The technological advancement of the moment continues to creep closer and closer to reality. Perth followed the self-driving path of the US last year with its trial of Australia's first driverless bus and Adelaide began trials of its own electric airport shuttles earlier this year. Not to mention ride share companies Lyft and Uber duelling it out to be the first to launch self-driving cabs on the road. Now, Sydney is getting on board, with the NSW Government green lighting legislation for a two-year trial of driverless shuttles at Sydney Olympic Park — and it's happening imminently, with the trial expected to begin later this month. As in Perth and Adelaide, the vehicle will look like a small shuttle. During the trial period, it will only travel 10km/hour, though the shuttle is capable of hitting a (still cruisy) 50km/hour. The first phase will take place on a closed-off road, so it won't be until later phases that you'll actually get to take it for a spin. Once the shuttle is moved to a public section of the park, it will carry workers along the main streets, taking them to and from the carpark. A product of HMI technologies, the vehicle has an external GPS system which assists with coordination and accuracy. The track will be pre-programmed, but, in the case of something going wrong, the shuttle also has an emergency break. This trial will also allow for the development of infrastructure systems, including the shuttle's connection to traffic lights and even to customers' personal devices. If this all sounds a bit like the start to every movie where the machines take over, we hear you. So many sci-fi movies are closer to truth than we ever imagined possible. A simultaneous cool and creepy thought. On a brighter note, according to ABC, it is estimated that up to 94 percent of crashes on roads are caused by human error. Since humans suck at driving so much, there's a good chance driverless cars will actually improve road safety in Australia — until the artificial intelligence decides otherwise, of course. Via ABC.
UPDATE, APRIL 4: Due to concerns around the coronavirus, Disney has announced that The French Dispatch will no longer release on its initially scheduled date of Thursday, August 13, 2020, with the film now hitting cinemas on October 15, 2020. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website. An offbeat storyline. Mesmerisingly symmetrical frames. A cast that includes Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton, Owen Wilson, Saoirse Ronan, Willem Dafoe, Jason Schwartzman, Edward Norton, Bob Balaban and Anjelica Houston. Yep, it must be a new Wes Anderson film — and, based on its just-dropped first trailer, The French Dispatch looks like Wes Anderson at his most Wes Anderson-esque yet. The premise: in the fictional French town of Ennui-sur-Blasé sometime in the mid-20th century, Arthur Howitzer Jr. (Murray) has turned a series of travelogue columns into a weekly American magazine. A supplement to the Liberty, Kansas Evening Sun, The French Dispatch resembles The New Yorker, is staffed by top expatriate journalists, and covers life in France, world politics, high and low art, and diverse stories of human interest. As for the film that shares its name, it focuses on three tales printed in the publication's pages. Cue 'The Concrete Masterpiece', with Benicio del Toro as incarcerated artist Moses Rosenthaler — who paints portraits of his prison guard (Léa Seydoux) and tries to fend off the interests of an art dealer (Adrien Brody). Next comes 'Revisions to a Manifesto', featuring Timothée Chalamet and Lyna Khoudri as student revolutionaries, as well as Frances McDormand as a journalist. And, there's also 'The Private Dining Room of the Police Commissioner', about a big kidnapping, plus a chef (Stephen Park) known for "the mode of cuisine known as police cooking". A framing story also steps inside the inner workings of the magazine itself, and the publication of a special issue, complete with writers played by Swinton, Wilson, Elisabeth Moss, Jeffrey Wright, Fisher Stevens, Griffin Dunne and Wally Wolodarsky. The cast list isn't done just yet, with Christoph Waltz, Liev Schreiber, Henry Winkler, Rupert Friend, Cecile de France, Matthew Almaric, Lois Smith and The Grand Budapest Hotel's lobby boy Tony Revolori all popping up. Obviously, as has proven the case in every Anderson film from Bottle Rocket and Rushmore to Isle of Dogs, every frame looks like it belongs on a wall — or in Anderson's own recent museum exhibition. Check out the trailer for The French Dispatch below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcPk2p0Zaw4 After being delayed from its original release date of August 13, 2020, The French Dispatch will now open in Australian cinemas on October 15, 2020.
Sydney is world renowned for its beauty, which can be easy to overlook when you live and commute in the city every day. And, our city skyline also makes for the perfect backdrop for a gorgeous burnt-orange Australian sunset. So, why not combine the two and enjoy the simple pleasures of seeing out the day with good company, great food and free flowing cocktails? We've partnered with Captain Cook Cruises to bring you a reminder of some of the places in Sydney where you can enjoy stunning sunset views with a decent drink in hand.
Swapping sketch comedy for horror movies has turned out pretty well for Jordan Peele so far. When the Key & Peele star made his first leap behind the camera, Oscar-winner Get Out was the excellent and unnerving end result — and the comedian turned writer/director isn't done terrifying cinema audiences just yet. To add a fright or two to your festive season, the first trailer for Peele's second directorial effort has arrived. If you scare easily, consider yourself warned. In Us, the filmmaker follows a family (Lupita Nyong'o, Winston Duke, Evan Alex and Shahadi Wright-Joseph) holidaying by the beach with friends (Elisabeth Moss and Tim Heidecker), which all sounds very normal. Then things go awry, in a flick that promises to make you feel just as uneasy about your own reflection as you felt about stirring cups of tea after Get Out. In preparation for her role, Peele tasked Nyong'o with watching a heap of classic horror movies — films such as The Shining, The Babadook, It Follows, The Birds, Funny Games, Martyrs, Let the Right One In, The Sixth Sense, Dead Again and A Tale of Two Sisters, Nyong'o told EW. If that list of creepy flicks doesn't give you an idea of what's in store in Us, then the suitably unsettling trailer will. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNCmb-4oXJA Us releases in Australian cinemas on March 14, 2019.
SXSW is taking over Sydney between Sunday, October 15–Sunday, October 22. It's the first time that the world-renowned music, film, tech and gaming conference has left the US — and it has a jam-packed eight-day program in store. Included on the lineup is a slate of over 700 speakers, who will be appearing on talks and panels during the festival's massive conference. You can browse the full schedule at the SXSW Sydney website, but it's pretty overwhelming with plenty of not-to-be-missed sessions popping up each and every day. In order to help you plan out your fest, we've compiled our picks for the cream of the crop — ten absolute must-catch conference sessions at SXSW Sydney 2023. Our recommendations include looks at Australia's arts and culinary scenes, big-name creatives sitting down for exclusive chats, and even a panel that we've pulled together ourselves pondering the future of journalism and digital learning. APPETITE FOR DISTRACTION: YOUTH, INFORMATION AND THE DIGITAL AGE Gone are the days of "I read an article about". Gone are even the days of "actually, I just saw the headline". We're now well and truly in the age of "I watched a TikTok". The way that we absorb information is constantly changing, and right now video is ruling — especially among gen z and millennials. Concrete Playground's very own SXSW Sydney panel is looking at just this, pulling together a group of video-first creatives to discuss how young people are consuming info in the digital age. The panel will feature Pedestrian.TV's Issy Phillips to discuss news and journalism in the era of short-form video; astrophysicist and scientific communicator Kirsten Banks to chat about the role of TikTok, Reels and YouTube in sparking people's love in all things space; and Concrete Playground's very own Ben Hansen to talk about how we're searching for recommendations and deciding how to fill our calendar in 2023. Catch Appetite for Distraction: Youth Information and the Digital Age at 2pm on Wednesday, October 18 at Room E3.9, ICC Sydney. [caption id="attachment_917272" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anthony Quintano via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF HIP HOP FEATURING CHANCE THE RAPPER "As we celebrate 50 years of hip hop in 2023, I'm reminded of the transformative power this culture has had, not just on the world stage, but on the streets of Chicago's South Side," said Chance The Rapper, announcing his SXSW Sydney appearance. The three-time Grammy winner is appearing on the event's lineup to discuss the global impact of the genre five decades after DJ Kool Herc first isolated percussion breaks, then repeated them — and made history. "Chance The Rapper is renowned for both his chart topping and community advocacy. There's few out there like him, who take what they've made and use it to build the dreams of others," noted SXSW Sydney Managing Director Colin Daniels. The conversation should be top of the must-see list for all hip hop heads and music lovers in general. It also stands as the marquee session in a program full of hip hop — including other panels like Hip Hop How a Generation Is Changing the World, films like OneFour: Against All Odds, and boundary-pushing sets from rappers Redveil, Barkaa, Zion Garcia and Flyanna Boss. Catch 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop ft. Chance the Rapper at 1pm on Thursday, October 19 — check the website for venue details. [caption id="attachment_856346" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dan Boud[/caption] THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY — MICHAEL CASSEL AM AND KIP WILLIAMS IN CONVERSATION After selling out multiple Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland runs, and before it hits the UK's West End with an iteration starring Succession's Sarah Snook, Sydney Theatre Company's The Picture of Dorian Gray is being dissected at SXSW Sydney. Premiering in Sydney in 2020, this take on the tale uses video and theatre to get its star playing 26 characters. In the Australian runs, Eryn Jean Norvill has done the honours, and brilliantly, with Snook following in the actor's footsteps abroad. Renowned producer Michael Cassel AM will sit down with Sydney Theatre Company's Artistic Director Kip Williams to discuss the imaginative, groundbreaking and thought-provoking stage show. Developed right here in Australia by a local creative team during the pandemic, the The Picture of Dorian Gray is a real success story for Australia's arts scene — and this is your chance to take a look under the hood and hear what's next for the production. Catch The Picture of Dorian Gray — Michael Cassel AM and Kip Williams at 4pm on Tuesday, October 17 — check the website for venue details. [caption id="attachment_820444" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nine Perfect Strangers, Vince Valitutti/Hulu[/caption] A SPOTLIGHT ON BLOSSOM FILMS In a late addition to the SXSW Sydney program, Australian icon Nicole Kidman is joining the event. Adding one of the nation's most famous acting names at home and in America to perhaps the biggest tech, innovation, screen, music, games and culture festival that Australia has ever seen is fitting. 2023 marks 40 years since Kidman starred in BMX Bandits, but that's not why she'll be taking to the SXSW Sydney stage as part of its massive speaker lineup. Instead, she'll be chatting with her producing partner Per Saari about her production company Blossom Films. On its resume: the Nickers-starring Big Little Lies, Nine Perfect Strangers, The Undoing and Rabbit Hole, as well as this year's Elizabeth Olsen (Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness)-led Love & Death. Catch A Spotlight on Blossom Films on at 11am on Thursday, October 19 — check the website for venue details. DERRICK GEE — HOW TO TALK MUSIC (ON THE INTERNET) You may have come across the soothing tones of Derrick Gee's voice on your TikTok or Instagram feeds chatting about Erika De Casier, audio equipment or the international influence of yacht rock. If you haven't, this is your sign to get lost in his videos right now. Gee will be hitting the SXSW Sydney stage to discuss the wonders of discussing music on the world wide web. Sometimes music feels like this indescribable thing, but other times genres feel like they've been talked to death; however, Gee has a distinct way of finding the story and the humanity in the music he chats about. This is a must-see session whether you're a band or promoter looking to change up how you communicate your music online, a lover of all things sound or just like Derrick Gee's videos. Catch Derrick Gee — How to Talk Music (On the Internet) at 11.30am on Friday, October 20 at The Guthrie Theatre, UTS Building 6. INDIGENOUS COLLABORATION: MAKING FILMS THAT HEAL Māoriland Film Festival, the world's largest Indigenous film festival, joins the SXSW Sydney lineup in conjunction with UNESCO Wellington City of Film with a panel featuring award-winning talent from across the film industry. The focus: discussing Indigenous collaboration, plus creating films that facilitate change, and help the audience and the filmmakers heal. On the panel: writer and director Chantelle Murray (My Name is Mudju, Elvis, Thor: Love and Thunder); Chelsea Winstanley (Jojo Rabbit, What We Do in the Shadows, Moana Reo Māori, Talk to Me), the first Indigenous woman to be nominated for the Best Picture Oscar; Māoriland Film Festival Director and producer Libby Hakaraia; and independent film and television producer, director, writer and presenter Tainui Stephens. Catch Indigenous Collaboration: Making Films That Heal at 3.30pm on Monday, October 16 at Cinema Theatre, UTS Building 6. BETTER THAN YESTERDAY WITH OSHER GÜNSBERG TV personality and author Osher Günsberg is bringing two live episodes of his podcast Better Than Yesterday to SXSW Sydney. The man of many talents — including the host of Australian Idol and The Bachelor, creator of the satirical news parody NTNNNN: Night Time News Network Nightly News and narrator of Bondi Rescue — will take to the stage for two long-form interviews about how we can work towards a brighter tomorrow. The first, on Wednesday, October 18, will be with psychotherapist and holistic counsellor Diane Young. Günsberg and Young will discuss the ramifications of addiction — however, they'll do so with the hope of creating a constructive conversation that will leave the audience feeling "better than yesterday". The following day, Günsberg will sit down with activist, politician and Midnight Oil frontman Peter Garrett. The conversation will traverse Garrett's storied career and also see the musician announce a brand new musical project. Catch Better Than Yesterday with Osher Günsberg at 10am on Wednesday, October 18 and 10am on Thursday, October 19 — check the website for venue details. [caption id="attachment_917939" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Netflix[/caption] CHARLIE BROOKER IN CONVERSATION If you're a bit wary of technology's ever-growing influence in humanity's daily lives — be it artificial intelligence, streaming algorithms, social media, drones, augmented reality or online dating, to name just a few examples — then Charlie Brooker and Black Mirror might be one of the reasons. Since 2011, they've been spinning dystopian nightmares about what might happen as tech evolves. In plenty of cases, they've been satirising and interrogating innovations we use today, and what their next step might be. Yes, that makes Brooker the perfect speaker to get chatting at SXSW Sydney. "Black Mirror consistently leads the cultural conversation on what we face in the now or may confront in our future, offering a chance for reflection and change. Charlie embodies what attendees can expect from SXSW Sydney: creativity and innovation," says SXSW Sydney Managing Director Colin Daniels. Catch Charlie Brooker in Conversation at 1pm on Wednesday, October 18 — check the website for venue details. [caption id="attachment_759108" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Alana Dimou[/caption] WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF CHINATOWN? Sydney's Chinatown finds itself in an interesting situation. In some ways, it's continuing to thrive, with the streets packed every Friday night and a fleet of new venues arriving post-lockdown. At the same time, urban sprawl, the cost of living and changing migration patterns have seen the city's Asian diaspora move out to the suburbs more and more. Moderated by Soul of Chinatown's Eddie Ma, this panel will break down where Chinatown is now and what's to come for the bustling inner-city district. The roster of experts joining Ma includes acclaimed chef and Chinatown resident Dan Hong (Mr Wong, Ms. G's, MuMu), property developer and Chinatown advocate Brad Chan, and award-winning architect Qianyi Lim. Catch What Is The Future of Chinatown? at 10am on Wednesday, October 18 at Theatrette, Powerhouse Museum. HORROR & AUDIENCE: WHY WE LOVE TO BE TERRIFIED Whether you love them, hate them or love to hate them, people flock to horror movies — and thanks to studios like A24 and an exciting batch of homegrown horror filmmakers, the genre is having a real moment right now. This panel features four leading voices in horror movies, discussing why they find the genre enthralling, the art of horror storytelling and where the spookiest of films are heading. Daley Pearson leads the lineup of speakers, bringing experience from his eclectic career to the stage, including executive producing Bluey, creating the concept for Danny and Michael Philippou's Talk to Me and playing Thor's roommate Darryl on Team Thor and Team Daryl. Joining Pearson will be Wyrmwood director Kiah Roache-Turner, filmmaker Natalie Erika James (Relic) and Causeway Films producer Samantha Jennings (Talk to Me, You Won't Be Alone, Of An Age). Catch Horror & Audience: Why We Love to Be Terrified at 2pm on Thursday, October 19 at Cinema Theatre, UTS Building 6. SXSW Sydney runs from Sunday, October 15–Sunday, October 22 at various Sydney venues. Head to the SXSW Sydney website for further details. Top image: Brittany Hallberg.
