When Elle Woods ditched her fashion merchandising studies for a stint at Harvard Law School, one of the big comedy box office hits of the 2000s was born. Legally Blonde spawned a sequel as well as a musical, and a third film in the franchise is actually set to reach cinemas in 2022; however, in exciting news for Sydneysiders this October, the Reese Witherspoon-starring flick is getting the Queer Table Reads treatment. The concept is right there in the name: at Queer Table Reads, an all-queer cast of local comedians read through the scripts of beloved movies, bringing it to life in front of your eyes with their vocal performances. Heteronormative films that the LGBTQIA+ community adore aren't just thrown some extra love here — they're adapted from a queer perspective. At 7.30pm on Saturday, October 30, it's Legally Blonde's turn, with producer and host Jenna Suffern overseeing a cast that spans Gemma Bird Matheson, Nina Oyama, Vic Zerbst, Tommy Misa, Brendan Hancock, Natali Caro, Maeve Marsden, Rowdie Walden and Mây Trần. Head along to Darlinghurst Theatre Company to see the results — and dressing up like it's still 2001 is highly encouraged. Wearing pink would suit the occasion, clearly, but there's plenty of other 00s fashion trends to revive. While you're doing just that, there'll also be a So Fresh soundtrack and 00s-themed cocktails, too. Top image: Robert Catto.
If you remember UNKLE's debut album Psyence Fiction (1996), then chances are that like me, you could be thinking about hanging up those dancing shoes. It's almost 20 years since the release of the seminal debut and I know my joints are getting a bit creaky. Well fear not, UNKLE are bringing their new live show to the comfortably adult confines of the Sydney Opera House. The full band (in its latest incarnation anyway) replete with string section, will be taking over the Concert Hall with an array of LED screens, video projections and lights. They'll be performing both new and old material, in what will be a truly spectacular sensory and auditory experience. Founding member James Lavelle was a pioneer of the fusion of hip hop with classic breaks back in the mid-90s. As owner of the former Mo'Wax Records, he helped launch the careers of DJ Shadow, DJ Krush and Money Mark. His innovative approach to music has kept the UNKLE sound continually evolving and has led to many artist collaborations with the likes of Richard Ashcroft, Ian Brown, Thom Yorke, Mike D from the Beastie Boys, Badly Drawn Boy, both Mark Lanegan and Josh Homme from Queens of the Stone Age, and 3D from Massive Attack to name but a few, all lending their creative talents over the years. Last year's release of the acclaimed Where Did the Night Fall (2010) marked yet another change in direction for the group and displays influences as diverse as krautrock, psychedelia, techno, afrobeat, alongside their grass roots sample sound.
No longer just the realms of Monica Trapaga residencies and kiddie-aimed pantomimes, Twilight at Taronga — the after-hours live music series that boasts perhaps the best view of Sydney Harbour as well as lots of adorable animals — has proven it's got some real cred when it comes to hosting outdoor gigs in the past few years. The 2017 lineup featured the likes of Peter Garrett, Kurt Vile and Killing Heidi and, from the looks of things, 2018 will be even bigger. Held in Taronga Zoo's natural amphitheatre, the concert series kicks off on Friday, February 2 with a set by Sydney legends The Jezebels. They'll be followed on Saturday by Dan Sultan, who'll perform alongside Melbourne's The Teskey Brothers. Other standouts include Neil and Liam Finn, The Preatures, Cloud Control and Julia Jacklin, retro faves The Lemonheads and a Valentine's Day special edition of the cult rock music trivia show, RocKwiz. They've also announced partnerships with Electric Lady presenting Tired Lion and Sloan Peterson and Future Classic presenting Mount Kimbie, Kučka and Christopher Port. And yes, ABBA tribute act Bjorn Again will be back by popular demand. Picnic-bringing is encouraged, but there'll also be hampers available onsite. Tickets are on sale now and include same-day entry into the zoo plus free select public transport. As always, all proceeds will go back into Taronga's ongoing conservation work. To celebrate the 2018 lineup, and to help ease the strain on your wallets after the festive season, we're giving away a double pass to the concert of your choice (subject to availability). Die-hard ABBA fan? Can't stop singing "Is This How You Feel"? Dancing around the office to Cloud Control? We've got you, and your beloved plus one. To enter, see details below. TWILIGHT AT TARONGA 2018 LINEUP Friday, February 2 - The Jezabels Saturday, February 3 - Dan Sultan with The Teskey Brothers Friday, February 9 - Paul Dempsey Sunday, February 11 - Neil and Liam Finn Wednesday, February 14 - RocKwiz Thursday, February 15 - RocKwiz Saturday, February 17 - Cloud Control and Julia Jacklin Friday, February 23 - Bjorn Again Saturday, February 24 - Bjorn Again Thursday, March 1 - The Lemonheads and Jebediah Friday, March 2 - The Preatures supported by The Creases Saturday, March 3 - Electric Lady presents - Tired Lion and Sloan Peterson Friday, March 9 - Future Classic presents - Mount Kimbie, Kučka and Christopher Port Saturday, March 10 - James Morrison Sunday, March 11 - James Reyne Plays All Crawl Friday, March 16 - Kate Miller-Heidke supported by Odette Saturday, March 17 - Tex, Don and Charlie [competition]654486[/competition]
One of the best new openings in town is also one of the savviest. Teddy welcomed its first guests in early September with Sydney still very much in the throes of the cost-of-living crisis. With this fact front of mind, happy hours, discounts and enticing deals are a cornerstone of their offering, proving that neighbourhood diners can still be an affordable night out, even in such economically turbulent times. Monday to Saturday between 4–6pm, punters can take advantage of the generous happy hour, where a selection of signature cocktails are on offer for just $12 and glasses of house wines are available for just $10. On Sunday, the same offer applies, except it's available all day long — perfect for a cheeky end-of-the-weekend sesh that won't break the bank. On top of that, there are also dining offers every day of the week. On Mondays, BYO is available with zero corkage fee while on Tuesdays, the minute steak is available for the discounted price of $29. On Wednesdays, the pasta and vino offer will get you a pasta main and glass of wine for just $29 and on Thursday, the raid the cellar night offers $50 bin end bottles. On Fridays, you can start the weekend as you mean to go on with the "business women's special" (although you don't need to be in business or even a woman to take advantage), which offers a main and marg for $35 during the lunch service. And because lunchtime margs on a Friday often lead to bleary-eyed hangovers on a Saturday, bloody marys, the classic hair-of-the-dog cure-all, are available for $12.
Bardo Pond make huge washes of explorative sound, using noise elements of distortion and drone to carve out space and time. Does that description make me sound like an acid casualty? So be it, because I'd be well at home in the Bardo family. Any band who, since they formed in 1991, have released albums with wink-wink drug references in their titles (um ... Dilate, anyone?) should be okay with that. Not to mention that the band splinters off into side projects with names like 500mg, Third Troll, Prairie Dog Flesh and Hash Jar Tempo. Truly influential amongst younger psychedelic-leaning bands and their contemporaries, they appear in Sydney at the invitation of Laurie Anderson and Lou Reed as part of the Vivid festival. Signed between, for the most part, two record labels — Matador and ATP — Bardo Pond aren't a particularly prolific band, but their releases range into the hundreds via furtive bootlegging amongst loyal fans intent on stretching those moments of bliss into an eternity. That's the sound the band is all about, the feedback fever dreams and trip-on-this space rock akin to the music of My Bloody Valentine and Spacemen 3. To see them hold court in the Studio at the Opera House is something of a small triumph for totally, ahem, jazzed fans. https://youtube.com/watch?v=WjXDVim-ylg
Just because your bank account is looking a little empty, doesn't mean you've got to resort to sad, uninspiring lunchtime fare. At least, not this week, with food app Ritual dishing up tasty meals for just $1 a pop. Having launched in Sydney late last year, the mobile order and pay app is offering a very sweet deal to tempt CBD workers, from now until November 8. It's dropping the price of select menu items from 250 of its restaurants to just $1 a pop. In this budget-friendly lineup you'll find feeds from some of your favourite CBD, Barangaroo and North Sydney vendors, which normally clock in at around $15. We're talking the terriyaki salmon bowl from Nudefish, Dutch Smuggler's famed mie goreng toastie, salt and pepper chicken bao from Bing's Bao and Beer, pitas from Zeus Street Greek and American burgers from Burger Project. There are also $1 toasties from Bistro Guillaume, french toast from Hills Bros, six pan-fried dumplings from Dainty Sichuan, an eight-inch pizza from Fratelli Famous and a cold brew bubble cup from Industry Beans (pictured below). Just remember that you do need to pick up your drink or meal, so make sure the eatery is in walking distance. [caption id="attachment_706984" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bubble Cup from Industry Beans[/caption] Download the app and you'll be able to tap into three of these $1 deals over the week the offer is running. Which means a few mornings of extra shut-eye, thanks to not having to whip up lunch yourself. You'll also get to road test some of Ritual's nifty features, including a 'skip the line' function that allows you to order ahead and avoid queues, and 'skip the trip', where you can group together multiple orders from the one office to save everyone from making the same trek. There are a couple of restrictions, though. The deal is only valid between 5am and 5pm daily, and you can only order once per day and once per restaurant. If you've previously ordered on Ritual, you'll need to refer a friend to get access to the deal — new users can access it straight away. You can check out all the nitty-gritty details over here. Ritual is offering three $1 meals or drinks per user through its app (for Android or iOS) until 5pm on Friday, November 8.
