Street art began as a decidedly out-of-the-white-cube phenomenon. But, now that it's established itself, Aussie multi-disciplinary artist Phibs is taking it back indoors for a look. And, with these icy temperatures being not too conducive to trudging about outside, we say hallelujah to that. Curated by Phibs and produced by aMBUSH Gallery, Metro Luminescence brings together 13 artists who usually work in the street — grappling with whatever space they can get, battling the elements and often painting and drawing under cover of darkness. But, on Level 3 of Central Park, they've had to respond to a new set of constraints — those imposed by four walls and a ceiling. Between Tuesday, June 7 and Friday, June 10, the graffiti writers, muralists, fine artists, photographers and sculptors spent four furious days working, and the results are now on display until July 10, viewable for free. Expect everything from large-scale pieces on canvas and installations to sketches and experiments.
Every month, Sydneysiders chuck out more than 500,000 disposable coffee cups. Given how much cheering’s been going on in reaction to the COP21 climate change agreement to transform the planet’s fossil fuel-driven economy, it feels like it’s about time we killed our trash habit, too. The good news is that a visionary company by the name of Frank Green wants to help us along. Founded in Melbourne, they’ve just expanded to Sydney and their business is the design creation and sale of SmartCups, which are quite possibly the most beautiful, well-conceived, reusable coffee cups you’ve ever seen. It’s not just us who are impressed, either – the SmartCup won the 2015 Good Design Award. The vessel is 100 percent Australian-made – every step of the way, from design to engineering to manufacturing – and an array of features puts it a cut above its competitors. It's made of premium, BPA-free, non-toxic materials, which are resistant to stain and odours, so you won’t get any weird tastes mixing with your Single Origin or Toby’s Estate. You only need one hand to open and close it, allowing for endless multitasking. And the lid is completely spill-proof. Add to that a double-walled, thermo layer to keep your brew hot; a non-slip grip; a flow-optimised drinking hole; the capacity to take regular and large coffee sizes; and loads of choices in terms of colours. Last but not least, you can actually pay for your coffee with your SmartCup. Frank Green and CafePay have got together to make this little slice of magic happen – the cup itself can facilitate secure cashless payments; keep track of your progress in loyalty programmes; help you find your favourite beans, café or barista; allow you to pre-order; and get you access to special discounts. Check out Frank Green's website for more info.
Tucked in behind the hub of Central Park, away from the traffic of Broadway, sits number 48 Kensington Street, a sandstone building that's been taken over by the natural world. Vines creep through the windows, run along the walls, and sneak under the doors. It's the home of Stoneleigh Hotel, a house by Stoneleigh wine that's been filled with overgrown plants, moss-covered furniture and of course, wine. From November 11 until December 3, there will be hosting workshops, classes, live music and entertainment among many, many wine tastings inside the hotel. It's all because of Stoneleigh wine and its relationship to nature. The vineyard is situated in New Zealand's iconic Marlborough region and sits atop an ancient riverbed that weaves its way through the vines. The stones that form the riverbed, called 'sun stones' by the winemakers, soak up all the sunlight during the day and release this heat come nightfall, ripening the grapes by moonlight. This is the philosophy behind their wines — they let Mother Nature do the work, just as they have within the Stoneleigh Hotel (kind of, it's a man-made overgrown hotel). The hotel immerses us in the natural processes that bring their wine to life, and brings a little bit of nature to our inner-city bubble. Take a look inside. THE GREAT WINING HALL Upon arriving at the Stoneleigh Hotel, guests will be greeted by the concierge and shown through to the Great Wining Hall. The room has been overrun by creeping vines, spreading roots and a canopy of leaves. Vines hang from the glass ceiling and high window sills, and a moss-covered armchair sits against the wall. Over the next few weeks workshops (like our own fermentation workshop with Cornersmith, stay tuned for details), events and live music will all happen here. Visitors will take their place at a banquet table covered in plants and be treated to a tasting session of the Stoneleigh range. The vast selection of wines extends to far beyond the Sauv Blanc that made the region famous, and there is no better place to sip on these wines than surrounded by this man-made version of the natural world that crafted them. THE WILD VALLEY BALLROOM Last year, Stoneleigh released their first vintage of the Wild Valley range, comprised of wines fermented entirely by the forces of nature. Natural fermentation (or wild fermentation) uses the micro-flora already present in the environment to ferment the grapes, rather than introducing foreign yeasts into the product. The result is a richer, more texturally intricate wine that's intense yet elegant on the palate. Now in its second vintage, Stoneleigh brings the Wild Valley range to life in the ballroom, where guests are treated to a taster of the unique vinos, as well as a thorough rundown on the process that shaped them. Just like the wines themselves, the ballroom is an emblem of the slow march of time and nature, unimpeded by the hand of man. This room has a wall of bubbling chemicals and moss-covered furniture. THE SAUV BLANC POWDER ROOM This part of the experience pays homage to one of the two main grape varietals that made the Marlborough region famous, the humble Sauvignon Blanc. No celebration of New Zealand wines would be complete without mention of the grape, and Stoneleigh won't break the mould. Step into a world that reflects the time that's passed in the hotel, surrounded by the forgotten belongings of guests that have long since passed. Amongst the thriving forest within the Powder Room are the personal effects of past visitors, man-made objects left to disappear inside the grips of time. Dresses and jewellery hang from the walls alongside a delicately cream-coloured dresser — light and airy like the wine that inspired it. THE PINOT NOIR STUDY The other grapes perfected by our brothers and sisters across the ditch is the elegant, delicate Pinot Noir. Notoriously the hardest grape to grow and prepare properly, Pinot lends an air of quiet distinction, and the study in the hotel reflects this. Inside the study, guests are treated to another tasting session, and are invited to aquaint themselves with the excess of possessions that have melted into the foliage that surround the room. Get amongst the jewellery, the clothing and the vintage slippers. Find the Stoneleigh Hotel is at 48 Kensington Street, Chippendale from November 11 until December 11. Images: Michael Wickham and Kimberley Low.
UPDATE: NOVEMBER 29, 2019 — Peck's first show has already sold out but — good news — he will be coming back after his Mona Foma performance for a second show on Tuesday, January 20. Tickets are on sale now. Before heading to Tassie to wow the crowds at Mona Foma, Canadian cowboy crooner Orville Peck will be at the Magic Mirrors Spiegeltent to inject a much-needed dose of camp into country music. Peck is something of an enigma, he only started performing earlier this year and the disguise he wears at all times (think the Lone Ranger's mask, with but with a fabulous fringe) means his identity has thus far remained a secret, although, obviously, rumours abound. He self produced his debut album, Pony, which was nominated for the Polaris Prize, Canada's most prestigious musical honour. It's 100 percent Nashville; zero percent bashful.
The National Gallery of Victoria has revealed what will be on its agenda at the tail-end of this year, this evening announcing its summer centrepiece in the world premiere of Between Two Worlds | Escher X Nendo. Much like the NGV's 2016's Andy Warhol | Ai Weiwei show, the blockbuster exhibition will celebrate two very different creators: Dutch artist M.C. Escher and Japanese design studio Nendo. It will be the first to unite the two, bringing them together in an assembly of immersive art and design. More than 160 different prints and drawings created by Escher during his career that ran from 1916 to 1969 will be shown, the first time the Dutch artist has had a major exhibition in Australia. Optical illusion being what he is known best for, and the images on display will be drawn from the world's largest collection of his work at the Gemeentemuseum in The Hague. In tandem, Nendo will create an environment to house the works, taking inspiration from Escher to manipulate geometry and space to warp perception. This'll create a fully immersive experience in which to be boggled by Escher's works. It doesn't stop there for the upcoming season, though — the NGV's spring/summer is bursting with art shaped fruit ready for you to pick.Australian artist Polly Borland will also be celebrated via a display of her works of recent times at the Ian Potter Centre. Borland is a locally born, LA-dwelling photographer notable for her photos of well-known figures like Queen Elizabeth II and Nick Cave. Gravitating lately more towards surrealism in her photography and producing disquieting and abstract images, both recent and new works of Borland's will be shown. This'll run from September 28 until February 3. Also on the lineup is an exclusive showing of British artist Julian Opie's mixed media works. To be set in the NGV's gallery and gardens, the exhibition was created specifically to fill these spaces and will incorporate sculpture, video, and art specifically for the children's gallery. Try Hito Steyeri's landmark video installation Factory of the Sun, about workers in a motion capture studio whose actions are used to create artificial sunshine, becoming a metaphor for the way digital screens use and emit light. Or take a bite out of Willian Wegman's work — a man whose Weimaraner dog became his artistic muse, William Wegman: Being Human highlights the artist's versatility across different artistic methods and mediums. And don't forget Designing Women, a 40 year highlight of the role of female designers in shaping the culture and fabric of the design world. Drawing from the NGV's permanent collection, over 50 significant works will be showcased, icons by name and affect, and united by gender. This summer's Triennial was the most visited exhibition in the NGV's 157 years, and this exhibition is sure to get similar numbers through the St Kilda Road doors. Start planning your art viewing now. Between Two Worlds | Escher X Nendo will run at NGV International, Melbourne from December 2, 2018 until April 7, 2019. For more info, visit ngv.vic.gov.au. Image: 'Day and Night', M.C. Escher, © The M.C. Escher Company, The Netherlands.
Whole pigs on spits, huge cheese wheels, ale and wine a-flowin', fire-blowers and aerial artists — just your standard night at The Grounds of Alexandria. In one of the biggest events the Grounds crew has ever created, Feast will take you away to the medieval circus you never thought you'd find in Alexandria. Planned for two nights over September 4 and 5, Feast will see the Grounds collaborate with international theatre spectacle Limbo to transform the beloved Alexandria space into a sensory banquet of interactive performance, live music and medieval-style nosh. Haven't heard of Limbo? They're the internationally-acclaimed performance group who blew minds at Sydney Festival this year and last, and describe themselves as 'dirty and dangerous' — think acrobatics, fire-blowing, aerial feats of WTF magnificence. While Limbo's crazily talented performers scatter throughout the space, you'll be feasting on The Grounds' specially-crafted menu for the night. Inspired by the merry ole banquets of medieval times, there'll be pigs on spits with meat carved right off the bone, giant wheels of cheese with freshly baked bread, wine and ale aplenty, baked and fresh vegetables and cocktails brewed with ancient techniques. There'll be two sections on the night: Section A has a better vantage point and will set you back $195 per person, while Section B, at $180 per person, is slightly back from the stage but apparently still has a great view. Tickets are supposedly selling fast so get on it — this is going to be pretty damn spectacular. Feast is happening at The Grounds of Alexandria at 2 Huntley Street, Alexandria, on September 4 and 5. Gates open at 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start. For tickets, head over here.