Another stalwart pub in The Rocks has been given a new lease on life. The Orient Hotel has recently reopened after a three-month renovation, which has taken the venue back to its heritage roots. The public bar and sandstone courtyard have both been restored and there's a renewed focus on live music, with bands on seven days a week. The corner pub's reopening is a welcome addition to The Rocks' nightlife, with the all-day offering available from morning until late daily allowing for some legit late-night gigs. The heritage building was built in 1844 and boasts a multifaceted history as a Chinese laundry, a butchery and, most notably, a shipping company called Orient Line who docked its boats in Sydney Cove, just in front of the hotel. It's now owned by Ryans Hotels, the group that also runs CBD venues the Paragon Hotel, the Ship Inn and Taylor's Rooftop. Expanding on the hotel's refurbished offering is a new cocktail terrace Mrs Jones, which is named after Jane Jones, the Orient's 1897 licensee who was a well-known publican in the area. It officially launches this Thursday, May 17. The space has its own concealed entrance on Kendall Lane and the terrace lounge overlooks the Orient's interior courtyard and the laneways below. Designer Kate Formosa has drawn on the hotel's maritime roots with a replica Orient Line boat model, blue-and-white woven chairs and timber floorboards, all while giving the terrace a greenhouse feel with a lush garden fit-out and sliding glass panel walls. Ex-Merivale drinks-maker Tommy Donnison is heading up the bar and has curated a sizeable cocktail menu with heaps of classics, plus signatures including the Fizzy Jones (gin, green apple liqueur, Baileys and lime juice soda) and the Purple Haze (vodka, blackcurrant and cacao liqueurs, vanilla syrup, blueberries and egg white). For eats, chef Brad Copeland (ex-Est., MG Garage, Bistrode) has created a menu for both venues that aims to showcase Australian produce and focuses on share plates — ideal for nibbling on with cocktail in hand. Think slow-cooked lamb croquettes with truffle honey, panko-crumbed prawns with garlic mayo and peking duck spring rolls, along with your requisite charcuterie platters. For larger dishes, sous vide Queensland kangaroo rump and crispy pork belly accompany pub classic schnittys, parmas and burgers.
If breakfast is the most important meal of the day and dinner is the tastiest, where does that leave lunch? Working the daily grind often leaves the midday meal as an afterthought. That great life hack of meal prepping is specifically conceived so you don't have to think about what to have for lunch each day — after all, we make enough decisions on a daily basis that one less choice can have a near meditative effect. But if lunch is an afterthought, there are ways to make sure it becomes a highlight of your day. We've teamed up with Yumi's to compile a list of seven easy lunch hacks that will make you look forward to lunch every day. [caption id="attachment_816218" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mae Mu (Unsplash)[/caption] KEEP YOUR OWN LOAF OF BREAD IN YOUR DESK — AND BRING YOUR OWN SANDWICH FILLINGS There's a reason that the humble sandwich has long been the perfect office lunch for a busy worker with little time to spare. Not only can you hold it in one hand, but it's easy to make, super transportable, and, more importantly, the possibilities are endless — from choice of bread to choice of fillings. You could have a sandwich five days a week and have a different meal every day. Perhaps, though, its greatest strength is also its biggest downfall. How many times have you pre-made a delicious sandwich only to unwrap it at lunchtime and be greeted with a disintegrating, soggy mess? The solution is more simple than you think. Buy a loaf of bread, keep it in your desk and bring in your fillings. You could do this every day or prep it properly, bring in your week's worth of fillings each Monday and stack your sarnie when the lunchtime hunger hits. It's simple, fresh and won't leave you with more mess than meal. STORE YUMI'S DIPS AND VEGGIE BITES AT WORK Getting snacky while working in an office (or 'studio' or 'base' or whatever terminology you choose to use), is hardly an uncommon occurrence. In fact, one of the great joys of parking yourself in a chair all day is — and we speak from experience here — the quick hit of joy that a cheeky snack can provide. We like to keep it classy with crudités, crackers and dip. And with over 20 varieties of dip on offer, Yumi's covers the full gamut of snacktime cravings. We love the creamy avo with sea salt, while the sweet potato and roasted cashew is also a winner. They're versatile, too — you can use them as an alternative spread for that fresh sandwich you've got in your meal plan. If you feel like biting into something, Yumi's veggie bites are a quick easy snack hack. The great range of flavours jazz up just about any savoury plate (not to mention the otherwise sad salad you were probably going to tolerate for lunch). Just pop them in the microwave for 30 seconds and you're good to go. They come in resealable bags, too, making storage — and freshness — a cinch. [caption id="attachment_816227" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Karolina Kolodziejczak (Unsplash)[/caption] BRING YOUR OWN PLATES This might seem a bit extra, but hear us out. Long lunches seem to be a thing of the past — the desk lunch, sadly, is often our only respite from the storm of work. Even if you do go to the effort of taking your lunch out of the Tupperware (or the container you had it delivered in), it's not exactly inspiring when you're staring down at the same crockery every day. A simple solution? Bring in your own. You probably already have your own mug, so it's really just the next step in making your work day that little bit more personal. [caption id="attachment_816238" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nielsen Ramon (Unsplash)[/caption] ORGANISE A LUNCH SWAP WITH COLLEAGUES Be honest with yourself: how many times have you had the same thing for lunch five days in a row? That Sunday meal prep is a time- and money-saver, sure, but it doesn't actually offer much in the way of variety. Mix it up with an office lunch swap. The benefits of such an arrangement are many and varied — you can connect with your colleagues on a whole new level (that, hopefully, doesn't involve either party exchanging passive-aggressive emails), potentially save yourself time (and money), but, more importantly, it will spare you from eating the same thing day in, day out. If you're looking for a lunchtime shake-up, this could be just the fix you need. [caption id="attachment_816251" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Maddi Bazzocco (Unsplash)[/caption] ADD SOME CRUNCH TO YOUR LUNCH So you've gone for the desk salad. But it doesn't need to be sad — even if it has been sitting in the fridge all day. Spruce up that bowl by adding a bit of crunch. Chopped nuts, grains, and dukkah are go-to additions for when we want to top up a bowl, adding a bit of texture to what could otherwise be a bit of a floppy bore. Nuts and grains also have a number of nutrition benefits, so it's a great way to make that healthy lunch work even harder for your body. Another hot tip: keep a pack of Yumi's Falafels or Veggie Bites on hand, and throw a few in your bowl to take your salad to the next level. [caption id="attachment_816254" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tetiana Bykovets (Unsplash)[/caption] MAKE A MEAL OF IT — AND HAVE A SQUARE OR TWO OF DARK CHOCOLATE FOR DESSERT We all know that a meal isn't really a meal unless you have dessert. But you don't have to forego the experience just because you're having lunch in the office. The benefits of dark chocolate have been long proven: it's packed with antioxidants, fibre, minerals, and can improve blood flow to the brain as it contains stimulants like caffeine and theobromine. It's not only a great way to end your lunch on a sweet note but it will ensure that you power through the afternoon. [caption id="attachment_816256" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Priscilla du Preez (Unsplash)[/caption] ACTUALLY MAKE TIME FOR A LUNCH BREAK, AWAY FROM YOUR DESK (AND WORK) We're all so busy these days. Busyness is almost like a badge of honour or an ongoing game of oneupmanship that borders on masochism. But we should never be too busy to look after ourselves. Leaving that report to the afternoon isn't going to make that much of a difference in the scheme of things, no matter what the artificial stress of work life tells us. Stepping away from your desk — even just for 15 minutes — has even been shown to improve productivity thanks to the energy and focus recharge that a lunch break can provide, and can also boost your creativity. You'll also be less inclined to have that regular afternoon slump that even the most seemingly untouchable are prone to. No time for the full lunch break? Even a stroll around the block is a great way to get the blood flowing, which will have you ready to tackle that afternoon to-do list. For more healthy lunch hacks, check out the full range of Yumi's falafels, veggie bites and dips.
Stay tuned. More info coming soon.
UPDATE: MAY 13, 2020 — Carbón is reopening for dine-in service from Friday, May 15. It's taking bookings of up to ten people per 1.5-hour sitting, available from 5pm, 6.45pm and 8.50pm. On Saturdays and Sundays, it's also offering bottomless tacos and margaritas for $79 per person, with sittings at 12pm, 1.45pm and 3.30pm. To book, call (02) 9365 6092, email info@carbonmexican.com.au or direct message via Instagram. It is currently offering Mexican food and cocktails for pick up or delivery, too. You can order online here. The owners of cosy Mexican joint Taqiza have expanded their Bondi offering. They've taken over the old Rum Diaries space along Bondi Road and have opened Carbón — a new hacienda-inspired Mexican restaurant that focuses on all things woodfired. Chefs and owners Pablo Galindo Vargas and Liber Osorio know a thing or two about Mexican cooking, having been born and raised in Mexico City. "At Carbón, we wanted to rescue the indigenous culinary elements of our backgrounds, going back to our roots to create a menu full of flavours, colours and textures while maintaining the integrity and sustainability of the produce," says Vargas. The venue complements Bondi's laid-back vibes with a beachy fitout that is meant to be reminiscent of a Caribbean hacienda. While Taqiza is an intimate venue, Carbón boasts a large open space with a full kitchen that centres around their brand new, woodfire grill — which is fitting considering the restaurant's name translates to 'charcoal' in Spanish. The dishes pay homage to traditional Latin American parrilla (barbecuing) techniques, with the open charcoal fire used for cooking tortillas, heating underground ovens and boiling soups or sauces. Carbón also focuses on fresh produce that can be enriched with the use of charcoal. The interactive share menu centres on make-your-own tacos, with options including Hampshire suckling pig with achiote adobo and Seville oranges, as well as roasted lamb shoulder with chipotle citrus yoghurt. Regular specials will be on offer, too, like the charcoal sealed tuna sashimi with finger lime, tiger's milk (aka citrusy ceviche marinade), sweet potato chips and salmon caviar. At the bar, the drinks menu is — unsurprisingly — focused on tequila and mezcal. Cocktails like the Bondi Sunset (mezcal, elderflower liquor, lime juice and mandarin) and the Oaxacan Pink Lad (mezcal, brandy, lemon juice, agave syrup and aquafaba) are just the start.
