There is arguably no better combo than wine and snacks, something the BABS team know all too well. They're bringing their successful pop-up back to Newtown's Either/Or and by all accounts, absolutely stepping it up a notch after two successful sell-outs. Putting some of the city's best female-led kitchens in the spotlight, the third round of BABS (which stands for Bad Ass Bitches, in case you were unaware) has chef Laura Rheinlander (Bar Vincent) and Ellie Hayes-O'Brien behind the menu. Think sharing snackies like Teta's olives, pumpkin tempura with brown butter and lemon, pancetta arrotolata with prune and even BABS' take on a fried sardine sandwich. To wash all that down is a wild wine list from a bevvy of female winemakers curated by Bec Shave— including a glass of Val Frison 'Lalore' blanc de blanc brut nature on arrival. Cheers to that. Running across two sessions on Sunday, August 14, tickets will set you back $90. And don't worry if you're a dietary-requirement darling — the BABS ladies will see you're catered to accordingly (and deliciously). [caption id="attachment_862567" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Haydon Fanning[/caption]
Vivid Sydney's massive 2017 program has landed and it's packing some serious punches, not least of which is a sneaky Sydney Opera House show by none other than The Avalanches. But it's not just a show, it's a casually large outdoor block party. The legendary Australian group has been stirring some heavy emotions since crashing back onto the live music scene in July last year, treating Splendour-goers to their first proper live onstage appearance in about a decade. Now, fresh off the back of festival shows at Falls and Sugar Mountain, The Avalanches have announced they'll be hitting the Opera House's Northern Boardwalk in May, for a Since I Left You 'block party' that'll see the band perform its seminal, sample-heavy album in full for the first time since 2001. They'll be performing with Sydney multi-instrumentalist Jonti Danilewitz, who performed Since I Left You for Vivid LIVE in 2014 with Astral People. Joining The Avalanches on May 27 and 28 is a top-notch lineup that includes renowned US producer DJ Shadow, 2017 Australian Music Prize winner Briggs, and rising hip hop star Sampa the Great. Check out the rest of the 2017 Vivid program.
Australians are notoriously picky when it comes to their daily coffee. But how many of us actually know how and why coffees can vary so much from place to place? Sure there's the skill of the barista, but it might be time to learn a bit more about the beans to inform our preferences. Here's a handy guide to coffee tasting, from what aromas to look for to how to drink better coffee in general. You'll be hosting your own coffee cupping sessions at home in no time — something you can even do with the humble coffee pod. [caption id="attachment_578979" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Daniel Ruswick.[/caption] WHY DO A COFFEE TASTING? Coffee cupping sessions are about educating people on the difference in beans. Where they're from, if they're single origin, how they're roasted and ground all contribute to a different product at the end of the line. Sam Gibson co-owner of Back and Forth cafe attends quarterly cupping sessions with his supplier Gabriel coffee. "Coffee tastings are important to identify the profile of the coffee, where it's from and how it's roasted determines the flavours which inform our choices of what to serve." Back and Forth has a house blend then a monthly single origin coffee it grinds freshly and sells to customers. Cupping sessions are also available and gaining popularity at places like Campos in Newtown and Rueben Hills in Surry Hills. DO'S AND DON'TS Don't do anything silly like brush your teeth just before doing a tasting. Cleanse the palate with sparkling water, that's not too cold between tasting. Don't swallow the coffee, but do leave it and swill it around your mouth a bit before spitting it out. Don't add sugar. When you're sipping, Gibson advises to take in a little bit of air with the mouthful, in the same way as when you're tasting wine. "It's really important as it gets the coffee to the back of the mouth and all over the tongue," he says. [caption id="attachment_578982" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Drew Coffman.[/caption] WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR "Aroma is really important and the first thing to be considered," says Gibson. Before tasting the coffee smell each one after the other and notice the difference. Then smell each one again just before you taste it. "Very roughly speaking the darker blends are better for milky coffees as they hold up with their more full bodied, bitter chocolatey characteristics." Lighter blends tend to be a bit more earthy, floral and citrusy which suit black coffee. When tasting the coffee think about characteristics beyond the actual flavour profiles like body, acidity, complexity, mouth feel and finish. Try to think of words that describe the flavours you're tasting, such as grassy, earthy. chocolatey, sharp, delicate, bitter, bold etc. COFFEE TASTING AT HOME With the rise in popularity of portable espresso machines at home, so too are people developing tastes for their favourite beans and blends in the pods. Australian startup company Tripod Coffee sources single origin and blended regional beans, then roasts and vacuum sealed locally to retain freshness. It might be an idea to get one of their sample packs, which has all five varieties from their spicy, savoury, cedar style 'Grey Gaucho' to their raisiny, citrusy and coco bean-esque 'Blue Beret'. Otherwise getting a small pack of a few different beans from a cafe, having them freshly ground and serving them French press style side by side, is a surprisingly good way to compare the characteristics of the beans. TIPS FOR DRINKING BETTER COFFEE Adding sugar is a real no-no for coffee purists. But knowing what kind of bean suits the way you drink your coffee (black, espresso or flat white, for instance) can help you make an educated choice to bring out the best in your coffee. Never keep coffee in the freezer at home, but tightly sealed somewhere dry. The best thing you can do is invest in a grinder and grind small quantities of beans as you make your coffee. And try as much coffee as you can — shake it up.
Sure, you've paid tribute to your favourite Japanese animation house by watching and re-watching their films over and over again, but have you partied like you were in a Studio Ghibli movie? On August 12, Sydney events crew The Bait Shop wants to spirit you away to a world of castles in the sky, flying pigs, talking cats and princesses grown from bamboo shoots. Just don't expect to go catching a catbus to get home — and if the house starts moving, maybe it's because you've had a drink or two. To be held at Hudson Ballroom, this Studio Ghibli-themed shindig will have plenty of those: Ponyo Punch, EspressNo Face, Mononoke Mojitos, Totoro Slushies... the list goes on. Themed beverages cost $5 or $10 depending on the type; however, they're not the only fun part of the evening. Dressing up is heartily encouraged, with the best Ghibli-inspired outfit winning a $50 bar tab. You'll also be able to get a photo with life-size cutouts and face cutouts of your favourite characters, feast your eyes on Studio Ghibli visuals and pop into the Ghibli photobooth.
The PACT Centre for Emerging Artists is teaming up with performance collective Applespiel for a 24-hour live event in protest of proposed government cuts to the arts sector. Specifically, they'll be hosting an all night telethon, with the aim of raising not money, but rather excellence, in the hope of acquiring enough excellence for George Brandis' controversial National Centre for Excellence in the Arts. The event is titled In Pursuit of Excellence: A Telethon for Excellence. Sounds excellent. Taking place in the PACT Theatre in Erskineville, the tongue-in-cheek telethon kicks off at 6pm on Friday, July 17 and will be taking pledges of excellence until the same time the next day. There'll be panel discussions, dances, exhibits and live performances, plus video statements from arts organisations far and wide. Entry into the event is free, although donations are most welcome. Those wanting to stay the night should bring a blanket and snacks (enough to share please!), while drinks will be available from the bar. If you can't make the event in person, you can stream the whole thing live at www.inpursuitofexcellence.net. The Telethon for Excellence is part of a broader movement of events and protests under the #freethearts banner, which aims to draw attention to and hopefully reverse the planned government cuts to the Australia Council. Under the most recent federal budget, the amount of money allocated to the peer-reviewed arts funding body will be slashed by more than $100 million over the next four years, and instead go to the newly created Centre for Excellence. What is most troubling about this change is that rather than being decided by an independent body, the provision of grant money would fall to the Arts Minister, aka Brandis himself. According to a statement from Applespiel, "This Telethon is at PACT to highlight what we stand to lose: the space and support for independent art makers. Because that’s what spaces like PACT do best, they nurture and grow the practices of artists, they allow space to fuck up, to try something new and difficult, to learn. Without these spaces, where will independent artist go?" For the full rundown on the Telethon for Excellence, including information on how you can pledge, check out the event page on Facebook.
Releasing her debut album, Alas, I Cannot Swim at the impressive age of 18, Laura Marling has held the world in her palm over the past decade with her contemporary, understated take on folk music. From the uptempo songs of her debut LP to the rich and inventive tracks peppering her latest album, Semper Femina, released earlier this year, Marling has demonstrated a true mastery of her craft — multiple Mercury Prize nominations during her career can't be wrong. Marling's putting on a single performance for Vivid this year, and, as one of the UK's best current songwriters, she's sure to make it a cracker.
It's been about 20 years since the French electronic duo's 1998 release, Moon Safari, and Air have continued to grow, change and experiment with their craft over the intervening decades. For most of us, strong memories of the avant-garde French pop leaders stem from sensual classic 'Sexy Boy', but their back catalogue spirals much deeper than the stairwell of Ten Things I Hate About You. Air have been busy, with an impressive collection of work, as well as collaborations in film (they notably scored Sophia Coppola's breakout film, The Virgin Suicides). Their most recent album, Twentyears, explores their old and new content, and they'll be treating captivated Vivid audiences to a retrospective, of sorts, of their revered electronica.
Sydney's inner west is about to get in on the openair cinema action. Ben & Jerry's Openair Cinema has just announced they'll be opening their very first inner west cinema this summer, adding another location to their free ice cream-loving lineup of Bondi, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide and Perth this November. Originally started in the Bondi Pavilion amphitheatre as Australian Openair Cinema and expanding over the years to Australia's capital cities, Ben & Jerry's Openair Cinema is making a smart move heading for the inner west. With Moonlight Cinema having dibs on Centennial Park, St George OpenAir Cinema getting annually grand on Mrs Macquarie's Chair, and North Sydney Oval's Starlight Cinema and the brand new Flicks at the Greens taking care of the north, the inner west is a pretty damn great spot to develop an openair cinema. Where's the cinema going to set up shop? On the lawns of Cadigal Green at the University of Sydney. Noice. While the season film program is yet to be announced, we're sure the team will keep their tried and true formula intact — live music and free ice cream nights. Can't get much more summery than that. Sign up to the inner west Ben & Jerry's Openair Cinema newsletter to be the first to hear about the venue, program and ticketing information. Ben & Jerry's Openair Cinema will take over Cadigal Green, University of Sydney from November 19 to December 12, 2015. Check out CP's roundup of Sydney's best openair cinemas over here.
