Blog-scanning, pub-debating Star Wars fans, put your minds and your theories to rest. Star Wars VII captain J.J. Abrams has at last lifted the lid on who’ll be appearing in the hotly anticipated episode seven. Casting announcements have dribbled out over the last few months, confirming a half-dozen irreplaceable veterans are back on board — namely Harrison Ford (Han Solo), Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia), Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca), Anthony Daniels (C-3PO) and Kenny Baker (R2-D2). Along with our long-time favourites, the final casting announcement revealed a plethora of unknowns. So we thought we'd get acquainted with the seven newbies. Their roles and midi-chlorian counts are yet to be revealed, so you can continue your pub arguments for a while yet. ADAM DRIVER You might know him best as Girls' Adam Sackler. But, just lately, we've seen Driver tackle the Australian desert alongside Mia Wasikowska in Tracks and cheese his way through a novelty song with Justin Timberlake in Inside Llewyn Davis. What's more, Star Wars isn't the only major announcement he's been part of during the past few months. You can also expect to catch him in upcoming films Midnight Special (Jeff Nichols) and Silence (Martin Scorsese). OSCAR ISAAC Oscar Isaac hits Star Wars hot on the heels of his wide-eyed, multi-award winning appearance as hapless singer-songwriter Llewyn Davis. He's also in the credits for five films currently in post-production: In Secret, Ex-Machina, The Two Faces of January, Mojave and A Most Violent Year. MAX VON SYDOW 85-year-old Swedish-turned-French legend Max Von Sydow has been appearing on the big screen since 1949. Most recently, he scored a bunch of nominations, including one for his second Academy Award — for his role as The Renter in Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. ANDY SERKIS You might not recognise him from the above mug shot, but Andy Serkis is most likely one of your noughties heroes. Through a combo of motion picture capture acting, voice and animation, he played Gollum in Peter Jackon's Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001-3) and The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012). He brought similar magic to the lead role in King Kong (2005), Caesar in Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011) and Captain Haddock in The Adventures of Tintin (2011). DOMHNALL GLEESON Hogwarts students are most likely to be familiar with this striking Irish face. Domhnall Gleeson played Bill Weasley in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Parts I and II (2010 and 2011). Right now, he's on set for upcoming romantic comedy Brooklyn, an adaptation of the Nick Hornby novel. JOHN BOYEGA In 2012, at the age of 20, Boyega shared a set with Oscar nominee Chiwete Ejiofor in Half of a Yellow Sun (Nigeria/UK 2013). Sci-fi fans knew him before that, though, for his take on Moses in Attack the Block. DAISY RIDLEY And last, but not least (though certainly least-known) is Daisy Ridley. She's appeared in a handful of TV series, including Casualty, Mr Selfridge and Silent Witness, and played the lead in BAFTA-nominated interactive film, Lifesaver. She's now trending like wildfire.
For nearly a century, the Capitol Theatre has stood on Melbourne's Swanston Street — initially playing host to silent films that were preceded by live theatre productions before each screening, and also accompanied by Australia's first large Wurlitzer organ. First opening in 1924, it's a crucial part of the city's entertainment history; however since 2014, the space has remained closed. Owner RMIT is eager to change that, launching a crowdfunding campaign to restore the theatre and put it back into use. With $20 million in restoration and improvement works mooted, the university is seeking to supplement the Victorian Government's pledged $2.5 million with $2 million in public funding — with every dollar donated to be matched by RMIT. And, for folks who give $250 or more, their name will be featured on the building's wall. Running since late 2017, the campaign aims to "give Melbourne a spectacular and world famous space to house festivals, film premieres and screenings, concerts and conferences" — according to the appeal's website — plus learning spaces for RMIT students. It's the latest chapter in the theatre's eventful lifespan, which has seen it closed in the 60s, renovated to turn its stalls-level seating into the Capitol Arcade, and then remodelled again when RMIT took over in 1999. If you've ever stepped inside the space — which was used as a venue for the Melbourne International Film Festival as recently as 2014 — you will have noticed the decor. Designed by architects Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin, who also designed the city of Canberra, its striking, geometric-shaped, light-filled ceiling attracts as much attention as anything on the venue's stage or screen. The entire structure, aka Capitol House, has been on the Victorian Heritage Register since 1989 — with the Capitol Theatre pre-dating both the nearby Forum and Regent Theatre. For more information, visit the Capitol Theatre campaign website. For images of the site, visit the campaign blog. Images: Michelleyesf / Stephen Bain / Adam Carr.
It looks like it's going to be a while longer yet before you can jet off on that next sunny holiday to the Greek islands. So why not let them come to you? A breezy new Greek meze bar has opened its doors in the heart of Bondi Beach, named and inspired by the tiny Aegean island of Ikaria. Here, husband-and-wife duo Joaquin Saez (Alberto's Lounge, Cho Cho San, co-owner of La Palma) and Emily Abay are bringing a taste of the Mediterranean coast to Sydney's own stretch of beachside paradise. You're invited to step through the door and embrace the Ikarian philosophy of life, centred around celebration, happiness and enjoyment. Fashion photographer Abay has helmed the design, creating a tranquil vision of archways, whitewashed walls and neutral-toned tiles, framed by sweeping views across the water. It's a holiday vibe, to be sure. Leading the kitchen is Head Chef Robert Young (Quay, Born by Tapavino, the UK's Restaurant Martin Wishart), who is turning out a share-focused menu peppered with plenty of Mediterranean flavours. You'll find the likes of an Ikarian-style taramasalata served with warm pita for dipping, saganaki finished with chestnut honey and crisp zucchini chips matched with herb aioli. Octopus is grilled, and teamed with lukanika (a type of sausage), radicchio and endives, while salsa verde finishes a dish of Greek-style lamb meatballs. Ikaria's wine offering is diverse for its size, featuring mostly European labels, alongside a handful of local beers and Greece's Mythos lager. But if you're really embracing those vacation feels, expect to be tempted by the cocktail list, which stars sips both classic and original. There's a riff on the martini, crafted with olive gin and rosemary thyme vermouth, and the striking Blue Zone — a fusion of tequila, blue curaçao, cucumber agave and rosemary smoke. What's more, from 3–5pm every Tuesday to Sunday, you can escape even further into the holiday fantasy during the bar's dedicated Aperitif Time, enjoying a series of happy hour drink specials. Find Ikaria at 70 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach. It's open from 3pm–late Tuesdays–Fridays, 12pm–late on Saturdays and 12pm–10pm on Sundays.
Your mates have been listening to your 'big idea' for months. It's that passion project you dream all day about or that side hustle that's yet to get off the ground. And yet, somehow, another year has rolled past and you're still waiting for the time to feel 'just right'. Spoiler alert: the timing will never be perfect. Starting your own business can feel daunting and dazzling all at the same time. While you'll find yourself in the driver's seat, calling the shots and running the show, it's not all fame and control. With power comes chasing unpaid invoices, juggling timelines and hoping you're charging enough to cover the bills. So, to see your idea become a (profitable) reality, you have to be prepared. To help with the financial stuff, we've teamed up with Westpac, in celebration of its Presto Smart payment solution, to track down some Australian business owners — and ask for some advice. Read on to learn the biggest business dos and don'ts from three Australian hospo entrepreneurs: head chef and owner of LP's Quality Meats Luke Powell; Lyndon Kubis, co-owner of Melbourne's Milton Wine Shop; and William Edwards, founder of Sydney distillery Archie Rose (which also happens to be one of Westpac's Businesses of the Tomorrow). [caption id="attachment_511979" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Archie Rose by Nikki To.[/caption] DO: INVEST IN PEOPLE TO HELP BUILD YOUR BUSINESS As cheesy as it sounds, people are the backbone of every great business. Seriously. A great barista will keep coffee lovers coming back and a talented sales rep will build a thriving network of distributors and partners. They're the face of your brand and the people you'll be working alongside through thick and thin. Even during your first years of operation, as you're still working out how to be profitable as a business, you should consider ways to invest and give back to your team. This is especially true for Archie Rose's William Edwards. "You may not have the resources to give out big salaries or awesome job perks, but your people are literally the number one asset you'll have," he explains. "They will drive the business to places you would have never thought to go, or could not have gone on your own — so treat them with respect, empower them to lead the areas they are responsible for and acknowledge the contribution they make." [caption id="attachment_664743" align="alignnone" width="1920"] LPs Quality Meats via Destination NSW.[/caption] DO: DIVERSIFY YOUR OFFERING You've heard it plenty: "don't put all your eggs in one basket". When kicking off a business, this little phrase is essential. You want to build an offering that is resilient and, most importantly, sustainable. If your heart is set on selling handmade rings, you should consider broadening your focus. Release other accessory ranges; collaborate on a line of monogrammed notebooks. The key is to find multiple ways of generating income, rather than investing everything into one product or service. Powell is a master of this. The meats made at LP's are also supplied to other restaurants across Sydney, which opened up a whole new revenue stream for the business. "We have diversified our business by making smallgoods for other restaurants, cafes and venues," Powell reveals. "We were making them just for ourselves then other people started asking for them. We got a license as a meat processing plant and can now make and sell to anyone." [caption id="attachment_697656" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bella Brutta by Kitti Gould.[/caption] DO: TAKE THE LEAP BEFORE YOU'RE READY Still waiting to hit 'publish' on your website? To announce your business on social media? Are you still endlessly searching for the perfect space to house your new operation? Edwards' advice? Just go for it. "I've met so many people with so many good ideas and the talent to make them a reality, but they never did anything because it wasn't the perfect time," Edwards explains. "I'm not saying don't prepare for what you're about to undertake, but there will never be 'a perfect time' — at the end of the day, you just need to start." The business you launch isn't set in stone. While you want to have the practical stuff like budgets and point of sale technology sorted out, your concept, branding and offering will evolve over time. Just take the first step, and the rest will begin to fall into place. [caption id="attachment_724984" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Luke Power of LPs Quality Meats by Kitti Gould.[/caption] DON'T: FOLLOW TRENDS AND FORGET TO CRAFT YOUR OWN VISION Remember those jeans you bought in 2002? Yep, the ultra low-rise ones with raw hems that dragged along the floor. Everyone had a pair. And now? It's all skinny jeans and retro flares. Trends come and go, but a truly unique idea sticks. That's why it's key to use innovation as the foundation of your business. "Restaurant trends are constantly changing, but we do try and stay away from them as they are usually not enduring," says Powell. "We try to be as creative as possible while staying true to our brand to keep it fun and fresh for our staff and customers." His biggest tip for fellow entrepreneurs? "Don't do something because it's trendy. Make sure you are doing it because you love it, and play the long game." [caption id="attachment_724988" align="alignnone" width="1920"] William Edwards of Archie Rose by Trent van der Jagt.[/caption] DON'T: AIM TO GET EVERYTHING RIGHT FROM DAY ONE Starting a business means making tough calls and hoping you're on the right track. There are going to be plenty of bumps along the way, and striving for perfection isn't going to make the journey any easier. Edwards has some sage words of wisdom on the topic. "One thing I would do differently is to not try to set up everything perfectly for the long term on day one. [For example,] I purchased two 40-foot containers of 750ml bottles for the US market on day one in order to get a better cost per unit...those bottles are still sitting in storage." So what would he do differently? "In some instances, you're better off just perfecting what you need in the short term, and then getting a better understanding of what you're going to need in the long term as you actually operate and grow." [caption id="attachment_712428" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Milton Wine Shop.[/caption] DO: KEEP ON TOP OF YOUR CASHFLOW It goes without saying that money is essential to get any business off the ground (and keep it there once it's opened). But when you're caught up in brainstorming, building, hiring staff and making sure everything just keeps moving every day, it can be hard to stay on top of the cash coming in and going out. Lyndon Kubis, who opened Melbourne's Milton Wine Shop with his business partners back in 2014, knows that, when starting a business in hospitality, income doesn't necessarily come before expenses — or vice versa. So, he says, when trying to turn a profit in the long run, it's important to remember that "money in the bank account belongs to a lot of people" — not just you. Utilising new tech can help, too. On a day-to-day level, Kubis uses Presto Smart at point of sale to track and process cashflow. Powell uses Westpac's tools at LP's, too, saying the information it provides has been "insightful and useful" for growing the business. DON'T: BE AFRAID TO SHARE YOUR IDEAS WITH THE WORLD When you've invested so much of yourself in your business, it's then a huge leap of faith to announce it to the public. But don't let your apprehensions prevent you from creating buzz for your business. Powell wishes he'd taken the jump much earlier. "I held back on letting people know in case the build was delayed," Powell reveals. "It then took a long time to build momentum." So, start talking about your idea. Show your mates and their mates what you're working on. And in the words of the LP's founder: "get it out there and start building hype." Now that you have the dos and don'ts to get you started, it's time to make the jump. And when it comes time to set up your payment technology, look to Westpac's Presto Smart terminal. It's made for speedy payments, busting queues, removing keying errors and seamlessly connecting to a range of Point of Sales systems, including Kounta, to help you keep track of cashflow. Please note that the above information is intended to be general in nature and should not be relied upon for personal financial use. Request more info and speak to Westpac here. Top images: Luke Powell by Kitti Gould, followed by William Edwards by Trent van der Jagt.