Away from the spotlight that shines so brightly on the hospitality scene in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, pubs in Adelaide have been left to develop their own identity, quietly amassing a swathe of excellent venues that cater for all manner of nights out. Whether in the heart of the metropolis, or a weekend retreat away from the city, the drink-slingers in and around the southern capital have carefully curated their approaches to drinking, dining and generally letting loose. Together with our mates at Hahn Brewers, we've come up with a guide to the pubs of Adelaide. Whether you're after a beer garden, a party, a drink by the water or a trivia night, we've got you covered. FOR A BEER GARDEN: ALMA TAVERN, NORWOOD There's a whole load on offer at the Alma Tavern, but the jewel in the crown for the Norwood venue is their spectacular beer garden. Set just below ground level, the outdoor area is peppered with comfy tables and chairs, lined with cushioned booths and adorned with festoon lighting and a few trees bringing a slice of the outdoors to the indoors. Just like the cultural identity of Australia, the Alma's menu includes influences from all around the world (get some orange and clove duck legs in your life). Grab a beer and sit out in the sunshine at the Alma — it's a foolproof beer garden option. FOR AN EVENT: THE JADE MONKEY, ADELAIDE The Jade has been around in one form or another for the last thirteen years, but its current home is at St Paul's Rectory in the heart of the city. It has always been a hub of local live music and a great place for a beer, but now it also hosts a wide array of events. Stop by on a sunny afternoon and you might find a music festival is going on. If not, there could be a pop-up cinema, a vinyl sale or a songwriting class. If whatever event is on at the time doesn't take your fancy, you can settle back in the garden with a beer for the afternoon and enjoy the peaceful surrounds. FOR TRIVIA: THE EDINBURGH CASTLE, ADELAIDE The Edinburgh Castle has become locally famous for its themed trivia nights. Many are television-based, with previous trivia topics being Friends, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Seinfeld, The Simpsons and Breaking Bad. Trivia nights happen inside the venue, but you should stick around afterwards (or you could come a little early) and grab a beer in the Castle's huge beer garden. Food options are classic pub grub and there's a huge $10 section on the menu. FOR A PARTY: PALAIS HOTEL, SEMAPHORE It's all well and good to head to a venue for a cheeky brew and a delicious feed. It's nice to soak in a good view and relax with some chilled beats. But, at the end of a hard week, or any other occasion you might fancy, sometimes you've just got to get dressed up and get down. The Palais Hotel is perfectly set up for mad parties, with multiple bars, an extensive drinks list and plenty of space by the beach. DJs play almost every night at the Palais, and their Australia Day and New Year's Eve parties are legendary. FOR A BEER BY THE WATER: RAMSGATE HOTEL, HENLEY BEACH Australians harbour a deep love for the ocean. We also love a good drink, so the ultimate combo is when the two meet in absolute glory — the beachside pub. The Ramsgate Hotel is a great pub simply because of its relaxed atmosphere and its proximity to the beautiful Henley Beach. When you're done visiting the churches and vineyards that populate Adelaide, there aren't many better things to do than enjoy a cold beer while watching the sun go down at the Ramsgate. FOR A ROAD TRIP: VICTORY HOTEL, SELLICKS HILL When the crushing hubbub of metropolitan mayhem becomes a little too much, there's nothing like escaping to the country for a quick recharge. If that's your go, the Victory Hotel have got you covered. The B&B sits atop Sellicks Hill and has magnificent views over Sellicks Beach and even into a bit of wine country. The menu is top-notch, but it's the wine cellar that truly takes the cake. Pair that with a couple of beers, a good feed and some darling cottages available for guests, and it's clear that an escape to the Victory is a real winner. FOR A BRITISH FEED: FOX & FIRKIN, TEA TREE GULLY Pubs, as we know them in this country, are largely thanks to the great British tradition of sinking ales and demolishing deliciously rich and filling combinations of meat, veg and carbs. Perfect. A decent British menu, however, can be a bit hard to come by, so places that keep the tradition alive are hidden gems to be revered. Fox & Firkin is a little out of town, but the food is definitely worth the trip. The menu includes British classics like Welsh rarebit or the beef and Guinness pie (complete with mushy peas), while also maintaining Aussie pub classics like burgers, seafood platters and the schnitzels that betray the hidden Germanic roots of the British Isles. FOR THE GAME: ARKABA, FULLARTON The Arkaba Hotel provides a great experience if you're into sport. It's the home of Sportys Bar and Arena, one of the premier sporting bars in town. The local Sportys takes their sport seriously, setting up the entire bar as an homage to spectating physical activity. There are plenty of TVs, tonnes of room and the bar is fitted out with all the knick knacks and wood panelling that is the stuff of man cave dreams. If you're after AFL, football or a good sport like rugby, Sportys has got it all. Sign up to Hahn Brewers and settle down with a drink this weekend. Top image: Ramsgate Hotel.
Australia’s first ever eatery dedicated to vegan superfood sushi is heading to Newtown this May. Vegan. Superfood. Sushi. That’s a whole lot of goodness rolled into one: delicious looks, cracking taste and insane levels of healthiness — plus no little critters had to lose life over your meal. But, to turn this culinary utopia into a reality, the team behind the operation needs your help. Love for all creatures great and small might come free, but cooking gear and refrigerators can get exxy. So a Pozible campaign is underway, with the goal of raising $9000 by May 2. The team is made up of mother and son duo and Superfood Sushi founders Pepe Marshall and Guy Renner. Pepe trained as a chef and owned a cafe in Auckland before moving to Australia a decade ago. She and Guy are already vegan superfood sushi experts, and have been serving up their creations at markets and special events for the past six months. “We developed the concept when we couldn’t find any plant-based sushi around, except for the boring, unhealthy, white rice rolls filled with avocado or cucumber,” says Pepe. “So we decided to make our own. Our main aim is to try and seduce people with food. Many people are under the misconception vegan food is boring; it is anything but boring. In fact, I think some of the most creative recipes I have followed and created have been plant-based.” Proof of that is Superfood Sushi’s current menu. Examples include Saigon Pickle (forbidden black rice, Vietnamese pickled carrot, daikon — a mild winter radish — baby corn and avocado) and Magic Mushroom (forbidden black rice with Portobello, enoki, oyster and shitake mushrooms roasted with garlic, balsamic and rosemary). But the favourite of Kym Staton, founder of the Sydney Vegan Club, is Mango Chick (eleven grain rice, asparagus, red capsicum, cucumber and rocket, topped with a mix of mango, chick peas, chilli and chives). “The flavours are to die for,” he said, “except no one had to die for it”. Pepe is continually experimenting with new flavour combinations, so diners can expect an evolving menu. “Cooking and food constantly consume me,” she said. “Whether I am reading, travelling or researching, I am trialling new ideas... Really, the possibilities are limitless in terms of variety.” The only boundaries are her insistence on seasonal produce — organic and locally sourced wherever possible — and her aversion to mock meats. “Personally, I am not a fan,” she said. “So I’ve steered away from them, focusing on flavoursome combinations of vegetables only.” The eatery’s exact location can’t be revealed until the DA is signed off, but we do know it’ll be at the Sydney University end of King Street, Newtown. “It’ll be an uncomplicated, cosy space with a central bar area, offering self-serve of individual pieces. We figure it’s good for people to be able to try a variety,” Pepe said. “Our ambition is a light carbon print, so our fittings will be mostly wooden and upcycled, but with a modern twist and some quirky additions. Needless to say, we’ll also have greenery around us. Knowing how much Sydney siders love their brew, we’ll have Chemex coffee and cold brew available, alongside an open fridge stocked with salads and wraps, plus a few sweety bits.” Superfood Sushi will join more than thirty vegan eateries in Sydney. “It’s great,” Kym said, “as it gives Sydneysiders another way to make kinder, greener and healthier choices via what they put on their plate.” Make Australia's first vegan sushi cafe happen by throwing the team some dosh right here.
And we thought reading was all headed for Tabletsville. Turning the book sales tide, Amazon has just opened its first physical bookstore, a first for the online retailer and an unexpected turn of events for book lovers worldwide. Opening this week in Amazon's hometown of Seattle, inside the University Village, the bricks and mortar version of the website comes 20 years after Amazon initially went live. It's just 510 square metres large — teeny tiny compared to colossus stores like the now-defunct Borders. Sitting on the shelves are titles that have wildly positive online reviews (most will be four stars and above), strong preorder and sales numbers, popularity on Goodreads and Amazon's own assessments. Each book will sit face-out (instead of spine-out) with an Amazon.com customer rating and review card, and the prices will be the same on the site as in the store. You can also test drive Amazon’s devices — Kindle, Echo, Fire TV, and Fire Tablet series — and buy eBooks instore, which seems like a pretty superfluous service (just buy 'em on your Kindle/tablet). "Amazon Books is a store without walls", said VP of Amazon Books Jennifer Cast in an online announcement. "We’ve applied 20 years of online bookselling experience to build a store that integrates the benefits of offline and online book shopping." Amazon Books is located at 4601 26th Ave. NE in University Village, Seattle. Open Monday through Saturday from 9.30am to 9pm and on Sundays from 11am to 6pm. Via Seattle Times. Images: Amazon.
Anyone who's played for G-Funk's best hip hop artists knows their groove. And that's exactly how DaM-FunK spent the '90s — as one of the most in-demand musicians on the G-Funk scene. Then he decided to go out on his own. After being snapped up by Stones Throw Records, he released his debut album, Toeachizown (2009) and followed up in 2015 with Invite the Light, which features guest appearances from Snoop Dogg and Ariel Pink. Dam-Funk plays the Magic Mirrors Spiegeltent on January 15 at 11.45pm. $39 + bf. This is just one of our ten picks for Sydney Festival's best gigs. Check out the whole list.
The Windsors are in the building. Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall are currently in Australia for a five-day state visit, meeting with politicians, activists and koalas and enjoying the best of what the country has to offer. Admittedly, the public excitement hasn't been quite as intense as when Kate and Will were here — but hey, we'll take what we can get. In anticipation of the Sydney leg of the royal couple's tour, Destination NSW has released a jam-packed itinerary, featuring many of the city's cultural and culinary hotspots. Usually we'd turn a blind eye, but this time around, someone's done their homework. It's not a bad list to have if you're up for a spot of royal stalking watching. But keep it handy for the next time you have parents or mates in from out of town and want to treat them to a Sydney experience fit for a (future) king. ROYAL EATS With so many places to visit in so short an amount of time, royal visitors will need plenty of fuel to keep them going through the day. Truthfully, one of the best things about this country is the sheer variety of different cuisines to try. They'll be tasting Chinese at Billy Kwong in Potts Point, organic cooking at Biota out in Bowral, or a hearty lamb roast at Firedoor in Surry Hills. Not sure about the inclusion of Harry's Café de Wheels though, where the royals will be getting into a few pies. Sure, it's a local institution, but if you're after pies might we recommend Pie Tin or Upper Crust instead? On the beverage front, Willie the Boatman is one of our favourite craft breweries. Alternatively, you can grab something a little more fancy at the fittingly named Royal Hotel, where C&C will also be throwing back a few pints. ROYAL FUN Once your guests have eaten their regal stomachs full to the point of bursting, the fun times can begin in earnest. One of our favourite royal stops from Destination NSW? Axe throwing at Maniax in St Peters (yep, the royals are actually going here). It's a little medieval, sure, but then again so is the monarchy. A trip to the Sydney Polo Club seems appropriately posh, before mixing with the common folk at one of the city's many markets. Charles and Camilla are tipped to visit The Rocks Markets — although if it were up to us we'd be taking them to Eveleigh, Rozelle or Glebe. ROYAL ARTING The Prince of Wales has always been a major patron of the arts, so it makes sense that he'd take time from his schedule for a trip to the Chippendale Creative Precinct. White Rabbit Gallery on Balfour Street boasts one of the largest collections of contemporary Chinese art anywhere in the world, while the aMBUSH Gallery is a hub of site-specific art activations and a breeding ground for innovative Australian artists. ROYAL BEACHES Look, to be brutally honest, we don’t really need to see Charles and Camilla in their swimming trunks. Still, no trip to Sydney, royal or otherwise, would be complete without a spot of sun baking on one of our many sandy beaches. Avoid the crowds at Bondi and instead pay a visit to somewhere a little more secluded, such as Parsley Bay in Vaucluse or Lady Martin's Beach in Point Piper. Images: Firedoor (Nikki To), Maniax, aMBUSH Gallery, Cacau & Xande (Flickr).
A London architecture outfit has devised a smart, affordable housing option to help aid the city's homeless population. Occupying a previously vacant lot in the south London suburb of Mitcham, George William Court consists of 36 brightly coloured, prefabricated units stacked one on top of the other via crane. Throw down some wooden decking and hey presto: instant apartment block. The 26-square-meter, single-person residences were designed by Richard Rogers' award-winning architecture firm Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, who were commissioned by the YMCA. Construction took place in a factory in Derbyshire at a cost of between £30,000 and £35,000 per unit. Each apartment features a combined living and kitchen area, a bedroom and an en suite bathroom, and can be relocated to another site should the need arise. Hopefully that won't be necessary, however, since the tenants – mostly young people from YMCA hostels and the local authority housing list – have already begun moving in. According to Dezeen Magazine, Rogers believes there is space for as many as half a million prefabricated houses in unused spaces around London. " We've been failing to build enough housing," he said at the opening of George William Court. "The supply lags behind demand and buying becomes ever more unaffordable... We need to unleash similar building innovation across the capital or the same old business model will cause us to stay in the same old housing crisis." Rent will be set at 65 per cent of the local market value, which comes out to around £150 per week. It's still not what you'd call cheap, but by London standards it could be a lot worse. Speaking with Dezeen, Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners' Ivan Harbour said that "the principle here is to minimise people's outlay for their rent so that they can afford to save and eventually get on the more conventional housing ladder." Images: Grant Smith via Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners. Via Dezeen.