If you've ever spent time in Apia, Samoa, you'll know that the Royal Samoa Police Band is a crucial part of daily routine. Every morning, the white-suited musicians march from the Police HQ to Government House, where they perform the national anthem and raise the Samoan flag. Four years ago, New Zealand-born artist Michel Tuffery developed a potent interest in both this ritual and its symbolism. Its origins are more than a century old, dating back to when Germany ruled over Samoa between 1900 and 1914. Tuffery's exploration has led to the creation of a large-scale video installation, which juxtaposes German influences with indigenous Samoan culture, drawing from archival and contemporary records. For his work, Siamani Samoa, the Royal Samoa Police Band will travel to Australia for the first time ever, to perform live at Carriageworks with Tuffery’s video creating an immersive stage setting. "Every culture has its own unique way of archiving history," says Tuffery. "Samoa traditionally has a long oral history practice, and for me, Siamani Samoa is like that moment when one brings out the family album — perhaps the album at the bottom of the shelf that no one gets to see — and reminds us that we are literally eating the past." Siamani Samoa will appear for three consecutive nights from 7pm on July 16, 17 and 18, with a matinee happening on July 18 at 2pm. On July 17, between 10am and 4pm, the set will be on public display, and after the evening performance Michel Tuffery will drop in for a chat.
The craft beer evolution is continuing to revitalise our drinking culture and increasingly specialist online retailers are getting in on the action. Offering the best independent labels that you won't find at your local bottle shop, they offer an exciting range of new drinking options. Here's our guide to some of the best places to buy craft beer online and get it delivered in Sydney. BEER STORE Come here to order Piss. No really, they've got a lager from Geelong Brewing titled 'Piss' on offer. There's plenty more besides, including craft beer heroes Mountain Goat, James Squire and 3 Ravens. They're also particularly good at stocking little seen but intriguing independents — see, for instance, their stash of Skinny Blonde, the brew of former Vines Drummer and craft beer guru Hamish Rosser. Reminiscent of Japanese beers like Asahi, it's a beauty, though hard to find outside of inner Sydney. The website layout is simple and intuitive, making it easy to get the beer off the computer screen and down your throat. HOPS AND CRAFT A curated craft beer subscription service, Hops and Craft is an intriguing new option for fulfilling your craft beer needs. Each month you get a dozen different craft brews from across the country, and their wealth of online content gives you all the tasting notes and background on the beers you need to become an instant expert. There are no lock-in contracts, so it's easy to give it a trial run. They have hundreds of craft beers in stock, so expect the unexpected, but you could find the likes of Sydney Brewery's light Glamarama Summer Ale, a Quiet Deeds IPA or a Boatrocker SMASH! Ale in your mixed dozen. BEER CARTEL Boasting an impressive 1,100 beers in their catalogue and products from the likes of Nepal, Lebanon and Brazil, it's safe to say that the range here runs quite a bit beyond the standard slabs of VB and New. With beers arranged by country, style and brewery, it's an easy site to navigate and the staff recommendations are a nice touch. You can also sign up to their monthly beer club, or pick up a mixed pack, perfect for either a gift for a beer connoisseur mate or for a tasting session. With such an overwhelming range, choosing can be tricky, but for an easy drinking variety, you can't go wrong with the award-winning Two Birds Taco ($12.50 bottle), a wheat ale perfect for your new Mexican feast. BEER BUD For those who know what they want when they want it, you can search beers by their type, by brewery, or by Australian region at Beer Bud. If in doubt, you can go directly to their Craft Beer and Craft Cider pages, but we really do recommend having a snoop around; their selection is insane. Beer Bud also has access to rare and limited releases that are often a little experimental and packed with flavour, including brews from Doctors Orders and KAIJU!. Low prices and fast delivery are all part of the deal at Beer Bud. CRAFTY BREW It's all about supporting independent Australian breweries at Crafty Brew. The greatest thing to do on Crafty Brew is to play on their Build a Box page. Select the quantity of beers you're after, the style (or styles) you like, the ideal beer strength and the price range. They will bring you a selection of possibilities to match your wish list and you can either skip over them or add them to your cart. It's like a personality quiz, but with beer. By Daniel Herborn and Hannah Valmadre.
Batman's added one more surprise to his overstocked utility belt — free gelato. To celebrate the release of new video game Batman: Arkham Knight (the fourth and final in the Arkham series), N2 Extreme Gelato has created a trilogy of character-based flavours — all yours to inhale for free. This Wednesday, June 24 from 5pm, you'll be able to munch on DC Comics-inspired, handcrafted flavours of N2, all created using their signature style of liquid nitrogen-based 'gelatorgastronomy'. Again, it's free. FREE. And only available in N2's Sydney and Melbourne stores. Only one per customer y'greedy guts. There's 'The Batmobile' (burnt chocolate gelato representing ‘burnt rubber tyres’, crème brûlée ‘shattered glass’ shards, smoked chocolate ‘engine oil’ syringe and cookie chunk ‘asphalt’): Our personal favourite, 'The Scarecrow' (straw-infused gelato (!), cornflake crunch pieces, three syringes filled with citrus ‘fear toxin’ bitters): 'The Riddler (matcha gelato, green tea, ‘bewildered’ choc top, ‘confused’ ganache, feuilletines ‘puzzled bits’, topped with ‘?’ waffle discs): Munging down on Batman-inspired gelato isn't all we're celebrating here. This dark night of free N2 coincides with today's Australia-wide PlayStation 4/Xbox One/PC release of Batman: Arkham Knight, the Arkham series finale, where Batman faces off against the formidable Scarecrow and his merry band of supervillains (we're talking Penguin, Two-Face, Harley Quinn and The Riddler). If you played Arkham Asylum, City or Origins, you know you're down for some fly-across-room-to-hit-dude-in-face-you-weren't-even-aiming-at action and all the beautifully dark graphics you could want. N2 Extreme Gelato's Batman-inspired creations will be available from 5pm in the following stores on Wednesday, June 24: SYDNEY Newtown: 184 King Street Newtown CBD: 43/1 Dixon St, Sydney MELBOURNE Fitzroy: 329 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy CBD: 18 Sutherland St, Melbourne One free gelato is available to each customer (they'll see your moustache is fake, guys) and only while stocks last. Get. There. Early.
Leave everything up to the chef at this intimate omakase restaurant in Darling Square. Make your evening even more special with a complimentary Haku martini paired with the multi-course meal. Kuon is located right in the heart of Sydney's Chinatown and the hub of Asian cuisine. We sat down with Head Chef Hideaki Fukada to chat about passion, precision and his sushi knives. What sets Kuon Omakase apart from the other stunning omakase restaurants in the city is the incredibly intimate size of the venue, with only a dozen seats, the chef's counter, a few drinks fridges and a smoker taking up residence inside. Kuon Omakase regards itself as "modern Japanese Edomae sushi": an evolved, refined way of enjoying sushi and combining elements of the west and east, old and new. At Kuon, guests can enjoy aged sushi served with sake alongside fresh seafood caught off the coast of Australia — everything in balance. If you want to level up your omakase experience, from Tuesday, October 3, till Friday, November 3, all seatings at Kuon will begin with a complimentary lychee and cherry blossom Haku martini, dubbed the Sakura Spring Lychee Martini. Kuon Omakase is serving its complimentary bespoke Haku cherry and lychee martini with its omakase menu from Tuesday, October 3 till Friday, November 3. This offering is available across two seatings: Tuesday – Sunday at 5.15pm and 7.45pm. Mark your diaries: the booking window is now open. Haku Vodka's signature serve is the Haku martini — a drink that showcases the craftsmanship, nuanced flavour and exceptional quality of the premium Japanese liquid. To learn more, head to the House of Suntory website. Images: Brooke Zotti
The Lobo Plantation lads should have no time for fun. They've been way too busy, y'know, managing one of Sydney CBD's top cocktail spots. But they're about to add some epic tasks to their to-do lists: they're opening a second cocktail bar next year and their first restaurant. According to Australian Bartender, the Lobo crew are set to open their next venture in 2016. Adorably named Kittyhawk, the bar will take over a space on Phillip Lane in the CBD, formerly occupied by short-lived '80s richo business bar Bondy's (the one with the $20,000 cocktail and a theme inspired by Alan Bond). It's a two-level space in the heart of the city, also once housing posh pub Bull and Bear. The ground floor will be opened first as cocktail bar Kittyhawk, and then work will begin on the restaurant upstairs. While owners Jared Merlino, Mikey Hwang and Eddie Levy aren't revealing much about Kittyhawk's theming, design or menu, they told AB there'd be a focus on rum, rye whiskey and "spirit-forward cocktails", with super bartender Paige Aubort behind the wheel. They also described Lobo as "quite a feminine venue", something they're looking to move more toward "more of a masculine style" for Kittyhawk. AZBCreative are locked in to design the joint, celebrated for their work with Lobo as well as Pink Salt, The Island, The Goodwill Society and pop-ups like Sydney's Duff Beer bar. Construction on Kittyhawk will begin early next year, with opening date pencilled in for April 1. Via Australian Bartender. Image: Lobo Plantation.
