Oh, what a day. What a lovely day! Why? Because the first trailer for Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga has just zipped into existence. Get ready for Anya Taylor-Joy (The Super Mario Bros Movie) in the title role, Chris Hemsworth (Thor: Love and Thunder) co-starring and iconic Australian director George Miller steering the show for the fifth instalment in his dystopian Mad Max franchise. When Furiosa hits cinemas in May 2024, it will have been nine years since Mad Max: Fury Road did the same and became the best action movie of this century so far — and the best Australian flick of the same period, too. That delay means nothing given that there was a 30-gap between 1985's not-so-great Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome and Fury Road's triumphant arrival in 2015, however. More Miller extending his passion project is always worth waiting for. Shot in Australia, Furiosa also arrives after Mad Max: Fury Road proved a six-time Oscar-winning hit, but will add a standalone tale to the saga this time. Yes, it's an origin story. Yes, it dives into the background of the character so memorably played in Fury Road by Charlize Theron (Fast X). Yes, enlisting Taylor-Joy is another casting masterstroke. Furiosa's storyline follows the younger Furiosa as she's taken from the Green Place of Many Mothers, ends up with a biker horde led by Warlord Dementus, and then gets caught in the middle of a war being waged with the Citadel's Immortan Joe — all while trying to escape and get back home. And, as the just-dropped first sneak peek shows, the look and feel is all classic Mad Max. Miller not only directs but co-writes with Mad Max: Fury Road co-scribe Nico Lathouris, while Alyla Browne (The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart) and Tom Burke (Living) are also among the movie's stars. A heap of Miller's other behind-the-scenes collaborators are back, including production designer Colin Gibson, editor Margaret Sixel, sound mixer Ben Osmo, costume designer Jenny Beavan and makeup designer Lesley Vanderwalt, all Fury Road Oscar-winners. Check out the trailer for Furiosa below: Furiosa releases in cinemas Down Under on May 23, 2024.
Pucker up, fans of 90s teen flicks — whether you were the exact right age at the time, have discovered them since or found yourself looking backwards thanks to recent films like Do Revenge. After finally bringing its song- and dance-filled take on one of the most influential movies of the era to Australian stages this year, Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical is making a comeback along Australia's east coast in 2023. It seems that we can't get enough of this bittersweet symphony. We can't stop praising it, either. This time, audiences in Sydney and Melbourne will get a second chance to get nostalgic, while the show is backing up its recent Brisbane season with a new stint on the Gold Coast. To answer the most crucial question, yes, the musical's soundtrack is filled hits from the period, including The Verve's 'Bittersweet Symphony' and Placebo's 'Every You Every Me'. In fact, Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical is a jukebox musical, so it's overflowing with a heap other tunes from that late 90s–early 00s time. Think: *NYSNC's 'Bye Bye Bye', Britney Spears' 'Sometimes', No Doubt's 'Just A Girl', Jewel's 'Foolish Games', Christina Aguilera's 'Genie In A Bottle' and Sixpence None the Richer's 'Kiss Me', for starters. The story remains the same, just without Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe, Reese Witherspoon and Selma Blair (and Joshua Jackson's blonde locks). If you've seen the movie — the original, not the direct-to-video 2001 and 2004 sequels, one of which starred a very young Amy Adams (Dear Evan Hansen) taking over Gellar's role — then you'll know how it goes. Based on 1782 novel Les Liaisons dangereuses, which was also been adapted in the 1988 film Dangerous Liaisons with Glenn Close, John Malkovich, Michelle Pfeiffer and Uma Thurman, Cruel Intentions follows step-siblings Sebastian Valmont and Kathryn Merteuil. Manipulating each other's love lives is their main hobby, a pastime that levels up a few notches when Kathryn places a bet on whether Sebastian can sleep with Annette Hargrove, the headmaster's daughter at their exclusive prep school. The movie-to-theatre production has been unleashing its teen tumult and throwback soundtrack in America since 2015, and will start its Aussie encore from January 2023. Cruel Intentions' writer/director Roger Kumble co-created the musical, so it comes with quite the screen-to-stage pedigree. Also, it's being staged in Australia via David Venn Enterprises, who also brought The Wedding Singer: The Musical Comedy and Bring It On: The Musical our way. CRUEL INTENTIONS: THE 90S MUSICAL 2023 AUSTRALIAN TOUR: Thursday, January 19–Sunday, January 29, 2023: HOTA, Home of the Arts, Gold Coast Thursday, February 2—Sunday, February 12: Riverside Theatre, Parramatta From Thursday, February 16: Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical will tour Australia's east coast again from January 2023. For more information and to join the waitlist for tickets — with Gold Coast and Melbourne shows on-sale from 10am Thursday, October 6 an Sydney from the same time on Tuesday, October 11 — head to the musical's website. Images: Nicole Cleary.
We all love a secret menu — ordering dishes or drinks that most people don't even know exist. They aren't on the website. You won't find them on social media. And there is no sign of these dishes on the menu in the restaurant, either. It's serving IYKYK vibes. And we've cottoned on to a new limited-time set menu that's only available to those who ask for it specifically. Saigon Hustle, West Sydney's modern Vietnamese restaurant and bar, is putting all its best-selling dishes together for those who request the Hot Hustler Summer Set Menu — you won't find this offer on the menu or website. The two-person feast is priced at $60 per person and includes crowd-favourite dishes like the spicy fried corn ribs and the melt-in-your-mouth bone marrow served with XO sauce and garlic crostini. You'll also be treated to a serving of Saigon Hustle's beef tartare, lamb ribs, laksa, edamame beans and its beloved milk tea crème brûlée. Customers who text or email for bookings will need to clearly mention they want the Hot Hustler Summer Set Menu. For this under-the-radar feast, you can't just rock up and order it on the day and you can't take it away either. When texting or calling for a booking, you'll need to clearly mention you want the Hot Hustler Summer Set Menu. And if you head over from 5–7pm, from Wednesday to Sunday, you can also sneak in a few happy hour drinks. During this time, the bar serves up $8 house wines and beers alongside a special $13 cocktail of the week. These bartenders are known for creating all kinds of fun Asian-inspired cocktails, so you best order a few throughout the night. This special set menu (for a minimum of two people) is only available until Thursday, June 1. To book, contact Saigon Hustle and note you'd like the Hot Hustler Summer Set Menu. Alternatively, you can book via OpenTable, making sure to choose the Hot Hustler Summer Set Menu option.
Australia's masters of mash-up return to the stage for their first national tour since 2010 with They Mostly Come at Night … Mostly. Spanning major cities and regional towns, the Yacht Club DJs spring back onto the scene with a spooky bang. Performing their rendition of a low-brow horror film, the DJs want you to expect the grotesque, the kitschy and the downright ridiculous. Zombies and fake blood included, of course. The duo behind Yacht Club DJs, Guy Chappell-Lawrence and Gareth (Gaz) Harrison, are long-time friends; they originally bonded over their shared eclectic musical tastes. Pop, hip-hop, metal, Australian larrikin — you name it, they're into it. Now they've poured and mixed it into some of the most electrifying concoctions, there's no way you'll stay off your feet this night. For the tour, the DJs are joined by their home-town friends, the Hunting Grounds. Beware: the six-member group will only contribute to this twisted, zombie-filled night of debauchery. https://youtube.com/watch?v=wz378CNslwU
Throughout Greater Sydney's ongoing lockdown, mask rules have shifted and evolved several times — but if you're outside of your own house, you've only needed to cover your face in certain circumstances. Come 12.01am on Monday, August 23, that'll change. That's when masks will become compulsory across New South Wales whenever you're outdoors, other than if you're exercising. The new rule will arrive two months into Sydney's stay-at-home conditions and will apply moving forward, with Greater Sydney's lockdown now extended until the end of September. It also comes almost a week after regional NSW was also put under stay-at-home orders, with that lockdown set to continue until at least Saturday, August 28. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced the new mask requirement today, Friday, August 20, alongside the lengthier Greater Sydney lockdown and a number of tightened rules for residents of Sydney's 12 Local Government Areas of concern. "Our concern is that when people are walking past a group of people or accidentally bumping into people, that can cause that fleeting contact and transmission," said the Premier. "It also makes it easier for police to make sure everybody is sticking to the rule. Unless you are exercising, masks outdoor applies to every single citizen across NSW, whether you live in Sydney or the bush, everybody has to respect that," she continued. So, masks will be mandatory whenever you are out of your house for any reason other than working out — including working outdoors, at an outdoor market or outdoor shopping strip, and standing in an outdoor queue waiting for a coffee or something to eat, activities that already require face coverings. You'll still obviously need to carry a mask with you at all times whenever you leave the house — even if you are exercising. And, wearing face masks in all indoor settings outside of your own home, and on public transport, is still compulsory. Since mid-July, masks have been required in all common areas in residential buildings, too. The latter covers apartment complex lobbies, foyers, lifts, stairwells, corridors and shared laundries, and applies whether you live there or you're a visitor. In response to the evolving Delta outbreak, NSW will extend the current lockdown in Greater Sydney until the end of September, and introduce new rules targeting the local government areas of concern, where the vast majority of new cases are emerging. pic.twitter.com/KoKwl0GCin — NSW Health (@NSWHealth) August 20, 2021 NSW residents under lockdown are still currently only permitted to leave the house for four specific essential reasons: to work and study if you can't do it from home; for essential shopping; for exercise outdoors in groups of two; and for compassionate reasons, which includes medical treatment, getting a COVID-19 test and getting vaccinated. As it always does, NSW Health has been updating the COVID-19 venues of concern list, and will continue to do so as more places keep being identified. Anyone who has visited these venues during the times specified are required to get tested and self-isolate as per NSW Health's instructions. And, if you have any COVID-19 symptoms in general, you should be getting tested at a clinic, too. Sydneysiders should be looking out for coughs, fever, sore or scratchy throat, shortness of breath, or loss of smell or taste. Masks will become compulsory outdoors in NSW unless you're exercising from 12.01am on Monday, August 23. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in NSW, head to the NSW Health website. For more information about the current mask rules, head to the NSW Government website.
Despite what you may think, Sydney SuperNight is three days and nights of action-packed activity from all angles. From Friday, July 19 to Sunday, July 21, the Sydney SuperNight will see a number of practice, qualifying and support racing sessions take place, culminating in the climax of the feature race when the sun goes down on Saturday evening. This will be round seven of the Repco Supercars Championship so rivalries between the drivers are high, and the atmosphere can get intense. Plus, the fact that some of it is going down at night means you'll be able to see the sparks literally fly — don't be surprised if you get caught up in the theatrics. Plenty of non-track action will be interspersed throughout the weekend, too. There will be events for all ages, merchandise, signings, live entertainment and much more. More information is likely to be released in the coming months, so keep your eyes on the Sydney Supercars channels.
With winter throwing a blanket of chill and darkness over the city, it's getting even harder to sneak in that post-work swim with the beach definitely not on the cards. As everyone surely knows, Australians must go swimming at least once a week or we lose our citizenship, so head down to the Thorpedo's pool to get a few lengths in. The pool is heated snugly, so the only cold you'll worry about is the bit between getting out of the water and getting into a towel. Even then, if that's too much, head to the steam room or the spa to get that core temperature back up to a toasty 37 degrees. Image: Jesse Jaco.
There isn't anything particularly funny about Mondays. From waking up knowing that the weekend is over, to coming home after work and knowing that there are still four more days to go, there aren't many reasons to smile. So that's where the Comedy Lounge comes in. With no more than a crisp ten dollar note, you can find yourself admitted to one of Sydney's premier comedy venues for an evening of chortling. While it's not exactly the star-studded Just For Laughs Gala in Montreal, the Comedy Lounge hosts some of the best up-and-coming comedians in Sydney, as well as those who swing by while on tour. It's a great way to laugh those Monday blues away.
Taking inspiration from events in the past 12 months such as the (mainly UK-based) media scandals and the digital frenzy that surrounded the Kony12 campaign, the 2012 Sydney Writers' Festival will get us all thinking, talking (and maybe even writing) about the shifting boundaries between what’s public and what's private. Featuring profound and relevant discussions on current topics like gay marriage and media in a digital age, the 15th SWF will include writing workshops, readings from prizewinning authors, poets and biographers - as well as politicians, judges and even a CIA interrogator. The Festival will be hosting a few international heavyweights too. Libyan novelist Hisham Matar, who was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize for In the Country of Men, will be opening the Festival. He will be talking about his writing and the harrowing events of his past (his father was kidnapped by Gaddafi’s regime in the ‘90s and is still missing). Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Virgin Suicides, Jeffrey Eugenides, is making first trip down under for the Festival, and Jeanette Winterson, author of Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit, will be here to read from her memoir Why be Happy When You Could Be Normal?. Kick-ass writers from the UK and US, including Heather Brooke, who broke the story about the British parliamentary expenses scandal, and Stella Rimington, former head of MI5, are just two from a long list of influential writers who have tackled topics as wide-reaching as the troubled history of Ireland, Vladimir Putin’s hold over Russia and western capitalism versus China’s booming economy. There’s a kids programme too. Jeff Kinney, the creator of the successful children’s series Diary of a Wimpy Kid, will be speaking at Sydney Opera House among other readings and workshops. Closer to home, Australian expat Kathy Lette will be at the festival talking about raising an autistic child, and Aboriginal writer Anita Heiss and politician Bob Katter will be sharing their views on our nation. The Festival will be taking place from May 14 to 20 across venues such as Sydney Opera House, Walsh Bay, Sydney Town Hall and the Recital Hall. And the best part? More than half of the events are completely free. Some events are ticketed, some are not. Go to www.swf.org.au for details of all the writers attending and how to purchase tickets.