The days are getting longer, after-work swims are back, frangipanis scent the air, and we've officially completed the switch to iced drinks only. That can only mean one thing: summer has arrived. Like clockwork, MILKLAB's Summer Sensations program is back for another year to help us kick our coffee ruts aside with a season-defining new drop of drinks. Each year, the number one plant-based barista milk brand officiates the start of summer with a curated lineup of summer-approved drinks. Each drink has been developed with specialty coffee roasters Golden Brown Coffee to be equal parts delicious and aesthetic. If 2024 was the year of strawberry matcha and adding sparkling water to espressos, yuzu, and cold brew, what's in store for summer 2025? We asked MILKLAB for a sneaky first look at this summer's trending drinks, from matcha to coffee and beyond. Glazed Doughnut Iced Latte Hailey Bieber may have made us temporarily think of skincare when we think of glazed doughnuts, but this summer, that's about to change. Why? Because we're set to see the Glazed Doughnut Latte pop up on cafe menus everywhere and become your new summer sweet treat. Think espresso, white chocolate, and caramel shaken over ice until frothy and served alongside MILKLAB Macadamia on a hot summer's commute. If you've ever wanted to turn a doughnut into a drink, this is absolutely for you. Mango Matcha If matcha has become a part of your daily routine — and your entire personality — you will be thrilled to see the Mango Matcha popping up everywhere this year. Yes, it's time to bid farewell to the 2025 zeitgeist's favourite drink, the humble strawberry matcha. Just like your beloved iced matcha, this one comes with a hefty dose of everyone's favourite summer fruit, mango. Perfectly whisked matcha poured over ice, the right balance of MILKLAB Oat, vanilla, and a punchy layer of mango purée make this drink the perfect way to welcome summer. Who knows, you might even like it better than the strawberry version. Ube Matcha Ube has taken the drinks world by storm in Asia, and now it's Australia's turn. If you haven't seen it on menus yet here, prepare for its total takeover of cafes this year. The bright purple drinks are made with ube, a technicolour sweet potato native to the Philippines that has a nutty, earthy vanilla-like flavour. The ugly-on-the-outside and purple-on-the-inside vegetable is boiled down and turned into a delicious syrup, perfect for drinks. Think of it like one of nature's prettiest and tastiest sweeteners. This summer, find it adding a purple punch to your regular matcha — perfect if you're not a fan of overly sweet drinks. Almond Iced Pistachio Latte Pistachios have had one of the biggest years on record, soaring in popularity and becoming an ingredient in just about everything. Now that summer has arrived, you can expect to see it added to coffees. Different from the in-your-face flavour profile of Dubai chocolate, here you'll find the pistachio (and white chocolate syrup) whisked vigorously and dissolved into your espresso shot, meaning each sip tastes of the delicious ingredient we all can't get enough of. Then, it's topped with MILKLAB Almond and garnished with crushed pistachios and pistachio spread. Coconut Mango Frappe Just because you don't drink coffee doesn't mean you should miss out on having an ice-cold drink at a cafe this summer. Frappes are back in a big way this year, so prepare to see them on cafe menus across the country, and even bars for the sober-curious among us. Think of the Coconut Mango Frappe as the piña colada's daytime equivalent, but with mango. Mango, MILKLAB Coconut, coconut cream, ice and sugar syrup are blended up and served topped with shredded coconut and a lime wedge. Best enjoyed from a glass dripping with condensation when the mercury rises. Find your new summer obsession in store at your favourite cafe now, or head to MILKLAB's website for more inspiration.
Hanging out at the beach, then grabbing a beer: it's one of life's simple pleasures. Even Australian surfing legends such as Mick Fanning agree — so much so, that the three-time world champ is opening his own brewery on the Gold Coast. If you're keen on knocking back a beverage with a wave-riding pedigree, Balter Brewing Company is the name to look out for. The boutique operation is already making their first batches of XPA, ready to hit local bars in March before their grand opening in April. Plus, Fanning will apparently be jumping behind the bar to pull a few. Given that Fanning only recently announced that he'd be taking a (truly deserved) year off, it sounds like he has quite the solid plan for his spare time. He's not the only famous surfing name switching seawater for amber ales, however. Joining the quest for the kind of endless summer you can probably only have on the Gold Coast, fellow pros Joel Parkinson, Bede Durbidge and Josh Kerr are also among Balter's shareholders. Balter Brewing Company will open in Currumbin on the Gold Coast in April. For more information, keep an eye on their website, Facebook page and Twitter feed.
For the past seven years, enormous boring machines and scores of construction workers have been busy beneath Sydney's streets, laying the more than 15 kilometres of track connecting Sydenham in the city's southwest and Chatswood north of the harbour. Transport for NSW is now ready to reveal the fruits of these labours, when the new cross-city Metro extension welcomes its first passengers from Sunday, August 4, 2024. The final phases of testing and regulatory approval are now nearing completion ensuring that when it opens, the City and Southwest line of the Metro will be able to handle the estimated 37,000 daily passengers during the AM rush hour. The new line will shuttle commuters from one end of the line to the other in just 22 minutes and will shorten journeys between Sydney Central and Martin Place to four minutes. When stations open on August 4, 45 metro trains will run 445 new services every day, with trains set to arrive at stations every four minutes at peak times. In addition to new platforms at existing stations like Martin Place and Sydney Central, six new stations — Crows Nest, Victoria Cross (North Sydney), Barangaroo, Martin Place, Gadigal (located between Pitt and Castlereagh streets) and Waterloo — will offer commuters even greater access to the Metro extension. Innovations including cutting-edge surveillance technology, both inside trains and at stations, as well as uninterrupted network coverage across the line, will keep passengers safe and connected. A whopping 900 new secure parking spots for cyclers will also encourage Metro users to reach stations by bike, reducing car congestion and promoting more eco-conscious travel. The City and Southwest line's opening date of August 4 is still subject to final clearance, but barring any major unforeseen issues during the final weeks of testing, this date should remain unchanged. Once the new line is up and running, the next phase of Sydney's mammoth Metro project will commence, with the T3 Bankstown line set to close for a full year so new track can be laid to connect Sydenham with the city's west. "Excitement is mounting for when commuters will be able to step on board 445 new metro services deep below the city every day," NSW's Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said. "Metro will be the fastest way to travel in and around Sydney CBD and north of the city, including across the harbour when passenger services on the [City and Southwest] Line start next month." The City and Southwest Line of the Sydney Metro is scheduled to open from Sunday, August 4, 2024. Visit the Sydney Metro website for more details.
It was once known as the Glittering Mile — Sydney's dazzling nightlife heartland and red light district where finding a good (if somewhat sleazy) time was always guaranteed. But since its heydays in the 70s, 80s and 90s, much has changed in Kings Cross. The introduction of NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell's lockout laws in 2014 had a profound impact, leading to the closure of ten late-night venues along Darlinghurst and Bayswater Roads. Despite this legislation being repealed in 2021, Kings Cross has struggled to reclaim its former glory as Sydney's go-to destination for a big night out. That could soon change, however, thanks to a recent influx of hospitality and nightlife ventures aiming to revive the dormant hedonism that was once such an essential part of Kings Cross' identity. [caption id="attachment_973045" align="alignnone" width="1920"] (L-R) Designer Mike Delany with David and Amy Spanton[/caption] David and Amy Spanton have been at the forefront of this revival with their trio of venues. Each is a time capsule, preserving a shade of the area's rich hospitality legacy. Piccolo Bar, an icon of The Cross for more than six decades, almost joined the list of businesses destroyed by the lockouts, until the Spantons stepped in to rescue the beloved hole-in-the-wall, reimagining it as an aperitivo bar in 2021. They also rescued Cafe Hernandez, which had been serving freshly roasted coffee 24/7 for fifty years before closing in 2022. The Spantons reimagined it as the vermouth bar Vermuteria the following year. Their latest venture, The Hook on Bayswater Road, is a tribute to the Bayswater Brasserie, once renowned as "the hottest cocktail bar and restaurant in Australia" during its peak in the 90s and 00s, according to David Spanton. Located just 50 meters from The Bayz's former site, The Hook is one of three significant new arrivals on this storied street, echoing the vibrant Kings Cross of old. These include Mirage KX, a collaboration between queer party collective House of Mince and hospo heavyweight Maurice Terzini of Bondi Icebergs, which much like Terzini's wildly popular Potts Point pop-up Snack Kitchen, is making use of a disused building awaiting redevelopment. Risqué cabaret was once one of Kings Cross' signature entertainments at venues like the ahead-of-its-time drag revue bar Les Girls and the infamous Carousel Club. Mirage KX is showcasing its own unique take on the dinner-and-a-show cabaret concept, with avant-garde performances, a joyously subversive edge and top-notch service. House of Mince creator Peter Shopovski notes that reviving this form of entertainment in The Cross is a way to reconnect with the vivid history that once defined this area. "Kings Cross has always been a hub of creativity, diversity, and bold expression. Restoring that essence feels like honoring its legacy—celebrating the past while infusing it with new energy to ensure the spirit of Kings Cross continues to thrive and inspire," he explains. Another Bayswater Road icon set for a rebirth is Hugos Lounge. The six-time winner of Australia's best nightclub became one of the most prominent casualties of the lockouts when it was forced to shutter in 2015 after takings dropped by 60 percent due to the crushing restrictions imposed on trading hours. Just shy of a decade on, the man behind top Sydney fine diners Parlar, Franca and Armorica, Andrew Becher, is preparing to welcome punters back to the old Hugos digs when he opens Pelicano restaurant and nightclub in October. Becher's ambition for Pelicano reaches beyond merely repairing Kings Cross' standing with locals. "The double hit of the lockout laws and then COVID has disrupted the nightlife economy for an entire generation of young Sydneysiders. This has a massive impact on Sydney's standing with tourists and visitors. We love this city, and we want to see it compete with the likes of London, New York and Paris where both day and night have a vibrancy and a culture to them — most people in their 20s today don't know a Sydney that truly champions its nightlife," he shares. "It's not a surprise that those who cherish their memories of Sydney and long for that vibrant energy are the ones spearheading its revival." [caption id="attachment_535967" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Hugos Lounge[/caption] New arrivals to the area's dining scene are likewise taking their cues from yesteryear, such as Arms Length, a day-to-night bar and restaurant which took over the same Kellett Street address as the now-closed Dean's Lounge in early September. As an homage to its predecessor, the famous late-night jaffles that were an ever-popular staple of Dean's remain on the menu. Nick and Kirk Mathews-Bowden, the hospitality power couple behind Ezra and the dearly departed Raja, which closed in May, have made their own singular contribution to the retro renaissance with Teddy, a playfully kitsch neighbourhood diner serving elevated riffs on old-school classics. [caption id="attachment_971718" align="alignnone" width="1920"] (L-R) Kirk and Nick Mathews-Bowden[/caption] For Nick Mathews-Bowden, looking back for inspiration is about celebrating the best qualities of that history, while leaving the less desirable aspects of the past behind. "There have been so many eras and iterations of Kings Cross over the past 70 years, but there was certainly a time when there was a lot of vibrancy and excitement and Bohemian culture here. There was also lots of crime and danger — it was far from perfect. But it was full of life and that's what we love about what we're seeing in the area right now — that life is coming back." Top image: Dean Tirkot
A few years ago an idiotic politician declared that Sydney simply didn't want small bars like Melbourne's, where people could quietly read a book while drinking a glass of chardonnay in a black skivvy. That comment has been proven false again and again, and now Sydney is graced by establishments like Love, Tilly Devine, the perfect small bar to sit and read a book over some chardonnay. In a skivvy, if you want. The people at Love, Tilly Devine are excited. They're excited about their wine, about the future of their neighbourhood, and about their food. The name of the bar is an ode to East Sydney's past and a tribute to an obscure 1930s brothel madam who performed acts of local charity. The bar is tucked away in a Darlinghurst alley, with open windows and exposed brick walls and cosy to the point that I spotted one waiter go outside into the street and refill somebody's glass through the window. Don't come to Love, Tilly Devine if you want to get drunk. There are other places to do that. This is a place you can bring a date and drink quality, not quantity. This is a wine lover's bar for people who are willing and able to spend their money on it. The staff are happy to help out if you feel a bit befuddled by the seemingly limitless selection (the wine list currently sits at just under 300 varieties), and with the perfect seasonal food to go with it. Prices come per bottle, so it's tricky if you just want a glass; the cheapest glass of wine from the Riesling list, for example, is $16. But while it might be on the dear side, Love, Tilly Devine is a welcome addition to Sydney's thriving small bar scene. Image: Nikki To. Updated Tuesday, March 21 2023. Appears in: The Best Bars in Sydney
For half a century, no trip to the Sunshine Coast has been complete without visiting a 16-metre-high pineapple. In 1983, even Princess Diana and the then-Prince Charles went there, as throngs of tourists have before and since. Stop by now and you'll still see a giant piece of tropical fruit, but one that's had a revamp, with the Queensland big thing officially reopening after undergoing renovations. Plenty of changes have been floated for The Big Pineapple and its 165-hectare site over the years, with a craft brewery, water park, and places to stay via an RV park, an eco resort and a hotel all among the ideas under the attraction's master plan. For now, however, owner Peter Kendall and his company CMC Property have focused on repairing and restoring the main highlight itself, as well giving the location's train the same treatment. The Big Pineapple has also scored a new cafe, new viewing platform and new children's playground. If the towering sight looks extra shiny — and ready to gleam in the obligatory snaps that everyone takes while they're in its presence — that's thanks to sandblasting, repairs and marine paint by the hundreds of litres. To get a good glimpse, that's where the new viewing platform comes in. Dating back to the 50s, the train now has a similar sheen after a restoration process, including to its carriages and track. "We are awaiting some final certification for the train and hope to start public train rides soon, providing rides across the property including access to Wildlife HQ," said Kendall, also mentioning the zoo with 200-plus species of animals that's been onsite since 2014. Stopping by The Big Pineapple hasn't just been about its fibreglass namesake for some time, given that TreeTop Challenge Sunshine Coast and its high-ropes courses and ziplines also calls it home. So does coconut foods producer COYO, as well as Sunshine & Sons distillery. Come October, The Big Pineapple Festival — the locale's music festival — will return for the first time since 2021. The fest started in 2013, then ran annually surrounded by pineapple fields until its present three-year break. Getting a ticket isn't just about seeing live tunes in the location's natural amphitheatres in such close proximity to The Big Pineapple, but also pitching a tent at event's 4000-person campground. [caption id="attachment_944026" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Big Pineapple, Alpha via Flickr[/caption] "The Big Pineapple is undoubtedly the most-recognisable tourism icon of the Sunshine Coast and so I am very proud of the team's work to restore the pineapple to its original glory," said Kendall. "This is just the first stage of the regeneration project. Our number-one priority was to reopen the main pineapple structure and cafe, and to get the train running again." "Our next priority is to complete the renovations to the inside of the pineapple structure itself and we hope to reopen it for tours later on." [caption id="attachment_698027" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Anne and David via Flickr[/caption] Find The Big Pineapple at 76 Nambour Connection Road, Woombye, Queensland — open 8.30am–4pm daily. For more information, visit the attraction's website.
