local independent artists will descend to reinvigorate a part of the city that is often mistaken for the Soviet Union. Close by, the beautiful new Camperdown Commons urban farm site will also become a vassal state to the arts with a range of events, and Camperdown Park will host a vintage cricket picnic. The festival isn't going out with anything other than a bang either. The closing weekend will see last year's sold out Silent Dinner Party — where diners eat a three-course meal in total silence — will make a return, and, for the first time ever, Fringe will host a mini music festival at Glebe's waterfront Bicentennial Park. The call is to party, but make no mistake – this is annexation by art. Batten down the hatches or pledge your allegiance to culture in the streets this September. For the full Sydney Fringe Festival program, visit sydneyfringe.com. Image: Belina Dipalo.
Sydney’s beloved Surry Hills barbecue restaurant Porteno has found a new pop-up home in Rushcutters Bay, following the fire that broke out on January 9 in their Cleveland Street digs. Co-owner Elvis Abrahanowicz told Gourmet Traveller that while the Surry Hills fire and subsequent water damage hasn’t affected the dining area of the restaurant, repairs to the ruined areas in the upstairs bar and roof could take up to two months. So they’re popping up for a while as the adorably named Popteno, a separate endeavour to their Double Down Diner Messina team-up at the Sydney Festival Village. According to GT, Porteno's new pop-up will occupy the space formerly home to Rushcutters and Neild Avenue. The crew will no doubt be serving up a variation on the existing Porteno menu, so we're guessing a meaty, meaty Argentinian focus is in store. Poptento will launch on January 28. If you’re pining for Porteno until then, get down to the Double Down Diner at Sydney Festival village for all your American-style barbecued, fried and sauced up needs. Find Popteno at 10 Neild Avenue, Rushcutters Bay from January 28, open Wednesday to Saturday from 6pm. Via Gourmet Traveller.
Happy damn Friday. Friend to the high note and monarch of mindfuck music videos FKA twigs has chucked a Beyonce and dropped a surprise EP this morning, along with a trippy 16-minute film. Titled M3LL155X, the five-song EP is available from today through Young Turks, after twigs shared new tracks 'Figure 8' and 'Glass & Patron' earlier this month. Produced by the mysterious BOOTS (producer of Beyonce's surprise album), it's a pretty highly anticipated release, following the hoo-ha around her 2014 album LP1, and subsequent sold-out international touring — including her recent Australian/Laneway tour. We're pretty stoked on artist Matthew Stone's EP cover art: Let's get to that 16-minute movie huh? Fusing tracks from the new EP into one freaky, mesmerising short film, twigs has created "an aggressive statement conceptualising the process of feeling pregnant with pain, birthing creativity and liberation," according to Pitchfork. From twigs as a live sex doll to a cameo from fashion icon Michele Lamy, this is one strange escapade. Watch below, with headphones up loud. M3LL155X is available through Young Turks. Via Pitchfork. Image: Andy Fraser, Laneway Festival.
Sydney will join the likes of Tokyo, Warsaw and Vienna, when the globally acclaimed Red Bull Music Academy Weekender hits the harbour city in September. Making its first ever stop in Australia, the four-day travelling festival will welcome a collection of internationally recognised artists for a series of live shows, club nights, lectures, parties and art exhibitions at some of Sydney's best-loved venues. Sounds pretty bloody terrific to us. Set for September 8-11, the Weekender lineup remains under wraps for the time being, with the first names expected to drop on Tuesday, April 26 before tickets go on sale on Thursday, April 28. The full program will be released in June. Organisers have promised the event will celebrate "the many elements and unique counterparts to the city's musical and cultural identity." The Weekender is one of many events to have spun-off from the Red Bull Music Academy, which boasts an 18-year history fostering musical talent and collaboration around the world. In Australia they've hosted club nights featuring the likes of Onra, Romare and Taylor McFerrin, and presented stages at Laneway and Splendour in the Grass. The Red Bull Music Academy Weekender hits Sydney on September 8. Keep your eyes peeled for a first look at the program on April 26.