President Obama just appeared on Zach Galifianakis's cult web series Between Two Ferns and it was everything you want it to be and so much more. If the slow jams, the college 'fro, and the fact he's best friends with Jay-Z didn't already seal the deal, Barack Obama officially just took out the title of Coolest President in History (and someone in his media department is quite clearly a genius). The five-minute clip which is currently exploding on Funny or Die naturally starts with Zach on the back foot. “When I heard that people actually watch the show, I was pretty surprised," says Obama. He then goes on to land the obligatory Galifianakis fat joke: "[In 2014] we’ll probably pardon another turkey. Was that depressing to you? Seeing a turkey taken out of circulation that you couldn't eat?" Up against past guests like Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, and Justin Bieber, President Obama stood his ground well. After all, the show works best when the guest is famous enough for the outrage to seem novel, but good-humoured enough to take it in stride; and Obama is well-known for being a good sport. Because of this, Galifianakis may be the only man to ever 'shh' the President or call him a nerd. Other favourite bits include Zach asking what the president was going to do about "North Ikea" and Obama taking a jab at The Hangover: "If I ran [for president] a third time, that'd kind of be like doing a third Hangover movie. That didn't work out very well, did it?" Obama's appearance was actually in an effort to plug his latest healthcare initiative to young Americans and, while it's a good cause, we don't mind either way. Anything that brings out this beautiful sassy face is well worth the time and effort.
Sydney's ever-growing appreciation of fusion cuisine and experimentation has ushered in the arrival of Moku, a Japanese fusion restaurant and bar on Crown Street. Across two storeys the venue boasts Japanese dishes with a modern twist, creatively crafted cocktails, as well as the city's first-ever bottomless highball brunch offering. Moku's dining menu is led by celebrated Head Chef Ha Chuen Wai, alongside mixologist Charles Chang, who keeps a watchful eye over the restaurant's drinks menu and designs artisanal cocktails for thirsty guests. With Japanese inspiration at the forefront, it heroes Japanese flavours and cuisine paired with native Australian ingredients. When arriving at the venue, the first thing you do is take in the intimate dining atmosphere and attractive fit-out of textured brick walls, earthy tones and timber furniture, and the bar on each level where bartenders mix cocktails, bespoke highballs, and pour sake and the best Japanese whisky. When it comes to the dining experience, each day of the week looks slightly different at Moku. There's a daily dinner menu and lunch seating on Fridays and on Saturdays when Moku also does a bottomless highball brunch for $95 per person, which gives you 90 minutes of chef-selected dishes and free-flowing highballs. Settle in for dinner instead, and you'll find a variety of plates to choose from. The smaller plates include dishes like Sydney rock oysters, bacon katsu sandos, mini seared engawa don and sashimi. Larger plates include the likes of braised mushroom noodles with garlic miso, nori and onsen egg, hojicha smoked duck breast with heirloom carrot, hibiscus and plum dashi and chicken karaage with lemon myrtle salt and sriracha mayo. The dessert selection completes the fusion menu with cheesecake served with Davidson plum, mandarin curd, matcha tiramisu and ice cream mochi. For the indecisive or adventurous, you can taste your way through the banquet menu. For $95 per person, you'll be able to sample the venue's best, from tuna carpaccio with smoked cream cheese and bacon katsu sandos, through to the torched edamame and the dessert of the day. The omakase experience headed up by Chef Wai is an intimate culinary journey across a range of premium dishes focusing on fresh seafood. This option is available only on Wednesday and Thursday nights, so be sure to secure your spot in advance.
Missed out on tickets to the hugely popular Day of the Dead 3.1 warehouse project, announced last month? You're in luck. An immersive El Dia de los Muertos-inspired experience curated by a group of Mexican visionaries and artists, the Day of the Dead announced plans to visit Sydney on October 24, then Melbourne on October 31 before ending in Brisbane on November 7. While all three cities sold out within hours, and the organisers were inevitably inundated with hundreds of emails requesting tickets, so the Day of the Dead team twisted some arms and managed to increase the event capacity. There'll be a new and final ticket release happening on Saturday, September 26 at 12.30pm, with tickets at $95. Tickets will sell out within hours, so be ready. Get tickets here. Currently sold-out, the Day of the Dead warehouse project takes cues from some of the world's most celebrated immersive spectacles, everything from Burning Man to Sleep No More. The one-off event will immerse ticketholders in a temporary world of interactive art installations, light projections, extravagant costumes, murals created by renowned street artists and an exclusive lineup of local and international DJs and musicians. Pop-ups by a handpicked bunch of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane's go-to local Mexican eateries, like Playa Takeria, have been selected to create special Dia de los Muertos menus. Plus, there'll be Mexican cervezas and tequila/mezcal cocktails from the newly announced principal sponsor Tequila Herradura and major sponsor Tequila Jimador to provide you with enough sustenance to dance the night away. With instructions being sent to ticketholders just one week before the event, and locations revealed just one day before the party, this is secret warehouse party business at its best. Honour the dead, celebrate the living. Be ready on Saturday. The Day of the Dead 3.1's new and final ticket release is happening on Saturday, September 26 at 12.30pm. Tickets are $95 and are expected to sell out within hours. Get tickets here. By Kimberley Mai and Shannon Connellan.
We’ve known for a while that Public Enemy are headlining the eighth Golden Plains Festival next year, so we knew it would probably kick a fair few arses. But we had no idea it would be this many. The lineup includes such a tasty smorgasbord of local and international artists that the March long weekend can’t come quick enough. The overseas contingent boasts some of the world’s finest, including the soulful, confusing and perpetually beautiful Neko Case, Japanese funk legends Osaka Monaurail and Kiwi super-dub soldiers Fat Freddy’s Drop. The home crowd is just as exciting, with rock stalwarts You Am I leading the charge, followed closely by new rave pioneers Cut Copy and the supernatural soul crew that has earned Questlove’s glowing endorsement, Hiatus Kaiyote. The lineup is an eclectic mix of dance, funk, soul, blues and good ol’ rock 'n' roll, all spaced out with care over a long weekend in the country. Hot damn, we say to Golden Plains. Hot damn to the promise of a chilled-out festival in the middle of nowhere with a lineup that’s got something for everyone, and then a little more. Words cannot express. For the full lineup, check out the Golden Plains website. The ballot is open now for tickets.
If you have ever been walking around the Queen Victoria Building and heard a gentle cascade of piano music falling from the upper levels, you've already heard Sablier play. Born in France, she studied at world-famous conservatoires in Lyon and Paris before moving to Australia a few years ago, and her own compositions sit somewhere between old-world French Romanticism and a decidedly modern Australian attitude. There are elements of Ravel and Debussy, to be sure, but it really belongs to the modern minimalism of the likes of Yann Tiersen, Philip Glass, Michael Nyman or Ludovico Einaudi. Her recently released debut album, Vertigo, is an enchanting, hypnotic album of tremendous beauty. Playing alongside her are two mainstays of the Australian classical community in Andrew Haggar and David Holmes, both of whom have featured on a number of much-loved recordings as well as having toured the world in various ensembles. If you find yourself burnt out by summer's heat, or perhaps just overstimulated from all the parties and sugar, this show will be an absolute oasis of calm and beauty. https://youtube.com/watch?v=U6-3j4_bfIo
As Aussies navigated a whole new reality over the past couple of years, gaming and food have been two things that have helped us through; offering a much-needed escape from reality and serving up plenty of entertainment in the process. Now, you're invited to experience what happens when these two cultures really come together, thanks to PlayStation to Plate — an innovative new dining concept that sees much-loved Aussie chefs bring to life virtual food from the PlayStation universe. From Friday, December 3–Sunday, December 12, three Aussie eateries will each create a limited-edition menu item that reimagines an iconic video game dish IRL. The restaurants are serving up their signature creations across all ten days of the pop-up, but you can also have any of the dishes dropped to your door courtesy of Deliveroo. The minds behind beloved Sydney burger empire Mary's, Kenny Graham and Jake Smyth made a fitting choice with their PlayStation to Plate selection, telling Concrete Playground how they were inspired to recreate the Ellie's Steak Sandwich from the apocalyptic realm of The Last of Us: Part II. [caption id="attachment_835425" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mary's take on the Ellie's Steak Sandwich[/caption] Not only did the duo play to their signature strengths by whipping up a bun-based creation, but they also took a serious deep dive into the game's workings and the players' mindsets in order to bring it to life. "Mary's would be the perfect hideout in an apocalyptic world like The Last of Us, so we've imagined what that would be like and [what would be] the perfect sandwich to keep you full when you're not sure when you might eat again," Smyth explains. "It's easy to just make a great steak sandwich, but we also really wanted to make sure the feeling of the game was captured in the dish." In The Last of Us, the steak sandwich stars towards the start of play, featured in a particular venue that the Mary's owners describe as a "safe haven". It's something that especially resonated with the duo, seeing lots of similarities between the fictional venue and their own restaurants. Plus, Smyth reckons their OG Newtown establishment would go alright if ever the world really was coming to an end. "The first place I'd come to in an apocalypse is Mary's because there's one door and it's made out of fricken metal," he laughs. "It's an escape from the outside world." The pair's real-life recreation of the dish features Aussie beef, marinated peppers, onions and lashings of cheese sauce, all loaded into a classic American hoagie roll. For maximum authenticity, each sandwich order comes packaged in brown paper and tied with string, just as you'll see in the game. It also comes teamed with a The Last of Us: Part II x Mary's limited-edition newspaper dubbed The Jackson Chronicle, and a 'Greetings from Jackson' postcard sharing the story behind the sandwich. "We know how loved this game is, so we were stoked to be asked to bring it to life in the real world," Smyth adds. [caption id="attachment_835439" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Smyth and Graham playing The Last of Us[/caption] That said, the restaurateurs didn't need to look too hard to find a connection between the game realm they were tasked with representing and their everyday reality. "To me, there are huge parallels between gaming and real life," Smyth says. "There's a reason why these themes stick with people". "Food, much like gaming, has this incredible ability to offer people a chance to connect with family, friends and even complete strangers," Graham adds. "The sandwich in The Last of Us: Part II represents that connection and that's what we've been about since we started: bringing people together for good times and good food." Catch PlayStation to Plate from December 3–12, in Sydney and Melbourne. You'll find each dish featured on the menu at its respective venue, as well as being available for takeaway via Deliveroo.
When October rolls around each year, the two-kilometre Bondi–Tamarama coastal walk usually becomes home to a huge free outdoor sculpture exhibition, with the always busy Sculpture by the Sea placing its latest works along the shoreline. But in 2020, that didn't happen. In fact, it won't happen at all this year. Sculpture by the Sea organisers have advised that the popular event won't next unveil its artworks until the beginning of 2021 — at the earliest. Going ahead depends upon receiving an exemption from NSW Health, which hasn't been received so far, hence the delay. Still eager to head to the beach and stare at a giant artwork? Sculpture by the Sea has unveiled something in 2020: a large sculpture placed on the end of the south Bondi headland that's designed to be a beacon of hope in this challenging year. Created by Prague based-Slovakian artist Milan Kuzica, it's called Green Life. It reaches ten metres into the sky and yes, it shares that titular colour. As Kuzica describes it, it looks like "the first shoots of a new plant" — but a giant one. Kuzica also explains the sculpture's relevance to today, noting that "there is an urgency. In a world plagued by a viral pandemic, we are reminded that our future is possible only if we live our lives in harmony with nature". You can check out Green Life at Marks Park until Monday, December 7. Images: Gareth Carr.