Are you serious about your rum? Just love the stuff and haven't paid much attention to the actual rum-making process? Either way, there's a rum-fuelled adventure happening in Sydney over November and December you should lock into your diary. Fine purveyors and makers of rum for over 265 years, Appleton Estate have launched The Appleton Trail in Sydney, three weekends of rum-tasting, storytelling and celebration of Jamaica's long-loved spirit. Over three weekends from November 20, Sydneysiders can pull up a pew at Sydney's rum-lovin' bars and taste the gems of the Appleton range, and learn up on the rum-making process and the rich Jamaican culture behind the spirit. The Appleton Trail kicked off with a takeover of the Village Inn, Paddington over the weekend of November 20-21 — and successfully converted everyone in the space to rum-based cocktails. Next up, they're moving to Sweethearts Rooftop Barbecue from November 27-28, with the trail concluding at Taylor's Rooftop in Sydney's CBD on December 4-5. Each venue will be transformed into a Jamaican oasis with reggae tunes, specially-created rum cocktails, paired with Jamaican food, and hosted by a Jamaican dancer, and you'll be able to try the Appleton Estate Signature Blend – the original Appleton Estate rum — alongside the Reserve Blend, Rare Blend 12 Year Old, 21 Year Old Jamaica Rum and 50 Year Old Jamaica Rum – the world’s oldest barrel-aged rum. THE APPLETON TRAIL DATES: November 20-21 — The Village Inn, Paddington November 27-28 — Sweethearts Rooftop Barbecue, Kings Cross December 4-5 — Taylor's Rooftop, Sydney CBD
As far as Henry Miller was concerned, alone time is crucial to creativity. “An artist is always alone,” he wrote, “if he is an artist. What the artist needs is loneliness.” But spending day in, day out, with only your cat for company isn’t always a recipe for inspiration. Luckily, Etsy is well aware of the problem. So, every year, they host an enormous, worldwide Craft Party. Artists and craftspeople all over the planet are encouraged to get together to paint, draw, sculpt, sew and make — with like-minded others. This year, the gathering will be happening on June 6 and the theme is 'Kaleidoscope: Paper taking shape'. It's all about collages and paper cutting techniques this year, so come armed with scissors. Etsy Craft Parties will be held all over Australia. You can organise your own, or to attend one of Sydney's major bashes, book a spot online.
Whether by chance or the greatest promotional tie-in for a movie release in recent history, a glorious full moon shone over the First Man premiere in Sydney. An impressive enough sight going in to the cinema, it held a near-magical allure on the way back out. Even now, some 50 years since the first manned lunar landing and a lifetime of technological advancements beyond, to look up and consider the deed still feels unreal; an impossibility requiring far too much luck, daring and genius for anyone to even consider it. And yet…the Eagle did land. Directed by Damien Chazelle (La La Land), First Man is at once the story of mankind's greatest ever technological accomplishment and the enormous sacrifices required to achieve it. Set against the backdrop of extreme US/Soviet tensions, First Man chronicles the NASA side of the infamous space race and highlights the extraordinary challenges precipitated by such a Herculean task. How, for example, do you come up with a list of requirements for something that's never been done before? Who is the right person for the job when your greatest understanding of what that job is is little more than a guess? This was precisely the challenge facing the newly established space agency in 1958 as it set out to find seven willing, qualified and extraordinarily capable candidates to undertake the first ever manned flights into space. One of those individuals was, of course, Neil Armstrong, whose portrayal in First Man by Ryan Gosling conveys an introverted and emotionally repressed family man possessed of unyielding skill and determination. Inevitably, films based on real world events at once benefit from, and are challenged by, an audience's knowledge of what ultimately happens. The inevitability of catastrophe in disaster films, for example, contributes to a powerful and compounding tension that can become almost unbearable. The key to maintaining drama in these films is to focus on the human stories at their core and shine a light on the details lesser known. How, though, do you find an unknown detail in perhaps the best-known story of the last century? That humans landed on the moon is far from a surprise twist, and that the first man to do it was Armstrong is such a given it's used as the title of the film. And so First Man, penned by Josh Singer (Spotlight), spans the eight physically and emotionally gruelling years of Armstrong's life prior to his iconic small step, beginning with an excruciatingly tense and near-fatal solo test flight into the earth's upper atmosphere. Singer's screenplay is tantalisingly layered, offering little by way of dialogue yet enormous scope for nuanced performances in the hands of an accomplished ensemble. Chazelle's direction is likewise sublime, especially during the film's more kinetic scenes where you feel just as drained and challenged as those on screen. The claustrophobia of the tiny capsules, the relentless g-forces of an out-of-control gyroscope, and the deafening silence of space, combine to assault the senses in the best possible way, aided by a level of sound design that will surely prove the frontrunner come awards season. On the performance front, The Crown's Claire Foy grounds the tale (as much literally as symbolically) as Armstrong's wife Janet, reminding us of the significant sacrifices made on all sides of this story. Jason Clarke, Kyle Chandler, Corey Stoll and Ciarán Hinds round out the impressive troupe, with Stoll's performance in particular painting Armstrong's eventual co-pilot Buzz Aldrin in a surprisingly blunt and unlikeable light. Gosling's scenes with Clarke, too, prove some of the film's best; a meaningful friendship borne of fierce competition, and a closeness that permitted acknowledgements of extreme grief, fear and uncertainty without ever giving voice to the words. In the end First Man is, despite its scale and subject matter, an intimate character portrait rather than a history lesson. It eschews the traditional pomp and grandeur of NASA control room scenes for dimly lit kitchens and moonlit walks, yet remains every bit the space odyssey such a tale commands. Filmed for IMAX, it should be seen the same way – an honest, tense and compelling picture that reminds us exactly why we love going to the movies. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSoRx87OO6k
Ever been out and had a wine or brew that really just hit the spot? Wish you could keep, say, half a dozen more of them in your fridge? With P&V Merchants opening up on Enmore Road, you'll be closer to bringing home that mystery drink you met at the bar on the weekend. P&V is the latest project by a group of Sydney's foremost beverage connoisseurs. Lou Dowling of Mary's, wine expert and journalist Mike Bennie (who also advised Noma's wine list and co-founded Rootstock) and Jake Smyth and Kenny Graham (both of Mary's, The Lansdowne and The Unicorn) have fused a bottle-o with an incubator for those pushing the envelope in the drinks industry. "There is a growing hub of really wonderful people producing great products and spaces in our local community," says Dowling. "We have some incredible restaurants, great breweries and people making excellent spirits — so why not have a place to buy the type of wine we love?" The new business intends to peddle wines, local beer and spirits with particular focus on those with organic, biodynamic and sustainable sources. They'll also be pairing up with neighbouring businesses like Earl's Juke Joint, Bloodwood and, of course, Mary's to produce negronis and margaritas and other cocktails by the litre. Upstairs, the Mike Bennie Centre for Good Wine (actual name) will host classes and tasting nights and it'll also be available as a community space for winemakers. "We felt that the inner west was missing a local resource for getting access to all the interesting drinks coming from avant-garde producers," says Bennie. "And while the shop will be filled with interesting things to drink, the education space that will operate from above the shop adds another layer to P&V too." P&V will also have a 'mini market' — essentially a place to grab some extra garnishes for your drink, including locally grown citrus, herbs and cucumbers and ice bags from Hoshizaki. You'll also be able to pick up a gourmet TV dinner with ingredients like spatchcock or dhal for your next lazy night in. P&V Merchants will open on Saturday, December 9 at 64 Enmore Road, Newtown. For more information on opening dates, check out pnvmerchants.com.
Four artists have spent two years with Fairfield's many communities, exploring what it means to be a woman in such a diverse suburb. And now they're inviting you to experience their discoveries on a free twilight stroll, peppered with performance art, installations and drive-by soundtracks. You'll see artist collective Hissy Fit take over a carpark with actor and martial arts expert Maria Tran, to present Supreme Ultimate, which examines the influence of martial arts on perceptions of gender. Then, inside the Fairfield Chase food court, you'll come across a colourful installation by Claudia Nicholson, created through conversations with female workers and business owners. Meanwhile, Kate Blackmore has been busy collaborating with an Assyrian bride to examine the meanings of the wedding ritual to Fairfield's Assyrian diaspora. And, keep an eye and ear out for passing cars, playing soundtracks developed by Zoe Scoglio and bringing together Khmer, Aboriginal and Iraqi voices. Two free walks will take place — on Friday, October 7 and Saturday, October 8. Meet at Crescent Park near Fairfield Station at 6pm on either evening. Women of Fairfield is presented by the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA)'s C3West program, in conjunction with Powerhouse Youth Theatre (PYT), Fairfield and NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS) and Fairfield City Council. Image: Anna Kucera.
Spot of Pac-Man and a pizza, anyone? The Keystone Group are launching a brand new foodie pop-up, Barbarello's Pizza and Arcade, on level one of the Sugarmill building in Kings Cross. Running June to September, the pop-up will see the Sugarmill space transformed into a classic Italian pizza and pasta joint — infused with old-school arcade games and a smattering of hip hop. Think Pac-Man, pool and pinball machines, with a little Buck Hunter thrown in for good modern measure. Smack bang in the middle of the Cross, Barbarello's is being pitched as a late-night dining and drinking joint, with a no-frills, cheap and cheerful pizza and pasta menu (all under $15). Expect to find pizzas like the 'Mutha Clucka' and 'Porky's Pig and Pineapple', alongside a 'Spagless Bolognese' (made with penne, much easier for dates). Plus, for the bargain hunters, there's going to be two-for-one pasta nights on Mondays. Looking for an Italian-style tipple? Keystone's national bar manager Manuel Terron and the crew have come up with a special menu for Barbarello's, playing on traditional Italian favourites like the Negroni, Aperol Spritzes and fresh OJ and Campari go-tos. There'll be $10 Negronis before 9pm on Saturdays, if you're looking for a cheap, early cocktail option. Barbarello's is the first pop-up space for the Sugarmill's first level, a 250 square metre space Keystone intend to hand over to pop-up bar ideas for the foreseeable future. And while we're not sure whether it's technically a 'pop-up' if it's popping up in your own venue, we're going to run with it. Barbarello’s is open on level one of the Sugarmill, Friday – Monday evenings from 5pm. Find the Sugarmill at 33-35 Darlinghurst Road, Kings Cross. To book, call (02) 8070 2424. Barbarello's is having a launch party this Thursday, June 18 at 6pm. Entry is free (with RSVP) and details are over here.
