Anger doesn't need words to echo. In The Survival of Kindness, it resounds so urgently without a comprehensible remark spoken that it creates its own simmering soundtrack. Stepping behind the lens for his first feature since 2013's Charlie's Country, Dutch Australian filmmaker Rolf de Heer gives his latest movie an actual score — largely an atmospheric, wind-beaten piece by first-timer Anna Liebzeit, but also with strings and birds — however, his audience can always hear rage at its loudest. It reverberates in an attention-grabbing opening where a colonial bloodbath is made of cake icing. It may as well whistle, too, when the feature's protagonist is left caged in the blazing rays against a claypan desert landscape that's instantly recognisable as Australian. And that fury about oppression and discrimination, plus the privilege that's behind it, keeps silently singing as a woman wanders — which isn't all that The Survival of Kindness is about, but is primarily what it depicts. Credited only as BlackWoman, and portrayed in a phenomenally expressive performance by the Democratic Republic of the Congo-born, Adelaide-based Mwajemi Hussein — a debutant who had never even been to a cinema before she made the film — The Survival of Kindness' central figure does indeed walk. The red dunes get scrubbier, desolate ruins appear, then remote shacks and empty towns. Next comes a lake, and finally an industrialised city. Through each, BlackWoman keeps putting one foot in front of the other, striding forth in search of safety and solace, with sorrow evident, and also to subsist. To make that relentless trek, she must break free first, after the masked folks initially seen cutting cake drive BlackWoman into sun-bleached isolation. Days pass, plus freezing nights, both with only the battling ants for company. Those little critters are determined, but rarely more so than de Heer's heroine. The Survival of Kindness' first scenes are calculated to engage and stun. As they segue from the model of a massacre atop a dessert to BlackWoman incarcerated in dark of night outside, then to her trailer being towed to the desert, they're crafted to clash and contrast as well. There's nothing dreamy for a moment about what de Heer's film is saying, but a dreamlike quality lingers in the way that he unfurls this unflinching narrative. His story so overtly deploys Australia's terrain, with the movie shot in South Australia and Tasmania, but never says that's where it takes place. It spends much of its first half with little but ochre soil and virtually cloudless skies surrounding BlackWoman, but townships and cityscapes are a part of its world. It feels as if it is peering backwards and peeking forward simultaneously, while also being firmly a product of the present. It brings fellow Aussie greats Walkabout and Mad Max to mind, and also has a dialogue with the pandemic and the #BlackLivesMatter movement. It dwells in the aftermath of a catastrophe, yet leaves its plague unnamed. That inscrutability is wholly by design; BlackWoman could've strolled through history, across an apocalyptic future or right now and her dystopian tale wouldn't differ. That's one of the raw and resonant messages beating down on The Survival of Kindness as harshly as the sun, noting how cruelly those of wealth, power and white skin have long treated people of colour. In a feature also sporting a sense of absurdist playfulness, finding footwear routinely turns out badly — when BlackWoman secures a pair from a corpse, they're swiftly snatched with a gun pointing her way — in a smart and loaded piece of foreshadowing. When the land that she moseys over becomes more populated, the film's lead is soon scavenging for clothing for a different type of protection: so that she can smear white ash around her eyes beneath one of her oppressors' full-facial coverings, as needed to keep walking without her race being spotted. Hussein is always noticed, though. A social worker off-screen, she blasts a matter-of-fact, always-resolute and innately empathetic stare at everything from those warring insects to boot-clad skeletons. She too is impish when she's stripping mannequins for their attire — rapping the head of one dressed as a policeman with its own truncheon — and almost jocular when she's bartering with a forlorn man mourning his wife over water and, yes, those pesky kicks. BlackWoman's eyes are always scrutinising the horrors before her, and Hussein's soulful peepers are frequently surveyed in turn. Such is the quiet force rippling in her performance, one that just keeps having to weather the world's worst tendencies, that it's impossible to imagine The Survival of Kindness feeling as human as it does while burdened with so much bleakness and ire without her presence. Not merely because the title says so, Hussein's is a face of kindness, giving the movie a warm and lively focal point amid its rampant suffering and atrocities. That said, BlackWoman does eventually have company in BrownGirl (Deepthi Sharma, another debutant) and BrownBoy (fellow first-timer Darsan Sharma), who come to her assistance and welcome her into their camaraderie. Between them, goodwill endures — but The Survival of Kindness knows, sees and stresses how truly rare that is in its own realm and in the reality it's so eagerly reflecting within its frames. It isn't by accident that de Heer begins with violence in miniature, immediately and blatantly posing his picture as a condensed portrait of life and history as we know it. Similarly, the lack of intelligible dialogue and the anywhere, anytime air purposefully ensures that BlackWoman's plight remains deeply universal. For Aussie viewers, there's nothing global about the scenery captured by cinematographer Maxx Corkindale, who also lensed the de Heer-produced documentary My Name Is Gulpilil about the director's The Tracker, Ten Canoes and Charlie's Country star. Add The Survival of Kindness to the pile of local features that do what only the best can — fare such as Mystery Road, Goldstone, Sweet Country and High Ground in the past decade, for instance — by making such oft-used dusty expanses seem like they've been unearthed solely to fuel the picture they're so essential to. Corkindale also looks upwards, watching the heavens cycle in time-lapse. He gazes at minutiae, adopts BlackWoman's gas mask-wearing perspective and, throughout it all, shoots with pure naturalism. He draws attention to the act of seeing, too, which couldn't be more pivotal: de Heer isn't making a doco here, but The Survival of Kindness is still bearing enraged witness.
Three years ago, Cheree Toka launched a Change.org campaign to call on the NSW government to fly the Aboriginal flag every day on Sydney Harbour Bridge. Currently, it's flown 19 days a year — for Australia Day, Sorry Day, Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week. When the Aboriginal flag is not flying, in line with flag protocols, you'll see the Australian and NSW state flags. "The Aboriginal flag is a reminder that the country has a history before European arrival," says Toka, a Kamilaroi woman who lives in Sydney's inner west. "I think it's really important to have a symbolic gesture on the bridge that identifies the true history of Australia, which is a starting point for conversation around greater issues affecting the Indigenous population." In three years of non-stop campaigning, Toka has amassed more than 157,000 digital signatures and the required 10,000 paper-based signatures to bring the issue to NSW parliament. It was debated in the final NSW parliamentary session of 2019 — and the result was that it would cost too much to construct a third flagpole to see the Aboriginal flag flying daily. So, undeterred, the 29-year-old campaigner is crowdfunding the $300,000 quoted by the government to 'fund the flag'. "At this point in time, we are trying to raise funds to do it ourselves," says Toka, who launched the GoFundMe page on Wednesday, June 3 (Mabo Day). So far, more than 1000 supporters have committed donations ranging from $5–500, bringing the total to $34,660 by Monday, July 13. [caption id="attachment_772665" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cheree Toka photographed by Lee Yearsley[/caption] "It's a massive achievement considering the hardcore issues that are happening in the Indigenous community, and the other GoFundMe pages relating to Black Lives Matter, incarceration rates and injustice with police brutality," says Toka. As stated on the GoFundMe page, once the target has been reached, donations will be held in a trust account until construction is approved by the NSW Government. In the event that it is not approved, donors will be contacted and can opt to be refunded or Toka will "nominate Indigenous causes on the frontline of fighting for equality". Supporters who can't make a donation are encouraged to share the petition far and wide. For those who want to take it further, you can contact the current NSW Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance who announced his retirement from politics in March 2020. Or, await possible new appointments to replace Constance and for the role of NSW Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, previously held by Don Harwin, who resigned in April 2020 over a breach of the COVID-19 public health order. "I will continue to fight until it is done," adds Toka. "Whether that takes five years or 30 years, I'm here for the long haul. I'm here fighting a giant, which is the New South Wales Government. It's been three and a half years, so it's no comparison to what other Aboriginal people have been fighting for, for a long time." Images: Lee Yearsley. Updated July 13, 2020.
The Sydney Rides Festival, now in its fourth year, is about so much more than cycling. From October 11-25, the city will transmogrify into a kind of two-wheeling utopia. There’ll be bike-inspired art shows, free pedal-powered smoothies, complimentary breakfast and coffee for cycle-commuters, a checkpoint challenge offering loads of prizes, public talks about cycling history in The Netherlands and much more. Whether you’re a riding addict who doesn’t leave home without your bike or a newbie who’s hesitant about taking the plunge into traffic, there’ll be something for you. And to cap it all off, there’s the grand finale: the first ever Sydney Rides the Night event. At the end of the action-packed fortnight, thousands of cyclists are expected to gather at Mrs Macquaries Point for a nocturnal mini-festival within the festival. Between 6pm and midnight on October 25, a 2.5-kilometre course, starting at The Domain and extending along Mrs Macquaries Road, will be illuminated with installations and special effects, creating a kind of surreal adventure with the Harbour as a backdrop. Attendees will be welcome to ride the loop as many times as they like. At the same time, Mrs Macquaries Point will be transformed into a free outdoor party. So, before, after and in-between rides, participants will be able to hang out on outdoor couches watching short films on a big screen, sample fare from a herd of gourmet food trucks, kick back to live DJs and get involved in a silent disco hosted by Today FM. For anyone who doesn’t have their own bike, there’ll be plenty available for hire, including several of the electric variety. And, if you’re wondering how your fitness levels are travelling, you’ll have a chance to find out. “The National Institute for the Experiential Arts are also coming along,” explains City of Sydney marketing manager for cycling James Adams. “They’re setting up an installation, where there’s a stationery bike, which people can pedal. There’ll be a projection of their ride, as well as biometric data, like temperature and heart rate.” Sydney Rides the Night is the first event of its kind for, not only Sydney, but Australia, too. “It’s not just about the bike,” Adams explains. “It’s also about the experience. It’s for people who ride all the time and for those who are new to it. On our Facebook page, we’ve had lots of people commenting that they’ll get their bikes out and fix them up. Hopefully, this will then lead to them riding more often or even commuting to work. Sydney Rides the Night and the festival are all about stimulating interest and encouraging cycling culture in Sydney.”
If you've got a few extra million dollars lying around, then here's your chance to snap up your very own historic beachside boozer. Manly's longstanding Hotel Steyne is up for sale, nine years after current owners — John Singleton, Robert Whyte, Mark Carnegie and Arthur Laundy — bought it for a reported $27 million. The seaside pub's not going cheap this time around either. According to the SMH, it's expected to fetch around $70 million. Though you're getting a lot of bang for your buck: it's home to six bars, a bistro, multiple outdoor areas and a rooftop that looks out over Manly Beach. [caption id="attachment_532433" align="alignnone" width="1280"] The rooftop at Hotel Steyne.[/caption] Of course, with such a long history and hefty crew of regulars, Hotel Steyne won't be parted with easily. Fans of the old-school watering hole, which was first built in 1859, have voiced concerns about what might happen to their local once it's in new hands, with fears it's set to be modernised and its beer prices destined to rise. Manly local Barry Fagan told the SMH, "I used to be able to get a schooner for 20 cents. Now it's $8. But seriously, I've been coming here for 40 years. It's an icon of Manly, you hope that a new owner could respect that." Hotel Steyne is just the latest in a string of high-profile Sydney pub sales pulling in the big bucks. Over the past two years, hospitality giant Merivale has acquired Marrickville's Vic On The Park, The Colloroy, The Tennyson on Botany Road, Bondi's Royal Hotel and Woollahra's Hotel Centennial, with all sales predicted to be in the tens of millions. Another big player in the Sydney hospitality scene, Solotel offloaded the Clovelly Hotel — which it had just purchased in 2016 — for $34 million big ones in 2017, according to the Australian Financial Review. Expressions of interest for Manly's Hotel Steyne close on Wednesday, March 13. Find Hotel Steyne at 75 The Corso, Manly.