Ah burritos. Like hugs you can eat. And if you're lucky, you'll soon be able to get them delivered right to your door quicksmart. Danny Burrito is a Sydney-based startup currently looking to raise money via a crowdfunding campaign. Their business? Burritos on demand. How has nobody thought of this before? According to the Danny Burrito Pozible page, Sydney CBD customers will be able to order their burritos via a mobile app, at which point one of Danny's numerous satellite kitchens will get busy cooking. Your burrito will then be delivered to you via bicycle courier, arriving in a specially-made burrito canister designed to keep your food hot and intact. The process shouldn't take more than 15 minutes, and you'll be able to track the whole thing via GPS. Basically, it's Uber for burritos, and it might be the greatest idea in the history of the world. Move over, 'the wheel'. At the time of writing, Danny Burrito has raised just under $2900, leaving them with two weeks to get to their target of $10,000. A $10 donation will get you a free burrito once the business gets off the ground, while for $50 they'll let you submit your own recipe for their burrito of the month and give you the naming rights — thus fulfilling what we can only assume is everyone's lifelong goal of having a Mexican dish named after them. But the real value comes once you break into triple digits. For $100, you get free burritos for a month, and for $1000, a whole year. And while that may sound like a lot of money, it's actually less than a dollar a day — assuming you eat burritos for breakfast, lunch and dinner, which sounds like a totally reasonable proposition to us. All money raised will go to covering Danny's upfront costs, including delivery bikes, licensing, website development, branding and package manufacturing. To help make Danny's burrito dreams a reality, chuck them a few bucks via Pozible.
The trouble with going to the opera in Sydney is, once you're there, you can no longer see the Sydney Opera House. No stawlwart sails, no gleaming cream tiles, no spiky little silhouette. And what's the fun in that? But for one month of the year Sydney has their theatrical cake and eats it too, when Handa Opera on the Harbour sets up at Mrs Macquarie's Point. The floating outdoor opera comes with an eye-popping view of Sydney's natural and artificial bounties, including the Opera House and Harbour Bridge beyond. This year Handa Opera on the Harbour is going Egyptian for Verdi's Aida, a love triangle of epic, war-starting proportions. With Gale Edwards directing, the set by Mark Thompson includes the giant rotating head of Queen Nefertiti, live camels and plenty of fireworks. The 30m x 28m stage, 2.5 times larger than any you'll find indoors in Australia, is partially built at White Bay then trucked to Fleet Steps in the Royal Botanic Gardens, where it's lifted onto pylons and completed. The cranes actually form part of the mise en scene in this instance, with the production set in a period where ancient Egypt is decaying and a new world being built (with some more surreal and Devo-esque touches adding to the spectacle of the thing). The orchestra is housed directly beneath the stage, in an area apparently dubbed 'The Underworld'. Made possible by the continued funding of philanthropist Dr Haruhisa Handa, the previous three years' shows — La Traviata, Carmen and Madama Butterfly — have proved monumentally successful. At a time when opera is struggling to attract audiences, Opera on the Harbour not only sells tickets but lures in thousands of opera newbies. You don't need to understand opera to understand what makes the occasion great. Aida is on from March 27 to April 26 at Mrs Macquarie's Point. For more information and to book, visit the Opera Australia website. Images: Prudence Upton and Hamilton Lund.
Co-created by Ben Jenkins and Zoe Norton Lodge in their Sydney University days, Story Club has reached greater heights in its move from Hermann's Bar and into Chaser-run comedy and performance venue Giant Dwarf. Bringing speakers that you've heard of and others that you haven't is Story Club's shtick. Each guest sits in an armchair before you, opens the heavy Story Club tome and relates a fascinating story from their lives. Both hilarious and remarkable, the event has a new theme each month. The kids behind Story Club call it "stand-up, but sitting down. Then add narrative." Australia's finest raconteurs — including our politicians, stand-up comics, novelists, journos, commentators, poets and musicians — are among the usual suspects.
