Western Sydney, loosen your belts. More than 40 food trucks will soon be powering your way. And, when they gather at Rooty Hill RSL on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 November, they'll form the heart of Off the Eaten Truck, the biggest food truck festival ever to hit Western Sydney. For two glorious days, you're invited to do nothing but sample their wares. You'll be tucking into burgers from Mister Gee, Neapolitan wood-fired pizzas from Happy as Larry, organic creations from Agape, Mexican snacks from Cantina Movil, Vietnamese street food from Mama Linh's and so much more deliciousness. And, while you're feasting, there'll be live and local music to keep your ears happy. Entry is free, but should you decide to make a gold donation, it'll go to the Movember Foundation. Off The Eaten Truck is a collaboration between Rooty Hill RSL and Knafeh's Bearded Bakers. Creative director Ameer El-issa said, "For too long Western Sydney has been a forgotten market when it comes to food festivals. We are excited to have the opportunity to bring together a collective of operators who are all likeminded — who love food, and love bringing it to people."
Lovers of #ladyDJs, here's one for you. FBi Radio has long been a supporter of grrrls who are keen to #takecharge and get the dancefloor started. But, that can be easier said than done in a genuinely male-dominated electronic music industry. So, in collaboration with MoVement Sydney, FBi treated five trainees to masterclasses and mentors, in order to even up this industry with killer new female talent. And now, you — and your dancing shoes — get to sample the results. For free. Head on down to FBi's Alexandria HQ on Wednesday, October 19 for an all-ages party, where you'll hear Melbourne synth-poppers GL, alongside upcoming DJs Ebony Boadu, Ella Haines, Elizabeth Gale, Holly O'Neill and Katrina Stevens. Just don't forget to RSVP online.
Anyone who has ever watched a horror movie before knows that you should never, ever go into the woods. Yet that's exactly what the people behind Australia's coolest new immersive cinema experience are asking you to do. Horror Movie Campout is a blood-soaked overnight camping trip held in a secret Blair Witch-style forest an hour from the city. Just please, leave the machete at home. Hitting Melbourne in December and Sydney in March, this uniquely scary take on outdoor movie-going will treat campers to two classic horror films, along with a number of gory shorts. The first is 1973's head-spinner The Exorcist – enjoy the serenity of fear while roasting marshmallows and munching on popcorn (or spilling it) into the early hours of the morning. The second popular horror feature will be voted for by HMC campers via Facebook. But it's not just the movies. Beyond the comfort of your cosy cinema spot, surprises lurk in the forest. Is someone following you? Is that a person’s shadow, or just your imagination playing tricks? Horror Movie Campout promises to put your heart – and your bladder – to the test. Each $180 ticket includes a tent to sleep three mates. Glamping options are also available for $240, offering luxury horror-goers VIP perks such as express entry and primo spots in front of the screen. Just don't think you're exempt from the special horror surprises. It should also probably go without saying that this is strictly an R18+ event. Image: Dollar Photo Club.
You know that thing you've been thinking about doing for ages, but never had the guts to pursue? Those wild, seemingly unrealistic ideas we all have are what a brave few have used to shape their entire careers. And Jack Smyth and John Dawson from the team at Mindshare want to bring you an invaluable insight into how this can all come true. With a diverse panel of speakers, from scientists to reality TV producers, this Vivid Ideas event focuses on how creativity serves as one of the most valuable resources in today's modern economy. Feeling like you're stuck in a rut? This one's sure to fix that. This is one of our top picks for Vivid Ideas events. Read the whole list and reboot your brain.
What's better than one annual showcase of French movies ? Two, of course. After giving Aussie audiences the best in Gallic cinema once a year for the past 26 years — and building the biggest festival of French films outside of France, too — the folks behind the Alliance Française French Film Festival are doubling their efforts. In fantastic news for anyone who likes diving back into the great flicks of times gone by, the Alliance Française Classic Film Festival will shine a light on a heap of old favourites. It's the second time the fest has done so, but the first time it has toured around the country. Heading to screens in Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra, Perth and Melbourne during September through to November, the fest will unleash classic efforts starring everyone from Brigitte Bardot to Catherine Deneuve to Isabelle Huppert for your viewing pleasure, . Feasting your eyes on the game-changing wonder that is Jean-Luc Godard new wave hit Breathless is a must, whether you're keen for a revisit or you're watching it for the first time. Also check out extravagant French western Viva Maria!, the love triangle-focused Cesar and Rosalie, the Venezuelan-set Lovers Like Us, and black-and-white underworld crime drama Casque d'Or. Alliance Française Classic Film Festival will run at two Sydney venues: August 26-28 at Palace Norton Street and September 2-4 at Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace.
As evening rolls in on Saturday September 17, a sea of light and colour is set to burst to life in one of the city's thriving local haunts. Now in its fifth year, Chippendale Creative Precinct brings nine alleyways of this suburb alive for one night only in the 2016 instalment of Beams Arts Festival. Visited by over 22,000 local and international guests last year, Beams returns to Chippendale for its annual celebration of all things bright and creative. Following the flourishing transformation of the Kensington Street Precinct from its pre-colonial slumber, this year Beams promises to continue the area's impressive display of art, culture, fine food and wine with this after-dark extravaganza. See Chippendale's creative community come to life from 5pm, featuring everything from performance artists and video animations to light exhibitions and even a spot of live music. Over 40 of Sydney's best street artists will gravitate to O'Connor Street, just around the corner from Kensington Street, to create a 100-metre graffiti wall. As for the nosh, seeing as though the area has exploded with new restaurants and bars of late, expect bountiful eats from Mekong, Bar Chinois, Automata, Andiamo and Kensington Street Social set to keep crowds (and stomaches) happy.
St Leonards is often overlooked as one of Sydney's more productive artistic hubs, but this is quickly changing thanks to the TWT Creative Precinct, an artist-run initiative that provides workspaces for over 70 artists working in visual, performing, music and film disciplines. To witness the lower north shore's cultural evolution in action, head along to this year's block party, a free annual event celebrating local artists and creatives. The jam-packed program will feature a range of exhibitions, performances, film screenings, music and workshops, happening in 16 different spaces over 11 buildings on Atchison and Chandos Streets. Highlights include the unveiling of a two-storey high public mural by renowned Sydney street artist Beastman, as well as an immersive installation by William Mansfield, short film screenings by Arcadia and even a shadow puppetry show by interdisciplinary artist Aesha Henderson. Follow the trail through TWT Creative Precinct's exhibition spaces and finish up at X&Co Cafe, a non-profit, artist-run social enterprise where you can enjoy a drink and a bite to eat.
If you're the kind of person who is quick to take offence, you might want to give the latest play from writer Declan Greene a miss. Indeed, all you need to do is look at the title to know that The Homosexuals, or Faggots, is not the kind of show to pull its punches. Fresh from a successful run at Melbourne's Malthouse Theatre, Greene's blistering social satire is heading to Griffin Theatre Company. You'll follow Warren and Kim, a pair of wealthy gay men who find themselves in an awkward situation involving a politically incorrect costume party and an easily offended academic. What follows is a farce that takes the piss out of hypocrites on both the right and the left, and has been described by the playwright himself as one of the more provocative things he's ever written. Rehearsal image: Brett Boardman/Malthouse Theatre.
Vivid LIVE expanded last year with its Artist Talks Program, which saw artists taking the stage for their Vivid show and also for a special Q&A. Artists like New Order, Anohni and Wafia chatted to audiences across multiple Opera House foyers, as well as in the Playhouse. The talks are designed to give audiences the ability to both hear artists perform and also reflect on their creative process. This year, the program is somewhat smaller, but will allow Vivid punters the chance to hear from headlining artists in conjunction with their Vivid LIVE show. Australian electronic producer Nick Murphy (formerly Chet Faker) will chat with Triple R broadcaster Lauren Taylor about his new EP Missing Link — and, inevitably, why he's moved on from 'Chet Faker'. Legendary producer Richie Hawtin will chat with Vivid LIVE festival curator Ben Marshall to unpack Hawtin's career and the modern state of electronic music, ahead of his headline performance on the Northern Boardwalk. The Artist Talks series is completely free, you just need to book in advance. Read more about the Vivid Sydney 2017 program here.