Harold Hackett has been sending messages all over the world, but unlike most of us he hasn't been using a phone or a computer. Instead, he's taken old-school to a whole new level by writing dated letters on coloured paper, putting them in numbered juice bottles and throwing them in the Atlantic Ocean. Harold has been doing this from Prince Edward Island in Canada since May 1996. Of the 4,800 messages he's sent, he's received 3,100 letters back from places including Africa, Europe and America. That's an amazing success rate. Maybe I should start using this method to ask girls on dates. Hackett has seemingly perfected his art, and checks wind patterns before tossing his bottles into the water. One message took 13 years to be replied to after it was found in France. Still, it might be worth the wait as Harold now receives Christmas gifts and souvenirs from the unexpected recipients of his missives. While it's certainly not time-efficient, it makes you think that some means of communication have gained more significance because of how rare they have become. Harold purposely doesn't leave his phone number on the letters so that he can only get a letter in return. He promises to keep sending letters for as long as he can. With Harold's story gaining considerable media attention, could this mark the return of older forms of communication? At least he knows that if he gets lost in the depths of the African jungle, he might have one friend he can turn to. https://youtube.com/watch?v=_WKj2zWtFRo
When it comes to pre-Vivid drinks and bites, Bistro George, within Jacksons on George, is in a hard-to-beat spot. All the major light displays — from The Rocks to Barangaroo — are just a brief walk away. And, to give you a few more reasons to swing by, Bistro George is offering some tempting Vivid-inspired specials. They range from quick drinks and light bites to a three-course set menu. If it's the former you're looking for, head to the bar for $10 small plates, $11 aperitivos and $12 wines. Standouts on the menu include a fish finger sandwich with American cheese, jalapeños, and mac sauce, as well as scallop agnolotti, and nduja-stuffed olives. Looking for something heartier? Book into the bistro for a three-course set menu for $89 a head. You'll be taking your pick of a variety of dishes, from Jerusalem artichoke risotto and ink taglioni with Skull Island tiger prawns to Berkshire pork scotch and Blackmore shin ragu. Both pre-Vivid menus are available from 5–7pm from Monday–Saturday throughout the festival. Bookings can be made online. Images: KW Photography / Steve Woodburn.
You definitely want to be there when the big ol' ship Merivale launches its major voyage for 2016. On one night, in one spot, you'll get in to indulge in all the things that have made the Hemmes empire one of Sydney's biggest hospitality success stories. Taking over ivy, including the Ivy Pool Club and Ballroom, and spilling into Palings and the Ash Street laneway, the party will feature stalls and pop-ups from each and every one of Merivale's venues — from Ms.G's and Mr Wong to est. and Papi Chulo. You'll also get a sneak preview of places-in-the-making, like The Newport and Queen Chow, soon to open at the Queen Victoria Hotel. In between feasting, there'll be chances to dance to live music, roaming performers to mingle with and surprise appearances from special guests. Tix are 45 bucks a pop, which buys you entry, along with eight food and drink tokens. You can top them up all night long.
The Coachella lineup has landed. Over the course of two autumnal weekends — April 11-13 and 18-20 — California's music-loving valley will welcome some of the world's most original, inventive and popular acts into the fold. There's a major headliner scheduled for each day — the long-rumoured and at last reunited Outkast on Friday; England's rebellious, alt-rockers Muse on Saturday; and Canada's indie favourites Arcade Fire on Sunday. While Muse just finished up an Aussie tour, Arcade Fire will soon be packing their suncream and surfboards —l they’ll be headlining Big Day Out on January 19. We Antipodeans are getting quite a look-in at Coachella, too. As you might've guessed, New Zealand teenager and singing, songwriting phenomenon Lorde is on the program. She'll be joined by fellow Kiwis The Naked and Famous. Australia has abundant representation in the form of electro duo Empire of the Sun; Sydney rockers The Preatures; multi-instrumentalist, producer and DJ Flume; psychedelic specialists Jagwar Ma; dance music trailblazer Anna Lunoe; and indie DJs Flight Facilities. As for the rest of the planet, the list includes The Replacements, Broken Bells, Queens of the Stone Age, The Knife, Pharrell Williams, Beck, Lana del Rey, Motorhead, Skrillex and Sleigh Bells. Tix go on sale this Friday at 10am (California time) at www.coachella.com/festival-passes
It can get pretty chilly in the depths of a Berlin winter. Just the thought of it makes me want to wrap up in woolly jumpers and cozy down with a cup of tea. Berlin commuters need brightening up on those grey days, and it's no wonder that art projects like this spring up. The video below documents how a group of guerilla knitters (disguised appropriately in hilarious knitted beards) installed a kaleidoscope of knitting in the carriage of one of Berlin's metro trains. The guerilla art practice is known as 'yarn-bombing' and is considered an easily-removed alternative to your garden variety spray can graffiti. The knitting in the Berlin U-Bahn carriage remained in tact for a day's circulation, after which it was removed by security. Three months of knitting, one hour of installation, a day's worth of cozy, woolly, technicolour joy – all gone. One of the artists said, however, that "I think we cheered up a fair amount of weary travellers on a gloomy January day!" https://youtube.com/watch?v=1XbdGkPCz8E [Via Wooster Collective]
Bars March is a month-long charity campaign letting you drink for a good cause. And that cause? Animals. Yep, you can spend March hopping around to different bars and smashing a tasty cocktail to help raise money for the Animal Welfare League. What's possibly even more exciting, is that the most of the bars involved are dog-friendly — so your pooch can come along, too. It's a win, win. Running for almost a decade in Sydney, the charity month has this year expanded interstate — which means animal-loving Melburnians can get on board, too. To get involved, you just need to show up to one of participating bars and purchase a Bars March charity cocktail, and a portion of the profits will go to the aforementioned charity. Some of the bars involved in Melbourne include dog-friendly whisky bar the Tipsy Cow and CBD bars Loch and Key, Golden Monkey and Captain Melville. Up in Sydney, award-winning drinking holes Lobo Plantation and Kittyhawk will be taking part, as will Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel and the East Village in Darlinghurst. [caption id="attachment_663076" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Tipsy Cow[/caption] A heap of venues will be hosting events, too, with Crown Street's new Italian restaurant Caffe Bartolo selling $10 charity brunch cocktails from March 1–3 and the Erko is throwing a dog-friendly Pints 4 Paws party on Saturday, March 2. Over the nine years that Bars March has been running, it has raised over $80,000 for the Animal Welfare League, which cares for and re-homes surrendered, neglected and abandoned animals across NSW. Bars March is a boozy charity initiative raising money for the Animal Welfare League. It runs from March 1–31 and you can check out the full list of participating venues and events at barsmarch.com and the Bars March Facebook page. Top image: Caffe Bartolo by Kitti Gould.
Ben & Jerry’s Openair Cinema is back for another year. Inflating their giant screen overlooking Bondi Beach from Thursday, January 22, the organisers have once again put together a program that mixes the best Oscar contenders, special event screenings and retro classics — along with their biggest lineup yet of live music and all the ice-cream that you could possibly desire. Probably the most relaxed contender on the seasonal outdoor cinema scene, the beachside vibe means you can do it your way with a BYO picnic or hire a bean lounger or deckchair and grab food and drinks from the fully licensed 'Jar Bar'. Fridays host Aperol Spritz Sunset Sessions while Sundays bring back the Sundae Sessions. Movies already on the selling fast list include Dirty Dancing, Interstellar, The Imitation Game and Annie, as well as our own special screening of Bill Murray’s new comedy St Vincent. The return of Openair’s Sundae Sessions mean every film that plays on a Sunday — including Birdman, Big Hero 6 and a Sing-a-Long screening of Grease — comes with unlimited free ice-cream. No, you didn't misread that. Bondi will always be the spiritual home for Ben & Jerry’s Openair Cinema, which since starting in the Pavilion over a decade ago has grown into a nationwide, touring event hitting six Australian capitals each summer. The event whirs to life at sundown, but gates are open from 5pm Sundays and 6pm Tuesday to Saturday. The down time will be filled by live local music acts, which we go into in more detail over here.
Given the hefty backlash copped by Lost Picnic's 2017 edition, you'd be forgiven for thinking the boutique Sydney festival might not live to see another day. But organisers have announced the event will return this October, promising to address last year's raft of issues and even throwing a debut Melbourne date into the mix. Taking over Melbourne's Flemington Nursery on October 7 and Sydney's Domain on October 13, Lost Picnic 2018 is out to dish up a family-friendly serve of live entertainment and top local eats. Taking the stage this year will be legendary young-gun Tash Sultana, off the back of releasing her debut album, joined by Meg Mac, New Zealand singer-songwriter Marlon Williams, Sydney's Odette and brass ten-piece Hot Potato Band. A finely-tuned food offering will show off some of the best of each city — think, Milky Lane and The Dolphin in Sydney, with Burn City Smokers and Pho Nom flying the flag down south. Lost Picnic's last outing suffered more than a few hiccups, with punters complaining of lengthy wait times, food and drink stalls running out of stock early, and a somewhat disastrous forced recycling system. But this time around, Simon Beckingham — co-founder of Finely Tuned, the group that organises both Lost Picnic and NYE bash Lost Paradise — says festival goers can expect a much smoother affair. "Since last year's event wrapped up, we have been working hard to vastly improve the customer experience for 2018," he told Concrete Playground. After taking "all feedback on board", Beckingham had confirmed that there will be double the food stalls and an increased number of toilets, bar staff and tills — and those keen to skip the food queues altogether will be able to bring in their own picnic snacks. It's unclear if the capacity of the festival has been reduced or not. And instead of last year's compulsory recycling system, which forced punters to put down a $1 deposit for cups and then line up again to get a refund, there'll be a more user-friendly $10 cash-back incentive for those recycling their empty wine bottles. Tickets are going for the same price — $89 a pop — so here's hoping all the changes make the ticket price worth it. Lost Picnic will be in Melbourne at Flemington Nursery on October 7 and in Sydney at The Domain on October 13. Grab early bird tickets here for $89.
The article is sponsored by our partners, the Aroma Festival. Baroque Bistro is bringing a little je ne sais quoi to the Aroma Festival with a special 'high coffee'. Yep, it’s that lush, lavish high tea experience that started back in the 19th century with the Seventh Duchess of Bedford’s need to cure her ‘hangriness’, and more recently has been popping up in all kinds of 21st-century incarnations. The difference this time, though, is that Baroque will be bringing a much bigger caffeine hit into the mix. And not just caffeine, but alcohol, too. Yay-sayers will have the option of indulging in either coffee or a signature single origin espresso martini (or both). The cocktail is designed to match a collection of coffee-infused petit fours specially conjured up by head pastry chef Jean Michel Raynaud. As if that weren’t multisensory excitement enough, Baroque Bistro also affords some rather amazing views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House. The only trick is that you might need to make a reservation, as availability will be strictly limited. Serving hours will be 11.30am-9pm Wednesday through Saturdays from July 9-26.