2020 gave us Normal People, the TV adaptation of Sally Rooney's beloved second novel. 2021 saw the Irish author's third book, Beautiful World, Where Are You, hit shelves. So now that a new year is here, Rooney fans need something new to obsess over — and the Conversations with Friends streaming series, which has just unveiled its first teaser trailer, definitely fits the mould. Based on Rooney's 2017 debut novel, the show itself won't reach eyeballs until May, which is when it'll premiere in the US on Hulu and in the UK on BBC Three — and hopefully Down Under via Amazon Prime Video at around the same time. But the initial sneak peek, while brief, teases plenty to look forward to, including a stacked cast that features newcomer Alison Oliver as Frances, The Favourite and Mary Queen of Scots' Joe Alwyn as Nick, American Honey's Sasha Lane as Bobbi, and Girls and Sex Education's Jemima Kirke as Melissa. If you've read the book, you'll know that Conversations with Friends follows Dublin college students Frances and Bobbi, as well as married couple Nick and Melissa. Frances and Bobbi used to date, but are now best friends; however, everything shifts when they meet their new pals — with Frances and Nick having an affair, Melissa and Bobbi drawn to each other, and Frances and Bobbi's friendship put under threat. The 12-part Conversations with Friends miniseries' first trailer is brief, but firmly sets the mood — and quickly conjures up memories of Normal People. There's a reason for that beyond the shared Rooney-penned source material, with Normal People co-director Lenny Abrahamson and co-screenwriter Alice Birch leading the charge behind the scenes here. When Conversations with Friends was first published five years back, it launched Rooney's career and sent award nominations her way, with Hulu and BBC Three announcing their plans to bring it to the screen after the Normal People adaptation proved such a hit. And yes, if you can't wait for Conversations with Friends to land in your streaming queue, you can obviously try to fill your time rebinging Normal People. Check out the teaser trailer for Conversations with Friends below: Conversations with Friends will start streaming in the US in May, and is set to stream Down Under via Amazon Prime Video — we'll update you with a specific date when one is announced. Images: Alison Oliver (Frances), Sasha Lane (Bobbi), Joe Alwyn (Nick) and Jemima Kirke (Melissa) in Conversations with Friends, Element Pictures. Photographer: Enda Bowe.
The only thing prettier than a white Christmas is a pink one. That's exactly what you can expect when one of Darlinghurst's hottest hotels hosts its annual East Village Sydney Winter Garden to coincide with the start of the chilly season. As well as resurrecting the fairy light and fairy-floss-coloured approach of previous years, Winter Garden East Village Sydney 2023 will focus on festive decorations, hearty feeds, faux fur throws and heaters on full blast, all designed to transport you to a traditional European Christmas market experience. The return of the popular four-cheese fondue for two, served with pickled vegetables, cured meats and bread, is the main attraction on the menu. A little partidge-in-a-pear-tree told us that it's even spiked with booze. However, if your feelings towards fondue swing to the sweet end of the scale, be sure to check out the Belgian chocolate fountain for dessert — served with cakes, fruit, brioche and biscuits to dip into your sauce. Other culinary delights will include dishes inspired by the cool yule markets of Germany, France and the Netherlands. Such as crispy potato pancakes (Kartoffelpuffer) served with spiced applesauce, vol-au-vents filled with a truffled chicken stew and Dutch cinnamon doughnuts. Ready to invest in the second stage of the 'eat, drink and be merry' concept? Winter Garden East Village Sydney comes complete with an impressive winter drinks menu — such as traditional Glühwein mulled wine; a smoked rum old fashioned; a winter spritz featuring Montenegro, grapefruit liqueur, ginger and burnt rosemary; and coquito shooters made with vegan eggnog, coconut, condensed milk, vanilla and cinnamon.
Since 2017 in Sydney, 2018 in Melbourne and 2019 in Brisbane, a trip to Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq has meant stepping inside a circus-themed arcade bar that's primed for kidulting. And, that's still the case; however, once a month from May until November, the chain is ramping its core concepts of circus, arcade fun and nostalgic activities for adults up a few levels. Run by Funlab, the group also responsible for Holey Moley, Strike Bowling and B. Lucky & Sons, Archie Brothers is kicking off a new Showtime event series. After launching on Friday, May 7 in Alexandria, and on Saturday, May 8 in Docklands and Toombul, it'll take place on the second Saturday of each month at each site, turning each venue into an adults-only circus and cocktail pop-up. From 7–10pm at each event, attendees can expect stilt walkers, magicians, burlesque and beverages — and tarot card readers and face painters as well. The lineup of performers will vary depending on the city, but there'll also be juggling and snake charming in Sydney, and mime in Melbourne. Brisbanites can look forward to unicycling, acrobatics, diabolo, balloon modelling and more juggling. The carousel-themed Archie Brothers bar will be pouring Showtime Disco Mirror Ball cocktails, which combine Red Bull, passionfruit, cranberry juice, triple sec, whiskey and lime, while the rest of the chain's usual drinks list will be on offer, too. Food-wise, the theme park and American diner-inspired menu will span sandwiches, pizzas, sliders, onion rings, mac and cheese and other dishes. And, all of Archie Brothers' usual games and activities will be on the agenda, as will prizes. So, you'll be whipping out your Mario Kart skills, hitting the dodgems, bowling and just generally mashing buttons in May, and again come June 12, July 10, August 14, September 11, October 9 and November 13. Then, you'll be trading all the tickets you amass for gaming consoles, 90s paraphernalia and more (and there won't be any kids around vying for the same goodies). Showtime at Archie Brothers kicks off on Friday, May 7 in Alexandria, and on Saturday, May 8 in Docklands and Toombul, then runs on the second Saturday of each month until November. To attend, you'll need to book online. Images: Zennieshia Butts.
UPDATE: MARCH 21, 2020 — The Sydney Opera House has announced an extension to its cancellation of all public performances, with everything now shuttered until at least June 17. "We will re-evaluate this position based on health advice or updated government orders, as required," management announced in a statement. Ticket holders will receive a full refund. SOH has also suspended guided tours during this period; however some of onsite bars and restaurants remain open. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website. The COVID-19 situation in Australia is changing every day, with the federal government first implementing a ban on non-essential events with more than 500 people and then mandating that everyone arriving from overseas self-isolate for 14 days. On Monday, March 16, Melbourne's major art and cultural institutions — including Melbourne Museum, Scienceworks, Arts Centre Melbourne, the NGV and State Library of Victoria — temporarily closed their doors. Now, in a bid to slow the spread of COVID-19, some of Sydney's big cultural venues are following suit. The Sydney Opera House today, Tuesday, March 17, today announced that it has cancelled all public performances until at least March 29, when it will reevaluate the situation. While only the Joan Sutherland, Forecourt and Drama Theatre have capacities larger than 500, it's taking precautionary measures and cancelling performances in all venues, including the smaller Playhouse, Studio and Utzon Room. The Sydney Opera House's largest venue, the Concert Hall, which has a capacity for more than 2000, is currently closed for a two-year renovation, slated to open in late-2021. [caption id="attachment_720214" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sydney Opera House studio party by Tim Da-Rin[/caption] While it has suspended physical performances, Sydney Opera House CEO Louise Herron AM says they 're looking at ways to engage with the community on digital platforms. "In difficult times, people look to the arts for inspiration and strength," Herron said in a statement. "We will be focusing our programming efforts on how we can continue to inspire and uplift our audiences through digital and other means while our physical stages are not in use." The Sydney Opera House's public areas, restaurants, bars and eateries and retail outlets will remain open for now, and tours will continue, too. Which means, you can still visit Peter Gilmore's stunning fine diner Bennelong and popular harbourside spot Opera Bar. Elsewhere in Sydney, Opera Australia has cancelled its Handa Opera season, the Sydney Jewish Museum has closed until the end of March, and the AGNSW has suspended its public program of events. The citywide 22nd Biennale of Sydney, however, is going ahead for now. The Sydney Opera House has suspended all public performances until March 29. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website. Top image: Hamilton Lund
It's a wooden-industrial macabre story of murder and revenge and has a blues-instrumented country feel, but The Ballad of Backbone Joe is a comedy. Double-bass, drum-kit and bass-guitar players Glen Walton, Joseph O'Farrell and Miles O'Neil play Detective Von Trapp, star boxer Backbone Joe and villain Dan. Dan's meat business is on the decline in grimy 1930s Melbourne, and is kept afloat by Joe's evening boxing matches. If only Joe could work out what takes place during his mysterious blackouts between fights. Into this cosy arrangement walks Detective Von Trapp, with a letter for Joe. The three drama-trained members of Melbourne band The Suitcase Royale do the music, play the characters and run the lights. The home-made set — which travels with the band — is integral to the story and is as organic and indivisible from the action as the actors. It folds out over the stage, spilling basin, curtain and doors — a piece of wild turf with a shovel, a boxing ring and an abattoir. It's broad and rough-hewn, shaking and shivering with the action of the play, as the three members of The Suitcase Royale inhabit it, pop out the top, run rear-projection across the middle and — in the performance I saw — memorably break it for your entertainment. The actors toy with it like toddlers in a cardboard box. The Suitcase Royale does song, story and comedy equally well. Singer Amanda Palmer described their 2007 Edinburgh fringe show as "a junkyard paradise combination of Monty Python and Terry Gilliam" and added "go or die". An audience member the night I saw them favoured them as a musical version of The Goodies. While Mile O'Neil's Dan definitely has something of the evil Graeme Garden about him, comparisons sell this show short. This production is organic, funny, weird, creepy and electric. But to find out just how funny, how fun, get over to The Wharf before their short Sydney season ends.<
The need for wellness doesn't take breaks, especially when life and the world start to get you down. But, in times like these, there's a major barrier blocking you from getting away from it all on an overseas adventure: when a dozen eggs cost an hour of work, how can we justify a plane ticket? The good news is that you've got some amazing getaways on your doorstep. Stop looking to Europe, Japan and the Pacific Islands when you can have the adventure of a lifetime just four hours south of Sydney — all for the price of petrol instead of a plane ticket. Home to beautiful vistas, quiet country towns, cutting-edge culinary adventures and enough wellness activities to strip away the stress of living in 2025, start your adventure in the Shoalhaven region with these experiences you couldn't find anywhere else. Berry: Heritage and Handiwork The supremely cosy town of Berry might be best known for a certain unnamed vehicle serving out freshly made fried desserts, but it's not all strolling and snacking; not when you've got the likes of other fabulous breakfast spots like the Queen St Cafe or artisans like Appleye and David Collins Pottery to keep you busy. The former is found on the busy main thoroughfare — just down from the aforementioned dessert van — and runs half-day silver smithing workshops to help you create fashionable bangles, rings and more. The latter is up the hill from Berry and will get you on a stool, wearing an apron and making pottery with a master — set upon the backdrop of one of the best bush views you've ever seen. Once you're feeling mighty proud of your accomplishments, return to the Berry township and enjoy a hearty meal at The Berry General Store or partake in a steaming cuppa with a perfectly paired slice of cake at the Berry Tea Shop before retiring for the night in the surprising Palm Springs-style luxury of The Berry View Hotel. Nowra: New Heights of Wellness Further to the south along the A1, Nowra sits at an intersection for travel through the Shoalhaven — and while some travellers break off to journey east or west, there's plenty to do in the surrounds of Nowra itself. If you've been in the car too long and need some fresh air, you'll probably find a decent breeze with a picnic. How about the Nowra alternative, a cliffnic, which adds verticality and vistas to your typical picnic experience? Too much? That's understandable. If you want to unwind with two feet firmly on the ground, you could attend a Vedic Meditation course at Be Here Nowra to really ground yourself. Or to nourish your body as much as your mind, pop by the First Nations-run Blak Cede Gunyah Cafe and Shop for a hearty feed of contemporary, bush tucker-fusion. [caption id="attachment_998739" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Tim Clark[/caption] Kangaroo Valley: A Walk on the Wild Side The Shoalhaven's own wild paradise, Kangaroo Valley, is countryside scenery at its very best, where heritage townscapes are backed by soaring escarpments and deep forests are home to all sorts of native wildlife. No trip to the Shoalhaven should ignore this verdant wonderland, but a scenic drive-through won't do it justice. You're much better off parking the car and exploring the region's forests, rivers and ridgelines via guided canoeing, walking or horseback tours, afterwards be sure to explore the quaint local village (and get a top-notch cup of coffee at Maddison's in the Valley). Once you've had your fill of adventuring, you needn't drive up the steep hillsides in search of a quality stay since the valley is home to all sorts of cosy accommodations. Our pick? A cottage property with boutique-yet-luxury stays for groups, Barranca. Get your fix of comfy beds with bushland views and toasty firepits for a slice of privacy without leaving the valley. [caption id="attachment_998742" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Jason Bowen[/caption] Jervis Bay: Relaxation on Land and Adventure by Sea The blue gem of the Shoalhaven, Jervis Bay, is a beating heart of maritime merriment for all of NSW and plays host to some of the most memorable aquatic adventures around. For one, Jervis Bay is home to thriving marine wildlife populations year-round, with everything from dolphin and whale watching for the casual ocean-goer to marine encounter freediving for those who prefer to get up close and personal. On dry land, you're still spoilt for choice. Don't get into bed too early, or else you'll miss an accessible tour of our celestial neighbourhood with Jervis Bay Stargazing. If you prefer a daylight adventure, the surrounding area of Booderee National Park is well worth exploring in full. When it's time to put your feet up or hang your swimmers out to dry, you could do so in the Jervis Bay grounds of the aforementioned Barranca, the cosy Huskisson-adjacent cabins of Bay and Bush or the nearby luxury Paperbark glamping site. Milton: Float, Flow and Frolic Heading south to Milton, this sunny coastal town is ideal for some serious R&R after extensive adventuring. Earn that rest by getting your legs moving and hitting the trails on Pigeon House Mountain Didthul . Wear some high-grade shoes, be prepared for slopes and even scale some ladders; but the payoff will be some properly breathtaking panoramas of the surrounding region. Now you've earned a day off from rigorous physical exercise. If you must, you can still enjoy some easy exercise that's good for the soul at Om Sweet Om Yoga. If you want pure, unadulterated unwinding time, make a beeline for The Heal Zone Milton, where you can enjoy a private space with infrared saunas and cold plunges for both ends of the wellness spectrum. Mollymook: Surf and Spa Our southernmost stop is scenic Mollymook, where the seas are blue and the surf is absolutely pumping. In fact, Mollymook is regarded as one of the best surf beaches in the country, so it makes sense that trailblazing pro surfer Pam Burridge would set up a surf school here. Pam offers tutoring for surfers young and old, beginner and intermediate, and more in-depth three-day surf and wellness retreats for the especially interested. Beyond the surf, but still on the coast, is one of Mollymook's most famous attractions: Bannisters by the Sea. While this picturesque hotel has a lot to offer guests, what's most caught our eye is the spa. After all that sun and surf, you probably need a bit of relaxation, and there's no better way to do it than scrubs, massages and infrared saunas at Spa by the Sea. Explore the Shoalhaven region and uncover your own wellness escape.
