It's possible that as much has happened in the last few weeks for The Rubens as it has in their entire musical career, but that's not a bad thing — they've only been a band for two years after all. As well as heading inland for a slot at Groovin' the Moo and being whisked off to a mystery regional location for the triple J One Night Stand festival (at which they'll headline along with Flume), April will see The Rubens head off on their biggest Australian tour to date. The shows come off the back of their debut self-titled album released in September last year, containing the catchy Black Keysish rambler 'My Gun'. New singles 'Never Be The Same' and 'Lay It Down' effortlessly layer that same backcountry clang over slower, more soulful foundations. If this is where they are after only 24 months, we can't wait to see where they're headed next. https://youtube.com/watch?v=eKrVHMTcEuc
Fridays are a time of fun and adventure; however, it's easy to forget to make plans. The weekend rolls round, you clock off work and you're ready to hit the town, but you realise that you don't know what to do. If you're in the mood for some live music, Newtown's Marlborough Hotel — or Marly Bar as it's affectionately known — is hosting free gigs with stacked bills and sticky dance floors every Friday. Originally titled Noise Complaint before being renamed due to some IRL noise complaints, Low Pressure serves up a selection of upcoming local bands each Friday night spanning an array of genres from crunchy punk sounds to angelic pop. Doors open at 6pm and, while entry is free, the gigs are known to fill up early — so it's recommended you get down asap come quittin' time. Images: Tom Wilkinson.
Messina better have a glance over its shoulder because there's a new drool-worthy ice creamery in town — and it's dairy free, gluten free and vegan to boot. The Blob has popped up in Zetland (where it's staying until March 31) and photos of its soft serve are making waves on Instagram. The duo behind the project, owners Alicia Soebawa and Stanley Anjaya, is serving up inventive, brightly coloured soft serve combinations. Think flavours like Blobbero Rocher (dutch chocolate and roasted peanuts), Sky Coco (coconut and blue pea flower), Heart Beet (lychee, beetroot and rose water) and a bright green, Harry Potter tribute called Slytherin (spirulina, ginger and mint). Toppings include cornflakes, cacao peanut butter and smashed waffles, along with Tim Tam and Oreo lookalikes — in vegan and gluten free form. The ingredients and toppings are handpicked from select suppliers, all with 100-percent natural colouring, and they're even handmaking the chia cones in-store daily. Patrons have the option of customising their blob or going with one of the house combos for $7. At the moment, these include the Pink and White — Blobbero Rocher served in a fuschia chia cone, topped with freeze dried pineapple, shaved almonds and coconut snow — and the Lychee Dream, which is the Heart Beet topped with pistachios, matcha quinoa puffs and freeze-dried lychee, all in their signature pink coconut-jello cup. Once the pop-up is finished, the team will take a winter break, though they'll still be available for private functions and events bookings. As the weather warms up, you'll be hearing more from The Blob, with the hopes of a permanent city location on the horizon. The Blob pop-up in Zetland's East Village Shopping is running until March 31, with daily hours from 10am through 8pm. For the latest updates and flavours, keep an eye on their Instagram. Image: Vincy Cheng
The 2014 National Young Writers' Festival's program launch is set to pack a punch on August 26, with the appearance of NoViolet Bulawayo. In 2013, she became the first black African woman and the first Zimbabwean to hit the Man Booker shortlist, when her novel We Need New Names made the cut. In conversation with social commentator Zoya Patel, Bulawayo will be traversing the work's dominant concerns: identity, culture, belonging and place. "For me, life outside the homeland is a story of perpetual mourning for what is gone," she said in a Guardian interview last year. "It's amazing how the simplest things can trigger that melancholy, from walking down the street and hearing on the car radio a song from home, to the smell of food, to a face that looks like somebody's face." The National Young Writers' Festival, Australia's biggest meet-up for young writers, happens in Newcastle during the Labour Day long weekend. This year, that's October 2-5. More than 80 literary stars — both established and emerging — are on the menu, including Benjamin Law, Clementine Ford, Omar Musa and Lawrence Leung. MC Ben Jenkins will give away all the juicy details at the launch.
For 12 days in June, the Sydney Film Festival wants you to watch as many movies as possible — as the massive event does every year. For more than nine hours on Saturday, June 8, it specifically wants you to stay in one cinema and catch flicks all night. Love films? Hate sleep? Then make a date with SFF's All Night Cine-Love In. Movie marathons that take you from one day to the next are rarity on the fest's program, so this all-night affair is already something special. And then there are the four films that'll be keeping your eyelids open: David Lynch's sublime, surreal and stranger directorial debut Eraserhead; controversial Japanese erotic drama In The Realm of the Senses; O Lucky Man!, starring Malcolm McDowell and directed by Lindsay Anderson; and a whole heap of John Waters-helmed fun with Female Trouble. Each of the above flicks was picked by SFF's Programs Manager Jenny Neighbour, with the Cine-Love In marking her 30th year at the festival. To celebrate the occasion, she has chosen movies that shaped and changed her perspective on cinema — and she's hoping they'll do the same to yours. Break out the caffeine and order a whole heap of popcorn, because buying a ticket to this event — for $49 — means booking into all four films. The marathon kicks off at 10pm at Dendy Newtown, running through until 7.30am the next day.
Dancing in a crowded room while tunes are piped directly into everyone's ears via wireless headphones? That's yesterday's news. Today, it's all about skating on ice while doing the same. Or, at Sydney's first Silent Disco Ice Skating Festival, it will be from September 23 to 29. Taking place at Central Park Mall's Chippendale Green, the event really shouldn't need much explanation — but here goes. You'll glide around on the ice pretending that you're in Blades of Glory, Ice Princess or the three-strong The Cutting Edge film series, all while two live DJs play everything from old school classics to newly released tracks, and you listen in via your own personal head-set. While ice skating at the pop-up venue is an all-day affair, with the rink opening at 10am daily, the space doesn't turn into a silent disco until 4pm each afternoon. The 45-minute sessions are limited to 45 participants at any one time, and kick off on the hour, every hour. Oh, and they're free, so expect them to be rather busy. Generations in the future, we'll tell our kids about a time when people moved in public to music that even passersby could hear, and they won't believe us. Other than offering a whole lotta fun, the Silent Disco Ice Skating Festival might also answer the question we know you're now pondering: if you fall over at a silent ice skating fest, can anyone hear you scream? The Silent Disco Ice Skating Festival takes place from September 23 to 29 at Chippendale Green, Central Park Mall, 28 Broadway, Chippendale. For more information, visit the event website.