There was a note stuck to the back of a Darlinghurst bus stop seat. "ROSE," it read, "Gone up the Cross. Ring me! Trevor." The year wasn't 1970, it was 2009 and I was on my way home from a bookshop opening. I don't know if Rose ever found Trevor, but Kings Cross has a rich history of fateful meetings, missings and other miscreant behaviour. In the summer of '70-'71, photographers Rennie Ellis and Wesley Stacey were in town to capture exactly that. While local artists gathered in the Yellow House on Macleay Street laying the groundwork for the future of the Sydney experimental scene, American Vietnam soldiers trundled the streets on leave looking for a good time. The girls of Les Girls fanned both their longs legs and slobbering onlookers on break from their office jobs a little ways down William Street. Carlotta held court, Hare Krishnas clapped and danced, red lights glowed, the fountain dribbled. In other words, you could walk down the street without tripping over the cast and crew of Underbelly shooting a nightclub scene. Ellis and Stacey's photographs of this sliver of Sydney life are currently on display at the Museum of Sydney, and while you're tripping over the city scenes, have a look out for Rosie and Trevor. Maybe they'll be in the gift shop.
Yoko Ono. The name carries a lot of associations. John Lennon. The Beatles and their subsequent break-up. Weird clothing designs and weirder musical experimentations. Regardless of what Yoko means to you, her retrospective, War Is Over! (if you want it), at the Museum of Contemporary Art is well worth a look. She's a powerhouse of an artist and she's racked up a surprising amount of achievements in her 80 years, many of which have been eclipsed by the spectre of Lennon. Yoko's life has been peppered with hardship. Born in 1933 in Tokyo, her father got a job in San Francisco and the family spent the next few years moving from Japan to the U.S. and back again. They were living in Tokyo when the U.S. decided to firebomb the city. Her father was held in a concentration camp while his once wealthy family was forced to carry their possessions in a wheelbarrow and beg for food. Fast-forward a few years. Her second husband, Anthony Cox, has abducted the daughter she had with him, changed the child's name and absconded to an underground Christian sect. She found love with Lennon but the years she spent with him were no walk in the park, either. She suffered a miscarriage, served as the target of crushing hatred and vitriol following the break-up of the Beatles and then, in 1980, she witnessed her husband's brutal murder at the entrance to the Dakota Building in New York. It's a litany of woe and what is most remarkable is that in the face of all this, Yoko has become a tireless proponent of peace and love. What is striking about War Is Over! (if you want it) is the sheer joyfulness of the pieces. The exhibition is ridiculously happy-making. The works are highly conceptual but very, very accessible and many encourage viewer interaction. When first entering the gallery, you'll be greeted by several tables with chess sets atop them. It will take a moment to notice that all the pieces are white. In order to effectively play the game, both participants need to actively engage in discussion. It's tremendous fun. Glass Keys to Open the Skies is another notable work. The small keys sit, evenly spaced, in a small Perspex box. It’s such a wonderful trigger for the imagination. Another work invites you to write a small message to your mother which you then tack to the gallery wall, allowing everyone to broadcast a message to your mum on one of the most 'important' walls in Australia. Many of the works involve wishing or hope for something better. There's a box where you can make a travel wish and up on the terrace there are a few of Yoko's Wish Trees. You write a wish on a small piece of paper then attach it with twine to the branches of the tree. The effect of the paper and twine amongst the leaves is beautiful. Perhaps the real magic of the work lies in the reading of other people's wishes. It can be a profoundly affecting exercise. You're reminded that we all pretty much want the same things. Most of the wishes fall into the same category - the desire for happiness both for ourselves and the people we love. Would she be as famous today had she not married Lennon? Probably not, but does it matter? She's a wonderful artist.
This October, the streets of Marrickville will be flooded with over 120 stalls boasting local produce, indie artwork and emerging artists, all set to the backdrop of live music pouring from the main stage. Yep, Marrickville Festival is back for 2017. The entertainment lineup not only includes the fest's usual array of talent belting out tunes from its central spot, but also The Break music competition, showcasing the best local acts around. Or, if you're keen to throw some shapes, head to the international dance floor. Taking place from 10am on October 22 on Marrickville and Illawarra Roads, the festival promises a sensational day out in the sun for both small and big kids alike. Whatever you're into, it's as good a reason as any to spend a Sunday in Marrickville Image: Wendy Kimpton.
If stargazing isn't the world's oldest pastime, then it'd have to be right up there. At the very least, it's an ace way to spend a winter evening in the great outdoors, away from the bright artificial lights and hustle and bustle of Sydney's daily grind. On Friday, August 17, you'll be able to do have your own starry escape when Centennial Park hosts its annual astronomy session. Arrive at 5.30pm and spend the evening staring at the stars and discovering the science and stories behind them. An astronomer from Western Sydney University will be on-hand to point out all the good stuff as you wander around the park and, when you're ready to wind down, you can take a seat by the campfire and listen to traditional Aboriginal stories about the night sky.