The Love Tilly Group has been championing small bars for years now via the tiny Love, Tilly Devine, which is hidden in a Darlinghurst back street; the CBD's Ragazzi, a haven for pasta and wine; and Redfern's Spanish vermouth and snack bar La Salut. The accomplished hospitality crew has won over Harbour City hearts with its intimate and singular venues— including several spots on our lists of Sydney's best bars and restaurants. But, the group has outgrown the cosy settings of its previous ventures with its most ambitious space yet: the 120-seat Palazzo Salato on Clarence Street. This inner-city spot for all things pasta and wine is located in the heritage-listed former Redoak Boutique Beer Cafe building and pulls inspiration from New York's Gramercy Tavern and the trattorias of Rome. Food-wise, handmade pasta is at the core of the menu, as also proved the case with previous Love Tilly openings like Ragazzi and Fabbrica. Potato-stuffed scarpinocc, spanner crab mafaldine, and bottarga and egg yolk spaghetti alla chitarra each grace the menu alongside other less carb-focused highlights like blue-eye trevalla with pipis, flat-iron steak topped with salato butter, and raw black and white garlic tri-tip. An impressive 600-bottle wine list has been curated to complement the classic Ragazzi-style pasta menu, pulling together drops from across the world. Expect a wide span of varieties and blends, ranging from the expected through to vintage 60s and 70s amari, plus rare Italian wines, with 30-plus drops available by the glass at any one time. Inside, the heritage-listed space has been transformed with brass pendants, leather banquettes and luxe velvet backrests. Framed artwork and silk prints add a burst of colour, while the branding featuring otherworldly characters injects a playful touch to the restaurant. The team has worked with an all-star team of designers and tastemakers to bring Palazzo Salato's lavish interior to life with illuminated signs, ceramic tiles, wine maps guiding you through what you're drinking and a Louis Wayling mural at the bar. All of this combines into the logical next step for the award-winning venue group as it continues to expand without losing its charm. Images: Nikki To. Appears in: The Best Italian Restaurants in Sydney for 2023
Where would we be without the portmanteau? The world may not miss Brangelina, but we would certainly be far worse off without glamping. Camping's not for everyone. Some of us have every intention of immersing ourselves in nature, breathing the sea air and setting up a temporary home away from home for the weekend. But the thought of camp stretchers, unidentifiable crawly things and eating tinned peaches can dampen a jolly holiday pretty damn quickly. Glamping effortlessly fuses the fun of camping with the glamorous creature comforts of hotel stays, like a refrigerator stocked with champers or the aesthetic refinement of looking like a giant book. Check out the best places to go glamping in NSW (within a few hours' drive of Sydney). All the hard work is done for you at each of these sites. Recommended reads: The Best Glamping Sites in Australia The Best Hotels in Sydney The Best Beach Camping Sites in NSW The Best Luxury Stays Near Sydney [caption id="attachment_852431" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] SIERRA ESCAPE, MUDGEE Sierra Escape — the luxe glamping retreat in Mudgee — is located 260 kilometres northwest of Sydney. The 280-acre property boasts spectacular views and is home to wildlife, including kangaroos, deer and various native birds. So yeah, basically, it's paradise. The Carinya tent — if you can even call something this opulent a tent — includes floor-to-ceiling windows, large indoor and outdoor freestanding bathtubs and a firepit area. It's insulated for all seasons, and there's even a deck out front where you can kick back and watch the sunset from one of the best places to go glamping in NSW. PAPERBARK CAMP, JERVIS BAY One word: ridiculous. Paperbark Camp is the ultimate in fine camping, located just a three-hour drive south of Sydney. Think food, wine and paradisiac natural surrounds with the pristine waters of Jervis Bay at your toes. The idea for this glamping site near Sydney was initially conceived during a trip to Africa — sitting elevated on timber decks and lit by a soft solar-powered glow, these intimate luxury safari-style tents boast wrap-around verandahs for an immersive bush experience without the creepy-crawlies. The food is fresh and local, including fish caught in the bay, mushrooms from Mittagong and wines predominantly from New South Wales vineyards. Paperbark's tents feature queen or king beds, tea-making facilities and en suite bathrooms — including some with free-standing baths. It's no wonder why it also made our list of the best glamping sites in Australia. TANJA LAGOON CAMP Stay in a safari tent, minus the lions. Instead, you'll find kangaroos, koalas and sooty owls surrounding you. This super-secluded parcel of private land in the middle of a lagoon-tipped national park is a real haven, with only four tents on the property. Tanja Lagoon's tents aren't the kind that are going to packed up any time soon; each comes with an ensuite bathroom, handcrafted queen-size bed, sofa/daybed, writing desk, kitchen, barbecue and, if you go the deluxe option, a bathtub to fit two. The NSW glamping tents sit on their own expansive decks made of locally sourced timber, most of it milled nearby, since Tanja Lagoon Camp is an eco-orientated operation. If reading on your daybed isn't activity enough, there's canoeing, swimming, mountain biking, wine tasting and gallery-going to be done. [caption id="attachment_852400" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] BUBBLETENT, CAPERTREE Overlooking the scenic Capertree Valley 200 kilometres northwest of Sydney, these low-impact campsites provide a secluded night under the stars with all the comforts of a luxury NSW glamping experience. The clear walls of the bubbletent provide you with uninterrupted views of the night's sky and the expansive Capertree Valley canyon from your bed while protecting you from the elements or any of the area's critters. These off-grid glamping sites near Sydney look over the world's second biggest canyon and one of Australia's best bird-watching areas. Each bubbletent is fitted out with everything you need for a relaxing weekend away including electric blankets, a fire pit, a cheese board and a telescope for marvelling at your surroundings. All you need to bring is yourself, your dinner and your favourite bottle of vino to sip at sunset. ROAR AND SNORE, TARONGA ZOO If waking up to the call of an elephant is not your 5am cup of tea, you better sit out on Roar and Snore at Taronga Zoo. Otherwise? It's an unmissable Sydney experience if you don't have the cash for an actual Sahara night safari. Snuggled on the Mosman headland, the Taronga Zoo safari tents — super comfortable and fully set up — are perched atop the country's most famous zoo (with the stunning Sydney Harbour views the giraffes enjoy daily). A buffet dinner and a personal night tour by a zookeeper make this one helluva NSW glamping experience with a difference. Just don't get too close to the snakes before bedtime unless you enjoy python-filled dreams. MARRAMARRA LODGE, HAWKESBURY RIVER This ultra-luxe glamping site near Sydney is set within the picturesque Marramarra National Park, right on the Hawkesbury River. Arrive in style, by boat from Mooney Mooney or Brooklyn, before setting yourselves up in one of the large open-plan safari tents. Each of the Marramarra Lodge tents boasts a king-sized bed, large riverstone-clad bathroom, aircon, all your linen and towels, a fully stocked mini bar, and tea- and coffee-making facilities. You can even get room service delivered. But the best feature has got to be the private timber deck that offers up uninterrupted views across this stunning spot that's just an hour out of Sydney. COCKATOO ISLAND Crisp white linen. Happening island bar. Antipasto and woodfired pizzas. Need we say more? Sleep in splendour under the industrial cranes of Cockatoo Island in a stunning waterfront location smack bang in the middle of Sydney Harbour. it is easily one of the best glamping sites in Sydney. Creature comforts roam free on the island — a large camping kitchen, multiple BBQ areas, your own fridge, microwave and a boiling water system. While you can bring along your own tent if you're a seasoned camper, the glamping packages can include a pre-erected Safari Bow tent, two camping beds with mattresses, all bedding, towels, sun lounges, an esky and a lantern. Just bring your BBQ tongs, cutlery, plates and excessive sunset snacks. MAYFIELD GARDEN, OBERON Oberon's Mayfield Garden boasts a luxurious eco-friendly camping retreat in one of the world's largest privately-owned cool climate gardens. Located three hours west of Sydney's CBD, this NSW glamping spot is seriously impressive, overflowing with acres of vibrant flowers and towering trees. In the gardens, you'll find expansive green spaces filled with bridges, paths, sculptures, stonework and vibrant flora, an English-inspired maze, a croquet court, a family chapel, interactive games and rowboats to take out on the lake. The Mayfield Restaurant offers a seasonal modern Australian menu based around produce grown on sight. Campers will be treated to a complimentary dinner at the restaurant, plus breakfast delivered to their tent, and can add a lavish sunrise or sunset picnic to their experience. Top images: Sierra Escape courtesy of Destination NSW and Cameron D'Arcy
Wedged between Bridge Street and the heritage-lined laneway of Underwood Street, on the ground floor of an otherwise unassuming office tower, Ette is the kind of place you could easily miss — but you definitely shouldn't. The sleek CBD dining room brings a new perspective to Sydney's dining scene, thanks to a 'fast fine dining' model that provides finesse without the fuss — and a tight menu of hearty, produce-driven mains all priced at $39. Pairing the precision of fine dining with the pace and price point of a weeknight drop-in, Ette's menu revolves around ingredients sourced directly and daily from trusted local suppliers, ensuring the kitchen has the day's best produce at its disposal. These ingredients are showcased in its inventive snackEttes: small share plates all priced at $9.50 and designed to hit the table within five minutes. You might find the likes of pork crackling paired with a spiced apple dipping sauce, a seaweed cracker cone loaded with tuna tartare, Calabrian chill and whipped avo, or baked scallop with nduja, avocado and pineapple. Those after something larger can take their pick from the Steak, Land, Sea and Grain menu. These hearty dishes are all priced at $39, with current highlights including the yuzu beurre blanc-topped fish of the day, wild mushroom linguine finished with black truffle, marsala and pecorino, and coq au vin jazzed up with pancetta and shimeji mushrooms. Whether you go for small or large dishes, you can whet your appetite with complimentary house-made focaccia and olive oil served on arrival. The dining room itself is just as flexible. With opening hours of 11.30am–2am, the venue has been designed to easily transition from a restaurant by day to a buzzy bar by night and a fully equipped event space on weekends. On one side of the sleek, mood-lit space is a theatrical open kitchen helmed by Adam Grimsley (ex-Icebergs, Jacksons on George, two-Michelin-starred Oxford restaurant Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons), whose modern European training and love of local produce meet over a Scheer adjustable lava rock grill — the centrepiece of the kitchen and the key to Ette's clean, fire-backed flavours. The other side of the space is home to an equally considered bar, with house infusions and creative twists in tipples like the seasonal sorbet-topped Sgroppino Affair or the South by Southwest, a rob roy and negroni love child featuring Woodford Reserve and Laphroaig. A standout feature is the restaurant's climate-controlled wine room that's maintained at 16 degrees celsius and equipped with internal fridges, ensuring wines remain at precise drinking temperatures ranging from 3–15 degrees celsius. On the list, you'll find a tight selection of half-bottles and full bottles by boutique Australian producers and prestige winemakers. Open from Monday to Friday only, Ette is a smart new option for the city crowd, whether for a fast solo lunch, a slow night of cocktails and snacks, or a low-fuss, post-work dinner. Images: Steven Woodburn.
Gerardo López of Kensington Mexican restaurant La Tortilleria is hosting online cooking classes to bring the art of Mexican cuisine into your home. For $80 you'll be sent a box of ingredients and a list of things you'll need to source yourself. You'll then be able to log on from 6pm on a Friday to join Lopez for a cooking masterclass. Lopez is running the class the first three Fridays of October, and spots are limited. If you can't make it, Lopez expects there to be more classes in November so keep your eyes out and follow the chef on Instagram. You'll start the night by creating margaritas, guided by special guest bartenders from Sonder. Once you have your drink in hand, you'll then make a traditional guacamole, your choice of fish or cauliflower ceviche and tinga tacos. Another bartender from On Top Bar will guide you through a second mezcal cocktail during the night to ensure you don't run dry, and the meal will be capped off by a dessert by Dulce Beso's Shai. Non-drinkers can purchase a version of the ingredients without the goods needed for the cocktails for $60 and join the class with water or a non-alcoholic beer in hand. All the profits from the cooking class are being donated to Friends for Good, a volunteer-driven not-for-profit that strives to help people connect with others and improve Australians wellbeing.