Sydney Film Festival takes over the city's cinemas for 12 days each year, but sometimes that's just not long enough to see all the films on your wishlist. Enter the festival's Back by Popular Demand bonus screenings, with 12 titles from the almost 300-strong lineup getting additional sessions at Dendy Newtown and Dendy Opera Quays between June 19 and 21. This is the third year that SFF has gifted cinephiles with an extension of their program, helping movie buffs catch up on high-profile titles such as Sofia Coppola's Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst, Elle Fanning and Colin Farrell-starring western The Beguiled, Michael Haneke's unnerving family drama Happy End and Brokeback Mountain-like British rural romance God's Own Country. In addition, two of 2017's just-added straight-from-Cannes flicks will receive extra showings, which is welcome news to anyone unable to fit Palme d'Or winner The Square or Robert Pattinson getting gritty in Good Time into their regular SFF schedule. The bonus lineup also includes popular documentaries I Am Not Your Negro, Citizen Jane: Battle for the City, The Go-Betweens: Right Here and The Last Goldfish, as well as international efforts The Ornithologist and The Teacher. As part of the festival's Akira Kurosawa retrospective, the Japanese master's Ran will also screen again. Basically, if you thought you wouldn't be spending the days immediately after the official end of the fest sitting in a darkened room, you were wrong. "If you missed them at the festival, these screenings are a wonderful way to see some of the most talked-about films of the year," says SFF artistic director Nashen Moodley. Sydney Film Festival's Back by Popular Demand bonus screenings hit Dendy Newtown and Dendy Opera Quays between June 19 and 21. The 2017 Sydney Film Festival runs from June 7 to 18 at various cinemas around the city. To view the complete program and book tickets, visit the festival website.
When one of Sydney's best new openings starts offering $5 tacos once a week, you know what you have to do. El Primo Sanchez is the latest venue from the Maybe Sammy team. The 100-seat Oxford Street bar boasts next-level tequila cocktails, Mexican eats from a former Noma chef and even a private karaoke booth with a 'Ring for Tequila' button. Usually, the tacos here will set you back $10, but the colourful spot has just launched a new weekly deal that's sure to have you rushing to Paddington each week. Each Wednesday between 5–11pm tacos are half-priced. There are five different varieties of tacos on offer, all available for $5. There's an al pastor number using 12-hour marinated pork belly, a kangaroo taco topped with salsa guacamolada and pan-fried peppers, plus brussel sprout, beef brisket barbacoa and chicken carnitas options. If you want to combine deals, head in from 5pm to get the happy hour discount on cocktails. Between 5–6pm every day at El Primo Sanchez all cocktails are just $17. Images: Steven Woodburn.
What happens when a touring showcase of music throughout Queensland joins forces with an annual citywide celebration of arts and culture in Brisbane? Sweet Relief!, the latest event from both Qld Music Trails and Brisbane Festival. A collaboration between both fests, but taking place in Brissie in September, this one-day-only excuse to get dancing will make its debut in 2023 with a helluva electronic-focused lineup, starting with Groove Armada, The Avalanches and Ladyhawke. Sweet Relief! also involves the folks at Untitled Group, the team behind festivals such as Beyond The Valley, Grapevine Gathering and Wildlands — and they've helped bring in quite the names. Groove Armada and The Avalanches will both play Australian-exclusive gigs, in fact, with the former doing a DJ set and the latter performing live. [caption id="attachment_907867" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Grant Spanier[/caption] We see you, festival-loving babies. The day to block out in your diary: Saturday, September 16. The place to head: the Maritime Green at Northshore Brisbane. As well as New Zealander Ladyhawke, the bill also spans Cut Copy doing a DJ set, plus Nina Las Vegas, Latifa Tee and YO! Mafia. Poof Doof Pride Patrol featuring Jimi the Kween is on the lineup as well, and additional Brisbane acts are still to be announced. [caption id="attachment_907869" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kath Gould[/caption] "We're so excited to be heading up to Brisbane to play at Maritime Green at Northshore Brisbane. It's such a cool looking spot — we've got a feeling it's gonna be a very special one," said The Avalanches. "Brisbane's history is littered with iconic festival moments such as Livid, Boundary Street Festival and Valley Fiesta that gave the Brisbane community an opportunity to bring their weirdest and wildest selves out to create an electric atmosphere of togetherness, diversity and inclusion," added Joel Edmondson, CEO of Qld Music Trails, announcing Sweet Relief!. "We hope that Sweet Relief! can establish itself as a place where people travel from around the country to experience Brisbane's local flavour and global appeal." SWEET RELIEF! 2023 LINEUP: Groove Armada (DJ set) The Avalanches (live) Ladyhawke Cut Copy (DJ set) Nina Las Vegas Latifa Tee YO! Mafia Poof Doof Pride Patrol featuring Jimi the Kween + more Brisbane acts to be announced Sweet Relief! will take over the Maritime Green, Northshore Brisbane, on Saturday, September 16. For more information and images — and to register for ticket presales from 6pm on Wednesday, July 5, with general sales from 12pm on Thursday, July 6 — head to the event website.
El Jannah has earned cult status for its Lebanese-style charcoal chicken and finger lickin'-good garlic sauce, but for inner-city folk, it's never been all that easy to get to. Sure, the legendary chicken joint has an impressive six outlets under its belt, but — if you've lived east, north or south — you've had to trek out west to get to any of them. Until now. El Jannah today launched its first inner west store — El Jannah Express — in the heart of Newtown, just across the road from cocktail bar Corridor and The Marlborough Hotel. This means that inner city folks finally have easy access to that chook goodness (and that Sydney's 'chicken curtain' needs some urgent adjustments). While you'll find all of the cult favourites on the menu — including the EJ Meals with chicken, chips, pickles, pita and that garlic sauce — El Jannah Express also has an exclusive, very Newtown addition: fried chicken. Yep, even El Jannah can't stay away from it. It's doing drumsticks and tenders, in three-, five- and ten-piece packs. Of course, you can still drop by and pick up a whole rotisserie chicken, and bowls of hummus and babaghanoush. The Express store is also sells the chain's burgers, which are often looked over in favour of the main event. There are a few seats for dining in — but this'll be a prime takeaway spot as it's open until 11pm on weekends. Just look for the neon green sign. El Jannah has won plenty of fans for its offering of charcoal chicken matched with that famed garlic sauce, along with hot meat-stuffed rolls, grab-and-go meal packs, burgers, salads and Middle Eastern skewers. Following stores in Blacktown, Campbelltown, Punchbowl, Granville, Kogarah and Penrith, this Newtown outpost will be the group's first 'express' offering. Find El Jannah Express at 156–158 King Street, Newtown. It's open 11am–10pm Sunday to Wednesday and 11am–11pm Thursday to Saturday.
At the end of Billy Elliot, the main character (all grown up) steps on stage. He's about to dance the lead role in Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake, the now-world-renowned retelling of perhaps the most popular ballet ever, where all the traditionally delicate, graceful, tutu-ed female swans are replaced by men. We don't get to see any more in the film, but to those who felt cheated of the brawn and feathers and highly talented dancing boys (the story follows a prince, attracted through curiosity and lust to the leading Swan — a dark, predatory, menacing and morphing sexual predator), you're now in luck. The once-controversial, always-audacious ballet is coming to Sydney, for a limited run of performances. (So get on it.) Bourne's Swan Lake did show here back in 2007, but this time it's been revamped a bit. According to Bourne himself, there's less of the naff and childish humour in some of the prince's scenes, and even more of the wild, raw, animalistic masculinity that this reinvention of Tchaikovsky's classic is famous for. Yes please.
One of our most-read stories of 2017 featured an Aussie start-up called Unyoked, which lets you stay in a tiny house in the wilderness, miles away from anyone and anything. Now, if you happen to be heading to the Northern Hemisphere, you can have a similar experience in the American middle-of-nowhere. Meet Getaway, an American start-up founded by two Harvard grads that's building tiny houses in the woods. While Unyoked lands you in total solitude, Getaway takes you to a mini holiday village. So, it's a bit like a campground, but with tiny houses instead of tents. You get trendy architect design, a queen-sized bed, picture windows, wireless speakers, airconditioning, an ensuite, basic provisions and a fire pit with wood. But there's no wifi and a secure box invites you to lock up your smartphone for the duration of your stay. Also, your dog's welcome to join. To make sure you don't become too destination-focused, Getaway doesn't reveal exactly where you'll be going until close to departure time, although their three sites so far are located outside of New York, Boston and Washington. Other than that, all you can be sure of is that you won't be driving for more than two hours from your home city. Getaway isn't the first American business to be exploring the appeal of tiny houses as holiday accommodation. (Check out these 12 tiny house hotels, for example). However, the start-up's focus on disconnecting and immersing yourself in nature sets it apart. Images: Getaway.
The Opera House is transforming its Studio into a party hub for Vivid Sydney's first two weekends. Over four nights, the space will be taken over by an impressive lineup of international DJs coming in from everywhere from Seoul to Spain. Head down on Friday, May 24 to catch two women killing it on the global electronic music scene: Lauren Halo and 박혜진 Park Hye Jin. Halo is Berlin-based and comes highly critically acclaimed as one of the world's most exciting electronic composer, while up and coming Seoul DJ-rapper-producer Park Hye Jin is an up and comer that — if you're a fan of house and techno — you don't want to miss. If you can back it up, UK electronic music veteran Gerald Simpson (aka A Guy Called Gerald) will play an epic five-hour set in The Studio the following night The next week sees Spanish producer John Talbot take the stage on Friday, May 31, and Moritz van Oswald bring is home on the Saturday. All shows kick off until 9pm and will run until around 2.30am. Images: Prudence Upton.
Continuing in their recent goal-kicking trajectory of killer collaborations (Lorde, The Simpsons), MAC's newest collection is Rocky Horror Picture Show themed; celebrating 40 years of jumping to the left, stepping to the right, putting your hands on your hips and bringing your knees in tight. In one of the most logical collaborations in recent memory, the new MAC collection is extensive (because you do not achieve the look of a sweet transvestite from Transylvania with minimal makeup). You'll find glitter pots that'd make Columbia jealous, serious false lashes, a sculpt-and-shape powder for carving out those cheekbones, 'multi-changing pearl' nail lacquers and a superslick liquid eyeliner. Everything comes in slick black packaging, emblazoned with those iconic red lips, which you can recreate, by the way, with one of the four — yes, four — shades of crimson lipstick. The collection will be available online on September 29. The timing really couldn't be more perfect — with almost two months before Halloween, there's plenty of time for makeup and Rocky junkies to count their pennies. That much-pondered, never-yet-realised Frank costume idea just got a little bit more possible. Don't dream it. Be it. Via MTV, Refinery29 and beautezine.