Wild fermentation wines have been around for as long as the hills on which they're grown, but lately the resurgence of the movement has been gaining a lot of momentum. Questions abound as to the nature of these beverages, from how its production differs from traditional methods, to how the taste of these vinos compare to the drops that we're more accustomed to. So, in the interest of immersing oneself in the experience, crack a bottle and have a read — your wine education has begun. FIRST OF ALL, WHAT ACTUALLY IS IT? Wild fermentation wines are the result of winemakers removing most of the artificial processes involved in producing a bottle. The whole idea is to let the natural processes of winemaking take over, to interfere with the fermentation process as little as possible. In winemaking, grapes are pulped into a sugary juice, then yeast is added to the juice which eats up all the sugar and creates waste products of carbon dioxide and alcohol until you're left with a finished wine. In wild fermentation winemaking this process is dramatically altered. Rather than adding a yeast known to produce a certain flavour, the yeasts and bacteria that naturally present on the grapes (aka microflora), are tasked with the fermentation. By letting nature do its thing the wine ends up with a more complicated flavour profile. WHAT DOES IT TASTE LIKE? Wild fermentation wines are often more complex, textural and layered. Making it involves a longer fermentation process than your standard bottle, which gives the wine a softer taste. The different types of microflora present on the grapes all add their own bit of flavour. Standard wines have yeast added to them, which creates a specific flavour when fermented. Because you're leaving the flavour up to nature, what you end up with is unique from vintage to vintage. The Stoneleigh winemakers in New Zealand's Marlborough country use the naturally occurring elements in their vineyards to produce wild fermentation wines with as little intervention as possible. The grapes used for the Wild Valley range are grown using 'sunstones' — stones derived from the ancient river bed the winery sits on. The stones soak up all the sunlight during the day, and keep ripening the grapes at night. Once the grapes are picked, the process is to sit back and let the microflora do the work. The grapes can be picked earlier, and they deliver a flavour profile that is unique to each vintage. Sulphites are often added to wine produced in this way, to maintain its freshness and keep it crisp from bottling to delivery. WHO IS MAKING IT? Wild fermentation winemaking methods have been used for millennia in Europe and they're still incredibly common in places like France, Italy, and Austria. The process is still fairly new here. With a move by wine drinkers towards a more organic approach — and the rise in popularity of minimal intervention, organic and orange wines — more and more winemakers are taking on the minimalist approach. Stoneleigh have been using nature in their winemaking since the foundation of the winery, so the next natural step was taking on wild fermentation wines for their premium range. WHAT DO I EAT WITH IT? Experiment a little (like the winemakers) and try to nail that perfectly balanced combo. Pairing wine with food is a subjective matter, despite the rules we've been told for decades. You don't have to pair red wine with red meat, or white wines with white meat. A good rule of thumb is to just eat and drink what you like and then look for something to balance the palate. As long as the goal is to keep it balanced, the world is your oyster with pairing food to wild fermentation wines. Wild fermentation wines are a little richer on the flavour profile, so will generally pair well with food that is a little more subtle. Good cheese always matches good wine. A nice brie will do well with the intense flavours of a wild fermented Pinot Noir for example, because it supports the flavours in the wine rather than competing for dominance in the taste party. Jamie Marfell, Stoneleigh's head winemaker, recommends pairing a minimal Sauvignon Blanc with a salad that has some more tropical elements. Something with a healthy dose of citrus or vinegar, like a top-notch papaya salad that will cut through the more rounded palate of the wine. Try some Wild Valley wild fermentation wine at the Stoneleigh Hotel, a sandstone house in Chippendale overrun by nature. It's at 48 Kensington Street, Chippendale from November 11 until December 11.
Willie the Boatman is turning one this week and the beloved brewery isn't celebrating alone. In honour of their first year creating killer beers, three of Sydney's best craft bars are throwing birthday bashes. The Little Guy's First Birthday Bash this Wednesday will include a full tap takeover ($5 half pints; $10 pints), live music, beer raffles and, for good measure, a sausage sizzle. Sister venues Keg & Brew and Dove & Olive are each throwing a Thirsty Birthday Bash this week as well. Brewers Pat McInerney and Nick Newey will be in attendance alongside a six-tap takeover ($8.50 schooners; $10 tasting paddles). Their limited release 'Bubbles' Birthday Champagne Ale will be served with their core range, but only Keg & Brew will feature the 'Albo' Corn Ale, a favourite in the industry. There will also be merchandise giveaways, brewery tour vouchers and even a Willie’s Kissing Booth — whatever this entails, it is worth checking out. If three celebrations aren't enough for you, stop by the WTB brewery on Saturday and celebrate the inner west craft scene with our DIY inner west brewery walking tour. WILLIE THE BOATMAN'S BIRTHDAY BASHES: Wednesday, Feb 24 — all night at The Little Guy, 87 Glebe Point Road, Glebe Thursday, Feb 25 — from 6pm at Keg & Brew, 26 Foveaux Street, Surry Hills Sunday, Feb 28 — from 3pm at Dove & Olive, 156 Devonshire Street, Surry Hills
Want to sample some of Australia's most unique cocktails, rub shoulders with the bar teams that made them and feast on delicious canapes in one of Sydney's glitziest inner city bars? Australia's obsession with bar teams and their unique concoctions has been realised in a nationwide competition run by Auchentoshan, dubbed Distilled Different. Twelve of Australia's best bar teams have created a cocktail incorporating Auchentoshan American Oak — the only triple distilled Scottish single malt whisky in the world. They're going head-to-head to win bragging rights and a huge team trip to Glasgow. Before the winner is crowned, all 12 bar teams will appear in the national Dare to be Distilled Different photography exhibition. Their talented faces and creative cocktails have been captured by three up-and-coming photographers, all chosen by Art Pharmacy. It's a photography exhibition centred around bartenders and cocktails — of course there's going to be a big party. Auchentoshan are throwing a big launch for the exhibition on Tuesday, October 18 at Sydney's swish Gilt Lounge at the QT, and we're giving away 20 VIP double passes. You'll get to sample unique Auchentoshan cocktails, enjoy delicious food, experience the photographic exhibition, as well as the chance to rub shoulders with the crew associated with the project — including some of Sydney's best bartenders. Enter below. [competition]591029[/competition]
When it's so cold your fingers are stiff, you can't feel your nose and going outside seems as much of a challenge as running Tough Mudder, we're all inclined to reach for the radiator. Which is fine. But here are a few more creative, money- and planet-saving winter warmers to try first. DIY TEA LIGHT HEATER The suitably named Dylan Winter — journo, YouTuber and boat lover — has come up with an ingenious way of getting more than you'd ever imagine possible from your average tea light. He's able to keep his house warm for eight hours or so using just four candles, a bread tin and two flower pots. We have convection heat transfer to thank. Check out his instructional video to find out how you can DIY (and score a quick science lesson while you're at it). GET BUSY ON ETSY Etsy's creative types don't want to see you suffering any more than we do and quite a few of them have come up with the products to show it. First up, if the tiny cracks and crevices in your house are sending icy draughts your way, get your hands on a lovingly handcrafted snake, or equivalent. Those who aren't into handmade reptiles can opt for pretty much whatever they are into — be that cats, snowmen, crocodiles, tiger prints, abstract patterns or plain colours. Second up, keep your hot water bottle warm with a super-cosy, hand-knitted cover. SPICE UP YOUR LIFE For some reason, winter never seems quite so unbearable when you're holding a warm, mulled beverage in your hand. Hot toddies, mulled cider, mulled wine; these are your go-to buds over the next three months. There are plenty of top notch recipes online, all featuring glorious combinations of whiskey, rum or red wine with lemon juice, honey, cinnamon sticks, cloves, aniseed, vanilla, even chilli — seriously, give it a go if you're feeling both cold and brave. [caption id="attachment_231862" align="alignnone" width="636"] Yumi Sakugawa.[/caption] RECYCLE YOUR SOCKS - ON YOUR TOILET SEAT We really don't need to go into detail regarding the ins and outs of mid-winter toilet-going, but before you toss those holey, good-for-nothing socks in the trash, think again. If your toilet seat doesn't quite cut a full oval, you can slide a sock on each 'arm' and thus bid a warm and cheerful farewell to unpleasant experiences. For circular seats, try an old T-shirt or jumper. GET CREATIVE WITH CARDBOARD Cardboard is one of the most effective (not to mention cheapest) insulators around. So next time you head to a winter festival or sports match or just want to perch on your front lawn, arm yourself with a box or two. Lay the card out on the grass, throw a blanket on top and there you have an enviably toasty picnic blanket. Add a tarp underneath if the ground is wet. REWARD YOUR DOG WITH A SLEEPING BAG Earlier this year, Seattle-based designer Andy Storms successfully crowdfunded the BarkerBag. It's a tear-drop shaped sleeping bag designed especially for your dog. By zipping it to yours and strapping your friend in via a cinchable collar, you're in the position to take advantage of some serious doggy body heat throughout the long, dark night. Whether your best mate's a chihuahua or a German shepherd, there's a BarkerBag for him/her. It's available in small, medium and large sizes. GET OFF YOUR COUCH Once the cold's set in, it's ridiculously tempting to let yourself transform into a sloth — just ask black bears, ground squirrels, hedgehogs, wood frogs and box turtles. But the bad news is, despite extensive Googling, we couldn't find you on a hibernating creatures list — anywhere — so we'd think you'd best keep moving. An enthusiastic leap off the couch, five minutes of intense cardio or yoga and you'll be warm in no time. [caption id="attachment_231922" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Flickr.[/caption] FIX YOUR FAN Sure, you might usually associate your ceiling fan with warm summer days (*sigh*), but did you know that it can work in your favour in winter, too? All you have to do is set it to low and ask it to spin in reverse (i.e. clockwise). Warm air that's trapped close to the ceiling will be recirculated and sent downwards — where it should be.
Superheroes are taking over Brisbane — and if you're a fan, it's marvellous. Between May 27 and September 3, Marvel: Creating the Cinematic Universe brings caped crusaders, their costumes, props and the artistry that makes them soar — both on the page and on the screen — to the entire ground floor of the Gallery of Modern Art. Featuring more than 500 objects (including more than 60 costumes), the exhibition provides a peek behind the scenes of one of the biggest film franchises ever made. In fact, it's the largest amassing of Marvel movie artefacts of its kind in the world, ever. You could dub it a blockbuster, and you'd be right. Launching the exhibition, QAGOMA director Chris Saines was eager to explain that some of the items on display have Chris Hemsworth's DNA on them; however getting up close to objects touched and worn by Thor — including on the forthcoming Thor: Ragnarok, which was shot on the Gold Coast and in Brisbane last year — is just part of the fun. Casting your eyes over original and concept artwork, exploring the interconnected realm that has been splashed across cinemas for the past decade, and playing with the pre-and post-production techniques behind the movie magic are also on offer. Indeed, Marvel: Creating the Cinematic Universe endeavours to show that popular mainstream entertainment and art can be one and the same, especially given the level of detail that goes into both comic books and their movie adaptations. Walking through areas dedicated to the exhibition's three key themes — 'The Cinematic Assembled', 'Decoding the Universe' and 'Behind the Scenes' — delves into both individual and interconnected narratives, and highlights the creativity involved on a movie as well as an overall cinematic universe level. Along the way, you'll say "I am Groot" to giant humanoid trees, pretend you're a smart-talking racoon, peer into a yet-to-be-seen planet and star in your own Marvel poster too. Discovering the full collection is something best experienced for yourself, and, if you can make it to GOMA before September, here's five things to look out for. THE ASGARDIAN THRONE ROOM The eagerly anticipated Thor: Ragnarok mightn't hit cinemas until October; however Marvel: Creating the Cinematic Universe offers a glimpse of just what's in store (don't worry, there's no plot spoilers). You can't miss the giant, gleaming throne room that takes centre stage in the exhibition, and nor would you want to. Just look at it! Costumes and weaponry from 2013's Thor: The Dark World also feature. HULK'S BED Speaking of Asgard and its famous warrior, he's not alone in his next cinema outing. The giant green mass of muscles that is the Hulk is set to tear things up on screen — and, as you'll see here, take a rest as well. What kind of bed does the Hulk sleep on? This one. Saying that it's huge is an understatement — this photo really doesn't do it justice. Also on display are his weapons, which make Thor's mighty mjolnir seem absolutely tiny in comparison. IRON MAN'S SUITS He's the reason the Marvel Cinematic Universe even exists, and, in typical Tony Stark style, he gets his own room. It was back in 2008 when Iron Man demonstrated that the world wanted more superhero movies, and one of the suits from that pioneering flick lines GOMA's walls — alongside versions from 2010's Iron Man 2 and 2013's Iron Man 3. As you can see, over the years he's had quite a few upgrades. THE FIRST APPEARANCE OF SPIDER-MAN Spider-Man just keeps slinging his way into cinemas, but 57 years ago, he was only starting to crawl his way across paper. With the initial movie in what will be his third film series in the past 15 years due to drop in July, checking out the first piece of artwork to feature his image proves quite a timely experience. It might seem amazing now, but these kinds of things were usually thrown away back in the day — no one knew just what a big deal they'd become. DOCTOR STRANGE'S MIND-BENDING WORLD Every one of the 15 films that comprise the Marvel Cinematic Universe to date is represented in the exhibition — and, thanks to the forthcoming Spider-Man: Homecoming and Thor: Ragnarok, the 16th and 17th flicks too. Doctor Strange mightn't get quite as much space as some of the bigger titles, but the GOMA folks sure know how to make the movie's costumes stand out. With Inception-like visuals playing a bit part in the flick, expect to witness them in person thanks to some mirrored fun. Marvel: Creating the Cinematic Universe is on display at Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art from May 27 to September 3. For more information, visit the exhibition website. Images: Sarah Ward and Marvel: Creating the Cinematic Universe' Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane, 2017 / © 2017 MARVEL.