Gaming and esports are coming to Melbourne in a big way. Come early 2020, the Emporium precinct will welcome Fortress, a 2700-square-metre centre devoted to computer, video, console and tabletop gaming. When it launches, it'll become the largest venue of its type both in the country and in the southern hemisphere. If you're eager to mash buttons with your mates somewhere other than your lounge room, you'll be able to do so in this sprawling two-level spot — which'll feature more than 160 gaming PCs, several suites dedicated to consoles, an entire lounge for online gaming, four streamer pods, and an area just for role-playing and board games. If you take your favourite pastime a bit more seriously, you'll also be in the right place. As well as an esports arena with grandstand seating for 200 people, Fortress will include an esports bootcamp room, a training space, and broadcast and production facilities. At least five big screens will grace the venue's walls, playing live tournaments and international playoffs. Elsewhere, function rooms with their own computer setups will be available to hire for private events and parties — and there'll be a merchandise store onsite as well. When it comes to kicking back after a few games, the esports area will boast its own bar, while the basement will be home to a 400-square-metre tavern that'll serve both drinks and food. Whether you're a Super Smash Bros lover or a Counter Strike fiend, Fortress Melbourne aims to appeal to everyone, catering for casual gamers, competitive gamers and esports diehards, as well as families and after-work crowds. A collaboration with US-based Allied Esports, which runs venues such as Las Vegas' HyperX Esports Arena, the Melbourne facility marks the first in a planned chain of similar spots across Australia over the next few years — although no date has been given as yet for the rollout around the rest of the country. Fortress Melbourne will open at Emporium Melbourne, 287 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, sometime early in 2020. We'll update you with a launch date when one is announced.
Matt Moran's Woollahra venue Chiswick is welcoming the warmer weather and its new Head Chef Taylor Cullen by throwing a series of picnics on the lawn of its lush green outdoor space. The picnics are taking place over four dates between Saturday, November 27 and Saturday, December 11 and will offer Sydneysiders the opportunity to sample Chiswick's new spring menu as well as Bombay Sapphire gin cocktails in the sun. "Our spring menu is bursting with flavour and life, and we're really excited for the community to come in and try it," says Cullen. On offer at the picnics will be a spread of Chiswick small plates including woodfired flatbread, Vannella burrata with heirloom tomatoes and olive tapenade, Milawa camembert and strawberry and passionfruit trifle. Tickets are $139 per person and can be booked in groups of four to six. Included in the ticket price is all of the day's food, picnic gear for the day supplied by To Dine For Picnics, and a cocktail on arrival. [caption id="attachment_832887" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Chiswick's spring menu, Steven Woodburn[/caption]
When 2022 began, it didn't kick off with the hot vax summer that Sydneysiders had been hoping for. Instead, with COVID-19 cases rising over the holidays, it started off with a spate of tightened COVID-19 restrictions across New South Wales — some coming into effect before the Christmas break, and others starting as the new year shifted into gear. Mandatory masks and density caps in hospitality venues became a reality again, and so did the banning singing and dancing in venues and at festivals. And, as announced today, Tuesday, January 25, by NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet, those rules are all now sticking around for another month. Until Monday, February 28, NSW residents will be required to mask up in all indoor settings other than homes, and to stick to the one person per two-square-metres density limit in hospitality venues such as pubs, clubs, restaurants, cafes and nightclubs. Also, singing and dancing will continue to be off the cards in hospitality venues, entertainment facilities, nightclubs, indoor music festivals and indoor major recreation facilities as well. Media release: The NSW Government will extend current restrictions for another month as the State continues to take a measured response to managing COVID-19 with a focus on a safe return to school and restarting non-urgent elective surgery as soon as possible. pic.twitter.com/BSYBZmL2Pw — Dom Perrottet (@Dom_Perrottet) January 24, 2022 "We have always said we will respond to what is in front of us and tailor our approach as required and that is exactly what we are doing," the Premier said, announcing the extension. "We are transitioning to living with COVID and we will need to continually update our approach to ensure we are keeping people safe and protecting our health system," Perrottet continued. Masks are also strongly encouraged outdoors if you cannot maintain a safe distance from others, and QR code check-ins remain compulsory at places such as retail shops and hospitality venues. Regarding the singing and dancing ban, it still applies to everyone except at weddings, and for performers, instructors and students. NSW residents are also still encouraged to work from home where possible, too, and "to reduce mingling when eating and drinking". The extended restrictions come as the state reported 18,512 new COVID-19 cases today, Tuesday, January 25. For more information about the status of COVID-19 and the current restrictions, head over to the NSW Health website. Top image: Parker Blain.
Since 1998, 5.4 million people have been killed as a result of warfare in the Congo. This astounding statistic is generally overlooked by the rest of the world. But Irish artist Richard Mosse and his collaborators have captured this forgotten humanitarian disaster in a way that is impossible to ignore. The Enclave is a six-screen video installation, now showing at COFA Galleries, and was a definite highlight of last year's Venice Biennale, winning critical acclaim and gracing numerous lists of festival favourites. By using the last remaining stocks of a type of infrared film designed to detect camouflage, Mosse is able to transform the lush greenery of the Congo's jungles into a vivid, bubblegum pink. The capturing of this infrared light, invisible to the human eye, is akin to the notion of an invisible war — a raging conflict that is no longer of interest to the Western media. In this way, Mosse aims to disrupt viewer complacency and push the parameters of war photography. On this note, partial credit is due to the patient and piercing cinematography by Trevor Tweeten. The slow and steady roaming of the camera absorbs every detail, whilst the grainy texture of the film creates a painterly quality. The wide-angle landscapes are particularly arresting, depicting rivers and waterfalls framed by lurid pinks and foggy lilacs. These fleeting moments carry a serenity and beauty that is quickly deflated by the reappearance of weapons, slums, and lifeless bodies. Adding to the immersive experience of the work is the haunting and visceral soundscape by composer, Ben Frost. In moments of utter darkness, you are aurally bombarded with explosions and gunshots as if standing in the thick of a conflict zone. Mosse and his collaborators spent two years infiltrating and earning the trust of rebel groups in the Eastern Congo. After displaying an initial hesitancy to being filmed, the soldiers assume postures of macho militancy. Amid shocking pink surroundings, this is highly bizarre, and the artificial coloration of the infrared transforms their earnest performances into absurdity. The aestheticisation of menace and brutality is disturbing to say the least. The imposition of beauty on something that shouldn't be beautiful is at the core of this work. In arousing an ethical dilemma in the viewer, Mosse is challenging the detached way in which we consume and catalogue images. Although it may seem like a bad acid trip, when stripped of its psychedelic hues, The Enclave is a scrupulous documentation of the vicious realities suffered by countless people in the Congo. Mosse went to painstaking lengths to get his hands on the antiquated infrared film, and the results speak for themselves. In addition to revealing the cancerous cycle of wars in this region, the seductive aesthetic of the work is guilt-inducing, generating a throbbing sense of urgency and discomfort.
Butter — Sydney's palace of fried chicken, sneakers, Champagne and ramen — is adding yet another layer to its already over-the-top offering. Butter Brunch Club launches this Saturday, December 1 and will continue every Saturday and Sunday thereafter. On offer are souped-up versions of the venue's beloved fried chicken and doughnut, along with 90 minutes of bottomless booze. As is, the dish ($16) comes with two fried chicken tenders, salted butter and a heaping pour of maple syrup, all atop a hot cinnamon doughnut. Then there's the three 'upgraded' varieties — smoked beef pastrami, miso butter and manchego cheese ($24); strawberry preserve, fresh strawberries and dark chocolate ($23); or blueberry preserve, fresh blueberries and chantilly cream ($22). Known to go all out, the restaurant is also offering bottomless booze for $38 per person. Choose from Chandon S (sparkling wine and orange bitters) over ice, Hennessy Green Tea or Pabst Blue Ribbon. Apart from bottomless, there is also a classic bloody mary ($15) on the menu, with an optional chicken tender addition ($19). And, in true Butter style, a limited edition t-shirt ($60) is also available for the occasion, which will be available in-store and online starting Friday, November 30. As always, there are no reservations at Butter, so be prepared to wait. Butter Brunch Club is happening every Saturday from 11.30am–4pm and Sunday from 12–4pm at Butter in Surry Hills and Parramatta.
Whether you're looking for a cracking soundtrack that will have you pulling out Shazam throughout the night, a new Japanese restaurant to add to your must-try list or a spot to share a sake, Rekōdo has you covered. This multi-faceted venue has just arrived in Barangaroo House, the expansive harbourside precinct from Solotel and Matt Moran, offering a packed schedule of DJ sets from local tastemakers and an exciting Japanese menu. Head Chef Paddy McDermott has created a playful spread of dishes like DIY tuna belly, avocado and roe temaki hand rolls; and taiyaki waffles with kimchi and fontina cheese. Looking for something a little heartier? Feast your way through Rekōdo's whole snapper karaage, wagyu karubi steak or modanyaki noodles — or the charcoal-smoked red miso eggplant, which will arrive to your table still cooking in a donabe clay pot. "Leaning into the music vibe of Rekōdo, I'd say we're going for a 'high fidelity' approach to the menu — familiar flavours but having a little fun in the way they're presented," explains McDermott. While the food is a big drawcard, the thing that sets Rekōdo apart is the music. Boasting a huge collection of vinyl records, the venue will enlist the curatorial skills of a different tastemaker each month to select the tunes. Kicking things off for September is Meg Mac, showcasing the eclectic music taste that has inspired her beloved catalogue of ballads. Following Mac's reign as initial selector, Donny Benét and Lazywax are already locked in to take over the speakers in October and November respectively. And yes, there will be vinyl dance parties galore. This weekend, from Friday, September 16–Sunday, September 18, some of Sydney's finest are jumping on the decks, including Simon Caldwell, Marty Doyle, Reenie and a special set from Harvey Sutherland as part of the Sydney All-Nighter. Across the next two weeks, the likes of Adi Toohey, Ayebantonye, Phil Smart, Eddy Diamond and Mike Who will also be dropping by, with plenty more musical goodness in store for the coming months. Rounding out your visit to Barangaroo's new multi-faceted space is the drinks list. Bar lead Pauric Kennedy has pulled together a 20-strong list of sake and Japanese liqueurs which will be available to order by the glass, as a tasting flight or in cocktails. Take some brown sugar umeshu, for instance, then add tangerine and elderflower tonic, and you have Rekōdo's refreshing Tokyo Tipple. "The Rekōdo experience is about mixing sound, drink and good times with shared friends," says co-owner and Matt Moran. "Paddy has done a great job creating a menu that reflects this, with a mix of small and larger dishes all designed to share so you can tailor it to whatever vibe you're after." Rekōdo is located at Level 1, Barangaroo House, 35 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo. It's open midday–midnight Wednesday–Saturday and midday–10pm Sunday and Tuesday. Images: Steven Woodburn
Big changes have come to The Newington on Stanmore Road, with the familiar local set reopening under a new moniker after extensive renovations. To be henceforth known as Public House Petersham, the venue has overhauled its traditional pub decor, transforming the space into a 'local cultural hub', inspired by the vibe of Bushwick, Brooklyn. The rebranding is the idea of hospitality group Solotel, who purchased the venue and also operates the likes of Opera Bar, Paddington Inn and Goros. The venue features two unique street art designs by Sydney artists Phibs and Numskull, new booth seating, a community herb garden made from repurposed pallets and a shipping container beer garden. Under newly appointed head chef, Martin Cerny, the menu and drinks list has also had a facelift with a focus on craft beers, fresh produce seasoned with plants from the herb garden, wine and share food (including gingerbread men-topped desserts), as well as pizzas cooked in a brand new wood-fire oven. The owners will also be encouraging local community groups and clubs to use the venue as a place to meet and host activities. Licensee Amanda Veratti said in a statement that the owners "are thrilled to be able to give the old Hotel a new lease of life, where people can meet and socialise over a fantastic range of beverages and food that is made to be shared". Images: Nikki To.