It's a well-known fact that The Rocks is home to some of Australia's oldest and most classic pubs; and the city's growing interest in small bars, craft beers and boutique wines has been hitting its historic heart, too. Here are five bars worth a visit — whether you're after dazzling harbour views, adventurous drinks lists or quality live music. THE PUSH The Push is named after a legendary Rocks music venue, which, back in the bohemian ‘70s, hosted the city’s best jazz and blues players. The modern-day Push occupies the ground floor of the 19th-century Russell Hotel and is one of the area’s most intimate-feeling bars. Head there for beautifully mixed classic cocktails, as well as a proudly Australian selection of excellent wines and craft beers. Pop in on Friday and Saturday nights to hear the baby grand piano in action. 143 George Street GRAIN You’d be hard-pressed to find a more geographically diverse whisky selection anywhere in Sydney. Spanning the windswept isles of Scotland, the mountains of Japan and the steamy cities of India, Grain’s shelves allow you travel around the planet in one flight. If you’re not sure where you’re headed, the expert staff will sort you out. Attached to the Four Seasons Hotel, Grain delivers 5-star service and is fitted out with a sleek interior, blending golden lighting with dark wood. A central fireplace keeps things cosy when the weather’s cold. 199 George Street THE ARGYLE Housing five bars across two levels, The Argyle is The Rocks bar with it all. Hide in a comfy booth for a quiet drink, meet a bunch of mates around one of the communal tables or soak up some sunshine, or evening ambiance, in the sandstone courtyard. The 1820s, heritage-listed building, with its high archways and timber beams, is big on atmosphere. Head down on Friday nights for DJs, Sunday afternoons for live acoustic sessions, and Wednesday evenings for salsa. 18 Argyle Street BLU BAR ON 36 If you’re in the market for killer views, Blu Bar on 36 has you covered. Situated on the 36th floor of the Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney, it affords stunning panoramas of Sydney Harbour, the Opera House and Darling Harbour. The cocktail menu is impressive, featuring a long list of signature works, and, if you’re flush, you can splash out on a Martini on the Rock, which comes with a diamond and a room. Blu Bar is definitely your go-to for a post-lottery win sunset beverage. Level 36, Shangri-La Hotel, 176 Cumberland Street THE BAR, PARK HYATT SYDNEY The soft, warm lighting and stylish interiors of The Bar at Park Hyatt Sydney make it the perfect place for a nightcap or a classy night with your most sophisticated friends. A healthy range of beers, wines and ciders is only the warmup act for a killer list of cocktails. Even if you're only there for a short while you simply must sample the bar menu – or if you plan on staying longer, why not step into The Dining Room for a meal? Park Hyatt Sydney, 7 Hickson Road Top image: Grain.
The Kings Cross Hotel is about to be transformed into an immersive wonderland as part of this year's Vivid Sydney festival. As part of the truly epic Vivid Music program (which includes the world premiere of Björk's digital project), the hotel will be in full swing with a slew of live music, theatre and cabaret throughout the three weeks of the festival from May 27 until June 18. On Friday and Saturday evenings, some of Sydney's cabaret pros will be setting up shop in the Hotel's plush Red Room as part of Avant-Cabaret. Grab yourself an opulent cocktail and see some of Sydney's best take the stage, from burlesque beauties Zsa Zsa La Fine and Betty Grumble, award-winning Aussie cabaret star Tom Sharah, David Bowie Unzipped's Jeff Duff, the inimitable, unmissable and highly glittery Matt Format, tale spinners Mikelangelo & The Black Sea Gentlemen, King of Dance Moves Brendan Maclean and more. AVANT-CABARET LINEUP: May 27 — Opening night party: Jeff Duff, Bridie Doll, Zsa Zsa La Fine May 28 — Betty Grumble & Saba Saliba June 3 — Tom Sharah & Matt Format June 4 — Trevor Ashley & Sabrina D'Angelo June 10 and 11 — Cabaret Sasquatch June 17 — Mikelangelo & The Black Sea Gentlemen, The Chocolate Girl, Oh Reach June 18 — Closing night party: Brendan Maclean, Zsa La Fine, Bridie Doll and burlesque performers The Kings Cross Hotel's Vivid takeover will run for the length of the festival, from May 27 until June 18. For more information on what's happening at the Hotel, visit their website.