Hold onto your paper plates Sydney, there's another Night Market coming to Carriageworks — this time it coincides with the penultimate evening of Vivid Sydney on Friday, June 16. This year's market will be twice the size of previous years, with a slew of stallholders taking over Carriageworks from 5pm. You can expect to once again sample goods from New South Wales' top tier of restaurants, winemakers, breweries and providores, all inspired by this year's theme 'Cooking with Fire'. Billy Kwong, Young Henrys, Cake Wines, 4Fourteen, No.1 Bent Street and Pepe Saya will be returning, and they'll be joined by the likes of first-timer Hartsyard, Firedoor, Three Blue Ducks, Rising Sun Workshop, Icebergs Dining Room and Bar, Cairo Takeaway and Lankan Filling Station. Darren Robertson's almost-open North Bondi venue Rocker will be doing the drinks, too. Tickets are $10 — head to the Carriageworks website to book ahead. Image: Tim da Rin.
It's time to set your inner Grand Designs junkie free. For three months from August 29, the Superhouse exhibition will fill the Sydney Museum with the most innovative, magical and downright amazing buildings in the whole wide world. Whether your fix is small spaces, rooftops, skylines, mixing architecture with nature or transformations, there'll be both photographs and immersive displays to inspire you. Highlights include Astley Castle, a 12th-century ruin-turned-contemporary-home, and Solo House, which is built around a swimming pool. The forces behind the show are author and curator Karen McCartney and photographer Richard Powers, who worked together on Superhouse, the book. Karen was at the Sydney Museum last year with the 2014 Iconic Australian Houses exhibition. “The exhibition demonstrates how architectural experimentation and daring can challenge notions of how we should live," she said in a media statement. "A superhouse delivers a 360-degree completeness of form, its exterior and interior have a seamless execution and above all else, it is awe-inspiring ... This quality can be elicited from the perfection of its natural setting, a remarkable use of materials, an exceptional level of craft, ground-breaking innovation or a use of space that lifts the spirit."
Last year, people queued around the block for FBi Click’s launch party. Twelve months on, FBi Radio's electronica-focused digital station, which plays new beats 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, is here to stay. And to celebrate its first anniversary, the whole team is returning to Goodgod Small Club on Saturday, 27 June to take over the entire venue. Every single one of the station’s crew members will be in attendance, delivering wall-to-wall DJ sets. That includes Motorik, Picnic, Astral People, Purple Sneakers, Bare Necessities, Body Promise, Goodgod Sound Unlimited, Lazy Radio, Foreigndub Airways and Thump. To top it off, Black Vanilla will be popping in for a special guest DJ set. The music kicks off at 10pm and continues till late. Entry is $15 on the door or $10 for FBi supporters. You can’t book tickets in advance and it’s likely to sell out super-fast, so get there early, equipped for waiting in line. Image: Yael Stempler, FBi Radio.
In some circles, brunching is considered a serious artform; well-considered for menu, atmosphere, availability of soothing breakfast booze. Sydney's pretty damn good at brunchery, with smashed avos, applaudable cold drips and all the Bloody Marys filling up Sydneysider bellies every weekend. But if you’re looking to really up your brunch game, there’s one heck of a breakfast party happening in Waterloo’s warehouse conversion tapas and wine bar, mojo. Luke Mangan's Danks Street eatery is holding ‘Brunch of Fun’ on Saturday, April 11, with some of Sydney’s most creative foodie and boozy champs. Pretty much a showcase of Sydney’s culinary ingenuity, Brunch of Fun sounds like a weekend party worth getting up early for. There’s going to be Instagram-worthy desserts from the outrageously talented Katherine Sabbath, fresh ‘wiches from Brooklyn Boy Bagels, crazy, crazy delicious wizardry from N2 Extreme Gelato, locally-brewed goodness from Young Henrys as well as hot treats and breakfast cocktails from mojo. Plus, there'll be local DJs caressing your eardums while you munch. Best of all, it's free entry so you can use all that dosh on nosh. Set your alarm.
What do No Lights No Lycra and Earth Hour have in common? First up, they both started in Australia. Second, they’ve both turned into global movements. Third, neither likes lights. So it makes perfect sense that the two should team up. And that's exactly what they’re doing this Saturday, 28 March at 8.30pm. People all over the world are invited to spend Earth Hour with the lights switched off, dancing, as part of a global event dubbed 'Switch Off and Dance'. The No Lights No Lycra folks are even curating a playlist — so not only will you be letting loose at precisely the same time as thousands of others, you’ll be doing so to exactly the same tunes. As is the case with all No Lights No Lycra events, the danceathon is all about getting down in a place where no one can see you, so there's no being self-conscious or worrying about who's comparing your moves to Beyonce's. The focus is entirely on relaxing, having fun and throwing the worst shapes in your repertoire. Of course, it being Earth Hour, there'll be the added bonus of giving our poor, beleaguered planet some much-needed love and attention. In Sydney, Switch Off and Dance will be happening at Level 1, 251 Riley Street, Surry Hills. To find other events or initiate one of your own, head over here.
Not every Sydneysider has the luxury of being able to nab a cheeky beach dip in Tamarama after work. The words "hectic traffic", "epic trek", "generally CBF" start a long list of pretty solid excuses. If you're an inner-city dweller, chances are you've found your nearest community pool for cooling off and doing mad laps in. Luckily, the City of Sydney's built a fair few aquatic centres around town, five in all. And summer's the perfect time to try 'em all — for free. Over a series of Saturdays, the City of Sydney is hosting a series of free open days in their swimming pools, inviting locals to try out everything each 50-metre pool has to offer — from the insanely pretty Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool located on the edge of the harbour, to the $40 million Harry Seidler and Associates-designed Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre. There'll be a range of activities for all ages on the day, including tours, fitness classes, aquatic inflatables, learn-to-swim information, barbecues and face painting. Plus, you get to swim for free. The idea behind the open days is to give you a chance to test out the facilities associated with the City of Sydney's 360 card — $53.40 a fortnight for access to all five of the City of Sydney's aquatic centres across the city, and their adjoining fitness facilities. CITY OF SYDNEY SWIMMING POOL OPEN DAYS: Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool: Saturday, January 30, 9am-midday Prince Alfred Park Pool: Saturday, February 6, 9am-midday Victoria Park Pool: Saturday, February 13, 9am-midday Cook + Philip Park Aquatic and Fitness Centre: Saturday, February 20, 8am-1pm Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre: Saturday, February 27, 8am-1pm Image: City of Sydney.
Get on the A train, get on the right track to Goodgod Small Club this Saturday, the Ragetastic Aussie '90s band Swoop are set to play their first gig since 1999. Remember Swoop? If you need some direction, this is a one-way sign to a grand ol' uber-nostalgic time. Headlining Goodgod's Vivid edition of their straight-up killer '90s dance night 'Rhythm of the Night', Swoop will be bringing playing a full set to blueberry skies-lovin' punters. The minds behind 1996's singalong single 'Apple Eyes' (which spent weeks and weeks in the ARIA charts), Swoop were worth getting up early to watch Rage for — shoutout to The Mavis's too. This is their very first show since disbanding in 1999 (after a legitimate four-album career), so we're predicting strawberry wine aplenty. Swoop aren't taking this nostalgic trip alone. Sydney DJs Joyride, Levins, Ariane, Shag, Charlie Chux, G Coo and babygirl will be cranking out all the '90s dance tracks that you've buried along with your Discman. Expect Aaron Carter's 'Crush On You' meets Prodigy's 'Breathe' and every So Fresh banger in between. So if you're feeling hot on account of the sun, get your '90s lovin' butt to Goodgod — scrunchies, FUBU shirts and SMP belts encouraged. Image: Goodgod.