For the second year in a row — and only the second time in the more than three decades that the country's professional Aussie Rules competition has called itself the Australian Football League — the AFL grand final might be hosted outside of Melbourne. AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan has announced that the code will shift the biggest game of the 2021 season to Perth's Optus Stadium if the Victorian capital is still under lockdown, or if the Melbourne Cricket Ground is unable to welcome in spectators. In 2020, the AFL made the move to the Brisbane Cricket Ground, aka the Gabba, due to Melbourne's lengthy stint of stay-at-home conditions. Now, a year later, the city is currently under lockdown for the sixth time during the pandemic, which is set to remain in place at this stage until Thursday, September 2. Whether the stay-at-home rules will ease then as planned is yet to be seen, with Victoria's new locally acquired COVID-19 case numbers hovering between 40–71 since Thursday, August 19. And, if lockdown does end before the scheduled grand final date on Saturday, September 25, whether Melbourne's stadiums will be permitted to host crowds under post-lockdown restrictions is similarly unknown. Announcing the news on Wednesday, August 25, AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan said that "if we're unable to play at the MCG, the Grand Final will be at Optus Stadium... The capacity available at Optus Stadium is 100 percent and that's pretty compelling to have as many people as we can see the biggest and best sporting event in the country," he continued. Optus Stadium can 60,000 people, and the AFL is expected to make a final decision sometime during the week beginning Monday, August 30. That's the same week that the lockdown not just in Melbourne but also in all of Victoria is currently set to end — and that the city's and state's residents will learn if it's being extended. Perth will host the 2021 Toyota AFL Grand Final, if the MCG cannot hold the event in front of crowds. — AFL (@AFL) August 25, 2021 In 2020, the AFL also nominated a backup stadium in the event that cases surged in Brisbane. If the game is held in Perth, it's likely either Adelaide Oval or the Gabba could be named as backups. Moving the game to Perth also means that 2020's night grand final won't be repeated due to the time difference between Australia's west and east coasts. McLachlan said that the AFL would be looking at an afternoon or twilight time slot. A Perth grand final won't feature any Western Australian AFL teams, however, with both the West Coast Eagles and the Fremantle Dockers failing to make the code's finals season. Just like last year, it really shouldn't have taken three decades for a competition that's not only named after the entire country, but that changed its moniker in 1990 to reflect the fact that it was no longer just about Victoria, to host its deciders in other cities. Before 2020, the grand final had actually been played at venues other than the MCG before — but still in Melbourne. The MCG remains contracted to host the grand final for a significant period moving forward, however, with its contact originally running through until 2057, then extended until 2058 as part of the agreement to allow the game to be played at the Gabba in 2020. If the move to Perth happens this year, it wouldn't be surprising if the arrangement with the MCG will be extended again. If you're a Victorian — whether you've been missing the footy over the past month, or you're not fussed about the sport at all — you might be wondering about the usual pre-grand final public holiday. Last year, even with the game being played in Brisbane, the holiday still went ahead. What'll happen this year hasn't been revealed as yet. The 2021 AFL Grand Final will take place on Saturday, September 25 — at the MCG if it is able to host a crowd, or at Optus Stadium in Perth otherwise. A final decision is expected during the week beginning Monday, August 30, and you can read more about the current details on the AFL website. Top image: Optus Stadium, Government of Western Australia.
Illuminating an unjustly overlooked period of Aboriginal activism, Hereby Make Protest at Carriageworks is an exhibition comprising of historical documentation and new work by Indigenous artists Jacob Nash, Karla Dickens and Nicole Foreshew. Prior to the Freedom Ride and the Gurindji Strike, the Aborigines Progressive Association formed in 1924 and is credited with instigating the rise of a civil rights movement in Australia. Paving the way for future revolutionaries, Jack Patten, Fred Maynard, William Cooper and William Ferguson joined forces to protest the lack of basic human rights available to Aboriginal Australians. Various newspaper clippings, letters and meeting minutes draw a long history of protest and struggle. These salvaged documents convey the steady building of a national voice. Bringing this archival material to life, Nash, Dickens and Foreshew have produced large-scale artworks that seem to absorb these documents, seeping under their protective glass to infuse them with a renewed relevance. Blending together Indigenous and colonial objects, Dickens' mixed-media sculptures evoke hierarchy and power struggle. Hanging from heavy hooks, Assimilated Warriors features suit jackets sprouting emu feathers and a number of rusted dog muzzles. With the brutish materials and menacing silhouettes, the work seems to mimic an execution. In this way, Aboriginal cultural identity has been held hostage and denied a voice. Another eye-catching work is Demanding a Voice Is Tiresome, a quilt made of vintage fabrics and stamped with the logos of protest groups. Printed with trees and flowers, these scenes of domestic ease and ignorance are refused by a repeated symbol of defiance. Dickens has disallowed complacency — responsibility is in the home of every Australian. The quiet rhythm of Nicole Foreshew’s single channel videos permeates the space. Has Come from Somewhere depicts a lone figure moving back and forth, accompanied by a hymn by Harold Blair. His balletic gestures are mesmerising as smoke rolls in like fog and slowly dissipates. Like a faded memory, he raises his arms as if conducting an imaginary choir before retreating into darkness. The man's elusiveness is enhanced by the rough texture of the recording. As he smooths his tie, straightens his suspenders and tips his hat, Foreshew compels us to pay attention to every minute movement. A sea of shoes takes up a large amount of floor space; Nash has painted almost 700 pairs with white ochre. It is a protest movement evacuated of human protesters; however, there is an atmosphere of solidarity and collective responsibility. The positioning of the shoes suggests naturalistic postures, evoking the dynamism and spontaneity of a real protest. What also humanises the work is the way it interacts with other works. For example, faced towards Foreshew’s video, it appears as if the absent wearers are standing in quiet reverence, watching and listening. There's a lot crammed into this space. Nevertheless, Hereby Make Protest is just as much a historical reflection as it is a contemporary call for action. By prying open the pages of history, these artists continue to question, reinterpret and, importantly, put forth what is yet to be done.
When Darling Square's new food precinct Steam Mill Lane opened back in April, we were gifted with the likes of Belles' hot chicken, 8bit burgers and green tea-flavoured everything form Matcha-ya. We were also promised a new Tokyo-inspired izakaya — and now, it's finally open and dishing out katsu and cocktails with a good dose of karaoke. Bang Bang will attempt to bring a bit of Tokyo's gritty Shinjuku district to the shiny recently developed laneway with street food and kitschy dive bar vibes. With ex-Nobu Tokyo chef Kokubo Yuji at the helm, the restaurant will offer up Japanese favourites alongside a bar serving whisky, sake and craft beer (including a house brewed lager). The venue mimics a street-side food vendor you might find in Kabukichō, with a roller door entrance, asphalt floor, lanterns and lots of neon signs. If you'd like to take the concept literally, there is also curtained-off seating in the laneway, next to a yatai stall serving up street eats for dine-in or takeaway. Inside, the 85-seat space boasts an intricate layout of rooms, with multiple dining areas and a hidden tatami room adorned with traditional mats and cushioned floor seating. There's also a vending machine filled with Japanese soft drinks and — most notably — a soundproof and neon-lit glass karaoke room. The menu combines elements of authenticity with modern twists. Think wok-tossed spicy edamame, pork gyoza and octopus tempura next to pork katsu brioche sliders and a 'mega tonkatsu'. There's also a full raw bar with the likes of aburi kingfish carpaccio and wagyu beef tataki separated from your usual sushi and sashimi offerings. Plus, on the udon menu sits a teriyaki salmon version next to a non-traditional carbonara one. For the purists, there's plenty of donburi, curries and omelettes to keep you busy. At the bar, citrus-infused shochu cocktails sit next to whisky and piña colada highballs, all inspired by the alleyway drinking culture of Tokyo. If you come in a group, you can also nab extra-large one-litre cocktails for sharing — served in a butler pump, of course. Bang Bang is now open daily from 11.30am till 10.30pm at 14 Steam Mill Lane, Darling Square. Images: Steven Woodburn.
Sydney's second extended lockdown has hit the city's hospitality scene hard, with venues forced to close their doors and rely entirely on takeaway and delivery trade for at least two weeks. That's seen a drop in income for a huge number of employees across the state, as the hours and shifts used to pay for essential bills are cut. While Sydney residents can apply for one-off Government assistance, it's a tough time for casual workers. Thankfully, some industry legends are coming to the rescue, lending a helping hand in the form of a few much-needed free feeds, no questions asked. Inner west pub The Oxford Tavern is offering a free meal to anyone who's lost work due to the lockdown. "Casual workers are the backbone of the hospitality industry, and are the first to be forgotten when restrictions intensify," it posted to Instagram. Similarly, The Oxford Tavern team's other inner west pub The Duke of Enmore is offering hospo workers that have lost shifts a free flatbread off its new menu and one of its signature pickleback shots. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Duke Of Enmore (@thedukeofenmore) Over in Darlinghurst, you can head into craft beer-haven The Taphouse and request a 'hospo meal' if you've been impacted by the lockdown, no questions asked. The pub's offering a free chicken schnitzel or a vegetarian pasta puttanesca as well as a shot of bourbon to commiserate the tough times. Darlinghurst residents who have been fortunate enough to keep employment can also be treated to The Taphouse's hearty meals as it's launched complimentary delivery on its entire menu for anyone within one kilometre of the venue, including its famed roast on Sundays. "We know what a hard time it is for our community and hospo workers are especially vulnerable right now. We wanted to give back to our local community, and recognise how invaluable hospo workers are to our industry," said Joshua Thorpe, Owner of The Taphouse said. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Taphouse (@taphousedarlo) Chippendale's Sneaky Possum is still serving up its burgers and toasties for pickup or delivery, plus if you swing by you can grab beers and cocktails for the full at-home experience. It's also offering anyone who's lost work free meals to help them through this time. If you're doing it tough at the moment you can drop in for a chicken burger or a brekkie bowl on the house. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sneaky Possum (@sneakypossumbar) On Monday, July 5, anyone with an RSA can drop into Door Knock in the Sydney CBD for some lockdown care. The Pitt Street bar will be open from 1pm–5pm on Monday to supply care packages to hospitality workers. Or, venture across a couple blocks to Burrow Bar's new location on Clarence Street. The underground cocktail bar has a full takeaway menu on offer as well as delivery options for anyone in the CBD. Anyone struggling during the lockdown can hit up the bar for support in the form of a full belly. The bar has been collecting donations from other venues around the CBD and putting together care packages filled with meals, fruit and a couple of drinks with plans to distribute them a couple of days a week throughout the lockdown and for a couple weeks after as things slowly go back towards relative normality. If you're struggling for food during this time all you need to do is DM Burrow Bar on Facebook or Instagram, or email mitch@burrowbar.com.au. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Burrow Bar 🥃 (@burrow_bar) Continental Deli is also still operating out of both its Newtown and CBD digs, offering next-level deli treats and its signature tinned cocktails. All this weekend, from Friday, July 2 until Sunday, July 4, both stores will be offering discounted hospo meals. Anyone with an RSA can come in and present their card for one of Continental's deli meat-packed rolls and a three pack of Aperol spritzes for just $10. The deal is available each day until sold out. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Continental Deli Bar Bistro (@continentaldeli) Sydney's current restrictions are set to run until Friday, July 9. For a full list of restrictions and exposure sites, visit NSW Health.
Flying interstate can be frustrating at the best of times — especially during peak periods — but there could be major cancellations and delays ahead as some Jetstar employees prepare for a strike. Both the Australian Federation of Air Pilots (AFAP) and the Transport Workers' Union (TWU) have voted to proceed with industrial action — with 94 percent of members of the latter in favour of the strike — in response to ongoing failed negotiations with the airline. If you've got flights booked over Christmas, you may face a delay or two. If it goes ahead, the strike could see pilots, as well as 250 Jetstar baggage handlers and ground crew, taking industrial action. There's no word yet on what exactly this action would be or when this would happen, though the TWU has said that it'd likely take place over "the coming weeks and months" — i.e., the busy festive season. It's likely to cause delays to multiple air services across Sydney, Melbourne, Avalon, Brisbane, Cairns and Adelaide airports. https://twitter.com/TWUAus/status/1202747636492582913 The TWU is at loggerheads with Jetstar after failed negotiations with the airline that sought to secure a number of demands for employees – like more rest breaks, annual wage increases of four percent and a guaranteed 30 hours of work a week. TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine said that "disappointingly, Jetstar have rejected the vast majority of the workers' demands outright". Jetstar, however, says the impact of the TWU action is likely to be "minimal" as it would involve "less than half" of its regular ground staff. In a statement released today, Jetstar's Group CEO Gareth Evans said that the company has offered a three percent annual wage increase to the union. Perhaps more disruptive will be the AFAP strike, which could leave planes without anyone to actually fly them. Evans has said that Jetstar will "do everything [it] can" to minimise disruptions to passengers — but noting that "customers may face delays and cancelled flights if the union choose to take industrial action". Of course, this news doesn't mean that the strikes will necessarily happen — if the unions are able to reach an agreement with Jetstar in the meantime, it could be called off. No dates have been set yet, be'll let you know as soon as there is.