These days Twitter is known as two things: a medium on which to stalk Katy Perry and Justin Bieber, and a platform for #QandA Twitterati to descend into madness. With all the white noise out there it's easy to forget its true function — Twitter is a place for discussion. Thankfully this is a notion not lost on those fine folks at The Wheeler Centre. In their most recent project #discuss they're dragging Twitter philosophy into the real world, printing it on our city walls and starting important conversations nationwide. Thankfully it goes a lot deeper than catty #QandA tweets about Christopher Pyne's lizard face. The week-long project — which comes to an end tomorrow — has been launched in an effort to reignite a quality public discussion. From June 2, participants on Twitter were urged to put forward opinions or interesting thoughts on whatever topic they please. Paired with the hashtag #discuss, the initial thought was then open for exploration, disagreement, or extrapolation from the wider Twitter community. The best ten thoughts from each day have been printed on plaques and placed in fitting locations around Melbourne's CBD and inner suburbs. Right now Estelle Tang's culturally-weighted declaration that "Australians don't know how lucky they really are" lies knowingly outside Crown Casino. In what must be another blow for employees at The Age, a bleak assertion from writer Clementine Ford is currently plastered right out front of their city offices: "The old guard can fight as much as they like, but they can't stop the youth from one day taking over." Within a week of opening, Chris Lucas' latest venture Kong has already been hit with some Twitter truth: "Thanks to social media, place-dropping has become worse than name-dropping." It's a powerful concept, and one which gives abstract notions or debates an all-important physical weight. Arguments about boat people are no longer throwaway comments in cyberspace; they're staring you in the face on your way past the Immigration Department. An unsettling philosophical statement gives you some mind fodder on your way into Coles. Once again, this valued cultural institution is proving its intellectual importance. Disagree? Discuss! The project ends Sunday, June 8 so there's still a chance to get your words plastered on a city street. Even if you miss the deadline, don't worry, the discussion never really stops. @waouwwaouw at Crown Casino, Southbank. @clementine_ford at The Age offices on Spencer Street. @mattfitzy at Chris Lucas' new restaurant Kong on Church Street, Richmond. @uptosquat at Hosier Lane. @SophieMcAulay at Hungry Jacks on Russell Street. @MIFFofficial at The Classic Cinema in Elsternwick. @hamlwat at the Immigration Department. @Melbfoodandwine at Cumulus Inc. @tesslawley at Coles Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn. @AsherTreleaven at The Melbourne Club. Lead photo: @elissebaitz at Northside Records. All photos via The Wheeler Centre.
Whether you're committed to reducing your use of single-use plastics or dedicated to a vegan diet, it's easy to change your consumption habits for the good of the environment — while you're in your own home. Once you venture out, however, there's much that's out of your control. Sure, you've eliminated disposable plastic from your routine, but every business you patronise mightn't have done the same. And you've ordered a vegan meal at your local cafe, but does the place you're eating at use animal products in its decor? On the plastics front, plenty of organisations and brands are starting to do their part, with the likes of IKEA, McDonald's, Melbourne's Crown Casino and Coca-Cola Amatil phasing out single-use items, and one airline pledging to become wholly plastic-free. When it comes to living a vegan lifestyle, Hilton's London Bankside is joining in by opening the world's first entirely vegan luxury hotel suite. Now available for bookings, the room only uses plant-based substances, fibres and surfaces — so you won't find any leather, feathers and wool among its wares. With the suite designed by food artists Bompas & Parr, what you will find is a material created from pineapples. The bed's headboard is made from pineapple leaves, while vegan-friendly fruit leather piñatex features heavily. It's made from the cellulose fibres sourced from pineapples, and is not only used in the upholstered seats, footstools and cushions, but in the room's keycard as well. With no animal products to be found in any of the suite's materials or inclusions, guests will step onto cotton carpets and bamboo floors; sleep on pillows made from organic buckwheat, millet hulls, kapok or bamboo fibres (your choice); grab a snack from the complimentary vegan mini-bar; and use cruelty-free toiletries. When your room is cleaned by housekeeping, they'll also be using vegan products. Even when you're checking in, you'll be doing so at a plant-based counter. And if you're keen to order in, of course the vegan range extends to the in-room menu. Find Hilton London Bankside at 2–8 Great Suffolk Street, London, and visit the hotel website for further details. Images: Hilton London Bankside.
George Calombaris has confirmed the opening date and location of the first Jimmy Grants in Sydney, with the souvlaki bar set to start trading in Sydney Central Plaza on Wednesday, September 18. Calombaris opened the first Jimmy Grants in Melbourne's Fitzroy in 2013, and has since opened four other stores in Melbourne and one on the Gold Coast. His foray into Sydney was announced back in August, with four locations due to open within the next 12 months. Jimmy Grants Newtown was initially meant to be first cab off the rank, but is now due to open in the weeks following the CBD launch (exact date TBD). If you haven't been into a Jimmy Grants down south, it's a similar offering to that of Sydney's Zeus Street Greek. Souvas are stuffed with the likes of chicken, lamb, falafel, prawns and beef short-rib, chips come topped with feta and oregano and dessert is a baklava choc-top. Also on the menu is a selection of dips, meat plates, salads and Jimmy's famous steamed dimmys. The whole thing is pretty casual — they have room for diners to sit-in but do lots of take away and delivery through UberEATS — and the new Sydney stores will be fitted out with recycled or repurposed materials, graffiti murals and vintage photographs, and will feature the brand's signature neon blue. The remaining two locations are yet to be revealed, but expect them to open in at some point in 2018. Look for Sydney's first Jimmy Grants at Level 1, Sydney Central Plaza, Westfield Sydney, from Wednesday, October 18. Words by Lauren Vadnjal and Tom Clift
Located a mere 40-minute drive from Auckland CBD, Kumeu has become one of New Zealand's most versatile drinking and dining destinations. Here, you'll find lush rolling hillsides, stunning natural sights and a high concentration of family-run estates. It's also the perfect backdrop for everything from cosy winter lunches to celebratory family feeds, casual summer picnics and a slew of wine-related tastings, tours and experiences. If you're after a short break, flights to Auckland from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are super short — around three-and-a-half hours on average — and Air New Zealand offers great everyday direct fares from all three cities. Here are our picks for where you should head for a glass (or two) once you've touched down. WEST BROOK WINERY Nestled amongst the gently undulating hillside of the Ararimu Valley, West Brook Winery is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque pit-stops on this tour of the west. Framed by row after row of glorious grape vines, the cellar door is fully equipped with a serene view out over the terraces toward a lily pond. While the tranquil grounds offer warm respite from the stresses of the working week, the real treat at West Brook must be its comprehensive menu of cellar door experiences. Designed to please every level of wine lover (from the curious to the aficionado), these packages have every budget catered for with prices between $6 and $50 per person for wine tastings, wine and cheese matches and the full monty tasting tour. Consistently applauded for its flawless production of chardonnay and riesling varieties, it's the Sparkling Crackling Rosé which has proven to be most popular with punters. And with tasting notes such as raspberry, mandarin and paprika, it's not a surprise. THE HUNTING LODGE WINERY Despite a history that stretches all the way back to 1868, current owners the Sutton family have reinvented The Hunting Lodge as one of Auckland's most exciting restaurant destinations. Positioned atop 80 acres of lush green hillside, The Hunting Lodge has a lot to offer, from the rustic cellar door and lawn bar through to the slick restaurant, olive groves, manicured gardens and family zone. You'll envisage a way to celebrate every kind of occasion. Summers here are synonymous with Mediterranean-style platters and a glass or two of dry chardonnay, yet a transition to the approaching winter should also get you excited — imagine curling up in the comfort of the homestead sampling the rich, gamey flavours of chef Des Harris' seasonal creations. Backed by a slew of industry accolades, which commend everything from the ambience to its aroma, The Hunting Lodge should skyrocket straight to the top of your 'to do' list. KUMEU RIVER WINES Winning international acclaim and the hearts of visitors far and wide, the family behind Kumeu River Wines definitely deserve some of the credit for putting New Zealand's chardonnay (and damn good pinot gris) on the map. Established in 1944 by Croatian migrants, the Brajkovich family, Kumeu River Wines may just be the most serious of the wineries on this list — but no less warm and inviting. With 40 hectares of vineyards, which bottle around 250,000 wines annually, the operation has become an international benchmark for non-Burgundy produced chardonnay. Stop in and soak up some serious wine knowledge from the incredibly informed team at the cellar door, where you taste up to five different drops for $5, while overlooking Maté's Vineyard just across the road. BABICH WINES Widely regarded as one of New Zealand's premier wine estates, Babich Wines has a distinct family history that filters into every aspect of the 103-year-old business. Managed by third generation family members, visitors to the flagship cellar door, winery and vineyard in Kumeu can expect a tender family atmosphere where nostalgia and comfort envelope you just like a hug from your nan. Arriving on the shores of Aotearoa in 1910 with a dream of gum digging in the far north, penniless Babich patriarch Josip gave the family a century's worth of family lore — anecdotes they are all too willing to share over the eight-strong tasting menu. The Babich family has traded the traditional restaurant for an easy-going picnic area — a feature which ensures the focus remains on the award-winning wines. Along with a game of petanque, guests are encouraged to bring their own nosh to be enjoyed with an impressive selection of in-house drops. Or, you can nab a spot on the sunny verandah and enjoy a glass of the East Coast Vintara while overlooking the vines. SOLJANS ESTATE Like many other successful wineries across Auckland's west, Souljans Estate Winery began and continues to thrive as a family business. From humble beginnings in 1937, it has become one of the neighbourhood's most visited wineries today. Soljan is known for producing pinot gris, chardonnay and pinotage from its picture-perfect vineyard. Plus, visitors might be surprised to find that its Fusion Sparkling Muscat is, in fact, New Zealand's most awarded sparkling wine — and an ideal accompaniment to a feast of Mediterranean bites at the adjoining restaurant. The sunny grounds are completed with a casual cage and a surprisingly decent gift store. Soljans has cemented its place in the hearts and bucket lists of wine-lovers both near and far. Book your flights to Auckland with Air New Zealand and start planning your next long weekend away. Plus, Vinomofo has released a case of wine featuring six delicious wines representing the diverse and unique sub-regions of Waiheke, Kumeu and Matakana. Every case has a one in 50 chance of winning return flights to Auckland (from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane). T&Cs apply.