Whether you love the olive garnish that comes with a classic martini, or opt for the dirty variety where brine goes straight in the drink, there's no doubt that olives play a big role in this enduring tipple's sharp, herbaceous appeal. To celebrate one of the world's most iconic cocktails, Four Pillars is bringing back its Martini Collective for the next month or so, teaming up with much-loved bars and restaurants across Sydney and Melbourne for an aperitif-style sip and snack pairing. Running until Sunday, June 22, at a host of stellar venues, the drink at each venue is the same wherever you decide to visit — a mini martini made with Four Pillars' bright and savoury Olive Leaf Gin. However, the snack that adorns your beverage changes up from place to place, ensuring you can explore the full spectrum of pairings to see which leaves the biggest impression on your palate. In Sydney, there are ten venues taking part in the third edition of the Martini Collective, with several returning favourites to explore. For instance, Shell House is serving up a cruller topped with whipped fish roe and white anchovy; The Charles is offering a white anchovy gilda; Le Foote is plating a tartine featuring smoked peppers, sheep's yogurt and sauce vert; and NOMAD is presenting a green olive and pumpkin seed tartlet. As for the Melbourne lineup, the series is back in town for its second year, with newcomers like Hazel, Society, Grill Americano and Bar Liberty joining previous hosts, including Bar Bellamy, LUI Bar and Reine. Head to Flinders Lane to see how Hazel's fish cake complements your mini martini, or wander up to Society on Collins Street to experience its smoked tomato sourdough crostini. Who knows — maybe this carefully balanced umami bomb will provide the dream pairing with your aperitif. With this first-class selection of venues getting in the mood for Four Pillars Martini Collective over the next month, there's plenty of time to sample each and every pairing. Plus, with the Martini Collective running through World Martini Day on Saturday, June 21, it's the perfect way to celebrate your love of this timeless cocktail. The Four Pillars Martini Collective is running now until Sunday, June 22 at various venues across Sydney and Melbourne. Head to the website for more information. Images: Declan Blackall / Chege Mbuthi.
Last year saw warmer and drier weather conditions than normal, kicking off with a record-breaking summer, followed by a hotter-than-standard autumn, a warmer-than-usual winter and a sweltering spring. 2019 was also a year severe water restrictions, then the summer of soaring temperatures — and devastating bushfires only a few months ago. We're currently in drought, with particular concerns in regional NSW and subsequent water restrictions enforced in Sydney. To say Australia needs some rain is a gross understatement. And this winter the country may get it, with the Bureau of Meteorology reporting a wetter than average few months to come. As it does every quarter, the Bureau of Meteorology has released its climate outlook for the May to July period, and the forecast favours one word we're all too familiar with: warm. But it also predicts rain, with this winter looking likely to break our dry spell. Finally, some good news in 2020. For the first time in years, the Darling River has met the Murray, meaning some encouraging signs for drought-stricken areas in Australia's southeast. And, recently, we've seen above average soil moisture conditions, which are a good primer for runoff and catchment when further rain comes. That said, it will take a lot of heavy rain fall to replenish many of the catchment stores to how they were a few years ago, which is unlikely to be achieved in one (albeit wet) season. The predicted heavier rainfall is due to warmer than average eastern Indian Ocean — which is currently the main influence on Australia's climate — increasing the moisture that feeds into weather systems as they move across the country. Overall, there's mostly a 60–75-percent chance for more rain in Australia over the next few months, with a greater than 75-percent chance for central Australia and WA. But, for much of northern Australia and the east coast, including Tasmania, the likelihood of a wetter or drier period from May through July is roughly equal at this stage. There's also a very good chance that you'll experience winter temperatures that are warmer than average. Of course, the period in BOM's new outlook does cover winter, so weather across the country won't be balmy — but it's likely to be hotter than the median. Nights are expected to be toastier than average, with a more than 80-percent chance for most regions and a slightly lower one (70–89-percent) for southwest and southeast Australia. In Sydney, that means the mercury will be above a 11.6- degree minimum in May, higher than 9.3 in June and 8.1 in July, while Melbourne can expect temps above 8.7, 6.9 and 6 in the same months. In Brisbane, the standard minimums range between 9.5–13.3 and in Perth it spans 7.9–10.5. Above average daytime temperatures are expected along the east coast and extending to northeast Tasmania, as well as across northern parts of Australia, too. Elsewhere, average daytime temperatures are just as likely to be warmer or cooler than average. While rising temperatures are becoming a familiar story, the prospect of rain is something we haven't heard in a while. So, let's hope the weatherman is right.
We're all well-versed in the importance of doing what we can to protect our planet — you know your recyclable plastics, try to limit your showers to under five minutes (except on hair wash days) and have maybe even ventured into the world of composting and zero-waste living. But how can researchers, investors and corporations collaborate to support sustainable innovators and move towards a net-zero future? Leading the charge on 'Innovating for a Net-Zero Future' is CommBank's General Manager of Climate Strategy and Commitments, Alex Matthews, who helms the institution's climate and carbon efforts. With a decade of experience spanning the US and Asia Pacific, he'll explore how larger organisations and investment firms can collaborate on furthering climate tech and cutting greenhouse gas emissions. Joining him is Kirstin Hunter, whose career includes varied roles as a corporate lawyer, management consultant, Co-Founder of Australia's first fossil fuel-free super and now the managing director of Techstars. Hunter is particularly interested in purpose-driven startups that attempt to solve some of the dire social and environmental issues we're currently facing, so she's sure to have some valuable insights to share. Paul Hunyor also adds his 20 years of experience as an investor to the panel. As the Co-Founder and Managing Director of a global climate investment firm, he has firsthand knowledge of identifying and endorsing businesses that have a positive impact on our environment. On the climate fintech front is Katherine McConnell, who founded a platform that makes sustainable home improvements more affordable and accessible. McConnell received B&T's Sustainability Crusader Award for her pioneering work and was listed as one of The Australian's 100 Green Power Players this year. 'Innovating for a Net-Zero Future: the Climate Tech Imperative' will be presented by Commonwealth Bank as part of the SXSW Sydney Conference. The panel will take place from 11.30am–12.30pm on Monday, October 16 at the ICC Sydney.
Come on Australians, why don't we paint the town? With all that jazz, Broadway favourite Chicago is shimmying back onto stages around Australia from late 2023. Last touring the country in 2019, the record-breaking Broadway hit is bringing a healthy dose of 1920s razzle dazzle our way again on a three-city tour — so far — debuting in Perth in November, then hitting Brisbane in January 2024 and finally heading to Melbourne next March. For musical fans in Sydney, cross your fingers that a Harbour City stop is also in the show's future. Chicago isn't any old musical — it's the longest-running American musical in Broadway and West End history, as well as the longest-running production now currently playing the former. [caption id="attachment_714916" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jeremy Daniel[/caption] So far, the original Kander & Ebb musical has reached the eyeballs of over 34-million people worldwide in 38 countries, playing more than 33,500 performances in 525-plus cities. It's also won six Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards and a Grammy. Inspiring 2002's Renée Zellweger (Judy)- and Catherine Zeta Jones (Wednesday)-starring Academy Award-winning film of the same name, it tells the tale of Chicago housewife and nightclub dancer Roxie Hart. In the decadent 1920s, she twirls through a whirlwind of murdered lovers, jail time, fierce rivalries and tabloid sensationalism — all set to a toe-tapping soundtrack. [caption id="attachment_714915" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Paul Kolnik[/caption] "Chicago has everything that people love about a Broadway musical — a story of fame, fortune and all that jazz; one show-stopping number after another; and the most amazing dancing you've ever seen. We are thrilled to bring the razzle dazzle of this New York institution back to Australia," said producers John Frost and Suzanne Jones, announcing the new Aussie run. Who'll be taking to the stage for Chicago's next local seasons — following on from acclaimed all-rounder Natalie Bassingthwaighte and musical-theatre veteran Alinta Chidzey in 2019 — is yet to be revealed. Based on a 1926 play by Maurine Dallas Watkins, the production showcases music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb and choreography by Tony Award-winner Ann Reinking. CHICAGO 2023/24 AUSTRALIAN TOUR: From November 2023 — Crown Theatre, Perth From January 2024 — Lyric Theatre QPAC, Brisbane From March 2024 — Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne Chicago returns to Australia from November 2023. For pre sales from Monday, August 14, general sales from Friday, August 18, to join the waitlist or for more information, head to the production's website. Top image: Jeff Busby.
Australian art-inspired surf brand Mambo is venturing into the food scene, in a way that we probably should've expected. It's opening a pop-up canteen reminiscent of your primary school tuckshop. Making the most of the long summer days (and just before school goes back, too) the Mambo Tuckshop will pop up for just four days, rolling open the shutters from January 25–28 in North Bondi. Mike Eggert and Jemma Whiteman of Pinbone (known for their recent Mr Liquor's Dirty Italian Disco and Good Luck Pinbone pop-ups) have directed the menu, and they've collaborated with some of Sydney's best restaurants to create the food. Korean fried chicken experts Paper Bird, cured meat maestros LP's Quality Meats, pastry chef Yu-ching Lee (known on Instagram as Lemonpiy) and Aussie ice-block brand Pure Pops are some of the names taking part. With your hard-earned pocket money you'll be able to purchase devon sandwiches, warrigal greens and ricotta rolls, beef and 'Mambomite' pies, wattleseed vanilla slices, and, importantly, $1 apple and lemon sour straps. Just like your school days, it'll be a grab-and-go situation — no word yet about whether you'll be able to put in a lunch order for later. And, in case you're wondering, the Mambo brand is still alive. While standalone Mambo stores no longer exist (RIP) you can buy Mambo clothing and accessories from Big W. Mambo Tuckshop opens at 266 Campbell Parade, North Bondi on Thursday, January 25 and runs until Sunday, January 28. Opening hours are 10am–4pm. For more info, visit the Facebook event. Images: Nikki To.
2019 is shaping up to be a mighty big year for Elton John. Biopic Rocketman launches into cinemas in May, starring Kingsman's Taron Egerton as the singer and covering his wild 70s antics. The live-action version of The Lion King hits screens come July, featuring the musician's iconic tunes from the original, as well as new songs. And to cap it all off, the star himself is headed our way at the end of the year for a huge farewell tour. Bringing his 300-stop Farewell Yellow Brick Road shows to Australia and New Zealand between November 2019 and February 2020, John has announced 18 concerts across more than two months — including gigs in capital cities, a number of regional dates, and shows at A Day on the Green. More concerts, including shows in north Queensland, will be announced later this year. He kicked off the extensive tour last September, embarking on a three-year global goodbye trip. When it comes to an end, he'll retire from touring after five decades on the road. If that all sounds rather massive, that's John's career in a nutshell. He's played more than 4000 shows across his career, has sold more than 300 million records worldwide and holds the record for the biggest-selling single of all time thanks to the 1997 version of 'Candle in the Wind'. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtVBCG6ThDk Fans can expect to feel the love through all of his hits, including 'Rocket Man', 'Tiny Dancer' 'Bennie and the Jets', 'Crocodile Rock', 'I'm Still Standing' and 'Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting' — especially the latter, you'd expect, on his six Saturday shows. The concerts will also feature never-before-seen images and videos show from John's 50-year career, which'll be displayed throughout the show, as well as a new tour wardrobe designed by Gucci. ELTON JOHN 'FAREWELL YELLOW BRICK ROAD' 2019 TOUR DATES Perth — Saturday, November 30, 2019 and Sunday, December 1, 2019 at HBF Park Adelaide — Wednesday, December 4, 2019 at Botanic Park Melbourne — Tuesday, December 10, 2019 and Wednesday, December 11, 2019 at Rod Laver Arena Brisbane — Wednesday, December 18, 2019 at Brisbane Entertainment Centre Sydney — Saturday, December 21, 2019 and Monday, December 23, 2019 at ICC Sydney Theatre, plus Tuesday, January 7, 2020 at Qudos Bank Arena Hunter Valley — Saturday, January 11, 2020 at Hope Estate Mount Cotton — Saturday, January 18, 2020 at Sirromet Wines Bathurst — Wednesday, January 22, 2020 at Carrington Park Woodend — Saturday, January 25, 2020 at Hanging Rock Rutherglen — Wednesday, January 29, 2020 at All Saints Estate Yarra Valley — Friday, January 31, 2020 at Rochford Wines Dunedin — Tuesday, February 4, 2020 at Forsyth Barr Stadium Hawke's Bay — Saturday, February 8, 2020 at Mission Estate Winery Auckland — Sunday, February 9, 2020 at Mt Smart Stadium Tickets for Elton John's Australian capital city and New Zealand shows are available from 9am (local time) on Thursday, February 14, 2019, with all other concerts available from 9am (local time) on Friday, February 15, 2019. Visit oznz.eltonjohn.com for further details, as well as information about pre-sales. Image: Ben Gibson.