In life and in horror movies, don't pick up a book bound in human skin. Just don't. Anthropodermic bibliopegy is the name of that gruesome covering process, and it isn't a fictional creation of the Evil Dead world — so heeding this guidance really is sensible. Of course, there wouldn't be any films in the boomstick-waving franchise if its characters listened to such a warning. There'd be no cabin-visiting folks battling Deadites again and again, and no chainsaws coming in mighty handy, either. Evil Dead Rise, the fifth big-screen instalment in the saga that also started Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell's careers long before the OG Spider-Man flicks, Burn Notice and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, does indeed include that flesh-wrapped Necronomicon Ex-Mortis. Also, the terrifying tome is grabbed, opened and unwittingly allowed to unleash its gory chaos. The body count rises, demons hop into bodies, and shotguns and power tools become necessary weapons. That said, while Evil Dead Rise definitely knows the series it's in, it's no mere exercise in blasting expected targets. There will be blood in this addition to the Evil Dead fold, and not just inking The Book of the Dead's pages. There's gallons of it, in fact, with assistance from an elevator overflowing with crimson liquid. Writer/director Lee Cronin is clearly happy to jump from his 2019 debut The Hole in the Ground to this beloved horror franchise while giving The Shining some love as well. And yet, nods to past Evil Dead films and scary fare in general aren't the main point of Evil Dead Rise, even though they're still there — loudly when "dead by dawn", words that are also part of Evil Dead II's title, is yelled. It shouldn't feel so rare to see a feature that isn't solely kept beating by gobbling up as many pieces of its predecessors as possible, but that's these nothing-must-die times. (When intellectual property is revived repeatedly by Hollywood's intonations, bringing back Evil Dead over and over couldn't be more appropriate.) Consider this another play around with recognisable parts — and with mutilating them, with Cronin showing no signs of holding back with his setpieces, gleefully unhinged onslaught of carnage or visual compositions. Or, think of it as striding into a lived-in hut with a keenness to make something already-beloved new again. With Raimi and Campbell only involved as executive producers, the film also doesn't ever feel like Cronin wrote a different script, then just dumped in a Necronomicon here and a Deadite there. Again, it's well-aware of the path it's treading, and of what's done so before. Still, amid the ample guts, the obligatory creepy pages and the eerie incantations (which for viewers unlike the movie's characters, are well-worth listening to closely), this saga-extender finds the right balance between affectionately savouring Evil Dead's groovy history and being its own fright-inducing meal. Familiar swooping and whooshing camerawork kicks Evil Dead Rise into gear, though, knowingly so. In a clever touch, it stems from a is doing the shooting, not due to supernatural nefariousness. There's a remote abode in the woods — an A-frame shack this time, levelled up to match 2023's travel aesthetic — and unsettling things afoot; however, the bulk of the film takes place a day earlier. That's when guitar technician Beth (Lily Sullivan, Picnic at Hanging Rock) cuts out a the worldwide tour to surprise her sister Ellie (Alyssa Sutherland, New Gold Mountain). The latter is a tattoo artist and mother of three who has recently been left parenting solo, and is interrupted dying her hair 'cool mum' red when her sibling arrives. There's baggage between the pair, but there'll soon be viscera as well when Ellie's teenage son Danny (Morgan Davies, Blaze) finds a certain text — and, because he's a budding DJ, some dusty vinyl sporting words that no one in an Evil Dead movie should be saying or hearing. There's that trusty advice being disregarded. Danny's sister Bridget (Gabrielle Echols, Reminiscence) is on hand with an "I told you so" or several, mirroring what viewers are thinking. Actually, Evil Dead Rise inspires a new take on the old "don't pick up a book bound in human skin" counsel: don't go plunging into a hole in the ground when the condemned high-rise you're living in cracks in an earthquake and you spot an old bank vault in the newly opened void, then 100-percent don't pick up some literally underground tunes and the entombed, flesh-packaged tome they're buried near. But Danny does all that, thinking the volume might be worth something to help his mum's money worries. Bridget scolds and youngest sister Kassie (Nell Fisher, My Life Is Murder) is quickly scared by the aftermath. The trapped inhabitants of the about-to-be-demolished building are all unnerved, to say the least, as the Evil Dead realm's wicked spirits let loose their hellish waking nightmare. There will be splatter, too, as the 1981 original introduced on a supremely low budget. Each Evil Dead chapter loves imparting its own vibe, after the second film got funnier, 1992's third effort Army of Darkness became a dark fantasy, then 2013's Evil Dead snatched out every trace of absurdity — and, on the small screen, Ash vs Evil Dead got amusing again — but gore usually flows eagerly. Like grated cheese, there's no such thing as too much in Cronin's eyes. Like making that shredded dairy, a particular kitchen utensil gets a workout. With cinematographer Dave Garbett, an Ash vs Evil Dead alum, Cronin also frequently draws attention to the act of seeing, while making sure there's almost always something savage to lock one's peepers on. A fish-eye peephole earns some savvy use, and the overall cavalcade of mayhem just keeps mounting to the point where it's so purposefully ridiculous that you can't look away. Evil Dead Rise isn't going for a Raimi-and-Campbell mood. It isn't aiming for the pair's laughs and slapstick since the OG flick, either. But it spies that constantly ramping up the slashing, stabbing, scalping, ripping and gouging is as relentless as it is OTT, especially when paired with devilishly delivered lines like "mommy's with the maggots now". And, although its guiding force takes too long establishing the new characters' family dynamic, then does too little with the themes of trauma and parenthood it starts flirting with, the franchise's latest cast is up to the task when things get demonic. Australian trio Sutherland, Sullivan and Davies each leave an imprint, with one also giving the saga one of its best Deadite performances. No Evil Dead fan will ever want Raimi and Campbell to stray too far from this series, but this latest bite doesn't ever feel like it needs them, or leave its audience wishing it was watching Ash J Williams instead.
It's no secret that here at Concrete Playground, we love an event or two. Every single day, our fair city is buzzing with a variety of happenings. Sure, the daily grind can often leave you wanting to crawl straight into bed at tools down, but that inner culture vulture of yours needs to be fed. So, we've rounded up the best things to do in Sydney after work tonight (that's Thursday, May 17). Rather than heading straight home, check out a whole bunch of free art (with a glass of bubbly), warm up with ramen in Bondi or see Sydney Dance Company's newest show and have something interesting to talk about at work tomorrow.
For five hours on Sunday, March 20, restaurant Baba's Place in Marrickville will be transformed into a gallery. On display: Suburban Ghosts, an original photo series that tackles topics such as immigration, suburban beauty and cultural resilience. All photos — framed and unframed — will be available to purchase, and the images will also be printed in the first issue of Baba's new zine, which will be available to buy as well. The issue will also include other works, including an essay on the doily, plus half of the restaurant's recipe for its bouillabaisse bolognese. In addition to all those pics to peruse — and the zine to read — the event will also feature an exclusive range of t-shirts, a special Solo-inspired cocktail and the one-day-only return of Baba's cherry kofta wrap. Head along from 1–6pm, with Munasib and 700Feel providing the soundtrack to get you on the dance floor.
There's this wondrous thing about magic: it almost never fails to capture the imagination of even the most ardent cynic. It might just be for a split second, maybe even less, but in that fleeting moment as the card reappears or the coin vanishes or god knows what else, you can't help but ask yourself "...how the hell did they just do that?" Because of course we all know magic doesn't exist, not real magic, yet our inability to reconcile that which we know from what we've just seen needles away at our curiosity like a splinter under the skin. It's baffling and frustrating and utterly beguiling. But then there's this awful thing about magic in film: it almost never succeeds in capturing the imagination of even the most hopeful viewer. That's because film, unlike real life, already possess the ability to do everything the imagination can muster. The transformation of a pigeon into a pocket square can never hope to impress when space ships can warp into black holes, child wizards can drag race dragons and Hulks can smash. Good movies about magic (such as 2006's The Prestige) aren't about magic, they're about the magicians, and yet the problem with Now You See Me, is that it never really commits to being about either. At the start of the film (when the only genuine magic trick takes place and is legitimately good enough to elicit an audible response from the audience), we meet four magicians played by Jesse Eisenberg, Isla Fisher, Dave Franco and Woody Harrelson. All are performing independently until a mysterious benefactor brings them together with the challenge of executing the "greatest magic trick ever conceived". Fast forward a year and they pull it off: a live televised robbery of a French bank vault without ever leaving their stage in Las Vegas. With the promise of even greater robberies to follow, the FBI brings in cynical agent Mark Ruffalo to stop them, whilst professional 'debunker' Morgan Freeman sets out to expose the means behind the magic. There are some nice performances from Harrelson and Mélanie Laurent (Inglourious Basterds); however, the plot is utterly ridiculous and the magic isn't even remotely engrossing. It's a sort of 'pop heist movie'; an Ocean's Eleven for Gen-Y that's more concerned with looking cool than being it. https://youtube.com/watch?v=KzJNYYkkhzc
After being hauled back from the financial brink in 2016 and then making the move from central Sydney to Parramatta earlier this year, Tropfest has seen a lot of change over the past few years. But it seems that the world's biggest short film festival has found some security in a few big multi-year partnerships, with Tropfest founder and director John Polson this morning announcing that it will return to Parramatta Park in 2018. Like last year, the festival will be held on a Saturday, with a series of events (like the Tropfest Talks program) to run in the lead-up to the main event. This year's 'signature item' is rose, which entrants can interpret or include in their seven-minute-max film at their discretion. After finally reaching an equal gender split this year (that is, 50 percent female filmmakers and 50 percent male), Polson is pushing for more cultural diversity for Tropfest 2018. "Australia is one of the most multicultural countries on Earth, which makes for some unique perspectives," he said. "We are calling for diverse stories from filmmakers of all backgrounds to showcase in the heart of Parramatta, western Sydney — one of Australia's most ethnically vibrant communities." If you're thinking of giving it a go, entries open for submissions will open on October 15 and close on January 11 next year. Tropfest will take place on Saturday, February 17 at Parramatta Park, Parramatta. For more info, visit tropfest.com. Updated: November 29, 2017.