Calling all boating buddies, tinny hooners, fishing fans, weekend sailors and water racing pros – the most exhilarating sailing event in the world is coming back to Sydney Harbour. But fair warning, it's a bit of an upgrade from what you might be used to. We're not talking about high-grade yachts or roaring speedboats. We're talking about lightning-fast F50 catamarans and the KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix Sydney. The global touring series takes national teams of elite sailors from around the world and pits them against each other in boats capable of moving up to 100km per hour. The third season has seen action in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, North and Arabian seas throughout 2022. Now, in 2023, they're competing in four remaining events across the Pacific. [caption id="attachment_882905" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Bob Martin for SailGP[/caption] The third weekend of February will welcome the event to Sydney Harbour for the fourth time in the championship's history and there are loads of ways to stay close to the action, both on and off the water. Get front-row seats on Genesis Island, watch from up close on an Official Spectator Boat, explore the SailGP Village in Barangaroo and peek behind the scenes in Team Base Tours. The KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix Sydney runs from Saturday, February 18, to Sunday, February 19. For more information and to grab tickets, visit the website. Header images: Brett Costello and David Callow for SailGP
Cinema has a great propensity to diminish any differences that occur between peoples. Something magic happens when the lights are dimmed and the projectors start rolling (they probably don’t roll any more; I’m sure the process is more hi-tech now). Charlie Chaplin’s Modern Times opens the Alfred Stieglitz film program at the Art Gallery of NSW, which then takes a divergent turn with Robert Rossen’s Body and soul. Stieglitz, who was one of the 20th century's greatest photographers, was only alive to see one of the films shown in this series, although I imagine he would have championed the cause of the others, especially the directors' intents to present audiences with issues that were relevant to them. These films are centered on male protagonists about whom we cannot help but feel ambiguous. Perhaps a metaphor for politics of the time (and relevant for now, too?) we see characters with good intentions, unfortunately acquiescing to commit immoral acts — ultimately to their demise. With no end in sight to this irksome rain, there is no better way to spend a couple of hours than in the basement of the AGNSW with some good black and white action of the Waterfront kind. And I forgot to mention: Put your wallets away, because these screenings are free. Films are shown at 2pm and 7.15pm on Wednesdays and at 2pm on Sundays. Wednesday 16 June 2pm & 7.15pm / Sunday 20 June 2pm Force of evil Dir: Abraham Polonsky (1948) Wednesday 23 June 2pm & 7.15pm / Sunday 27 June 2pm Marty Dir: Delbert Mann (1955) Wednesday 30 June 2pm & 7.15pm / Sunday 4 July 2pm On the waterfront Dir: Elia Kazan (1954) Wednesday 7 July 2pm & 7.15pm / Sunday 11 July 2pm Sweet Smell of Success Dir: Alexander Mackendrik (1957) Wednesday 14 July 2pm & 7.15pm / Sunday 18 July 2pm Rear window Dir: Alfred Hitchcock (1954)
Sure, dates are fun, but racking up an expensive bill on oysters and champagne is a rather unsustainable habit. While it's fun to treat your long-term or prospective partner to a night of nature's indulgence, oysters aren't exactly conducive to budgeting — even if you've come across a good oyster deal. Thankfully, you don't need to splash cash to have a memorable meet cute. In fact, when it comes to a good date, it's all about the human connection — the chemistry, the banter, the cutesy giggles and alluring glances. Yes, that can happen over dozens of oysters, but that spark can equally transpire doing an activity that's completely free. A good date can cost you zero dollars if you choose the right activity. To help you out, we've pulled together some of the best free date ideas for wooing your beloved, even if you're on a super-tight budget, while our friends at CommBank have rounded up some handy money tips for when you're dating or coupled up. Here are five no-cost activities to check out this spring — keep those oysters for a special occasion. Spender? Saver? See CommBank's tips on how to understand your and your date's financial similarities and differences. PERUSE THE FREE EXHIBITIONS AT THE AGNSW Stunning art wasn't always freely available to the public. The idea of art being safeguarded by the government as a public good rather than cloistered away in private collections was a relatively recent development — so you can thank former British MP John Wilkes for making that a reality as you head to The Art Gallery of NSW for your next date. AGNSW is open late on Wednesdays and while special exhibitions are ticketed, admission is totally free to the permanent galleries and most temporary exhibitions, as well as some special events. Wrap up your evening with a stroll through the gardens of The Domain down to the Sydney Opera House to debrief on your favourite pieces. MEANDER THROUGH SYDNEY'S BEST MARKETS Head to one of Sydney's many market offerings for a low-key weekend date. Markets are fun and high energy without being too overwhelming, making them a solid choice for getting the conversation flowing in a bustling setting and, of course, for people watching. Grab a coffee (okay, so that's about $3.50–4 each) and comb through the second-hand and vintage clothes stalls at Saturday's Glebe markets or Surry Hills' monthly market, then make your way to the Carriageworks Farmers Markets for freshly baked bread. You can also check out the fresh produce at Marrickville Organic Markets on a Sunday and relax in the sun with your special someone. TAKE A WALK BY THE WATER'S EDGE Walking and talking is a prime date concept that's free, active and outdoors. But to pull it off you have to make sure your walk of choice is a cut above your average stroll down King Street. So, why not take your date to see the epic cliff faces along the recently opened Western Escarpment Walking Track in the Malabar Headland National Park? The walk follows a beautiful 1.15-kilometre path that connects Arthur Byrne Reserve in South Maroubra to Pioneers Park in Malabar. Another plus is that unlike parking near the popular Bondi to Bronte walk, Maroubra has plenty of free parking options. It's a win-win. ENJOY A PICNIC WITH HARBOUR VIEWS Roll pooch time and date night into one wholesome event for the perfect low-budget date. Throw a cheeky sunset into the mix, and you'll have yourself a romantic evening for three — you, your date, and of course, your most-trusted mate. Organise a picnic on the lawns of Observatory Hill Park to take in beautiful views of Sydney Harbour and let your very good dog run off leash. If nothing else, your date's compatibility with your pup is a tried-and-true test for whether or not the relationship is going to work in the long run. [caption id="attachment_693157" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jason Baker.[/caption] EXPLORE THE FLOATING FOREST IN HOMEBUSH Floating off the coast of Homebush Bay lies a forest growing inside, wait for it, a hundred-year-old shipwreck. Quite frankly, it's a spectacular sight to behold. While it's not technically floating as it's firmly stuck in the mud, it looks as though it's floating and that's what counts. For a unique date, take a ferry to Sydney Olympic Park Wharf, then stroll 20 minutes to see this intriguing landmark. Who knows, the notion of new life growing in an unexpected, broken place could end up being the perfect metaphor for your burgeoning new romance. Or, maybe, the floating forest is just a cool thing to check out with your cutie. Either way — it's free. Don't spend a cent on your next date with the above recommendations, or, even better, enter our comp and let us pick up the bill.