As Australia continues to respond to the COVID-19 situation, getting cosy on your couch is becoming the norm. And, while you could take a break from the news of mass-gathering bans, self-isolation requirements, and event cancellations and postponements by indulging in pure escapism, it's completely natural and thoroughly understandable to swing your viewing choices in the other direction. No one alive has experienced a pandemic quite like this one before, but, thanks to decades of movies, we've watched similar events on-screen for years. And, based on how much everyone has been talking Steven Soderbergh's Contagion of late, movies about outbreaks and, yes, contagions are in high demand at the moment. We know you're seeking them out anyway, so we're here to help. Here are ten movies about pandemics, contagions and outbreaks that you can watch via Australian streaming platforms right now. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UkXOj8u1Fo CONTAGION Steven Soderbergh is one of America's most prolific filmmakers, with everything from Cannes Palme d'Or winner Sex, Lies and Videotape to amusing heist flick Logan Lucky on his resume — and drug drama Traffic, which nabbed him the Best Director Oscar, too. But thanks to current events, Contagion will be the movie he'll be remembered for, with the 2011 thriller feeling eerily prophetic when revisited today. It all starts with a lawyer (Gwyneth Paltrow) returning from Hong Kong, then falling ill. In methodical style, Soderbergh then tracks the progression and the response. He enlists an enormous all-star cast to help, spanning Matt Damon, Jude Law, Marion Cotillard, Kate Winslet, Laurence Fishburne and Bryan Cranston — and his aim to make as realistic a movie as possible about a pandemic certainly strikes a chord in current circumstances. Available to stream on Google Play, iTunes and YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgZ5goJibn0 OUTBREAK Over the next few years, once the cinema industry — and existence in general, of course — gets back to normal, a new big-screen genre is certain to emerge. Drawing upon real-life events is such a staple of filmmaking that a plethora of COVID-19 movies is inevitable. Using Ebola as its model, Outbreak did the same thing in the mid-90s. When a virus called Motaba starts wreaking havoc, staff from the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are forced to react. Starring Dustin Hoffman, Rene Russo, Donald Sutherland, Morgan Freeman, Cuba Gooding Jr and Patrick Dempsey, this disaster drama spends plenty of time within the two aforementioned organisations, if watching procedural action is what you're craving at present Available to stream on iTunes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFNPNT_4Qww I AM LEGEND When it came to updating Richard Matheson's 1954 book I Am Legend for the 21st century, enlisting Will Smith to play humanity's sole survivor was a logical choice. He wasn't the first to roam around the big screen in such desolate circumstances, with 1964's The Last Man on Earth putting horror icon Vincent Price in the same situation and 1971's The Omega Man tasking Charlton Heston with navigating isolation; however Smith was the thoroughly 2007 choice. And, playing a US Army virologist who sees the whole world turned into vampiric creatures after a genetically engineered measles virus turned lethal, he's one of the best things about I Am Legend. For folks interested in Heston's stint in the same situation, The Omega Man is also available to stream via Google Play, iTunes and YouTube as well. Available to stream on Stan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7suz9ndPBHg 28 DAYS LATER These days, Danny Boyle is making 'what if?' rom-coms that ponder what life would be like without the Beatles, and Alex Garland is writing and directing moody sci-fi TV thrillers — but back in 2002, they joined forces to tackle a pandemic. And, marking their first proper collaboration after Boyle adapted Garland's best-selling novel The Beach for the big screen two years earlier, 28 Days Later still ranks among the best work on either's resume. Set in the aftermath of the accidental release of a highly contagious virus, the film's images of a desolated London instantly became iconic; however, this is a top-notch movie on every level. That includes its performances, with then-unknowns Cillian Murphy (A Quiet Place Part II) and Naomie Harris (the Bond franchise's current Moneypenny) finding the balance between demonstrating their characters' fierce survival instincts and their inherent vulnerability. Available to stream on Foxtel Now. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gpxnI1tQM4 CARGO Australian cinema isn't immune to virus-driven movies — and 2017 post-apocalyptic horror flick Cargo is among the best of them. In this full-length adaptation of Ben Howling and Yolanda Ramke's Tropfest finalist short of the same name, the infection turns people into zombies within 48 hours, a situation that the Andy (Martin Freeman) and Kay (Susie Porter) want to avoid. Complicating matters: the fact that they have an infant daughter they'll do anything to protect. Already experienced at trekking across the landscape Down Under after starring in the New Zealand-shot Hobbit films, Freeman wanders across Australia determined to save his family, in a movie that also ponders both environmental factors and Indigenous culture as well. Available to stream on Netflix. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMbSpnlOOtE THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN Michael Crichton's influence on popular culture is vast. The Jurassic Park franchise is still going almost three decades later, and Westworld (which is based on his 1972 movie) is enjoying quite the small-screen adaptation. Back in 1969, the author also contemplated what might happen if a deadly alien organism started infecting people on earth — and in 1971, The Andromeda Strain hit cinemas. The premise: after a satellite crashes near a small New Mexico town, almost all of its inhabitants die, with a team of scientists tasked with getting to the bottom of it. It's an unmistakably 70s affair, and a slick and solid film too. You might've come across the 2008 TV mini-series remake starring Benjamin Bratt, Viola Davis and Brooklyn Nine-Nine's Andre Braugher; however we recommend sticking with the original. Available to stream on Google Play, iTunes and YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5ZtovQtG3s&feature=emb_logo WARM BODIES Pandemic movies and zombie movies often go hand-in-hand, as a number of entries on this list have already demonstrated. And, more often than not, they're grim, bleak and tense affairs — as is to be expected when the whole fate of the human race is at stake. Enter Warm Bodies, which isn't the first zombie comedy by any means, but both earns and owns the term 'zom-rom-com'. Here, R (Nicholas Hoult) is a member of the shuffling undead. Julie (Australian actress Teresa Palmer) is still alive. When they cross paths, he doesn't just bite into her flesh and she doesn't just kill him. This sweet and funny flick is based on the Isaac Marion-penned novel of the same name, and its characters' monikers should give an important detail away, with the influence of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet keenly felt. Available to stream on Foxtel Now and Stan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8RScNfgPh4 TWELVE MONKEYS Before Brad Pitt won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for sauntering through Quentin Tarantino's vision of 1969-era Tinseltown in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, he was nominated in the same category back in 1996 for Twelve Monkeys. Deservedly so, too, with the star playing a mental patient in a post-apocalyptic version of 2035 — where a virus wiped out most of humanity four decades earlier. As offbeat as it is entertaining and eye-catching, this sci-fi thriller serves up exactly what anyone could hope for with Monty Python member and The Man Who Killed Don Quixote's Terry Gilliam behind the lens. For fans of cinema history, it's also an engaging update of Chris Marker's legendary 1962 short film La Jetée. And while Pitt steals the show, he has fine company, with 90s Bruce Willis in his element as well. Available to stream on Google Play, iTunes and YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfeEhb4xnps THE NIGHT EATS THE WORLD When The Night Eats the World first hit screens in 2018, it was just a horror film about a man who goes to a party in Paris, then wakes up the next day to find zombies everywhere. It was a nice addition of the genre, too, proving both atmospheric, evocative, and firmly settling on its own tone. Now, this French movie hits close to home — not due to the undead, of course, but because the bulk of the feature focuses on Sam's (Anders Danielsen Lie) experiences stuck inside a flat, including his efforts to stock up on supplies in such circumstances. Cue thrills, twists, company in the form of a zombified neighbour (Denis Lavant) and a desperate need for resourcefulness. Oh, and ample existential dread as well. Available to stream on Google Play, iTunes and YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jE5dJDgZ644 BIRDEMIC: SHOCK AND TERROR What if humanity wasn't under threat from a virus, but from birds? Not just in one town, either, as seen in Alfred Hitchcock's classic thriller The Birds — but everywhere. That's the idea behind Birdemic: Shock and Terror. A word of warning: this is the silliest entry on this list, and the schlockiest as well. We honestly can't stress that enough. Indeed, Birdemic: Shock and Terror definitely isn't the world's best movie. In fact, it's the disaster and pandemic equivalent of The Room and a film that makes the Sharknado franchise's production values look positively gleaming. But, sometimes, that's just what you need. It also spawned a sequel, Birdemic 2: The Resurrection, because of course it did. Available to stream on Amazon Prime Video. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website. Top images: Contagion, 28 Days Later, Cargo, Twelve Monkeys and The Night Eats the World.
To the uninitiated, costume shops and sports might seem like an odd pairing. But to anyone who has ever been to a Rugby Sevens tournament, you'll know that there's just something about dressing up as a Smurf that makes the competitive, festival atmosphere of the event that much more addictive. This February, when the best international players of Rugby Sevens descend on Parramatta for the HSBC Sydney 7s, the last thing you want is to be the only person at the party without a killer costume. So, we've pulled together a list of seven of Sydney's most well-stocked costumeries to get you all decked out for the big event. These joints will have you covered from masks to Mad Hatter get-ups — there's no particular theme this time around, so you've got free reign on your fancy dress outfit (but let's steer clear of cultural appropriation).
The Lord of the Rings is turning 25 in 2026 — and one of the many ways you can celebrate a quarter century since the destruction of the One Ring is by listening to a candlelit rendition of its legendary score. The soundtracks of the fantasy films to end all fantasy films will get a string quartet treatment in cities across Australia thanks to Candlelight®: The Lord of the Rings. Presented by Fever and Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences, the intimate concert series will recreate the iconic scores composed by Howard Shore in a smaller scale, but just as emotionally sweeping, format. From the humble tunes of the Shire to the stirring sounds of the plains of Rohan, and beyond, it's a trip to Middle-earth that you won't be forgetting any time soon. Tickets are limited, but you can join the waitlist now. "We are proud to be partnering with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences to host this unforgettable Candlelight concert series celebrating such a significant milestone as the 25th anniversary of The Lord of the Rings," said Isabel Solano, Global Vice President of Original Experiences at Fever. "With Candlelight®: The Lord of the Rings, we're paying tribute to the epic music from the timeless classic that continues to inspire generations and reinforcing our mission to make classical music accessible to every audience while celebrating some of the world's greatest composers." Candlelight®: The Lord of the Rings will be coming to Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney throughout early 2026. Adelaide shows will take place across two nights in February at the Capri Theatre, with Perth to follow at shows in March and April at Perth Town Hall. Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane dates are yet to be confirmed, but will take place at the Sydney Masonic Centre, Collingwood Town Hall and Saint John's Anglican Cathedral, respectively. For more information, or to join the waitlist for 'Candlelight®: The Lord of the Rings', visit the Fever website.
Celebrity chef Manu Feildel is best known through his prime-time tenure judging My Kitchen Rules. Flipping the script, Sydneysiders now have the chance to judge Feildel's skills on the pans at his charming Inner West bistro. Occupying the upper level of the 196-year-old Red Lion Hotel in Rozelle, the restaurant is the centrepiece of a $1.5-million top-to-bottom renovation that took eight months to complete. For his return to a professional kitchen following a four-year hiatus, Fieldel—a sixth-generation chef—has created a menu of rustic French fare, including treasured recipes passed down through his family. Manu made the decision to return to the pass at the suggestion of his long-time friend and Laundy Hotels Group Executive Chef Jamie Gannon (pictured above). "I've worked with Jaime for a long time and I'd been saying to him for a while, if anything comes up that you think would work for us, let me know. Well, when the Red Lion renovation was being planned, he asked me what I thought about it, and I thought it would be the perfect place for this kind of bistro," Feildel tells Concrete Playground. "Plus, you know, I'm a sixth-generation chef — I've done a lot of things in between, a lot of amazing experiences, but I've missed it. I've missed this — being in the kitchen." Feildel's vision for the menu shuns flashy platings and chefy bells and whistles. "I want to make tasty food. Not stuff that just looks good, that you want to put on your Instagram, but food that tastes great. There's a lot of restaurants now that are so worried about the looks, they forget the pinch of salt on it, you know?" In addition to a handful of Fieldel family recipes, including his father's country terrine, diners will also find dishes from the chef's back catalogue, including the scallop boudin that was a firm favourite amongst regulars at Fieldel's Paddington bistro L'Etoile, which closed in 2014. However, the chef's greatest priority has been creating an offering that has crowd-pleasing appeal. France's greatest comfort foods feature prominently, including a double-baked comté cheese soufflé designed for sharing and a quintessential French onion soup, served with the obligatory gruyère-topped croutons. Carnivores are well served with hunger-busting mains such as the pork tomahawk, chargrilled and served with braised fennel and silky mustard sauce and of course, steaks — here, you can carve into a butcher's cut of beef accompanied by pommes dauphine and house-made sauces including peppercorn, mushroom and blue cheese. There are also riffs on the classics. Rather than the traditional duck, confit chicken ("Because everyone loves chicken," Fieldel explains) is served on a bed of cannellini beans with and kale fricasée and a citrusy jus gras that adds a sparkling foil to the richness of the meat. Instead of the expected crêpes, flambéed canelés — the cork-shaped Bordeaux-famous pastry — get the Suzette treatment, served with vanilla ice cream. Much like the menu, the 120-seat bistro doesn't aim to wow with opulent decor. Instead, expect the cosy vibes of a humble Parisian bistro. Amidst a muted palette of creams, egg-shell blue, taupe and the rich caramel stain of the extensive wood panelling, pops of colour from modern artworks and other objets d'art add some playful winks that echo the restaurant's relaxed, unpretentious ethos. The restored wrap-around balcony boasts some of the most prized tables in the restaurant, offering year-round al fresco dining overlooking Darling Street — the ideal spot for a long lazy lunch or a group dinner. Images: Kitti Gould
Lay down your smartphone. Send your laptop to sleep. Shift yourself off the couch. Forget about work. General Assembly, in collaboration with Work-Shop, is throwing an ‘Unplug and Play’ warehouse party. It’s your chance to champion spring’s arrival, make a sweet segue into the long weekend and get back to real-life eye contact. To make the transition as smooth as possible, the organisers are inviting some good friends along. There will be a three-hour DJ set from Seekae, who have just returned home after a monster European tour. And there’ll be boutique drinks aplenty, courtesy of Vale Ale, Sofi Spritz, Poor Toms Gin and Alpha Box & Dice. The action will be happening at Work-Shop’s warehouse (175 Cleveland Street, Redfern) on Thursday, October 1, between 6pm and 9pm. Needless to say, you’re highly likely to want to kick on afterwards, so the Lord Gladstone (115 Regent Street, Chippendale) will be taking care of the afterparty. Tickets are gloriously free. But they’re not unlimited. So make sure you book yourself a spot online asap.