Forget every "find someone who looks at you" meme you've ever seen. When it comes to gazes that'll make you dream of being adored in the same way, Loving just can't be beaten. Jeff Nichols' latest film is affectionate by name and by nature, and so is its central couple. From the moment that the movie opens with the life-changing words "I'm pregnant", Mildred (Ruth Negga) and Richard Loving (Joel Edgerton) are clearly head over heels. The looks that they direct at each other at every chance possible, make the extent of their feelings obvious. Neither gets weak at the knees; they're not that kind of people. They easily could though, as could those of us sitting in the audience. Of course, for anyone who has seen Shotgun Stories, Take Shelter, Mud or Midnight Special, it won't come as a surprise that Nichols pays such keen attention to their glances. As he's demonstrated in all his films over the past decade, he's a filmmaker who trades in intimate tales that bubble with big emotions. What's more personal, devoted and overflowing with feeling than sending a yearning look someone's way or silently locking eyes? As you watch Negga and Edgerton watch one another, you'll know the answer: nothing. Indeed, as Nichols' delves into the details of the Lovings' real-life romance, it's soon apparent that his quiet, patient approach really couldn't be more appropriate to such an important story. Falling in love in the segregated state of Virginia in 1958 where interracial marriage was against the law, the pair made history with their fight to be together. That said, despite the threats of imprisonment and legal persecution, Loving isn't a big, fist-pumping courtroom drama, although it probably would've been in lesser hands. Instead, taking its cues from the couple at its centre, it's a contemplative, considered, sensitive and sincere account of a relationship attacked from the outside, but never under threat from within. That leaves Negga and Edgerton with a considerable task, though it's one they achieve with the same grace and tenderness that marks the movie from start to finish. Nominated for an Academy Award for her performance, Negga imbues Mildred with growing resolve — not about her marriage, which she never doubts, but about doing what she needs to live the modest life she wants with her husband. One of the many pleasures of the film is seeing Mildred grow more and more confident about taking action against inequality, and witnessing Edgerton's hard-working, plain-spoken Richard grow increasingly enamoured with her passion. They never discuss this, and they don't need to. As with everything in Loving, it's all there in their eyes. Throw in Nichols regular Michael Shannon in a brief but memorable part as a photographer, plus Nick Kroll leaving his usual comedic antics behind in his roll as a civil rights lawyer, and Loving couldn't be more convincingly cast. Add honeyed tones that layer the film's gentle sights with a warm glow, and it couldn't look any better, either. Both help make a subtle yet sweeping effort even more rich and resonant. Ultimately though, it's in conveying the power and significance of Mildred and Richard's love that Nichols' latest movie really shines. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7YeyiNVHXY
Some forms of pasta are simply better than others. That includes the humble lasagne. Soft flat sheets of the good stuff caked between pork and beef ragu, bechamel sauce, tomato and parmesan — what's not to love? To celebrate National Lasagne Day on Thursday, July 29, Italian chain Fratelli Fresh is offering northern beach residents $10 stacks of cheese and pasta from its Manly outpost. To ensure you make the most of the pasta promotion you should pre-order a lasagne from Fratelli before 5pm on Wednesday by calling (02) 9259 5674. If you come a little late to the party, or if you just like your pasta a little less layered, the beachside spot has a full Italian takeaway menu on offer seven days a week including rigatoni lamb ragu, truffle ravioli, pumpkin and prosciutto pizza and tiramisu. Or, if you want to get in on the lasagne action yourself while you have ample cooking time, Fratelli has uploaded its lasagne recipe to its Facebook along with a recipe for banoffee torta to enjoy after.
11 years after the release of An Inconvenient Truth, Al Gore is back and more powerful than we could have possibly imagined. Well, no actually. The content of An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power still packs a punch, and as far as composition goes it's a stunner. At the same time, we can't help but feel that after a decade of discussion surrounding climate change, the potency of Gore's central message has been somewhat diluted. Think of it this way: if An Inconvenient Truth was a diagnosis, An Inconvenient Sequel is a check-up. The outlook is still grim, as Gore illustrates with evidence from around the world – melting ice sheets in Greenland, devastating weather events across South-East Asia, flooding in the streets of Miami. But the effect isn't quite as shocking as in the original, although this may be a comment on society's apathy rather than the content of the documentary itself. Naturally, this follow-up has a decidedly political bent. Shot and edited in 2016, the film captures a snapshot of the international atmosphere in the lead up the US election, and there's an extra layer of tragedy that comes watching from the other side. While the original movie battled against the widespread ignorance of climate change, the antagonist in the sequel is the political machinations that prevent a real and widespread response to the threat. And the looming spectre of Donald Trump is the perfect embodiment of this theme. The most compelling part of the doco is the intimate glimpse it gives at the workings at the UNFCCC Paris Climate Change Conference. It was a tumultuous time politically, with a terrorist attack in the French capital having claimed the lives of more than 130 people just days before. But the most interesting element is the negotiations between signatories. Gore, it would seem, played an integral role in helping the united countries reach a voluntary agreement, and the behind-the-scenes look at the negotiations are fascinating – if rather heavily edited. Admittedly, the film does feel a bit heavy on Gore – there are some rambling asides about his political come-up and education programs that stretch a little too long. Viewers may also feel a little worn down by the grim subject matter, although at least the movie finishes on a somewhat positive note. The call to action in the dying minutes of An Inconvenient Sequel – to speak up, to protest, and to be heard to enable change – is a vitally important one. That's true now more than ever before. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huX1bmfdkyA
There's lotsa bonza stuff in Straya. But let's face it, team, we could be doing a tad better. If you want to get chatting about how to make this happen, get yourself along to the Sydney Opera House on May 3 for a new talk series dubbed 'Ideas for a Better Australia'. Created by the crew responsible for the Festival of Dangerous Ideas and All About Women, the all-day event will feature five sessions, each committed to a different issue. 'Freedom of Speech', hosted by Chris Berg and Julian Burnside, will tackle the murky and complex topic of saying whatever you like — whether you're a journalist who's discovered dodgy operations in the secret intelligence sector or a citizen who defends the right to be offensive. Meanwhile, a panel made up of Rebecca Huntley, Benjamin Law, Tony Windsor and Ann Sherry will take on the rather infinite subject, 'What's wrong with politics?'. Why do we keep on electing leaders we dislike, even though we know our health, education and environment are in their hands? The final three sessions are 'Which Australia?' with Mark Colvin, Nick Bryant, Rebecca Huntley and Marcia Langton; 'Doing Good' with Peter Singer and Ann Sherry; and 'Young and Old' with Jan Owen, Holly Ransom, Everald Compton and Andrew Charlton. Tix are selling faster than Tony Abbott's popularity is dropping, but for now, both full day and single session passes are available.
Forest Lodge. That often overlooked suburb wedged in between Glebe and Annandale. You've got the essentials any decent suburb needs: local video shop, good coffee, a standard Thai joint and a pub for the boozers. And now the residents of Flodge even have their very own official beer club, the newest venture from the Roxbury. Craft Beer Club is held on the last Thursday of every month (except for December) with the next event on 29 November. This month's Beer Club will showcase three interstate breweries and one local brewery. "Beer Club is designed to support Australian micro brewers and great beer, something that we're very passionate about here at the Roxbury," says bar manager, Craig McVea, "The night is very casual with each brewery sampling one to two brews with the first usually being a flagship beer and the second a limited release brew."
A multi-channel video installation entitled Vertigo and photographic work from her, Tidal Walk, contextualise Fiona McGregor's new series at Artspace. Against the ground of documentation of her previous performance work, she will present durational performance pieces that reflect on water as a necessary resource for the body, and as a major element of the environment in which the human body exists. "When I see a tap running unattended, I feel like I am watching someone bleed," say McGregor, and her Water Series explore similarities between how the circulatory and digestive systems of the human body and the movement of water through physical environments. It's an accumulative project in which the first work, Water 1: Descent sees the artist lying still covered in salts for 24 hours as rainwater equal to her body weight is released onto her forehead in drips. The second 24-hour piece, Water 2: Passage brings saltwater into the artist's body via an IV drip while another tube extracts her blood; this performance culminates in McGregor's back being tattooed with water. Water 3: Expulsion moves the water-body interaction to its final stage, from impact upon to journey through to production, wherein throughout a final 24 hour period McGregor will consume large quantities of water and use the resulting urine to power a small fountain.