Take one secret Sydney location and one celebrated Perrier mixologist, and what do you have? Concrete Playground’s first covert cocktail, that’s what, brought to you from one of Sydney’s best kept hideaways: Wendy’s Secret Garden. Tomas Vikario is a beverage innovation manager and top mixologist from Croatia. He divides his time between New Zealand and Australia, working on new cocktail ideas for brands like Perrier. “The source was discovered a long time ago by the Romans,” Tomas tells us, “and today, it’s an iconic brand found in many of the world’s best bars and restaurants. Perrier, is great for mixology, because of the long-lasting bubbles. It’s 100% natural, from volcanic soil.” The mixologist, who is a little like the Adriano Zumbo of cocktail making, has been creating innovative drinks for 18 years in Europe and Australasia. He loves to travel, and says that he likes to take inspiration from the places he visits and convert the aromas and flavours from a place into a drink. For the first in a series of new cocktail recipes for Concrete Playground, Tomas is making a ‘Perrier Tea Break’ in the luscious surround of Wendy’s Secret Garden, Lavender Bay (here's a map). A formerly derelict space, owned by NSW Rail Corp, the public space was restored by Australian artist Wendy Whiteley, widow and former muse of the Archibald Prize-winning painter Brett Whiteley. Wendy removed old train carriages and dumped waste, creating a truly hidden spot that anyone can visit, at any time. After heading down the secluded path into the gardens, Tomas found a spot in the sun, overlooking Sydney Harbour, to show us how to make a ‘Perrier Tea Break’. “It’s like a garden,” he says, “oranges, apples and lemon... It’s easy to make and it’s romantic. I can imagine two people escaping to this garden, hiding away, and enjoying something like this. It’s very refreshing; perfect for a hot day.” In his picnic basket: 1 orange1 lemonOrange blossom water, or essential orange oil330ml bottle of Perrier water (chilled)Apple flavoured vodka (optional) Step 1 First, peel approximately 4cm of the zest of an orange. Using a knife, score the zest length-ways, then twist and squeeze over a glass or cup to release the fruit’s oils and aroma. (To look like a true pro, swirl the zest along the rim of the glass before popping it in the bottom of the cup). Step 2 Peel and score the zest of a lemon. Twist and squeeze the lemon zest, as with the orange in step one, to release the fruit’s oils and aroma. Place the lemon zest in a teapot or glass container. Step 3 Add two drops of orange blossom water, or essential orange oil, in to the teapot. If you don't have a nifty measuring pipette like Tomas, one or two teaspoons will work just as well. Step 4 Add one 330ml bottle of Perrier water and stir. For the best results, ensure the Perrier is chilled. (Perfect! No need to pack the ice). Step 5 (optional) To take this refreshing mocktail to a cocktail, simply add 60ml of flavoured vodka. Tomas uses Smirnoff’s apple vodka to create a his Perrier Tea Break, but he also recommends Belvedere orange or lemon flavoured vodkas. Enjoy! Finally, kick back and enjoy this refreshing, clean and fruity drink with sweet treats and sunshine. A glorious garden picnic!
The end of winter is finally within sight, but that doesn't mean the weather isn't still ripe for a comforting midweek feast. With this in mind, much-loved bakery Fabbrica Bread Shop is indulging your carb-loaded dreams, hosting a brand-new weekly Lasagna Night across three locations every Wednesday throughout August. Perfect for those chilly evenings where the last thing you want to do is cook, pasta lovers are invited to pre-order a selection of house-made lasagne, salads and sides from Fabbrica locations in Rozelle, Coogee and Sydney CBD. With the team taking care of all the prep, just collect your food before heading home to enjoy. The menu is teeming with Italian delights, with the classic lasagne — layered with Fabbrica's signature pasta sheets and slow-cooked beef ragù — an obvious choice. Meanwhile, the 'nduja alla vodka lasagne with a spicy, vodka-infused tomato sauce, or a veggie spinach and ricotta lasagne with house-made cacio e pepe sauce, makes an easygoing Wednesday night just a little special. With each lasagna available in serving sizes for two or four people, letting the crew at Fabbrica take care of your dinner plans is a wise decision, whether you're catering for the family or putting together a stress-free date night. Of course, there are sides to elevate your feast further, with sourdough garlic bread and two salads — a zesty mixed leaf option and a hearty chickpea and feta number — ensuring your home feast leaves you zonked on the couch. Did we mention there's tiramisu, too? Yet this feast isn't just aimed at home-diners. Fabbrica Bread Shop in Rozelle is welcoming walk-ins from 4–6.45pm, giving guests the chance to relish an early feast and make it home with time to spare before bed. Just know, if you're planning to pre-order, the cut-off time for each Wednesday night session is 11.55pm on the Monday prior, with collection time slots available at the three locations from 4pm–6.45pm on Wednesday afternoons. Founded in the CBD by the brains behind spots like Ragazzi and Love, Tilly Divine in 2020, Fabbrica's blue-and-white hue has spread across Sydney. With pasta bars rolled out in Newtown, Darlinghurst and Chatswood, the Fabbrica Bread Shop offshoot has also made waves, with Rozelle and Coogee stores brimming with classic and inventive baked goods. Swing by to pick up your lasagne, and don't forget to say ciao. Fabbrica Bread Shop's Lasagne Night is on every Wednesday throughout August. Pre-orders must be placed the Monday prior by 11.55pm, while the Rozelle location is open for walk-ins on Wednesdays from 4–6.45pm. Head to the website for more information.
Hosting pre-drinks can be a lot of pressure. The playlist has got to be on point and create the right vibe. The snacks need to be that perfect mix between 'line your stomach' and 'small enough to eat with one hand while straightening hair'. And the drinks have to be knockouts because they're kind of like the marker for the night ahead; pick a great drink, you're in for an even greater night. And you can't go past prosecco; The dramatic 'pop' will immediately liven up the crowd, and the versatile Italian bubbly can be enjoyed on its own or heroed in a bunch of tasty cocktails. (And no, not just in a spritz.) To make sure you serve up some real humdingers, we've partnered with the prosecco masters at Dal Zotto Wines and crafted five prosecco cocktail recipes to try before your next night out. Bottoms up, bubble lovers. PASSION PIT Let this be our little secret... This cocktail is like a fancy, adults-only version of Passiona. It tastes just like an Aussie summer (read: pavlova and bubbly). — 70g castor sugar — 70ml lemon juice — 70ml triple sec — pulp from 4 passionfruits — 1 bottle of Dal Zotto prosecco, chilled (serves four to six) Mix together the lemon juice and sugar, dissolving it as best you can. Next add the triple sec and passionfruit pulp. Pour the mixture over a couple of ice-filled glasses, then top up with chilled prosecco. Garnish with passionfruit, mint and pineapple. You'll be feeling higher and higher in no time. EL LOCO Forget frozen margaritas — it's all about sparkling margaritas, amigos. This fizzy twist on the classic will send your mates loco in all the right ways. Cocktail: — 90ml blanco tequila — 90ml triple sec — 120ml chilled simple syrup (recipe below) — 240ml lime juice — 1 bottle of Dal Zotto prosecco, chilled — coarse salt — lime wedges Simple syrup: — 250 ml water — 250 ml castor sugar (serves six to eight) First, you need to make the simple syrup which is, well, super simple to make. Grab a medium saucepan and over medium-high heat stir together the sugar and water until all the granules have dissolved. Allow to cool to room temperature and then chill in the fridge. Next, add the tequila, chilled simple syrup, triple sec and lime juice into a cocktail shaker along with a good handful of ice, then give it a good shake. Grab your tumblers — or margarita glasses, if you've got 'em — and run a lime wedge around the rim of each glass before dipping them into a small plate of course salt. Add a handful of ice to each glass and divide the tequila mixture among the glasses. Finally, top with a wedge of lime and a splash of prosecco for that all-important fizz. PRINCESS PEACH Just like everybody's favourite crown-wearing Mario Kart character, this tipple is sweet yet punchy and will always score first place. — 2 ripe peaches, seeded and diced — 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice — 1 teaspoon sugar — 1 bottle of Dal Zotto prosecco, chilled (serves six) Chuck the peaches, lemon juice and sugar into your trusty food processor, and blend until smooth. Pass the mixture through a sieve and get rid of all the chunky peach bits. Place 2 tablespoons of the puree into each champagne glass and top with well-chilled prosecco. Yeah, Peach has got it! LEMON DROP This cocktail is a riff on those zingy, sherbert-filled lollies you probably ate as a kid. And it's got two Italian heavy-hitters, limoncello and prosecco, so you know it's going to be good. — 1 bottle of Dal Zotto prosecco, chilled — 250ml limoncello, chilled — blueberries — thyme — lemon slices (serves four) Pour the prosecco and limoncello into a jug and stir together. Next, press your lemon slices into the bottom of a large highball glass (a hurricane or sling will work equally well), top with ice and fill with the prosecco mixture. For added pizzazz, garnish with thyme and blueberries. PURPLE RAIN Just like Prince, this tipple is kinda strange but, also, utter genius. If it were to change its name to a symbol it would be an exclamation mark, because it's that delicious. Cocktail: — 1/4 cup blackberries — 90ml blackberry syrup (recipe below) — juice from one lime — mint — 120ml light rum — 1 bottle of Dal Zotto prosecco, chilled Blackberry syrup: — 2 tablespoons water — 1 cup blackberries — 1/3 cup granulated sugar (serves two) First, you'll need to whip up the blackberry syrup. In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, mash together the sugar, blackberries and water. Once the mixture is thick and the sugar dissolved, pass it through a fine mesh strainer and let it chill. Add the blackberry syrup, blackberries, lime and a handful of mint to a cocktail shaker and muddle well. Next, chuck in the rum and a few ice cubes and shake it like you mean it. Strain the mixture into martini glasses and top with chilled prosecco and fresh blueberries or blackberries. Then, get ready to party like it's 1999. Keen for more fizz? Visit Dal Zotto for a glass of bubbly perfection. And once you're there, share your first Dal Zotto drink experience to Instagram and hashtag #FirstDZ to go in the running to win a year's worth of Dal Zotto prosecco and many more weekly prizes.