Of all the pubs in all the world, Guillaume Brahimi had to walk into this one. Of course, it isn't just any old inner city dive — the Four in Hand is somewhat fancy, being the former home of 4Fourteen's Colin Fassnidge (and two hats) for over ten years. And so it makes sense that the French chef — known for his fine dining at nearby Guillaume — should find his way into the kitchen at the backstreet Paddo pub. And so the Four in Hand has become the Four in Hand by Guillaume. Visually, not much has changed. But the menu — across both the bar and the dining room — sure has. To experience it in all its glory, wrangle your way into the dining room. It's separated from the rowdy public bar quite effectively — you can still hear the muffled thrum of punters banging on outside, but you can also comfortably hear what your dining mate is saying. In this part of the pub it feels quiet, but not awkwardly so; it feels ordered and considered, but still casual enough to swing by without a reservation on a Tuesday night. Plus, you can also exit through a handy side door if you don't feel like dealing with the pub goers post-dessert — and when dessert is brûléed banana with a super light banana parfait, peanut ice cream and caramel ($16), you'll just want to roll right into the passenger seat and be taken home to dream sweet dreams. But before you get to the parfait there's bread (Iggy's) and butter (exquisitely smoked), Brussels sprouts (with maple and cubes of bacon) and a whole hearty feast in-between. You can go light with entrees like the super creamy labne with bright wheels of beetroot ($18) or the prawns (which, by the way, Guillaume pairs with chimmichurri and olives and surprisingly manages to pull off), but most of the menu is warm, European-style comfort food. The whole honey-roasted duck ($80) is pure indulgence (and should only be undertaken by the very hungry), while the roasted mulloway ($34) is much more manageable. The fish, along with some well-roasted artichoke, mussels and wilted cos, comes sitting in a clear broth that's best mopped up with a piece of the aforementioned Iggy's sourdough. If you've already eaten it, don't be afraid to ask for another slice. Vegetarian options are thin and seem like a bit of an afterthought, but the staff are thorough and accommodating and will be able to make it work. Although you could probably make a good meal out of the sides — the celeriac gratin, for one, is not overly creamy or heavy, and proves a nice change from potato ($10). If you're looking for pub grub rather than gratin, that's okay too. The bar menu is far more familiar with everything from toasties to schnitties and even fried chicken (a standard Sydney inclusion). You could do worse than to stumble into this gastropub.
UPDATE: September 23 2020: A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood is available to stream via Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, YouTube and iTunes. Fred Rogers never made a splash in Australia. But watching A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood, it's easy to see why the ordained Presbyterian minister turned children's television host is so beloved in the US, even 17 years after his death — and why adults who grew up watching Mister Rogers' Neighbourhood still hold him in such high regard. This thoughtful, full-hearted film doesn't merely tell viewers that Rogers was universally adored, or show the widespread devotion among his fans. As she proved in both The Diary of a Teenage Girl and Can You Ever Forgive Me?, Marielle Heller is far too soulful and observant a filmmaker for such a blunt approach. Rather, in a sensitive and astute manner reminiscent of Rogers himself, this delightful movie explores his appeal by examining his impact on one reluctant and cynical man. If you're a newcomer to Rogers, or you're jaded or skeptical by nature, consider Lloyd Vogel (Matthew Rhys) your on-screen surrogate. A writer for Esquire in 1998, he's the fictional stand-in for journalist Tom Junod, whose article 'Can You Say ... Hero?' inspired the film. Known for hard-hitting reporting, Vogel is taken aback when he's assigned to profile Rogers. He's also nowhere near as enamoured with his subject as everyone else, including his starstruck wife Andrea (Susan Kelechi Watson). Indeed, he's still hesitant when Rogers (Tom Hanks) engages in a generous chat on the phone and appears genuinely interested in getting to know him. Taking its cues from Rogers' puppet-filled TV show in inventive ways, A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood begins by recreating Mister Rogers' Neighbourhood's opening. To the sounds of a gentle theme sung by Rogers, a model town fills the screen, before cutting to the show's star arriving home, popping on his famous red cardigan, swapping his dress shoes for sneakers and addressing the camera. Purposefully affable and inviting when watched by kids on weekdays for 33 years, it remains just as cosy here. To segue into the bulk of the film, Hanks' pitch-perfect version of Rogers says that he's going to tell a story about his hurt friend Lloyd — and while that might seem like cutesy gimmickry, it works perfectly in Heller's hands. With screenwriters Micah Fitzerman-Blue and Noah Harpster (Maleficent: Mistress of Evil), she understands that Rogers left such a lasting imprint on so many people because he made kids feel like he really saw them. Accordingly, treating Vogel in the same way isn't just a creative flourish — it's essential. The same idea applies to A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood's audience, who the film never forgets. This movie is well aware that viewers are experiencing the famed figure through Vogel's eyes — and it wants you to feel like you're in his shoes, being seen, welcomed and accepted by the kindly host as well. A new father struggling with issues with his own long-absent dad (Chris Cooper) that stem back to childhood, Vogel's backstory assists. While somewhat generic, it's also immensely relatable. Everyone has pain from the past they haven't fully processed, which was Rogers' whole remit. His show helped kids express their emotions and personalities in healthy ways, and tackle topics as dark as death, divorce and war. Even though Vogel is much, much older, it's a role Rogers is still eager to play for his new friend. Conveying that compassion, grace and sincerity is a task only Hanks could've mastered. It's a case of getting a beloved, benevolent icon to play just that — although Hanks ensures that Rogers is a person rather than a shining picture of perfection. This isn't a warts-and-all tell-all and, as 2018 documentary Won't You Be My Neighbour? demonstrated, that film will never exist. Instead, A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood remembers a man who considered himself ordinary while having an extraordinary effect on others. You could say the same about Hanks, which is what makes his casting so sublime. His is a superb, deservedly Oscar-nominated performance that's never an act of simple mimicry, but that he's as revered — and has been a reliable screen presence for decades, too — is never forgotten. Amidst cardboard backdrops recreating Mister Rogers' Neighbourhood, talking puppets and scenes of Rogers making adults wait so he can spend more time with his child fans, A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood doesn't completely or even primarily belong to Rogers. His influence looms large, but this is really Vogel's story — and that makes the film all the better. Rhys finds his character's world-weary centre, then allows it to slowly crumble as his bond with Rogers grows. In the process, the movie mirrors the way the TV host found a place in millions of children's hearts, and cracks the cloak of cynicism hanging over some of its own viewers, too. It's easy to think that a feature like this will be too sappy, kitschy or hokey, just as Vogel thought about Rogers — but a man brimming with empathy and this charmingly made movie about his impact are both the perfect antidotes to distrust and disillusionment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CELbK9q_ZeA
Back in 1990, a Christmas movie took an eight-year-old kid, left him stranded at home for the holidays, threw in some bumbling crooks and delivered quite the festive gift. For the almost three decades since Home Alone first graced cinema screens, it has become an end-of-year mainstay — up there with eating junk food and watching rubbish, no doubt making Kevin McAllister proud. In Liverpool come the end of this year, it's also going to provide the inspiration for the themed, pop-up watering hole that someone really had to make a reality at some point. At the Home Alone Christmas Bar, three things will be on the menu: celebrating the classic Macaulay Culkin-starring flick, getting into the festive spirit and alcohol. Prepare to say "keep the change, ya filthy animal" if you're in the vicinity of the city's Cains Brewery Village, with the space featuring all of the Christmas trimmings — trees, tunes, decorations, a sequence of decked-out lounge rooms and Sinatra's crooning — plus themed cocktails. Whether you'll be required to outwit the bartenders to get a drink, avoid various traps or make sure the clocks are set to the right time is yet to be revealed, along with the opening date; however the folks running the show are also behind the well-received Ghetto Golf bar, so expect more than just a heap of toys thrown across the entryway. Via Metro.
Fallout day is here. No, this isn't the end of the world as we know it. Rather, the TV adaptation of the hit gaming series starts streaming on Prime Video today, Thursday, April 11, 2024. On-screen across eight episodes, it whisks viewers off to an irradiated wasteland — and also into luxe vaults, which have been part of life for two centuries, including for Lucy (Ella Purnell, Yellowjackets). That's your next streaming binge sorted. But if you're in Sydney today, Thursday, April 11, and you'd like to see what dwelling in a vault is like IRL, you can — only for this one day, and only between 12–5pm. Lucy's vault, aka Vault 33, has been recreated at 1 Martin Place in the Harbour City's CBD. To check it out, you also need to make a free booking online in advance. Prime Video's real-life version of Fallout's underground abode is decked out with the requisite door and decor, all to make you feel like you're stepping into the show. The streaming platform has jokingly pitched it as the future of living in Australia — especially within the current real-estate market — but actually staying there is not on the cards. If you're new to all things Fallout, which follows 2023's The Last of Us from mashed buttons to TV, the series debuts almost three decades since Fallout first arrived computers back in 1997. Since then, it has spawned three released sequels, with a fourth on the way, alongside seven spinoffs. The live-action television take doesn't just star Purnell, but also a swaggering Walton Goggins (I'm a Virgo) as bounty hunter The Ghoul, Aaron Moten (Emancipation) as Brotherhood of Steel soldier Maximus and Kyle MacLachlan (Lucky Hank) as Vault 33's Overseer Hank. Here, it's a post-apocalyptic future, where everything went pear-shaped 200 years back. Hence living in vaults, because a hellscape filled with mutants, wild west vibes and plenty of violence awaits outside those cosy confines — as the optimistic Lucy, daughter of Hank, is about to find out. On the surface, Goggins' The Ghoul has a past that the series also dives into. The retrofuturistic dystopian show features Moisés Arias (Samaritan), Sarita Choudhury (And Just Like That...), Michael Emerson (Evil), Leslie Uggams (Extrapolations), Frances Turner (The Boys), Dave Register (Heightened), Zach Cherry (Severance) and Johnny Pemberton (Weird: The Al Yankovic Story) as well — plus Rodrigo Luzzi (Dead Ringers), Annabel O'Hagan (Dear Edward) and Xelia Mendes-Jones (The Wheel of Time). For The Last of Us, HBO enlisted a creative force from one of the US premium cable network's past hits in Chernobyl's Craig Mazin. Prime Video has done the same with Fallout, but with Westworld creators Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy — who also executive produced Prime Video's own The Peripheral. As well as executive producing with Joy, Nolan directs the first three episodes. Geneva Robertson-Dworet (Captain Marvel) and Graham Wagner (Silicon Valley) are similarly among Fallout's executive producers, as well as the series' writers, creators and co-showrunners. And yes, Bethesda Game Studios has a hand in finally bringing the games to the screen. Fallout streams via Prime Video from Thursday, April 11, 2024. To visit Vault 33 at 1 Martin Place, Sydney, from 12–5pm AEST on Thursday, April 11, 2024, make a free booking online. Read our Fallout review. Images: courtesy of Prime Video.