The White Cockatoo — or The Cock, as it was affectionately known — is the latest in a string of old fogey pubs to be torn apart and put back together, for Gen Y's drinking pleasure. So pull up a seat, order a beer and get reacquainted with the pub in its new incarnation as West Village, a brand new 130-year-old hotel in the heart of Petersham. The much-loved Cock was snatched up late last year by Goodtime Hospitality, a newly established hospitality group consisting of entrepreneur James Bodel and Locky Paech (ex-The Norfolk and The Forresters). Over the last year they've had a thorough overhaul, championing the original heritage details and laying waste to anything that was awkward and ugly. In one heroic gesture they demolished the old pokies room (hurrah!) and replaced it with a light-filled courtyard (double hurrah!). Now known as the 'patio', this area is soon to operate as a standalone cafe, so you can expect to see lots of smiling commuters getting on at Petersham station, coffee in hand. The West Village pub menu consists of modern Australian share plates and main dishes put together by Paech and head chef Sam Thomson (ex-Catalina). Undoubtedly, some will lament the exit of the legendary monster schnitzels from the good ol' Cock days, and as a peace offering, West Village are serving up a darn good veal schnitty, pan-fried in lemon and caper burnt butter ($22). But if you can't be consoled, you can track down the old ones at The Goni's Schnitzelria in Marrickville. One of the main indicators used to determine a good pub is the steak test. At West Village you can choose between an ethically-farmed fillet steak ($28) or porterhouse ($20). Both are branded with dark caramelisation, evenly cooked and plump with juices, thanks to a highly refined technique. Each steak comes with a choice of side dish. I went for the crispy potato spuds in truffle oil and parmesan, but you can opt for peas, mint and feta, spiced kale chips, coleslaw or seeded mustard potato mash if you think you know better. The one dish on the menu that's raising eyebrows is the kimchi poutine ($12). That’s right, I said kimchi poutine. It's a serving of fries covered with kimchi (fermented cabbage, chilli, carrot, radish and spring onion) topped with melted cheese and sour cream. While it's hardly the food pairing of the century, it still gets top marks for originality and a participation ribbon for giving it a go. A safer bet however would be the blue swimmer crab roll filled with avocado and celery ($12) or the deep fried crumbed camembert, served with chargrilled sourdough, a sweet balsamic reduction and rocket. As far as the drinks go, there's a stellar wine list on show, which has been curated by Andrew Jamieson Wine Merchants, coupled with a wide selection of craft beers and negroni on tap, for those who need their cocktail in five seconds flat. Welcome to the neighbourhood, old friend. Images: Alana Dimou
While the details are still scarce, pastry fans should prepare themselves to jump in line when Lune Croissanterie opens the doors to its first-ever Sydney shopfront. From a tiny store in the Melbourne suburb of Elwood in 2012, Lune has grown into a converted warehouse space in Fitzroy (with perpetual lines out the front), opened a second CBD store and was even dubbed "the finest you will find anywhere in the world" by The New York Times. Now, Founder Kate Reid, who co-owns Lune with her brother Cameron and restaurateur Nathan Toleman (Dessous, Hazel, Common Ground Project), has confirmed they're looking for a space to expand their empire to in Sydney. Permanently. The Reid siblings also posted the below cryptic photo on Instagram, showing what could quite possibly be the future home of Lune Sydney: https://www.instagram.com/p/B9DFD5Tpraw/ An ex-Formula 1 aerodynamicist, Reid brings scientific precision to her craft, including the climate-controlled glass cube Lune croissants are made and baked in, and the time-consuming process used to perfect each flaky pastry. It's too early to say what form the Sydney store will take — it could be similar to Melbourne CBD's standing room-only outpost or more of a spectacle like the Fitzroy warehouse and its cube — or when it will open, but we're hoping for a menu of Lune Croissanterie favourites. Our mouths and stomachs are ready for twice-baked croissant aux amandes (stuffed with almond frangipane and generously topped with flaked almonds) and the Ferrero cruffin: a muffin-croissant hybrid filled with hazelnut and chocolate custard, dipped in chocolate ganache and sprinkled with roasted hazelnuts. Oh, and its perfectly flaky traditional croissant, of course. Lune's pastries have only been available in Sydney once before, during a one-day pop-up at Paramount Coffee Project back in 2017. We'll let you know when more details drop. Images: Marcie Raw.
Nightlife just got brighter with Heineken's new glow-in-the-dark beer bottle. Combining the coolness of a can with the curves of a bottle, this stream-lined aluminium packaging lights up under a black light to reveal a shooting star design. It's all part of the company's packaging refreshment, which takes inspiration from the night-club scene and aims to heighten the beer drinking experience. Mark Van Iterson, Manager Global Heineken Design & Concept said "We have a history of progressive design that has had lasting influence and changed the way people enjoy beer – from being the first to introduce green beer bottles to bringing draught beer to the home through DraughtKeg. Design is at the core of the Heineken brand." Heineken has also launched an initiative, Open Design Explorations, to source other branding and experiential ideas around the theme 'light up the night' from young designers around the globe. https://youtube.com/watch?v=R5mT2mhaKY0 [Via Cool Hunting]
Australia's national cabinet is expected to announce the nationwide relaxation of some social distancing and public gathering restrictions tomorrow, Friday, May 8. But, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has today revealed they will not be implemented in time for Mother's Day. At a press conference this morning, the Premier said, "even if national cabinet does suggest easing of restrictions, which NSW will consider very carefully, they won't be able to be made in time for Mother's Day." As has been the case throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the national cabinet releases Australia-wide guidelines or principles and it's then up to the individual states and territory leaders to implement them as they see fit. Some news outlets are reporting tomorrow's national cabinet announcement will include the allowing of gatherings of up to ten people inside a home — which is already the case in SA and WA — but Sydneysiders will have to make do with smaller gatherings for now. https://twitter.com/olivialeeming/status/1257947173812965377 Last week, the NSW Government allowed groups of two adults (with their children) to visit a second household, which will still be the case this weekend. As the Premier reiterated this morning, this new relaxed rule allows for multiple visits throughout a day (but a maximum of two adult visitors at any time) and there is no limit on how far you can travel within the state. While NSW will not get to enjoy any new restrictions this weekend, the Premier said that by the end of June "life will feel a lot more normal than it does now... Please look forward to having life get back to a bit more normality very soon and please know that a couple of weeks into May you'll start feeling the difference already." A maximum of two adults in NSW can go and visit another household, but all other social distancing and public gathering restrictions are in place for now.
If Wes Anderson was to rove his hyper-stylised gaze over everyday British life, the result might look like Sometimes Always Never. If he transplanted his fondness for melancholy family dysfunction to Merseyside, it could resemble this grief-fuelled drama, too. And if the acclaimed auteur ever decided to set his sights on the game of Scrabble, the end product might also share much in common with Carl Hunter's debut stint as a feature filmmaker. To the director's immense credit, this elegant and tender movie always feels like a relative of Anderson's work instead of an imitation — a kindred spirit with evident similarities, but bearing its own sensibilities. Sometimes working with noticeably exaggerated backgrounds, always demonstrating a flair for quirkiness and precision in tandem, and never overplaying his aesthetic approach, Hunter turns Sometimes Always Never into a visual playground. Every stylistic choice reflects the inner states of the film's characters, with the first-timer's images doubling as an imaginative escape. Even when the movie merely watches the fashionable but forlorn Alan (Bill Nighy) wandering along a beachfront, takes him on a country road trip with his silently resentful son Peter (Sam Riley), or spies more than a few folks slinging Scrabble tiles, it does so with a curious and perceptive eye. Hunter understands the creative truth that sits at the heart of whimsy, surrealism and flights of fantasy, and at the heart of this picture as well: that finding a little magic in ordinary surroundings is a simple but effective coping mechanism. A retired tailor who hasn't lost his sense of style, Alan has plenty of worries that he'd happily avoid. His relationship with Peter is cordial but strained, his other son disappeared without a trace years earlier and, thanks to his preferred pastime, he'd rather work his charms on words than people. When a development in the missing person case doesn't turn out as hoped, Alan is caught at a crossroads. He can unofficially move into Peter's house, play nice with his daughter-in-law (Alice Lowe) and teenage grandson (Louis Healy), and keep deploying Scrabble as a distraction, or he can face his woes, stop wallowing on what he's lost and appreciate what he has left. Whether it's played casually between friends and family or competitively with money at stake, Scrabble requires a combination of inventiveness and rigour. A willingness to take risks is just as important as an extensive vocabulary — and although Alan knows this all too well, he's slow to apply the same thinking to his world in general. While Frank Cottrell Boyce's screenplay embraces life's troubles as much as its joys, it's never less than a pleasure to watch Something Always Never run its course. Indeed, there's an entrancing power to the movie's story and mood, with both acknowledging the many ways that grief can leave an imprint. Sometimes the film's sentiments prove a little too neat, but that's the exception rather than the rule. Intricate and vivid even when painted in subdued colours, Hunter's eye-catching imagery helps considerably, immersing viewers in the movie's distinctive tone and narrative realm. But pretty pictures can't pierce the heart quite like a slate of excellent performances, which Something Always Never boasts in spades. It's a testament to Nighy's talents that the veteran actor retains his familiar vibe, yet completely inhabits his character. It's a testament to Riley, Lowe and virtual newcomer Healy that they more than hold their own against their experienced co-star, as do fellow supports Jenny Agutter and Tim McInnerny. Among all of the film's astute elements, the great work of its cast ranks among the most crucial. You can't win at Scrabble without playing multiple hands, and you can't make an eccentric, insightful treatise on mourning and moving on without the handiwork of multiple players. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22R-JQRov_U
One of Potts Point's beloved diners enters a new era, with Franca Brasserie evolving simply to Franca. With an abbreviated name and a renewed focus, Franca will move towards a more relaxed rhythm of hospitality, while maintaining its philosophy of generous cooking and convivial dining. "Our clientele has always guided our approach. The original concept was classical, individual courses. But somewhere along the way, almost every table became shared. We've been watching our guests for seven years, and this is us following their lead," says founder Andrew Becher. The slight name change reflects a return to the original meaning, 'lingua franca', being the shared language that historically connected cultures across the Riviera. Under Becher's guidance, the next stage in Franca's offering is considered a refinement rather than a reinvention. Executive Chef José Saulog leads the kitchen with a menu that blends classic technique with coastal Euro influences. "The flavours and spirit of coastal Europe, crystallised through classical French technique — that was always the vision for Franca. We feel the time is right to rediscover this, and we have drawn in flavours from Spain, Italy, North Africa and beyond. The result is generous, confident food that we feel suits this city and suits this space," says Saulog. Diners will snack on the likes of crab toast and mushroom parfait, before sharing generous plates of duck lasagne with foie gras, béchamel and preserved tomato and Bonito with confit ratatouille. Group dining will become the focal point with two shared menus designed for parties of eight or more to sample the best the menu has to offer. Drinks are no afterthought in the Euro-inspired dining room. The wine program, curated by Waldeck Ray and Riley O'Doherty, moves confidently between Europe and Australia and is built around the table, rather than the individual, with a focus on bottles rather than glasses. The signature aperitif, an ice-cold mini martini with wakame vermouth, a fresh oyster and caviar, is the ultimate way to start a meal at Franca, setting the tone for an elegant yet relaxed evening out. Images: Supplied. Like what you see? Subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter to get stories just like these straight to your inbox.
The inner western suburb of Glebe has a new(ish) player in the pub game thanks to the relaunch of the Australian Youth Hotel. After seven months of renovations, the 157-year-old pub has reopened with a new look and a new name: The Glebe Hotel. The Bay Street venue now has a new British pub menu, a lush courtyard and a luxe private space. And, thanks to it's new moniker, it'll no longer be confused for hostel housing weary globe-trotting teens. The Victorian terrace digs date back to 1862 and the massive refurb spans interior and exterior works. Sydney design firm Alexander & Co (The Imperial, Bon Pavilion, The Morrison) is behind the fit-out, which features several distinct spaces — starting with the public bar, which nods to the pub's history with chesterfield sofas, a fireplace and archival photos of the space. Upstairs, inside the venue's former brothel, is an ornate private function space with chandeliers, baroque sofas, vintage art and a snooker table. Move along and you'll find The Stables Bar & Grill, a bright and airy restaurant with exposed brick walls, cream timber tables and vintage tiling, plus a featured jacaranda mural by Sydney artist Indigo Jo. Just outside The Stables is a dog-friendly courtyard with bright yellow furnishings, red-and-white umbrellas and lush surrounds — including a 100-year-old fig tree. British chef Ben Allcock is in the kitchen preparing UK-style pub eats, such as steak and Guinness pie, chargrilled spatchcock and Sunday roasts. House specialties include the handmade gnocchi with roast butternut pumpkin and goat's curd, Berkshire pork chop served atop caramelised fennel and slow-cooked lamb shoulder ragu pappardelle. From the bar, expect a mix of local craft and mainstream brews on tap, along with a four-strong spritz menu — including the Bombay, with elderflower and cucumber, and the Strawberry, a mix of Poor Toms strawberry gin, wild strawberry liqueur and prosecco. Though the revamp has a big hospitality group written all over it, we're happy to report that The Glebe Hotel remains family owned by the Nissen brothers. Images: Guy Davies.
City of Sydney Council is officially considering banning short-term rental properties within its local government area. Booking platforms like Airbnb and Stayz are snapping up precious properties amid the country's ongoing housing supply shortage, and this could lead to a prohibition in areas where bookable home and apartment stays outnumber publicly listed rentals. The motion was put forward by Greens Councillor Sylvie Ellsmore, who believes that NSW's existing 180-day limit on short-term rentals in Greater Sydney is ineffective, telling 702 ABC Sydney, "a cap may not work." The proposal isn't an all-out ban on short-term rentals, which are being enforced in more and more cities worldwide, since the City of Sydney LGA is a prime location for tourism, but it would come into effect when local rental housing vacancy rates drop below three percent. Currently, multiple suburbs in the City of Sydney LGA sit below a three percent vacancy rate. The lowest figure is 0.9 percent in Redfern, followed by Darlinghurst and Surry Hills at 1.2 percent, 1.3 percent in Woolloomooloo, Rushcutter's Bay and Elizabeth Bay, 1.5 percent in Paddington, 1.6 percent in Glebe, 1.8 percent in Pyrmont and 2.3 percent in Camperdown. City of Sydney Deputy Lord Mayor Jess Miller admitted that the council currently lacks the resources to differentiate between short-term rentals and primary residencies. Cr Miller did admit to the ABC that short-term renting in the area is "out of control," and called on the NSW Government to take a page from Western Australia, where verified short-term data is shared with councils to enforce restrictions. [caption id="attachment_1098717" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] iStock[/caption] Cr Miller specifically said, "I would love to have that replicated in New South Wales so that individual councils can access a robust, verified, reliable database so that we can make decisions that are appropriate to our LGA." Cr Ellsmore argued that, "We need to start thinking about the difference between whether someone's trying to Airbnb the house, the home that they live in, or as an investment property." "The investor issue, what we're seeing more of — people owning five, 10, 20, 30 properties, running it as a business. Because they can make so much money short-term renting, they're taking properties off the market that used to be someone's home." [caption id="attachment_829959" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Nikki To[/caption] Stayz Corporate Affairs Director, Eacham Curry, argued against the ban, saying "These measures ... could jeopardise the value that the short-term rental accommodation (STRA) sector brings to local communities and their economies." "Stayz supports fit-for-purpose regulation of the STRA sector, administered consistently at a state or territory level…Local regulation increases costs, time, and resources, deterring the economic benefits that STRA brings to communities." The proposal is still under early investigation, and as of late last week, NSW Premier Chris Minns had not yet seen the full details of the proposal, stating that he wanted to understand how it could impact the tourism sector if it were put into place. Lead image: iStock Like what you see? Subscribe to the Concrete Playground Newsletter to get stories just like these straight to your inbox.