Laneway has come a long way since the early days of '05, spreading good vibes and great tunes from Melbourne to Singapore. Now it's back for yet another summer, with arguably one of its most eclectic lineups in years. From Tycho to Chet Faker Nick Murphy, we're feeling seriously spoiled for choice. Of course, with so much going on, figuring out what to see (and what to eat) can be a bit of a challenge. That's why we've put together a quick and easy guide to this year's Laneway Festival. Whether you're in Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne, these tips should hold you in good stead. [caption id="attachment_559317" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Andy Fraser.[/caption] LISTEN Well, you're at a music festival, so chances are you want to catch a few of the artists. Up-and-comers Julia Jacklin, Genesis Owusu and Tash Sultana seem destined to hit it big in 2017, so get in while they're still (relatively) unknown. Sampa the Great, Koi Child, Clams Casino, Mick Jenkins and the UK's Glass Animals all front one heck of a live set, and we guarantee NAO's 'Girlfriend' will go off. Speaking of which, expect Briggs and Trials of the excellent A.B. Original to have plenty to say, especially with the Brisbane festival falling smack bang on Australia Day. And whatever you do, be sure to catch D.D. Dumbo, whose album Utopia Defeated was named best Aussie album of the year by triple j — and quite rightly, too. [caption id="attachment_607112" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Laneway Festival.[/caption] EAT When it comes to grub at Laneway you've got plenty of options, with some of the best food vendors in each city jumping on board. In Brisbane, you can chow down on German sausage courtesy of Brat Haus, feast on vegetarian soul food from Govindas, and mack on mac 'n' cheese by Mac from Way Back. In Melbourne, your options include American-style barbecue from the teams at both Bluebonnet and Burn City Smokers, plus cheese from Milk the Cow and fucking hot poultry from Belle's Hot Chicken. Belles will also be on hand at Laneway Sydney, along with pizza from Happy as Larry, paella from Paella Time and sangas from Boon Café. That's just the tip of the iceberg, by the way: for the full food lineup in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney go here, here and here. [caption id="attachment_510542" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Andy Fraser.[/caption] EXPLORE There's plenty to discover at Laneway this year, no matter which city you're in. Each festival leg will feature a pop-up market and vinyl store, with scheduled signing times by various Laneway acts. In Brisbane, they're also hosting a Hottest 100 backyard party with Violent Soho and DZ Deathrays in attendance. In Sydney, meanwhile, a contemporary art exhibition will showcase the work of current and recently graduated students from the Sydney College of the Arts. There's even a festival podcast, if you want to get in the Laneway frame of mind ahead of schedule. LANEWAY FESTIVAL 2017 DATES Brisbane — Thursday, January 26 Melbourne — Saturday, January 28 Auckland — Monday, January 30 Adelaide — Friday, February 3 Sydney — Saturday, February 4 Fremantle — Sunday, February 5 Check Laneway Festival's website for more details and tickets. Top image: Andy Fraser.
How much is too much to pay for a movie, particularly when you're watching it on your own couch? Film lovers have been asking this question since the days of VHS rentals; however the streaming revolution keeps bringing it up again and again. If you've spent the last year trying to work out whether forking out for Netflix, Stan or Presto is worth it, here's another service — and expense — to consider. No, we're not talking about the much-discussed Screening Room, which wants to charge a premium to stream first-release films at the same time as they're in cinemas. Instead, Sony's finally getting in the game, with a brand new service that's causing us to ponder our bank balances. Called Ultra, due to land in the US on April 4 on Android-compatible Sony 4K TV sets (yep, already niche), and kicking off with 40–50 titles such as The Walk, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Ghostbusters, the streaming platform will enable viewers to watch 4K-quality films in their own homes (something Netflix is already doing). But — and this is a very big but — it'll cost $30 per movie. Yes, if and when it comes to Australia (with details of local availability unknown at the time of writing), you'll need to lay down three tenners for every single flick — or the same amount it'd cost two people to see a film on the big screen. That's not much of an incentive to sign up, particularly given that cheap Tuesday tickets continue to excite cinema-goers in droves. On the other hand, $30 is the same price you'd pay for a new release DVD, and you do get to keep a copy on Sony's UltraViolet cloud storage solution. So, the real point of contention is: do you really want to pay extra for better streaming quality? As always, waiting and seeing is the only real answer, though we're not optimistic that anyone will rush to Ultra given the price. 4K content is already available on Netflix for $14.99 per month, after all — and even if you've lost your sneaky access to the US version of the service, their local range is still much larger than Sony's planned catalogue. Via The Next Web.
The butt-numbing marathon that is the Melbourne International Film Festival has once again come to a end, but we're not quite ready to stop talking about the movies. For 18 days straight our critics devoured all the festival program had to offer, uncovering hidden gems and suffering through the worst of the worst so that you, dear reader, won't have to. From 3D sex epics to psychological thrillers and an early look at one of the mostly hotly anticipated Shakespeare adaptations ever made, here are our picks of the best, the worst and the most utterly bizarre films of MIFF 2015. THE BEST FILMS MACBETH On paper, the latest film adaptation of Macbeth has all the makings of a winner. William Shakespeare's tragedy of power and ambition has regaled audiences for four centuries; Aussie director Justin Kurzel showed he knows a thing or two about making moody, brooding movies with serial killer chiller Snowtown; and stars Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard are among the finest actors of their generation. On screen, this bubbling potential isn't just realised — it is exceeded in brutal, blistering fashion. Nary a piece of cinema this year will gift audiences with such a sensory yet stark audio-visual showcase while uttering such iconic monologues; however it is the tackling of the original play's sound and fury with raw energy and a western-like savagery and sorrow that truly lingers. Fassbender and Cotillard are breathtaking, as are supporting players Sean Harris, Paddy Considine and Jack Reynor. A finer film in 2015, we may not see — all hail Macbeth, indeed. -Sarah Ward https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM2tblIkL4g TEHRAN TAXI Of the three films veteran director Jafar Panahi has made since the Iranian government sentenced him to a 20-year ban on filmmaking in 2010, Tehran Taxi is by far his best. Gone is the (justifiable) atmosphere of frustration and impotence that coursed through This Is Not a Film and Closed Curtain, replaced instead by a renewed sense of purpose and political resolve. Shot almost entirely within the confines of a taxi that Panahi himself is driving, this surprisingly light-hearted film takes us around the streets of the Iranian capital and introduces us to various colourful characters, including an illegal DVD salesman, a pair of superstitious old women and even the directors own quick witted niece. Thing is, not all of whom seem to realise they're in a film. By blurring the line between documentary and fiction in such a playful manner, Panahi is able to deliver an impassioned cry for social change. Rarely is a film so clearly important while also being so much fun. -Tom Clift THE LOBSTER After wowing arthouse viewers with the Oscar-nominated Dogtooth and the Sydney Film Festival-winning Alps, Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos makes his English-language debut with something that both is and isn't a little bit different. Here, he enlists a recognisable cast, including Colin Farrell, Rachel Weisz, Ben Wishaw, John C. Reilly, Olivia Colman and Léa Seydoux, to enact a situation that skewers society's penchant for pairing off; in other words, his players might have changed, but his fascination with slyly cynical exaggerations of societal norms remains. That The Lobster's story revolves around single folks trying to meet their match to avoid being turned into animals demonstrates the humour on display, but the film's beauty must be experienced to be believed. That the end product is as satirical as it is movingly sweet and wryly amusing isn't just emblematic of its shifting tone — it's a stroke of cinematic genius. -SW https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0E2Qh6wLS4 THE GUEST As late night genre films go, they don't get much better than The Guest. A follow-up their 2013 home invasion horror movie You're Next, director Adam Wingard and screenwriter Simon Barrett pay homage to the crazed war vet films of the post-Vietnam era with this intense, clever, hugely entertaining action thriller. Downton Abbey star Dan Stephens is simply brilliant as David Collins, a mysterious soldier who arrives on the small town doorstep of the Peterson family with a message from their eldest son Caleb, who was recently killed in action. But it soon becomes clear that there's more to David than he's letting on. Funny one moment, frightening the next, with a couple of fantastic action scenes thrown in, The Guest is the kind of movie that knows exactly what it wants to be, and nails it every step of the way. It hits DVD and VOD next month, so make sure to track it down. -TC THE BOLDEST EXPERIMENTS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-S6xiie4RQ LOVE 3D Hands down the most divisive film of MIFF 2015, Love is the latest picture from provocateur Gaspar Noe, who previously shocked audiences with his gruesome rape-revenge thriller Irreversible before taking them on a drug-fuelled afterlife trip through neon-lit Tokyo in his follow up Enter the Void. Both those films are tough acts to follow, but this two hour 3D sex epic certainly delivers. Plenty of people hated this movie – and yes, some of the dialogue is unforgivably clunky, and the protagonist is one of the most unlikeable leads we've been burdened with in quite some time. And yet even its detractor's would be hard pressed to deny the film's visual panache, including what is for our money the most artful use of 3D since Avatar reinvigorated the format (and no, we're not talking about the 3D cumshot, although that's definitely memorable.) Whether it'll ever get another theatrical screening in this country isn't really clear, but if it does then you should jump at the chance to check it out – even if it's just to say you did. Just maybe leave the kiddies at home. -TC QUEEN OF EARTH After tackling sibling and romantic bonds in The Color Wheel and Listen Up Philip, respectively, writer/director Alex Ross Perry turns his attention to another kind of connection in his latest feature. In Queen of Earth, long-term female friendship is in the spotlight, with Catherine (Elisabeth Moss) and Virginia (Katherine Waterston) seemingly in the final throes of their bond. Over the course of a week spent at a remote cabin, their differences are heightened — as is Catherine's already-fragile emotional and mental state. The story might sound straightforward, as the BFFs fight and recall better times; however the ever-versatile Perry — his handling of internal battles as much as external conflicts, and his crafting of a claustrophobic character thriller — is anything but ordinary. Comes complete with textured 16mm cinematography, a haunting score, and equally demanding and devastating lead performances. -SW MOST WTF MOMENTS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftOMkr9eYS8 SPRING When is a body horror movie not a body horror movie? When it's actually a deeply touching love story. Written and directed by relative newcomers Aaron Moorhead and Justin Benson, Spring is a weird beast indeed. The film contains all the trappings of a gruesome creature feature, and yet it never quite goes in that direction. Instead, we're treated to a surprisingly affecting tale about a young American backpacker who falls head over heels for a pretty Italian girl, only to discover that she's harbouring a fairly significant secret. This low-budget production benefits from great central performances and some pretty elaborate makeup effects, but its biggest strength is that it consistently refuses to follow the expected path. A thoroughly strange but extremely gratifying flick that has us excited to see what the filmmakers tackle next. -TC RYUZO AND HIS SEVEN HENCHMEN In Ryuzo and His Seven Henchmen, legendary Japanese actor and director Takeshi Kitano ponders three questions. First, he wonders what a yakuza gets up to when his action-packed days are long behind him. Next, he applies the same query to filmmakers known for making yazuka movies. Finally, he explores what happens when both get back into the crime and violence game. The amusing, crowd-pleasing offering that results careens between kinetic laughs and outlandish action — as such a film should — as it attempts to answer all three concerns. Expect antics and insights to combine, even if the momentum of the first third can't quite be maintained. An effort that's perhaps less "what the fuck" than "why the fuck not." -SW DISHONOURABLE MENTIONS THE NIGHTMARE Back in 2012, Rodney Ascher made the conspiracy movie to end all conspiracy movies, with Room 237 delving into theories surrounding Stanley Kubrick's The Shining. What it lacked in polish it made up for in the affection it showed in indulging its subjects, and in celebrating its inspiration. Sadly, his latest effort — the part-documentary, part-thriller offering The Nightmare — is all pandering and no purpose, apart than repetitively rambling about and reenacting what sufferers of sleep paralysis experience. The concept is fascinating, but Ascher seems more concerned with scaring the audience — and referencing A Nightmare on Elm Street and Insidious — than actually exploring the topic. His purpose might be to make you not want to go to sleep, but his outcome achieves exactly the opposite. -SW https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kmOX11PdR4 THE ASSASSIN Taiwanese filmmaker Hou Hsiao-hsien took home the Best Director Award at the most recent Cannes Film Festival for his slow-moving martial arts drama The Assassin – and far be it from us to question the decision of the esteemed Cannes jury. Actually, scratch that. Sure the film may look pretty (although it's got nothing on last year's The Grandmaster), but that's little consolation when you're struggling to stay awake. The narrative, about a young female assassin in ninth-century China, is totally inscrutable, which wouldn't be as much as an issue if the characters weren't likewise. It's very difficult to care about anything happening on screen when you don't care about the people it involves. The film does contain a few impressive fight sequences, shot from a distance in a manner that emphasises the balletic qualities of martial arts. Ultimately however, it's nowhere near enough. -TC
Anything could happen at this one-night-only pooling together of Sydney's most fearlessly creative and fiercely swaggering musicians. We're banking on a visionary fusion of Italo funk (courtesy of Donny Benét), walls of guitar sound (from Kirin J Callinan), revolutionary rhythms (thanks to PVT's Laurence Pike) and surreal balladeering (delivered by Jack Ladder). But, then again, your guess is probably as good as ours. Dreamland plays the Magic Mirrors Spiegeltent on January 16 at 11.45pm. This is just one of our ten picks for Sydney Festival's best gigs. Check out the whole list.