Newcastle’s genre-busting This Is Not Art festival (better known to its friends as TiNA) is all grown up. And to mark its 18th birthday, the city is gearing up for a massive long weekend. More than 150 events will be serving up fun, creativity, inspiration, innovation and surprise, incorporating art, theatre, dance, sound, words, mixed media and experimental performance. The event draws together four happenings: the National Young Writers Festival, Critical Animals, Crack Theatre Festival and, for the first time ever, Ladyz in Noyz Australia. Take a late-night trolley ride around Newcastle East, hearing stories, watching performances and, quite possibly, meeting ghosts, with Asian Ghost-ery Store. Throw on a lab coat and take control of an alien research facility to investigate the mysteries of human reproduction with PressOne4Love. Get lost in an installation that reimagines J.M. Barrie’s Neverland for the late ‘90s. Give your creative fitness an hour-long work out at the therapeutic, invigorating ART FIT. Discover another 146+ events at the festival website.
It's that glorious time of the season again, when the tinnies, chants and team colours come out for the Reclink Community Cup. For just five bucks, you get to watch musicians and media types lay their mics and guitars aside for an afternoon, as they engage in a serious match of Aussie Rules. The Cup has been running in Melbourne for 23 years and, on August 14, hits Sydney for the fifth year running. Reps from 2ser, FBi Radio, triple j, Syn, Triple R, Fox Sports Australia, Triple M, ABC, Merchfan, Sydney Opera House and Sydney Festival make up the Sydney Sailors. They'll take on the Western Walers, made up of Anthony 'DJ Albo' Albanese with captain Siobhan SCABZ and vice captain Freddy Crabs (Sticky Fingers), plus members of Smudge, The Stems, Urthboy, RACKETT, SCABZ, Rob Mills, The Polaroids, Why We Run, Love Police, Philadelphia Grand Jury, Crystal Jane, Sounds Australia, Fuzzy, Chugg Entertainment, I OH YOU, St Jerome's Laneway Festival, Century Venues, Little Lovers, Sumeru, and Born Lion. All money raised goes to Reclink Australia, a not-for-profit that uses sport and the arts to assist disadvantaged people. Their clients include those experiencing mental illness, disability, homelessness, substance abuse, addiction, and social and economic hardship. Food and drinks will be available onsite, to keep you fuelled for heckling. Image: Rod Hunt.
Inspired by Middle Eastern street vendors and the thematic splendour of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, Thievery is Glebe's newest foodie hideout, opened last night by the brains behind Eat Art Truck. Shaking up the regularly stereotyped Middle Eastern vibe of late-night kebab shops, Thievery is set across two floors of rustic timber, antiquey chandeliers, exposed brick and peeling paint. With an open bar downstairs (that's open plan, not free-for-all), Thievery is your new go-to for Araks (Middle Eastern beers), baklava-inspired cocktails and ice cream kebabs. Yes, ice cream kebabs. Created by EAT co-owner Mo Moubayed, former Rockpool and Chin Chin chef Jordan Muhamad, with consultation from Julian Cincotta (Nomad, Rockpool and 2015 Josephine Pignolet Chef of the Year), Thievery is the workings of Sydney's craftiest culinary masterminds. Don't go looking for your widely stereotyped Middle Eastern fare here. Muhamad and Cincotta have crafted one eclectic menu to kick things off with — one best enjoyed with your hands. Get right into it. There's your fancy answer to the ol' staple kebab: the Malek Samke Hara kebab of snapper, almonds and chilli ($14). There's Lebanese fried chicken with ink toum ($14) and kingfish nayyeh with cracked wheat and aleppo pepper ($18). And for dessert, you're looking at pomegranate roast figs with sweet labne ($12), 'The Lady Finger' ($5) and an ice cream kebab (!) with booza chocolate, rose floss and chocolate pearls ($8). Thievery doesn't just happen under cover of darkness, there's a solid brunch menu cranking as well; with dishes such as as fried eggs, chickpeas, succuk and sheep’s milk yoghurt ($16) or shanklish, tomato, red onion and flatbread ($14). If you're keen to delve into this den of banditry for libations only, the cocktail list will probably have you staying for a few. Each cocktail attempts to recreate signature Middle Eastern flavours — the Baby Got Baklava ($16) sounds just insane. If you're feeling a little peckish at the bar (and significantly brave), try the complimentary Lupin Beans — a legume which can be extremely toxic if not cooked properly. BRING IT. Find Thievery at 91 Glebe Point Road, Glebe. It's open Tuesday – Thursday 6- 11pm, Friday 6pm – midnight, Saturday 11am-3pm and 6pm - midnight.
One of inner city Sydney's favourite regular markets is bringing the magic to the south. As of Saturday, September 3, the locality will be getting a brand new market. To be held at Discovery Point and aptly named Discovery Markets, it's promising a fiesta of independently grown, baked, designed and made goodness — from local produce and tasty treats to fashion pieces and homewares. The brains behind this event are the same as those behind Chippendale's Brewery Yard Markets, Jacob Collier and Rupert Partridge. "Every stallholder has a unique story to tell," says Jacob and Rupert. "At Discovery Markets we want this to be recognised, by giving our visitors the opportunity to learn more about what they're buying and who they're buying it from." At the inaugural market, you can expect more than 40 stalls. Get set for sweet deliciousness from Donut Papi, super-fresh juices from Steve's Easy Squeeze, spicy feasts from Paella Del Mar, American burgers from East Coast Slider Shack and cracking caffeine hits from Black Market Roasters. Meanwhile, if it's gifts you're looking for, browse through Waja Creations' recycled flowerpots laden with cactii, hand-poured candles from Kandel, and designer dogwear from Haus of Harley. And it's not just shopping you'll be doing. Been meaning to pick up the ukulele ever since you saw Amanda Palmer in concert? Join Tom the Pom at 12pm and 1.30pm for a class presented by The Work-Shop. Alternatively, learn how to make pasta the Italian way at a session led by Steffen Achtmann, resident teacher at Vive Cooking School and head chef at Jamie's Italian. It's free, but you must be one of 20 quick people to register online, which you can do over here. After the launch, the Discovery Markets will be held on the first and third Saturdays of every month. Feel free to drive and load up your car with your loot — there's plenty of parking.
UPDATE: JUNE 3, 2020 — Nimble has postponed its sale for a week, until Thursday, June 11. The below article has been updated to reflect this. There's nothing like a fresh haul of shiny new workout gear to inspire a little fitness kick. Especially when that workout gear takes the form of some high-performance threads from sustainability focused label Nimble Activewear. Well, this June, you're in for a treat, as the local brand pulls together a swag of great pieces for its huge permanent markdown sale. Running online and in-stores from 10am on Thursday, June 11 until stock sells out, the sale will be packed full of bargains, offering a hefty range of outerwear, tights, sports bras, sweats, shorts and more, with discounts of up to 40 percent. You might even be able to catch discounted pieces from the label's core CompressLite line, which is cleverly crafted from recycled plastic bottles. Nab one of these and you'll really have something to feel good about — Nimble's saved over 900,000 plastic bottles from heading to landfill since 2015. Nimble's permanent markdown sale kicks off at 10am on Thursday, June 11 and runs until stock sells out.
Whether you're in a relationship or not, what could be better than celebrating the summer season with a yacht party? Mumm Champagne is celebrating the launch of its summer rosé parties with its inaugural Valentines Day Eve party. It's on a yacht in Sydney Harbour on February 12 (not actually Valentines Day Eve, we know, but it's close enough), and we have two double passes to give away. On the yacht there will be Mumm Rosé Champagne and cocktails (yes, there will be frosé), and a gastronomy dinner menu that includes champagne macaroons. The party will be an intimate gathering, with an international DJ providing the soundtrack for the evening and what will hopefully be a beautiful Sydney sunset providing the backdrop. If you're lucky enough to have a special someone, skip the madness of February 14 and take your partner out to dinner on the Mumm super yacht on February 12 . If you're flying solo, grab a friend (male or female) and celebrate with them on the harbour. [competition]608491[/competition]
If you're not attending a Christmas lunch to devour five different kinds of roast meats, Christmas Day can be a little up in the air. No, your regular coffee place won't be open, brunch will not be happening (sorry), and you can't even head into Woolies for some milk and some beers. But don't panic: things are still on, public transport is running and 7-Eleven will remain open for emergency packets of chips and dips. And, as a gift from us to you, we've put together a few things that you can do if you're in town with nothing to do, don't celebrate Christmas or are otherwise uninterested in the big day. FEAST ON SOME SEAFOOD Sure, most of Sydney shuts down for Christmas Day. However, a select few are keeping their doors open and their grills firing for anyone who wants to treat themselves to a Xmas lunch that isn't preceded by them spending their whole morning in the kitchen. Bondi's Promenade — one of our favourite 15 new openings of the year — will be offering ten-dish seafood-heavy set menus in its beachfront dining room and keeping its Front Yard Bar open for walk-ins. Other Sydney favourites are also open on December 25. Botswana Butchery, Giuls, The Winery, Kingsleys, Little Pearl and Bottega Coco are all offering Christmas lunches, and Tuga Pastries is open in Alexandria and Clovelly for all of your pasteis de nata, pavlova and gingerbread needs. So, you've got plenty of options to keep in your back pocket. SEE A MOVIE Seeing a film is never a bad idea — just think of the price of the movie ticket, large popcorn and choc top as a Christmas gift from you to you. And with IMAX Sydney, Event Cinemas George Street and the Randwick Ritz among the places screening flicks in the afternoon, you can avoid the Boxing Day release mayhem. Options include Frankenstein riff Poor Things, rom-com Anyone But You and superhero flick Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, plus family-friendly animation Migration. Fancy keeping the day sweet? There's also Wonka, which means spending part of the day watching Timothée Chalamet. HAVE A PICNIC They can take away our ability to go to the supermarket or get pizza, but they'll never take our freedom to languish in public parks. Most of Sydney's parks are open all year round, so you can picnic to your heart's content on Christmas Day. Make sure to get organised beforehand since you'll find it tricky to buy edible supplies the day of. Our tip: head to the Carriageworks Christmas Market on Saturday, December 23 to pick up a truly next-level spread. If you do get stuck shopping on the 25th, at least Newtown's Continental Deli has you sorted. The delicatessen will be open for all of your cheese, charcuterie and tinned cocktail needs. Now all you'll need to do is pack a picnic rug and enjoy a dreamy day in the gardens, or at one of these awesome picnic spots. HANG OUT WITH ANIMALS Depending on how you see it, animals either never get time off or get every day off. Either way, you can take advantage of their keepers' equally unwavering work ethic by joining them on Christmas Day. Whether you're eager for festive giraffe ogling, jaunts through the nocturnal enclosure or strolling around the penguin pen, most of Sydney's zoos remain open throughout the holidays. This year both Taronga and Sydney Zoo are open, so you can have your pick. If you want to really live it up at the zoo this festive season, you can also book a stay at Taronga Zoo's lush Wildlife Retreat. [caption id="attachment_754226" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bondi to Manly Walk by Destination NSW[/caption] GO FOR A COASTAL WALK Sydney's stunning coastline won't be going anywhere on Christmas Day, either. Head in most directions and you'll hit the water, where an expansive network of walking tracks is at the ready. Whether you're after sparkling harbourside views, wild bushland, historic sites or just the classic beachside trek from Bondi to Coogee, our city has it all. Check out our lists for the top ten coastal walks in Sydney or our favourite coastal walks for some inspiration. Then grab your sneakers and your sunnies, and get walking. If national parks are more your speed, opt for a hike up some of Sydney's most dazzling peaks instead. HIT UP A FESTIVE STREET PARTY Kings Cross not-for-profit Wayside Chapel is hosting its annual Christmas Day Street Party. The event aims to help provide a hearty meal for those experiencing food insecurity, plus a sense of community for anyone needing some on the day — and host a local get-together with live music and entertainment. The party is running from 9.30am–2.30pm on Hughes Street, is free to attend for everyone, and will feature DJs, a fake tattoo parlour, face painting and an appearance from Santa. If you can't attend and want to get involved, you can also Donate a Plate in order to help support the organisation. Top image: Destination NSW.