From the shaken to the stirred and everything in-between — this May, the country's world-class mixology scene will be celebrated in a very big way at a month-long drinks festival. The inaugural Australian Cocktail Month is set to kick off Sunday, May 1, descending on venues across a heap of Aussie cities with a diverse lineup of crafty collaborations and exclusive concoctions. In total, 145 bars are taking part in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Darwin, Geelong, Gold Coast, Hobart, Melbourne, Newcastle, Perth and Wollongong — and in Sydney, of course. Here in the Harbour City, 25 spots will help Australian Cocktail Month celebrate its second year. And, both boozy and alcohol-free cocktails will be on the menu. Wondering where you'll be heading? Hit up local favourites such as About Time, Frank Mac's, Hickson House, Jangling Jacks, Maybe Sammy, PS40 and Re, for starters. Along with the other venues taking part, they'll spend the month whipping up creative-charged festival cocktails (and mocktails) using drops from both local brands — think: Brix Distillers, Four Pillars and Archie Rose — and international labels. To get among the best of it, grab a $20 Australian Cocktail Month ticket and enjoy full access to all of the participating venues' cocktail creations. Alcoholic drinks will be priced at $14 a pop, with low-alcohol and booze-free options clocking in at $10. Top image: Hickson House, Steven Woodburn.
The Manly Jazz festival is heading back into town this October long weekend, bringing its blend of New Orleans jazz, gospel, Latin and roots to the beachside suburb for the 41st time. So jump on a ferry and get over to the northern beaches for three days of smooth sounds this spring. Held in a variety of indoor and outdoor venues dotted along the beach, the jam-packed program features over 100 free performances. On the lineup you'll find jazz drummer Carl Allen, who's flying in from the US to take the stage by the water, fusion group Back to Back and 'Sydney's first lady of blues' Alice Terry. A tribute show to one of the greatest singers of all time — Aretha Franklin — is also on the program. Those wanting to get a bit more hands on can also head to a workshop, or to the pop-up garden, which will be stocked to the nines with craft beers, cider, wine and Mexican snacks from local eatery Bar Troubadour.
For dazzling views of the Grose Valley and wombat spotting, head to Mount Banks. The 2.4-kilometre return trail starts at the Mount Banks picnic area and begins with a short yet steep climb before ascending gradually to the summit. Most peaks in the Blue Mountains are sandstone but this still has a basalt covering created by volcanoes 20 million years ago. For the flora fiends among you, take in smooth-barked monkey gums and native wildflowers. Once you hit the top, the view of Grose Valley from the summit is awesome. If you'd like to extend the hike, opt to link up with the Mount Banks Road cycle route, which will make the trek about 4.7 kilometres all up. Image: Elinor Sheargold, Department of Planning, Industry and Environment
Who knew that a simple zoom out could be so heartbreaking? Iranian-Kurdish journalist and Manus Island detainee Behrouz Boochani, that's who. Secretly recording his indefinite detention in Papua New Guinea's controversial facility for asylum seekers, it's a filmmaking flourish he uses several times throughout Chauka, Please Tell Us the Time. Shooting his restrained surroundings on a mobile phone, his camera captures images both scenic and ordinary — a beach and a communal space, for example — only to then lurch backwards to reveal bars obscuring the view. The statement Boochani makes with this stylistic choice might be obvious, but it's important. For the incarcerated, freedom and normality is so close and yet so far. That applies not only to peering beyond their fenced-in confines, but trying to flee oppression in search of a better life. They're ostensibly right next door to their ideal destination, Australia, and yet the place they're forced to inhabit couldn't be further from their dreams. Indeed, as they struggle with their imprisonment, endure a climate of violence, and make calls to their families back home, their situation more closely resembles a nightmare. Of course, this has all been splashed across countless news headlines; in fact, when the documentary was released in June last year, the Australian government had just that week settled a $70 million lawsuit with Manus Island detainees. But as 2016's Chasing Asylum demonstrated, there's a difference between hearing about the harsh conditions Boochani and company suffer through, and seeing them first-hand; just as there's a difference between seeing asylum seekers as a faceless mass, and getting to know their individual stories. A collaboration with Iranian-Dutch filmmaker Arash Kamali Sarvestani, who produced, edited and composed the suitably emotive score, the movie is less an interview-filled expose, and more a moody portrait of the daily reality of life on Manus Island. Men share tales of bleak incidents within the facility, and try to speak to wives, children and mothers left behind. In between, the camera roams — sometimes over bunk beds no one would want their worst enemy to sleep in, sometimes finding a kitten fenced in behind the wire. Poetic in its depiction of the banality of detainment while offering an impassioned polemic on a punitive regime, Chauka, Please Tell Us the Time is a film of juxtapositions — its subjects yearn for beauty while experiencing abject horror. It's no wonder, then, that Boochani and Sarvestani have chosen to name their feature after a term with a significant double meaning. 'Chauka' refers to both a local bird known for emitting noises at specific times, and the solitary confinement facility within the camp. The film is showing on Sunday, April 22 at the MCA as part of the 21st Biennale of Sydney. Tickets are only $10. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwaVMPYEzrA
Think back to your kindergarten years and there’s probably a few things that still stick in your mind, whether it’s snuggling with your favourite plush at nap time or getting your hands sticky with glitter at the craft table. But what happens when you turn these fond memories of normalcy and childhood on their head? If you’ve seen Annette Messager’s latest retrospective exhibition at the MCA, you’ll know that such cherished toys can instantly be transformed into ghoulish terrors more likely to be found in a nightmare than a five-year-old’s playpen. Now you too can follow Messager’s creative footsteps and try a hand at reinventing everyday objects into works of art, grotesque or not. MCA’s series of Subversive Stitching workshops, led by textile expert and artist Nicole Barakat, promises to teach embroidering, stitching and sewing for you to apply to your dolls, soft toys and clothing, with the twist that results need not be pretty. Beginners are welcome and materials are provided. It’s certainly high time we all sit down at the craft table again.
This year, Parramatta has joined in on the Good Food Month action, with events spreading beyond Sydney's inner city and into the new suburban hubs. Over four days this October, see laneways, car parks and squares transformed into themed hubs of foodie heaven. Don't miss the stalls at the Middle Eastern bazaar, or the cocktails at the neon playground that pays homage to Tokyo after dark. There'll be discos and desserts, boutique beers, live entertainment and the Art Amble, a specially curated outdoor art-walk through installations and innovative video art. Download the full program of Parramatta Lanes here.
At the heart of Love, Loss and What I Wore is the idea that objects, such as clothing, hold memories for us. For some people this leads to hoarding in an effort to keep as many facets of our past close at hand, while others need to cleanse their wardrobes and shelves every few months. It makes sense in a culture of consumption that, if you are what you eat, then maybe you're also what you wear. Romantic comedy sisters Nora and Delia Ephron — creators of When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle and You've Got Mail — developed this Off-Broadway hit from the book of the same title by Ilene Beckerman and fleshed it out with anecdotes from amongst their circle of friends. Now, this successful suite of monologues is premiering at the Sydney Opera House. This is a show that's unashamedly pitching itself at women, though men with a penchant for feminine labels will also enjoy its stories woven out of encounters with dresses, shoes and accessories. Bringing these tales to life is an ensemble of well-known Australian performers, led by Magda Szubanski and Natalie Bassingthwaighte. At 90 minutes, this theatrical event makes for a perfect dinner-show-drinks combo for a gang of fashion-focused friends.
A birthday celebration calls for an abundance of food, friends and of course a few beverages. And this Friday, March 30, Cake Wines is celebrating the second birthday of its Redfern cellar door with all three. Its birthday bash will feature US soul and R&B singer Amp Fiddler playing alongside a lineup of local musicians. Tickets are $35 and include access to a giant charcuterie board, but make sure to arrive promptly as it's sure to disappear. There'll also be woodfired pizzas available to order and, of course, plenty of wine by the glass and bottle — as well as a selection of local beers and spirits (if wine is not your thing). While the cellar door is only a youngster, the Adelaide Hills wine label has been around for seven years. And if you haven't yet tried the label's wines — or had a chance to check out its impressive cellar door — now's your chance. Come and talk wine, drink wine and explore the hype of Cake Wines. This is your Easter long weekend social fix. Cake Wines' Second Birthday will run from 3–10pm on Friday, March 30, at 16 Eveleigh Street, Redfern.
So did anyone else shed a tear at the close of season one of Puberty Blues on Channel Ten last Wednesday night? I surely did. Not just for the lack of quality television currently (now no longer) showing on free-to-air but for the kick-ass girls Debbie and Sue who finally came out swinging. This shouldn't be sad, but it is, because it still actually meant something in 2012 and in fact wasn't swamped in the nostalgia we all thought it would be. Either way, fret not that we have to wait a whole non-rating period for Puberty Blues to return, because this Friday night the Bondi Pavilion Theatre plays host to a fundraising evening in honour of Jad Capelja, who played Sue in the 1981 film. Capelja's battle with schizophrenia was documented recently in Australian Story, and Nell Schofield (the original Sue) has resolved to use the renewed interest in Puberty Blues to do something positive for people living with similar mental health issues. A screening of the original, Bruce Beresford-directed film will take place along with a performance by reggae band King Tide, headed by Tony Hughes (who played Danny in the original film). All profits from the evening will go directly to beyondblue. So get your moles on the landline, pull out your high-waisted flares, grab yourself a choccie milk and a chico roll, and take in a classic Australian film, all to the backdrop of our most famous beach.