Legendary gloomsayer and friend to the animals Morrissey is the headliner of this year's Vivid LIVE. Set to play four exclusive shows at the Sydney Opera House on Tuesday May 26, Wednesday May 27, Saturday May 30 and Sunday May 31, the former Smiths frontman is one epic pull for the Vivid team. But there's one big proviso. In classic Morrissey stylin', the famously vegetarian Meat is Murder singer has requested a ban on meat at the Opera House on performance nights — both in backstage catering and at any food and beverage outlet within the venue. Does this include Bennelong and Opera Bar? Probably. This isn't the first time Morrissey has banned meat at one of his appearances. The outspoken PETA supporter had Belgian festival Lokerse Feesten ban meat in 2011, everything from snails to horse meat sausages. Two years earlier, Morrissey abandoned his Coachella set because he said he could "smell burning flesh," before adding, "and I hope to God it’s human." The Mancunian legend marks a significant booking high-five for Ben Marshall, the Opera House’s head of contemporary music and recently appointed as the curator of Vivid LIVE, replacing the long lauded Fergus Linehan. Having previously booked The National, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds and Flying Lotus for the Opera House, Marshall's booking of Morrissey is the start of one predictably applaudable Vivid LIVE lineup announcement, set for this month. “I’m thrilled that the first announcement for Vivid LIVE 2015 is a Sydney-only residency by the uniquely gifted and inimitably stylish Morrissey," says Marshall. "I have vivid teenage memories of his face all over our lever-arch files in high school. So it’s amazing to now showcase his artistry on the Concert Hall stage. These four vital, intimate concerts will be a very special occasion for all those like-minded souls who’ve been affected by Morrissey." An Evening With Morrissey will be the artist's only Australian appearances. Want more Vivid music? Check out our top ten Vivid gigs over here.
Australian politicians, you'd better go incognito for the next few months. British-born, American-based comedian John Oliver is heading to Australia for a string of stand-up shows this August. The Emmy and Writer’s Guild Award-winning writer, comedic actor and politically-outspoken satirist is taking a short break from his Peabody-winning HBO show, Last Week Tonight, to jump on a plane and scatter truth nuggets around our shores. Heading back to his political stand-up roots, it's Oliver's first stand-up tour in Australia. Of course, this isn't his first time fiercely focusing on our great southern land; dropping plenty of not-so-flattering Australian takedowns on his own show and while guest hosting on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. This is Oliver's first ever Australian stand-up tour, so expect these tickets to go quicker than Australia's political credibility on late night American television. Expect uncomfortable Australian realities aplenty, with deep burns like this Tony Abbott roast:
The legendary, controversial, performance artist who does 'nothing' is finally returning to Australia after a 17-year absence. The subject of two major projects (at Hobart's Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), and at Pier 2/3 with Kaldor Public Art Projects), Marina Abramovic is heading our way this June. Beloved and equally criticised, 67-year-old Abramovic has been invited by both MONA's David Walsh and John Kaldor to create a two experiences for the public — a retrospective solo exhibition at MONA called Private Archaeology, beginning June 13, followed by Kaldor Projects’ Marina Abramovic: In Residence, with a series of 'exercises' from the Abramovic Method happening over twelve days at Pier 2/3 from June 24 to July 5. If you want to see Abramovic throw down her ideas on a pedestal, she'll be giving a keynote address in the Roslyn Packer Theatre in Walsh Bay on Tuesday, June 30 at 8pm, supported by the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney. The legendary artist will speak about her journey towards immaterial art, her engagement with audiences and the impact of long-durational practices. This will be her only public talk during her 2015 Australian visit, so you're going to want to lock down tickets asap. Private Archaeology opens at MONA on June 13 and runs through October 5. Kaldor Public Art Projects’ Marina Abramovic: In Residence at Pier 2/3 Walsh Bay opens June 24 and runs through July 5. To book tickets to Abramovic's keynote address on June 30, head over here. (Tickets on sale Tuesday, June 9 at 9am.)
Time to scope out an enormous bib and the hardiest pair of gloves you can lay your hands on. On March 12, House of Crabs are bringing back their decadent, annual seafood orgy by the name of 'Endless Bags'. And yes, it means exactly what you think it does. You get to eat as much blue swimmer crab, prawns and mussels as you, your stomach and your shell-cracking knuckles can handle. All you have to do is book a two-hour sitting. We suggest you arrive right on time because you'll have only two hours to get your money's worth. Tickets are $100 a head, which ain't cheap but, the boil is banging and the atmosphere streaks ahead of the city's hotel seafood buffets. Given that the venue inspires queueing on regular nights, bookings are most definitely recommended. Guarantee yourself a bottomless bag by calling (02) 9699 3177 or sending an email to houseofcrabs@drinkndine.com.au.
Cybershaming and cybersexism, drug addiction and neurology, the 'extreme centre' of politics, climate change and capitalism, robots and unemployment, and sugar. They're all on the programme for the seventh incarnation of the Festival of Dangerous Ideas. Coming to the Opera House over September 5–6, this year's event will be bringing us a stack of Damn the Man activists, provocative authors and controversial intellectuals from all over the world — with Canadian No Logo author, social activist, and filmmaker Naomi Klein, freed journalist Peter Greste, and The Men Who Stare at Goats author, journalist and NPR regular Jon Ronson just three of the big guns on the bill. Returning to Sydney, Ronson will flesh out his new book So You've Been Publicly Shamed in a talk on 'Shame Culture', while Klein explains the ideas behind her new book This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. Culture. Then, Greste will deliver his first big public talk since being imprisoned in Egypt with two other Al Jazeera English journalists, a talk dubbed 'Journalistic Freedom'. DIETLAND author Sarai Walker will be sticking it to fat shaming in 'Radical Fat Acceptance', while American journalist and Fast Food Nation/Reefer Madness author Eric Schlosser will be unpacking his latest book Command and Control, which digs deep into America's nuclear arsenal secrets. Israeli director, screenwriter and writer Gideon Raff (who created Israeli series Prisoners of War and its US adaptation Homeland) will be talking about the responsibilities of film and television when using 'real life' events in their storylines. British Pakistani writer, journalist, and filmmaker Tariq Ali will present a talk on 'The Twilight of Democracy' (focused on Greece no doubt). The Economist's international section editor Dr Helen Joyce will take you through the publication's controversial right-to-die campaign, and Silicon Valley entrepreneur and Rise of the Robots author Martin Ford will delve into the not-so-distant future in 'Hello Robots', discussing the possibility of a robot economy and subsequent jobless future. And beloved NYC podcast storytellers The Moth will make their first Sydney appearance for FODI onstage. FODI's not just about keynotes and solo speeches, with a panel program set to fire up some furious debate on the Opera House stage. Controversial I Quit Sugar writer Sarah Wilson will chair a healthy eating-focused 'Big Sugar' panel with That Sugar Film creator Damon Gameau and executive manager of the Obesity Policy Coalition (OPC) Jane Martin. Alongside her own talk about the hactivist group Anonymous, academic and author Gabriella Coleman will take her online expertise to the 'Cybersexism' panel with powerhouse writer Clementine Ford and Penny Red/Unspeakable Things author Laurie Penny, and Seoul-born, New York-living writer Suki Kim will lead the hard-hitting 'Inside North Korea' panel, with Michael Kirby and Anna Broinowski. And that's just the tip of the iceberg for the 2015 Festival of Dangerous Ideas, for the full program head over here. By Jasmine Crittenden and Shannon Connellan. Images: FODI, Daniel Boud.
If it's been a while between Chardonnays with you and Orange, or if you've never actually ventured to the regional foodie hub of New South Wales, now's your time to make amends. This Thursday and Friday, Sydneysiders can take in the best of Orange's food and wine right in the heart of the CBD, at the annual Taste Orange @ Sydney festival in Martin Place. Taste your way through NSW's 'food basket' with 15 of the regions best wineries offering tastings, including Phillip Shaw, Brangayne, Logan, Ross Hill, Tamburlaine and more. Seriously, if you haven't tasted a Phillip Shaw Chardonnay, get amongst it. After-work drinks are made for the Pop-Up After Dark Orange Wine Bar, open 5pm to 8pm both nights. But you're going to want some high quality, Orange-grown nibbles with that vino. Taste's lunch and dinner offerings include the incredibly Orange-proud team at Agrestic Grocer’s tasting plate of venison, pork belly with 'agrestic' preserve. Or you could dig in to Union Bank's braised Hereford red short rib with Vietnamese greens — UB's an absolute restaurant must if you're passing through Orange, by the way. There's also Franklin Road Kitchen’s chicken skewers with kusundi sauce for the casual nibblers. Of course, Orange is no stranger to dessert. You'll be able to Instagram and devour (charge your phone for this) some of The Old Mill Cafe's best sweet treats — here's hoping they bring the lemon meringue tarts, or you can sample single origin chocolate from Origin Chocolate. If you can't wait until Thursday, Taste Orange is doing a special Orange four-course preview dinner with Chiswick on Wednesday, September 9 at 6.30pm. Local Orange producers have been working with chef Richie Dolan to create a special Orange-focused menu, with matching Orange wines of course. It's $115 pp and bookings are essential (02) 8388 8688. Taste @ Orange is open Thursday and Friday from 11.30am - 2.30pm, and 5-8pm.