Do you feel like each week flies past in an uncontrollable blur? Friday afternoon comes and you can't remember what you have achieved but you still somehow feel exhausted? If yes, then it's time for a change. Each day you can elevate your life by aiming for just one easy win — even small tweaks to your routine will help take your week up a notch. To help you out, we've teamed up with our mates at Coopers Dry to bring you a list of 'easy wins' — small things that will enrich your life without you needing to stage a full-scale overhaul. MONDAY: CLEAN OUT YOUR CLOSET Kick off the week with a closet cleanse and rid thyself of unnecessary clutter. If it no longer fits, you don't like it or it's in poor condition — donate or chuck it. Those jeans from when you were 19, yeah, they've got to go. Set aside a couple of hours — grab a beer, crank your favourite tunes, channel your inner Cersei Lannister and be merciless. Clearing out the unworn clothes from your wardrobe frees up physical and mental space that you didn't even know you needed. Take your haul to a charity shop to help out the community, reduce waste and give yourself some good karma. TUESDAY: SIP A SMOOTHIE IN THE SUN Forget eating lunch at your desk, at least for today. Instead, head to your local park, let the sun work its magic and get a nice dose of vitamin D. Catching some rays each day can help to clear up your skin and improve your mood — but do it safely, of course. Boost your nutrient intake and add a smoothie to the mix, you'll be smiling for the rest of the afternoon. WEDNESDAY: DISCUSS SOME LITERATURE WITH A FRIEND Tagging your mates in memes is fun, but why not discuss something a little deeper. The aim of the game is simple: both of you choose an article, read the respective pieces, then discuss over an after-work beer. It's like a two-member book club, minus the effort of getting through an entire novel. For inspiration, check out Alex Tizon's 'My Family's Slave' — which is about a Filipino-American family who kept a slave for 56 years — or Gay Talese's 'The Voyeur's Motel' — a creepy true story about a guy who buys a motel just so he can secretly watch his guests. Both are fascinating and somewhat divisive reads sure to generate conversation. THURSDAY: HIT UP A PUB TRIVIA NIGHT An easy win is bonding with your colleagues over a set activity with a built-in competitive element. The team that plays together stays together, and all that jazz. Just make sure you've got someone to cover each element — geography, film, music, history, current events and sport. Get the beer rounds flowing and test your collective smarts. On Thursdays in Sydney, head to the Botany View Hotel in Newtown for trivia with a cash prize. In Melbourne, make your way to The Penny Black for trivia in the beer garden, and in Brissie, you can catch beer garden trivia at The Wickham. [caption id="attachment_691868" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lentil as Anything, Abbotsford.[/caption] FRIDAY: EAT FOR A GOOD CAUSE Cop a tasty feed and support charitable endeavours in the process — it's an easy win for altruism, and your taste buds. The not-for-profit vegan chain Lentil as Anything has four thriving stores in Melbourne and one in Sydney. The restaurants operate via a unique pay-as-you-feel model, with contributions going towards a number of education programs and social projects, as well as keeping the Lentils running. For those in Brisbane, sink your teeth into a slow-cooked beef shank or baked huevos rancheros at Hope Street Cafe. Hope Street employs people who have difficulty finding work and helps them to acquire new skills and gain hands-on experience. [caption id="attachment_659655" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Maroubra to Malabar, Sydney.[/caption] SATURDAY: GO FOR AN EARLY MORNING WALK Start the weekend in a wholesome manner with a brisk walk by the water's edge. No matter where the day takes you thereafter, you'll feel good. Honestly, it's just science — exercise releases endorphins, endorphins make you happy —the crisp ocean breeze and stunning views also help. Stroll along the river in Brisbane, check out the stunning headlands on the Maroubra to Malabar coastal track in Sydney or wander along the Yarra in Melbourne. While it's a little too early for beer, find your favourite spot along the track and return later for a few sundowners (provided alcohol is permitted, of course). [caption id="attachment_555015" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Fatto, Melbourne.[/caption] SUNDAY: ENJOY A LONG LUNCH WITH FRIENDS The Ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus spent his days pondering what made life worth living, eventually, he concluded that great food shared among even better friends resulted in a good life. We will happily cosign that. Enjoy an Epicurean moment of your own with a Mexican feast at SoCal Neutral Bay (Sydney), riverside modern Italian at Fatto Bar & Cantina (Melbourne) or head to the grassy courtyard of Lokal & Co for an indulgent Norwegian spread in West End (Brisbane). Daytime hangs are perfect for spring and summer when the weather is beautiful. Kick off your 'easy wins' by enjoying a Coopers Dry, or two, with your mates.
If you're a Lorde fan, there's no better news than this: in February 2026, the 'Royals', 'Green Light', 'Solar Power' and 'What Was That' singer-songwriter will hit the stage in both Australia and New Zealand. The Aotearoan star's Ultrasound world tour has just locked in gigs Down Under, heading to six cities across the two countries, making dates with arenas at every stop. Ella Yelich-O'Connor last took her Solar Power tour to both nations in 2023. This time, as part of a run of concerts that begins in September 2025 in the US — and also includes gigs in Canada, the UK and across Europe before this year is out — she has levelled up venue-wise. First up on Wednesday, February 11, 2026 is Spark Arena in Lorde's native Auckland, then Wolfbrook Arena in Christchurch on Friday, February 13, 2026. After that, she's hopping across the ditch to play Brisbane Entertainment Centre on Monday, February 16, 2026; Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney on Wednesday, February 18, 2026; Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena on Saturday, February 21; and finally Perth Arena on Wednesday, February 25. [caption id="attachment_1012900" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Thistle Brown[/caption] The tour dates come fresh from Yelich-O'Connor's surprise 2025 Glastonbury set, as well as her fourth album Virgin releasing at the end of June, with the latter debuting at number one in Australia and New Zealand alike. This is her biggest tour of her career in general, too, with nights at the likes of Madison Square Garden in New York City and O2 Arena in London already sold out. Featuring the aforementioned 'What Was That' — her first original new track in four years — alongside 'Man of the Year', 'Hammer', 'Favourite Daughter' and 'Shapeshifter', Virgin also hit number one in the UK and number two on the Billboard 200 chart in the US. [caption id="attachment_1012904" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Joseph Okpako/WireImage[/caption] There might be a three-year gap between Lorde's last Down Under shows and her upcoming Ultrasound tour concerts; however, in addition to writing and recording Virgin, she's been busy making a surprise Sydney club appearance back in May 2025 at a Lorde-themed night. Since 2013, when her debut record Pure Heroine arrived, Yelich-O'Connor has also released 2017's Melodrama and 2021's Solar Power, won two Grammys, picked up a Golden Globe nomination for 'Yellow Flicker Beat' from the soundtrack for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 1 and notched up over 18 billion streams worldwide. Lorde Ultrasound World Tour 2026 Australian and New Zealand Dates Wednesday, February 11 — Spark Arena, Auckland Friday, February 13 — Wolfbrook Arena, Christchurch Monday, February 16 — Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane Wednesday, February 18 — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Saturday, February 21 — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Wednesday, February 25 — Perth Arena, Perth [caption id="attachment_1012901" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Thistle Brown[/caption] Lorde is touring Australia and New Zealand in February 2026, with ticket presales from 1pm local time on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 and general sales from 2pm on Friday, July 18, 2025 — head to the tour website for more details. Top image: Joseph Okpako/WireImage.
Uber, you sly geniuses. In a bold marketing move, Uber have launched UberKITTENS, a service with actually brings kittens to your office for 15 minutes of cuddles. Launching today around Australia in six locations (Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane included), you'll be able to front up $40 and Uber will drive a rescue kitten to your home or office as part of an Australia-wide fundraiser. GET GOING. NOW. Uber posted on their blog today: "Following the huge success of UberKITTENS in the US, we were inundated with requests from riders and some amazing local shelters to bring it to our shores so we could share the kitten love and spread the word about the importance of finding much needed homes for our furry friends." How can has kitten? 1. Download the Uber app. 2. Request the 'KITTENS' option in the app TODAY between 12pm and 4pm within the Sydney/Melbourne/Brisbane CBD and surrounding suburbs. 3. If kittens are available, you will get to enjoy 15 minutes of furry cuteness delivered to your office, your sweetheart, or even your favourite cat lady. 4. Pro Tip: Demand for #UberKITTENS will be off the charts so please be patient in your quest for kitten playtime. All the funds go to the participating shelter and you can even adopt the little guy. Looks like cat lovers have a lot to celebrate after yesterday's announcement for Sydney's very first cat cafe. Via Mumbrella.
Fish and Co is known for serving up fresh seafood daily, which is sourced from fisheries that are committed to sustainable practices. Whether you decide to dine in at the restaurant within Tramsheds or order your food to go, you're guaranteed seafood that is fresh, locally sourced and prepared just the way you want it. The loaded lobster fries smothered in cheese sauce and bacon is hangover-busting goodness, while the tacos pack a mighty flavour punch. Those who want something lighter will love the seafood bowls — teriyaki salmon, albacore tuna and prawn burrito bowls are among the choices. For a heartier meal, the team also serves up burgers and rolls, including luxe, buttery lobster served in a sweet, pillowy brioche roll. Image: Steven Woodburn
Australia's undying love of gin is set to be front-and-centre this December when the Christmas edition of the Sydney Gin Palooza returns. Hosted by the Australian Gin Distillers Association and headed to the International Convention Centre for the first time in 2020, the two-day festival will bring 41 craft gin distillers from around the country under one roof between Friday, December 4 and Saturday, December 5. Apart from gin tastings, punters will also have the chance to chat directly with the makers. Stallholders will be hawking over 200 gins, including Never Never, Distillery Botanica, Manly Spirits and Barossa Distilling Co, with many of them showing off their limited-edition Christmas gins. You can try your favourite gin(s) in a G&T, then head over to the gin shop, where you can purchase bottles for takeaway. Tickets cost $60, with three three-hour tasting sessions to choose from: 5.30pm on Friday, or 1pm and 5.30pm on Saturday. If you're short on time, or money, there's also a two-hour $40 session running from 2–4pm on Friday. With COVID-19 very much still a part of Sydney life, expect the Gin Palooza to run a little differently to normal, with limited capacities social-distancing.
We're always coming up with new excuses for a road trip, from spectacular waterfalls to craft breweries. But one of the best is also one of the oldest — food. Drive two hours or less in any direction from Sydney and you're sure to come across at least one restaurant serving up lip-smackingly good dishes. Plus, these venues are usually surrounded by some dreamy views. For rolling vineyards and mountainous backdrops, head northwest to the Hunter Valley, while in the southwestern Southern Highlands you'll find landscaped gardens and magical forests. If you're after invigorating oceanic panoramas, then head up along the Central Coast. To make your next foodie road trip planning easier, we've teamed up with Citi to give you some of the best restaurants well worth the drive. Even better? With the Citibank Dining Program, if you pay with your Citi card at participating restaurants, you'll also receive a free bottle of wine. So, next time you need a break from the big smoke, jump behind the wheel and make a beeline for one of these beauties. The current bushfire season is particularly dangerous. Before you head on an out-of-town adventure, check the RFS NSW and NSW National Parks websites and heed any alerts and warnings. [caption id="attachment_679291" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW.[/caption] BIOTA DINING, BOWRAL Biota Dining takes native ingredients seriously, bringing them to the forefront of most dishes. For head chef and owner James Vile, local produce isn't just a buzzword, but an ethos. In fact, even the word 'biota' refers to the animal and plant life of a particular region. Take a seat in the light-filled dining room and prepare for a genuine taste of the Southern Highlands. Working with the seasons, Vile's menus are ever-changing, with autumn dishes including a kangaroo bolognese jaffle as well as mud crab and creamed eggs with fushimi pepper. Choose between five or seven courses, with or without matching wines. Or, select from a complimentary bottle of Hunter Valley shiraz fiano or semillon thanks to the Citibank Dining Program. Biota Dining is a 90-minute drive southwest of the Sydney CBD or two to three hours by train from Central to Bowral. [caption id="attachment_556709" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Bells at Killcare[/caption] BELLS AT KILLCARE, CENTRAL COAST At the southern end of the Bouddi Peninsula, Bells at Killcare Boutique Hotel, Restaurant and Spa sits on a magnificent acreage of landscaped gardens that look like they could be the set of Downton Abbey. Book a table on the indoor terrace, at the bar or in the dining room and enjoy a free bottle of Barwang Tumbarumba pinot gris thanks to Citi. The menu is dedicated to authentic fare using seasonal produce from the estate's vegetable garden. Tuck into rigatoni with cuttlefish, nduja and pangrattato or the chicken ballotine stuffed with luganica sausage, farro, mushroom purée and pancetta. Bells at Killcare is a 90-minute drive northeast of the Sydney CBD. RESTAURANT BOTANICA, HUNTER VALLEY For vineyard views, Spicers Retreat's Restaurant Botanica is hard to beat, so we recommend you reserve a table by the window (if you can). Head chef Shayne Mansfield (ex-E'cco Bistro in Brisbane and City Social in London) whips up hearty, nourishing dishes with ingredients sourced from local Hunter Valley farmers and growers. The Hunter gets cold in winter so get started with a shiraz from nearby winery Mount Pleasant, which is on the house if you're a Citi cardholder. Or if you're more of a white drinker, there's also the winery's cellar-aged Elizabeth semillon available thanks to Citi. Foodwise, there's wagyu beef tartare with coal-roasted beetroot, onion buttermilk and sorrel oil and a pork dish with burnt butter roasted pumpkin, smoked pecans, orange and clove, among many other delights. You have a choice of two courses ($69) and three ($79). Plus, there's an extensive plant-based menu available, too. Restaurant Botanica is a two-hour drive north of the Sydney CBD. MUSE RESTAURANT, HUNTER VALLEY Found in the middle of Hungerford Hill Wine Estate inside a former industrial building, Muse Restaurant makes for a cosy escape from the city with a roaring fireplace and floor-to-ceiling windows. And, wherever you sit, you can watch the double-hatted open kitchen in action. For a long, lazy weekend lunch, the lunch tasting menu ($125) changes seasonally and is the way to go. This season, dishes include poached Hiramasa kingfish with Jerusalem artichoke, Lovedale finger lime, wakame and coastal succulents as well as a slow-cooked lamb breast with black garlic glaze, salt baked beetroot, plum and garlic chive. Being in the Hunter, Muse pours a bevy of local wines, including Mount Pleasant shiraz and chardonnay, both of which are free thanks to Citi. Let your free bottle of vino be the aperitif to what's to come — go the whole nine yards and opt for wine pairings with the tasting menu ($65 or $100 for premium wine pairings). You are dining at a vineyard, after all. Muse is a two-hour drive northwest of the Sydney CBD. CAVEAU, WOLLONGONG Caveau is found inside a cosy, low-lit space in downtown Wollongong. Since opening the restaurant back in 2005, head chef Peter Sheppard has scored a Good Food Chef's Hat every single year — so you know the meal that awaits you is well worth the trip. His ever-changing creations are works of visual and culinary art, where native ingredients are the heroes. Think crocodile ham with green ants, smoked black lip abalone with spanner crab and tomato, and magpie goose with onions, quandong and sea parsley. To complement these true blue Aussie treats, grab a bottle of the Yarra Valley Coombe Farm pinot noir for free thanks to Citi. Otherwise, Citi's offering the Framingham Marlborough sauvignon blanc if white's more your thing. And, assuming you're not the one driving, the seven-course degustation with wines to match is the encouraged way to go. Better yet, save the petrol, save the planet and take the train so all can enjoy those matching wines. Caveau is a 90-minute drive south of the Sydney CBD or just under two hours by train from Central to Wollongong. To get a free bottle of wine at your next meal, book at any one of Citi's participating restaurants, mention the offer at the time of booking and pay your bill with your Citi card. Top image: Biota Dining.