If you've got a thing for falafel, you likely find it hard stopping at just a few of those very moreish, deep-fried chickpea nuggets. So Barzaaari's new bottomless falafel offering should come in handy next time that craving hits. From 5–7pm, Tuesday to Friday nights throughout winter, the Chippendale restaurant is dishing up something of a falafel frenzy, starring Chef Darryl Martin's made-to-order traditional Middle Eastern delights. For $20 a head, you'll enjoy an all-you-can-eat plate of golden falafel balls, alongside a parade of house-made dips, toum (garlic sauce), pickles and that all-important pita bread, served hot from the woodfire oven. Keen to make a real feast of it? The falafel deal just so happens to sync up with Barzaari's happy hour offer, which features $10 wines and $10 house cocktails, including spritzes and a couple of hot toddy-inspired concoctions. Images: Nikki To
There's something momentous about opening a bottle of sparkling — unwiring the muselet, anticipating the dramatic pop and then the subsequent hiss as the bubbles start to fizz to the top — it signals celebration. We toast with it on New Year's Eve; crack it open to celebrate promotions, birthdays and engagements — but you needn't wait for one of these situations to pop the bubbly. Sometimes it suffices to just toast the sunny days ahead. We've partnered with Henkell, purveyors of quality bubbles, and rustled up five summer occasions to pair with a glass of sparkling. From celebrating the Sydney arts scene and LGBTQI+ community to honouring your love on Valentine's Day — these events require you to raise a glass of the good stuff. Yep, we've just given you five more reasons to crack the bubbly. You're welcome. [caption id="attachment_694972" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pigalle, Sydney Festival.[/caption] SYDNEY FESTIVAL: JANUARY 9–27 Since 1977, Sydney Festival has fed our city with critical ideas, cutting-edge art and compelling performance. From January 9–27, the three-week festival is pulling no punches with a diverse program that showcases the best and brightest in the arts community. You can enjoy a raucous night of music and cabaret at Pigalle, partake in a silent disco at the State Library, experience the weightlessness of space on earth via the Moon Drop installation at Barangaroo, or check out powerful new theatre and art by First Nations artists in Blak Out. Once you've got your culture fix, grab a glass of Henkell Blanc de Blancs and debrief with your festival buddy. TROPFEST: FEBRUARY 9 Tropfest — the world's largest short film festival — is back this summer, with 16 incredible finalist films premiering underneath the stars at the picturesque Parramatta Park on February 9. The festival promises an electric atmosphere, bursting with film-loving Sydneysiders, along with some cracking cinema. The best part? Tropfest is a completely free event with BYO permitted. So, pack a gourmet picnic — a selection of charcuterie and cured meats, perhaps — and a bottle of Henkell Trocken to toast the new wave of Aussie filmmakers. As always, films can be about anything but must include the Tropfest Signature Item, which for 2019 is 'candle'. Be sure to keep an eye out for wax and wicks. VALENTINE'S DAY: FEBRUARY 14 Whether you believe Hallmark invented the holiday or not, Valentine's Day is still a good opportunity to show how much you appreciate your partner and crack a bottle of bubbly. It's a win-win. Forgo that passé Italian restaurant with those crazy V-Day crowds and inflated prices, and plan a romantic picnic instead. Cheese and sparkling is the quickest way to the heart, right? Well, at least we think so. Single? No dramas. Treat your ride-or-die bestie to the aforementioned spread and make them feel suitably special. Don't forget to pick up a kitsch Valentines card of the "I choo- choo- choose you" ilk, for a bit of a laugh. [caption id="attachment_701467" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW.[/caption] MARDI GRAS: FEBRUARY 15 TO MARCH 3 You might think Mardi Gras is already sparkly enough — sequins, glitter, rhinestones, what more do you need? — but there's always room for more sparkles, darling. Pop a bottle of Henkell Blanc de Blancs then head along to one of the many Mardi Gras events and celebrate the LGBTQI+ community in the lead up to the main parade. The program covers everything from interactive cabaret banquets to queer burlesque and contemporary art shows; there's thought-provoking work which challenges the status quo and light-hearted art designed to make you laugh. More broadly, Mardi Gras gives Australians a chance to be free, have fun and advocate for diversity simultaneously. Now that's something to celebrate. MOONLIGHT CINEMA: NOVEMBER 29 TO MARCH 31 Summer's balmy nights are certainly worth celebrating, and, there's no better way to do that than by spending a night at the Moonlight Cinema, sparkling in hand. This year's program is stacked with new and old cinematic gems — everything from Dirty Dancing to Bohemian Rhapsody will grace the silver screen. But even if the movie is a drag, the idyllic backdrop of Centennial Park (plus that aforementioned bubbly) will keep you entertained. While there are food trucks and a licensed bar onsite, Moonlight also allows BYO, which means you can go as cheap and cheerful or upscale as you like. Summer is here and it's time to pop the bubbly. Pick up a bottle of Henkell Blanc de Blancs or Henkell Trocken for your next sparkling occasion.
Irish playwright Mark O’Rowes Crestfall is made up of three monologues for women. The trio of intersecting stories all take pace on the same day, based around the site of a messy abattoir known as "The Bonelands". The themes are as dark as you could expect. Prostitution, drug addiction, beastiality and domestic violence all feature heavily. However the play's language is as strange and flowery as T.S. Elliott's Jaberwocky. Sometimes it works, becoming beautifully, evocative and tragi-comic: "His big belly bouncing, feel it on my flanks there, grinding, trying to find his rhythm." And sometimes it trips up on it’s own self consciousness. “Submission is all he knows, the sissy. Surrender. Self-pity.” This kind of dialogue would be a challenge for any actor, especially delivered solo in 30 minute chunks, but the three leads all handle it admirably. Young actress Sarah Snook is great as the town tart, although she does seem a little buckled by the language. Georgina Symes is mesmerising as a drug addicted prostitute. But it’s Eliza Logan who is the play's standout as a prim neighbour. It’s a confident and pared back production directed by Shannon Murphy. As accomplished as the show is I was left wondering why so many plays from the Griffin are like this: unrelentingly bleak European dirges. As though suffering and darkness were automatically a mark of quality. Plus the playwright's views of women are alarmingly one-eyed and sexist. A lot of male writers get accused of suffering from a Madonna/Whore complex, and O’Rowe does nothing to counter the cliché. Photo by Ella Condon.
As one of the world's largest collections of 21st-century Chinese art, White Rabbit Gallery has made a name for itself in the Sydney art scene for consistently exhibiting unique, compelling shows — and we can expect more high-calibre work from Commune, a new exhibition curated in time for the gallery's fifth birthday. The show will draw on works with a personal rather than political message, offering us an intimate look at the small-scale social ties that bind China's 1.3 billion-strong population. Ideas of family, friendship and community will be expressed through a diverse range of mediums, including multimedia installation, painting and sculpture.
What do you get when you assemble 24 international artists who are famously unafraid of taking risks and pushing the envelope? The result looks something like Hot Blood — an unapologetically bold exhibition set to hit White Rabbit Gallery in March. Championing the raw and the dramatic, and reminding us that art's not always easy to digest, this contemporary artistic lineup promises not to pull any punches. The likes of Sydney-based emerging artist Cindy Yuen-Zhe Chen and Macau multimedia artist Peng Yun will be among those showcasing their penchant for the subversive, through works that completely smash concepts of gender, age and identity. Expect to dive right into the deep end with this one, exploring concepts ranging from sexual desire and bodily frailty to psychedelia and spiritual ecstasy. Check out our top five works to see at the exhibition. Top image: Electromagnetic Brainology (2017).
If Malala Yousafzai's name sounds familiar, that's because she hasn't strayed far from the headlines in recent years. The Pakistani teenager turned best-selling author dared to speak out about life under Taliban rule, and to campaign for something they oppose: the education of women. In 2012, she was shot in the head aboard her school bus. However an assassination attempt didn't dampen her drive, and in 2014 she became the youngest-ever winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. Filmed over an 18-month period and featuring interviews with Malala and her family, as well as a routine assembly of media clips, recreations and animation, He Named Me Malala tells her story. As even a brief run-through of her life and achievements indicate, hers is quite the tale. Malala hasn't just triumphed over adversity; she has refused to be terrorised into abandoning her ideals, and turned a traumatic experience into a platform for advocacy. Alas, in the hands of An Inconvenient Truth director Davis Guggenheim, an extraordinary person inspires a merely average film . His feature finds its power in its subject, whose status and strong beliefs always remain evident. Yet even though the movie tries to peer behind everything that has already been reported, attempting to get to know Malala as a person rather than a symbol, the portrait it paints stays in standard biographical doc territory. Accordingly, He Named Me Malala seesaws from the somewhat illuminating to the already known and oft repeated (even within the documentary itself). Much is made of her father's influence over her determined mindset and her love of learning — but while behind this impassioned crusader stands a parent who has nurtured and encouraged her, Malala is, of course, the real point of interest. She charms as much with her confident speeches to the United Nations as she does when she's explaining why she can't just go on a date. Those charms only grow over the film's 88 minutes — again, through her presence, energy and focus, rather than through Guggenheim's filmmaking skills. He recognises the need to keep her front and centre, yet his film also plays it safe, keeping its distance and never wavering from its adoring position. And as much as the documentary might aim to show the real Malala, the most candid it ever gets is in glimpsing her looking at pictures of attractive male sportsmen. As a result, as a fleshed-out account of a remarkable young woman, He Named Me Malala feels like it barely scratches the surface. As a functional portrait of a crucial campaign and its self-appointed spokeswoman, it fares better. Either way, one thing is certain: this won't be the last time Malala's accomplishments are memorialised and celebrated on film.