The Sydney CBD is getting a brand new rooftop bar and live music lounge, albeit only temporarily. Presented by Art & About Sydney, the pop-up bar will sit atop Town Hall's Marconi Terrace and will be serving up food, drinks and free live performances over nine nights throughout the second half of September. As if Sydney's office workers needed another reason to look forward to the end of the day. Located on the Druitt Street side of Town Hall, The Terrace has been inspired by New York's rooftop bar scene, particularly the magical arboretum that is Gallow Green, complete with garden-style features by Sydney design duo Amber Road. The venue will be open 5pm–10pm from September 18–27, except on Sundays when it’ll be open from 3pm. The music program features a diverse range of artists including Jones Jnr, Pat Capocci, Microwave Jenny and Richard In Your Mind, along with an acoustic set by Dave and Joji from Gang of Youths and a closing night performance by Paul Capsis accompanied by the Cafe of the Gate of Salvation gospel choir. That's in addition to a lineup of local DJs spinning sets every night. Best bit? Entry to The Terrance is 100 percent free. Here's hoping we see more openings like it. Sydney's rooftop bar scene isn't crowded with options, but with the arrival of spring, it seems like the perfect time to change that. Image: Dave and Joji from Gang of Youths. Picture by Alexander Kalyk.
Meet Iris Apfel, the kind of stylish, straight-talking, bespectacled nonagenarian everyone wishes was their grandmother. The New York cult figure has stood out from the crowd across decades of trends, and dabbled in everything from art to interior design. If she sounds much cooler than most people a quarter of her age, well, that's because she is. The 93-year-old's resume speaks for itself, given that she has spent over 75 years in fashion traversing everything from working at Women's Wear Daily to setting up her own textile design firm with her husband to still lecturing about style today; however, it is her personality and outlook, rather than her achievements, that shine brightest. That she says she was probably the first woman to wear jeans speaks to her pioneering spirit. That she notes that she's more excited about dressing up for parties than actually going to parties does as well. Indeed, the ever-flamboyant Apfel remains an individual at a time when such a term has started to lose its meaning, as she herself observes when musing over the common correlation between black attire and fashion. Always decked out in rows of couture costume jewellery and never seen in an outfit that could be classed as boring or bland, she advises that she approaches dressing a bit like jazz — with a little bit of this and a little bit of that. It shows. So bounces forward a loving portrait of blazing your own path — and never compromising for or caring about the opinions of others — as given perhaps the strongest living example. From the moment Apfel graces the screen and thrusts her oversized pearls of wisdom upon the audience, it is immediately apparent why she's the subject of the documentary that shares her name. From the moment the film displays its frame, the affection, energy and insight filmmaker Albert Maysles channels is also evident, as is his making of the movie in the style befitting his subject. Alas, there is a lone sad note to the engaging ode, despite the slight but sweet exploration that comprises the documentary's running time. The joy and vivacity that Apfel exudes on screen, fierce and frank until the last moment, is balanced by the knowledge of the film's director. The great Maysles, noted for crafting the iconic Grey Gardens and Gimme Shelter, passed away at the age of 88 in early 2015, with this his penultimate effort. Accordingly, Iris actually pays tribute to two great trailblazers and showcases what both do best: pave their own way and create their own stories through their chosen mediums of fashion and film.
Have a very Murray Christmas with that most loveable of movie cranks, as the elves at Golden Age Cinema & Bar celebrate the festive season. The venue has been counting down the days to the holiday all week, with a film program featuring such yuletide classics as Gremlins, Home Alone and It's a Wonderful Life. But on Christmas Eve, one jolly man in particular will be sliding down the chimney. And his name isn't Santa Clause. Forget the milk and cookies. On the night before Christmas, the great Bill Murray stars as a mean-spirited television executive in Scrooged, Richard Donner's 1988 retelling of A Christmas Carol. Although it's not put up on a pedestal in the same way as Ghostbusters and Groundhogs Day, this might actually be one of Murray's most underrated films. Watching this guy act like a jerk flat out never gets old. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2fTMi2hoYA
If there was ever a reason for a road trip to South West Rocks aside from that killer coastline, it's a regional craft beer festival. The first ever Crafts on the Coast beer event is coming to the Seabreeze Beach Hotel, located five hours drive from Sydney on the New South Wales’ mid-north coastal hideaway of South West Rocks. It's the hotel's first ever craft beer event, happening March 5 and 6. What a bloody good reason to hit the road. Crafts on the Coast is all about celebrating local and regional boutique breweries. Expect to be surrounded by the likes of Bucket Brewery (Kempsey), Black Duck Brewery (Port Macquarie), Little Brewing Co. (Port Macquarie), Murray’s Brewery (Port Stephens), Six String Brewing (Central Coast), and South Australia's Hills Cider. Best bit? Entry is free. You stock up on tasting tickets ($22 for 10 with a tasting cup), hand 'em over and get to know your local NSW brewer — then of course, taste their wares. The Seabreeze will be creating paired food menus for the event, featuring produce sourced locally from Macleay Valley. If you're serious about your beer-food pairing, there's a big degustation Brewer's Dinner on Saturday night with the brewers behind your chosen tipple. There'll be live music by Josh Needs and Craig Stewart over the weekend too, so you can really settle in for the arvos. Plus, the Seabreeze is offering a range of accommodation packages for the event, so check the website and plan your craft beer-fuelled escape.
A regular highlight of the Melbourne dining scene that pioneered the term ‘ginstronomy’ is making its way to Sydney for three weeks this November. Led by premium gin brand Bombay Sapphire, Project Botanicals is a pop up bar and restaurant that aims to showcase the aromatic flavours of the spirit in ways other than commonplace unions like tonic and juice. Taking inspiration from the ten exotic botanicals found within Bombay Sapphire — juniper berries, coriander seeds, liquorice, almonds and cassia bark — award-winning Biota Dining chef James Viles has teamed up with the gin giants to create two five course menus matched with five inventive gin cocktails. The offering will rotate weekly, and you'll have the chance to choose between two botanical menus, 'Plants & Roots' and 'Berries & Bark'. But you don't have to go the whole hog to enjoy this pop-up. Project Botanicals will also boast a rooftop bar, open from 5.30pm Wednesday to Saturday. The drinks have been created in collaboration with some of Sydney's best bars, including Eau de Vie, The Barber Shop, The Rook and This Must Be The Place. There's no doubt that this is the best place to get your gin on. The Sydney debut of Project Botanicals will be open for three weeks at the Old Rum Store warehouse building in Chippendale's new Kensington Street precinct, with two sittings each day. The ticket price includes a five-course menu matched with five Bombay Sapphire cocktails. Tickets must be purchased in advance, and can be bought here.