For a little while, after seeing some great photos of insane looking parties in New York and London where brass bands and gypsy-punks like Gogol Bordello were all downing Wodka and getting rowdy, I thought gypsy was going to be the new black. It looked like it could take off... A few years later and it seems to have never quite gotten to that point here in Oz (though there has been a steady growth in gypsy influenced bands touring in their caravans and not washing much). We are lucky to be getting a visit and a lesson in authentic gypsy music from one of the finer proponents of the genre. The London based Paprika Balkanicus (not sure why they named themselves after the capsicum derived spice), with members from Slovenia, Serbia and Romania, are virtuosic performers who have graced almost every major world music stage. They have whipped up frenzy and furore at Edinburgh Fringe, Womad and Glastonbury and even picked up a BBC World Music award along the ride. Their music is lead by Bogdan Vacarescu who could be the East European equivalent of Slash with some serious violin shredding. The Crooked Fiddle Band will do their best to not get out-shredded in support. If you suddenly feel like you are in a Tony Gatlif movie then you'll be ok on the night because they have taken out the tables, so bring your dancing shoes.https://youtube.com/watch?v=KTN_cKD-MTE
If you and your partner have a little (or a lot) of pent-up energy, and you're looking for a different outlet to help ease it, here's an option: Sydney's axe-throwing joint Maniax is hosting Valentine's date-night sessions from Friday, February 11–Friday, February 18. The St Peters joint is doing two-hour public sessions that'll cost you and your other half $120 in total to hurl hatchets — and will let you do something different to mark the occasion. Also, that price also includes a beer, wine or canned spirit each afterwards to celebrate. For the uninitiated, Maniax gives you the chance to very safely throw a hunk of sharpened steel attached to a flimsy handle, and compete with your partner and/or friends to see who has the most Viking blood coursing through them. Chuck those axes, sink a bullseye, and then calm down after all the hatchet-lobbing excitement with a drink with your significant other.
Not into over-priced roses, cheesy cards and set-menu dinners? Regardless of how you feel about Valentine's Day and all the clichés that come with it, none of us want to be the one who let our date down with a mediocre meal or — gasp — nothing at all. So, rather than feign forgetfulness, you could treat your partner in crime to the ultimate staycation. To help you do that, we're giving away a lavish one-night getaway to the northern beaches not on February 14 — after all, you can celebrate love on any day of the year. The prize includes two of you living it up for an all-inclusive night at Lilypad Palm Beach — a lavish, resort-style escape on the water (literally). The floating paradise comes with a bottle of French bubbles courtesy of Dom Pérignon, and either prawns and oysters or charcuterie and cheese on arrival, plus your own private concierge and a self-drive boat so you can explore the surrounds. Winners will also get dinner, which includes eye fillet steaks, lamb and haloumi kebabs or fish (upon request) alongside prepared salads, and a breakfast of fruit, granola, croissants and banana bread. Drinks-wise, the lucky couple gets vino and alcoholic bevvies on top of a bottle of French bubbly. Or, hop in the boat and go to The Boathouse Palm Beach, which is a 15-minute ride away. Once you've indulged in everything you can on-board, you can make use of the accommodation's water equipment — think paddle boards, fishing rods and snorkel gear alongside your private boat. A night here usually costs a cool $1650, so make hay while the sun shines. If you want to check out how you could spend your time here, check out Lilypad Palm Beach's Instagram. Keen to treat your partner in crime without spending a dime? See details below to enter. [competition]759404[/competition]
Not to be confused with the god-awful metal band Dead Letter Circus (sorry if you are into that sort of thing), DL Chorus make wonderfully melodic rock, with dabblings of folk and acoustic elements. They have been kicking around for a while and have been building a faithful fan base who've fallen in love with their earnest songs of life and love, bounced back and forth by boy/girl lead singers. They released The August Magnificent, their self-produced debut album, last year, and have now decided to see what it's all 'aboot' when they head off to Canada to do a string of gigs and industry conferences. But before that they are providing you with a chance to see them on home soil, if you're keen to take a trip down Shire way, for a show at the Brass Monkey in Cronulla. https://youtube.com/watch?v=83oWsG0cJcc
Despite also serving up everything from all-day vegan breakfast to ice cream sandwiches, we still think that fries are the best thing about Lord of the Fries. It's right there in the name, after all. The chain's chips are particularly tasty — as made with Australian potatoes and cooked in a cottonseed sunflower oil blend. There is one thing better than Lord of the Fries' titular dish, however. That'd be free shoestring fries from the chip-loving establishment. And on Wednesday, July 13, the vegan fast food joint is giving away just that. Free. Fries. Yes, really. To snag free fries on Wednesday, you'll need to head to your chosen store in between 4–5pm and you'll be gifted a serving of shoestring deliciousness. You don't even have to purchase any vego nuggets to redeem them. There is a limit of one freebie per person, though, so take that into consideration if you're feeling particularly peckish. You'll get your choice of classic sauces, too. This is clearly great news for anyone who like fries, aka everyone — with folks in Sydney headed to Newtown. And if you're wondering why, that's because it's National Fry Day. Of course it is. There are a few caveats, as is always the case with this kind of giveaway. So, the freebies span one Lord of the Fries stickered cup of shoestring fries and one classic sauce, with the latter popped directly on top of the former. Again, you can only get one per person, and only in-store. And, it's only for shoestring fries — not the classic, chunky or sweet potato versions.
Biennale, Schmiennale. Okay, fine, I don't really mean that, but while famous people are putting on big shows at buildings with landmark status and getting schoolbusloads of guests of the "I also saw the Archibald" variety, it's awesome that little tiny galleries continue bringing you plastic cups of wine and laser-printed price lists. Happening in and around artist-run initiatives (the by-and-for alternative to museums and commercial galleries) in Chippendale, Waterloo and Surry Hills, safARI is a kind of off-Broadway component to May's visual arts schedule. MOP Projects, Firstdraft, Locksmith Project Space, Serial Space and FBi Radio are hosting, and 14 artists are showing. The month-long festival features parties, talks and guided walks as a way into what Sydney artists are doing now, and the event as a whole is an exploratory contribution to the atmosphere of a city being curated. As a first-time (ad)venture, and one that is based on new works that have been hunted down rather than evolved according to a theme, safARI is a suit with many pockets. Forget stranger danger and take the sweets it offers you. Image: Platform by Rolande Souliere.