Come Friday, May 5, 2023's Archibald Prize winner will be unveiled. Whoever emerges victorious, the award's just-announced finalists have already made history. This is Australia's most prestigious portrait prize, is now in its 102nd year and hands out $100,000 to its annual winner. And, it took until this year for more women than men to be make the final list of contenders. In total, 949 entries were received, with 57 artists named as finalists. They include 30 by women and 27 by men. One such piece: Packing Room Prize recipient Clown Jewels, a portrait of New Zealand-born comedian Cal Wilson painted by Perth-born, Cairns-based artist Andrea Huelin — who picked up the gong with her first Archibald Prize entry. [caption id="attachment_898390" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Packing Room Prize 2023 winner, Andrea Huelin 'Clown jewels', oil on board, 120.2 x 120.1 cm © the artist, image © Art Gallery of New South Wales, Jenni Carter. Sitter: Cal Wilson.[/caption] The Packing Room Prize is picked by three members of the Art Gallery of New South Wales' packing room team, hence the name: Timothy Dale, Monica Rudhar and Alexis Wildman in 2023. "Andrea's work jumped out at us as soon as it arrived. The bright colours really popped, and we immediately recognised Cal as a familiar face," said Wildman. "Cal's been such a mainstay on Australian television for two decades. We love the interesting pose and unique headwear and, in the tradition of the Packing Room Prize, Andrea's painting looks like Cal! This is a great, joyful portrait of someone who has brought so much laughter to Australia." [caption id="attachment_898395" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Packing Room Prize 2023 winner Andrea Huelin 'Clown jewels', featured with prize judges (left to right) Tim Dale, Monica Rudhar and Alexis Wildman, at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, photo © Art Gallery of New South Wales, Diana Panuccio.[/caption] "Being a finalist is everything I could have hoped for. Winning the Packing Room Prize is simply gobsmacking," advised Huelin. "I was inspired to paint Cal because her Instagram posts modelling her brilliant homemade headpieces on her makeshift stage made me laugh out loud. Her poses reminded me of my sister and me making ourselves laugh by pulling funny faces in the mirror as kids and I could tell we share a similar sense of humour. I posted a congratulatory comment and Cal wrote back and admired my paintings, so I asked if she'd sit for a portrait." "Cal brought her creativity and imagination to the sitting, as well as a suitcase full of headpieces and outfits. Because I'm a still life painter, I thought the headpieces were a great way for me to incorporate a still life element into the portrait. The formal portrait mocks the 19th-century style in which women were once painted, while capturing her cheeky expression and sparkly headpiece, which is actually just arts and crafts," Huelin continued. [caption id="attachment_898394" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Archibald Prize 2023 finalist, Matt Adnate 'Echoes of a teenage superstar', spray paint and acrylic on linen, 198 x 198 cm © the artist, image © Art Gallery of New South Wales, Jenni Carter. Sitter: Daniel Johns.[/caption] Alongside Clown Jewels, 2023's finalists include portraits of plenty of famous faces, Claudia Karvan, Sam Neill, Archie Roach, Noni Hazlehurst and Daniel Johns included. The latter comes courtesy of muralist Matt Adnate, and also marks his first Archibald entry. If you'd like to see all of the above, and the rest of 2023's finalists, they'll all be on display at the Art Gallery of NSW in Sydney from Saturday, May 6–Sunday, September 3. And, they'll have company from works shortlisted for the venue's similarly coveted Wynne and Sulman prizes. The Wynne received 726 entries, with 41 named as finalists, while the Sulman received 673 entries, naming 45 as final contenders. [caption id="attachment_898396" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Archibald Prize 2023 finalist, Anh Do 'Seeing Ruby', oil on linen, 240.4 x 200.3 cm © the artist, image © Art Gallery of New South Wales, Jenni Carter. Sitter: Archie Roach.[/caption] In total, 2348 works tried their luck across the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman prizes, making this year's pool the second largest ever, beaten only by 2020's. And, 2023 notched up another history-making stat: the highest-ever total number of entries by Aboriginal artists across the three prizes. Speculation about who will be awarded the coveted Archibald Prize — and, more often than not, the Archibald winner itself — usually causes much-heated debate. From 2018's five-time Archibald finalist Yvette Coppersmith's first win to Tony Costa's 2019 victory with his painting of fellow artist Lindy Lee — the first portrait of an Asian Australian to pick up the prize — it's hard a prize to pick. All that's really assured is that it'll be a portrait of a person by an Australian-based artist. [caption id="attachment_898397" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Archibald Prize 2023 finalist, Laura Jones 'Claudia (the GOAT)', oil and acrylic on canvas, 198.2 x 152.6 cm © the artist, image © Art Gallery of New South Wales, Jenni Carter. Sitter: Claudia Karvan.[/caption] In 2020, Vincent Namatjira's portrait of Adam Goodes did the honours, and also marked the first time the award has gone to an Indigenous artist. In 2021, Peter Wegner's portrait of fellow artist Guy Warren nabbed the gong. And in 2022, it was Blak Douglas' portrait of artist Karla Dickens in the Lismore floods that came out on top. Whoever earns the nod for 2023's Archibald, there's still another award up for grabs afterwards. If you don't agree with the judges, you can cast your own vote for People's Choice, which will be announced on Wednesday, August 9. [caption id="attachment_898398" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Archibald Prize 2023 finalist, James Powditch 'Sam I Am', acrylic on paper and board, 200 x 240 cm © the artist, image © Art Gallery of New South Wales, Jenni Carter. Sitter: Sam Neill.[/caption] ARCHIBALD PRIZE 2023 DATES: Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney, NSW — May 6–September 3, 2023 Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery, Victoria — September 15–November 5, 2023 South East Centre for Contemporary Art, Bega, NSW — November 18, 2023—January 7, 2024 Goulburn Regional Art Gallery, NSW — January 19–March 10, 2024 Hawkesbury Regional Gallery, NSW — March 15–April 28, 2024 Tamworth Regional Gallery, NSW — May 11–June 23, 2024 Glasshouse Port Macquarie, NSW — July 5–August 18, 2024 If you can't make it to any of the above dates, you can check out the award winners and finalists of the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman prizes on the Art Gallery of NSW website. Top image: Excerpt of Packing Room Prize 2023 winner, Andrea Huelin 'Clown jewels', oil on board, 120.2 x 120.1 cm © the artist, image © Art Gallery of New South Wales, Jenni Carter. Sitter: Cal Wilson.
Last time you spent a couple of days hanging out in Surfers Paradise, enjoying the beach and bars, and listening to live tunes by the shore, you might've been attending Schoolies. Your next excuse: Springtime, the brand new music fest that's heading to the Gold Coast this year. Obviously, thanks to the name, you know which season will be in bloom. Between Friday, September 3–Sunday, September 5, the new event will take over both beachside and streetside spaces around Surfers, with over 40 acts on the bill. There'll be multiple stages, including in outside spots and at sideshow venues. And, in fantastic news for your wallet, entry to all of the outdoor shows is completely free. If you're planning to make a weekend of it, the lack of entry fee means you'll have more cash to splash on a hotel room. With Australia's tourism industry taking a hit over the past year or so, enticing music lovers to the Goldie for a three-day getaway is obviously one of the fest's aims. Some sideshows might be ticketed, though — the details haven't been announced yet, but you might want to factor that into your plans. As for who you'll be seeing, headliners include Ball Park Music on the Friday, Hermitude and Sneaky Sound System on Saturday, and Ruel on Sunday. The Gold Coast Music Awards will be part of the fest as well — as will celebrating spring's arrival just by soaking in the location, obviously. [caption id="attachment_815054" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Derek Henderson[/caption] SPRINGTIME MUSIC FESTIVAL 2021 LINEUP: FRIDAY: Ball Park Music Psychedelic Porn Crumpets Ali Barter Radolescent Vices SATURDAY: Hermitude Sneaky Sound System Gold Coast Music Awards JK-47 Ninajiraci Mia Rodriguez Ebony Boadu Mollie Rose Garrett Kato Lili Papas Daste Gratis Minds Akurei Jake Carmody Strex Happy Hour Live with Lucy & Nikki SUNDAY: Ruel Sycco May-A Budjerah Ivey Peach Fur DVNA Saint Lane Pink Matter Kye Pure Milk Tom West Chutney Sh#t Shirt Disco Nina Sinclair Veople Springtime Music Festival will take place across the weekend of Friday, September 3–Sunday, September 5. For further information — and to RSVP — head to the festival website.
Sydneysiders get short-changed when it comes to winter. Sure, its perfectly pleasant, but we miss out on actual winter, when temperatures plummet into the minuses. Waking up to a blanket of fresh white snow outside your window. Strolling around quaint European Christmas markets, clutching a comforting mug of gluhwein to your chest as you try to absorb all the heat that you can get. There's something special about feeling so cold that you're not entirely sure if your toes are still attached to your feet. Now we can have the best of both worlds with the Sydney Winter Festival at Darling Harbour. As of June 13, we can appreciate all that is winter without having to worry about the potential frostbitten feet that accompany it. Options are numerous. The event is a smidge bigger than winter festivals past — there's an ice-skating rink, food stalls from the likes of Eat Art Truck, an après skate lounge and beer garden, a giant inflatable 'Thredbo snow' slide and floating Lindt zorb balls. Finally, a way to eat all the Lindt chocolate you can handle and then float around in a giant plastic bubble in Darling Harbour. So, fellow winter enthusiasts, don your warmest beanie, down a gluhwein (or three) and go wrest Darling Harbour back from the tourists.
It's baaaaack! That celebration of all things punani, foo foo and vagina with one message — love your lady parts. Philip Werner's photographic exhibition 101 Vagina is en route to the TAP Gallery as part of the Sydney Fringe Festival so "get your bits out, they're all fine" (if you watch the promo video that should make more sense). The last incarnation of 101 Vagina back in June at Redfern's 107 Projects was met with a flurry of complaints. Police ordered the floor-to-ceiling windows at the entry to the building covered to protect the eyes of unwitting passers-by, and disappointed vagina lovers responded by heaping on yet more love. Expect an even greater turnout to this iteration of 101 Vagina, which launches with a night of spoken word performance, talks from a #vaginasoit editor and sex educator and therapist Nikki Goldstein, Vaginal Mary Confessional (confess your sins to a living breathing vagina), Vagina Crafternoon and a vagina soap display. Vagina! The exhibition is from Werner's coffee-table book of the same name, which features black-and-white stills of full-frontal vaginas and accompanying messages from the subjects. The show will be up for three days at 107 Projects in a bid to not only celebrate but redirect the plight of the forgotten vagina. Tied up in all kinds of taboos, mandatory porno airbrushing and a dramatic increase in labiaplasty, it sounds like the old girls could use a breath of fresh air. So feel free to giggle, scream or get naked (but don't say it came from me).
These days, living in a beautiful home doesn't mean you need to have a massive backyard and dozens of bedrooms. The success of the tiny house movement has proven that you can have a wonderfully designed, sustainable home parked just about anywhere. To keep you up-to-date with the latest innovations taking place in the industry, Australian bathroom designer Caroma is hosting a Tiny House Expo in its Sydney showroom. Running from Thursday, April 11 to Sunday, April 14, this event will provide an up-close look at why considering a tiny house makes sense — especially once you factor in the reduced costs and cutting-edge design (that still includes all the amenities you need). Saturday will feature the presentation of three Tiny House makeovers designed around the themes of luxury for less, boho chic and coastal living. Visitors can admire just how flexible these spaces can be and get top tips on renovation and design from field leaders, including renovation expert Naomi Findlay. Meanwhile, there'll also be a sprawling plant sale and a variety of activities happening across the four-day expo, from free talks on composting to DIY workshops on terrariums, kokedama (hanging moss gardens) and even paraben-free bath bombs. Tiny House Expo is free to attend (but some workshops incur a cost). For more information on the program and to register for a workshop, head this way. Images: Jacquie Manning.
Marvel fans, it's time to get witchy. Agatha Harkness is back and she has a quest in her sights, plus a new posse of pals helping the MCU's latest small-screen series get spooky. A spinoff from WandaVision, Agatha All Along was announced back in 2021, then locked in its exact September 2024 release date earlier this year — and now Disney+ has conjured up the first teaser trailer for the eagerly awaited show. Kathryn Hahn (Tiny Beautiful Things) is also back as the series' namesake, starting the just-dropped sneak peek without her powers; however, that situation doesn't last long. First, Aubrey Plaza (Scott Pilgrim Takes Off) is on hand for a Parks and Recreation reunion, and to point out the bind that Agatha is in. Then, there's a goth teen, a magical gauntlet of trials and the promise of rewards — with the assistance from a coven of chaos. Joining Hahn and Plaza in the series: Joe Locke (Heartstopper), Patti LuPone (Beau Is Afraid), Sasheer Zamata (Unfrosted), Emma Caulfield Ford (a Buffy the Vampire Slayer alum) and Debra Jo Rupp (That '90s Show). Behind the scenes, Jac Schaeffer (Black Widow) returns from bringing WandaVision to the screen to run the show and direct the pilot instalment. For fans, this series really has been Agatha All Along thanks to the Emmy-winning tune that everyone who saw the character's first on-screen appearance has had stuck in their heads ever since — and again now — but the program has gone through a few monikers. House of Harkness, Coven of Chaos and Darkhold Diaries, this won't be, though, when it hits streaming queues from Thursday, September 19, 2024. If nothing else joins the Marvel television slate between now and then, that'll make Agatha All Along just the second Marvel Cinematic Universe TV series of the year, after Echo (by design, with the Mouse House noting several times that it wants to better space out its releases). When the MCU made the leap to Disney+ back in 2021, WandaVision was the first program to arrive. It also finally made everyone take notice of the always-great Hahn, who stole every scene she was in each and every time that she popped up — hence Agatha All Along getting the green light. Obviously, WandaVision was about Wanda and Vision, with Avengers: Endgame's Elizabeth Olsen (Love & Death) and Paul Bettany (A Very British Scandal) reprising their roles. But Hahn played a significant part as neighbour-slash-witch Agatha, even nabbing an Emmy nomination for her efforts. So, because she was such a fan favourite, Disney magicked her up her own show. Check out the first trailer for Agatha All Along below: Agatha All Along will stream via Disney+ from Thursday, September 19, 2024. Read our review of WandaVision. Images: courtesy of Marvel Television. © 2024 MARVEL.
Bundeena, the quaint peninsula suburb located across the water from Cronulla, is accessible via only two routes: a winding drive through the Royal National Park, or a ferry trip from Cronulla Wharf. There's something so charming about the Bundeena Ferry. Which makes sense, considering it has been in operation since 1939, making it the oldest ferry running to a timetable in Australia. If you grow up in the Shire, it is iconic — you'll no doubt spend many weekends making the journey only to spend the day jumping into the water from Bundeena Wharf. For the less adventurous, the 20-minute trip, which costs $7.40 for adults and $3.70 for kids, will take you on a pleasant tour of Cronulla's waterways (including the opportunity to check out the locals' boats) and then deposit you in sleepy Bundeena, where you can spend the day swimming, bush walking and keeping an eye out for the local deer population. If you're planning a hiking trip in the Royal National Park, take the train to your starting point and hike north to Bundeena to include a ferry trip in your outdoor adventure and your ride home. Images: Mel Koutchavlis
Sampha started out writing killer tunes for some of the biggest names in hip hop, from Drake and Solange to Kanye and Frank Ocean — and a whole heap more in between. His solo debut came out earlier this year, and is already being touted as the album to beat in this year's UK Mercury Prize. It's not an easy sound to categorise, and maybe that's what makes Sampha's smooth vocals laid over eclectic synths, pads, and drums so darn appealing. The London native is making the trek over for two intimate nights at the Opera House as part of Vivid Sydney 2017. These tickets are bound to be some of the most sought-after at the festival this year.
There was a big, fat question mark hanging over the future of The Midnight Shift after its closure in 2017, but the beloved gay bar has been bought by Sydney group Universal Hotels and resurrected. Things are a little different, though. For one, the new venue is now called Universal, with the new owners leaving the name to rest in peace. "Universal [is] an evolution of the Midnight Shift, rather than a revolution," explained owner Jim Kospetas. He also confirmed that the group — which conducted an online survey to gauge what the community wanted them to do with the venue — plans to respect the "special role that it has played for the LGBTIQA+ community" and continue its long-held legacy of inclusivity. The venue launched with a huge three-day opening party, and is continuing to host late-night dance sessions every Friday and Saturday night. Running till 4am, the parties change weekly, with ones like FAB, featuring live performances, DJs and drag shows; Satori, with a healthy dose of creativity in all forms; and a disco-, funk- and house-filled Midnight Discotheque making regular appearances. The venue also partnered with Heaps Gay for its big launch party, so you may see them pop up a few more times in the future, too.