A new craft gin distillery in Sydney has begun production with a bang, after its Pozible crowdfunding campaign drew in $25,000 in under a day. The initial run of Poor Toms Gin sold out less than 24 hours after their Pozible page went live in mid-June, with pledges exceeding the label’s initial target by a whopping $5000. A second batch is currently available — although if recent history is any indicator, it might not be so for long. “We were really surprised,” admits Poor Toms co-founder Griffin Blumer. “We thought that we would sell the first batch over the month. But to sell the first batch in a day was really shocking, and exciting. We’re happy to see that there are lots of people out there in Australia who want a new, sophisticated gin.” Operating out of a rented warehouse space in Marrickville, Poor Toms produce a gin they describe as “distinctively Sydney". Distilled under veteran gin maker Marcel Thompson, it’s made using Australian wheat infused with ten botanicals, including green apples, lemon myrtle, camomile, and native strawberry gum. Poor Toms isn’t Pozible’s only boozy success story in recent times; last year Blood Moon tonic syrup took less than three days to hit $10,000. “Craft spirits have always done really well,” says Pozible spokesperson Claire Merquita. “But even so, it's rare to see a campaign hit its target as quickly as Poor Toms did!” “Pozible was a really good platform,” says Blumer. “Apart from a couple of my grandmother’s friends who keep emailing saying they can’t make it work, everyone else seems to understand what crowdfunding is, and see it as a way of giving a boost to a brand they want to see more of.” With fourteen days left to go on their campaign, Poor Toms currently sit at more than $48,000. Pledges of $71 will get you a 700mL bottle, while $136 gets you two bottles plus a Poor Toms legionaire hat. For the time being Poor Toms can only be purchased through the crowdfunding platform, although Blumer and his co-founder Jesse Kennedy plan to start approaching bars and bottleshops in the near future. To purchase your own bottle of Poor Toms Gin, head on over to their Pozible Page, which will be live until July 16.
The queen returns. Legendary fashion icon, unforgettable Bond villain and music superstar Grace Jones is returning to Australia, headlining Vivid Sydney's Modulations mini-festival at Carriageworks. Locked in for three performances on May 31, June 1 and 2, Jones marks her first Sydney appearance since her jaw-dropper of a show at the Enmore in 2011 (there were costume changes every two or three songs, we swear) and is set to be one dramatic, high fashion affair. This will be Jones' only Australian appearance this tour, not unlike last year's Modulations headliners, the Pet Shop Boys. Jones marks the top of the bill for Vivid's six-day Modulations festival-within-a-festival. After a hugely successful weekend pairing music, food and ideas at Carriageworks last year, Modulations returns with an expanded program set across two weekends. Sitting at the top of our Modulations priorities, a brand new pop-up called Italo Dining and Disco Club. Sydney restaurants Da Orazio Pizza + Porchetta, 10williamst, Icebergs Dining Room & Bar and Fratelli Paradiso will come together to present a weekend of Italian specialities, natural wines and itallo disco legends on the decks. Italo will be held May 31, June 1, June 2, June 5, June 6 and June 7 from 5pm til late at Carriageworks. But the music doesn't stop there. Alongside living jazz legend saxophonist Pharoah Sanders (who was just in Sydney performing at Atomic Bomb! for Sydney Festival), and the Pelvis/Motorik/Kooky dance club team-up party on June 7, another iconic musician joins the Modulations party. One half of KLF — one of the UK’s biggest successes of the early 1990s — and one of music and art's most provocative personalities Bill Drummond will deliver a keynote address and unveil a new artwork on June 6. Drummond famously burned one million pounds sterling (the KLF's earnings) for a work called Watch the K Foundation Burn a Million Quid at a boathouse on the Scottish island of Jura, so expect the unexpected. Modulations runs over two weekends starting Sunday, May 31 during Vivid Sydney (22 May to 8 June). For more information and tickets, head to Carriageworks' website. Image: Andrea Klarin.
Vegans and lactose-intolerant folks, your ability to access iced confectionery goodness just leapt up a giant notch. Over The Moo, innovative Sydney creators of dairy-free ice cream, are set to launch their very own vegan ice cream truck. And, to celebrate, they'll be giving away free goodies. You heard us, free ice cream. If you're in Sydney, get down to the Over the Moo headquarters on Thursday, March 2 from 6.30pm to indulge. You won't be able to miss the 1981 Ford Transit truck, which has had a fun, retro makeover. At the launch, you'll be treated to beer, Prosecco or cocktails, accompanied by vegan cheese boards and dips. Then, of course, it'll be time for the sweet, sweet goodness to roll out. Gear up for sundaes loaded with brownie bits, cookie chips, gooey sauces and sprinkles — all entirely dairy-free. Also on the menu are classic cones (vegan too, "all the wow without the cow" according to the team), topped with Over the Moo's nine signature flavours – from Ginger Ninja Karate Choc and Matcha Made in Heaven to mmMangooo and Vanilla Bean Missing You. Once the launch is done and dusted, you can expect to see the truck popping up all over the place — fingers crossed for interstate road trips too. Whether you're making all the moves at your favourite festivals or kicking back at the beach, keep an eye out. Want to head to the launch? It's happening on Thursday, March 2 from 6.30pm at OTM HQ, 62 Glebe Point Road, Glebe. RSVPs required imthere@overthemoo.com.au.
The good folks at Sydney's Dendy Newtown have announced they'll be offering discount student tickets to same-sex parenting documentary Gayby Baby when it opens at the cinema next week. Students will be able to see the film for $12 on opening weekend (September 5-6), reduced from the usual $16. Gayby Baby producer Charlotte Mars expressed her support for the move, saying that, "While we are disappointed with the decision to ban the film during school hours, we are extremely grateful to Dendy Newtown for making the film accessible to as many students as possible." The directorial debut of Sydneysider Maya Newell, Gayby Baby documents the experience of four Australian children between the ages of 10 and 12 years old who are growing up with same-sex parents. The film received extremely positive reviews following screenings at the Sydney and Melbourne International Film Festivals earlier this year, and is currently set to be released in select cinemas around the country on September 3. If you've somehow managed to miss the furore surrounding Gayby Baby, then congrats on living in a far less infuriating world than the rest of us. On Wednesday, NSW Education Minister Adrian Piccoli banned public schools in the state from showing the film during school hours – a decision that, by an astounding coincidence, came just hours after Sydney's Daily Telegraph stirred up controversy by claiming that kids were being "brainwashed with propaganda." Funny how the timing worked out there, isn't it? Oh, and it should also probably go without saying that he hasn't actually seen the film. Now before you start banging your head repeatedly into your desk, you should know that most people (not named Premier Mike Baird) have actually reacted to this story in the way that rational, compassionate human beings should. Federal Labour MP and gay parent Penny Wong gave an impassioned speech in Federal Parliament, while the prefects at Sydney's Burwood Girls High – which was specifically singled out by the Daily Telegraph – issued a statement pledging their support to the LGBTIQ community. They're also planning on hosting an after school screening of the film in the near future. Legends. You can also register to host your own screening via the film's website.
Sydney's got a brand new pop-up bar — but it's a little bit different to the ones we're used to. It's not a whisky bar or a wine bar, or a craft beer hole-in-the wall. Nope, this bar's poison of choice is water. An installation art piece in the Paddington Reservoir Gardens, the H2O: Water Bar resembles something between a laboratory and a speakeasy. The work consists of various flasks of water collected from different spots along the east coast, which will be served up to visitors to sample. In tasting the subtle differences between each type of water, visitors are asked to consider its importance and fragility, lest we continue to squander our planet's most important natural resource. The bar is the brainchild of Janet Laurence, an acclaimed local artist whose work often intersects with the natural world and humanity's relationship to it. Having exhibited her art everywhere from London to Tokyo to the recent global climate summit in Paris, Laurence hopes that her new work "will make people realise that water is a real treasure". As the H2O: Water Bar opens up to Sydneysiders for the first time, we spoke with Laurence about the origins of the project, the relationship between art and politics, and how water can be a lot like wine. [caption id="attachment_559821" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Janet Laurence and her buddy, Muddy.[/caption] Where did the idea for the H2O: Water Bar come from? "Well, funnily enough, it came from seeing inside the Paddington Reservoir, when it was being renovated years ago. I was captivated by this beautiful space, and I just thought that we had to have a water artwork in here of some sort. I have in the past done some works using water. I did a big piece for the Olympic site that was all about water chemistry, and I did a piece that emulates the hydrology of the CH2 [Council House 2] building in Melbourne. And they were both very research-based works about water. So you develop this knowledge and it becomes part of your language, so every work is more researched, and develops a bit further." What are you interested in exploring through your work with water? "My area of interest in my art has always been our relationship to the natural environment. Which is quite broad. It can take us into really focusing on particularly fragile or extinct species, right through to more atmospheric things — things like water. It's about trying to create an immersive installation that will bring the audience in to recognising that there are issues to be considered. At the same time, it's an aesthetic experience. It's not a purely didactic thing." What should people expect when they visit the bar? "Firstly, the visitors are going to be brought into the most beautiful space. People often see the park above, but they don't realise that underneath is this magnificent reservoir that has been restored into this magical inside-outside garden. So they have to walk through this to arrive at the inner chamber, which is this very solid structure, and at the end they'll see a very fragile treasure chest of all the flasks housing water. These will then be offered to [visitors] by water bearers — or 'water conductors' as I'm calling them — who will walk around [with] all these different waters in test tubes. It's sort of like, if you go for a wine tasting or a cheese tasting, you're not going to sit there and drink down gallons of wine. It's about tasting and sampling and trying to experience different tastes of water according to where it's from, and questioning why it tastes different...at a time in the world when water is becoming so precious, we really have to think about all of these things." So, we have to ask, it really is possible to distinguish between the waters by their taste? "In actual fact, you can. You probably notice yourself when you travel how different water tastes in all the different places that you go. But we don't know how to talk about that elemental aspect of it...the difference in the rock they've passed through, how long water takes to reach a place. All of these things we don't consider." What do you hope visitors will take away from their visit to the H2O: Water Bar? "What I hope the whole project will do is make people realise that water is a real treasure...these waters connect us to the earth, and I think that's really important. Especially in a country like Australia. Indigenous people have always treated water as sacred and precious, whereas we've been so indulgent with it, and wasteful, and think it'll never end. I'm very much interested in art having a voice in those issues, because artists can speak about things in a way that politicians and scientists often can't. H2O: Water Bar will run at Padding Reservoir Gardens until Sunday, February 28. For more information on the pop-up, visit their website. Images courtesy of City of Sydney. Photography by Nikki To.
Looking for a fancy new dinner destination? Perhaps you've got a hot date lined up, have guests in from out of town or are looking to impress the in-laws. Whatever the reason, if it's stylish surrounds you're after, the winners of the fourth annual Eat Drink Design Awards have it in spades. Revealed yesterday at a ceremony in Melbourne, the awards celebrate the very best in hospitality design across Australia and New Zealand — although this year, the podium was crowded with Aussies alone. From a shortlist of 88 venues, eight took home gold while a further 26 received high commendations. Best Restaurant Design was awarded to Italian eatery Beccafico in Sydney, with the panel of judges citing "the unfinished joinery of recycled and fire-charred hardwoods, a sculptural beauty to the circular neon tubes that line the walls [and] a resort-like feel to the slatted boardwalk that bisects the space with wire-brushed timber banquets". The Best Cafe Design was shared by The Kettle Black in South Melbourne, described by the judges as "the apotheosis of cafe design right now — light, airy, spacious, where everything is carefully considered yet it all comes across as insouciant in the extreme," and Abbots & Kinney in Adelaide, commended for "the play between the radical simplicity of the overall concept and the extraordinary accomplishment of the execution and finish". Best Bar Design, meanwhile, went to Smalls in Melbourne, where judges highlighted "the colour and materials palette — moody, muted putties, flat blues and concrete greys offset by the occasional glimmer of glassware and brass," as well as artisanal touches such as "handmade ceramic tiles" and "open joined banquettes," and fine detailing seen in "marble tabletops, aged black leather and charcoal velvet upholstery". The remaining awards included Best Retail Design, awarded to The District food court in Sydney's Chatswood Interchange shopping mall (home to Tim Ho Wan and Hello Kitty Diner); Best Identity Design, awarded to casual Bangladeshi restaurant Bang Street Food in Sydney; and Best Temporary Design, awarded to the Australian Pavilion Installation at Cafe di Stasio in Melbourne. Last but certainly not least, Bondi's Icebergs was inducted into the Eat Drink Design Hall of Fame. Have a flick through the gallery for some serious hospitality design porn.