Apparently this Saturday is National Burger Day. We're not sure when that became a thing, exactly, but it is, and here we are. Point is, you've got the green light to make a pig of yourself tomorrow, and we know exactly where you should do it. Turns out Barrio Chino in Kings Cross has some gas left in the grill yet, with the recently shuttered Mexican joint finding new life as a pop-up burger spot. Shortening its name to Barrio, the temporary venue began service a few weeks back, and is set to continue cooking until at least the end of June. The menu includes standard single and double cheeseburgers, along with more extravagant options like this one made with a mac 'n' cheese patty. Also making an appearance is the mushroom burger from Barrio Cellar, along with a fried chicken number that uses the same recipe as they do at Fei Jai. Turns out co-owner Peter Lew has his fingers in quite a few pies. {special} house beef patty, maple bacon, jalapeño cheese sauce, tomato & orange chilli jam and a lot of love You would be a fool to miss this beauty #barriokx #kingscross #iloveburgerssomuch #fbas #burgers #sydneyeats A photo posted by Barrio🍔🍟 (@barriokx) on May 18, 2016 at 1:12am PDT In addition to the burgs, Barrio has retained a number of Mexican options, including tacos, quesadillas and barbecue corn. The aptly named Awesome Fries, meanwhile, come smothered in grated cheese and the same special sauce as you'll find in the cheeseburger. As for beverages, they've got a couple of killer shakes, along with margaritas and sangria by the jug. Barrio is located at 28-30 Bayswater Road, Kings Cross. For more information scope them out on Instagram. Via Good Food.
The Flaming Lips are the very definition of a band that has too much creativity to quit. Their unique psychedelic rock has been around since 1983, but they're not the type of band who'd sign, seal and deliver the same hits over and over. Having said that, you (or someone in close proximity) probably have their greatest tunes perpetually on high rotation, from ‘Do You Realise??’, ‘The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song’, to ‘Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots Part 1’ and ‘She Don’t Use Jelly’. Listening to these psychedelic ditties is a joyous trip of an experience in itself, but seeing them live is something else entirely. The Flaming Lips' undeniably brilliant album, Clouds Taste Metallic, is currently enjoying its 20th anniversary and to celebrate, The Flaming Lips are off on tour yet again. Ahead of their Sydney Festival and Palais Theatre shows, we managed to catch up with the very chatty Wayne Coyne and asked him about giving new life to a 20-year-old record, his next-level live shows, and of course, his work with Miley. [caption id="attachment_554895" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Image: George Salisbury.[/caption] WHERE CLOUDS TASTE METALLIC AND HEADY NUGGS ROAM The Flaming Lips have released a whopping 16 studio albums since 1983, with the beloved seventh album Clouds Taste Metallic hitting shelves in 1995. Over a decade later, how does Coyne feel about the album now? "Some of those songs are just really great, dynamic, freaky songs to play. It’s one of those records that is never that far away from us.” The reissued vinyl, titled Heady Nuggs: Clouds Taste Metallic 20 Years Later, comes with quite a few extra goodies, including a live Seattle set from 1996. “We’re a very lucky group that virtually everything that we’ve ever recorded, we really do have absolute say over what we can reissue.” At first, the live vinyl was not going to cut it. “We never liked the quality. Even though we liked the show, it never sounded very good.” After a little playing around with plug-ins, the band was able to recreate the “crazy, freaky, exciting show" they knew they had on their hands. “I think when people listen to that they get a sense of that very amped-up punk-rock meets psychedelic rock, meets prog-rock weirdo group that we were," says Coyne. With track names such as ‘Psychiatric Explorations of the Fetus with Needles’, it's hard not to ask for the story behind the album title Clouds Taste Metallic. Turns out Sydney had a hand in it. About 20-odd years ago The Flaming Lips were hanging out with Tool in Sydney. Tool’s then bassist, Paul D’Amour was taking a ride in a four-seater airplane (as you do) and asked the pilot to fly through a cloud (because Paul D'Amour). “He opened his mouth because he thought, 'How often do you get to go through a cloud?' I asked him, what did it taste like? And he said, 'You know, it tasted kind of metallic.' That’s an absolutely true story." ON FINDING A KINDRED SPIRIT IN MILEY The Flaming Lips are no strangers to collaboration; just check out their 15th studio album With a Little Help From My Fwends; a star-studded cover album of The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. One creative partnership stands out amongst them: Coyne and Miley Cyrus. “The way that we live our lives is very similar,” Coyne explains, “She’s so on it. She has so much shit to say and songs to sing. I think that’s why we like each other. I’m always going and she’s always going, and so we meet up and we’ve got 20 things we want to do.” According to Coyne, the writing and recording process is more impulsive and natural rather than scheduled and labored. Coyne may start working on something at his studio in Oklahoma, then brings it to Cyrus, where sometimes all they’ll need is one take. “Usually even though we would say we’d start recording at noon, we usually wouldn’t start until 2am,” says Coyne, “She always has a lot of stuff going on. She can be in her house with 50 people and there can be a crazy party going on, and I’ll go in and say ‘Let’s go out and we’ll do some stuff for 20 minutes’. There’s five to six tracks we did together where it’s literally one take and I went into the house, got her, she came out, sang, and that will be the song.” [caption id="attachment_545696" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Image: Todd Spoth.[/caption] LIVE SHOWS AND THE VIEW FROM INSIDE A HUMAN-SIZED BUBBLE There's a good reason why The Flaming Lips have been declared by Q Magazine as one of the 'Top 50 Bands to See Before You Die'. If you're fortunate enough to have witnessed them live already you’ll be familiar with confetti guns, crazy light shows, costumes, and of course, Wayne Coyne rolling over the crowd in a human-sized bubble. So what’s it like to literally walk on your audience? “I’ve done it so much now that it’s not an utter freak-out surprise,” he says. “I have a certain control over where it’s going to go, I can get a sense of how freaky and exciting it is for the audience. It’s one of those cool moments that we embrace, we’re glad we get to do something like that, and that the audience gets to play along with it.” The only thing that Coyne worries about in the bubble is potentially breaking a nose or a pair of glasses. Bless. For Coyne, the live show experience is a chance to bring everybody into their colourful world. “The things that we do with the lights and the volume, it includes everybody. Even if they don’t know the songs, it brings everybody together. That’s why we want it to be so dynamic. You want everyone to get the most out of it.” The Flaming Lips are most at home in a festival atmosphere, as Coyne explains, “I think it works well with our type of optimistic message. The things we really love to sing, those really do communicate at festivals pretty well.” Coyne believes there could be a new Flaming Lips record ready by April or May this year, but depending on their future work with Cyrus, no plans have been set in stone. “But that’s the great thing about always creating, sometimes by shear accident you stumble across this great song that you didn’t even know that you were going to do. That’s what we want to happen, that’s the reason to always be doing stuff. Some special moment may accidentally happen.” See The Flaming Lips perform live at Melbourne's Palais Theatre on Friday, January 8 and at Sydney Festival on Saturday, January 9 for free in the Domain. More details on The Flaming Lips' website. Top image: George Salisbury (WB).
Waterloo residents, your wake-up call just got a whole lot more fun. Introducing the 'coffee slider': a luxurious combo of ice cream, honey and brioche. It’s one of many signature creations to be explored at brand new Bourke Street cafe Barista and Cook. The eatery — which opened last week — is owned and operated by one Mr. Alan Thompson. Yes, we're talking the DJ-turned-cafe master who previously brought Bangbang Espresso to Surry Hills. At Barista and Cook his passion for coffee continues, thanks to a dedicated brew bar serving filters and pourovers, including Chemex, V60 and single origin beans. Meanwhile, Gypsy Espresso will be taking care of your more standard coffee options. According to Thompson, his vision is driven by simplicity and excellence. He describes Barista and Cook’s offering as "beautifully presented, contemporary cafe food made with love and quality, barista-made coffee". Thompson is working closely with head chef Adrian Borg, who’s spent a decade in fine dining joints around the world, and even ran the kitchen in Ashfield’s Excelsior Jones for a while. His ever-changing breakfast and lunch menus are driven by seasonal produce and what's healthy. Every element, except for the Brasserie Bread, is made on the premises. On the breakfast menu you'll find everything from chia coconut pudding to smoked trout kedgeree with spiced rice, boiled eggs, citrus yoghurt and coriander, and char-grilled pork belly with chilli fried eggs, crushed edamame and puffed black rice. You’ll be enjoying all this tastiness inside a massive, light-filled space, fitted out by Giant Design. Drawing on Scandinavian aesthetics, they’ve created a bright, clean-cut atmosphere to reflect the menu. Think white-washed walls, lush hanging plants and oodles of comfy seating. A great setting for devouring those aforementioned coffee sliders. Barista and Cook is located at 834 Bourke St, Waterloo. It’s open Monday to Friday, 6am - 4pm and Saturday and Sunday, 8am - 3pm. For more info, visit baristaandcook.com.au.