Gone are the days when discount shopping meant losing hours rifling through a dark, dusty warehouse for a hidden gem. The outlet stores themselves aren't extinct — in fact, they're thriving. They just look a little different now. Case in point: Incu's new outlet store. The multi-brand boutique, which twin brothers Brian and Vincent Wu first opened in 2002, recently unveiled its new outlet store in Rosebery, and it's a beauty. Incu enlisted Akin Atelier to design the chic minimalist space with light timber, ceramic tiles and plenty of light. Here, you can expect to find the same high-end international and local labels that are stocked in Incu's main stores — like Acne Studios, Rag & Bone, Saturdays NYC and Comme des Garçons — but it's all past-season collections at massively reduced prices. Images: Akin Atelier
It's no surprise Redfern has become one of Sydney's most desirable places to reside. Of course, the charming neighbourhood has long had a diversity of cultures, plus accessibility to both the inner city and inner west suburbs in its favour. Combine these with the many bars, restaurants and eclectic shops that have made their home here over the past few years and The 'Fern has become quite the illustrious postcode. With all this at your fingertips, we've teamed up with American Express to put together a handy guide to the small businesses in the area to seek out — whether you're on the hunt for a cosy date night spot or a place to flex your DIY skills.
Outdoor music festivals aren't solely synonymous with summer, but one event takes its winter setup to great heights in more ways than one. At Snow Machine, the weather won't just be a bit cooler. Wearing a jumper won't do, either. This is both a chance to enjoy live tunes and a ski trip — and it's returning to Queenstown in 2024. It's the hottest festival for the colder months, packed with five snow-filled days of music and adventure at two mountain-topping ski resorts. On the just-dropped lineup for this year sits a reliable list of must-see names, including Peking Duk, The Rubens, Angus & Julia Stone, Bag Raiders and Cub Sport, who all help to give Snow Machine's winter wonderland a thumping soundtrack. After launching in Japan in 2020 (and returning there this year), the festival was actually supposed to make its arrival in Aotearoa in September 2021 but was cancelled due to the pandemic. It finally debuted in September 2022, then returned in 2023. Next, it makes a comeback from Tuesday, September 3–Sunday, September 8, 2024. Attendees will be treated to action-packed days on the slopes, après ski events on both Coronet Peak and The Remarkables, and a hefty roster of talent against the idyllic backdrop of New Zealand's adventure capital. Also dropping in to share the stage will be Atomic Blonde, Danny Clayton, Jimi The Kween, Lee Mvthews and Matt Corby — and also Montell2099, Old Mervs, Sachi, SHOUSE, Sin & Brook, Snakehips, Teenage Dads, The Knocks and the Poof Doof Ski Club. Other than the wintry backdrop, one of the things that sets Snow Machine apart from other music fests is being able to book your entire getaway with your ticket. Packages span both five and seven nights of accommodation, and include access to all three evenings at the main arena, plus a five-day ski pass. If you'd rather make your own way or pass on the skiing, there are ticket-only options — and VIP packages if you really want to do it in style. Festival goers are also encouraged to immerse themselves in the adventure capital by adding on heli-skiing, jet boating, bungy jumping, canyon swinging and skydiving — and that's on top of Snow Machine's huge welcome party and other festivities. Another annual highlight: the Polar Bare, which endeavours to set a world record for the most amount of people heading down the slopes their swimwear. Snow Machine 2024 Lineup: Angus & Julia Stone Atomic Blonde Bag Raiders Cub Sport Danny Clayton Jimi The Kween Lee Mvthews Matt Corby Montell2099 Old Mervs Peking Duk Poof Doof Ski Club Sachi SHOUSE Sin & Brook Snakehips Teenage Dads The Knocks The Rubens Tom Tilley and Hugo Gruzman present First Base Snow Machine 2024 takes place from Tuesday, September 3–Sunday, September 8 in Queenstown, New Zealand. Presale tickets go on sale on from 12pm AEDT / 11am AEST / 2pm NZDT on Thursday, February 22, with general tickets available from 12pm AEDT / 11am AEST / 2pm NZDT on Friday, February 23. For more information, visit the festival's website. Images: Daniel Hildebrand/Pat Stevenson/Ben Lang. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
Some days you wake up feeling on top of the world. But some days you need approximately three breakfasts and a two coffees to really get you going. And maybe a Messina tiramisu milkshake. The good news is that Welcome Dose Specialty Coffee can give you all that, with three kinds of hot sauce on the side (and maybe even a hug if you ask nicely, too). So, you like how these people think, but who are they? Kit Cheong and Michael Cookson are the guys behind the CBD's much loved Cabrito Coffee Traders in Bulletin Place. Turning their attention to the 'burbs, they've opened their new venue inside Rosebery's new 'urban market' Saporium in The Cannery, which also houses Three Blue Ducks, Black Star Pastry and Archie Rose. As the name suggests, Welcome Dose takes its coffee pretty seriously — and the first thing you see when you walk in is a badass giant 1956 German coffee roaster, which is often roasting during service hours. The staff there, led by Tim Greening, will happily talk you through their process; they're hosting cupping sessions upstairs and some roasting info sessions are in the works. As you'd expect, the quality of the coffee here is really, really good. So back to those three breakfasts — no judgment on how many you choose to dig into. The huevos rancheros (obviously a great one for mornings that are especially tough) comes with generous helpings of guacamole and the right amount of chilli ($18). They also serve one of the better pulled pork burgers kicking around town, complete with pickles and aioli ($15), and a lighter, very pretty dish of smashed peas with ricotta, lemon and herbs on sourdough ($15.) That Messina tiramisu milkshake ($7) has enough coffee and sugar to jolt any nervous system into real time, using gelato from Messina around the corner. In keeping with the local artisan vibe of the supermarket it's situated in, the hot sauce is by Bondi-based Handsome Devils Co., pastries come from Brickfields and Grain, and their meat is from Kingsmore Meats next door. It's a casual fit-out with an all-day, smart brunch and lunch menu, which changes seasonally. With Three Blue Ducks doing brekkie, lunch and dinner, a Da Mario pizza cart next door as well as a bunch of quality producers in Saporium itself, Rosebery is becoming a hotspot for food fans, and Welcome Dose is a very welcome addition indeed.
If the words “talent quest” conjure up traumatic year four memories of sashaying around the assembly hall singing 'Pretty Woman' dressed as Roy Orbison (and you’re a girl), fret not. NightTime, PSpace Social’s much-loved evening of always inventive, frequently wacky short performances, is back. This time you’re invited to Talent Quest, an event guaranteed to wipe away any lingering negative primary school emotions. Taking the curatorial reins this year are Friends with Deficits (Amelia Wallin, Lisa Mumford and Maria White), who pose the question “what happens at a talent quest where NO-ONE wins or loses?” Proudly self-identifying as part of “the generation that brought you endless positive reinforcement”, the creative trio have enlisted an enticing range of acts, from stand-up routines to installation artists to karaoke duets. Also expect a smattering of too-often neglected entertainments, including but not limited to bush poetry, community dance and spoons (nope, that’s not a typo: spoons). Talent Quest is part of Performance Space's PSpace Social season of multidisciplinary works taking place in Surry Hills and Darlinghurst, which also includes Micro Parks. For the full program, head to the Performance Space website.
Sydney, it's time to take your drinking to the next level. With a perimeter balcony overlooking spectacular beachside views, the rooftop addition to the Coogee Pavilion marks a new height in sophistication from the Merivale clan. No expense was spared in this elaborate reinvention of the former Beach Palace Hotel site. For the design concept, Justin Hemmes and his team drew inspiration from a fictional character they created, an eccentric botanist called 'Wylie' who entertained on his private rooftop conservatory. The story is brought to life with lush overflowing greenery, sketches of exotic birds and indoor greenhouse structures. A Mediterranean menu, designed by executive chef Jordan Toft, allows you to create a feast from the east with a selection of small plates designed for dipping, wrapping, tasting and sharing. The smoky and tender charred squid ($16.50) will have you shouting its praises from the rooftops. These small hoods have been marinated in an Aleppo pepper spice mix, grilled over charcoal and dressed in ink vinaigrette. Order a side of Lebanese bread ($3.50) so you don't waste the delicious lemony juices. The Adana shish kebab skewer ($18.50) is served as a bowl of spicy mince-meat slabs, topped with finely sliced onion, sumac and a chargrilled chilli. Add to the spectacle grilled haloumi wrapped in vine leaves ($12.50), crushed tomatoes with parsley ($10.50) and dry yoghurt in chilli oil ($9.50) and you're ready to roll your own creative kebabs. I suspect Wylie might have been an alcoholic, considering his greenhouse is equipped with four indoor and outdoor bars. There's an extensive list of local and imported beers, beach-inspired cocktails and fruit punch pitchers, while wine is available by the glass, bottle, carafe and on tap. Once you've conquered the bar queue, take your Pavilion Pina Colada ($18) out onto the sun-drenched deck, or you can hide under the shade sails if you prefer. I mean, who cares if everyone here has a better tan than you anyway. Life's a beach at the imaginative new Coogee Pavilion Rooftop, and with a vacant middle level, the sky's the limit for Merivale.
Regardless of how hard you hit the clubs or your Netflix account on a Friday night, you can rest assured that your weekend morning hunger pangs will be fully satiated by a hot plate of juicy dumplings at one of Sydney's best yum cha destinations. Dim sum literally means 'to touch someone's heart', so no matter what your preference — soupy xiaolongbao, prawn har gow, pork belly bao, crispy duck spring rolls, sang choy bao or those creamy mango pancakes, there's a carb combo out there waiting to touch your heart and fill your grumbling stomach. But not just any Sydney dim sum spot will do. It's only the best for us. That's why we created this definitive of the top places to find yum cha in Sydney. So, rather than spend your precious free time huddled over a hot stovetop, put on your stretchiest pants, grab some eating amigos and hit up one of the many incredible, dumpling depositories that Sydney has to offer. Recommended reads: The Best Pizza in Sydney The Best French Restaurants in Sydney The Best Burgers in Sydney The Best Italian Restaurants in Sydney
After kicking off the summer with boozy frosé sorbet, Gelatissimo has turned its attention to another iconic beverage — Bundaberg ginger beer, but in gelato form. With the warm weather in full swing, the national ice cream chain has turned one of the country's favourite non-alcoholic drinks into its newest flavour. And yes, the chilled dessert is made using bottles of the iconic beverage, so expect each scoop to not only boast a familiar tanginess, but the fizziness of the carbonated brew as well. Why sip your beverage of choice when you can turn it into dessert? That clearly continues to be Gelatissimo's guiding principle. The ginger beer gelato is a short-term addition to Gelatissimo's menu, available in stores nationwide at present — but for a limited time only. It's also the ice creamery's third new summery flavour, joining not only frosé sorbet but a blue-hued sea salt butterscotch blend inspired by Aussie swimwear brand Speedo. For more information, visit Gelatissimo's website.
Based heavily on the Mossad’s extraordinary real-life capture of Adolf Eichmann in Argentina in 1960, The Debt combines a compelling factual premise with absorbing fictional elements reminiscent of Franklin J. Schaffner’s The Boys From Brazil. It tells the story of three Israeli agents sent to East Berlin in 1966 to track down and capture the notorious Nazi war criminal Dieter Vogel, aka the "surgeon of Birkenau" (played by Jesper Christensen of Casino Royale). Vogel’s real-world equivalent, Josef Mengele, infamously conducted cruel experiments on concentration camp victims during the War before successfully evading capture for the rest of his life in South America, and Christensen’s performance eerily captures every last bit of that same guile and malevolence. The Debt’s story unfolds over two different eras: the ‘present day’ of 1997 in which the now elderly agents live as national heroes revered for their past courageous efforts, and protracted flashbacks to 1966 East Berlin where the brazen events actually took place. Each agent is played by two actors in the film: one young, one old, with a clear emphasis on shared mannerisms rather than physical similarities. Paired up are Helen Mirren with Jessica Chastain, Ciaran Hinds with Sam Worthington and Tom Wilkinson with Marton Csokas, with the younger cast definitely afforded the better half of the script. Their scenes covering the confirmation of Vogel’s identity are utterly tense and unsettling, while those dealing with his capture are gripping and action-packed. Chastain’s performance is the standout, with her interactions opposite Christensen offering the movie’s most engaging scenes. Worthington on the other hand seems entirely miscast, especially given his world-beating inability to do accents, however he brings a solid physicality and vulnerability to his character that sits well enough with the story. Mirren, as always, is a delight to watch on screen although her scenes lack much of the depth that her younger counterpart enjoys. Written by Jane Goldman, Matthew Vaughn and Peter Straughan, the script was adapted from the 2007 Israeli film Ha-Hov and directed by John Madden of Shakespeare in Love fame. It’s an unconventional story in that the heroes aren’t out to save the world, nor even their own country. Instead, they’re simply out to cover their own tracks and it’s that selfish nature of their motivations that presents an uncommon, ambiguous and fascinating morality tale for a movie of this nature.