It's been three decades since Sydney institution Golden Century opened its doors in Haymarket. The late-night Chinese restaurant is famed for its unbeatable midnight feasts and the queues of chefs, celebrities, hospo workers and everyday diners that line up to partake into them. And in September last year, the Golden Century Group announced it will be opening a new restaurant in Darling Square in late 2019. While the group didn't divulge much information then, it has just announced the name of the new spot: XOPP by Golden Century. Those who have eaten at the restaurant might recognised the name as a homage to its pipis in XO sauce, a dish that's so revered that even David Chang has called it "the best dish in the world". The new 160-seat restaurant will be helmed by Billy Wong — son of original owners Eric and Linda — who will develop a more contemporary dining concept that he's hoping will speak to a whole new generation of diners. Most notably, there will be a bar serving snacks and smaller dishes. So it won't be the same as Golden Century in Chinatown, but you can expect to see a few nods to the OG restaurant — including the pipis in XO, we assume. [caption id="attachment_686701" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The XO pipis, shot by Parker Blain.[/caption] The venue will be located on the mezzanine level within Darling Square's striking new six-storey Exchange building designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. It's one of a dozen dining options opening on the ground floor of the building, which include a second outpost of Andy Bowdy's Saga, a new bar from craft beer specialists Bucket Boys and an exciting new Japanese pasta shop created by Hamish Ingham and Rebecca Lines of Banksii and Kerby Craig of Ume. The original Golden Century will remain open until 4am each morning as usual, and will even score the addition of a fancy new upstairs 'wine bank' for private dining and events in June. Along with The Century, which opened at The Star in 2012, this will be the group's third restaurant. XOPP by Golden Centry will open in Darling Square in August 2019. Stay tuned and we'll let you in on more info and an opening date as it's announced. Images: Katje Ford and Parker Blain.
This month, 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art hosts An Omen Near and Far, an exhibition of the work of Vietnamese-Australian artist Dacchi Dang. Curated by Pedro de Almeida, the show embraces three decades of Dang's photography, printmaking, video and installation, including a brand new work commissioned for the exhibition titled 'Et in Arcadia Ego' – a wax bamboo forest that will be set alight and melted in a series of performances. Opening on June 9, An Omen Near and Far also presents historical material from the archives of both Dang and 4A, including documentation of the creation of his work 'The Boat' (2001), a significant and memorable artistic consideration of Australia's treatment of refugees. Dang himself arrived in Australia as a refugee after fleeing war-torn Vietnam. His artistic practice is fed by an ongoing redefinition of what both place and home mean, and an ongoing attempt to articulate the complexity of diasporic experience. Through what he calls a "visually poetic language", Dang aims to preserve stories for present and future Australian Vietnamese generations. Image: Dacchi Dang, Untitled (from the series Spectacle II), 1996.
It may not have been the best decade for brick and mortar bookstores, but at least the ones that are left are still kicking major goals. This past Tuesday night saw some of the biggest wigs in publishing convene at the London Book Fair to award a slew of prizes, including the gong for International Bookstore of the Year. The winner? Melbourne's very own Readings Carlton. The Lygon Street institution beat out finalists from Italy, China and Estonia to claim the prestigious award, which aims to highlight "the absolutely vital role bookshops play worldwide in not only promoting new titles but also advising readers on the many excellent books already published but yet to be discovered." In giving the award, the judges commended Readings for "its community outreach, support of Australian authors and its help for non-profit organisations working on literacy incentives." "We're delighted and extremely honoured to receive this award. It's a reflection of the quality of Australian independent bookshops," said Readings Managing Director Mark Rubbo. The news was also greeted with a wave of positivity on social media, with many bookworms offering their heartfelt congratulations via Facebook. Readings is located at 309 Lygon Street, Carlton. They also have stores in Hawthorn, Malvern, St Kilda and the State Library. Via The Sydney Morning Herald.
There's a fair bit going on at Chippendale's Sneaky Possum. Part cafe, part bar, part restaurant and part function space, with a multipurpose area upstairs, the newly opened venue on Abercrombie Street defies easy categorisation — to the extent that even its owner isn't entirely sure what to call it. "It's a hybrid of a few different ideas," Phil Anderson tells Concrete Playground. "To try and encapsulate it in one go we're telling people it's a 'gastrobar'. That's probably the best way to describe what we're doing." Whatever Anderson wants to call it, the corner venue can be easily identified thanks to a pair of distinctive murals on its outside. One, by Fintan McGee, depicts Naomi Mayers, former lead singer of The Sapphires and founder of the Indigenous Health Service. The other, by Scott Marsh, is an ode to Sydney's ibis population. Wander through the doors and you'll find Sneaky Possum is split into a number of different sections. A large, brightly lit front bar leads through to a room full of pinball machines and retro arcade games, while out back you'll find a casual dining area complete with custom built wooden booths. A large open space upstairs, meanwhile, can be everything from a band room to a communal dining area to a gallery. But perhaps the most important space of all is the kitchen, where chef Briony Bradford has crafted a menu with a strong focus on local produce. Standout dishes include South Australian kingfish ceviche with avocado, radish and finger lime; roasted lamb with tomato, onion and burnt bread; kangaroo tartare with egg yolk, cornichon and pepperberry dressing; and Wapengo oysters with your choice of either passionfruit and lime dressing or eschallot and black pepper vinaigrette. Likewise, the drinks list draws heavily from local brewers and winemakers. They've got five beers plus a rosé on tap, including their very own Sneaky Possum Pale Ale. Even the non-alcoholic offering has a distinctly Australian flavour, courtesy of a partnership with a local tea supplier. "We've got a house blend tea which has river mint, strawberry gum and rosella, which just tastes fantastic," says Anderson. Find Sneaky Possum at 86 Abercrombie Street, Chippendale. Open Monday and Tuesday, 6.30am–3pm, Wednesday to Saturday 6.30am–12am, Sunday 8am–9pm.
Power chords may soon be going the way of floppy discs and VHS, with Intel unveiling a new wireless phone charger that can be built right into your wooden desk. The concept, which was revealed by the company at the Computex conference in Taipei, could mark a big step in wireless charging, with Intel hoping to have the tech ready for consumers within the next 12 months. Looks like IKEA has a wireless charging competitor. Intel's new concept charges your devices through magnetic resonance, according to Gizmodo. This is opposed to previous examples of wireless charging technology which pass a current directly through a surface, creating the unwanted side effect of heating up other objects that happen to be placed near the charging plate. Although the technology currently only generates enough power to charge a phone, Intel is working on advancements that would allow you to charge other devices such as tablets and laptop computers all at the same time. Wireless phone charging has been around on certain devices for some time now (and IKEA's new range of wireless charging furniture caused quite the buzz), but has previously been hindered by rival companies being unwilling to agree on a universal standard — meaning that you need different chargers for each of your devices. Once this problem is solved the technology could easily become ubiquitous, with the potential for public charging stations in airports, hotels, and cafes, as well as basically anywhere else where you’re likely to find a horizontal surface. Via Gizmodo. Images: Dollar Photo Club and AFR.
Who says bricks and mortar can't have personality too? Naysayers, meet James Gulliver Hancock, an illustrator and cityscape doodler with a difference. The offbeat drawings filling the pages of his latest book, All the Buildings in Sydney (That I've Drawn So Far) have captured the hearts of locals and architecture nerds alike. And now you can try your hand at Hancock's signature style, alongside the man himself, as an adjunct to the Finders Keepers markets. A killer arts-and-crafts party or what? Also the designer responsible for the oh-so-cute promo posters for Finders Keepers, Hancock is putting on a series of 60-minute interactive workshops to share the secrets of his trade. Pens and paper are provided, all you need to bring is a photo of your home to work from. (Pro tip: You might want to bring a photo of your mum's home, it being perilously close to Mother's Day. After all, when was the last time you gave her an artwork to proudly display on the fridge?) With signed copies of his book thrown in to sweeten the deal, this workshop is sure to transform the way you see the world (and buildings) around you.
From shark-infested waters to the catacombs of Paris, Airbnb isn't short of peculiar places where you can spend the night. But for anyone who grew up in the late eighties or early nineties, their latest listing might be their most exciting yet. As part of the marketing push for the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie, visitors to New York can crash in an apartment inspired by the turtles' secret lair. Located in lower Manhattan, the three bedroom apartment has been decked out with all the amenities a turtle fan could desire. We're talking retro arcade games, bunk beds and a glow in the dark basketball court, as well as free swag on departure and pizza delivery free of charge. Of course if this was a true TMNT experience it'd be located in a sewer... but we suppose we can forgive them for playing fast and loose with the mythology under the circumstances. Best of all, for every guest that makes a booking, the half-shell hosts will make a donation to PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center. Now the bad news: the lair has already been completely booked up. Bummer bros. Bummer.
During the working week, time away from your desk is a rare and precious commodity. We're all guilty of killing time mindlessly trawling the web, but as excellent as cat GIFs may be there's far more exciting things we could be doing on our coffee break. Make even the shortest of respites count and carve out time in your day for a bit of adventure, whether it's a morning mission or an after-work moment to blow off steam. Take the break you, as a hardworking human being, deserve. [caption id="attachment_583618" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Alex Jones.[/caption] LEARN TO MAKE POTTERY Replace your usual wine after work routine and get your hands dirty at a pottery class. Over the course of three weeks, The Pottery Shed in Surry Hills will teach you the basics of throwing, trimming and glazing. While you can't expect to enjoy it quite as much as Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore so famously did in Ghost, pottery is an activity that you can easily lose yourself in for a couple of hours. It's challenging and takes time to master, but it sucks you in and is a great way to switch off at the end of the day. JOIN A BOOK CLUB Somewhat of an institution, Better Read Than Dead in Newtown has won the hearts and minds of countless bookworms in Sydney. Not just a bookshop, Better Read Than Dead host regular events such as book signings, author talks and even high teas. Though it's their free book club that really sets them apart. Open to anyone, you simply look up the book online and then turn up at Better Read on the third Tuesday of the month. There's even a specific Jane Austen book club and one off meet ups such as the Harry Potter book club. To fuel the literary wisdom there's cheese supplied. TRY YOUR HAND AT LIFE DRAWING Fancy a bit of creativity to top off your Tuesday? 107 Projects is a not-for-profit organisation that has turned what used to be a garage in Redfern into a space where everyone from amateurs to artists can come and get creative. They run a number of regular events and workshops, of which life drawing is one. There's a limited number of easels, so you'll want to book in, and they also ask that you bring your own supplies. If you're feeling a bit sheepish about the idea of staring at someone in the nude for two hours, get a glass of wine and remember, it's art. [caption id="attachment_548085" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Giant Dwarf.[/caption] LAUGH OFF YOUR WEEKDAY WOES There are few better ways to forget the finicky foibles of your workplace than chuckling at a comedy night. Most nights in Sydney, local comedians are also experimenting, pushing boundaries, and putting on innovative work that might one day see them stepping out on to the world stage. Check out our list of the ten best comedy rooms in Sydney you haven't heard of yet, unique, weekly nights everywhere from Giant Dwarf to Cafe Lounge — you might catch a visiting international comedy bigwig if you're lucky. THROW SOME CASUAL SHAPES Whether it was pure intrigue or a genuine desire to learn, Big Freedia and Miley inspired most of us to give twerking a go — even if it was just that one time. Dance Central's Jamaican dancehall classes are a chance to tackle twerking against a wall with well-versed supervision. When a class is described as rough and feverish — and you're told all you need to bring is your booty — you know it's going to be a good way to blow off steam. From NYC hip hop to Hawaiian hula, French Cancan and even ballet, whatever your jam, Dance Central has a class to cater for you.
It's been a long, long wait, but it's finally time for Dinner. After months of build-up (punctuated by bouts of anticipatory drooling by overexcited local foodies), Heston Blumenthal's first permanent Australian restaurant — and his first outside the UK — is due to start service next week. Here's all the information we have so far. Dinner by Heston Blumenthal is located on the third floor of Crown Towers Hotel in Melbourne and will be open for dinner seven days a week along with lunch on Fridays and Saturdays. Like its two-Michelin-starred London equivalent, the 120-seat restaurant will serve contemporary food inspired by 500 years worth of historical British gastronomy. Standout dishes will include Black Angus rib eye with mushroom ketchup, and 'rice and flesh' (a starter consisting of saffron, calf tail and red wine). Head chef Ashley Palmer-Watts will make use of Australian ingredients and will also introduce certainly historic local dishes including a Heston-style take on the lamington cake. Tony Conigliaro will tend the bar, serving bespoke cocktails that reference the history between Britain and Australia. The interior of the restaurant, meanwhile, has been designed by local company Bates Smart (responsible for The Fat Duck Melbourne), who have incorporated a mixture of elements including wood, leather and iron. Guests will enter via a 20-metre dark wood corridor before being greeted by the dining room, decorated by custom-made porcelain jelly moulds, sculptures commissioned by Australian artist David Bromley and a mechanical moving art piece by UK artist Robert Higgs. An open kitchen will allow diners to observe their food being prepared, with chefs making use of the latest culinary technology along with pulley-operated spit roasts. Those wanting to get even closer to the action can book a spot at the six person chef's table, located inside the kitchen itself. Dinner by Heston Blumenthal begins service on Tuesday, October 20, with online reservations opening the same day. For more information, visit www.dinnerbyheston.com.au. Images: Bates Smart, Ashley Palmer Watts.