Combining the savage and the sublime, On Body and Soul enters a slaughterhouse to tell an unconventional love story. Here, animals become meat for humans to consume, while people become animals to live out their deepest fantasies. The first part is literal, as depicted in stark abattoir scenes that don't shy away from blood and butchering, and might make carnivores think twice about their eating habits. The second part doesn't really involve the movie's characters turning into actual critters, but to the film's star-crossed protagonists, their animal transformation might as well be real. Human resources manager Endre (Géza Morcsányi) and new hygiene inspector Maria (Alexandra Borbély) work at the facility in question, with chopped-up cattle an ordinary aspect of their everyday routines. Both are unfazed about the gory nature of their workplace, although neither are particularly happy in general, gravitating towards each other because they're each a little lost and more than a little lonely. During the day, their conversations are polite and restrained, but loaded with unspoken emotions. By night, it's another matter entirely. In their own beds and their own apartments, they both dream of deers running around a snowy forest, doing what deers do. More than that, they dream that their respective deers are frolicking together in a shared dreamscape. Everyone has had the experience of waking from their slumber feeling like they've just lived another life. Everyone has felt a bond with someone else that they couldn't quite explain. Everyone has felt detached from reality and much more at home in their own head. Combine all of the above, and that's still just the beginning of On Body and Soul's surreal, slow-building romance — the relatable starting point for a weird and wonderful exploration of what it means to be human. If the narrative had appeared to writer-director Ildikó Enyedi in her own dreams, that wouldn't be a surprise, but her blend of beauty and brutality burrows deep into weighty existential matters. Forget androids pondering electric sheep (sorry Blade Runner); this thoughtful movie wants to know if mankind can ever truly get a reprieve from our unforgiving world, or if becoming animals in our dreams is the closest we'll come to real happiness. The questions keep flowing, seeping into the audience's mind like a well-deployed Laura Marling track, although Enyedi is refreshingly unconcerned with serving up answers. Furthermore, her on-screen lovers are just as uninterested in finding them. While a contrived development takes Endre and Maria from colleagues to something more in their waking life, there's nothing convenient or artificial about their yearning to belong — or about the performances that breathe life into these restless souls. Quiet and unflashy yet nonetheless compelling, first-timer Morcsányi and the more experienced Borbély achieve what every actor strives for, offering a window into their characters' inner worlds. Of course, the film's entire premise does exactly that in its dreamy deer sequences, but its stars are crucial in making the fantastical concept work. If this moody, musing movie belongs to anyone, however, it's Enyedi. Nearly three decades after nabbing the Cannes Film Festival's Golden Camera award for her first feature, she has scooped up a spate of shiny trophies for On Body and Soul, and it's easy to see why. The winner of the 2017 Berlinale Golden Bear and the Sydney Film Prize, as well as a nominee at this year's Oscars, Enyedi's latest feature mightn't suit everyone's tastes, but it's an immersive, distinctive deep dive into familiar basic themes — love, life and loneliness — that looks and feels like it couldn't have been conjured up by anyone else. Pay particular attention to the director's exacting images, with every splash of blood, frosty field and clinical workspace making a statement both visually and emotionally. The way the film contrasts the horrors of slaughter with the serenity of nature, and uses them both as metaphors for life's difficult extremes, might all seem obvious on paper. And yet it couldn't be more affecting or arresting on the screen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoQAm-E85bY&feature=youtu.be
Mona Foma is almost here and the 2023 lineup is fantastic. If you're desperate to go but have left it to the last minute in a move that can only be described as "classic you", you can still pick up an exclusive one-of-a-kind travel package for the second weekend of the festival (February 24-26). Each package is for two people and includes two nights at the Movenpick Hotel Hobart with complimentary daily breakfasts, tickets to the Peaches Mona Session on Friday, February 24, where the feminist icon will perform her seminal electroclash opus The Teaches of Peaches in its entirety on Mona's lawns, plus Posh Pit ferry passes to sip champagne and canapés while en route to the festival. All of the above is $765 total (for two of you) so book now at Concrete Playground Trips — but you need to get your skates on because there are just three left. [caption id="attachment_874265" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Hadley Hudson. Image courtesy of the artist and Mona Foma.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_883205" align="alignnone" width="1920"] A king room in the Movenpick Hotel Hobart[/caption] Top image: Jesse Hunniford from Mona Sessions 2021. Image courtesy of Mona Foma.
Possibly the world's most beautifully located bookstore, can now be found in the form of Buenos Aires' El Ateneo Grand Splendid, a shop housed inside what was once one of Argentina's premier theatres. The theatre was originally built in 1919 by an Italian architect and used as a theatre for tango concerts and the like, before being converted into a cinema. Things began to get a bit tough, but instead of letting the beautiful building languish into disrepair, it was leased in 2000 by a publishing house and found new life in the form of a bookstore. Now over a million people come through it's doors every year. The private, velvet-upholstered boxes are now the reading rooms, the stage is an in-store cafe, and the shelves cleave perfectly to the theatre's original shape. Plus you have to admire a building that's calling itself both grand and splendid. I mean, what's not to like? In the wake of bookstores like Borders and Angus & Robertson going bust, and the threats to independent bookshops across the country from cheaper online books and other recession-related woes, places like the Ateneo might point towards a more sustainable future for the industry. By repurposing something beautiful and creating a space people actively seek out and genuinely want to be in, instead of somewhere beige, plastic and muzak-filtered, you can save not just books but the architecture that might otherwise go to waste.
It's the intermission of the funniest play that currently exists on the planet, and the crowd is in shock. Why? Well, I'm not inclined to tell you. Suffice to say, One Man, Two Guvnors might be a hybrid of every classic style of British humour, but that doesn't mean it plays it safe. Based on the commedia dell'arte (read: old Italian panto) play Servant of Two Masters, this production has been adapted for the National Theatre of Great Britain by Mr Bean — that is to say, Richard Bean, prestigious playwright whose The Heretic divided Melbourne last year. One Man, Two Guvnors, set in '60s seaside Brighton, comes to the Sydney Theatre after stints on Broadway and the West End and several theatre awards. It's gargantuanly, uninhibitedly, divinely funny. A great leveller; you laugh, or you're not alive. It all rests largely in the hands of Owain Arthur, who plays poor fool Francis Henshall, a man who becomes the personal assistant to two seemingly unrelated parties, all because he's dying to buy lunch. Arthur was the understudy to James Corden in the original run of this show, though watching him, it's quite impossible to imagine anyone else in the part. The man goes red in the face every time he opens his mouth to speak. The amount of energy he puts into these two-and-a-half-hours is stunning. Add a pair of high pants and a sweet Welsh accent, and you have a comedic triple threat. He's not let down by the rest of the cast, either, with Edward Bennett in particular proving Arthur's match and counterpoint as toffy Stanley Stubbers, one of the guvnors. Where Arthur has to milk lines like "It tastes good for paper", Bennett fires off quick ripostes such as "I don't do first names; first names are for girls and Norwegians" with a flash of straight teeth and a brush of his blazer. They each stand at one end of the comedy spectrum from the slapsticky to the Wildean, with Amy Booth-Steel. Kellie Shirley, Leon Williams and Rosie Wyatt admirably filling the bits in between. Keeping the good times rolling is a (very handsome) beat combo, who provide live music and step on stage between scenes. It's a fun and refreshing way to add a musical aspect to the show. Indeed, even when the energy of the show starts to flag in the second half (why? Maybe the spell is broken, it's just a bit more predictable or people are nervous about the show's approach to audience participation), these interludes spike the levels right back up again. One Man, Two Guvnors may represent the least stuffy part of our British heritage. Eat it up.
The boffins at Australia's leading scientific institution are branching out into the art world, in an attempt to raise awareness about the need to invest in renewable energy sources. The CSIRO Infinity Swing is a giant light-up swing set powered by the momentum of its users, turning playtime into clean, sustainable power. According to its creators, the light and sound installation came about in response to one of the most challenging questions facing the world today: "how do we make sure energy stays affordable and available while protecting our planet?" The eight-person swing serves as a timely visual reminder of the importance of clean, renewable energy, as well as the things that can be achieved when people work together. It's also given us a great idea about connecting the nation's playgrounds directly to the power grid – although we suspect that child protection services mightn't be quite so keen. The pop-up swing will open to the public at Sydney's Custom House between Wednesday November 4 and Sunday November 8, before travelling down to Federation Square in Melbourne from Monday November 16 until Saturday November 21. Representatives from CSIRO will be on hand to discuss their ongoing research into clean energy – and if you're extra nice, they might even give you a little push.
Spring. As the weather shifts from gloom to nudge at some summer heat, the MCA begins to get stuck into the theme of fertility and renewal. Primavera — 'spring' — is its annual exhibition of new art by up and coming under-35s. The now venerable museum is in the midst of its own rejuvenation as it renovates and adds to its exterior, moving entrances and shuddering the frame of its art deco building. So, this year's Primavera show has escaped the confines of gallery walls, halls and plinths — being loosed instead on the alternative art space of the Rocks' narrow squares and forgotten alleyways. While other public art shows are usually hard to find but difficult to ignore, most of Primavera's installations are hidden in plain sight. Eric Bridgeman's art is plastered on posters around the MCA and Argyle Bond Stores competing with fantastically vivacious drawings by Tom O'Hern, full of junk, native animals and spaghetti-like hair. The gallery-like space of the roomy Cleland Bond houses the show's collection of wall-hung art, including Rebecca Baumann's TV-shaped Automated Monochrome, which turns over blues, purples and greens with satisfying clicks. Tessa Zettel & Karl Khoe have been busy installing wooden bird-houses on top of telephone boxes, perching climbing animals at the back of Cleland Bond and forming their own secret society intermittently during the festival in the form of the Delirious Bakery's low teas at the Red Room Company's underground den. And on the hour, Parachutes for Ladies promises to re-choreograph the lives of the Museum's regular staff. *You can grab a program with a map from outside the MCA's George Street entrance, or send your phone to the website for a similar digital experience. Images by the Brown Council and Tom O'Hern
By this point, Archie Rose needs little introduction. One of Sydney's first distilleries in 160 years has reignited many an Aussie's appreciation of spirits since opening in 2014 thanks to its diverse range of premium whiskies, gins, vodkas and rums showcasing native ingredients. Along the way, it's become the nation's most awarded distillery, and it's also given us one-off collaborations, limited releases and interactive spirits experiences from masterclasses to fascinating distillery tours. If that weren't enough, now Archie Rose has only gone and created what it's calling its best-ever gin. Bone Dry Gin is a limited-edition run that's the brand's first from its new Banksmeadow distillery and its one-of-a-kind copper vacuum stills. The spirit extracts the diverse flavour profile of hand-foraged juniper berries from North Macedonia through hot and cold distillation, and it is lifted with notes of Australian coriander seed, Tahitian lime and lemon-scented gum. The result is a tipple with a supple start on the palate that gives way to bold citrus and herb notes that leads to a pine-accented, bone-dry finish. To celebrate the release of Bone Dry Gin, we've teamed up with Archie Rose to give two lucky readers the chance to win the ultimate Archie Rose prize pack. Enter below to go into the running to win a case of Bone Dry Gin (six bottles), a pack of Caperberry Martini cocktail bottles (two bottles) and a pair of tickets to an Archie Rose Blend Your Own Gin masterclass in Sydney (valid for three years). That's nearly $1000 worth of Archie Rose goods, on us, for you to enjoy the ultimate gin experience — including the chance to make your very own. [competition]828345[/competition]
Imagine a place where cheese reigns supreme, other than in your own kitchen. Imagine more than 100 different varieties on offer for the tasting. Imagine being able to sample whatever you liked from this dairy feast, too. And, picture just buying one ticket to devour all the cheddar, brie, camembert, raclette and whichever other cheeses take your fancy. Is this the real life? It isn't just a cheesy fantasy at Australian dairy festival Mould, which started making cheese-loving dreams come true in 2017. In 2024, it's not only returning — it's back for its biggest festivals yet, including for three days in Sydney at Carriageworks in Eveleigh across Friday, July 26–Sunday, July 28. If you're a cheese fiend, then you'll know that there's only one suitable way to tuck into the beloved dairy product: all the time, or at least as much as possible. As presented by Revel — who are also the organisers of Pinot Palooza — that's an idea that Mould not only understands but encourages, celebrating the mild, hard and soft bites made by Australia's best cheese wizards. There won't just be a few cheeses on the menu. More than 100 artisan cheeses from around the country will be ready and waiting, spanning dairy from around 27 producers. In past years, that lineup has included Bruny Island Cheese Co, Grandvewe, Milawa Cheese, Yarra Valley Dairy and Stone & Crow, as well as Section 28, Red Cow Organics, Nimbin Valley Cheese, Dreaming Goat, Long Paddock Cheese and Second Mouse Cheese. Alongside unlimited tastings of Australia's best cheeses — snacking on samples is included in your ticket, but you'll then pay extra to purchase slices and slabs to take home with you — the fest features cooking demonstrations, masterclasses and talks. Courtesy of 2024's The Grate Cheese Commission, a range of cheeses created solely for the fest will also tempt your tastebuds. This year's events will include more of the foodstuffs that pair extremely well with cheese, too, such as olives, crackers and conserves. It wouldn't be a cheese festival without beverages to wash it all down with, so expect a bar serving Aussie wines, whisky, vodka, gin, beer, cider, cocktails and sake, all of which match nicely to a bit of cheese. Archie Rose and Hartshorn will be among the tipples featured.