Still the queen of zero-phucks-given cool, Kirsten Dunst has slammed the selfie in a brand new teeny, tiny short film. Directed by Matthew Frost for Vs. magazine, Aspirational follows Dunst out her Beverly Hills driveway and into an awkward celeb selfie moment. A cheeky WTF comment on social media-obsessed fangirls and celebrity 'moments', Aspirational is a nice little reminder that humans are freakin' idiots sometimes. Via Vs.
It's been an exhilarating snow season at Thredbo this year. With the warmer temperatures creeping up and bringing the powder-happy months to a close, Rekorderlig Cider threw Thredbo a farewell-to-winter party to remember last Saturday with their event Sounds in the Snow. With free, cider-fuelled outdoor festivities flanked by open fires, Sounds in the Snow was headlined by Sydney electro-pop boys Panama, who brought their self described 'hopeful house music' to the Thredbo Alpine Hotel for the afternoon. Fronted by Perth-born songwriter and classically-trained pianist Jarrah McCleary, Panama's reputation is growing here and overseas, thanks to a recent tour in Europe and the United States on the back of their sophomore EP Always. A who's who of the snow poured in to see to the anticipated electronic trio play, including Australia's number one snowboarder and Olympic gold medallist Torah Bright. As the sun got lower and the beats got louder, Rekorderlig's special cinnamon and vanilla-fused Winter Cider became a crowd favourite. Drinks in hand, skiers and snowboarders took a dip in the steaming Rekorderlig hot pools and gathered round the fire pits for one last afternoon of après-ski good times. Here's all the snaps from Sounds in the Snow 2014:
Venerable a cappella crooners Boyz II Men are making their way back to Australia in November. The timing couldn't be better considering we have never been happier to pay exorbitant sums of money to have ageing musicians take us back to our '90s happy place, but Boyz II Men are still turning hearts to liquid 18 years after they wanted to make love to us the first time. Along with those Motownphilly classics the Boyz' November tour will see them play a string of tunes from their recent album Twenty. Released almost a year ago and fittingly debuting at number 20 on the Billboard 200, that album featured 13 new songs plus nine rerecorded ones. They've added a second Sydney show on Thursday 29 November due to such massive demand for the first, which is great now that you're probably allowed to stay up past 9pm on a school night. https://youtube.com/watch?v=zDKO6XYXioc
The end of of WWII might have brought the Americans an era of cars, appliances and all sorts of stepford-wife-inducing prosperity, but the Brits weren’t having such a good time. The starkness of austerity measures, the legalisation of homosexuality and the reign of Margaret Thatcher contributed to a sense of both bleakness and change in the midst of which Frances Bacon crafted his paintings. This period of turmoil, captured on film, is the subject of a weekly program of free films held at the Art Gallery of NSW, Hitting rock bottom in post-war England. Curated by Robert Herbert, the films deal with the changing social structure in Britain from the post-WW2 period to the late 1980s. You can catch pretty much one film a week from now until February. Highlights include: High hopes, a sombre, biting satire of Margaret Thatcher’s England, 10 Rillington Place, director Richard Fleischer’s bleak, true-crime drama is based on one of England’s most famous murder cases and Love is the devil: study for a portrait of Francis Bacon, which probes the mid-life of painter Francis Bacon. Tickets can be picked up (for free) at the Domain Theatre an hour before screenings and can tend to run out on busy days. Screenings are Wednesdays at 2pm & 7.15, Sundays at 2pm and with two special Saturday screenings (Jan 19 and Feb 16) at 2pm. The screenings will be taking a summer break from December 17 to January 8.
Beer and music were made for one another. That's why Pirate Life Brewing has teamed up with the Coogee Bay Hotel to bring you an epic new gig series: Jam Nights. Taking over the pub's Beach Bar every Wednesday from 7pm, this event involves all the good things in life: $6 schooners, $20 burger-and-schooner bundles and, of course, plenty of live tunes. You'll be listening to some crowd-favourite covers and originals performed by a bunch of local artists, backed by the house band. Plus, you won't be drinking any ol' schooeys either. Since the cheap brews are supplied by Pirate Life, you can expect to be sipping on quality craft brews. So, we suggest you head on down for a post-work (or post-swim) bevvy and kick back to some live tunes — all just a stumble from the beach. Coogee Bay Hotel x Pirate Life's Jam Nights runs from 7–10pm every Wednesday.
With Mark Foster on keys, guitars and vocals, Mark Pontius on drums and Cubbie Fink on bass – Foster The People are cresting a new wave of feel-good tunes coming out of Los Angeles. Reaching the world stage after performing at the SxSW Festival in Austin, Texas – these three Los Angelinos are bringing their good vibes our way. Gracing our shores for the Splendour in the Grass festival, the band are hoping to emulate their sold-out East Coast gigs in February. Making bouncy, shiny electro-pop, Foster The People look to make this winter night a little bit warmer. With a new album on the horizon and Sydney favourites Guineafowl supporting, get down to the gig then get on down. Tickets go on sale May 27. https://youtube.com/watch?v=SLK7hrRijes
If a fresh bread roll, an expertly grilled patty and a slice of melted cheese is your idea of a perfect meal, then you might just have September 18 permanently marked in your diary. Each and every year, that's when the world's most dedicated cheeseburger lovers celebrate their favourite food. We're not saying that burgs will taste better on that date — or that it's really a legitimate day of celebration — but if you just can't get enough of the them, it's definitely worth your attention. Especially if there are cheap burgers involved. Which, this year, there are. Burger Project will be slinging $5 cheeseburgers at all six of its Sydney stores all day on Wednesday, September 18. Head to World Square, Gateway Circular Quay, Bondi junction, Broadway, MLC Centre or Grosvenor Place, and grab a bargain (or, depending on how hungry you are, several). For those new to Burger Project's take on an old fave, Neil Perry's eatery whips up a hand-pressed slab of Cape Grim beef, layers it with pickles, onion, mustard and cheese, then squirts on some secret sauce. Next, it's all placed between a soft milk bun. And it tastes even better when it's less than half the regular price.
With racially motivated discrimination, oppression and injustice in the global spotlight over the past few weeks, one confectionery company has taken the opportunity to rebrand two of its lollies that have names with racist overtones. Nestlé has announced it will rename its chewy red lollies, currently called Redskins, an antiquated and derogatory term for Native Americans, and its chocolate-flavoured, people-shaped Chicos, which means 'children' in Spanish and is considered offensive to people of Latin American descent. In a statement released today, on Tuesday, June 23, Nestlé said it will change the names of the two lollies and "acknowledges the need to ensure that nothing we do marginalises our friends, neighbours and colleagues. These names have overtones which are out of step with Nestlé's values, which are rooted in respect," the statement said. New names have not yet been finalised, according to the company, but it is moving to change them "quickly". Race and discrimination is a subject that always demands action and attention, both worldwide and within Australia, however, it's been particularly thrust to the fore due to the ongoing Black Lives Matter movement, and protests over the death of American George Floyd at the hands of a police officer — as well as, at the local level, the ongoing fight to end the systemic mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and Māori by law enforcement. A similar long-running debate about the offensiveness of the Washington Redskins NFL team has ramped up again in the US, too, with The Washington Post calling on the team's owner Daniel Snyder to change the name in an editorial published earlier this week. Calls for Nestlé to change the names of its two products, which are manufactured in New Zealand and Australia under the company's Allen's brand, also isn't new — with the debate raging when they were featured in a 2013 episode of MasterChef Australia — and they're not the only controversially named product on Australia supermarket shelves, either.