In a year that saw Sydney's cultural ecosystem and the legislative shackling of certain elements of it become a more polarising subject than ever before, the city's most innovative, forward-thinking residents have made outstanding lemonade. With new events abounding, Sydney is more vibrant, playful and fun than it ever has been. Not necessarily answering to the same restrictions as permanent venue owners, Sydney's event producers have found new ways to celebrate Sydney life, reinvigorating dwindling or hidden spaces, taking the idea of 'immersive' happenings to another level, and taking us on wild adventures in our own home. At Concrete Playground we encourage exploration and showcase innovation in our city every day, so we thought it fitting to reward those most talented whippersnappers pushing Sydney to be a better, braver city. And so, these six events, launched in 2016, have been nominated for Best New Event in Concrete Playground's Best of 2016 Awards. Vote for your favourite.
The Federal Election is almost here, and if you're anything like us, you're probably dead sick of politicians. From buses to billboards to your righteously indignant mate's never-ending status updates, it's impossible to look anywhere at the moment without catching a glimpse of some polly's grinning mug. And yet despite this, we can't say we're not a little bit intrigued by a strange new public art installation featuring those very same faces. A joint project between Instagram, Facebook and Walkley-winning Fairfax photographer Nic Walker, the Election 2016: Our Leaders series consists of ten moving image portraits that attempt to capture, however briefly, the unfiltered emotions of our nation's political leaders. The subjects, which include Malcolm Turnbull, Bill Shorten, Barnaby Joyce, Tanya Plibersek, Nick Xenophon, Anthony Albanese, Richard Di Natale and Penny Wong, were each shown six images chosen specifically to elicit an emotional reaction, which Walker then photographed at a rate of nine frames per second. "During an election campaign, you get the sense that politicians go into a mode where their image is very crafted and manufactured," said Walker. "This project was all about eliciting a very human response to remind people that love or hate their ideas, politicians are people too." The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald been publishing the portraits via Instagram, and the results are... kind of unsettling. A video posted by The Sydney Morning Herald (@sydneymorningherald) on Jun 28, 2016 at 7:01pm PDT A video posted by The Sydney Morning Herald (@sydneymorningherald) on Jun 28, 2016 at 6:59pm PDT A video posted by The Sydney Morning Herald (@sydneymorningherald) on Jun 27, 2016 at 6:49pm PDT A video posted by The Sydney Morning Herald (@sydneymorningherald) on Jun 27, 2016 at 11:30pm PDT What do you reckon the chances are they showed Barnaby a picture of Johnny Depp? If you want to see the portraits in real life, you can find them on display today only at Martin Place in Sydney, and until tomorrow at Federation Square in Melbourne. And please, for the love of God, remember to vote tomorrow. If the thrill of democracy isn't enough of an incentive, try using this map to find the best Election Day sausage sizzle near you. Visit @federationsquare for a series of 10 moving vignettes of "Our Leaders" captured by Fairfax photographer Nic Walker @nicwalker101. The 10 x portraits involved capturing micro-expressions over a nine-second shoot. Each politician was shown six images that were chosen specifically to elicit a reaction (we won't be revealing what they were, but you can have a guess). Nine frames were shot per second - 81 frames in all - so what you are seeing is reactions to images captured by the camera with no time for the subjects to consciously construct their expressions. 📸📸 A photo posted by The Age (@theagephoto) on Jun 30, 2016 at 5:19pm PDT
Wizards of drinking age have a new spot to drown their sorrows about You Know Who — there's now a Harry Potter-themed bar in Toronto. Named The Lockhart, after Hogwarts' cheesy fraudster of a Defence Against the Dark Arts professor, the bar is full of super niche HP references and enough wizardy bits and bobs to make JK Rowling ponder legal action. With less actual magic than The Leaky Cauldron or the Three Broomsticks, The Lockhart is run by two self-described Hufflepuffs (lol), Paris Xerx and Matt Rocks. Of course, it's not the first HP-themed bar in the world, but we're glad to see one more. The cocktail menu, while it's missing butterbeer (for now, they're coming) or Madam Rosmerta's famous mead, is full of themed potions like the Shacklebolt, Befuddlement Brew and Ludo's Debt. There's also a cocktail on the menu which you can have for free if you can figure out the seriously niche HP ref. Dare to try the potions & elixirs on the cocktail menu at Harry Potter themed @thelockhartto? #newrestaurants #toronto #harrypotter A photo posted by Toronto.com (@torontodotcom) on Sep 9, 2015 at 2:26pm PDT The food menu hasn't a Harry Potter reference at all. No Bertie Bott's? No Cauldron Cakes? No self-propelling custard pie? This is bit of an opportunity lost here. Design-wise, the bar is truly subtle, looking more like a regular casual, cocktail bar than a Disneyland-like novelty bar. The Lockhart, instead, is full of obscure references for serious fans. You can find the Deathly Hallows sign hidden in the bar, a little apothecary, and there's a big neon sign glowing with the famously terrible last line, "All was well." Ugh. So if you're flying to Toronto, apparating or using the floo network, pop in to The Lockhart. Just be wary of cloaked strangers happy to part with dragon eggs in poker. hey it's wednesday A photo posted by robyn hoja (@rohojahoja) on Sep 9, 2015 at 5:06pm PDT Serving our full menu this evening. Specialty popcorn tonight is a sweet and savory, lightly buttered popcorn with Cadbury chocolate drizzle. Yummmmay. A photo posted by The Lockhart Bar (@thelockhartto) on Sep 10, 2015 at 1:21pm PDT Via The AV Club.
So, you've binged on The Jinx and Making a Murderer, and now you need another outlet for your factual film and television fix. Announced back in February, the brand new Australian offshoot of Hot Docs promises to take care of your need to consume compelling real-life stories — and they've just announced the program to prove it. Packing quite the punch in their first year, Hot Docs at Palace Cinemas will bring 24 films from 15 countries to Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra in June and July. If exploring the story of James Foley, the journalist murdered by ISIS in 2014, piques your interest, or if finding out how the humble VHS helped defeat Romanian communism takes your fancy, then the likes of Jim: The James Foley Story and Chuck Norris Versus Communism well and truly have you covered. Elsewhere on the lineup, League of Exotic Dancers pays tribute to burlesque, What Tomorrow Brings explores the fight to educate young girls in Afghanistan, and Raving Iran looks at a couple of DJs working the country's underground techno music scene. Plus, two Aussie-made films will receive their world premieres: Charlie Hill Smith's Motorkite Dreaming, which focuses on a microlight aircraft adventure, and Helen Kapalos' A Life Of Its Own, which delves into the topic of medical marijuana. If that doesn't get you excited, perhaps a bit of background info about the original Hot Docs will. Also known as the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, it isn't just a small-scale event. Screening more than 200 films, it's actually North America's largest doco-focused showcase, and has been running for 23 years. Until now, it had limited its factual film smorgasbord to the nation in its name; however, with this Australian leg, that's no longer be the case. Hosted by Palace Cinemas and curated by Aussie artistic director Richard Moore, the local run really is everything documentary fans have dreamed of (as long as they dream about spending a week or so holed up in a cinema, that is). And it's just the latest new film fest to reach Australian screens, too. Palace just keeps building their annual calendar of events, with the cinema chain hosting another new festival dedicated to American independent cinema this month. Hot Docs at Palace Cinemas screens Sydney's Chauvel Cinema from June 21 to July 3, Melbourne's Palace Westgarth from June 14 to 26, and Canberra's Palace Electric from June 15 to 26. Check out the full program by visiting the festival's website and Facebook page. Image: Motorkite Dreaming.
Aussie documentary Punks For West Papua has no intentions of turning the noise down. Following April's craft beer screening at Sydney's Wayward Brewing Co., this must-see doco has been gaining volume over the last few weeks and will begin a tour of screenings (and paired live gigs) across Australia's bars this month. Never heard of Punks For West Papua? No sweat, we'll clue you in. PFWP is an Australia-wide movement organised by Jody Bartolo and his band Diggers with Attitude. Released earlier this year, the movement's documentary follows the Australian punk scene's fight for people in West Papua, who've experienced genocide at the hands of the Indonesian government since the 1960s. "Punks are used to raising their voice against the government, so this is a natural cause for them," says the doco's Australian director Ash Brennan. The documentary uncovers some shocking truths, including the seemingly deliberate blind eye-turning by the US, UK and Australian governments, who co-own the world's largest gold mine in West Papua (that casually makes a profit in the billions each year). The West Papuan peace protests against the devastation of their land and natural resources have been repeatedly met with massacre by their Indonesian occupiers, who have been systematically stripping the West Papuan identity for over 50 years. This tragic story has been kept quiet by the ban on journalists and foreign aid in the region, so the film aims to raise money and awareness for the Free West Papua cause. "It's happening right next to us and people know nothing about it, but once they do we find they really want to take action," says Brennan. The doco, which has already won the 2016 Documentary Feature Award of Merit at the IndieFest Film Festival in San Diego, features an interview with two time Nobel Peace Prize nominee and long time WP political prisoner Benny Wenda. The Nelson Mandela of the WP cause, Wenda will introduce each screening, most of which are followed by a live punk gig. This punk cause won't stop there, with an annual, global concert planned for the end of June. "The point was to raise real awareness, and seeing the cause go international is a victory, says Brennan. "The film has done its purpose," he adds. What started as one gig back in 2015 is now spanning five countries, including US, UK, Australia, South Africa, Spain and Japan. That's going to be one loud roar for injustice. PUNKS FOR WEST PAPUA SCREENING TOUR DATES: May 4: The Rosemount Hotel, Perth May 11: The Elephant and Wheelbarrow, Melbourne May 24: Law Faculty at University of Sydney May 25: Crowbar, Brisbane May 26: Italo Club, Lismore May 27: Pighouse Flicks, Byron Bay (presented by five-time AFI winner and two-time Academy Award nominee David Bradbury) Can't make the screenings? You can rent or buy the film here, which includes the complete Benny Wenda interview. Proceeds from the rental of P4WP go to the United Liberation Movement for West Papua.
If you're on foreign soil luxuriating in the extra cash from not having to pay back your HECS debt, the party may be over. Education Minister Christopher Pyne wants you to cough up. In the lead-up to this month's delivery of the 2015-16 federal budget — in which education is expected to take similar hardline savings cuts as last year — Pyne has announced legislation will soon be introduced obliging Australians living overseas to start paying back their HECS and HELP debts. In the spirit of making everything fair, Pyne reckons that every ex-student should have to pay back the cost of their education, regardless of where they're living. "There is no good reason why someone working as a banker in London or New York and earning over the threshold shouldn't pay back what they owe Australia," he said in a statement. Which (we'll admit reluctantly under our breaths this one time) doesn't sound inherently ludicrous. Currently, there are tens of thousands of ex-students living overseas debt-free, which is in contrast to their Australian university system alumni, slogging it out at home and quietly lamenting the slice of each pay cheque that goes back to paying off their HECS debt. But if the bill passes, come July 1, 2017, it won't matter where you're living and working — everyone will be forced to start paying it off. Sorry expats. It was good while it lasted. But well-educated Australians working in hostels, kitchens and creative careers abroad need not freak out just yet. As it goes when you're living in Australia, you'll only have to start paying off your HECS once you start earning more than the threshold, currently $53,000 a year. This new rule looks set to target those bringing in the big bucks overseas, and is a much more welcome way to raise revenue than Pyne's failed attempt at deregulating uni fees. Via the Sydney Morning Herald.
Marrickville's newest craft bottle shop, Bucket Boys, is launching this Sydney Craft Beer Week with a history lesson. Owner and self-proclaimed beer geek Johnathan Hepner (ex-Lord Raglan and Batch) knows more about craft beer history than anyone we've ever met. They'll be recreating recipes from five major brewing civilisations and Hepner will take you on a journey through beer, from ye olden days to present.