When The Kid LAROI was named as SXSW Sydney 2024's music keynote speaker, simply chatting about his career was never going to be his only contribution to the festival. Upon dropping that news, it was also revealed that the globally famous star would develop professional development workshops and performance opportunities for Waterloo and Redfern's First Nations communities as part of this year's event. Here's something related on the list: presenting and introducing a showcase of First Nations talent in Tumbalong Park's free program. With SXSW Sydney's 2024 dates fast approaching — this year's fest runs from Monday, October 14–Sunday, October 20 — the event's team is still expanding the music lineup. The First Nations show will take place on Saturday, October 19 after The Kid LAROI's conference chat. Triple J Unearthed and Blak Out are behind the gig as well. Music lovers can also now look forward to catching the UK's ENNY, O. and The Lottery Winners; South Africa's Moonchild Sanelly; Buffalo Hunt and Walker Lukens from the US; homegrown talents Ngaiire, Anieszka, Devaura, Dyan Tai, Ella Ion, Jude York, Keelan Mak, Sex Mask and Wet Kiss. They've all been added to a roster of acts that'll take over 25 stages over seven days, and that's been announcing names for months now. Similarly new to the bill: that KRSNA, KAVYA, Yung Raja and Mali from India, plus Manara from the UK, will get behind the mic at +91 Calling, also in Tumbalong Park. The gig focuses on tunes from talents out of India and from the Indian diaspora. [caption id="attachment_974070" align="alignnone" width="1920"] ChantelleKP[/caption] If you're keen to attend the opening party for the SXSW Sydney Music Festival, it's locked in for Tuesday, October 15 with Voice of Baceprot and 2Touch at The Underground. And if you're eager for parties and showcases presented by Laneway Presents, Astral People, fbi.radio and more, they're now on the lineup, too. SXSW Sydney 2024 started revealing its program details back in May, and has kept growing it since. A further announcement arrived in June, then not one, not two, but three more in July — and also another, focusing on the free hub at Tumbalong Park, at the beginning of August. Since then, more music acts, more speakers, The Kid LAROI's involvement, and two rounds of Screen Festival titles have also been added. Accordingly, no one can say that they don't have anything to see when SXSW Sydney makes its eagerly awaited comeback. SXSW Sydney 2024 will run from Monday, October 14–Sunday, October 20 at various Sydney venues. Head to the SXSW Sydney website for further details. SXSW Sydney images: Peter McMillan, Jordan Kirk, Jess Gleeson and Ian Laidlaw.
Sorry, supermarket desserts. When Gelato Messina serves up one of its special treats, no one's hitting the local ice cream aisle. 2023's limited-edition wares have included everything from red velvet gelato, cake and fudge mixes to a mango gelato spin on Iced Vovos — plus a Neapolitan version of its super-fancy Viennetta, too — and are now gifting folks with a sweet tooth a tub of gianduia gelato topped with hazelnut rocher crack. If your ultimate chocolate is round, covered in gold wrapping and has a crunchy hazelnut centre — yes, we're talking about Ferrero Rocher — then we expect that you'll be keen for this Messina special, dubbed the Get Cracking hot tub. Clearly taking its cues from the famed Italian chocolate, the tubs feature layers of gianduia (chocolate-hazelnut) gelato, cone crunch and hazelnut mousse. Then, on top: that hazelnut rocher crack. The end result mightn't look exactly like the chocolates that you know and love, just in a scoopable form, but it's an ode all the same. Available as part of Messina's 'Hot Tub' series, the Get Cracking gelato can only be ordered online on Monday, August 7, in one-litre tubs. You can then go into your chosen Messina store to pick up your tub between Friday, August 11–Sunday, August 13. A note re ordering: because Messina's specials always attract plenty of gelato lovers, the chain now staggers its on-sale times depending on the state — and, in Sydney, also the part of town you're in. Accordingly, pre-orders commence in Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory at 9am, then hit Victoria at 9.15am, before spreading its New South Wales stores over three slots between 9.30–10am. Gelato Messina's Get Cracking hot tub will be available to order on Monday, August 7, for pick up between Friday, August 11–Sunday, August 13 — head to the Messina website for further details.
As you're (hopefully) well aware, the season of celebrating all things Mum is mere days away. If you've got a mother in your life who can be a bit trickier to book for on Mother's Day, how about a fried chicken feed that's a hot bucket of finger-licking fun? That opportunity doesn't come around often, but it just so happens to be the occasion taking over the Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel on the big day (Sunday, May 11, if you're yet to mark your calendars). This is the world's first KFC Habanero High Tea. It's the time and place to give back to mums who love a bit of spice and childlike fun. Mums are the guests of honour, and their cliques are welcome too. A DJ will play Mum's favourites all afternoon long, while a crispy menu of fried chicken and the like occupies the tables. Drinks will be flowing to wash down KFC's Popcorn Chicken, nuggets, chips, and the new limited-time Habanero Hot & Crispy, with plenty of other delicious treats available. Tickets are on sale now for $50 per person, and must be purchased in pairs. Who would dare send their mum to a Mother's Day lunch alone? All ticket proceeds will go towards Aussie youth's mental health and wellbeing, through the KFC Youth Foundation, Black Dog Institute and ReachOut Australia.
Just as summer kicks into gear, Sydneysiders now have another excuse to hit the water, with GoBoat finally splashing into the city. Since 2014, the Denmark-born company has been busy launching its eco-friendly picnic boats all over Europe, as well as in Canberra, Melbourne, the Gold Coast and Brisbane — and now, from Wednesday, December 15, it's sailing up the Parramatta River from Cabarita Point as well. Aimed at making the whole boating caper more accessible for everyday folk, the Scandinavian-designed vessels are slow-moving, a breeze to operate and don't require a boating licence, making for some fun, fuss-free sailing sessions. In a win for the planet, they also run on silent, pollution-free, electric engines, and are crafted from a mix of reclaimed timber and recycled PET bottles. Each of the contemporary GoBoats clocks in at 18-feet long, boasting a central picnic table with room for eight people (and all the necessary snacks and booze). And despite what you might be thinking, they're even affordable enough to fit your budget — simply BYO food and drinks, find enough eager sailors to jump aboard and a GoBoat session will you less than $17 per person, per hour. That's $129 hourly in total. [caption id="attachment_701554" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lean Timms[/caption] Available to hire for up to five hours at a time, GoBoat's Sydney fleet can sail as far as Cockatoo Island — and before you hit the water, you'll receive a safety briefing and demonstration. All boats are speed-limited, too, and obviously decked out with safety equipment including life jackets. The vesssels are family-friendly and, in even more exciting news, they're also pet-friendly. Surely you've got a very good boy who deserves a river jaunt this summer. Find GoBoat Sydney at Cabarita Point, 138 Cabarita Road, Cabarita. For more information or to make a booking, visit the service's website.
Next time you walk through Barangaroo Reserve in Sydney's inner city, you'll be Welcomed to Country — but not in the traditional way. A large-scale video installation that honours and reimagines the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ceremony has popped up at the entrance to the Cutaway. In honour of its namesake Kamaraygal heroine, Barangaroo has commissioned and unveiled the giant audiovisual piece. Opened on May 30, Wellama (meaning "to come back") was created by Walbanga and Wadi Wadi artist Alison Page and director Nik Lachajczak. It celebrates the rich history of the Eora Nation and its significant cultural rituals, which date back thousands of years. The film's narrative follows Barangaroo and a young Eora fisherwoman, as the former guides the latter through womanhood. It takes place both in the past and in modern day Sydney, during which Barangaroo teaches traditional medicinal practices to the young woman, recognising the depth of knowledge and commitment to land that is ever present among Aboriginal cultures. The work was inspired by the early paintings by Eora People in Sydney Harbour, which are an important cultural reference for the local Indigenous Australian communities of today. [caption id="attachment_726106" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anna Kucera[/caption] "It's important to remember that the Sydney foreshore was ground zero for the devastation of our culture," says Page in a statement. "Therefore, I think it's up to us to also make it ground zero for the healing of culture. The artwork is a reclamation of that culture and a reflection of the strengthening of our identity and the cultural revival we are seeing across Australia." The ten-minute video will remain on a continuous loop — an acknowledgement of the "unbroken and infinite" nature of time — so you can stop by anytime from 8am–8pm daily. But Wellama has only been commissioned through May 2020, so don't wait on it for too long. Wellama is screening until May 30, 2020 at the Barangaroo Reserve. It is free to watch, with no bookings required. For more information, visit the website. Images: Anna Kucera
Thanks to social distancing restrictions, we're having to take a break from some of our favourite food experiences right now, from mimosa-matched bottomless brunches, to sit-down dinners at actual restaurants. But at least in the meantime, you can get your culinary fix delivered via soundwave, by tuning into one of the many podcasts dedicated to life's tastiest of pleasures — food. Whether you're hungry for some fun food history facts, or fancy tucking into an interview with one of Australia's hospitality legends, we've pulled together a menu of food podcasts to satisfy all your culinary cravings. And, unlike a visit to your favourite fine diner, these won't require you to change out of your trackies. Get downloading and whet your appetite with a few of these audio gems. DEEP IN THE WEEDS For an especially timely, locally focused food fix, try this new podcast headed up by restaurant critic and food journalist Anthony Huckstep. A real no-holds-barred look at the impact COVID-19's had on the Australian hospitality industry, Deep In The Weeds is dishing up honest conversations with a range of chefs, restaurateurs, producers and other hospo folk who are riding the storm. You'll get insight into the many issues currently facing our venues and their staff, and learn about the creative plays being made in an effort to help keep things afloat, sitting down with names like Jacqui Challinor (Nomad), Rockpool's Neil Perry, Attila Yilmaz (Pazar Food Collective) and Colin Fassnidge (4Fourteen, Banksia). HOME COOKING WITH SAMIN NOSRAT Born in response to the world's newfound passion for kitchen projects — thanks, COVID-19 — Home Cooking is the new podcast from chef Samin Nosrat (star of Netflix's Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat) and producer Hrishikesh Hirway (Song Exploder). As the name suggests, it's designed to be the ultimate companion to your home cooking adventures, no matter where your skill levels are (or aren't) at. These affable hosts will help you whip up culinary success with whatever random ingredients you've got lying in the pantry, turning the everyday basics into inspired food creations. You might learn how to transform those tinned beans into something fab, or find an unexpected use for that less-than-fresh loaf. Best of all, Nosrat and Hirway are even taking audience requests for upcoming episode topics. THE UNBEARABLE LIGHTNESS OF BEING HUNGRY Aussie food journalist Lee Tran Lam hosts this largely Sydney-centric podcast, where each episode features a sit-down with a different local food legend, the program ranging from star chefs to renowned restaurateurs. You'll hear tales from the industry frontline, behind-the-scenes goss and plenty of colourful personal back stories, interspersed with hot tips on all the city's (and Melbourne's) best spots for eating and drinking. Seafood maestro Josh Niland (Saint Peter), celebrated chef Monty Koludrovic (Icebergs Dining Room, The Dolphin) and croissant queen Kate Reid of Lune are just some of the high-profile names to be found among this rich back catalogue. A worthy antidote for anyone who's missing dining out. RADIO CHERRY BOMBE A big ol' celebration of the boss ladies that have helped make our food scene what it is. Radio Cherry Bombe is an audio spin-off of the US magazine of the same name, now with over 270 episodes under its belt. That juicy back catalogue is brimming with inspiring stories about the industry's clever, creative female talent, starring guests ranging from chefs and cookbook authors, to food stylists and gutsy entrepreneurs. Get up close and personal with the likes of best-selling writer and activist Yasmin Khan, Canadian cake queen Lyndsay Sung (Coko Cake Land), cereal artist Jessica Siskin (aka Misterkrisp) and loads more. And if you tune in to recent episodes, you'll get the low-down on how some of our female hospo heroes are handling the global pandemic. GASTROPOD What kind of food crops might we one day be able to grow in outer space? How did liquorice become England's first branded candy? What the heck are blue raspberries and where did they come from? They're the kind of quirky questions you'll find answers to over at long-running podcast Gastropod, which aims to sate your inner foodie, history buff and science nerd, all at once. Co-hosts Cynthia Graber and Nicola Twilley take listeners on a series of fun, investigative journeys, with each of the fortnightly episodes diving into the often surprising science and history behind a different food-related topic. Listen in for a treasure trove of cool facts you can throw around at your next dinner party. THE SPLENDID TABLE A spin-off of the acclaimed debut book from food writer and cooking teacher Lynne Rossetto Kasper, The Splendid Table began life as a public radio show way back in the 90s. These days, it's a weekly podcast hosted by renowned food writer Francis Lam, continuing the same mission of celebrating the countless ideas and stories of our global food culture. Sharpen your skills with expert cooking tips, catch sit-downs with top international food heroes, explore the history of your favourite ingredients and dishes, and get acquainted with a smorgasbord of cuisines from all across the globe. One week, you might find yourself hearing René Redzepi chat all things fermentation, while the next, you're reigniting your passion for dairy with tales from a team of international cheese experts. RACIST SANDWICH A food podcast served up within a slightly different context, Racist Sandwich dives into the politics behind what you're eating, and why. It's hosted by a pair of American writers, with (mostly) fortnightly episodes that explore the various ways in which concepts like race, gender and class intersect with the big wide world of food. Prepare to catch a diverse spread of insightful investigations and guests, from one food justice advocate's mission to preserve Salvadoran culture through its recipes, to an interview with a French prisoner and Instagram food star who's whipping up culinary magic behind bars. Make yourself a cuppa and settle in to score some fresh perspectives. EATER'S DIGEST Famed food publication Eater backs up its online feed with this weekly podcast serving up all the tastiest news morsels from the culinary world, both across the USA and further abroad. Join Amanda Kludt and Daniel Geneen as they dissect food trends, unearth new hot-ticket dining destinations, celebrate favourite cuisines and touch base with a swag of big-name hospitality heroes. You could tune in to a discussion about the world's new obsession with food TV, learn some unexpected secrets from a top restaurant critic, or get taken through a definitive list of all the very worst dining-out habits, as revealed by New York hospo staff. Right now, Eater's Digest is also dishing up plenty of honest insight into how COVID-19 is affecting the restaurant game as we know it.