Time doesn't quite fly when you're setting up Australia's newest airline, with low-cost carrier Bonza first announced in 2021 but only securing regulatory approval to hit the skies at the beginning of 2023. Still, just weeks after receiving its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), aka the official go-ahead, Bonza has just put its first-ever fares on sale — and will take to the sky from Tuesday, January 31. Yes, your 2023 getaways just got cheaper — and you now have a new way to fly off on holidays, too. The soon-to-launch carrier's aim: opening up routes to more of the country's regional destinations, flying 27 routes to 17 locations, and offering low-cost fares in the process. In its first batch of flights, one-way fares start at $49, with tickets available to 12 destinations on 15 routes. In this initial batch of fares, most routes leave from the airline's Sunshine Coast base, with the $49 options getting passengers to Coff's Harbour, Port Macquarie and Rockhampton. Legs to the Whitsunday Coast, Mackay and Newcastle come in at $59 from the Sunny Coast, while the $69 fares include trips to Albury and Townsville. The most expensive? $79 to get to Victoria's Avalon airport, Mildura and Cairns. Departures from Cairns to Mackay cost $49, and to Rockhampton costs $59. Bonza's just-dropped first fares also include Rockhampton to Townsville for $49 and Newcastle to the Whitsunday Coast for $79. The number of flights per route varies, ranging from two to five — with the Sunshine Coast to Cairns getting the most each week. When its full range of flights hits the air, the airline will also service locations such as Bundaberg, Gladstone and Toowoomba, in Queensland — plus Tamworth in New South Wales — as part of its big focus on regional destinations. Bonza's second batch of fares is expected to drop in a few weeks, covering flights from its second base in Melbourne To book, you'll need to download the airline's app. For travellers who have already done so, the carrier advises that you will need to delete it and then reinstall the latest version to get access to reserve flights. App-only reservations are one of Bonza's points of difference, unless you're booking via a registered local travel agent. Another: a previously announced all-Australian in-flight menu, spanning both food and craft beer. Passengers will get soaring in planes given names as Aussie as the carrier's itself: Bazza, Shazza and Sheila. The trio will take passengers to places they mightn't otherwise been able to fly to, too, with Bonza noting that 93 percent of its routes aren't currently served by any other airline — and 96 percent of them don't presently have a low-cost carrier. The airline is launching with the backing of US private investment firm 777 Partners, which also has a hand in Canada's Flair Airlines and the Southeast Asian-based Value Alliance. Bonza's fares don't include baggage and seat selection, which you need to pay extra for — and it is cheapest to do so when you make your booking, rather than afterwards. Bonza is set to start flying from Tuesday, January 31 , with flights on sale now. For more information, and to buy fares, head to the airline's website, or download its app for Android and iOS.
After opening a Munich Brauhaus in The Rocks, a Beerhaus on York Street and 15 Bavarians across NSW, it seems Rockpool Dining Group still isn't done with its mission to spread steins and schnitzels across the city. Sydneysiders can now enjoy all of the above at Beerhaus Barangaroo. Situated a stone's throw from the harbour on Scotch Row, the huge restaurant and beer hall can accommodate 300 people inside on wooden share tables and bar stools, and 100 more in its wraparound outdoor area. Visitors to any of Rockpool's other German drinking holes will know what they're in for. A range of 40 Australian, German and international brews on tap (served in one-litre steins, of course) features 12 dedicated to local brewery Pirate Life, such as the Beerhaus-exclusive Barangaroo Desert Lime Ale and a funky acai and passionfruit sour. There's also a lineup of boilermakers (beer served with a shot of whiskey), schnapps, wines and spirits. Food-wise, there are two components to the menu. Firstly, German-style dishes such as pork knuckle, pork belly, pretzels and schnitzels. Then, there's a lineup of US-style eats, such as buffalo and boneless wings (available in serves of ten, 20, 50 or 100, with eight different sauces), burgers, loaded waffle fries and plates of slow-cooked barbecued meas. And, even better, complimentary snacks are available with $5 beer, wine and house spirits between 4–6pm daily. Other daily specials include two-for-one schnitties on Tuesdays, all-you-can-eat meat platters for $35 on Wednesdays and 10-cent wings on Mondays. The entire place blends its brewhouse vibe with modern touches — think concrete, exposed brick walls and touches of neone — and there are plenty of games and activities for when you need a break from eating, including ping pong, pinball, giant Jenga, cornhole and shuffleboard.
Specialty roasters Sample Coffee have opened a sweet new cafe in Chippendale called Old Gold. While you'll want to visit to try its coffee and croissants, you'll also want to check out its digs. It's located inside a converted MacRobertson's confectionery factory — the OG makers of Cherry Ripe, Freddo Frogs and, yes, Old Gold. All the coffee beans come from Sample's St Peters roastery, and are put to the test using the cafe's gold-wrapped La Marzocco KB90 espresso machine that sits smack bang in the middle of the industrial-style space. It's brewing a selection of single origin black brews and a house-blend dubbed 'Sweet Tooth' for all your flat whites. Keeping within the history of the building, the cafe has been filled with brass trimmings, dark timber and curved lines, matching with the pre-existing exposed brick walls and concrete floors. Fittings come from many of Sample's St Peters neighbours, like a ten-seat custom table from Jonathan West, plant pots from Inartisan, and dry flowers from florists The Wilds and Sweet Pea & Honey Bee. Local suppliers are keeping the kitchen well stocked, too, with fresh produce coming from The Vege Box, Leichhardt patisserie Penny Fours whipping up the croissants and bakers ThoroughBread supplying sourdough baguettes and bagels. The former owner of Camperdown's Little Lord cafe, Graeme Alexander, is responsible for the menu, which is heavy on plant-based dishes for breakfast and lunch. There are two types of bruschetta on the short list: one with shaved zucchini, lemon ricotta and fresh dill; and the other starring a spiced beetroot purée with caper ricotta and shaved, cured egg yolk. Other tempting treats include a a three-cheese toastie, sour cherry bagel, mortadella and bocconcini sandwich, broccolini salad and a gluten-free fig, orange and almond toast slathered with lemon-honey butter. For a drink without the caffeine, there are a few herbal teas from Lidcombe specialists Tea Craft, some specialty sodas (triple orange, ginger or passionfruit) and single origin hot chocolates from Aussie chocolate producers. Old Gold is now open 7am–3.30pm Monday–Friday at 1 Dangar Street, Chippendale. Images: Old Gold/Sample Coffee
Earlier this year, Rushcutters Bay's much-loved Acme closed its doors. Thankfully (for us), though, chef and co-owner Mitch Orr is heading back to another Sydney kitchen very soon. In a couple of months, he's opening a restaurant in Bondi — dubbed Ciccia Bella — with Maurice Terzini and the Icebergs team. In the meantime, he's cooking up super-affordable snacks at the group's Surry Hills restaurant, The Dolphin. From 5–7pm, Monday to Thursday until August 22, Orr will be whipping up tasty bites (and testing out dishes for the new restaurant) in the Wine Room — all for just $5–7 a pop. Initially, Orr was only meant to be sticking around until August 8, but, because Sydney really loves its Prince of Pasta, his residency was extended by another two weeks. While the snacks will change weekly, this week's menu includes artichoke with smoked mayo ($5), salt and vinegar onion rings ($5), vitello bonito ($7) and pasta and beans ($7). To pair with this, there'll be daily drink specials, too, including $5 glasses of prosecco, $7 wines and a $7 spritz. When Orr's reign is over, the happy hour(s) will continue with a new menu and guest appearances from star chefs from around the country. Delfino Aperitivo runs from Sunday–Thursday 5–7pm. Images: Elise Hassey Updated August 22
The rising threat of robots is not simply the stuff of science fiction. Curated by Luke Letourneau, this Firstdraft show looks to be more Terminator than Ted Talk when it comes to technology. It’s all about mess — natural and artificial. That means loose wires and pastel-coloured goop. Sprawled out in the gallery space will be work from four artists, each looking at a different relationship between humans and technology. Tully Arnot will be working with the idea of “uncanny residue”, while Josh Harle focuses on bringing out the performative aspects of technology. Louise Zhang is pushing back against order and rationality. Her work will explore notions of leakage — that frequently unwanted excess that can be both squeamish and satisfying. And finally, Jason Phu will be using inanimate objects to channel and satirise the worst bits of human nature. Part of another monthly showcase of emerging artists, this group show will be running alongside Still Life, I’m New Here and The Surrounding Lines. If this exhibition (or the title alone) piques your interest, venture down to Woolloomooloo for the opening party on July 1.
It's been a staple of the LGBTQIA+ community in Sydney and a bustling nightlife spot for decades. It even features in The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. It's The Imperial Erskinville and now it has new owners. The storied pub has officially been sold, with Universal Hotels taking the reins. Universal Hotels is owned and operated by the Kospetas family. The group's footprint on Sydney's hospitality scene is significant, with venues like Newtown Hotel, Universal, Oxford Hotel, Civic Hotel, Hotel Downing, Bat and Ball Hotel, The Riley, Tempe Hotel and V Bar all falling under the group's portfolio. "The opportunity to transact on the Imperial was one in which we believed had great synergy with our group of venues. We have a strong connection with the LGBTQIA+ community and are very excited about the next chapter for the venue," said Universal Hotels in a statement to Concrete Playground. "To begin we will take some time to build relationships with the staff and community. We are attracted to the strong legacy of The Imperial and will endeavour to continually improve and evolve the venue." Since the group took over the venue, things have remained business as usual — so don't expect any radical changes to the beloved community venue. You can still pop into The Imperial for sweaty dance floors and singalongs on weekends, live drag Wednesday–Sunday, trivia on Wednesdays, bingo on Thursdays or for a feed at one of its dining rooms including Priscilla's and Carlotta's Rooftop. The Erskineville mainstay last closed in 2018 for a $6 million makeover. After an eight-month revamp it reopened with its current slate of dining and entertainment offerings including its vibrant new rooftop bar and basement party area. You'll find The Imperial Erskineville at 35 Erskineville Road, Erskineville. It's open 4pm–12am Wednesday–Thursday, 4pm–3am Friday, 12pm–4am Saturday and 12pm–12am Sunday.