"Imagine you're tracking a terrorist" begins the unseen voice in the opening shot of Dror Moreh's unnerving documentary The Gatekeepers. "You know they're planning an imminent attack and you know they're in a car that your teams have finally located." As he narrates, the clouds on the screen part to reveal footage from a drone flying high above a city. "What you don't know, though, is where they're going to be an hour from now, or who else is in the car with them. So…what do you do?" Moments later there's a flash, an explosion, and the car is destroyed in what you realise is real-world footage of an assassination. In the corner of the screen, an injured bystander slowly attempts to crawl away from the flaming carnage. This is the story of the Shin Bet — Israel's highly secretive internal security service — as told by all six surviving leaders, past and present (and, notably, the only members whose identities are ever made public). Divided into seven sections with austere headings like: 'Collateral Damage', 'Forget About Morality' and 'Victory Is to See You Suffer', The Gatekeepers offers an extraordinary insight into one of the most clandestine organisations in living history. Like 2003's Academy Award-winning film The Fog of War, these interviews reveal both the strategic and philosophical considerations behind some of the organisations most famous (and infamous) operations; however, unlike Robert S. McNamara, the disclosures of these men are remarkably unsentimental and make little attempt at any justification. With their stewardship spanning decades of momentous upheaval, including the 6-Day War, the hijacking of the 300 bus, the invasion of Lebanon, the two Intifadas and the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, there's no shortage of material for the narrators to delve into despite the large pockets of history that remain classified. Rarely do the scenarios veer even close to black-and-white morality, and, not surprisingly, it's questions of assassination and torture that prove most compelling. "What's unnatural is the power you have" , explains the Shin Bet's most recent chief Yuval Diskin, "the power you have to take three people, terrorists, and take their lives in an instant." In all, The Gatekeepers is a candid, revelatory and at times disturbing film that represents one of the 'must-sees' of 2013. https://youtube.com/watch?v=Kpk71yrQUQM
Established in 2009 to discuss difficult issues, push boundaries and inspire debate, Sydney's Festival of Dangerous Ideas has spent a decade exploring provocative topics — and it's celebrating its tenth anniversary in the same fashion. Returning in 2020 after sitting out 2019, this year's event will tackle the theme 'dangerous realities' with help from Edward Snowden, Jon Ronson, Roxane Gay and Lindy Chamberlain-Creighton. Presented by The Ethics Centre — who co-founded the fest with the Sydney Opera House, then partnered with UNSW for the 2018 version of the event on Cockatoo Island — the 2020 event will fill Sydney Town Hall with discussions about a wide range of subjects between Friday, April 3–Sunday, April 5. When you're not listening to speakers examine the reality of mass surveillance or dissect one of Australia's most famous criminal cases, you'll be absorbed in chats about deep fakes, porn, the commercial side of surrogate pregnancy, gene editing and nuclear weapons. Obviously, headliner Snowden will be delving into government surveillance systems — and, just as obviously, the whistleblower will be appearing via live stream rather than in person. Fellow high-profile speaker Ronson will be in Sydney in the flesh, so that he can talk about flesh, with the So You've Been Publicly Shamed author and Frank and Okja screenwriter chatting about his experiences exploring the world of pornography. [caption id="attachment_759145" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jon Ronson[/caption] As for Gay, she'll be presenting the festival's annual keynote speech, which it introduced in 2018. Called 'The Hitch' after FODI inaugural speaker Christopher Hitchens, the centrepiece discussion will hone in on the fest's overall theme — and why professor, commentator and Bad Feminist writer Gay is happy to discuss the dangerous realities around her. Elsewhere, Lindy Chamberlain-Creighton will speak about her wrongful murder conviction and decades-long fight to get a court to rule that a dingo took her baby Azaria. A session called 'Unforgivable' will bring five Aussie youth activists to the stage, chatting about their hopes for the country's future and pairing their talks with a performance by 18-person all-female Indigenous vocal ensemble Marliya — with attendees choosing how much they're willing to pay to listen to the nation's next generation. Still keeping things local, Aboriginal Australian activist and human rights lawyer Megan Davis will examine a topic of continuing relevance: the country's struggle to face the truth about our First Nations history. Also on the agenda: Russia's role in this year's US election, Australia's relationship with China, and the inescapable fact that big technology companies have been digitising (and monetising) our entire lives. In a subject that's no less important, but will be treated in a far more lively manner, you can also attend a science and song-fuelled session about menstruation. Or, Sydneysiders can take part in an interactive social experiment, with the FODI audience helping philosopher Matt Beard decide which worthy charity should receive a — very real — cash donation. The 2020 Festival of Dangerous Ideas runs from Friday, April 3–Sunday April 5 at Sydney Town Hall. To peruse the full program — and to buy festival passes from 8am on Thursday, January 30 — visit the festival website. Top images: Jodie Barker
Antidote — the Sydney Opera House festival of ideas, action and change — will return for its third round this August, bringing with it an all-star lineup of the world's leading minds and pioneering creatives. They'll facilitate and lead the necessary conversations of our time over the weekend of August 31 and September 1. This year, the festival has partnered with the Judith Neilson Institute for Journalism and Ideas, which will co-curate two sessions focusing on authoritarian environments, free speech and debates on society's most controversial issues. Other Key topics in this year's program include 'fake news', national identity, the weaponisation of social media, creative responses to political and social turmoil and the surveillance of 'big data' and the resurgence of binge cultures. Included in the massive international lineup is Sonic Youth's guitarist and vocalist Kim Gordon, Cambridge Analytica whistleblower Christopher Wylie, Rappler founder Maria Ressa (one of TIME Magazine's People of 2018), Black Lives Matter activist and co-founder of Campaign Zero DeRay Mckesson, two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Steve Coll, and Russian cyber security journalists (and co-founders of the respected Agentura. Ru) Andrei Soldatov and Irina Borogan. [caption id="attachment_727922" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kim Gordon, shot by David Black.[/caption] Also making appearances is Thae Yong-ho, the former North Korea deputy ambassador to the United Kingdom; Mausi Segun, the executive director of Human Right Watch's Africa Division; and Lina Attalah (TIME Magazine's New Generation Leader), co-founder of Egyptian newspaper Mada Masr. Australian heavy hitters to join the party include ABC International Affairs analyst Stan Grant, The Guardian journalist Brigid Delaney and The Sydney Morning Herald's national editor Tory Maguire, who will host a live recording of the podcast Please Explain. Antidote's popular workshop series will return, too, featuring a collective tarot reading and a 'how to' hairdo tutorial for dads. And Sydney artist Jason Phu has been commissioned to create a public performance work, which features a "procession of masked 'spirits' protesting against humanity's impact on the earth". Watch out for that one. Antidote 2019 will take over the Sydney Opera House on Saturday, August 31 and Sunday, September 1. For full lineup, details and tickets, visit the festival website.
This year the CBD isn’t the only place where you can indulge in seasonal shenanigans. On December 13 and 14, twelve of the city’s villages will get their Christmas spirit on, with free drinks, free food, roving performers, in-store events, seriously discounted gifts and visits from Santa. More than 200 retail outlets are getting on the sleigh. As you’d imagine, there’s a significantly artsy bent to Chippo’s take on Christmas. Arthole has an extravaganza planned, with live elves at work, putt-putt and Nerf gun challenges, prize competitions and not one but two Santas. Meanwhile, beautiful yet affordable exhibition Printed Matter will be offering 10% discounts, and at boutique gelato store Anita, you’ll be able to partake in unlimited homemade toppings with every frozen yoghurt purchase. Pop down the road to Waterloo and you’ll find yourself immersed in bargains, giveaways and events. These include 50-70% off at Roylston House on Sunday; a free glass of pinot noir with every charcuterie board at Luke Mangan’s Mojo; free image consultations at Face Furniture with Emanuela, who’ll teach you which sunnies best match your face; and 50% off jewellery at Brenda May Gallery. There’s also a villages-wide Instagram comp going on, which might see you jetting off to some long dreamt-of destination. Simply take a shot of your favourite shop window and tag it #sydxmas #bestwindow, for a chance to win a $2,000 QANTAS travel voucher. The business responsible for the most-tagged window will score $5,000 worth of adventures with Red Balloon. Both prizes are courtesy of American Express. To discover more about festivities in Chippendale, Waterloo and Green Square this weekend, head to the City of Sydney’s Christmas in the Villages website.
Two exciting and experimental new installations from emerging architects will be opening at Sherman Contemporary Art Foundation in August. The Fugitive Structures program is all about exploring the possibilities offered by small-scale shelters. With a focus on innovation in urban contexts, this is the third iteration of the annual series. Sway is the product of Tel Aviv architecture collective Sach and Reicher + Muller with Eyal Zur. Filling the gallery’s Zen Garden, they have created an impermanent fabric structure, which will commemorate the Old Testament tale about the Israelites sheltering in the wilderness en route to ‘The Promised Land.’ Cross-disciplinary Sydney artists Hugo Moline and Heidi Axelsen will be presenting Owner Occupy (until October 3), a back-to-the-beginning take on Australia’s housing affordability crisis. Five interactive shelters will be set up as temporary dwellings; however, in a move that cuts out the real estate market middle men, you are only entitled to the space you can physically inhabit. This architectural brainstorm is bound to inspire some socially engaged thinking about where and how we live. Hopefully these works will stimulate a timely discussion around the precariousness of our living situations, as well as the assumptions underpinning our drive to own property.
The first-born child in a family is always the favourite: Mum and Dad are happy and excited because all that 'hard work' has finally paid off, Nan and Pop are pleased that the family legacy will continue to grow into the future, and, most of all, it's novel. Well, the same could be said about the 'first' one of anything. Take PAN magazine, for example. Never heard of it? That's because its about to be born. Based in Sydney, PAN magazine is an independent publication whose mission is to cover arts, culture, fashion, literature and music through a meaningful lens — and with over 60 waxy pages of content, expect to get your culture fix. You can celebrate its birth on Saturday, June 26, at the issue one launch party and fundraiser, where folk-rockers Psychonanny and the Babyshakers stage a musical tantrum along with the Holy Soul, the Walk On By, the Model School and more. You also have the opportunity to take home your own bundle of joy in the form of original artworks from the contributors, who have donated their work for an art auction to alleviate the burden of printing costs. It’s bound to be a fun and sleepless night of mayhem.