It was a sad day in the history of Sydney live music when the Lansdowne Hotel announced that they were shutting their doors for a final time. After years of giving a leg up to the lesser-known local acts and providing a stage for massive home grown artists like The Living End or You Am I, the Lansdowne Hotel called it quits for good. And then two years later, the team behind Mary's swooped in to resurrect the iconic pub. In some of the best news all year, the Lansdowne has thrown its doors open again and stretched its welcoming arms to draw everyone in for a warm hug of pub grub, cheap beer and good music. Image: Jack Steel.
Kent Street is set to gain a new Japanese fine diner this September when Kuro opens its doors. Here, guests can enjoy a casual meal or book into a ten-person-only degustation that's served by a chef who's worked at Michelin-starred restaurants. The latter offering, dubbed Teramoto by Kuro, will be run by Executive Chef and Co-Owner Taka Teramoto, who has spent time in the kitchens at Michelin-starred restaurants in Paris and Tokyo — Restaurant Pages and Florilège, respectively. Each night, ten lucky diners will be seated at a kitchen-side counter for the degustation, so they can watch the action while they feast. Teramoto will personally serve each tasting menu alongside sommelier Wanaka Teramoto (116 Pages, Paris), the offering changing regularly, based on seasonality and availability. While menus are still in the works, you can expect the likes of wagyu tartare seared over binchotan (white charcoal), then crumbed in charcoal panko and sprinkled with Tasmanian pepper (pictured below); fresh stracciatella topped with warm peas and lovage oil; and one-week-aged squid sashimi in a broth of lemon myrtle, tomato dashi and sliced taro stem. [caption id="attachment_729358" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Megann Evans[/caption] For more casual fare, Kuro Bar & Dining will offer seasonal share plates in a 40-seat, à la carte setting. Here, the food will be created by Head Chef Nobu Maruyama of Surry Hills' now-closed Bar H. This menu is still under wraps at the moment. In this space, there'll also be a bar with a drinks list featuring cocktails using Japanese produce and flavours, plus heaps of Japanese spirits — including whisky, gin, shochu and sake — and draught beer. All of these can be enjoyed alongside bar snacks, too. And, if you come by in the morning, the espresso bar will offer coffees, teas and brekkie. Potts Point's Henderson & Co architects will be looking after the fit-out, which will transform the heritage-listing building into a space inspired by Japanese architecture and craftsmanship. A major element of the space will be the dynamic lighting, which will create an ever-changing ambiance throughout the day and into the night. Kuro will open in September at 364–368 Kent Street, Sydney. It'll be open six days per week for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Images: Megann Evans
In 1999, two new releases posed the same question: what would happen if a member of the mafia went to see a psychiatrist about his many woes? The first, The Sopranos, changed TV forever. Indeed, it's the show that many people instantly think of whenever they see HBO's famed logo sequence on the small screen. And it also ensured the comedy movie with the same premise, aka Analyse This, would always be seen as the lesser of the two projects. Focusing on New Jersey mobster Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini), and spanning both his professional and personal lives, The Sopranos is the gangster series that all subsequent gangster series want to be — and the weighty, nuanced, compelling and thoughtful drama that paved the way for everything from Six Feet Under and The Shield to Mad Men. The now-late Gandolfini is an absolute powerhouse in the lead role, imbuing Tony with both volatility and vulnerability, as he's paired perfectly with Edie Falco as his wife Carmela
UPDATE: DECEMBER 6, 2019 — Here's a 12 days of Christmas gift of a different kind. From December 13–24, Bund will be doing two-for-one dumpling baskets. The baskets will include the Lotus Dining group's signature dim sum, including mixed vegetable dumplings, pork xiao long bao, and siu mai . Not bad. If you can't make it to Bund, this same offer is available at its other venues, which include Lotus Dumpling Bar, Lotus at The Galeries, The Gardens by Lotus, Madame Shanghai, Lotus Barangaroo and Bings. After just over one year in operation, the Lotus Dining Group's Fujisaki in Barangaroo shut up shop back in February. But, now open in its place is the group's brand new concept, Bund: a Chinese eatery and bar serving up Shanghai-style street food. Hong Kong-born head chef Kennedy Wong and sous chef Chris Chen have created a menu of chargrilled barbecue dishes, share plates and bar snacks, which they're serving up from an open kitchen. Chinese staples have been given a modern spin, like in the kung pao chicken schnitzel topped with peanuts, shallots and chopped chilli; tofu, mustard green and sweetcorn arancini served with chilli dipping sauce; and pork belly bao with slaw and coriander, drizzled with honey mustard sauce. As is the group's signature, there are also plenty of dumplings on the menu, including the (especially tasty sounding) xiao long bao stuffed with Singaporean chilli crab. To match the eats, the group's bar manager Charles Cheng has created an Asian-inspired cocktail menu, which is accompanied by a varied wine list by Annette Lacey (director of wine and beverage). There's also an affordable lunch banquet — with kimchi arancini and crispy eggplant — for just $45. The revamped fit-out is courtesy of Sydney's Studio Hiyaku and features neon lighting and street art-style murals by local artist Alex Lehours — along with lots of deep blue, red and golden hues. It's all meant to emulate the waterfront Bund area of Shanghai, a popular tourist destination jam-packed with historical buildings of various architectural styles. The 100-seat restaurant also boasts a central bar and bench seating, both meant to entice after-work drinkers. Fujisaki's swift closure was a bit of an anomaly for the Lotus Dining Group, which is responsible for plenty of successful venues — including the longstanding Walsh Bay favourite Lotus Dumpling Bar, along with newer iterations in The Gardens by Lotus and Madame Shanghai. So, here's hoping its newest spot sticks around for a bit longer.
What does a perfect Sydney summer afternoon look like to you? An icy bottle of sauv blanc at the Opera Bar? A picnic table abundant with the kale and quinoa spoils of Maloneys? Or maybe a wild sunset boat party on the harbour with three of the world's most amazing DJs pumping inimitable summer beats into the earholes of you, a special +1 and 700 fellow revellers? There are approximately 90 days each year when the nights are warmish and superfoods actually taste good, but only one evening where you can party on a boat with Rudimental, Flight Facilities and producer/tastemaker/international party icon Steve Aoki. Riding the floating festival wave scheduled to hit the northern hemisphere later this year, You+1 marks an exciting first for the local dance scene, mixing the buzz of big-name international acts with homegrown talent and a quintessentially Sydney harbour setting. The line-up is also pretty diverse sonically, with the three headliners all falling under one sweepingly broad genre. Aoki climbs aboard having just been named the highest grossing dance artist in North America, renowned for delivering a cornucopia of electro house hits via an insane live performance. Investing the festival with a dash of feelgood Hackney soul are youth workers-turned-electro quartet Rudimental, who have already made waves in their native UK with this addictive track, while our own Flight Facilities put a halcyon spin on the genre as they return to their home city. An extremely limited number of tickets will be up for grabs via Durex's Facebook page from 3 September, so mark that date in your iCal to get 'em while they're not only hot but free. Date: Sunday 14 October, 2012 Time: 5pm – 9pm (boarding from 4.45pm) Location: The Starship, Wharf 4, King Street Wharf, Darling Harbour (adjacent to Cargo Bar) Tickets: facebook.com/Durex.Australia https://youtube.com/watch?v=JI6fDb6IBmU
While Sydney may be best-known for its sparkling beaches and rooftop bars, it is most magical in winter. And this year, it'll be even more spectacular thanks to the launch of Sydney Solstice. The new two-week event is taking over more than 200 bars, restaurants, art galleries and live music venues across multiple suburbs for a series of pop-ups, gigs and light shows that'll convince even the sleepiest of bears to skip hibernation. Running from Tuesday, June 8 till Sunday, June 20, Sydney Solstice's calendar is large — very large. So, to save you scrolling for hours, we've teamed up with NSW Government via Destination NSW to round up ten highlights, which you should add to your calendar ASAP. Dust off your winter woollies and prepare for a winter of debaucherous feasts, nightclubs inside aquariums and music-filled stargazing sessions.
Sydney cinephiles, we now know just what you'll be viewing across a certain 12-day block in June. After releasing a sneak peek last month, Sydney Film Festival has unveiled its massive lineup in full for its 64th year, and it comes with 288 films from 59 countries, including 37 world premieres. Oh, it features Aussie legend Ben Mendelsohn chatting about his career too. In exciting news for fans of the ace local actor and his recent rise through Hollywood's ranks (The Dark Knight Rises, Girls, Bloodline, Rogue One — the list goes on), Mendo will be in town for an in conversation session, as well as a screening of his latest flick Una. The latter also features Rooney Mara and his Star Wars co-star Riz Ahmed, and marks the filmmaking debut of Australian theatre director Benedict Andrews. Staying on the homegrown front, festival director Nashen Moodley is once again opening SFF with a locally-relevant title for the sixth time in a row. This year, the new effort from Samson and Delilah's Warwick Thornton is doing the honours. Enjoying its world premiere at the fest, We Don't Need a Map explores the significance of the Southern Cross as a symbol within Australian culture. Other Aussie fare includes two films from Red Dog filmmaker Kriv Stenders: a look at our diverse society in the Bryan Brown-starring Australia Day, and a chronicle the career of one of Brisbane's greatest bands in The Go-Betweens: Right Here. Actor David Wenham turns director for the first time with Ellipsis, which is being called a Sydney-set Before Sunrise. Ali's Wedding offers up the country's first Muslim rom-com, while ecological doco Blue examines the destruction of marine life happening off of our coastline, and Otherlife serves up some sci-fi from the director of Wasted on the Young. Given that one of SFF's main attractions is its official competition, it's hardly surprising that the festival has stacked the lineup of titles vying for its $60,000 prize with must-see flicks. We Don't Need a Map and Una are in the running, and they have plenty of company. Coming fresh from Cannes is Sofia Coppola's American Civil War thriller The Beguiled, starring Colin Farrell, Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst and Elle Fanning, as well as the long-awaited return of Austrian auteur Michael Haneke courtesy of his Isabelle Huppert-led Happy End. Berlinale's Golden Bear winner On Body and Soul, and other trophy recipients Félicité and The Other Side of Hope also feature. Those looking for familiar faces can catch Michael Fassbender, Ryan Gosling, Cate Blanchett, Natalie Portman and Mara again in Terrence Malick's Austin music scene-set love story Song to Song, plus Aubrey Plaza being hilarious in both social media satire Ingrid Goes West and nun comedy The Little Hours, and Armie Hammer smouldering up the screen in the swoon-worthy Call Me By Your Name, too. Or, get some starry monster action with closing night's Okja, with The Host and Snowpiercer helmer Bong Joon-ho taking Jake Gyllenhaal, Tilda Swinton and Paul Dano into creature feature territory. Other general standouts include gripping transgender drama A Fantastic Woman, vintage clothing store horror flick Fashionista, and rap-focused Sundance hit Patti Cake$, as well as Julian Assange doco Risk, Johnny Rotten profile The Public Image is Rotten, and a look inside the world of competitive poultry breeding — yes, really — in Chicken People. Horror fans can get scared when a board game goes wrong in Game of Death, and see some slasher action in the Portuguese woods in The Forest of Lost Souls. Plus, SFF will shine the spotlight on female filmmakers in Europe for the second year. Scouring through the greats of the past as well as the ace flicks of today, restorations of Aussie classics The Year My Voice Broke and The Well, erotic French drama Belle de Jour and Abbas Kiarostami's Taste of Cherry will also grace SFF's screens, alongside an already-announced retrospective of Japanese master Akira Kurosawa's works. Sydney female filmmakers from the '70s and '80s get their own sidebar, as does a showcase of modern Canadian cinema and a celebration of essential punk rock cinema.