The folks at Barangaroo are continuing their quest to make the harbourside development one of the premiere foodie hotspots in Sydney. They've already announced a slew of openings for the back half of the year, from the unnamed Bentley spinoff to the new vermouth bar from the team behind Bar H. But they ramped up their game this week with the news that there are not one, not two, but five new Asian eateries headed to the precinct between July and October. The openings will begin with traditional Chinese noodle spot Two Sticks, set to open in mid-July by way of their original operation in Haymarket. That same month will also welcome fellow Haymarket import Old Town Hong Kong Cuisines, which will offer Hong Kong breakfasts of congee and dumplings, as well as tasting plates inspired by a variety of Asian cooking styles from Cantonese to non-Cantonese Chinese, Japanese to Southeast Asian. September will see Vietnamese eatery Me Oi open its doors — the much-loved pho joint also operates in Strathfield and the CBD. They'll be joined by the second iteration of Surry Hills' Thai restaurant Muum Maam. Last but not least, Billu's of Parramatta will also get in on the action, bringing its traditional Indian menu to Barangaroo in mid-October. Images: Muum Maam and Old Town Hong Kong Cuisine.
From Monday, you'll be able tinker on your motorbike and slurp your way through bowel of ramen on the same premises, anytime you like. Yes, Rising Sun Workshop is back and it's opening permanent digs in Newtown on June 20. For the uninitiated, Rising Sun is a social enterprise that serves two purposes. On one hand, it provides its motor-revving members with a communal space for repairing and polishing up their bikes. On the other, it's a café, serving coffee, cookies and seriously killer ramen. The independent organisation was started by three friends, Adrian, Heleana and Dan, who love riding bikes, working on bikes and chatting about bikes while drinking coffee. They decided that Sydney needed an open, friendly, affordable space where this could happen more often. So, in 2013 they turned to Pozible, got crowdfunding and soon discovered that 160 other people felt the same way. The 90-day campaign raised a cool $40,000. This gave them enough cash to launch a pop-up. In 2014, they hung out in a "barely legal" space in Camperdown, building an elite Hill Fighter, cooking up ramen and gathering friends. Needless to say, the finding of a solid, full-time home has come as a major relief. You'll find Rising Sun's new workshop at 1C Whateley Street. It used to house a century-old hardware store, so there's oodles of space. Also, the menu has scored a serious upgrade. You can now get nosh at breakfast, lunch and dinner, and you'll find some Southern influences mixing with Japanese tradition. One of the new star dishes is a Japanese-style breakfast, served on a tray. "We're calling it 'My Prison Bento Breakfast'," co-owner and chef Nick Smith told Good Food. Rising Sun Workshop opens at 1c Whateley Street, Newtown on June 20.
Woollahra's beloved Buzo has a new name and a new semi-casual identity (as if an ex-Bentley chef could really go casual). If you've eaten there during the past year, you'll have noticed the menu creeping away from its traditional Italian roots towards modern Australian flavours. Now, owners Mark Campbell and Phillip Fikkers (who also own Potts Point's Macleay St. Bistro) are taking the eatery wholeheartedly in this direction. Relaunching as Jersey Rd. Bistro, the restaurant now focuses on more light, casual dishes — with lower price tags to match. Head chef Jason Dean (ex-Bentley, Est. and London's The Greenhouse) isn't going anywhere. Having taken over the kitchen a year ago, he's been responsible for its evolution. And now, he's enlisted the help of mighty sous chef Chris Cho (ex-Oscillate Wildly). One of the most tempting additions is a long Sunday brunch. Served from 10am till 3pm, it's packed with unusual hangover cures, such as fried duck egg with duck jerky, spiced quinoa, pumpkin and shallot, to be matched with a Bloody Mary, Pol Roger or Belgian beer. Starters on the daily menu include red cabbage crackers with parmesan custard and scallop carpaccio with jalapeño, capsicum, saffron and orange. Among the mains are roasted lamb rump with potato, zucchini, macadamia and mint, as well as confit kingfish with black lentils, celery, sour cream and radish. For those who can't make up their minds, there's a seven-course Bistro Banquet for $75 per person (could be a hot new contender for inclusion in our favourite Sydney degustations under $100). Regulars might be relieved to know that Wednesday's BYO night isn't going anywhere. Bring your own bottle for a one-off corkage charge of $14 (not the cheapest corkage in the city, but relatively well-priced). Meanwhile, on the cocktail list, you'll find a handful of Champagne-based concoctions, including bellinis, mimosas, Old Cubans, alongside further reliable classics. Jersey Rd. also has multiple dining spaces. On the rooftop, you'll find the restaurant's urban kitchen garden, crowded with mint, basil and heirloom varieties. If you're not up for a sit-down meal, hit the downstairs bar for tipples and snacks, such as fried kipfler potatoes with white anchovy, black olive and saffron aioli, plus chicken liver parfait with raspberry, fennel and grilled sourdough. Farewell, Buzo. Find Jersey Rd. Bistro at 3 Jersey Road, Woollahra. Opening hours are Tuesday-Saturday from 5pm and Sundays from 10am-3pm. Bookings at (02) 9328 1600 or reservations@jerseyrdbistro.com.au.
Big changes have come to The Newington on Stanmore Road, with the familiar local set reopening under a new moniker after extensive renovations. To be henceforth known as Public House Petersham, the venue has overhauled its traditional pub decor, transforming the space into a 'local cultural hub,' inspired by the vibe of Bushwick, Brooklyn. The rebranding is the idea of hospitality group Solotel, who purchased the venue last year and also operate the likes of Opera Bar, Paddington Inn and Goros. The venue features two unique street art designs by Sydney artists Phibs and Numskull, new booth seating, a community herb garden made from repurposed pallets and a shipping container beer garden. Under newly appointed head chef, Martin Cerny, the menu and drinks list has also had a facelift with a focus on craft beers, fresh produce seasoned with plants from the herb garden, wine and share food (including gingerbread men-topped desserts), as well as pizzas cooked in a brand new wood-fire oven. The owners will also be encouraging local community groups and clubs to use the venue as a place to meet and host activities. Licensee Amanda Veratti said in a statement that the owners "are thrilled to be able to give the old Hotel a new lease of life, where people can meet and socialise over a fantastic range of beverages and food that is made to be shared." Public House Petersham is set to open with a big ol' free party, Backyard Brew Collaborative, with a launch party set for Saturday, October 24 in conjunction with Sydney Craft Beer Week. The event will feature a 'Beer Bake-Off', where everyone is encouraged to bring their best baked goods using beer. There'll also be a 'Beard Off' competition, specialty beer tastings, food samplers from the new menu, live music from local performers, as well as a whole bunch of lawn games including backyard cricket, giant jenga and bocce. Beer Creative and Willie The Boatman have even teamed up to create a Schwarz dark German style lager for the event. The Newington Public House Petersham is located at 292 Stanmore Rad, Petersham. Backyard Brew Collaborative is happening from 12pm to 7pm on Saturday, October 24, with free entry. Images: Nikki To.
If you've been taking things a bit slow of late, get yourself to The Panic Room for a speed-up. This virtual version of the mighty escape room format demands lightning fast thinking, super-efficient communication skills and Einstein-level problem solving. You and your buddies will be equipped with virtual reality head sets, the clock will be set and you'll be scrambling around, desperately seeking a way out before time's up. There are just four sessions of one hour each and we reckon they'll be pretty damn popular, so it's a smart idea to book sooner rather than later.
Sourcing restaurant-quality takeaway is a tall order at the best of times. The team behind Paddington favourite, Saint Peter, has changed that with their Rose Bay venture — Charcoal Fish. The seafood equivalent of your neighbourhood charcoal chicken shop, co-owners Josh and Julie Niland reinterpreted the Aussie family takeout tradition with restaurant-quality dishes, all available to go. Charcoal Fish's menu features Aquna Murray Cod from Griffith, a sleepy regional town in the NSW's northwest colloquially known as the food bowl of Australia. The cod has been specifically chosen for its grill-ablity and stability in transit — each cod is in for a 6-hour journey from home to Rose Bay. The Aquna Murray Cod also gives the Nilands the ability to use 92 per cent of each fish, in line with the same nose-to-tail philosophy at Saint Peter. Gravy is extracted from fish heads, frames and fins — and lathered over floury rolls stuffed with boneless cod fillets, stuffing and crispy skin. Rotisserie whole cod, grilled cod collars served with fermented tamarind hot sauce, and a unique cod fat caramel ice cream are just some of the other menu highlights. The star of the show at Charcoal Fish is butterflied, boneless cod cooked over smoky charcoal. Available as a whole fillet, half, quarter or single, it gives families in all shapes and sizes the perfect weeknight option. A rotating selection of salads and chargrilled veggies, along with a permanent rotisserie cod, cod skin, lettuce, avo and charcoal tomato salad rounds out the elevated takeout options. Appears in: Where to Find the Best Burgers in Sydney for 2023
The inner west officially gets all the Fringe fun. After hunkering down in Newtown last year, this year’s Sydney Fringe Festival has its sights set on Erskineville, with the suburb tapped as the home of this year’s official festival hub. This year they're calling it a Festival Village, so we expect big things from this home base for the month-long cultural marathon, the largest independent arts festival in NSW. "This September, we are leaving the safety of our underground spaces and taking over shopfronts, streets and any space we can find," says festival director Kerri Glasscock. "With pop-ups and activations, we are giving local artists the opportunity to explore new ideas, new spaces and meet new audiences. The 2015 festival will be our biggest yet." The news comes alongside our first glimpse at the 2015 program, which is set to include more than 300 performances across 50 different venues in five different main locales — Newtown, Erskineville, Marrickville, Redfern and Surry Hills. Erskineville's Festival Village will play host to the official opening night party, Fringe Ignite, on September 5, with a prohibition-themed gin bar run by Young Henrys and a 1920s-style speakeasy lounge. Throughout the festival, the suburb will also host a series of talks, performances, comedy shows and music presented by City of Sydney’s Late Night Libraries, with the Erskineville Town Hall playing home to a pair of performance spaces and the Coopers Festival Bar, from the folks at the Erskineville Hotel. The surrounding suburbs will get their Fringe fill as well. Other festival highlights include a day of Indigenous art, music and performance in Redfern; a silent dinner party hosted by internationally renowned artist Honi Ryan at Marrickville Town Hall; a masquerade horror installation (whatever that means) in a warehouse; and a two-week partnership with the Chaser's Giant Dwarf theatre. The latter venue will play host to a "mini-festival within the Festival", featuring cabaret, comedy and an array of performers from fringes around the world. The full Sydney Fringe Festival program is set to drop in August before the festival kicks off on September 1. In the meantime, you can find out more about the Fringe at the event website. Image: Emerald City Sydney Fringe Festival hub 2013.