If you're in the wretched position of being the world's biggest animal lover but you're not allowed to own a highly Instagrammable Frenchie because your landlord's a dingus, this is the event for you. Behold, the mighty, mighty Super Furry Festival, coming to Surry Hills this weekend. Billed as a "furry, fun day filled with cuddles, activities, music and animal love" the Super Furry Festival will see the most decadent array of adventures for animal lovers in Sydney. Take a breath... there'll be doggy massages from Rocky's K9 Rescue, DIY cat toy classes from the Cat Protection Society, a kissing booth from the Sydney Dogs and Cats Home, caricatures by Greyhound Rescue, fortune telling by Golden Oldies, a kitty cuddle tent and guess-the-weight comp by Monika's Doggie Rescue, a 'cattoo parlour' by Cat Rescue 901, a balance-the-coin comp by Animals Australia and a photobooth by Staffy Rescue. But the animal instincts don't stop there. There'll be stalls selling both human and four-legged treats, including pop-ups from the likes of Peticular, Luxe Pups, Haus of Harley, Paddo Pets, Puss Week Magazine, Twenty3, Sydney Animal Physiotherapy, Sydney pet Vet, Snug Dog, Kookie Box, Potty Plant and Beer Dog's Brewhouse. Entry is free, because sometimes life covers you in glitter and puppies. Plus, Gelato Messina made these for the occasion: Images: Dollar Photo Club, Gelato Messina.
The Smith Street Band have an incredibly endearing habit of looking out for the underdog. Following their November release of their third album, Throw Me in the River, the Melbourne four-piece found themselves in the news as a result of their sold-out EP titled Wipe That Shit-Eating Grin Off Your Punchable Face, which features a portrait of Tony Abbott and protests the Australian government's current treatment of refugees. Throw in a fundraising gig for refugee advocacy groups in Melbourne on Australia Day and you've got one seriously outspoken Aussie band. On their upcoming tour around Australia they're keeping up their determination not to forget anyone, with the aptly titled 'Get High, See Everyone Tour', featuring an impressive 24 dates across Australia, including regional stops like Bendigo and Maroochydore and a whole heap of all-ages gigs for younger fans. The pairing of desperate energy and youthful, emotional frenzy with surprisingly thoughtful and touching lyrics have earned The Smith Street Band a loyal fan base. And, bless them, the band is going to do their best to see every one of you. Supported by PUP (Canada), Great Cynics (UK) + Apart From This.
2014 has been a big year for Firstdraft. After 19 years residing on Chalmers Street, they made the move to a bigger and better space housed in Woolloomooloo, one of the oldest suburbs in Sydney. It's a fitting precinct for the gallery, which itself is one of the longest artist-run initiatives we have in Australia. To celebrate this year's achievements, Firstdraft is holding a cracker Christmas party, curated by Tom Smith, who you might recognise from his musical output with fellow collaborator Marcus Whale. Witness the cultural imprint of wunderkind Holly Childs, the author behind the mind-bending novella No Limit; composer Austin Buckett; intermedia artist Giselle Stanborough; sonic explorers Half High; Young Thug-influenced artist Hamishi Farah; violinist Jon Rose; Lion Mountain Studio; experimental synth musician Nina Buchanan; and Marcus Whale, who will be performing a eulogy to his past nine years producing under the Scissor Lock moniker. There's a $5 entry fee, but free sausage sizzle, so on balance, you definitely win.
Returning to the Tyagarah Tea Farm over the Easter long weekend, Bluesfest is set to gumboot-stomp its well-worn spot in the Australian festival game as one of the tightest productions on the calendar. This year's lineup has generated more buzz than usual, landing one of the most awaited Australian returns of the last year — Kendrick Lamar. Alongside the multi-Grammy-winning artist and The Blacker the Berry maestro comes Bluesfest's usual, eclectic, heavily star-studded lineup. 'The Voice' is coming. Not the Delta kind, the only kind. Living legend and eternal 'Sexbomb' Tom Jones sits at the top of the bill, alongside The National, D'Angelo, Modest Mouse, City and Colour, Eagles Of Death Metal, UB40, Haitus Kaiyote, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds and more. Things are going to get real Byron when The Wailers perform all four of Bob Marley's albums Exodus, Survival, Uprising and Legend in their entirety. Memories will be flooding (along with Bluesfest, if it rains again) with the appearance of Jackson Browne, alongside the The Decemberists. Returning Bluesfester Steve Earle is back with The Dukes, and we'll be front and centre for The 'Original' Blues Brothers Band. Add to this some of the best festival food in the game? You've got yourself a humdinger of a muddy, muddy weekend. BLUESFEST 2016 LINEUP: In alphabetical order... Allen Stone Archie Roach Ash Grunwald Backsliders Blackberry Smoke Blind Boy Paxton Chain City And Colour Cold War Kids Con Brio Digging Roots Dustin Thomas D'Angelo And The Vanguard Eagles Of Death Metal East Journey Elle King Emdee Emma Donovan & The Putbacks Eugene Hideaway Bridges Fantastic Negrito Frazey Ford Grace Potter Graham Nash Harts Hiatus Kaiyote Houndmouth Hussy Hicks Irish Mythen Janiva Magness Jason Isbell Jeff Martin (The Tea Party) Joe Bonamassa – Bluesfest exclusive Kaleo Kamasi Washington Kendrick Lamar Kim Churchill Lord Huron Lucky Peterson Lukas Nelson & The Promise Of The Real Marshall Okell Melissa Etheridge Mike Love Modest Mouse Mojo Juju Nahko and Medicine For The People Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds Pierce Brothers Playing For Change Band Raw Earth. Rhiannon Giddens Richard Clapton Russell Morris Sahara Beck Shakey Graves Songhoy Blues St. Paul & The Broken Bones Steve Earle and The Dukes Steve Smyth Sturgill Simpson Tedeschi Trucks Band Tex Perkins & The Ape The Blind Boys Of Alabama The Bros. Landreth The Cat Empire The Decemberists The Mastersons The Mick Fleetwood Band The National – Bluesfest exclusive The Selecter The Wailers The Word The "Original" Blues Brothers Band Tom Jones Tweedy UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell, Astro & Mickey Virtue – Bluesfest exclusive Vintage Trouble Wards Xpress + more Bluesfest runs Thursday, March 24 – Monday, March 28 at Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, Byron Bay. Tickets from Byron Bay Bluesfest. Image: Andy Fraser.
One of Australia's most beloved film critics is coming to a cinema near you — and she's bringing some of the greatest movies ever made along for the trip. Co-curated by Margaret Pomeranz, the Hollywood Retro Film Festival will showcase 22 classic titles from the 1930s to the 1960s, including many which have not been seen on the big screen in decades. This could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Trying to narrow down the program into a list of highlights is all but impossible — after all, there's not a single weak film on there. The Searchers, Spartacus and Gone with the Wind should please fans of historic drama, while lovers of film noir can catch Sunset Boulevard and The Maltese Falcon. If you want something a little lighter, try It's a Wonderful Life, or tap your toes along to Singin' in the Rain. And if you're really undecided, perhaps try Citizen Kane. We hear that one's meant to be pretty solid. For the full Hollywood Retro Film Festival program, go here.
Not to be confused with the pioneering hip-hop DJ, Marlon Williams aka Marley Marl aka the “Every Saturday Rap Attack, Mr. Magic, Marley Marl” referenced by Notorious B.I.G. in his classic 1994 single ‘Juicy’, Kiwi troubadour Marlon Williams is embarking on an extensive national tour throughout November and December. The ambitious run of dates will take Williams all over our wide brown land, hitting most major cities as well as some slightly off the beaten track regional centres. The prolific singer-songwriter will be unleashing his unique brand of critically acclaimed alt-country alongside his band, The Yarra Benders. Described by WOMADelaide as “the impossible lovechild of Elvis, Roy Orbison and Townes Van Zandt” and having recently starred in the ABC drama The Beautiful Lie, Williams’ star continues to rise rapidly. If you want to be able to say that you saw him before he became a household name, get tickets pronto. You can also catch Marlon Williams playing in picturesque wineries across the nation as part of A Day on the Green.
Missed Masterclass 1? It matters not. Get along to Redline Productions' Masterclass 2 and you'll still be in with a chance of following your dreams. In this satirical take on the acting masterclass, comedic duo Charlie Garber and Gareth Davies promise to teach you everything but deliver nothing. Along the way, you'll be treated to any or all of the performance arts, from dance to mime to musicals. The journey begins with Garber and Davies taking you by the hand and leading you into a dark, mysterious world, whispering encouragement as you go. Don't be afraid: drama lessons don't get any better (or funnier) than this. The original Masterclass premiered at Goodgod Small Club as part of the 2011 Imperial Panda Festival. Lamenting your absence? Catch up at one of three special reprises, to be held January 23, 24 and 30.