The hospo-geniuses behind two of Sydney's cosiest bars (The Duke of Clarence, The Barber Shop) are bringing you a brand new watering hole by the harbour: Hickson House. The newest hybrid venue featuring a distillery, bar and dining room is set to open today, Tuesday, December 7. Part working distillery and part destination cocktail bar, Hickson House is set in the soaring brickwork and girders of the former Saatchi & Saatchi garage (the location of many infamous warehouse parties). The towering space boasts an extensive back bar with over 600 spirits and a menu crafted with locally-sourced ingredients. Founders Mikey Enright and Julian Train are no strangers to the Sydney bar scene either, with over eight years of experience as co-directors of the Barrelhouse Group. "Weaving the needs of a full production distillery and significant bar space into what is a unique heritage warehouse has been a challenge that we have embraced wholeheartedly," says Train. The boys aren't holding back any punches and have brought ex-Manly Spirits legend Tim Stones on board. The bespoke range of Hickson Road Gin is the star of the show, but Stones will also be slinging out vats of housemade whisky, aperitifs, brandies and other speciality spirits. To sample the creations, take a seat at the main bar — the interior is lined with dark polished timber and dotted with French blue bar stools, a reflection of the venue's harbour location. For a more intimate experience, the mezzanine High & Dry Bar overlooks the entire dining space and is the perfect spot for a cocktail and bite to eat. Intimate distillery experiences, tours and private dining experiences are also all on the cards, so keep an eye on Hickson House's socials for any upcoming events. Highlights of the botanically-inspired menu include slow-roasted lamb porchetta with juniper jus and mint gremolata. For dessert, indulge in a decadent piece of whisky chocolate lamington. After you've found a drop you like following dinner, you can also shop at the off-license spirits store and bring a bottle (or two) home to enjoy. Hickson House opens on Tuesday, December 7 at 6 Hickson Road, The Rocks. Bookings are now open for December via the website. Top image: Steven Woodburn
While much of the country usually goes into holiday mode over the Christmas and New Year period, that hasn't been the case in Australia's bushfire-affected communities. Many regional areas that rely on tourism at this time of year have been battling blazes instead. But, as the flames subside in some spots, rural businesses are eager to welcome back visitors. One such place is Eden Farm Escape, which is located in the fire-ravaged Blue Mountains town of Bilpin just off the Bells Line of Road. As part of an area-wide #BacktoBilpin campaign, the farmstay 90 minutes from Sydney is offering holidaymakers a significant discount. Book a visit for January or February and, by entering the code '50OFF' online, you can receive 50 percent off the price of your accommodation. If you were already thinking about an early-2020 getaway, you can nab yourself a considerable bargain — all while supporting a business that sustained bushfire damage during December. And, you'll be able to become acquainted with Eden Farm Escape's animal residents. Onsite, there are 12 horses and ponies, three miniature donkeys, a pig, a few alpacas, three goats, and some cows and sheep. Thankfully, all of the above escaped the fires unscathed. Surrounded by Blue Mountains National Park, Eden Farm Escape sprawls over 90 acres, with five self-contained cabins located among its green paddocks. You can opt for a one-level abode with one or two bedrooms ($300–500 per night normally; $150–250 with the discount) or two-storey digs ($650 per night normally; $325 at 50 percent off) that sleep up to eight. And, because your doggo deserves a country holiday too, you can bring them along as well. Run by Michael Cthurmer and Deborah Goodman, who are also behind The Grumpy Baker, Eden Farm Escape's cabins feature polished concrete and wooden floors, timber-panelled walls, touches of leather and outdoor timber decks. In the kitchen, you'll find stainless steel benchtops, gas cooking, a microwave and Nespresso coffee machines. Bring some groceries with you, and you will be able to get cosy for the duration of your stay. You'll want to venture outside while you're there, of course. With Eden Farm Escape also a working equine-assisted therapy farm, there are also barns, stables and a riding area onsite. Nature and bushwalking trails weave around the property, and you can also take a dip in the dam. And make sure you visit as many local businesses as you can along the way. Nearby, The Potager at Mount Tomah — the cafe with those incredible mountain views — has reopened for business, as has the Bilpin Cider Co's cellar door. Find Eden Farm Escape at 13 Hanlons Road South, Bilpin. To receive 50 percent off your booking for accommodation in January and February, visit the farm stay's website and enter the code '50OFF'.
Art lovers, amateur gazers and veteran collectors, rejoice. Sydney's lauded Art Month Sydney has returned for its tenth year running, with artistic director Kate Britton claiming it to be the "biggest and most ambitious program yet". The city-wide celebration of contemporary art and artists kicks off March 7, bringing together art appreciators from all walks of life to attend free exhibitions, talks, workshops, panel discussions, studio visits, precinct nights and parties."It's about engaging and celebrating our city's whole arts ecology," says Britton. And with galleries and creative spaces across the city participating, you'll have no problem diving into it all — except for maybe deciding where to start. That's where we come in. To help you start planning your arty excursions, we've teamed up with Art Month Sydney to track down the must-sees and must-dos from the creative program. From private art collections and French cinema screenings to free parties, talks and performances, here we've chosen our six top picks to add to your calendar this month. ART AT NIGHT Every Thursday during the month, the beloved Art at Night series will take place, exploring a different precinct each week and giving punters the chance to visit local galleries after hours. Kicking off on March 7 for the official launch of Art Month Sydney, Art at Night will take over Paddington and Woollahra galleries such as Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, Wagner Contemporary, KORBAN/FLAUBERT, Sabbia Gallery and Saint Cloche among others. And to celebrate further, a free afterparty will be held at the National Art School from 8pm–10pm with performances by artists Brian Fuata and Megan Hanson, alongside an installation by Brian Van Hek. Then on March 14, Waterloo and Green Square will come to life with the opening of The Other Art Fair. The next week, you'll get a double dose of art nights with both East Sydney and St Leonards precincts becoming the focus on Thursday, March 21 and Friday, March 22 respectively. And to round out the festivities, on March 28, Chippendale and Redfern galleries will throw open their doors till late, with a party to follow at The Lansdowne featuring performances, DJs and more arty happenings to be announced. COLLECTORS' SPACE For those who love a sticky beak, the CBD's 541 Art Space is hosting festival highlight Collectors' Space, giving us curious cats a chance to peer into the private collections of some of Sydney's most creative duos. Located in an enormous, beautiful space in the city, the exhibition hopes to inspire one's own art collection — aspirational or not — and is the perfect lunch break or after-work cultural pitstop. "There is a voyeuristic element to the Collectors' Space that people really get into. It's very intimate, and it's not an experience you get in many exhibitions, that blurring between public and private space," says Britton. "People can come along and find out a bit more about how people build a collection, find out you can start small, find out that passion and desire are all you really need, and hear about how people fall in love with a particular work or a particular artist." [caption id="attachment_710671" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Blake Lawrence: Dead Reckoning, 2018. Image by Lou Dietz-Henderson.[/caption] SATURATED TERRAIN Giving a platform to commercially unrepresented artists, Saturated Terrain at Willoughby's Incinerator Art Space is an exhibition curated by Kate Britton and a centrepiece of this year's program. As Art Month Sydney's second unrepresented artist exhibition and with works by Tom Blake, Kieran Bryant, Ethel-Anne Gundy, Shivanjani Lal and Blake Lawrence, the show pushes to engage with all aspects of Sydney's art scene and celebrate its breadth and diversity. "The Incinerator Art Space has such a unique history and architecture, it's hard not to respond to it when you're thinking about occupying that space," notes Britton. With water as the central theme of Saturated Terrain, it paradoxically plays off the history and function of the incinerator's space and showcases a variety of works, making for a multifaceted and dynamic exhibition. Here, water becomes a metaphor of passive resistance, quiet power, a surface that hides great depths. [caption id="attachment_710672" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Wild Boys.[/caption] THE ART OF FILM Partnering up with Alliance Française French Film Festival, Art Month Sydney introduces a new segment this year: The Art of Film — a series of three films shown across the festival. A rare chance to view films that highlight where art and film intersect, The Art of Film includes Jean-Luc Goddard's The Image Book, Virgil Vernier's Sophia Antipolis and Bertrand Mandico's The Wild Boys, with each session hosting a discussion post-screening. "We chose three films that are really driven by an artistic sensibility," notes Britton. "They all experiment in different ways with their medium, are very ambitious and painterly in their use of colour and image." The Image Book will screen at Palace Chauvel on Sunday, March 10 at 3pm, Sophia Antipolis at Palace Verona on Saturday, March 23 at 4.30pm and The Wild Boys at Palace Central on Friday, March 29 at 6pm. Tickets are available here. [caption id="attachment_612819" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Galerie Pompom.[/caption] TALKS PROGRAM Brush up on your art knowledge with insightful talks and panel discussions with some of the industry's most acclaimed local talents. Topics range from wearable light art as discussed by Japanese artist Erina Kashihara at The Japan Foundation to a retrospective look at the Michael Hobbs Collection with panellists Tony Albert (artist and collector), Peter Braithwaite (collector), Michael Brand (Director of AGNSW), Alex Seton (artist) and Beatrice Spence (publisher). Along with its perennial talks program, Art Month Sydney 2019 is welcoming a new talks-on-the-go series, aptly named 'Walkie-Talkies'. Every Saturday at 11am, local creatives will host curated walking tours, with artist Alex Gawronski kicking things off in Rozelle on March 9 at Artereal Gallery and Sydney College of the Arts. On March, 16, Cultural Capital's studio manager, Bethan Donnelly, will guide attendees through Chippendale, visiting three of the area's key spaces: Woodburn Creatives, Nanda\Hobbs and Galerie Pompom. Lastly, on March 23, art writer and curator Mariam Arcilla and artist Mason Kimber will lead a Walkie-Talkie through Paddington, visiting stockrooms and galleries along the way. THE STUDIO OPEN Celebrating explorative, creative and unconventional ceramics, The Studio Open champions a medium that's often overlooked as a 'functional' artform. Taking place at The Other Art Fair at Australian Technology Park, the event will offer a sneak peek into some of Sydney's most boundary-pushing artist studios from March 14–17. In collaboration with kil.n.it experimental ceramic studio and the Little Orange Open Studio from Campbelltown Arts Centre, the event will see artists bring their studio to the fair and share their practices onsite. You'll also be able to watch artists such as EJ Son, Vivien Hill, Joseph Turrin and Angela Bishop at their craft and pick up some freshly made pieces from their studios. Art Month Sydney runs from March 7–30, 2019 at various venues Sydney-wide. For the full program and more information visit their website here. Lead image: Art at Night at The Lansdowne by Document Photography. Courtesy of Art Month Sydney.
Sisters Grimm do not make theatre the way you might usually think of theatre. The trashtastic Melbourne satirists (also known as Ash Flanders and Declan Green) staged their DIY 2010 theatre piece Little Mercy in a car park and 2012's Summertime in the Garden of Eden in a suburban garage — and got rave reviews for both. So much so that the anti-establishmentarians have gone establishment, in the nicest possible way, as the Sydney Theatre Company is bringing them out to reimagine Little Mercy, a high-camp ode to 'evil child' movies, for their Wharf 2 stage. (Summertime in the Garden on Eden, meanwhile, will get a run at Griffin Theatre in November). Marcus Costello caught-up with Ash, who as well as writing and directing is playing the mother character Virginia, on his first day treading the boards at the Wharf. Here's what he had to say on stepping up to the main stage, the joys of the low-brow, and how they're adapting their "aesthetic of failure". First day of rehearsals, how's it going? We haven't stopped laughing that we’re actually here at STC. Well it's a long way from where you gave birth to Little Mercy in a Melbourne car park all those years ago. How has the show changed since then? Oh, you know, just little tweaks — like rewriting the whole show. Our shows are always staged in response to the space we're working in and the resources we have available, which is usually next to nothing. Our work ends up being an exercise in the aesthetic of failure, which is where much of the comedy comes from. Of course, being here [at STC] we can't just pretend we have no money so we're responding to the idea and construction of conventional theatre. In a way it's not that radical a departure because we're all about the interrogation of genre — finding the cracks, tearing it apart, and putting it back together. We like to see how much pressure something can take before it's completely unintelligible. Stepping up to the main stage... I like to think of it as STC stepping down [laughs]. Good call. In any case it's a collision of worlds. If you like it here and want to stick around, how is that going to affect your anti-establishment practice? If we can get paid to do shows on big stages, great, but it was never really our aim to make it to this point at settle-in. I think we'll always do scratch shows because mixing up where we perform is really important to us. I mean, we'll ride this out and have fun along the way, but we won't get so big-headed that we'll stop performing in living rooms and backyard sheds, or car parks, even. By the same token, if performing in car parks to a bunch of our adoring friends was all we ever did, it wouldn't amount to much. We don't plan to play it safe. A character at the centre of your play, Rodger, is a wealthy theatre director. Should we take that as a dig at the establishment? Um, [laughs] oh I don't know how meta we want to get about that! I mean, yeah, his job, his taste comes across as increasingly ridiculous throughout the show. We needed a job where the husband/father could become totally engrossed in what he does. As we both know, directors can get way too involved with their own projects and stop seeing the world around them — maybe even fail to see their own child is a psychotic killer. You say that the goal of your theatre is to make the audience laugh. I reckon your gritty-camp shtick might rankle with some of the more conservative STC season subscribers, don't you think? We don't intend to shock them too much. I mean, we won't be flopping our dicks out. In a way, our comedy is kind of old-fashioned. A man in a dress isn't new, but what we do with it hopefully is new and interesting and funny. At least we hope so because we think laughter in the theatre is vital. If you go to the theatre to take your medicine, to eat something that's good for you, then you've killed a lot of the joy. I don't like to go to the theatre to be educated. Dialectical, polemical, preachy theatre, theatre where the performers blast their politics at you, that doesn't inspire me. At least, if I learn something I want it to be incidental to the laughs. And if it's not making me laugh, it should make be gasp. Whatever is does, it needs to make me feel something. There are a number of Australian theatre-makers at the moment who set out to hurt feelings and sensibilities. How do you feel about that? Oy vey! That's not something we would deliberately set out to do. Our kind of humour can be quite hoary and hokey but I think if anything was going to offend, especially the STC audience, it would be the stupid jokes — because we would offend their intelligence [laughs]. I'm not playing Virginia for a joke, but every time I get on stage there will be laughter for a good five seconds. That's interesting because you're not unknown to the Melbourne drag scene. How does it feel having an audience laughing at you not with you? I'm totally fine with it. It’s not my job to know why people are laughing, it's really not. I'm happy with laughs wherever they’re derived from. I'm just not that precious; I'm aware of the grenade that I am. Little Mercy is on at the Sydney Theatre Company's Wharf 2 from March 7 to 24. Tickets are available from their website.