Sydney's number-one party hype crew Astral People is set to expand, bringing its Summer Dance series mentality to these cooler months for the first time. The inaugural Winter Dance will take over UNSW Roundhouse for one day only on Saturday, June 22. To drive the winter theme home, the multi-stage lineup features international artists from cold North American climates. Headlining are Detroit's lauded techno producer Omar S, Vancouver's house music guru Pender Street Steppers and, another Detroit import, techno pioneer K-HAND — this bad-ass business woman and multi-media artist has been given the official title of First Lady of Detroit by the city council. There'll also be heaps homegrown talent on the docket, including DJ sets by Sydney's own Ben Fester, Lex Deluxe and Maia Bilyk, along with Melbourne's Roland Tings. This all out party starts at 3pm and runs late, so get ready for a long day of dancing. Early bird tickets have already sold out, general release tickets are set at $60 and final release at $70. Astral People's Summer Dance series regularly sells out, so expect the same and snag yours now.
Art plus bar. This almost universal gallery opening deal is a pretty tasty mix already. But the MCA adds extras to this time-honoured tradition with its now SMAC-winning series ARTBAR. They're evenings of strange and interesting things at play among the art, recurring monthly and curated by a rotating cast of local artists. This month's festivities are at the mercy of Taboo curator Brook Andrew. He promises performance from artists Liam Benson and George Tillianakis, drag queen Constantina Bush, and some of Mathew Sheilds' almost-Olympic pole dancing. Upstairs, alongside the sculpture balcony's marble tribute to the ear, Andrews himself will project images over the audio ambience of DJ Perfect Snatch and Leo Tanoi. Concrete Playground has five double passes to give away to ARTBAR on Friday, January 25. To be in the running, make sure you're subscribed to our newsletter and then email hello@concreteplayground.com.au with your name and address.
Some of Bondi's best bars are celebrating gin, with a dedicated two-week gin festival this Autumn. The Bondi Festival of Gin is kicking off on Thursday, April 14 and will run through both the Easter and ANZAC Day long weekends, concluding on Sunday, May 1. Throughout the festival, a heap of free and ticketed events are popping up at venues like Beach Road Hotel, Rocker, Bondi Liquor Co and Ravesis. Bondi Liquor Co is hosting the launch party, kicking off your weekend with spiked easter eggs. Tickets for the party are $55 but include the boozy Easter treats, live entertainment, a Bondi Liquor Co drink, canapés and a take-home bottle of gin. Other highlights include a pop-up gin garden that's coming to Beach Road Hotel on Sunday, April 17, Corner House's gin and food pairing dinner on Wednesday, April 20 and a gin trail that's running through the whole of Bondi. Ten different Bondi venues are serving up special cocktails and G&Ts throughout the festival and patrons can get a gin passport stamped at each of the venues, with the chance to win a year's supply of gin if you hit up all ten spots. You can find all the events on the Bondi Liquor Co website. [caption id="attachment_681981" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Beach Road Hotel[/caption]
There are a lot of ways to celebrate a twenty-first birthday but there are a few musts: old friends, good food, great booze and brilliant music. The Darling Harbour Jazz and Blues Festival is celebrating twenty one years and is ticking all the boxes. Set across four stages including the world famous floating Harbourside stage, the program looks set to excite. To celebrate its momentous anniversary the festival is pulling out all stops, bringing together the best of the local and international jazz scene, including Australia's greatest jazz man and festival favourite James Morrison, ethereal songstress Katie Noonan, the rocking 17-piece all-girl Sirens Big Band, the irrepressible Topsy Chapman and US legends the Ron Carter Trio to name just a few. However if music isn't your scene, the Harbour still has a lot to offer over the three days. This year the festival organisers are attempting a world record: an attempt to gather the largest saxophone orchestra ever assembled. The number to beat is 918 but the organizers are quietly confident they will hit over a thousand. The Chinese Garden of Friendship will also be offering yum-cha and drink deals each day of the festival. https://youtube.com/watch?v=qnRrIh0V3NQ
Julian Assange. You might have heard of him? That Lucius Malfoy-haired, Peter Garrett-choreographed, Ecuadorian Embassy-ensconced hacker who almost certainly kisses and tells. Yeah, you know him? Of course you do, because thanks to years of media coverage, Robert Connolly's impressive biopic Underground (2012), Alex Gibney's excellent documentary We Steal Secrets (2013) and, of course, Mr Assange himself, the Wikileaks/Assange saga (now largely synonymous) is one of the most well-known, well-told stories of the decade. Accordingly, if you're going to make a new movie about that story, it had better offer up something new. Unfortunately, The Fifth Estate does not. Directed by Bill Condon (The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn), The Fifth Estate sources much of its material from the two books Assange is least likely to ever recommend during cake corner, namely: Inside WikiLeaks: My Time with Julian Assange and the World's Most Dangerous Website (2011), and WikiLeaks: Inside Julian Assange's War on Secrecy (2011). Both were written by men who were about as close to Assange as one could get in the lead up to, and during, his infamous publication of hundreds of thousands of classified US military and government documents, and both detail how their initial infatuation with this quasi-messianic figure for openness and transparency gave way to horror at his apparent total disregard for consequence. In short, powerful stuff but nothing even remotely revelatory this far into the Wikileaks narrative. If there is a reason to see The Fifth Estate, then, it is unquestionably Benedict Cumberbatch. Few who are not Australian have ever mastered the accent, yet Cumberbatch wields both it and Assange's specific cadence and timbre with aplomb. So impressive is the feat, in fact, that it actually works against the movie. Assange's slow, measured and largely monotone articulation robs even the most dramatic moments of energy, both in real life and in this film, so much so that were it not for the consistently explosive content of his conversations, one suspects he'd be an unbearably boring man to meet in person. Stylistically, The Fifth Estate does what it can to make coding, reading and emailing something of a spectator sport; however, the only real drama occurs when the key figures engage in actual person-to-person (cf peer-to-peer) exchanges — most notably, the debates between Assange and his right-hand man, Daniel Domscheit-Berg (Daniel Brühl), who wrote Inside Wikileaks, over what to release, and when. Everything else feels largely pedestrian, and — remarkably — the contentious allegations of sexual misconduct for which Assange has been indicted by Sweden appear only as a footnote in the credits. Ultimately, The Fifth Estate is an example of the whole being somehow lesser than its parts; a film easily outperformed by its performers and the real life players who inspired it. https://youtube.com/watch?v=YQOiS_l_0Jk
Throw away any ideas you may have had of a fair involving children and fairy floss and stop gnawing on that leg of lamb for just one minute. In line with the dedicated-to-foodies rep set by their last mouth-watering affair, Newtown Hotel is holding a Meat Fair. Long have carnivores craved the time and place to huddle together and spend an afternoon munching on eight different types of meat. Now we have all the meat we could want across two levels, including The Animal and Newtown Hotel's Cider Yard, all while sitting back and relaxing to live music courtesy of the local drobo-playing brother duo, 200K. Local producers will be plating up the best suckling pig, coal roasted lamb, beef brisket, whole chicken, smokey BBQ beef short ribs and other speciality meats. If the talk of meat is leaving you parched already, you'll be glad to know the teams from Young Henrys, Fat Yak, Ruby Tuesday, James Squire Porter and White Rabbit will be prepped and ready to pour you a cold one and divulge all the secrets of creating craft beer. Let the meat comas begin.