Film buffs, prep your saliva glands for the Sydney Film Festival entree you’ve been waiting for: the organisers have revealed their first wave of programming, featuring several of the year’s most hotly anticipated movies not named The Avengers or Star Wars. The tantalising teaser includes 27 titles, many of which have already begun generating buzz at festivals overseas. Slow West, a suspense-filled Western starring Michael Fassbender and Ben Mendelsohn, won the Dramatic Grand Jury Prize at Sundance, while post-war German thriller Phoenix was one of the most talked-about films in Toronto late last year. Other dramatic standouts include the Brian Wilson biopic Love & Mercy featuring Paul Dano and John Cusack, and a new take on the world’s most famous detective starring the great Ian McKellen as an ageing Mr Holmes. But even more impressive than the festival’s dramatic lineup is the first round slate of documentaries. Acclaimed non-fiction filmmakers Alex Gibney and Kirby Dick tackle scientology and campus sexual assaults, respectively, in Going Clear and The Hunting Ground, while How to Change the World chronicles the early years of Greenpeace. Joshua Oppenheimer also returns with The Look of Silence, a kind of sequel/spin-off to his stomach-churning masterpiece The Act of Killing that delves further into the atrocities of Indonesia’s anti-communist purges. If all that sounds a bit depressing, the programmers have also included a couple of more light-hearted films, such as the whimsical Irish animation Song of the Sea. Fans of Swedish comedy will get a kick out of the new movie from Roy Andersson, the brilliantly named A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on Existence. And speaking of the Swedes, film criticism’s honorary dad David Stratton has put together a special retrospective on the quintessential Swedish filmmaker, the one and only Ingmar Bergman. The Sydney Film Festival will run from June 3 – 14. Check out the currently announced program on the festival website, and keep your eyes peeled for the full program, which is expected to launch on May 6. Image: Slow West
If you thought NYC was the only city proudly dominating the global bagel scene, you've overlooked Montreal. Canada's creative, culinary-minded city has a fierce bagel industry, with longtime bagel houses like St-Viateur and Fairmount waging war over 'best bagel' naming rights. Now, Sydney's going to get a piece of the action, with seasoned coffee roasters and San Fransisco-trained bakers Mark Treviranus and Dave Young gearing up to open a Montreal-style bagelry in Woolloomooloo. Set to open on Cathedral Street this May, Smoking Gun Bagels will be Sydney's first bagelry to serve authentic Montreal-style bagels. The bagels will be made onsite in what's apparently going to be Australia's largest purpose-built bagel woodfired oven — sitting at 14 tonnes, constructed by stone masons and flown in from Canada, so it's legit. Melbourne's already got a Montreal-style bagelry in Mile End, but this will be Sydney's first. So what makes Montreal-style bagels any different? "Montreal style bagels are smaller and sweeter than other bagels," says Treviranus. "We individually hand roll, boil them in water sweetened with honey, before placing them into the woodfire oven. That gives them a crispy outside and chewy inside, quite different to any other style produced in Sydney." Smoking Gun's bagels will even be Montreal-advised; Treviranus and Young developed the recipe with the St-Viateur team — one of the aforementioned top bagel houses in Montreal (the head baker is even in Australia right now helping the pair learn the tricks of the trade). They've also worked with Jo Barrett, head of pastry at Yarra Valley's Oakridge Winery to craft the menu. All bagels will be presented 'open style' and will feature local artisan products including our favourite cultured butter producers Pepe Saya. You'll be able to see your bagel rolled, boiled and woodfired at Smoking Gun, with the oven positioned to let you watch the whole process. Smoking Gun Bagels opens May 11 at 129 Cathedral Street, Woolloomooloo. Open Monday to Friday 7am – 3pm and Saturday 8am – 3pm and Sunday 8am - noon.
Beloved Austin rock band Spoon, who are playing headline shows in Sydney and Melbourne this month, have announced an addition to the schedule: intimate gigs at two of Australia's favourite record shops. Hitting Sydney's Red Eye Records on Wednesday, March 22 and Melbourne's Polyester on Friday, March 24, the band will appear in duo mode. Lead singer and guitarist Britt Daniel will be bringing you stripped-back takes on songs from Spoon's newest album, Hot Thoughts, alongside keyboardist and guitarist Alex Fischel. As you can imagine, spots at both gigs will be limited. To get your name on the guest list at Polyester, you need to pre-order Hot Thoughts — in person or online. Red Eye is a different story. Turn up as early as you can and hope for the best. It's an all-ages event, and it's first in, best dressed. Spoon's visit to Australia is a bit special — after all, the band started making the new album in a rented house in Collingwood. "I took a bunch of unfinished songs with me," Daniel said. "When I got down there, I was more excited about coming up with all new stuff. I'm not sure if it's just the AC/DC connection or what. Australia just seems like this other world. It's like this weird combination of Texas and England."
Think you know what you're seeing at this year's Sydney Film Festival? Think again. Sure, the 2016 fest kicks off in just two days, but that doesn't mean they've finished tinkering with their program. In fact, the city's premier cinema celebration has added a whole host of Cannes titles to mess with your schedule. It's enough to make #firstworldfilmfestivalproblems your new favourite hashtag, but once you see the flicks on offer, you'll be doing whatever you can to get these nine efforts in front of your eyeballs. For starters, who doesn't want to see Adam Driver play a bus driver named Paterson who lives in the New Jersey town of Paterson? Yep, Jim Jarmusch's latest feature basically sells itself. It's also called Paterson, of course, and won Cannes' coveted Palm Dog for best canine performance. That's not the only high profile movie sliding into the lineup, with Personal Shopper — a French psychological thriller, and Kristen Stewart's second collaboration with director Olivier Assayas after Clouds of Sils Maria — on the bill as well, and screening alongside new South African short film The Beast. The rest of the fresh batch of features includes silent animation The Red Turtle, which was co-produced by Studio Ghibli, Park Chan-wook's sensual thriller The Handmaiden (which also showed at Cannes), and the FIPRESCI Prize-winning German comedy Toni Erdmann, which boasts an applauded performance by actress Sandra Hüller. Plus, doco fans should flock to The Cinema Travellers, which delves into India's mobile tent theatres, and Hissien Habre, A Chadian Tragedy, which honours the victims of the titular dictator. And on the retrospective front, film buffs can take in the glory of Marlon Brando at his best in the brooding 1961 western One-Eyed Jacks. That makes 18 films heading straight from the French Riviera to Sydney Film Festival this year, aka more than most cinephiles could've ever hoped for. We've said it before, and we'll say it again: if you're looking for us from June 8 to 19, head to a cinema. The 2016 Sydney Film Festival runs from June 8 to 19. To check out the complete program and book tickets, visit the festival website.
As lockout laws push weekend revellers further outside the CBD, Newtown's King Street has long offered an alternative to areas like Kings Cross. Drinks are served until the pub shuts and the music is… well, the music is still pretty strictly policed. But the times, they are a-changing, according to Bourke St boss and new owner of the newly revamped Botany View Hotel, Paddy Coughlan, and we should be looking to the south. South King Street, that is. The Sydney Park-end of Newtown's main drag hosts a slew of pubs that have carried the 'Keep Newtown Weird' flag for years, keeping the music loud and frequent, and punters happy with a good brew, great company, and especially live music. "I think that south end of King Street represents all that used to be good about Newtown in general, and a big part of that was live music," says Coughlan. "We need to support and foster music venues." Under his ownership, the Botany View Hotel — which has just undergone a low-key revamp, including a relaunch of the dining room — will host live music every Friday and Saturday night to keep up the area's gig scene. Reviving the old vibe, for Coughlan, means maintaining the authentic edge of a pub's pub. "I like to think people come to our pubs for the authenticity of what we're doing, not because we've overthought every piece of furniture," he said. The Botany View will also aim to rehash the grub at the pub, looking to nail down a menu that the everyday punter can get behind with good quality produce and reasonably priced food. Though, with two of his other venues — The Lord Gladstone and The Lady Hampshire — serving their fair share of tacos and burgers, Coughlan has made this menu more "considered". The menu is less snacky, and leans towards knife-and-fork dining with dishes like the cauliflower tagine, a soft-shell crab spaghettini and a 'fancy' schnitzel with parsnip puree and chicken jus. They're also doing platters, including a vego one with zucchini fritters, haloumi, falafel and babaghanoush, and a $10 lunch menu Monday to Friday. The revival of King Street's south end is already underway, with Coughlan pointing out stalwarts like the Union Hotel and the Sydney Park Hotel, as well as the Botany View Hotel, as part of "our own little community" — although we're said to see the Newtown Social Club gone, which is reopening as a mini golf bar this week. With pubs like these continuing to support live music, good feeds, and cheap beers, Coughlan is confident the "that old Newtown vibe" is on its way back. "The already strong sense of community will get stronger," he says, which is something we can all raise our lighters to. The Botany View Hotel is now open at 597 King Street, Newtown. For more info, visit their Facebook page. Images: Kimberley Low.