With a sumptuous colour palette, interwoven plot lines, and unexpected humour, writer-director Rian Johnson (Looper) has assuredly marked Star Wars, Episode VIII: The Last Jedi as his own – a new chapter in the Skywalker saga that is at once deeply familiar and unique. Part two in the sequel trilogy picks up right where The Force Awakens left off, with the orphaned heroine Rey (Daisy Ridley) attempting to lure the only remaining Jedi, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), out of self-imposed exile. Meanwhile, the last remnants of the Resistance flee a resurgent New Order. The film opens with as dramatic a sequence as the franchise has ever seen, delivering an exhilarating and poignant battle that introduces a spectacularly menacing new class of space ship known as the Dreadnaught, pits ace pilot Poe (Oscar Isaac) against his superiors, and sets in motion a race against the clock. Unable to escape without detection and with only shallow reserves of fuel remaining until the New Order catches up with them, the depleted Rebel fleet limps through space like the Orca from Jaws – a hapless, crumbling ship pursued by a killer whose only remaining hurdle is time. But as ingenious as this setup may be, it also gives rise to the film's most pointless subplot. After waking from his coma, Finn (John Boyega) contrives a means by which he can disable the New Order's tracking device, albeit one that requires him to sneak off the fleeing vessel, travel to a Monaco-styled casino planet, track down a master codebreaker and infiltrate the enemy's warship undetected. This enormous MacGuffin sees Boyega partnered with the charming Kelly Marie Tran as Rose Tico, a Resistance engineer low in status but high in pluck. The problem is that their side adventure does absolutely nothing to advance the actual story. Finn's reluctant hero arc was already covered off in The Force Awakens, while Rose's belief in (and commitment to) the righteousness of the rebel cause is perfectly encapsulated in her fantastic introductory scene but goes unchallenged thereafter. Benicio Del Toro also pops up, then shortly thereafter departs, in an entirely forgettable cameo. Ultimately they all end up right where they began, having effected no material change except to deliver a heavy-handed critique of war profiteers. The great shame is that in both Boyega and Tran you have oodles of charisma, heart and talent that deserve scenes of equal calibre. Instead, they chew up time in a movie already guilty of using far too much of it. Thankfully the rest of the cast fares better. Hamill, Ridley and Adam Driver's Kylo Ren find themselves entangled in a fascinating and emotionally-driven power struggle, with each grappling with their complicated relationships to one another and their wider place in the universe. In an appropriate analogy to the franchise itself, Skywalker wrestles with his own understanding of legend and mythos, believing himself unworthy of hero status and wracked with the guilt of failing Ren in his training. Ren, in turn, remains conflicted about his place in the First Order and his murder of his father, whilst Rey feels the growing Force within her yet lacks the knowledge or training to understand it. It's in sequences featuring this core trio that The Last Jedi hits its highest notes. The exploration of Jedi lore, too, receives the kind of treatment that will delight the franchise's most ardent fans, including a moment of outstanding visual flair, involving replicated Reys, that reminds us of Johnson's unique style and character. And, of course, there's Carrie Fisher, whose few scenes remind us how affecting and groundbreaking a character Princess Leia is, and how captivating an actor Fisher was. Her departure is treated with all the deftness, restraint and respect that audiences could hope for. Perhaps the biggest departure from tradition, though, especially in the wake of the gritty spinoff Rogue One, is Johnson's use of comedy. With more gags, one-liners and quirky moments than all the other Star Wars films combined, The Last Jedi introduces a levity to the staid franchise in the vein of Roger Moore's turn as post-Connery Bond. At times it works, even to the point of guffaws, but ultimately the humour feels misplaced. In a story where loss abounds and crushing defeat looms large at every turn, the repeated cutaways to doe-eyed porgs purring like extras from a Pixar film distract more than they entertain. So, too, does Domhnall Gleeson, whose character General Hux plays more like a parody of a Star Wars villain. As a result, both the New Order and the film itself are robbed of their most enduring menace: the Empire. After all, pare back any of the previous films in this sprawling space opera and you'll find that, for all their Sith lords and rogue assassins, what truly terrified was a galactic military-industrial complex so vast and overbearing it was capable of repressing not just people but entire planets. Darth Vaders come and go, and individuals can be destroyed, but totalitarian regimes endure for generations. When an oppressed populace has only ever known a life under the iron fist, it cannot even contemplate an alternative. It's that, more than any great, dark mysticism, that provides the Star Wars universe with its most tangible threat. Overly long and consistently clunky, The Last Jedi ultimately proves a bit of a mixed bag. Its battle scenes are nothing short of spectacular, including a five-second shot involving Laura Dern and a hyperspace jump that almost singlehandedly justifies the entire film's existence. As a chronicle of Jedi mythology, too, the film delivers in a way the George Lucas prequels never managed, offering new and engaging insights into the Force and the balance between light and dark. Too often, though, the dialogue is exposition heavy and played for easy laughs. One senses Rian Johnson has in him a greater, more exploratory story to tell, one unburdened by so much expectation and history. The good news? He's set to follow Last Jedi with an entirely new Star Wars trilogy. May the force be with him. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0CbN8sfihY