They said Dead Europe would be unfilmable. As a novel, Dead Europe, written by Christos Tsiolkas in 2005, is dense, sprawling, and frequently horrifying. Yet a film version has been made, however challenging that may have been. Dead Europe is the second feature film from Tony Krawitz, whose previous work includes Jewboy and the 2011 documentary The Tall Man, with a team of producers behind it whose resumes boast films such as Shame and Animal Kingdom. What is remarkable about it is that very few films deliver the same kind of visceral impact as Dead Europe, and even fewer deal with the generally abstract themes of memory, history, and commodity capitalism in a way that leaves you shaking when you leave the theatre. There have been few Australian films made like this one. The film addresses the sins of the past, and the way in which we continue to be haunted by apocryphal stories we frequently refuse to acknowledge. The story sees Isaac (Ewen Leslie), the son of Greek migrant parents, return to Greece to scatter his father's ashes. He gets wasted, he has sex, and he observes the underbelly of Europe, a place haunted by the atrocities of the 20th century to such an extent that Isaac's own family's past slowly begins to torment him in the spectral form of Josef, a young boy played by The Road's Kodi Smit-McPhee. The film is in part a psychological thriller — something akin to the heathen child of Rosemary's Baby and Lilya 4-Ever — with the audience never sure whether the presence haunting Isaac is real or simply a figment of his imagination. Yet it is also an unflinching view of Europe, and the ways in which people simply are not good to each other. The problems with the film emerge if you've read the book. An adaptation of a novel is a tricky thing, because there is always some expectation that the filmmakers will attempt to maintain the integrity of the book. Yet the cinematic adaptation of Dead Europe is so far removed from the novel — in the changes to the plot, the setting, and the ending of the film — that it seems almost misleading to give it the same title. It says something very different to Tsiolkas's novel, and in that respect it would be best to think of the works as companion pieces. But as a stand-alone film, Dead Europe is beautiful, visceral, and utterly remarkable. It is arguably one of the best Australian films we've seen in recent years. Read our interview with director Tony Krawitz here. https://youtube.com/watch?v=XrNnofw8CQw
Sculpture by the Sea didn't grace the Bondi-Tamarama coastal walk last year, and isn't set to until October this year. But if you're eager to go for a wander, check out large-scale pieces of art and enjoy the great outdoors, you can head to The Rocks this May and June for a new free exhibition called Sculpture Rocks. Set to display from Thursday, May 20–Wednesday, June 3, Sculpture Rocks will feature 18 works from 14 sculptors, with Japanese artists in the spotlight. You'll be peering at pieces by Keizo Ushio, Takeshi Tanabe, Mitsuo Takeuchi, Ayako Saito and Akira Kamada, among others — and from artists who currently hail from both Japan and Australia. As for what you'll be seeing, expect plenty of stone. "Each of these artworks in thought and practice stems directly from the ancient rock gardens of Japan," explains Sculpture by the Sea Founding Director David Handley. As well as linking in with Japanese cultural traditions, the exhibition will also feature "kinetic and abstract sculptures to provide a cross section of Japanese sculpture today," Handley advises. [caption id="attachment_808636" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Hiroyuki Kita, aguidepostforthewind (2010)[/caption] Presented by the Sculpture by the Sea team alongside Place Management NSW and the Port Authority of NSW, the exhibition will ape one of the most stunning — and most popular — things about its sibling event, too: the waterside view. You'll be moseying along the Sydney Harbour foreshore area, including between the Overseas Passenger Terminal, along Campbells Cove and up to Hickson Reserve next to the Park Hyatt Hotel. Basically, think of it as a smaller version, in a similarly striking spot, and with a specific focus. A smaller indoor exhibition, called Sculpture Inside Rocks, will also take place at the same time at Campbell's Stores. Sculpture Rocks will display from Thursday, May 20–Wednesday, June 3 at various locations around The Rocks. Head to the exhibition website for further details.
Though technically taking its inspiration from The Hamptons, The Pines in Cronulla, with its chic, neutral palette, pops of greenery and meat-heavy menu (though it's got a vegan one, too) would fit right in in the south of France. The beachfront eatery, which opened November 2020, has James Metcalfe as its exec chef and former Rockpool and Merivale sommelier Chris Hoy heading its beverage list. The menu is extensive and features everything from four-week dry-aged steaks ($38) and koji cured-flank ($38) to smoked ham and pineapple pizza ($29). For a real treat, order the seafood bouillabaisse ($110), which feeds two and comes with a whole baguette. Images: Rachel Kara
In The Guest Edit we hand the reins over to some of Sydney's most interesting, tasteful and entertaining people. For this instalment we have enlisted the guidance of Claire Perini, an interior architect who is founder and curator of the beautiful Avalon-based interiors studio and store Composition. Here, Claire divulges some of her favourite spots in her pocket of the Northern Beaches, a suburb once primarily known as a haven for surfers that is now home to a burgeoning creative community and growing food and drink scene. [caption id="attachment_812163" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bar Elvina interior, photographed by Steven Woodburn[/caption] Dining & Drinking Bar Elvina "Whether mid-week or mid-weekend, Elvina is always serving up good times. Specialising in Mediterranean food with seafood expertly cooked on charcoal and a focus on pasta and grains — my personal favourite being their vongole which I could eat breakfast, lunch and dinner. They also boast a beautiful outdoor terrace nestled in an edible kitchen garden that is available for hire and makes the perfect backdrop for any celebration. On the weekends Elvina also has a bottomless banquet, tantalising menu and includes open wine and Aperol spritz's (I'll have 3 please). Menu designed and beautifully executed by Andy Emerson (formerly of Acme)." Find it at: Level 1, 50 Old Barrenjoey Road Book here. Randy's "A casual street bar you'd expect to find hidden within the streets of New York. With a focus on delicious snacks designed to be shared and daily oyster happy hour (serving only the best Australian rock oysters) Randy's is a keeper. Weekends are lively and you're bound to find a local to dine with on a Friday afternoon. Chef Zac serves up a series of different pickled foods that I frequently request jars of to take home." Find it at: 50 Old Barrenjoey Road Text or call to book: +61474 945 431 Graze n' Cakes "Mine and most of Avalon's favourite hole-in-the-wall dining spot, this patisserie/Vietnamese haven is undoubtedly my favourite lunch spot. When you can get a banh mi and the best chocolate chip cookie in one spot, why would you go anywhere else? Sandy who runs it, is also one of the nicest people on earth which is an added bonus when visiting!" Find it at: 3/38 Burrawong Road Call: (02) 8919 0058 Other local dining spots that Claire recommends: Pocket Pizza, Oceana Traders and La Banette patisserie. [caption id="attachment_944544" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The collection at Composition, photographed by Sage Hammond[/caption] Shopping Composition Naturally this guide needs to include Claire Perini's own studio, showroom and store which we have previously described as "achingly tasteful". Her meticulously curated selection of Modern-period antiques and contemporary brands all fall within one of three categories: Artefact (unique vintage), Object (new product) and Print (design literature both vintage and new, and lithographic works). The latest collection dubbed 'La Dolce Villa' has a focus on smaller items and little moments to admire that bring sweetness and connection into interior spaces. Find it at: 45a Avalon Parade Browse the website here. Bassike "The prominent Australian brand that needs no introduction has their stunning flagship store (designed by Akin Atelier) within the heart of Avalon. With not only their stunning own range of designs, but I love the way the brand threads through beautiful Australian brands that compliment the company's ethos." Find it at: 41 Avalon Parade Browse the website here. Lee Matthews "A new addition to the offerings in Avalon is the introduction of Lee Mathews' beautiful showroom." Find it at: 4o Avalon Parade Browse the website here. Peggy Concept Store "Named after Peggy Guggenheim, this store does not disappoint. Offering a curated collection of Australian and international ready-to-wear brands including some of my favourites: Matteau, Silk Laundry, Oséree and Muma World." Find it at: 62 Old Barrenjoey Road Browse the website here. Lifestyle Sauna Amalfi "A new addition to Avalon is this modern take on a Swedish sauna, Sauna Amalfi. Services include state of the art clear light infrared saunas, a traditional sauna, and a UV-Filtered and temperature controlled cold plunge." Find it at: 62 Old Barrenjoey Road Browse the website here. Feels Pilates "When you're done eating and drinking your way through Avalon, nothing like a little reformer session to sweat away the guilt. The Feels Pilates instructors will leave you feeling like every muscle has been activated with their dynamic classes that focus on form." Find it at: Rear shop at 46 Old Barrenjoey Road Learn more here. [caption id="attachment_536619" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Avalon Beach[/caption] Nature "My absolute favourite part of living in the Northern Beaches, and specifically 'past the bends', is the nature. The proximity to the national park, the views of the Pittwater, the sounds of wildlife and the community constantly activating the different elements... A few of my favourite spots would be, Paradise Beach a little beach on the Pittwater side; Angophora Reserve a little hour's walk through the bushland but nestled just behind the village shops and for some more dramatic scenery; Bangalley Head walk which boasts views of the ocean and the natural sandstone cliffs." Discover more spots in and around Avalon Beach here.
Standing in a bar, being forced to make small talk with a stranger: we've all been there. Hearing from your parents more frequently than you have time for, despite your best intentions: many of us have experienced that as well. In Toni Erdmann, both scenarios combine in a way that might well give you nightmares. Just imagine if the person accosting you while you try to enjoy a drink turned out to be your dad in a bad wig and false teeth. At its simplest, that's the idea behind writer-director Maren Ade's 162-minute comedy, which has been garnering acclaim since it premiered at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival, and remains the favourite to win his year's Oscar for best foreign-language film. A German consultant living in Bucharest, Ines (Sandra Hüller) is irritated when her practical joke-loving, divorced and lonely father Winfried (Peter Simonischek) arrives for an unexpected visit. But that soon gives way to unbridled horror when his alter ego Toni starts following her around. Once is odd, twice is annoying, and three times… well, that's something else. Then again, one of the basic elements of life is repetition, which Toni Erdmann demonstrates disarmingly well. First, you'll cringe. Then you'll laugh. Before long, you may find yourself crying. Those are the stages audiences cycle through while watching Ade's film, and it's no accident. The mastery evident in ensuring that every detail of the movie imitates life can't be underestimated. The naturalistic camerawork and astute commentary on the importance of humour is not unlike Toni's ridiculous headpiece: it's just what's visible on the surface. With all the buzz around the film in the lead up to the Oscars, it's hardly surprising to learn that we'll soon be getting an American remake (starring Jack Nicholson and Kristen Wiig). Why the world needs an English-language version is a question Hollywood is happily ignoring, but its high-profile cast certainly have huge shoes (and wigs, and false teeth) to fill. As Toni keeps ramping up his antics and Ines keeps struggling to contain her reactions, Hüller and Simonischek prove the film's most important pieces, ensuring their characters are not just likeable, but thoroughly believable as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0uwi5EPnpA
If Neil Buchanan taught us anything on Art Attack it was that a toilet paper roll can be used to design an array of artistic works. Whilst the word 'intricate' may never be used to describe the toilet roll castles he helped us build, it perfectly describes the artworks created by artist Anastassia Elias using only toilet rolls and a scalpel. Since 2009, the French artist has sculpted 67 works from these rolls, with each as spectacular and beautiful as the next. She carves the detail of each scene from other rolls and then delicately inserts them through a slit cut into the roll that frames each individual piece. Her works include dancing ballerinas, a busy construction site, an incredibly detailed science laboratory and an amusement park spanning two toilet rolls. Rouleaux, the title of the series and the accompanying book, is available here. In the meantime, you can check out our favourites below. Via Huffington Post.
The Little BIG Foundation, an organisation committed to tackling loneliness, is throwing a series of free gigs at the Flour Mill of Summer Hill. Across the four Fridays in October, the foundation will be encouraging Summer Hills locals and all Sydneysiders to gather at the community park for a post-work dose of live music. On October 7, 14 and 21, the music will kick off at 5.30pm and attendees are encouraged to pack their own BYO picnics to enjoy some snacks or a homecooked dinner under the stars during the free gigs. On Friday, October 28, the catering has been taken care of, with the team behind the Flour Mill Markets pulling together a lineup of food trucks and vendors from 4–8pm. Street parking is available, however it's encouraged that visitors utilise the Lewisham West light rail station just beside the park, or either of the Summer Hill or Lewisham train stations that sit roughly a five-minute walk away. The event will be subject to weather, so if you're heading along, make sure to check the Summer Hill Little BIG House Instagram to stay up to date.