Binge-watching back episodes of all those TV shows you meant to catch up with is about to become easier than ever. Telstra have just announced a partnership with American digital set top box manufacturers Roku on an Australian platform that will be compatible with rival video-on-demand services Netflix, Stan and Presto, as well as free-to-air catch-up players and BigPond Movies. Telstra will launch the service, named Telstra TV, in September, at which point it will become the first device on the local market that offers easy access to all three competing streaming services – although you can technically get all three through a Chromecast. A Telstra spokesperson told news.com.au that Netflix and Presto would be available from the launch date, with Stan jumping on board soon after. The device will also support certain TV catch-up services, although Telstra has not yet specified which ones, and could not confirm whether Foxtel Play would be among them. A full list of supported apps will become available closer to the launch. Likewise, the pricing for Telstra TV is yet to be finalised, although the company is reportedly trying to negotiate a subscription package that includes all three major streaming options for under $30 a month. The device itself is expected to retail for $109 flat out, or $89 when included as part of a Telstra broadband plan. Via news.com.au
Scenario: you’re having a few drinks with friends, eating corn chips, playing Cards Against Humanity and really trying to connect with your dark side… like, really trying to let all those politically incorrect thoughts out so they may guide your horrifying choices towards a CAH victory. There’s nothing too gross or inappropriate and everyone is cackling like ghouls and bonding over mutual evilness. And then there’s one friend who’s really uncomfortable. That one saintly friend with so much moral fibre they can barely stand the game and tut disapprovingly at all your funniest card drops. A real wet blanket. Imagine for a second that this party pooper was in charge of the entertainment for the evening and, in an attempt to foster neighbourliness and goodwill to all men, brought a new game... Cards for Humanity. “It’s fun, you guys! It’s a real winner!” they say, pouring virgin margaritas and placing a fruit tray down on the table. “I got it from Kickstarter, it’s meant to spark meaningful and insightful conversations!” “I have to go,” you scream, swiftly running off into the night “I left my hairdryer… in the oven.” And fin scenario. We don’t mean to alarm you but this could be a reality soon. Cards For Humanity, a card game that trades on your innate goodness, is in the works via the maker of dreams, Kickstarter. It was created by two good kids called Betsy and Hannah. Just look how goodhearted and sunbeamy they are: Although it lacks the nasty appeal of Cards Against Humanity, we concede that it would be good to play in any scenario where you can’t be your most evil self, such as work, church or with your grandparents. The pack includes such horrifically warm and fuzzy questions such as “What’s the craziest thing you have ever done for love?” and “If happiness was the national currency, what would make you wealthy?” and (oh god) "What would you wish on a shooting star?" that will really highlight your moral corruption and make you question your entire life. However, Cards For Humanity doesn’t include an answer deck allowing you craft warm, meaningful answers… or use a Cards Against Humanity answer deck to really spice things up. Check out Cards for Humanity's Kickstarter page over here.
Tucked away under a tree on Brown Street in Newtown, the Pie Tin is located in a heritage building, with an interior flanked with glass cabinets brimming with pastry delights and a communal dining table where friends and strangers alike can bond over their mutual love of pies. Start with a savoury pie, with a plethora of options to satiate both carnivores and vegetarians alike. The flavours are offered up on a rotational basis (although you can order any ahead of time with a day or twos notice.) Meat options include classics such as chicken and leak; classic mince with carrots and herbs; shepherd's pie with mash potato; and steak and pepper with green peppercorn gravy. If you're keen to challenge your taste buds and try something a little more daring, more exotic options which may pop up include a pizza pie with ham, artichokes, olives, mozzarella and tomato sauce; Moroccan lamb with pumpkin, raisins and pepitas; and a chicken "parmi" pie which is exactly what it sounds like. There are plenty of options for vegetarians, too, with the Jerusalem artichoke pie with leek and gorgonzola dolce in a white wine sauce unlike anything you've ever had before. It also makes lentil and coconut curry pies; mac 'n' cheese varieties; Mexican bean pies with casserole and topped with sour cream; and a mushroom stroganoff pie with roast potatoes. As you devour your pie you'll notice your eyes glancing over at the cabinet housing the sweet pies. And truth be told, you will probably need that long to decide which of the two-dozen-or-so options to go for. The apple and salted caramel pie is famous in Newtown, with fresh apples poached in a spiced butter, home made salted caramel and a coconut oat crumble. Another to look out for is the Nutella and banana mud pie, which is exactly as indulgent as it sounds.
Recreating a neighbourhood stalwart in a suburb with no real community heart is a tough task. The flurry of suits that blow in and out at lunch time, the tourists tracking back from Circular Quay hungry for an arvo snack, and the Friday after-work cheese and wine crowds all are a far cry from the loyal locals you see at Newtown's Continental Deli. But, even so, the boys behind the neighbourhood deli-cum-bar — Head Chef Jesse Warkentin, General Manager Mikey Nicolian and Porteno's Joe Valore and Elvis Abrahanowicz — have managed to successfully transplant a bit of their neighbourhood charm to Continental's new Phillip Street location in the CBD. "Since we opened Newtown, we've continued to hear that the only problem is that there isn't one in every neighbourhood," says Nicolian. "So, we wanted to bring it to as many people as we could." Menu-wise, much remains the same. You'll still find artisanal cheeses, an outrageous list of charcuteries, the steak tartare with Parmigiano-Reggiano and some sandwiches at lunch. And although pasta dishes such as the rigatoni with broccolini, cuttlefish and sausage have been added, it's not the main focus. "Having pasta is not that big a difference," insists Nicolian. "It's something that we love and it fits our identity but we're definitely not a pasta joint." And of course, Continential Deli CBD is a champion of conservas, particularly seafood. Offering everything from anchovies to canned clams and Continental's own tinned Fremantle occy. "It's a pretty cool world to explore once you get into them," says Nicolian. "It can be as approachable as you like, with sardines for example or you can go as extravagant as you like with something like baby eel at $87. It's not cat food." The drinks are a little daintier (although Continental's still play on classics) with elegant glassware to match. Canned cocktails such as the famed Mar-tinny, Can-hattan and Cosmopoli-tin are still very much available with a new one in the works, the Ameri-can-o. Plus, the wine list's six times the size. The fit-out, designed by co-owner Sarah Doyle, has a refined Euro bistro touch with the New York accents of Art Deco posters and dark wood and leather chairs. Round tables fill the restaurant section by the open deli and kitchen with a 16-seat marble top bar on the other side of what Nicolian calls "the wall of wine." Sure, the one-level, open-plan space is different to Newtown's split-level terrace, but it echoes the same familial sentiment. "It's a different environment [to Newtown] but the backbone of the place is still very closely linked," notes Nicolian. "It's a homely environment. You want people to feel at home." Images: Kitti Gould Updated Friday, March 31 2023. Appears in: The Best Bars in Sydney The Best Degustations Under $100 in Sydney
That annual coming together of all things design, Semi-Permanent Sydney, has announced its first round of speakers for 2015, and the guests are as varied as the discipline. Although best known for his work in film and television, actor Noah Taylor has recently earned acclaim for his artwork and will attend Semi-Permanent to talk about this transition. 2011 Archibald Prize winner Ben Quilty will likewise be on hand to discuss the challenges of working as an artist in an increasingly commercial world. Patrick Clair will take audiences through the evolution of his Emmy Award-winning opening titles for True Detective, which have been haunting our dreams since the show wrapped up in March, while leading surfboard designer Hayden Cox will be joined by LA artist Jason Woodside and pro-surfer Craig Anderson to talk about their collaborations. Semi-Permanent has also announced a retrospective exhibition of the work of English artist and writer Stanley Donwood, who is best known for his frequent collaboration with Radiohead, having designed all of their album artwork since 1994. FBi Radio, meanwhile, has been given the job of organising parties, which if last year is anything to go by, should work out quite nicely. The conference will kick off Vivid Sydney on May 22. First round tickets are on sale now – and while a decent portion of the program is still a mystery, this sprinkling of guests has gotten us pretty damn excited. Two-day passes to Semi-Permanent clock in at $265 for students and $430 for everyone else. That includes entry to the event, plus tickets to the opening and closing night parties. VIP passes are available for $650, while single day tickets will go on sale in 2015. Head to the Semi-Permanent website to book.
"We all live in our own little worlds spinning around in an erratic universe. It is uncontrolled by our thoughts, needs and wants that we traverse as best we can, letting the chips fall where they may." One of Art Month's most colourful exhibitions this year, The Strutt Sisters' Let the Chips Fall Where They May takes over new space Kensington Contemporary Gallery, conveniently down the road from The Old Clare Hotel, Kensington Street Social, Automata et al. Post gallery-bevs ahoy. Twin sisters, artists, designers, musicians, jewellery-makers and synesthetes The Strutt Sisters – Catherine and Jennifer Strutt —have a fascination for colour and patterns. These two riveting artists create one heck of a spectacle in their work — and this show, a bespoke interior and architectural venture accompanied by visual works, ain't an exception.
Tickled is, to put it mildly, pretty bloody weird. Brilliant and fascinating, sure, but also bloody weird. Directed by New Zealand journalist David Farrier along with fellow first-time filmmaker Dylan Reeve, the documentary purports to be about a strange and some would say rather homoerotic subculture that the pair discovered after stumbling across an online ad — an ad offering to fly young, fit men out to Los Angeles where they would be tied down and tickled on camera. In truth, however, the tickling is merely the tip of the iceberg. Indeed, Farrier and Reeve had barely started their investigation when they began receiving threatening emails from Jane O'Brien Media, the company responsible for the ads. Before long, the filmmakers found themselves neck deep in a story of bullying, intimidation, sexual fetishes and a search for the truth — one that is still very much ongoing, despite the film being out in theatres as we speak. Prior to the documentary's release, we sat down with Farrier at the Melbourne International Film Festival, where we spoke about everything from his first run-in with Jane O'Brien media, to being sued for defamation, to the moment when the film's villain crashed a Q&A screening in LA. Like we said… bloody weird. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOBXuCYB4jQ WELL THAT ESCALATED QUICKLY "All I've done for the last ten years are these two minute whacky subculture stories, and I just thought this would be one of those," says Farrier, when we ask about the origins of the project. "But that response I got back was so strange. I just remember being so blown away by it. And it happened very quickly. Within the first week I was getting legal threats." The threats weren't just legal, but personal too, attacking Farrier for being gay and even going after Reeves' wife and children. "I got quite upset," admits Farrier. "It was really stressful. It's hard to get across how non-stop all those emails were. It was unrelenting." Of course, the irony is that, had the company not reacted so viciously, Farrier would have probably dropped the whole thing. "If they'd responded like normal humans, there would have been no documentary. Even if they'd just said, 'We're a bit busy,' I probably would have just moved on to something else," he says. The other tipping point was when the pair found upwards of 50 websites featuring videos of former tickling competitors, complete with their names and personal information. "It was just a really clear example of doxing, where you suddenly had people's cell phone numbers and addresses, and all their tickling videos, mixed in with a whole bunch of lies about them," says Farrier. "Once Dylan found those domain names, that [existed] purely to bully people, we thought that a film was what we could use to expose this." A QUESTION OF ETHICS One of the challenges of making Tickled was the fact that many of its subjects — the people who worked for O'Brien, if she even existed — didn't want to be filmed. "When you're making a film about people who don't want a film made about them, there's going to be ethical questions," says Farrier. "If someone says, 'We don't want to be on camera, we don't want to give you an interview,' then of course you have to [ask], 'Okay, is there no film? Or do you proceed on and record them anyway?" Watching the film, you get the distinct sense that Farrier wanted to give his subjects a taste of their own medicine — that after exploiting and publicly humiliating so many people, it was high time sometime turned the camera on them. Ultimately, Farrier stands by the decisions he and Reeve made, saying that they were conscious of "the bigger picture, of what we wanted to expose," adding that he feels "very comfortable about the direction we took things." When asked to speculate on the motivations of the person who (the film purports) sits at the centre of the conspiracy, Farrier smiles before offering a carefully worded response. "I've already been sued twice for defamation, so I can't talk on my opinion on any of the characters in the film," he says. "I'd like to. I've got a lot of theories." THE STORY CONTINUES As strange as the content of documentary may seem, what's happened since the release has arguably been even stranger. Not only have the filmmakers been sued, but a website has appeared — www.tickledmovie.info — that aims to discredit the film. But the most surprising moment came at a screening in Los Angeles back in June, when two of the major players from Jane O'Brien media showed up unannounced and got into a heated discussion with Reeve. The film's US distributor posted footage of the confrontation on Facebook and, like everything else in this story, it is absolutely bizarre. "It's publicity for us, to the level where people think we've hired actors to do it," says Farrier. "I don't know. We're dealing with people who aren't fully grounded in reality, and who don't fully understand how the online world works… I genuinely don't think they were expecting us to have cameras there, but I'm sorry, you can live stream from your cell phone." Fittingly, Tickled is very much a film about that online world, and how it has become a breeding ground for harassment. "I think people respond to the film because we're super aware of online bullying at the moment," says Farrier. "It's always existed, but it seems to have reached a kind of extreme, whether it's Gamergate or this hate campaign against females because they're in a Ghostbusters film. We're at this peak level of harassment, and I think this is just another crazy reminder of that." Tickled is in cinemas now. Read our full review here.