If you, like us, have a deep pang of disappointment every time you open a shoebox to find not a skerrick of fried chicken within, prepare to have your weird fetish satisfied at the Thievery team's newest venue, Butter. Butter, as the name does not at all suggest, is a fried chicken eatery and sneaker store rolled into one that’s about to open in Surry Hills (where else would a peak-hipster fried chicken-meets-sneaker dispensary possibly open?). This vibe is inspired by New York City’s hip hop culture, a vibe which is articulated by the inclusion of fancy-ass champagne-based drinks menu, you know, to wash down your fried chicken. They've actually done pairings. And your meal will be served in a shoebox, to make up for all those other there’s-no-fried-chicken-in-here box opening disappointments. The name Butter is actually a reference to the secret hero ingredient of the menu: butter (what, no way!). Buttermilk in the fried chicken, dashi butter in the waffle sandwich and the soft serve with flavour choices like buttery croissant, burnt butter and chocolate peanut butter cup (Lord have mercy on our arteries). At Butter, butter is king and we intend to rip through the menu like a… wait for it… hot knife through butter (zinggg). The fried chicken keeps it simple for four spice levels: naked, OG, fire and hot AF and the menu is organised into packs and sides. And the team behind the operation boast some impressive resumes, including the 2015 Josephine Pignolet Young Chef of the Year winner Julian Cincotta (of Nomad and Rockpool) and bar manager Paul Flynn (who is responsible for the sparkling-heavy drinks menu list). And yes, if you're wondering, there is a butter based cocktail: a butter-washed vodka (what does that even mean? It doesn’t matter, we’ll have a dozen please). Butter, 6 Hunt Street, Surry Hills, will be opening on February 11.
After spending the last few years in the grasp of tweens and sexless Mormons, it's good to see the vampire movie finally biting back. From the ingenious goofiness of What We Do in the Shadows to the eerie urban decay of Only Lovers Left Alive, it's been a banner year for big screen bloodsuckers, a trend that continues at ACMI this month with the most fascinating shakeup to the genre yet. Sexy, scary and fearlessly subversive, A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night is a last minute contender for one of the best films of 2014. Billed as the world's first Iranian Vampire Western, the debut film from writer-director Ana Lily Amirpour takes place on the outskirts of an industrial ghost town, ominously named Bad City. It's here that an aloof young vampire in heavy eye makeup and billowing chador (Sheila Vand) stalks the streets in search of victims to devour. What she doesn't count on, however, is the romantic attention of a handsome local drug dealer (Arash Marandi), who unwittingly presents her with a difficult choice: pursue a relationship or eat him for dinner. If the plot sounds thin, that's probably because it is. A spiritual descendent of David Lynch and Jim Jarmusch, the California-based Amirpour is far less concerned with narrative than she is with style and atmosphere. The moody black and white cinematography further enhances the film's already palpable sense of menace, while also calling to mind prototypical vampire movies such as Vampyr and the original Dracula. The eclectic soundtrack is equally evocative, Amirpour spinning a Tarantino-esque blend of European and Iranian pop music combined with the rousing strains of an old school Spaghetti Western. Yet despite her aesthetic self-consciousness, Amirpour's film is in no way lacking in substance. While vampire stories are traditionally about sexuality, A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night reframes the discussion to focus more on gender. It's obviously not a coincidence that Vand's vigilante vamp feeds exclusively on misogynistic men. Likewise the pointed choice of costume: her traditional head-to-toe black garb, so often viewed as a sign of oppression, re-appropriated as a symbol of her power. Even the film's title is misleading. Amirpour sets us up to expect a helpless victim, only to deliver something very different indeed. Bold and surprising, this is a truly stunning debut. Do everything you can to seek it out.
In glorious news this morning, Gelato Messina have announced their pièce de résistance, revealing their new Messina Creative Department. It's is a tiny eight-seat degustation bar next to the Darlinghurst store in the space that has previously held the Messina Lab (that is, where they dreamed up all those obscene gelato cakes we know and love). But now, in true Messina form, they've decided to do some new and downright crazy stuff with gelato. The dark, intimate venue will host a seven-course dessert degustation with a non-alcoholic drink pairing with each course — and as you would expect, it looks batshit insane (in the best way possible). The menu, curated by OG gelato chef Remi Talbot, who will will feature a range of exquisite treats, running the gamut of sweet-sweet and sweet-savoury as you would expect from any degustation. But hold your gelato-loving horses right there — you can't book yet. They'll be taking bookings through their website from Wednesday, April 20. There won't be many seats available though; there will only be two sittings per night, at 7pm and 9pm Wednesday through Saturday — that's only 64 spots a week. So you'll have to have quick fingers or you'll turn to stone while waiting. In the meantime, They've released nine short teaser videos on the newly launched Messina Creative Instagram which will make your mouth water. Crispy fried bubbles, seared sugared figs, tiny hand-rolled ice cream cones garnished with crystallised flowers and — are you ready for this? — seaweed-esque, razor-thin tuile poking over the side of a golden bowl with a deep violet bloom balanced across it with plush lumps of white cloud surrounding a bed of pink sand dabbed delicately with drops of golden syrup. Phew. Whatever they're cooking up at Messina Creative looks more art than dessert — they are literally drunk on power and it looks delicious. We truly live in the renaissance era of desserts. The Messina Creative Department degustations will be seven courses and cost $130 per person. You can now book here.
The Central Coast's truly underrated, sustainable and naturally stunning festival Mountain Sounds is set to return for another year. Heading back to the pretty, pretty spot of Mount Penang Parklands in Kariong for a third year, Mountain Sounds has locked in Saturday, February 20 for its 2016 instalment. And the just-announced lineup is some seriously applaudable biznatch. Headlined by Sydney powerhouses The Jezabels, alongside The Strokes twanger Albert Hammond Jr., Melburnian dream poppers Alpine, Adelaidean beatsmith Motez, big Sydney dance trio Art Vs Science, hugely hyped Australian duo Holy Holy, triple j favourites I Know Leopard and more, Mountain Sounds has rounded up quite the eclectic lineup. Giving a high five to the environment once more, the locally-founded Mountain Sounds is again set to take great care in minimising the environmental impact and carbon footprint of the festival. There'll also be silent discos and campsite parties curated by the team, who all grew up on the Central Coast. With tickets on sale now and sitting around 90 beans, this is an end-of-summer festival worth the measly dosh for. Enough chat, here's that lineup you're after. MOUNTAIN SOUNDS FESTIVAL 2016 LINEUP: Albert Hammond Jr. (USA) Alpine Art Vs Science The Delta Riggs Green Buzzard Harts Hockey Dad Holy Holy I Know Leopard Jack Beats (UK) The Jezabels - HEADLINE The Lazys Motez Nina Las Vegas Odd Mob Sea Legs Set Mo Slumberjack Tropical Zombie World Champion Plus: Bass RQ Bodega Collective Catalyst Elwood Myre Goonz Ivy J-Ray Jaket Jimmi Walker Man To Moon The Moving Stills Paperfox Pear Peekay Savilian SnilluM Stay Sane The Sea Gypsies Tom Hogan Twin Caverns Voyage IV Mountain Sounds Festival comes to Mount Penang Parklands, Kariong on Saturday, February 20. First release from $89 + BF, available here (early bird tickets have sold out already). Image: Tim Da Rin/Mountain Sounds.
If you didn't make it to Sculpture by the Sea last year, you not only missed out on some killer sculpture, but slurpees served from a treehouse and a grass-covered Hobbit-like structure. But don't curse yourself. It's a new year, and The Grounds of Alexandria are resurrecting their fantastical pop-up cafe for the summer — this time in the Showring at the Entertainment Quarter. Taking inspiration from the literary endeavours of English authors J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, the Grounds House has been designed to blend in with its natural surroundings. It's made from 100% recycled timber and the roof is covered with grass grown specifically for the purpose. “Blending into its natural surroundings, The Grounds House has transformed from its beachside setting and nestled itself beautifully into the open space of greenery on the Showring," says Ramzey Choker, co-director and creative head of The Grounds. There will be all your Grounds favourites, like their all-day breaky burger, smashed avo on toast and fresh fish of the day. So you can enjoy a little outdoor eating time before you catch a movie, head to Circus Oz or, say, take your "nephew" to Water World Central. The Grounds of Alexandria pop-up will run until Sunday, January 24 at the Entertainment Quarter in Moore Park. It's open 11am - 11pm Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, and 11am - 8pm Thursday and Sunday. Find out more here.
Wine is amazing, spirits are brilliant, and even cider has a place, but nothing takes the mid-week edge off like a delicious, crisp beer. There's nowhere better to visit than Bitter Phew, an Oxford Street bar with 12 taps that consistently rotate through some of the best craft beers on the scene. As such, there's always something for everyone — whether you're after the crisp, fruity palate of a pale ale, or looking for the deeper, chocolate tones of a dark ale. Treat yourself to an early mark, a couple brews and Mr Crackles or BL Burgers delivered straight to your table, as Oxford Street comes alive with fellow hump day revellers.