Any time is a good time for a getaway in the Hunter Valley, though that's particularly true in May and June. That's when the Hunter Valley Wine & Food Festival returns to highlight the best the region has to offer. And this year, there's more cheese than usual. Rather than focus all of their eating and drinking goodness over a few days or on a few places, HVWFF spreads the love. Keen on a fireside dinner where you'll sample 2014-vintage wines? Want to meet local producers and feast on farm-fresh meals? Or watch a wine barrel become a bonfire as part of an annual tradition? Of course you do. But if the godly trio of wine, cheese and the arts specifically take your fancy, hold on to that hat of yours. At the brand new Cheese Lovers Festival, you can try as much dairy as you can stomach for just $20 entry ($25 for early birds). This cheesy, cheesy festival will showcase over 40 cheese, wine and craft beer stalls with tasting opportunities. Tasting opportunities. There's a 'Fancy Cheesecake' competition, a three-course cheesy menu designed by chef Lyndey Milan and more. There's also the Hunter Valley Wine Festival, which showcases the beverage part of the equation. And the Lovedale Arts Festival runs for the entire two months, showcasing everything from sculpture to music. Basically, if you can't find a reason to make the trip, you're not looking hard enough. And that's just the official side of things. With more than 150 wineries in the area, taking a few detours is to be expected. The Hunter Valley Wine & Food Festival runs across May and June in various locations. For more information, check out the Hunter Valley website.
Prize Fighter caused a stir when it premiered at Brisbane's La Boite theatre in 2015. The first play of Congolese refugee Future D. Fidel, it tells the semi-autobiographical tale of a boy named Isa, himself a Congolese refugee, who uncovers a talent for boxing. Poised to win the national title, he has to overcome the horrors of his past – losing his family and being enlisted as a child soldier to the army that killed them – to beat his opponents. It received rave reviews and was nominated for Best Play and Best New Australian Work at the 2016 Helpmann Awards. This month, La Boite is bringing the production to Belvoir for the Sydney Festival. It features nearly all of the original cast, though Sophie Emberson-Bain has been replaced by Zindzi Okenyo (from Play School and OKENYO). Okenyo joins Pacharo Mzembe, who is again playing Isa and returns to Belvoir for the first time since their production of Gwen in Purgatory in 2010, Margi Brown-Ash, Gideon Mzembe and Kenneth Ransom. Image: Dylan Evans.
It's an understatement to say it's been a stressful time for Australia's beloved short film festival Tropfest. After being cancelled due to alleged financial mismanagement in November, the iconic Tropfest short film festival was been thrown a much needed lifeline in December. On the very day that the festival was originally meant to take place, Tropfest founder John Polson has announced the event will instead be held on Valentine's Day next year, after securing a last minute sponsorship deal with CGU Insurance. Back from the dead, Tropfest will triumphantly return to Sydney's Centennial Parklands on Valentine's Day. A star-studded panel of Australian screen talent will help choose the winners. Actors Simon Baker and Rebecca Gibney will join The Dressmaker director Jocelyn Moorhouse and Moulin Rouge! cinematographer Don McAlpine as judges at the world's largest short film festival. The panel of local actors and filmmakers, along with several other judges set to be announced in the coming days, will decide which of 16 short filmmakers takes home the festival's top prize, which includes $10,000 cash, a trip to Hollywood to meet with industry executives, a Nikon D800 digital camera along with $2000 worth of accessories, and a Hyundai Tuscon for a year. The festival also revealed its live music slate, featuring rock duo Winterbourne, DJ and singer KLP and The Preatures' vocalist Gideon Bensen. Last week, Polson announced that he had started a Pozible campaign to help ensure the festival remains free, although it has so far only raised a fraction of its intended $100,000 target. Tropfest will take place on February 14 in Centennial Parklands, with gates opening from 3pm. It will be broadcast around the country from 9pm AEDT.
To make the most of your Friday night, it's imperative to slip into weekend mode as soon as possible. And to do that, you need a place that's geographically close, yet feels a long way away. In other words, you need The Rocks. With its lantern-lit laneways and sandstone squares, it could be a place out of another century — or even another country — yet it's just a short walk from the CBD. Here are five places that will banish your workday week within seconds — whether you're looking for fancy dinners, happy hours dedicated to craft beer or relaxed courtyards. HIT UP THE ROCKS FRIDAY FOODIE MARKET Nothing screams weekend quite like a market, so why wait till Saturday morning? Get in on the game early — in other words, Friday lunch time — at The Rocks Foodie Market. Take your time wandering through Jack Mundey Place and the adjacent laneways, where you can sample handmade, dried, baked, whipped and roasted products from all over the city and further afield. You name it, you’ll get your hands on it – from BBQ skewers to cupcakes, gozleme and handmade chocolates. Jack Mundey Place HAPPY HOUR AT HARTS PUB Hurry into the weekend the most patriotic way possible — by sampling Harts Pub’s all-Australian craft beer menu. Harts was one of the first drinking establishments in Sydney to champion small-batch brews and has served nothing but local drops since 2009. With 12 taps on constant rotation, there’s always an adventure to be had. Plus the food menu is made for beer matching. Get there between 4.30pm and 6.30pm for happy hour, when $7.50 will buy you a pint and $7 a house wine. Corner Essex and Gloucester Streets COURTYARD BEERS AT PHILLIP’S FOOTE Phillip’s Foote’s leafy, laidback courtyard will transport you into the weekend quicker than you can say, "A pint, please". When it’s too cold for outdoor shenanigans, get cosy inside, in the heritage-listed Sydney Cove or Phillip rooms. Wherever you are, you can expect warm, friendly, old-fashioned service and, if you’re there for dinner, a decent feast. About $30 buys you your choice of meat, bread, potatoes and access to the fresh salad bar. The all-Australian wine list covers every corner of the country — from Tassie’s Pipers River to Great Southern, Western Australia. 101 George Street EAT FANCY AT SCARLETT RESTAURANT + ERIC’S BAR To segue into Saturday in style, book a table at Scarlett Restaurant for a spot of fine dining. Dishes include miso-glazed salmon with eggplant, chilli prawns and sesame crumb, and blue eye trevalla with watercress veloute, seared scallops and avruga caviar. Scarlett, which is named after the madam who once worked out of the neighbouring terrace houses, is hidden away on Nurses Walk, one of The Rocks’ most tranquil laneways. Pre- and post-dinner drinks can be had at the attached Eric’s Bar, which forms the ground level of The Harbour Rocks Hotel. 34 Harrington Street FEAST ON MEATS AT PONY LOUNGE & DINING If woodfired grilled meats or a selection of ultra-fresh seafood sounds like your ticket to a good weekend, here’s your go-to. Nestled on the corner of historic Kendall Lane, Pony's been serving up sumptuous small plates for years, focusing on Australian produce for their Argentinian woodfire grill. Pairing a carefully-crafted boutique selection of wines (alongside a playful cocktail list) with their fine cuts of Australian meat, Pony boasts one of the best grills in the city. Pony's $38 lunch menu is a pretty damn sweet deal; choose a starter and main, or main and dessert with a glass of red or white wine (available daily from 12pm to 3pm). So pull up a pew at the 50 metre dining table outdoors, or snuggle in the lounge and feast on them meats. Corner of Kendall Lane and Argyle Street
All Aussie hip hop festival Come Together is back in 2015 and is doing its very best Jekyll and Hyde impersonation. After being cancelled two weeks out from its 2014 dates due to poor tickets sales, this year the all-ages festival is going all out at Luna Park's Big Top, splitting itself over two days with two unique lineups. Announcing a solid hip hop lineup for Saturday, June 6, the festival will be headlined by Melburnian hip hop champion Seth Sentry, alongside crowdpleasers Thundamentals, and chart-topping Horrorshow, with young prodigy Remi, Coin Banks and Ivan Ooze joining the fold. For the second day of the festival, Sunday, June 7, the festival takes a sharp turn and goes all indie, all day. Festival favourites Ball Park Music will be headlining the Sunday lineup, with The Jungle Giants joining them straight off their sold-out tour. Alongside them comes electro-pop from SAFIA, the smooth beats of Elizabeth Rose as well as welcoming new kids on the block Montaigne and Ecca Vandal. Keeping those emerging Aussie artists coming, lucky triple j Unearthed winners will be making surprise appearances across both days. Adding substantial excitement for anyone whose inner child is still stubbornly kicking them, tickets will come with the added bonus of unlimited rides from 1pm to 5pm on each day; so you can make yourself thoroughly ill on the Rotor before you dive into the mosh. It's a weekend that promises to finally make you comfortable with the split personality that is your music taste. Come Together Festival understands you, Australia, you big confusing mess. Come Together Festival runs June 6 - 7, 2015 at Luna Park. Tickets and more info over here.