As Aussies gear up for a postal vote on same-sex marriage, the latest show of support for marriage equality is an especially vocal one, with some of the country's best-loved musical acts banding together for a one-off concert at Sydney's Enmore Theatre. On Tuesday, September 12, Unity will see a diverse bunch of Australian artists taking the stage in a push for equality and to demonstrate their support for the LGBTI+ community, all while throwing down some serious tunes. The Jezebels (who are currently in the middle of a week-long residency at The Lansdowne) will treat audiences to three new acoustic arrangements of their music, and rock-pop outfit Killing Heidi is set to drop by for a mini set. There'll also be intimate solos from the likes of Holly Throsby, Sarah Blasko, Jack Colwell and Andy Bull, as well as a performance from Frenzal Rhomb's Jay and Lindsay. The best part? They're all performing for free, so that 100 percent of the ticket sales head straight to Australian Marriage Equality to fund their continued coordination of the national Equality Campaign. Tickets are are $70 — buy yours to support the Equality Campaign's efforts and enjoy some great Aussie music.
In Australia we are presented with images of Afghanistan almost daily. They’re usually images created with the intent to shock, giving only an outsider’s perspective on the country’s bleak dusty skylines and abject poverty. It’s no wonder, then, that the most striking images we see of war-torn places are ones of friendship, vitality and unguarded honesty. This is what we’re presented with in Kabul Kids, the result of a photography project undertaken by Sydney-based freelance photographer Palwesh Yusuf. In 2009 Yusuf enlisted a group of six orphan children aged between nine and 18 in a series of photography workshops, before handing them a camera with which to document their lives. What we get is an eye-opening, insiders’ glimpse into Kabul that is optimistic in its rawness. The photographs taken range from intimate, family album-like shots from the orphanage to captivating street scenes captured outside. With creativity as the only agenda being served, we see banana peddlers taking the time to enjoy a laugh rather than conforming to media-bred illusions of the hostile male. Artworks will be available for sale during the course of the exhibition, with all proceeds to be donated to Hope House Orphanage. The exhibition will open at China Heights gallery from Novmeber 18 - 20 and continue at ICE from November 25 - December 1.
If you only get stranded on one island this year, be sure to make it this one. After the colossal success of their inaugural endeavour, Wine Island is returning to Sydney Harbour this November for another long weekend of fun, food and sweet, sweet wine. For those who missed out last time, Wine Island is more or less what it sounds like, in that it's an island where you drink a lot of wine. More specifically, it's a three day mini festival on Clark Island in Sydney Harbour, where you can spend your time knocking back glass after glass while feasting on mouth-watering cuisine. There's also be a range of activities to enjoy; last year we partook in cooking classes and treasure hunts. Yes, treasure hunts. No wonder we dubbed it the Best New Event of 2015. Wine Island 2016 is set to run from Friday, November 11 to Sunday, November 13, and they've just released some new deets about the festivities. A new addition will be the King Valley Prosecco Road, which will celebrate the Italian sparkling varietal from Victoria over Italian snacks and a game or two of bocce. Also new on the lineup will be Dessert Island, where you can sample some of Sydney's best sweets matched with dessert wines. You certainly won't go hungry, either. Noms will be provided by the much-anticipated Barangaroo vermouth bar Banksii that's set to open next month, along with Chur Burger, Oysters Unplugged and the Hunter Valley Cheese Factory. Tickets will go on sale to members (you can sign up here) on Monday, August 29 and to the general public on Thursday, September 1. General admission tickets ($95) include vintage ferry transport to and from the island with a glass of sparking on board, five wine tastings, masterclasses and your own wine glass. For the real fancypantses, the VIP package ($190) gives you all that plus a meal voucher, licence to sip away to your heart's content with unlimited tastings (not a challenge), and access to the Friday sessions. So get your finger hovering over that 'buy' button — tickets sold out in less than two hours last time. By Tom Clift and Lauren Vadnjal.
If you're starting to feel like a new season hasn't truly started until Finders Keepers has come to town, you're not alone. The ever-expanding art and design market has been bringing us face-to-face with some of the country's most quirky and creative designers for over a decade now — and it's set to do it all over again when it returns later this month. The focus remains, as ever, on helping you discover and connect with the next wave of independent and emerging artisans. Expect to find debut collections from the likes of reclaimed timber furniture designer Common Wood and Graffiti Ore, which repurposes graffiti paint into vibrant accessories. Newtown-based The Social Outfit will also make its first market appearance — the conscious fashion label provides employment opportunities to refugees and migrants and reduces textile waste by using leftover fabrics from high-end designers. With the festive season fast approaching, the markets are also a great opportunity to get in the Christmas spirit. You can pick up a wreath, made with native Australian foliage, from Blume Flower School (or even sign up for a workshop if you're feeling particularly creative) and find plenty of left-of-centre gifts including Home by Harlequin ceramics, Peggy and Finn's quirky mens accessories and 'instant gardens' from The Little Veggie Patch Co. As usual, there'll be live music and other entertainment scattered across the weekend to keep the good vibes going. And you're covered when the inevitable shopping-induced hunger strikes, with Shortstop Coffee & Donuts, Mr Bao and Miss Lilly's Kitchen among the food vendors setting up shop. Tickets are $5, available at the door and valid for the entire weekend. So, if you can't stop thinking about that one thing you didn't buy, you can make a return visit. Start creating your shopping list now and head to the Finders Keepers directory to see the full scope of vendors. Finders Keepers Spring/Summer Sydney will run from November 30–December 2 at 12pm–9pm on Friday, 10am–7pm on Saturday and 10am–5pm on Sunday. Images: Samee Lapham.
Is art a spectator sport? Well, performance art points to yes. So does video art. So, in a slightly different way, do those openings that are kind of like the running of the bulls in Pamplona would be if everyone kept talking about some night they had hung out with the bull. And then there are events like this, where you see an artwork come together in front of you, from concept to completion. Street art seems to be particularly strong on this — possibly because of all the working quickly so as not to get caught by the cops — and off the back of the Secret Wars final we get the second Project 5 event. Curated by aMBUSH gallery, Project 5 has lined up Brooklyn-based Brisbane boy Anthony Lister, stencil and paste-up artist of Melbourne laneway fame Meggs, Sydney portraitist and Oh Really!? gallery co-founder Ears and music industry illustration mainstays webuyyourkids, to make pieces in an improvised open-to-the-public studio over the weekend. Hooray for community engagement, right? Speaking of which, the pieces that come out of the weekend's work are to be auctioned on October 14, with all profits going to Information and Cultural Exchange, a group supporting and promoting visual arts by young people in Western Sydney. Image: Meggs
Five years in the making, the Art Gallery of NSW's latest addition is finally set to open. The Sydney Modern Project will turn the Harbour City institution into a two-building art museum, almost double AGNSW's space in the process, and has cost $344 million to bring to fruition. It's launching in December, and the gallery is unsurprisingly celebrating in a massive way. How do you mark a huge development like this? With a nine-day party, naturally. Originally announced in 2017, officially given a green light in 2018 and revealing its first commissioned artworks in March 2022, the Sydney Modern will start welcoming art lovers in with a hefty free program of events in and around the venue. It's a significant lineup, running from Saturday, December 3–Sunday, December 11 and spanning everything from art and music to talks and performances — Ellie Goulding, Meg Mac, Electric Fields, a Reko Rennie drone show and all. UK pop star Goulding will headline a free concert at The Domain on Saturday, December 10, as supported by Meg Mac and Electric Fields. Called Art for All, the show will see the Grammy-winner play opposite AGNSW and is a one-night-only affair, with free tickets available now. Spanning the whole length of the celebrations is Art Up, which will see Kamilaroi artist Reko Rennie unleash a stunning sight. He's creating a massive drone show that'll hover over Woolloomooloo Bay every evening, with 400 drones used to animate artworks in the sky over AGNSW and Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. There'll also be a soundtrack to go with it. Conversation series Art Exchange will similarly span the nine days, bringing together artists, creatives and thought leaders from across the globe. Their overall topic: art and culture today, and its current ideas, innovations and struggles. Attendees will be able to hear from Reko Rennie and fellow artists Lisa Reihana, Howie Tsui and Adrián Villar Rojas — and Beatrice Galilee, co-founder and executive director of The World Around at the Guggenheim Museum in New York. Also on the bill: Suhanya Raffel, director of M+ in Hong Kong; chefs Adam Liaw, Christine Manfield, Matt Moran and Clayton Wells; human rights barrister Geoffrey Robertson; and comedian Steven Oliver. [caption id="attachment_876751" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sia Duff[/caption] The workshop lineup will see artists from Milingimbi Art and Culture centre in northeast Arnhem Land lead the charge, conducting a weaving session that responds to some of Sydney Modern Project's artworks. In the new building's first gallery, the Yiribana Gallery, a series of naturally dyed woven artworks will be on display as part of a focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art — which the workshop will tie into. And, the performance roster includes, GABAN by Wiradjuri Nation interdisciplinary artist Brook Andrew; RITUAL from actor, filmmaker and martial artist Maria Tran; and disability-led choreographic work Animate Loading by Riana Head-Toussaint. [caption id="attachment_876752" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Laura Fiorio[/caption] Funded by $244 million from the NSW Government and $100 million raised by private donations, the Sydney Modern Project sprawls across 7830 square metres, as designed by Pritzker Prize-winning Japanese architects SANAA (with Australia's Architectus as the executive architect). Set to be light, airy and open to its surroundings, it'll feature that aforementioned dedicated gallery for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art at entrance level. Venture downstairs, however, and Sydney Modern Project will also be home to a huge underground art space that'll be used for special commissions and performances, and happens to be repurposed from a decommissioned World War II naval oil tank. And, the project also includes a new public art garden. [caption id="attachment_847597" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sydney Modern Project render as produced by Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa / SANAA. © Art Gallery of New South Wales, 2021.[/caption] The Sydney Modern Project will open its doors on Saturday, December 3, 2022 at Art Gallery Road, The Domain, Sydney. For more information about the project, including the open celebrations from Saturday, December 3–Sunday, December 11, head to the gallery's website.