If you weren't able to make it to BABS' Either/Or pop-up in August, we've got good news for you. The Sydney-based restaurant event collective is bringing back another multisensory culinary experience one last time for 2022. The upcoming pop-up will return to Marrickville – following its inaugural experience at Valentina's – but this time, Mud Australia Studio will be the location of choice. 70 guests will be hosted a mouth-watering feast by a team of female professionals in the field such as chef Victoria Rose (Jane, Surry Hills), chef Ellie Hayes O'Brien (BABS), winemaker Sarah Feehan (Parley Wine) and floor manager and wine guru Bec Shave (BABS). [caption id="attachment_862567" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Haydon Fanning[/caption] The 12-course menu will feature goods from Goodwood Bakeshop, The Grifter Brewing Co., Poor Toms and Whole Beast Butchery. A dessert trolley will follow, which will showcase the stunning and sweet creations of Rosie Meehan (Added Sugar), Gabriella Gintowt (Valentina's, Marrickville) and Heather Moon (Ele by Federico & Karl, The Star). Keep in mind that spots are limited, so head on over to the BABS event page to secure your place. Top image: Haydon Fanning
If you're a Northern Beaches resident, next time you're after some doughy, cheesy, saucy goodness, turn your attention towards Ribelle, Freshwater's no-frills BYO pizza spot that's doing sensational pizzas that can stand up against Sydney's best. Ribelle is the brainchild of Chef Dale Mann, who brings with him experience from Ezra, Hartsyard, and most notably for the pizza-heads out there: Bella Brutta. Mann worked for four years at the latter, the last of which he spent as Head Chef. So with Ribelle you're in very, very good hands. At Ribelle, whether you're eating in or grabbing a bright yellow pizza box to-go, the menu is kept simple, with a mix of classic and more boundary-pushing toppings available alongside a couple of simple sides like anchovies, baby cos salad and burrata. It's also BYO, so you can pack that riesling you just got for your birthday or your favourite funky skin-contact and head in. Keeping true to the restaurant's name (it means 'rebellious' in Italian), some of the more out-there pizza varieties on the menu include The Reuben which combines 12-hour smoked beef brisket from LP's Quality Meats, pink peppercorn sauce, fior di latte, confit garlic, parmesan and purple sauerkraut; or the Braised Greens, a meeting of cheese, braised kale, rainbow chard, fermented red chilli sauce, confit garlic and lemon juice. Sound good? Well, let us tell you: it is.
Being time poor is never ideal, particularly if you're wanting to shop more consciously and support local vendors. If you've only got a small sliver of time each week to stock up on all of your essentials, but don't want to sacrifice on quality, head to Taste Organic in Enmore. Not only does the store have an extensive range of fresh produce, but it also sells other household goods — from bread, meat, eggs and dairy to cleaning products, pet food and cosmetics. It's a one-stop shop — no need to 'top up' your shop from another store necessary. Plus, as its name suggests, it's focused on organic products. All fresh produce is 100-percent certified organic, with as much as possible sourced from Aussie farms. And other items are largely sustainable, recyclable and free from toxic ingredients. Taste Organic has a second store on the north shore in Turramurra. Both offer click and collect and home delivery services to surrounding suburbs, too. Images: Cassandra Hannagan
After headlining the post-parade party at the 2020 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and then bringing her Future Nostalgia tour Down Under in 2022, Dua Lipa has announced her latest trip to Australia and New Zealand. The Grammy-winner's massive Radical Optimism tour just got bigger, adding more than 40 new dates worldwide. On the 2025 list: stops in Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland. 2024 has been a huge year for the singer, with her third studio album Radical Optimism releasing in May and then the artist headlining Glastonbury. She also popped up in Argylle in cinemas. 2023 was no slouch, either, given that 'Dance the Night' graced the Barbie soundtrack and Dua Lipa featured in the film as a Barbie. But with her new tour, 2025 looks set to be even bigger. [caption id="attachment_972947" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tyrone Lebon[/caption] The Radical Optimism gigs kick off in November 2024 across Asia, with concerts in Singapore, Jakarta, Manila, Tokyo, Taipei, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Seoul. Fans in Australia and Aotearoa get their turn to find the star under lights and turning the rhythm up in March and April 2025, thanks to shows at Rod Laver Arena, Qudos Bank Arena and Spark Arena. If you're located outside of Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland and you've noticed a lack of Down Under dates elsewhere, you'll need to travel to see the 'Don't Start Now', 'Physical', 'Break My Heart', 'Cold Heart' and 'Houdini' talent. The Aussie and NZ leg will restart the Radical Optimism tour in 2025, with dates also announced across Europe in May and June next year, and in North America in September and October afterwards. As well as Radical Optimism and Future Nostalgia, Dua Lipa has tracks from her self-titled 2017 debut record to bust out, including 'Be the One', 'Hotter Than Hell', 'Lost in Your Light', 'New Rules', 'IDGAF' and 'Blow Your Mind'. Dua Lipa Radical Optimism Tour 2025 Australia and New Zealand Dates Thursday, March 20 — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Wednesday, March 26 — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Wednesday, April 2 — Spark Arena, Auckland Dua Lipa's Radical Optimism tour heads Down Under in March and April 2025, with Amex presale tickets from 11am local time on Wednesday, September 18, artist presales from 12pm local time on Thursday, September 19 and general sales from 1pm local time on Friday, September 20. Head to Dua Lipa's website for more details. Live images: Raph_PH via Flickr.
Spring is just around the corner and, with it, comes the perfect opportunity for a weekend escape. But, there's the age-old problem of where to go on an extended sojourn. Luckily, Canberra is putting its best foot forward come spring with its annual month-long flower extravaganza, Floriade. And, as part of the huge spring festival, the sprawling flower display will be transformed into an illuminated after-dark wonderland for NightFest. Kicking off on Thursday, October 3, just before the Labour Day long weekend and running for four nights, NightFest is Floriade's after-dark celebration — and one of Canberra's biggest events. By day, explore Floriade (which is open each day until 5.30pm) and the best of Canberra's breweries, restaurants and galleries. Then, as the sun goes down, those who dare to dabble in Floriade's dark side can head to Commonwealth Park for NightFest. There, you'll find roving performers, music, interactive displays and one million glowing blooms from 6.30–10.30pm. Pick up some dinner from a food stall and dine among the flowers then catch live tunes on Stage 88 on the Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Rounding off the festivities on Sunday, October 6 will be a night of sidesplitting gags at Comedy NightFest.
Sydney is no stranger to a bottomless brunch, but often they're filled with the same-old finger food and mimosas. Surry Hills Indian restaurant Foreign Return is mixing things up with its weekly feasts, offering a massive six-course set menu filled with Indian flavours and free-flowing drinks every Saturday and Sunday. Available midday–2pm each weekend, there are two ways you can attack this menu. If you're just here for the eats, the $79 package will have you snacking your way through pomelo salad, crispy fried prawns, goat mince sliders, zaatar chicken tikka, bruschetta topped with Parsi-style scrambled eggs and Madras lamb with salad and rice. Included in this menu is also a cocktail on arrival, with guests choosing between a Kaapi espresso martini, a bloody mary or a Bombay spritz. Those that want to add bottomless drinks to the experience can do so for an extra $20, bringing the total cost up to $99. The added drinks package is centred around a selection of Grey Goose spiked tea spritzes. Take your pick from the white tea and jasmine, strawberry and ginger, or watermelon and earl grey spritzes — or mix and match throughout your brunch. There's also a vegetarian version of the set menu that swaps out the prawns and chicken for the likes of Malai broccoli, potato with paneer burgers and seasonal vegetable ragout for the bruschetta. Head to Foreign Return's website to make a booking for the one-of-a-kind bottomless brunch. [caption id="attachment_892303" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Leigh Griffiths[/caption] Top image: Leigh Griffiths
High school ends and, soon, so will one of Netflix's big hits that's set in and around that very setting. Since 2019, the streaming platform has taken viewers to the fictional Moordale Secondary School, where Otis Milburn (Asa Butterfield, Flux Gourmet) followed his sex-therapist mum Jean's (Gillian Anderson, The Great) lead and started giving advice to his classmates. In September, the series will move the action over to Cavendish Sixth Form College. But after the show returns for its fourth season in its new surroundings, classes will be out — permanently. Good news, bad news, basically: the hit series will be back within mere months (and has just dropped the first teaser trailer to prove it), but will only return for one last go-around. Announcing the news, Sex Education creator, lead writer and executive producer Laurie Nunn said that "a lot has happened since our first writers room in 2017, when we spent a month in a cramped office above a sex shop, talking about what it felt like to go through puberty". "We wanted to make a show that would answer some of the questions we all used to have about love, sex, friendship and our bodies. Something that would have helped our inner teenagers feel a little less alone. It's been overwhelming seeing how the show has connected with people around the world, and we hope it's made some of you feel a little less alone, too," Nunn continued. "This was not an easy decision to make, but as the themes and the stories of the new season crystallised, it became clear that it was the right time to graduate." Sex Education will drop its fourth and final season on Thursday, September 21, complete with the show's familiar faces — Butterfield and Anderson, of course, as well as Ncuti Gatwa (the next Doctor Who), Aimee-Lou Wood (Living), Emma Mackey (Emily), Connor Swindells (Vigil), Kedar Williams-Stirling (Small Axe) and more. Helping them say farewell: Schitt's Creek favourite Dan Levy, Thaddea Graham (Doctor Who), Lisa McGrillis (Last Night in Soho), Marie Reuther (The Kingdom), Jodie Turner Smith (White Noise) and Eshaan Akbar (Spitting Image). Plot-wise, the final season will follow Otis and Eric (Gatwa) at their new school, with Otis worrying about setting up his new clinic, Eric hoping they'll be more popular, and all ex-Moordale students getting a culture shock. Check out the first teaser trailer for Sex Education season four below: Sex Education season four will stream via Netflix from Thursday, September 21.
One of the stranger reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic was the panic buying of toilet paper. If you didn't stock up early, you were probably left scouring the shelves for the last roll of TP — and never want to be that person again. Luckily, you don't have to be. How We Roll is delivering bulk boxes of toilet paper to homes across Australia, so you can finally lay your TP nightmares to rest. And the company is worth supporting for less selfish reasons, too. How We Roll offers 100 percent biodegradable and recycled TP — so it's good for the planet, not just good for you (and your pipes). If you haven't yet jumped on the recycled TP train yet, it's time to get on it. Regular toilet paper production sees a whopping 27,000 trees cut down daily. Plus, the How We Roll partners with One Tree Planted, a non-profit which has planted over 15-million trees to date. For every box of How We Roll TP sold, one tree is planted in an Australian bushfire-affected area. During the devastating bushfires that ravaged the country earlier this year, 12.6 million hectares were burned — so regrowing the country's flora is important. At How We Roll, you have two TP options: first there are the three-ply, double-length classic rolls, made from 100 percent recycled paper pulp; then, there's the luxe bamboo rolls, which are sustainably sourced, naturally hypoallergenic, antibacterial and stronger than paper. You can bulk order 24 or 48 rolls ($28–58) and get them delivered to you in as little as one-to-two business days. Along with all that TP, you can also add compostable bin liners, paper towels and tissues to your order. If you subscribe — to fortnightly, monthly, six-week or three-month deliveries — you'll save 10 percent, too. To find out more about How We Roll and purchase some sustainable bog roll, head over over here.