Move over frozen boozy beverages — Sydney's latest alcohol trend involves pouring your own drinks from a tap. First Surry Hills' The Winery welcomed free-flowing prosecco from an antique-looking stone faucet, and now Bea at Barangaroo House is serving up martinis in tabletop fountains. Marking the Australian launch of Grey Goose's La Fontaine, which debuted in the UK in late 2019, the martini fountains hold up to six martinis, sit in front of eager drinkers and let you dispense as you like. In the interests of responsible drinking and the applicable liquor laws, Bea is only making them available to groups — so round up at least three of your closest pals and get pouring. 'Why get someone else to twist a tap when you can do it yourself?' is the basic idea, and while it's a gimmicky one, the shiny stainless steel and glass fountains do look rather fetching. They measure 30 centimetres tall, and were initially inspired by vintage absinthe dispensers, as Grey Goose's North American Vice President Martin de Dreuille told art magazine Whitewall. While La Fontaine is only on Bea's menu as part of Barangaroo House's first birthday celebrations, and will only be available until Sunday, March 31 as a result, it does come for the highly affordable price of $18 per person. Multiple flavours are on offer, with the venue slinging classic and espresso martinis, as well as one variety dubbed 'Dean Martin's Flame of Love' across the season. The Grey Goose La Fontaine Martini Fountain costs $18 per person for groups of four-to-ten people, and is available until Sunday, March 31. Bookings are essential and can be made through the website. CORRECTION: FEBRUARY 28, 2019 — The original article incorrectly stated that the Grey Goose La Fontaine Martini was available for groups of two–six, but it is only available for groups of four–ten.
Lottie, a buzzy new rooftop Mexican-leaning restaurant and mezcaleria, is set to open in early 2025 at The EVE. It will be the second venue at the luxury boutique stay created by hospitality mavens Liquid & Larder, the dining group behind top Sydney haunts Bistecca, The Gidley and The Rover, and the hotel's exclusive food and beverage partner. Located next to the leafy rooftop pool, Lottie is a lush urban oasis designed by George Livissianis with landscaping by Daniel Baffsky. The striking decor blends textured terracotta terrazzo, pink travertine, plush banquettes and colourful planting to create a lush retreat worthy of a tropical resort, despite being just a stone's throw from the CBD. The 107-seat dining terrace includes an eye-catching marble bar (with 27 seats for walk-ins), an open kitchen and a semi-private dining area for up to 28 guests. Overlooking the suburban streets of Surry Hills and Redfern, this al fresco dining space also features a retractable roof for year-round dining, rain or shine. On the plate, Lottie offers a fusion of culinary finesse with the rustic charm of Mexican street food, including house-made tortillas prepared on an imported tortilla press, alongside more refined main dishes and stellar signature cocktails. Executive Chef Pip Pratt and Group Bars Manager Ben Ingall have crafted a menu with dishes reaching gourmet heights far beyond those of your local high-street burrito joint. Expect delicate flavours like raw scallop with celery and apple, prawn aguachile, and a murray cod pibil baked in banana leaves. There are also some intriguing riffs on international dishes with a Mexican tilt, such as a classic beef tartare prepared as a tostada with sea urchin and a dry-aged beef chop served with burnt pepper and salsa picante. Behind the bar, the drinks menu, curated by Sommelier Kyle Poole, spotlights a rare selection of agave spirits, including tequilas, mezcal, sotol and raicilla. Guests can also enjoy seasonal cocktails and, unsurprisingly, three styles of margarita, perfect for a refreshing sip and dip by the pool or a sundowner before dinner, complemented by a thoughtfully curated wine list. Liquid & Larder co-founder, James Bradey, said of The EVE's new rooftop diner: "With only a small number of elevated Mexican restaurants in Australia, we have taken on the task of creating something exceptional at Lottie. Having recently spent time in Los Angeles, we were inspired by how LA approaches Mexican cuisine in a modern way and realised it was time to champion a cuisine that is commonly misrepresented in Australia. "We are excited to show Sydney what contemporary Mexican looks like to us in an unparalleled setting where you can escape the world below, soak up the heady scent of white copal mayan incense floating through the breeze, and transport yourself to where you'd rather be." Lottie opens at The EVE on Saturday, January 20 2025. Visit the Lottie website to make a booking.
If this is the food that transforms you into 'fat boy' (Fei Jai), then I'm willing to take the risk. Fei Jai, run by a relative of Flower Drum's Lau family, is all cosy Cantonese comfort food in chic Potts Point surrounds. Dark, moody and tiny, with not a plastic table in sight, Fei Jai is a little more sophisticated than the average Cantonese in Chinatown, and a little less spicy than the likes of Spice Temple. Cantonese is a welcome addition to Potts Point, and Fei Jai is attracting the hungry locals who frequent neighboring Fratelli Paradiso and Zinc, but fancy something a little more spicy and a lot more comforting. The friendly staff are a hip and professional bunch, handing out steaming dumplings and Cantonese treats, and passing out fresh plates faster than you can drop your chopsticks. When you want everything on the starters page, sharing is a good option: Seafood San Choi Bau, Prawn and Scallop Dim Sim and Char Sui Pancakes with Finely Sliced Pork are all a great success. If the staff offer you a special of Eggplant with Crab and Egg White, do yourself a favour and listen up. It's the dish of the night: silky, clean and moreish. Eggplant will never be the same. Singapore Chilli Prawns come a close second, and our plates finish up wiped clean. There's inevitably a little bit of Fei Jai in everyone by the end of a meal here. [nggallery id=76]
UPDATE, August 3, 2020: Mary Poppins Returns is available to stream via Disney+, Google Play, YouTube and iTunes. Floating in on the wind with her umbrella in hand, Mary Poppins is back — in a most delightful way. More than half a century since the magical nanny made the leap from page to screen, this lively, loving sequel explores a notion that's already fuelled seven books. Directed by Rob Marshall (Into the Woods) and scripted by David Magee (Life of Pi), Mary Poppins Returns asks: what if the seemingly prim-and-proper governess worked her wonders on the Banks children once more? The answer both does and doesn't play out as expected. Imaginative songs, animated flights of fantasy and a friendly labourer all feature, as does the Banks house on Cherry Tree Lane. Kids learning life lessons and to embrace their creativity are part and parcel of the film as well, and so is the warmest of moods. But, letting time pass in the story as it has in real life, Mary Poppins Returns introduces adult versions of the tykes that Poppins once cared for. They need her help yet again, and so does the next generation snapping at their heels. Struggling to make ends meet during the Great Depression, widower Michael Banks (Ben Whishaw) is about to lose the family home. He's behind in the mortgage and, despite working for the bank as his late father did before him, the financial institution's president (Colin Firth) won't offer an extension. Michael's only option is to find proof that he own shares, with his sister Jane (Emily Mortimer) and his children Anabel (Pixie Davies), John (Nathanael Saleh) and Georgie (Joel Dawson) all doing their part in the search. Enter Poppins (Emily Blunt), as radiant and no-nonsense as ever – except when she's the source of the nonsense. If that idea seems like a conundrum, the nanny explains the predicament herself in one of the movie's catchy musical numbers. Reviving not only a long-beloved character, but one engrained in the youth of multiple generations, is far from an easy task. Thank the heavens that Poppins descends from for Blunt. Fresh from putting in a powerhouse performance in the virtually dialogue-free horror flick A Quiet Place, she charms and captivates stepping into Julie Andrews' shoes. Always entrancing, it's the kind of singing and dancing showcase that audiences mightn't have realised that the English actor could deliver. Whether she's schooling and being silly with the Banks poppets, or leading them into adventures with kindly lamplighter Jack (Lin-Manuel Miranda) by her side, Blunt fits the part perfectly. More than that — she practically perfects the film's infectious air of fun in every way. While a spoonful of sugar isn't needed to make the movie go down a treat, it comes in the form of Marshall's love and care. The filmmaker's output can be hit and miss, with Chicago falling into the first category and Into the Woods the second, but Mary Poppins Returns is a winning effort. There's a juggling act at the picture's core, as the movie endeavours to pay homage to its popular predecessor without becoming a mere rehash. In a playful and well-judged manner, Marshall finds the necessary balance. His film deploys elements of the original — reflecting, reshaping, inverting, referencing — and yet it flies high as a kite on much more than nostalgia. Among the few elements that don't soar, nothing threatens to send the picture tumbling. The slight story feels like it could be whisked away by a breeze, but it's aided by the frequent diversions into song and dance. Rarely at her best in music-heavy scenarios (as the Mamma Mia! movies have shown), Meryl Streep is forgettable as the magical nanny's cousin, however her part is brief. And even when the film falters momentarily, Mary Poppins Returns has quite the distraction up its sleeves. From the eye-catching costuming to the colourful sets to the gorgeous animation, the movie serves up a visual wonderland. First Paddington, then Winnie the Pooh and now Mary Poppins, British treasures just keep coming back to the screen. But when they're this enjoyable, they're more than welcome. We're sure Poppins herself would approve of that sentiment. Among her many life lessons: realising when to relish what's in front of you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMe7hUb3TpI
2023 is set to be a great year for art lovers, especially if you're a fan of Frida Kahlo. In Sydney from January, a multi-sensory installation will let visitors immerse themselves in Kahlo's works; however, that's not the only way to bask in the Mexican artist's creative glories. Come winter, the Art Gallery of South Australia will also pay tribute to the iconic figure, her well-known spouse Diego Rivera and the entire Mexican modernism movement. Frida & Diego: Love & Revolution will headline AGSA's 2023 program alongside another enormous and just-as-impressive exhibition: the already-announced Andy Warhol & Photography: A Social Media. That's three of the biggest names in 20th-century art, all gracing the Adelaide venue's walls and halls in the space of a few months, with the Mexican modernism exhibition running from Saturday, June 24–Sunday, September 17. [caption id="attachment_879279" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Frida Kahlo, born Mexico City 1907, died Mexico City 1954, Self-Portrait with Monkeys, 1943, oil on canvas, 81.5 x 63 cm; The Jacques and Natasha Gelman Collection of Mexican Modernism, © Banco de México Rivera Kahlo Museums Trust/ARS. Copyright Agency, 2022[/caption] Visitors will be able to see more than 150 works during Frida & Diego: Love & Revolution, spanning everything from paintings and photographs to works on paper and period clothing, as drawn from the Jacques and Natasha Gelman Collection. Two key aims: examining why Kahlo's work, and Kahlo herself, holds such enduring appeal; and placing Kahlo and Rivera's art in context with their contemporaries. "Each generation brings a new lens through which to view the phenomenon that is Frida Kahlo. A 21st-century muse, Kahlo is today revered as a feminist and as a singular political and creative force. Frida & Diego: Love & Revolution speaks to the influence and ingenuity of art practice in Mexico and aims to recontextualise the foremost presence of Kahlo within our society today," said AGSA Director Rhana Devenport ONZM, announcing the exhibition. [caption id="attachment_879280" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Diego Rivera, born Guanajuanto, Mexico 1886, died Mexico City 1957, Sunflowers, 1943, oil on canvas, 90 x 130 cm; The Jacques and Natasha Gelman Collection of Mexican Modernism, © Banco de México Rivera Kahlo Museums Trust/ARS. Copyright Agency, 2022.[/caption] "Frida & Diego: Love & Revolution is the most comprehensive exhibition of Mexican Modernism ever seen in Australia, from the unrivalled collection of Jacques and Natasha Gelman. Close friends of Kahlo and Rivera, the Gelmans were pioneering collectors who formed an outstanding collection of works representing Mexican modernism," explains Tansy Curtin, AGSA's Curator of International Art, Pre-1980s. [caption id="attachment_879281" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Martin Munkacsi, born Kolozsvar, Hungary (now Romania) 1896, died New York 1963, Frida and Diego, 1934, gelatin silver photograph, 35.6 x 27.9 cm; The Jacques and Natasha Gelman Collection of Mexican Modernism.[/caption] Accordingly, while Kahlo, Rivera, and their art, connection, politics and influence all sit at the centre of this wide-ranging showcase, it'll also highlight pieces by Manuel and Lola Álvarez Bravo, Miguel Covarrubias, María Izquierdo, Carlos Mérida, David Alfaro Siqueiros and more. Focusing on the first half of the 20th century, this an Australian-exclusive exhibition, too — meaning that you'll have to go to Adelaide to see it — as well as most comprehensive exhibition of Mexican modernism that the country has ever seen, as Curtin calls out. [caption id="attachment_879282" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nickolas Muray, born Szeged, Hungary 1892, died New York 1965, Frida with Red "Rebozo", 1939, Carbro print, 25 x 20.3 cm; The Jacques and Natasha Gelman Collection of Mexican Modernism, © Nickolas Muray Photo Archives.[/caption] AGSA announced Frida & Diego: Love & Revolution as part of its full 2023 slate, which also includes the first-ever survey exhibition of Western Aranda artist Vincent Namatjira, which'll open in October during the venue's contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art celebration Tarnanthi Festival — and then tour to the National Gallery of Australia in 2024. There's also the return of the Tarnanthi Art Fair and the $100,000 Ramsay Art Prize, the latter for artists under 40; ceramics exhibition Milton Moon: Crafting Modernism; Misty Mountain, Shining Moon, highlighting Japanese landscapes in art from the 16th century onwards; and Surrender & Catch: The Art of Brent Harris, focusing on the Aotearoa-born Australian artist. [caption id="attachment_879270" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Top image: Diego on my Mind, Frida Kahlo, born Mexico City 1907, died Mexico City 1954, 1943, oil on Masonite, 76 x 61 cm; The Jacques and Natasha Gelman Collection of Mexican Modernism, © Banco de México Rivera Kahlo Museums Trust/ARS. Copyright Agency, 2022.[/caption] Frida & Diego: Love & Revolution will display at the Art Gallery of South Australia from Saturday, June 24–Sunday, September 17, 2023. For more information or to buy tickets, head to the AGSA website. Top image: excerpt of Diego on my Mind, Frida Kahlo, born Mexico City 1907, died Mexico City 1954, 1943, oil on Masonite, 76 x 61 cm; The Jacques and Natasha Gelman Collection of Mexican Modernism, © Banco de México Rivera Kahlo Museums Trust/ARS. Copyright Agency, 2022.