If you went on a road trip this summer and didn’t include anything by Brooklyn four-piece The Men on your playlist you didn’t do it right, but luckily summer’s not over and you’ve got a chance to make amends on the 30th. The relentless scuzz-punk guitars and thumping anthem-like vocals take their cues from around three decades of straight-up American rock, but The Men aren’t trying to reinvent the wheel: They’re just giving it a spin at breakneck speed. Disfigured vocals, distorted guitars and thundering drums are ballsy and abrasive, but when it hits you all at once the effect is more like a friendly clip around the ears than a punch in the face. This is most evident on 2012’s Open Your Heart, a varying yet on-point bunch of rambling crowd-pleasers that are made for hot days and good company — and sure to go down a treat at Laneway. If you won’t make it to the festival, hear them in the sweaty Danceteria at Goodgod then blast them out of your windows until summer vacates the premises.
Nashville-style hot chicken favourite Belles Hot Chicken is giving away 100 free boozy slushies from 4pm on Friday, October 22. Head down to the chicken specialist's Barangaroo venue and you can score yourself one of two flavours of alcoholic slushy. The two options on offer are the Agave Maria which mixes rosé, agave and lime, topped with Belles' original seasoning to give it a punchy spice, and the Whiskey Babylon, a twist on the classic frozen coke, spruced up with a touch of Ned's whiskey as well as Australian bitters and plum kombucha. The slushies are designed to be a fun summer drink, as well as a perfect companion to a spicy piece of hot chook. If you're not quick enough to be within the first 100 patrons, you can still enjoy a slushy for its regular price of $14 at the Barangaroo store, plus at Belles' Tramsheds outpost the following week.
The Macquarie Credit Union DREAM Festival is set to take over Dubbo's streets for an evening of lights, lanterns and food on Saturday, October 21. The festival's mascot, a life-size rhino in lantern form, will proceed down Talbragra street to reach Victoria Park where entertainment, light shows and food stalls will be waiting. The night focuses around the Lantern Parade, which will progress through the Dubbo city centre from sundown. The entire town will be aglow with lanterns of all shapes, sizes and designs, with lantern-making workshops being held during the weeks leading up to the festival. Local novices will be able to show off their creations during the parade alongside senior art students and visiting professional artists. The procession is in participation with the annual fundraising walk for Light the Night, a Leukaemia foundation. The parade will finish at the park where the Twilight Markets will be in full swing, hosting vendors from nearby cafes, restaurants and bars. Local musicians will keep the party going in the lead up to the third annual Laser Show — a crowd-favourite featuring lights, lasers and music by Oracle Liquid.
By now, you know there's only one true way to celebrate a national or international food day — and that's by enjoying a huge giveaway dedicated to said food, whether it's doughnuts, burgers or gelato. The question is, who's feeding you with freebies this month when National Fried Chicken Day rolls around? The answer, my friends, is Gami Chicken & Beer — the Korean-style fried chook chain that has grown to include 32 restaurants across Australia and is a regular among our top fried chicken picks. On Wednesday, July 6, these crispy chicken experts are getting into the spirit of the USA's National Fried Chicken Day (hey, any excuse, right?) and giving away literally thousands of wings. Rather than handing out actual chicken, the group's East Coast stores are giving away 5000 vouchers, each redeemable for an eight-piece wings pack. That equates to a huge 40,000 Gami wings, going for free. To nab your voucher, simply order something dine-in, or via takeaway or delivery, from any Gami store in NSW or Victoria on July 6 — you can check where your local outposts are online. The wings vouchers can then be used on a dine-in Gami feast up until August 31.
With his flowing strawberry blonde hair and perfectly applied eyeliner, Tim Minchin has made a name for himself as Australia's most ridiculously talented comedian and musician. The Tony Award-winning musician will be bringing his eclectic catalogue of comedic tunes to Sydney's first 'special entertainment precinct', the Enmore Theatre, for a six-night run of shows as part of his latest national tour, Back. Audiences can catch Minchin debut new songs and dip into his well-worn crowd favourites like 'White Wine in the Sun' while enjoying the heritage architecture of the newly renovated inner west venue. Minchin's last tour sold out on all dates and picked up a Helpmann Award for Best Australian Contemporary Concert, so be sure to snag yourself a spot quick. Prices range from $81–$234 depending on where you're looking to sit. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCNvZqpa-7Q Top Imaage: Amy Whelan, Flickr
Benja Harney is a 'Paper Engineer'. This does not mean, as it might at first glance seem, that he is an engineer made out of paper, but that he does engineering with paper. Although maybe he could engineer paper into a paper engineer? In any case he hasn't done that this time; he's instead recreated a roomful of discarded objects upstairs at the appositely-named Object Gallery. Harney's first solo show, The Paper Attic forms part of the Sydney Design 2011 program and reflects the intersection of art and design. He has worked across advertising, fashion, illustration and in making pop-up books alongside his fine art practice, and shows the precision of someone who has been doing this professionally for the last six years as well as the ingenuity of the self-taught artist/artisan.
If we didn't watch horror movies in cavernous darkened rooms, projected large on shimmering screens and with every noise echoing throughout the theatre, would they be as unsettling? If you've ever jumped out of your chair while staring at your TV at home, you'll already know the answer to that question: yes, yes they would. Still, there's nowhere better to see a scary flick, new or old, than at the cinema — where hopefully loud popcorn-munching is the only distraction. This Halloween, the Ritx is taking that idea to heart with a Halloween Horror program. Four sessions, one big screen, four supremely spooky horror-movie classics: that's the bill from Thursday, October 27–Monday, October 31. These aren't just any old eerie flicks. They're must-sees that've influenced almost every horror film ever made over the past five decades. In other words, if you're a movie buff, it's the perfect Halloween experience. Thanks to The Shining, you can see what happens when all work and no play help Jack Nicholson get creeped out in the Overlook Hotel — and learn why hedge mazes will always be chilling. Also, it's time for a date with a demon via The Exorcist. A word of advice: don't eat anything green beforehand. Maybe don't wear a red-and-green striped jumper, either, given that the original A Nightmare on Elm Street is also on the lineup in all of its supremely 80s glory. And, while it has spawned a heap of sequels — like almost everything in this program — nothing will ever live up to the OG The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. If you're easily frightened (and that isn't part of the fun for you), this film lineup isn't for you, clearly.