With Mardi Gras in full glittering swing, one of Sydney’s best and arguably favourite burger joints, Mary’s, will be showing its support for LGBTQI folk this season with a charitable and pun-tastic addition to their menu. Meet the Fairy’s Burger. The team’s cooked up a special take on the menu-staple Mary’s Burger by adding a colourful blob of 100s & 1000s to make one damn intriguing sweet-savoury mix. They've also outfitted both stores with rainbow artwork from local graphic designer Sindy Sinn. Owners Jake Smyth and Kenny Graham are simply asking punters for one extra dollar per burger, which they’ll match. Then all proceeds will go to Camp Out and Twenty10, two charities working toward making the world a better place for people of more diverse gender, sex and sexuality, especially among disadvantaged youth. As quirky nods to that glorious gay rainbow go, this sounds pretty damn cute. Critically acclaimed since opening in Newtown back in 2012, and most recently extending the venture to the CBD, Mary’s has been renowned for its simple philosophy of damn good burgers and Jack Daniel's for all. “Our guests are what make Mary’s such a crazy, colourful, vibrant and nourishing experience,” explains Smyth. “Mary’s isn’t gay or straight, man or woman, fat or thin, rich or poor. Mary’s is everyone and everything.” You go girlfriend. The Fairy's Burger is available from March 2-8 at both the CBD and Newtown stores.
How'd you like to populate your Christmas feast with local, artisanal goods to make your relatives impressed and your in-laws floored? Carriageworks is putting on their first Twilight Christmas Market this year, where you can buy fresh seasonal produce just a couple of days before Christmas. Importantly, you can also buy gifts just days before the big day, because we know what you're like. Hitting Carriageworks on Wednesday, December 23, the market will be a cornucopia of the spoils of NSW's best producers — think homemade plum puddings, succulent turkeys and hams, fresh cherries, smelly cheeses and more, alongside artisan food and gift stalls. Plus, they'll even have Christmas trees for you traditionalists — or highly unorganised folk. Expect the best from the weekly Carriageworks Farmers Market, including favourites like Pudding Lane, Sweetness the Patisserie, Willowbrae Chevre Cheese, Feather & Bone, Carlson's Handcrafted, The One That Got Away, Mirrool Creek Lamb and more. Plus, there'll be plenty more joining the party, from Archie Rose Distillery to Ralston Brothers Oysters, Cornersmith, Flour and Stone, Young Henrys, Slow Wine Co, Shepherds Bakehouse and a whole host more. Look at that, Carriageworks just saved Christmas. Image: Zan Wimberley.
He's created culinary delights for Cate Blanchett, David Beckham and U2, now chef Nelly Robinson (formerly of the Aria group) wants to cook for you. Snuggled in an underground bunker-style space in Surry Hills, Robinson's brand new London-like eatery nel. restaurant is the city's newest 'progressive dining' spot. Sitting on Wentworth Avenue on the border of Surry Hills, nel. works around an open, modern kitchen layout — you'll be able to see your nosh prepared from every seat in the house. Decked out with copper facades, exposed brickwork and minimalist leather booths, nel. is sure to be on the top of Sydneysider must-try lists. Food-wise, nel. is all about shaking things up. Robinson has worked with acclaimed Northern English chef Nigel Howarth (Northcote Manor, UK), so this is his own personal branch-out. Robinson's crafted a monthly rotating seasonal menu — right now we're talking venison carpaccio with a chocolate dust and pickled enoki mushrooms; slow-cooked and water bathed Tasmanian lobster with paprika and garlic butter, charred sweet corn and fresh mango; and blowtorched peach with elderflower sorbet and a buttermilk mousse. Accompanying the constantly changing menu is ten specially-matched wines — you'll be served two with each dish so you can experience different tastes (without the judgement-bait of having two wines at a time). nel. restaurant is located at 75 Wentworth Avenue, Surry Hills NSW 2000. nel. restaurant will be open for lunch Tuesday-Saturday 6pm-late, Thursday-Friday 12pm-3pm. For more info and bookings, call (02) 9212 2206 or visit the website.
The thought of Christmas shopping may send even the calmest among us into a panic stricken daze. Those final few weeks before the 25th approaches bring to mind memories of sweltering traffic jams in Westfield car parks, crabby sales assistants, tinny Christmas carols played on repeat everywhere you go and those condescending looks from the more organised folk who got their Christmas shopping done back in October. You know who you are. It's kind of hard to get into the Christmas spirit with all this pressure of buying your loved ones Christmas gifts that they won't secretly return. Fortunately, one of our favourite neighbourhood art collectives, Le Petit Bateau, has collaborated with Lais Marques and Party Collective to bring us something a little different this year. Introducing the M Market. Set in the beachside suburb of Maroubra Beach, the M Market is an outdoor cornucopia of art, music and food. Discover some local artists, listen to some live tunes (that aren't Christmas carols) and enjoy the unique fare from a food truck, or three. The market is proudly created and run by artists, and provides a great opportunity to pick up a unique gift handcrafted by the very human standing in front of you. Not a crabby sales assistant or plastic Christmas tree in sight. The M Market will be running on November 27 2016 at the Maroubra Bowling Club, Maroubra Beach. Festivities will start at 9am and kick on until 9pm. Entry is free.
As much as Mardi Gras is about the party and the parade, it just wouldn't be the same without Fair Day. Every year, up to 80,000 folks descend on Victoria Park for a day that's half picnic, half party. You'll want to bust out your brightest colours — being the only person who didn't dress up is no fun at all. From 10am on Sunday, February 17 there'll live performances from Electric Fields, Mojo Juju, Maribelle, The Marion Cranes and a whole load more, plus a pumpin' dance floor so that you can dance the day away. There'll also be over 200 stalls for food, bevvies and other delights, a fashions of the fair contest and an official after party. And, thanks to the return of Doggywood, your favourite four-legged buddy can also experience life in the spotlight. Does your fabulous pooch have what it takes to be crowned Best Dressed or Most Talented? Of course it does.
The old Clare Hotel is about to be reborn. Singapore-based hotel-restaurant entrepreneur Loh Lik Peng of Unlisted Collection has taken over the heritage-listed Chippendale building, turning Broadway's beloved former pub into a boutique hotel — due to open this August as part of Central Park's brand new $2 billion Kensington Street laneway precinct. As the first Australian venture for the group, the Old Clare Hotel sees Loh intending to replicate company's successful London/Shanghai/Singapore boutique hotel model in Sydney. Already announced, the hotel will feature three high profile restaurants including Automata (from former Momofuku sous chef, Clayton Wells) as part of the hotel on the Old Clare/Carlton United Brewery site. Wells is refurbishing the heritage-listed Chippendale building as a 60-seater, industrially-inspired eatery with Sydney architect and motorcycle expert Matt Machine. UK chef Jason Atherton will open the 120-seater Kensington Street Social, and Briton Sam Miller (former executive sous chef at Copenhagen's Noma) will also open his first solo restaurant, Silvereye, on the second floor. Hotel-wise, the Old Clare venture will feature 62 guest rooms and suites. Unlisted have worked with the award-winning Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects (Carriageworks, Paddington Reservoir Gardens) on the design, creating a blend of historic and modern aesthetic — high ceilings, heritage timber paneling, exposed brick (from the original foundation), all brought together amongst a contemporary, semi-industrial design. "It‘s a hotel stitched together from three structures, two old and one new," says Tim Greer, practice director at Tonkin Zulaikha Greer. "It’s unpredictable, with a bit of magic and a twist of fantasy. When you walk around the hotel, you will get a sense that the building is dressing and undressing itself all at once. The building plays games with what a hotel should be, some parts are exquisite and other parts are raw. In short a building of mixed emotions." Dressing and undressing itself all at once. Yep, we're holding out to see whatever that means. The Old Clare's reception — located within the original pub area — is set to become a bar for both locals and guests, with coffee, cocktails and beers poured day and night. So you'll be able to revisit the Clare without shelling out for accommodation. Guests get the special treatment though, with a 14-metre rooftop pool and bar on the top of the Carlton United Brewery administration building. There's apparently going to be a 'cultural program' in place, and guests will be able to partake in a spot of sunrise poolside yoga. The hotel's also set to feature a private gym and day spa, alongside a heritage-restored meeting space. The Old Clare Hotel will open August 2015 at 1 Kensington Street, Chippendale.
Film buffs of Sydney, prepare to spend a whole lot of time in Double Bay. In the near future, heading to the eastern harbourside suburb to catch a movie or ten will become a reality thanks to Palace Cinemas' brand new location. Don't go jumping on a bus or train just yet, though — the just-announced site is still a couple of years away. In fact, an exact timeline for the Cross Street development hasn't been revealed, however, the new movie house will take over a space that's currently a carpark, and form part of a broader retail and residential precinct. Expect Palace to continue to showcase a lineup of arthouse and international fare, and add a new stopover to the itinerary of their many film fests (including Italian, British, Spanish, Latin American, American indie and Scandinavian-focused events), too. The state-of-the-art Double Bay venue isn't the only change that the cinema chain is making in New South Wales, with Palace Verona replacing its seating by the end of this year and upping their screens to eight by December 2017. Plus, up in Byron Bay, Palace is the middle of a revamp that will bring a nine-screen complex to the beachside town by 2018. The news of another cinema joining Sydney's array of film-going hotspots — and more screens being added to existing locations — is a far cry from the days when everyone one was worried about picture palaces dying out, and predicting that we'd all be spending our time streaming flicks on our phones. Okay, so the second part has actually come true, but the joy that comes from sitting in a darkened theatre, watching a film projected onto a giant screen and sharing the experience with a room full of strangers really isn't going anywhere. Instead, it's coming to even more places. If that's not cause for a celebratory trip to the movies, we don't know what is. Palace Cinemas opens in Double Bay soon, opening date TBC.