It's about to get a whole lot harder for any New South Wales driver to get away with using their mobile phone while driving — and it's thanks to a world-first move by the NSW Government, which is adopting speed camera-style technology to detect the illegal behaviour. After trialling the high-definition cameras during October — and spying more than 11,000 drivers using their phones, according to the ABC — the government has announced that a further test will take place from January. If proven foolproof, the technology will be implemented on a permanent basis. As first reported earlier this year, the legislation giving the tech the go-ahead was passed in NSW parliament back in May. And while the technology didn't actually exist at the time, the government put the call-out to companies who were interested in providing the technology. Three outfits took part in the first trial, with Australian company Acusensus selected for the January test run. Acusensus' cameras, which use artificial intelligence, will be placed on the M4 and Anzac Parade. They can operate in all conditions — day and night, and regardless of the weather — to detect folks using their phones while they're behind the wheel. It's hoped that using the cameras will have a huge positive impact on the number of road fatalities, much like when breath testing was introduced back in 1982 and slashed fatal accidents by almost 50 percent. While most drivers will probably see this as a cash grab, fines won't be issued during the January trial. If the cameras come into effect permanently afterwards, fully licensed drivers will be looking at a $330 fine and four demerit points if caught; however NSW Minister for Roads Melinda Pavey told The Sydney Morning Herald that money raised from the camera fines will go back into a Community Road Safety Fund. Via the ABC.
This Sutherland cafe is proof that great specialty coffee exists outside of central Sydney. They source and roast their own coffee, and every two weeks or so they'll introduce different single origins. The crew — affectionately called 'the bruz' by regulars — are well-versed in coffee thanks to owner and former Grand Barista Champion Dom Majdandzic, and are happy give you tips on how to home brew or help you with tasting notes. Since being established by Dom and Matty Sprem, White Horse Coffee have amassed an almost cult-like following in The Shire — and it's easy to see why.
Come April, the eyes of the sporting world will turn towards the Gold Coast, with the Queensland city hosting the 2018 Commonwealth Games. That's great news if you're a fan of athletes and nations vying for glory — and, while it might not initially seem like it, it's great news for arts and culture lovers too. As well as the expected competitive endeavours, the event will also feature a huge multi-arts festival, called Festival 2018. Festival 2018 mightn't boast the most exciting name, but it does promise a plethora of exciting programming across 12 days. Taking place from April 4 to 15, the fest will join forces with the existing Bleach* Festival to deliver a lineup of art, music, theatre, dance and more spanning from from Coomera to Coolangatta. Satellite events will also be held across the state. The first artists announced include Kate Miller-Heidke, The Jungle Giants and Mau Power, who'll all feature on the Queensland Music Stage. It'll feature free concerts held in Broadbeach, while Miller-Heidke and Power will also play in Cairns, and Power in Brisbane. The rest of the bill will be announced with the full program in February. As for what else is in store across the festival, given Bleach*'s annual array of shows, gigs, exhibitions, experiences and more, expect plenty of just that. More than 20 new works will feature, including a number of world premieres. That means audiences will have another reason to head to the Goldie — or, something else to do between watching the Games. "Bleach* at Festival 2018 is our most ambitious, thought-provoking program to date," explains artistic director Louise Bezzina. It will pay "tribute to local legends past and present in a spectacular showcase of what, and who, makes the Gold Coast such a special part of the world," she continues. Festival 2018 takes place from April 4 to 15 across the Gold Coast and other parts of Queensland. Keep an eye on the festival website for further details. Image: Bleach* Festival
Some say good things come in small packages, which is true of both Tuckerbox and the range of grab-and-go bites it sells. The tiny cafe opened in Paddington in October 2019 and is a go-to for locals — like CP reader @isyrouslstone, who recommended it to us — for its range of takeaway salads, sandwiches and hot meals, which are prepared daily in an off-site commercial kitchen. Pair your feed with a coffee — a Mecca roast is the bean of choice — or a cold-pressed juice from nearby Simon Says Juice. [caption id="attachment_798468" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cassandra Hannagan[/caption] Images: Cassandra Hannagan
You've seen the films, or at least some of them. You know that a whole lot of celebrities worked their famous magic to help get Andrea Riseborough a still-deserved Best Actress nomination. You've heard Austin Butler use his Elvis accent long after the movie wrapped. And you have thoughts — oh-so-many thoughts — about Top Gun: Maverick's beach scene. Whatever applies to you from that above list, that's how prepared you now are for Hollywood's night of nights — because today, Monday, March 13 Down Under, the 95th Oscars are here. Before evening hits, a heap of upcoming movies will be redoing their trailers to include the words "Academy Award-winner" next to their stars or director. Oh, and a bunch of talented folks will get the biggest cinema-industry recognition there is for one of their recent gigs. Your job for a few hours: watching, enjoying the film world's version of whichever sporting event takes your fancy and, if you're partial to a beverage or several, taking part in our Oscars drinking game. Depending on how you feel about the Academy Awards, it'll make a glorious celebration better or an overlong stint of back-patting bearable. Always drink responsibly, of course. If you're keen on perusing the nominees list, checking out who will and should win, and finding out where you can watch this year's nominees in Australia and New Zealand, we've put all of that together for you as well. A SMALL SIP: DRINK LIKE YOU'LL BE FEELING THE NEED FOR SPEED TOMORROW A winner gets played off. Austin Butler busts out his Elvis accent. Someone mentions Chris Rock, Will Smith and/or 2022's incident. We're all told that Tom Cruise or Top Gun: Maverick saved cinema. The words "need for speed" are mentioned. The Brenaissance gets a shoutout. Rihanna rubs her baby bump. Someone mentions nepo babies. Jamie Lee Curtis calls herself a nepo baby. Steven Spielberg gets a standing ovation. Someone mentions the multiverse. The words "movie magic" or "magic of the movies" get a mention. Babylon and jazz are mentioned in the same breath. Someone uses their speech — or presenting gig — to angle for their next job. A BIG GULP: DRINK LIKE YOUR BEST FRIEND WON'T TALK TO YOU ANYMORE Jimmy Kimmel pretends to go to sleep like he did at the 2022 Emmys. Someone comments that they forgot that Colin Farrell is Irish. The audience giggles when My Year of Dicks' name is read out among the Best Animated Short nominees. Jimmy Kimmel feuds with Matt Damon. Cate Blanchett tears into awards season. You hear an Australian or New Zealand accent. Paul Mescal leaves someone speechless because he's Paul Mescal. Andrea Riseborough brings one of the celebrities who campaigned for her nomination as her date. Pedro Pascal presents an award with Nicolas Cage. Meryl Streep wins without being nominated. Triangle of Sadness gets compared to Titanic. Someone makes up a new category. A FEW MOUTHFULS: DRINK LIKE YOU'RE CRUISING ON A LUXURY YACHT Someone reads out the wrong winner. Nicole Kidman forgets how to clap again. If you leap up out of your chair at home during the performance of 'Naatu Naatu'. Pedro Pascal presents an award with Grogu. The Daniels announce that their Swiss Army Man star Daniel Radcliffe is joining their directing team as the third Daniel. Triangle of Sadness filmmaker Ruben Östlund brings his two Palme d'Ors. David Byrne wears an oversized suit. Lady Gaga shows up in costume as Harley Quinn. James Cameron calls himself the king of the world again. Whenever there's a donkey. There's a cocaine bear. AS MUCH AS YOU LIKE: DRINK LIKE IT'S JAZZ-AGE HOLLYWOOD An Australian or New Zealander wins an Oscar. Australian Elvis cinematographer Mandy Walker makes history as the first-ever woman to win Best Cinematography. During Ke Huy Quan's Best Supporting Actor speech for Everything Everywhere All At Once. The Academy's terrible track record with nominating female filmmakers is called out — or this year's lack of women in the Best Director category. Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway read out the wrong winner. Top Gun: Maverick's beach scene is recreated live. Chris Rock presents an award. Will Smith turns up despite his ten-year ban after 2022's ceremony. Chris Rock and Will Smith take to the stage together. We get through the entire ceremony without anyone mentioning Chris Rock, Will Smith or 2022's incident. Tommy Wiseau shows up. The 95th Academy Awards take place on Monday, March 13, Australian and New Zealand time.
The Australian premiere of A Return to the Trees from Strings Attached features innovative aerial choreography in an exploration of a fantasy apocalyptic world. Performed in, on, and around a digitally transformed 8 metre steel structure, the live physical movement and dance expresses a need to investigate the looming future of the human race. The video projections alter and warp the performers' surroundings to establish a dream-like stage. Strings Attached questions the "psychological transformations that society may experience as a consequence of overpopulation, technological advancement and climate change" in this stunning show. https://youtube.com/watch?v=yrVJHPBQ2nU