Sydney's luxury lifestyle and homewares label In Bed is hosting its annual warehouse sale this July. After launching its first bricks-and-mortar store in Paddington last year, In Bed is now taking over an Oxford Street studio with discounted linen and cotton bedding, bath towels, kitchen textiles, sleepwear and homewares. As well as discounts of up to 70 percent on the above, there'll also be a slew of samples, seconds and surplus stock to get your mitts on. If you've been lusting after the label's all-natural linens for a while now, here's your chance to finally take them home. But, a word of warning: it's going to make getting out of your cosy bed this winter even harder. In Bed Sydney Warehouse sale is Friday 11am–7pm, Saturday 9am–5pm and Sunday 8am–3pm.
Kitchen by Mike's casual approach to fine dining was game changing when the restaurant first opened in Rosebery all those years ago (way back in 2012). It combined casual eating, American high school lunchrooms, locally sourced ingredients and an acclaimed chef — Mike McEnearney — to create a flexible, no frills restaurant that sold itself through the main event: food. The canteen-style restaurant then closed — to much despair from fans — in 2015. But, it's about to return. This time, though, it's reopening in the CBD — which means city workers' lunch options are about to improve tenfold. Moving into the digs of McEnearney's soon-to-close fine diner No.1 Bent Street — which is located, fittingly, at 1 Bent Street — Kitchen by Mike will start serving fresh, nourishing food, from breakfast through dinner, from Wednesday, May 1. Those familiar with the now-closed flagship KBM in Rosebery, or the new canteen at Sydney International Airport, will be pleased to know that well-loved breakfast favourites are still on the bill, such as McEnearney's bacon butty and the sourdough pancakes with lemon curd. His famed woodfired sourdough will also be available — at all times. For lunch and dinner, you'll be able to browse through an array of salads, woodfired and slow-cooked meats, tartines, pizza and pastries. Many vegetarian options will be on offer, too, including cauliflower, sheep's curd, green apple and radicchio on sprouted buckwheat toast, and the famed cucumber, mirin, ginger and sesame salad. While it seems like the Rosebery KMB has been closed forever — four years is a long time — McEnearney says plans to reopen the restaurant have been in the works for quite some time. "We've been trying to re-open Kitchen by Mike for a while," said McEnearney in a statement. "Then it hit me— it was right under my nose all the time. No. 1 Bent Street is the perfect fit." According to the acclaimed chef, the casual style of eatery is more fitted to the CBD at the moment — with city workers on the look out for "casual yet wholesome places to eat" — so, he decided to close No. 1 Bent Street, and open KBM instead. Keeping with McEnearney's environmentally friendly approach to running venues, the restaurant will also be low waste and single-use plastic free. Customers will also be encouraged to bring their own reusable takeaway containers — and coffee cups, of course — when ordering food to-go. And there are plans to rebuild the Physic Garden, which was once attached to the Rosebery KBM outpost. At its biggest, the urban garden contained 100 different plant species, 50 of which were grown for their medicinal properties. Find Kitchen by Mike at 1–7 Bent Street, Sydney from May 1. It will be open from breakfast through dinner, with both dine-in and takeaway options available. No 1 Bent Street will close on Thursday, April 18.
Shenanigans will run rife from the Chinatown basement to the Joan Sutherland Theatre, as Good God Small Club packs up and brings its undying party vibes to the Opera House on May 30 for Vivid LIVE. Headlined by the man Rolling Stone called "the next Rodriguez", cult South African musician Penny Penny and his seven-piece band, the stage will get some support act lovin' from Bart Willoughby of seminal indigenous band No Fixed Address, ever theatrical Royal Headache frontman Shogun flying solo, Melbourne soft rockers Montero and Sydney's indescribable Donny Benét. https://youtube.com/watch?v=Blk2nsFCt8I
With Opal's electronic ticketing system solidly in place and paper tickets a thing of the past — not to mention the rise of alternative bank card and smart tech payment methods — you may have noticed quite a few of Sydney's ticketing offices closed for business. To be exact, 300 have closed across the city's train stations since the introduction of Opal in 2014. Now, some of these redundant spaces will be given a new purpose, with The Sydney Morning Herald reporting that Sydney Trains has released plans to turn 30 of these offices over to retailers by November. The locations chosen are both regional and metropolitan, and specifically include closed offices at Central Station and Martin Place. The repurposed retail spaces boast central positions within each station and are up to 135-square-metres in size. Sydney Trains recently presented this opportunity to potential lessees, stating that the introduction of Opal had "streamlined operational and staffing requirements" and resulted in "the creation of new retail opportunities". In the nearly two years since transport officials ended the sale of paper tickets, the Sydney Trains Annual Report 2016/17 shows that station staff numbers have fallen from 1918 employees in the 2013–14 financial year to 1408 in 2016–17. Apparently, all revenue from the retailers will be invested back into network operations, which a Sydney Trains spokesman said will potentially ease taxpayer subsidies. No information on lessees has been provided just yet — we can only hope it won't just be another 30 City Convenience and 7/11 outlets. Via The Sydney Morning Herald. Image via Wikimedia Commons.
In 3000 Nights, a pregnant schoolteacher finds herself imprisoned after being falsely accused of collaborating with terrorists. In The Curve, an unlikely set of companions travel across Jordan in a VW van. And in Villa Touma, three Christian sisters caught in a metaphorical time warp find their lives thrown into disarray with the arrival of their orphaned niece. Such are the stories — of adversity, companionship and transformation — that you'll find on the program at this year's Palestinian Film Festival. Returning to select cinemas in capital cities around the country, including Palace Norton Street in Sydney from November 17–20, the latest edition of this vibrant film festival boasts a handful of features along with a selection of short films than run the gamut from documentary to science fiction. For the full Palestinian Film Festival program visit palestinianfilmfestival.com.au.
When it comes to being happy, what personality type are you? A Perfectionist? (Happiness? What's that?) A Giver? (I'll be happy as soon as I've burnt myself at the stake.) A Boss? (You'll be happy when I tell you to, and not before.) A Tragic Romantic? (I'm not sure, but I've written lots of poems about what it might feel like.) A Mediator? A Performer? An Optimist? An Observer? A Devil's Advocate? If you've ever sat an Enneagram Test, these categories might be familiar to you. If you haven't, you're in luck, as they'll be getting a good workout in front of Sydney audiences when Happy as Larry hits the Seymour Centre. The creation of cutting-edge Australian choreographer Shaun Parker, the show combines ballet, break-dance, roller-skating, comedic antics and philosophising in an explosive theatrical performance that explores the meaning of happiness through nine archetypal characters. Originally staged at the 2010 Sydney Festival, Happy as Larry has since toured the world and sold out an entire season on London's West End. It's a NZ Banksy Award Winner and received a nomination for Most Outstanding Choreography in the 2011 Australian Dance Awards. It'll play the Seymour Centre for just one week before heading overseas again. If you're enthusiastic about supporting Shaun Parker's work (and hanging out with VIPs) you might still be able to nab a ticket to the September 12 Fundraising Event, where the man himself will be conversing with the crowd and raising funds for the development of his 2014 projects. https://youtube.com/watch?v=r5mUJnZf3FQ