Grab your midnight blue dinner jacket and holster your Walther PPK: the team at Hijinks are heading back to Madame Tussauds for a James Bond-themed party in September. The after dark pop-up specialists will channel their inner secret agent for a night of sophistication and intrigue, complete with roulette table, costume competitions and complimentary vodka martinis. Best start practicing your worst puns now. The Hijinks Casino Royale Party takes over Madame Tussauds on the evening of Friday September 25. Entry into the wax museum normally costs $40, but tickets to the Hijinks event will run you just $25 and come with a free beer or Stoli cocktail on arrival. Activities for the night will include Bond trivia, a best costume competition and a roulette table where you can gamble with chocolate chips (put it all on black, trust us). There'll also be live performances, including burlesque star Diesel Darling as Goldfinger's ill-fated Bond Girl Jill Masterson, as well as no less than five separate pop-up bars. And if you forget your bowtie, don't worry: you can always make a new one at the crafts table. You'll also be able to take photos with all the museum's famous faces, from Barrack Obama to Albert Einstein to The Queen. There'll even be a crocodile, ala Live and Let Die, although to be honest we're not entirely sure whether he'll be real or wax. If nothing else, this should be a hell of a lead in for Spectre, which opens in November. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujmoYyEyDP8 For more information about The Hijinks Casino Royale Party and to secure tickets, visit www.hijinkssydney.com
If you threw the best nosh in Newtown together, scrambled things 'round a bit, and served up the quintessential Newtown dish, what would it taste like? That's what Newtown Locals are about to find out, a relatively newish collective of Newtown foodies started by Jake Smyth and Kenny Graham of Mary's (of course). Doubling in size this year with new additions from the last twelve months, Newtown Locals are about to see their culinary powers combined with a collaborative menu specially made for Newtown Festival. So who's involved in this escapade of deliciously epic proportions? Take a breath... Mary's, Young Henry's, Bloodwood, Oscillate Wildly, Earls Juke Joint, Rising Sun Workshop, The Stinking Bishops, Oldtown In Newtown, 212 Blu, Black Star Pastry, Hartsyard, Brewtown Newtown, Continental Deli, The Bach Eatery, N2 Extreme Gelato, The Courthouse. Sweet mother of Tim Freedman that's a hefty Newtown pedigree. Aw, just look at 'em: There's so many different types of cuisine on the table here, we don't even know where to start imagining what this menu will look like. A Black Star Pastry Ginger Ninja crossed with a Mary's burger? Rising Sun ramen extreme gelato? Hartsyard buttermilk fried chicken natural lagers? Good god, the possibilities. All will be revealed this Friday, October 9, when the collaborative dishes are announced at a free public launch party for Newtown Locals — yep, you're invited. You'll be able to taste the whole Frankenmenu at Young Henrys Brewery in Newtown between 4-7pm, hosted by Mary's, Young Henrys and Bloodwood. There'll be free YH beer between 4-5.30pm, so you'll want to get there early. They'll also be announcing the winner of the new edition official Newtown Locals t-shirt design comp. Apparently there'll be some kind of pool. If you can't make it on Friday, you'll be able to taste the dishes when they're on sale at Newtown Festival on November 8. All proceeds go to charity, ain't that lovely? Newtown Locals launch party is happening this Friday, October 9 from 4-7pm at Young Henrys Brewery, 76 Wilford Street, Newtown. Free entry for everyone. Images: Kate Disher-Quill.
Western Sydney will has a new rooftop bar, complete with pool, sun lounges, cabanas and panoramas of 300 acres of greenery. It's called The Chiltern and you'll find it atop the five-star William Inglis Hotel in Warwick Farm, which is this week opened to the public. In between taking dips and gazing out at the view, you can also order cocktails and light bites. Should you work up an appetite, head downstairs to the Newmarket Room, a paddock-to-plate restaurant headed by chef Samuel Bull (The Stables, North Bondi Italian). If you have any whisky-swilling mates, you'll probably notice them heading straight for the mezzanine level, where the 1867 Lounge serves up high-end spirits, Champagne, fancy cocktails and boutique wines. The $140 million hotel precinct is named after the founder of William Inglis and Sons, one of Australia's best-known thoroughbred companies, and has been funded through thoroughbred horse sales. It's located across from the Warwick Farm racecourse. Anyone who happens to have too good a time in the whisky bar will be able to sleep over in one of 144 uniquely-designed rooms. The hotel is an MGallery by Sofitel, so it's fairly decadent, including über-comfy beds, luxe bathrooms, picture windows, racing memorabilia, a state-of-the-art 24-hour gym and a day spa. The property has also refurbished existing structures — 'The Big Barn' can be booked out for large conferences and weddings and the stables are more suitable for smaller functions. The William Inglis Hotel is now open at 155 Governor Macquarie Drive, Warwick Farm. For more information or to book a room, visit williaminglis.com.au.
A Saturday tradition for beachbound residents, the Bondi Farmers’ Markets may be a fashionable place to shop but its popularity isn’t a superficial evolution. Consumers are increasingly more interested in where their food comes from and how it’s grown, as well as buying local produce to support farmers and reduce their carbon footprint. The Bondi Farmers’ Markets are your go-to spot for fresh, locally-made produce every Saturday morning in Bondi Beach Public School. With artisan bread, smokey salt, honey, fruit and veg, home-made ice blocks, macaroons, yoghurt, cheese and coffee only some of the produce on offer, not to mention the pleasure of doing the grocery shop in the sunshine, Bondi Farmers’ Markets is a very pleasant way to spend a Saturday morning. Image: Dollar Photo Club.
Winter has come to an end, so you can pack away the mittens and embrace the warm mornings with sunrise yoga on the Sydney Opera House steps. The ten-week program kicks off on October 10 with classes running three days a week. Yoga will be led by Crawf Weir (of Barefoot Yoga in Paddington) on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Following the popularity of last season's yoga, additional classes have been added on Wed and Sat — if you're not a morning person, you'll be happy to know they're later on, too. Tickets are a little steep at $25 each, but there's surely no better way to start your day than by saluting the sun as it shimmers over the harbour and those legendary white sails as your backdrop. If the weather's not brilliant, yoga will be held inside the Concert Hall Northern Foyer instead. Sunrise on the Steps will run from October 10–December 15 with classes held at 7am and 8.30am on Wednesdays, 7am Fridays, and 7.30am and 9am on Saturdays. Images: Ken Leanfore.