In February, the Beasts of Bourbon reunited for their first gig in five years, when good friends The Drones asked them to play ATP's I'll Be Your Mirror Festival in Altona. Despite guitarist Spencer P. Jones's previous conclusions that the group had "dissolved", something must've proved him wrong, because they went on to appear at the Byron Bay Blues and Roots Festival and tour nationally with the Stooges. Now it's exactly 30 years since Jones, Tex Perkins, James Baker, Boris Sujdovic and Kim Salmon first created the Beast. To mark the occasion, a triple album, 30 Years on Borrowed Time, has been released. It'll be celebrated this month with six concerts, to be held on three consecutive nights in Sydney and Melbourne. Each evening will see a different lineup (i.e. the original, the Low Road and the current), as well as a different set. Tickets are selling in the form of one-, two- and three-show packages. https://youtube.com/watch?v=vy9oLsN5qzk
“You are now about to witness the strength of street knowledge.” So begins both the film and the song ‘Straight Outta Compton’, and it’s equal parts preview and warning. The ‘street knowledge’ of NWA’s leading trio — Dr Dre (played by Corey Hawkins), Ice Cube (O’Shea Jackson Jr, playing his real-life father) and Eazy-E (Jason Mitchell) — was an affront to the establishment, a threat, even, but also helped facilitate the group's rapid rise from neighbourhood group to musical ascendancy. Acquired over two decades of daily exposure to gang violence, racial vilification and police persecution, it instilled in them a bravado, passion and unyielding determination that permitted neither retreat nor weakness. It also came at a price, however, because not all streets are the same, and when Crenshaw Boulevard became Rodeo Drive, the blinders and shortcomings of that knowledge became all too apparent. Straight Outta Compton, then, is not just an NWA biopic but a cautionary tale about loyalty, friendship and the corrosive effects of celebrity. Directed by F. Gary Gray (The Italian Job), Straight Outta Compton doesn’t push the genre in any new directions but does a superb job of keeping the focus on the chemistry and appeal of its leading men. Its earliest scenes are easily its strongest, chronicling the group’s formation and revealing how the constant police harassment contributed to not just NWA’s message and appeal but also its most iconic song ('Fuck the Police'). In light of the shocking number of black deaths at the hands of police this year alone, it’s a tragically timeless sentiment that continues to resonate with an especial significance. Hawkins, Mitchell and Jackson Jr put in excellent performances, with the latter's resemblance to his father so remarkable as to make his scenes feel more documentary than recreation. Paul Giamatti, too, is once again utterly engaging as their manager Jerry Heller, never quite allowing you the confidence to say whether he’s hero or villain. Regrettably, most of the female performances are relegated to bare breasts and bouncing buttocks, with key figures like Michel’le and Tomica Woods-Wright given little to no attention, while Dre’s history of violence towards women is completely ignored. Still, a film can only cover so many bases, and Straight Outta Compton shouldn’t be faulted too heavily for electing to keep its focus on the band and its significance rather than the individual stories within. Ice Cube once described NWA as journalists, reporting on a world that the mainstream media refused to. But in the end it was less what they said and more their preparedness to keep saying it as loudly and publicly as possible that made them such an important and ongoing musical force. Straight Outta Compton is a slick, provocative and timely film that absolutely warrants your viewing.
It's that time of year when we all remember that Christmas shopping for the humans in your life can be a bit of a drag. But throw in some cute little furry friends and copious amounts of pup cuddles, and the whole thing's suddenly a lot more fun. So when the Super Furry Festive Market rocks into Surry Hills next Saturday, December 9, it promises to be the ultimate pre-Christmas pitstop for animal lovers and their four-legged mates. A Christmassy spin-off of the annual Super Furry Festival, the one-day event is set to take over Crown Street's Shannon Reserve with a dog-friendly program of activities, events and market stalls. You'll be able to stock up on gifts for the whole fur family, with treats from the likes of Paddo Pets, Missy & Me, Pods 4 Pets, FurFresh and Haus of Harley Dogwear, all in the one spot. Furry fashionistas can strut their stuff at one of two Christmas-themed doggy fashion shows, or you can book yourselves in for a snap with Santa. If you're currently petless, fear not — the event's out to raise awareness for animal adoption, so there'll be countless opportunities for pats and cuddles. You'll find a bunny snuggle tent, the Sydney Dogs and Cats Home's kissing booth, a kitty cuddle tent run by the folks at Maggie's Rescue, and even a dingo puppy playpen from the team at Sydney Fox Rescue. Plus, you can sign up to foster, donate or volunteer with any of the great organisations on the day. We'll take that over a crowded shopping centre.
Celebrity chef Dan Hong is welcoming guests into his award-winning restaurant Mr. Wong, in collaboration with the Hunter Valley's Little Wine Company and Qantas Epiqure (who host a series of Up Close and Personal events with some of Australia's best chefs). The afternoon will begin with bubbles on arrival, followed by a degustation lunch expertly paired to wine by Little Wine's sommeliers. Hong will share stories of his rise to fame, and the highs and lows of his successful career. This inspirational lunch will gives guests the chance to get 'up close and personal' with one of the premiere young chefs of Australia, while tasting some of the best wine in Australia's popular Hunter Valley wine region.
With international and (most) interstate travel off the cards for the time being, you're probably wanting to explore your own city a little more. One way you can do that in Sydney is by climbing the Harbour Bridge. To celebrate the reopening of BridgeClimb on Saturday, June 27, the company is offering a whopping 35 percent off climbs — which means, instead of paying the usual $308, you'll get to play tourist for just $198. It's a little steeper than last year's $98 birthday prices, but a significant discount on the usual cost. And if you — or a friend or relative — has a milestone birthday or big celebratory event coming up, now might be the perfect time to take 'em to the top. The discounted price is on offer from 10am–3pm every Saturday and Sunday, and every day during the school holidays (June 27–July 19), and includes a summit walk, which is a three-hour guided trip with 1332 (!) steps. Top image: BridgeClimb Vivid
Pizza and wine, it's a match made in heaven. And, what better way to pair the two with slices from one of Sydney's best pizzerias and tastings of a brand-new batch of wine from an exciting vino-maker? That's exactly what's going down at the mid-week pizza party Dimitri's and Drnks are throwing in Darlinghurst. This celebration of wine and pizza will be spotlighting the latest vintage from Giovanni Armani Giorgio, an Italian-style producer from Adelaide. The pizza party will be kicking off at Dimitri's Oxford Street home from 6.30pm on Wednesday, February 15, with tickets available for $65. Included in the price is a selection of antipasto, a pizza of your choice and free-flowing samples of the latest drops from the South Australian winery. You'll get the chance to try Giovanni Armani Giorgio's fizzy Venduto Bolle Rosa, bright Bianco Superioré, summer-ready Rosato Dell'amore and the rich red Rosso Del Giorno. Bookings are essential, so head to Eventbrite and snatch up a ticket while you still have a chance. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Giovanni Armani Giorgio (@giovanniarmanigiorgio)
If you don't know Chavela Vargas, you should. If you saw Frida, you saw her threaten death to Salma Hayek, singing the powerful Mexican dirge La Llorona. Sinuous dance piece Soledad centres on the same mournful song and the passion of one couple's relationship. It will be programmed, along with the frenetic duet Irony of Fate and the ensemble piece Satisfying Musical Moments, as part of New Creations Season 2 for the Sydney Dance Company. Soledad and Irony are by Rafael Bonachela — choreographer, dancer and director at the Company. Satisfying Musical Moments is by acclaimed Israeli Choreographer Emanuel Gat. In an interview last year, Bonachela was asked what he'd most like to perform: "Anything by Emanuel Gat" was his reply. Watching Gat's dance is like keeping track of the hands in a Jason Bourne movie. His whole figure jumps with suddenness and grace. No movement is spare, and there arrives no moment of rest. Neither of Bonachela's pieces have been seen in Australia before and Gat's Satisfying Musical Moments is itself a world premiere. All three pieces should bear repeating.