Pop on your ruby slippers, click your heels three times and prepare to defy gravity: Wicked is returning to Australia. When 2023 sweeps in, it will have been two decades since composer Stephen Schwartz and playwright Winnie Holzman took a book inspired by The Wizard of Oz, put it to music and turned it into one of Broadway's biggest hits of the 21st century. And, it'll also mark Australian musical theatre fans' latest chance to see that very show right here at home — in Sydney from Friday, August 25. Even if you haven't seen the blockbuster show before, including on its past Aussie run from 2008–11, then you've likely heard of it. Following the Land of Oz's witches — telling their untold true tale is the musical's whole angle, in fact — Wicked has notched up more awards than you can fit in a hefty cauldron over the years. That includes three Tonys from ten nominations, a Grammy, an Olivier Award and six Drama Desk Awards. Also huge: its worldwide footprint, playing in 16 countries around the world since its 2003 debut. And, when it makes its way to Sydney Lyric for its latest Aussie run, it'll do so after enchanting itself into fourth place in the list of longest-running Broadway shows ever — even surpassing Cats. [caption id="attachment_872890" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Wicked NY[/caption] Story-wise, Wicked starts before The Wizard of Oz and continues its narrative after Dorothy Gale lands, adapting Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. The text itself has sold 5.5 million copies, including five million since the musical first opened. Here, before Dorothy blows in, two other women meet in the Land of Oz: Elphaba and Galinda. One will later be known as the Wicked Witch of the West, while the other will become Glinda the Good Witch. Exactly why that happens, and how, and the pair's relationship from rivals to unlikely friends to grappling with their new labels, fuels the show's tale. Wicked is being brought to Australia by John Frost for Crossroads Live Australia, Marc Platt, Universal Pictures, The Araca Group, Jon B Platt and David Stone — and will also take to the stage again before the in-the-works two-part film adaptation starring Cynthia Erivo (Pinocchio) as Elphaba and Ariana Grande (Don't Look Up) as Galinda, and directed by Jon M Chu (In the Heights, Crazy Rich Asians), is due to start reaching cinemas in 2024. Images: Joan Marcus.
Cabramatta Moon Festival is back and celebrating its 25th anniversary this September. On Sunday, September 28, to help celebrate the mid-autumn festival, Cabramatta's Town Centre will transform into a cultural hub with mouth-watering food, local market stalls, rides, free kids activities and live entertainment. On the activities front, there'll be the favourite children's chopstick challenge, pho and mooncake eating competitions, as well as an awe-inspiring lantern parade. This year, there'll also be an Australian-first with the National Lion Dance Competition taking place across the weekend. Cabramatta is bringing together the country's top teams for a fierce and colourful showdown that helps to celebrate southeast Asian culture. You can get a first-hand glimpse at the competitors during their team greet on Friday, September 26, from 4pm–6pm at Pai Lau Gate/ Freedom Plaza. The competition will take place over both days of the weekend at Hughes Street Car Park, Cabramatta. Other events and performances include a performance by the Cambodian Living Arts & Culture, live music from Alicia Varas, Jason Tran and Michelle Sutton, as well as free face painting and balloon animals with Kozi &Pinky, so the kids in your life can make some wholesome memories. The Cabramatta Moon Festival is all about celebrating the community that's made it shine for a quarter of a century. The Cabramatta Moon Festival is family-friendly and free to enter. Festivities begin at 11am. For more information, visit the website.
UPDATE Thursday, May 18: Due to overwhelming demand, the Sydney seasons of 'Séance' and 'Flight' have been extended until Sunday, July 2. After first spooking out Sydneysiders back in 2017, unsettling installation Séance is returning to the city. This time around, the set of shipping containers hosting the immersive experience will be set up on The Goods Line outside of the Powerhouse Museum Ultimo — and it'll be joined by a new Sydney-first experience called Flight. Once inside Séance or Flight, expected to be unnerved. If you're not familiar with the installations and didn't have the chance to visit last time, a word of warning: it's aiming to mess with your senses. Between Thursday, April 13–Sunday, July 2, participants at Séance will be able to take a seat inside the space and then put on a headset. You'll next be told to put both hands on the table. The lights go out, leaving the place in absolute darkness and, for 20 uneasy minutes, you'll be taken on an immersive journey led only by touch and sounds. Expect to feel confused, repulsed and struck with temporary claustrophobia. According to organisers, numerous participants have bailed halfway through sittings in the past. You're probably thinking that there's something dark or supernatural about the whole thing — and going by the name, we don't blame you. But the installation's organiser says that 'séance' is simply a French word meaning 'session' or 'sitting'. It's a sensory experience that looks at the psychology of both sensory deprivation and the dynamics of a group sitting together. It's also a scary indicator of how easy it is for confusion, disorientation and information overload to affect our judgement. [caption id="attachment_852678" align="alignnone" width="1920"] 'Séance'[/caption] Then, with Flight, the power is placed in your hands. Taking place in a recreation of an aeroplane cabin, the experience takes you through an equally unsettling experience. At each step of the way there are two possible outcomes, some worse than others. The installation plays on the theory of the multiverse where, if you head down a more unsettling pathway, you can at least find solace in the idea that another version of yourself has made the correct decision. This new iteration of Séance at the Powerhouse Museum Ultimo will mark its first appearance in Sydney in six years after the experience originally appeared in The Rocks back in 2017. It was scheduled to make its return to Sydney in 2021 with an installation in Circular Quay, but was unfortunately cancelled. Artists David Rosenberg and Glen Neath of Darkfield (who have collaborated in other sensory deprivation projects before) are the creative masterminds behind the project, which has been described as 'disorienting' and 'deeply unsettling'. You might've also listened to Darkfield's at-home experiences in 2020, such as Double, Visitors and Eternal, and experienced a few bumps and jumps.
"I'm lost already," said my partner about a minute after we'd turned left (or was it right?) past yet another steel cluster of hutches otherwise known as the residences of Zetland. Some minutes later, we entered a mall across the road from an Audi dealership and were seated inside the Zetland edition of the Darlinghurst legend Lucio Pizzeria. Believe it or not, it's not (pure) snobbery that wonders how the cosy, brusque bustle of the Darlinghurst restaurant would translate here. The clientele are different. They are both younger and older than the Darlinghurst mob and also include the lunchtime business crowd (selling cars is hard work). It was good thinking then, on the part of owner/chef Lucio De Falco not to attempt a direct translation of his original Italian masterpiece but rather to reinterpret it. And that reinterpretation includes some fine additions that bring the food of the south of Italy to the fore. Before I go any further, I will confirm that after sampling the 'Lucio' ($20), a half calzone half margherita combination, the famous pizza is here in all its silky, blistered glory. But if I can tear you away from the pizza for even a moment, you must, I mean must try the lasagne ($22.50). Unlike its northern counterpart, this one has no bechamel, very little cheese and pulled beef instead of mince. It arrives with a prettily charred edge like a the lacy hem of a gypsy's skirt, a tomato sauce richer and more velvety than a cardinal's cloak, and silky sheets of handmade pasta that slip and slide with an unctuousness that is more satisfying than any bechamel. Also wonderfully southern is the thoughtful selection of mozzarella and accompanying cured meats that make up the 'mozzarella bar' part of the menu. An excellent waiter isn't hesitant about recommending a burrata ($14) accompanied by prosciutto ($12.50). Good on him. The neat little white cloud of burrata that hails from the Caserta region of Campania gives out at the pull of a fork, breaking and tearing into sublimely subtle, milky wisps of cheese. The southern beauty that closes is the Pastiera Napoletana ($12.50). A cake made of ricotta and cooked wheat grains, its flavour is made bright and warm with the addition of orange (not far off the spiced fruitiness of panettone) and a flaky shortbread base. As we leave, we notice two young fellow diners heading home across the street, clutching their leftovers in a box. I look a little harder into the greys of the steel hutches and see the odd pot plant, soft toys suctioned to windows and curtains filtering the glow of bulbs. After a meal that so firmly referenced its home, even if it was eaten opposite a car dealership, such tiny signs are proof enough that no matter the place, home is where there is heart.
For much of the six years that a new Hayao Miyazaki movie has been on the way, little was known except that the legendary Japanese animator was breaking his retirement after 2013's The Wind Rises. But there was a tentative title: How Do You Live?. While that isn't the name that the film's English-language release sports, both the moniker — which remains in Japan — and the nebulousness otherwise help sum up the gorgeous and staggering The Boy and the Heron. They also apply to the Studio Ghibli's co-founder's filmography overall. When a director and screenwriter escapes into imaginative realms as much as Miyazaki does, thrusting young characters still defining who they are away from everything they know into strange and surreal worlds, they ask how people exist, weather the chaos and trauma that's whisked their way, and bounce between whatever normality they're lucky to cling to and life's relentless uncertainties and heartbreaks. Miyazaki has long pondered how to navigate the fact that so little while we breathe proves a constant, and gets The Boy and the Heron spirited away by the same train of thought while climbing a tower of deeply resonant feelings. How Do You Live? is also a 1937 book by Genzaburo Yoshino, which Miyazaki was given by his mother as a child, and also earns a mention in his 12th feature. The Boy and the Heron isn't an adaptation; rather, it's a musing on that query that's the product of a great artist looking back at his life and achievements, plus his losses. The official blurb uses the term "semi-autobiographical fantasy", an elegant way to describe a movie that feels so authentic, and so tied to its creator, even though he can't have charted his current protagonist's exact path. Parts of the story are drawn from his youth, but it wouldn't likely surprise any Studio Ghibli fan if Miyazaki had magically had his Chihiro, Mei and Satsuki, or Howl moment, somehow living an adventure from Spirited Away, My Neighbour Totoro or Howl's Moving Castle. What definitely won't astonish anyone is that grappling with conjuring up these rich worlds and processing reality is far from simple, even for someone of Miyazaki's indisputable creative genius. Brilliance fills The Boy and the Heron visually, with its lush and entrancing hand-drawn animation both earthy and dreamlike, and its colour palette an emotional mood ring. Being trapped between two states, domains, zones and orbits recurs here in as many ways as Miyazaki can layer in. This is a film with a raging wartime fire that haunts with its flames, plus a traditional countryside home rendered with such detail that viewers can be forgiven for thinking they could step right into it — and of a tunnel where floating bubbles called warawara wait to be born, pelicans lament the circle of life and masses of people-eating oversized parakeets demand to enforce order. It's also a movie where the titular bird looks as a grey heron should, then flips its beak back like a hoodie to show something less standard loitering. Said fish-eating wader and the eponymous boy frequently make a pair, but the former is also the latter's white rabbit: following the feathered figure does indeed make everything curiouser and curiouser. Voiced by The Days' Soma Santoki in the Japanese original and No Hard Feelings' Luca Padovan in the English-language dub that's needless for adults but helpful for young children, Mahito Maki starts The Boy and the Heron in Tokyo in 1943 during World War II. And so it is that 2023 delivers two Japanese icons, Studio Ghibli and Godzilla, each harking back eight decades to spin stories steeped in loss and pain that never stops whispering in hearts and minds. As heralded by air-raid sirens, bombings leave 11-year-old Mahito without his mother. For viewers, the tragedy sees Miyazaki nodding to his own mourning for Isao Takahata, his Ghibli co-founder, who died in 2018. Grave of the Fireflies, the studio's greatest film — amid fierce competition and many fellow masterpieces — is not only set during the same conflict but is mirrored by The Boy and the Heron's early moments. How do you live? By knowing what to grasp to, Takahata's old friend posits. The Boy and the Heron plays like a mix of reverie and memory, as it is, albeit with the second beaming through in emotional truths more than narrative facts. Miyazaki evacuated Tokyo in the war as a boy, however, as Mahito does when his father Shoichi (The Swarm's Takuya Kimura and Amsterdam's Christian Bale) has a new bride in his wife's younger sister Natsuko (Avalanche's Yoshino Kimura and The Creator's Gemma Chan). The change doesn't usher in a reprieve from the quiet and lonely kid's longing for his mum. Instead, it brings the talking heron (Don't Call It Mystery: The Movie's Masaki Suda and The Batman's Robert Pattinson) and everywhere that the creature leads. In a feature with more thoughtful touches than a seemingly endless flock of parrots has feathers, that Mahito's mother and aunt's family estate springs from a great uncle said to have gone mad from reading too many books is quite the inclusion. Stories defined that relative's world, then, which Miyazaki makes literal. After beginning patiently, Miyazaki also makes following Mahito a tumble down the rabbit hole for his audience. Always inventive as a storyteller and a visionary, the Laputa: Castle in the Sky, Kiki's Delivery Service, Princess Mononoke and Ponyo helmer and scribe's return to cinema keeps besting its spectacle while giving Studio Ghibli some of its most breathtaking images (as set to a score by Joe Hisaishi, who's been doing the honours for the director for four decades, of course). There's no such thing as merely a pretty, dazzling or radiant picture for the great animation house, though. As meticulously controlled as its work is during its creation, with animators sketching in every single thing that's seen, Ghibli is unparalleled in understanding the expressive nature of its chosen medium. In conveying how war, growing up, death, love, fear, isolation, sadness, yearning, belonging, standing out, connecting and just life is a whirlwind of confusion, Miyazaki not only lets his imagination take flight, but his flair. The Boy and the Heron can be as trippy as his company's output gets — and as emotionally raw. Since 1984's Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, no one has made movies like Miyazaki, other than Takahata. As The Boy and the Heron sails through light and darkness, hope and horror, serendipity and choice, and alienation and acceptance, it also bobs and weaves through many of its filmmaker's trademarks, gleaning that the elements that can unite people and features alike can manifest in as many different ways as an ocean has waves. The pull to retreat then return is the same, whether for a director saying that he's retiring several times (including in 1997 and 2001, after Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away, respectively) or a lost child desperate to flee his hurt and bewilderment. An extraordinary return, and a personal one, The Boy and the Heron isn't expected to be Miyazaki's latest movie now that he's back behind the camera, but it's also the awe-inspiring piece of alchemy that it is because of that history.
Once, dance and classical weren't music genres that you'd usually find swirling around in the same basket, unless you have a particular bent for the orchestral 'Sandstorm' covers found in the depths of YouTube. Since 2019 in Australia, however, Synthony has been here to prove that the disciplines go hand in hand — and it's returning for another tour in 2024. Initially founded in New Zealand, and now an annual highlight on Australia's gig calendar, the event gets a live orchestra joining forces with a selection of DJs and onstage performers to play the biggest dance tracks of the last 30 years. Think: tunes by Swedish House Mafia, Basement Jaxx, Fatboy Slim, Avicii, Fisher, Faithless, Disclosure, Eric Prydz, Flume, Calvin Harris, Wilkinson and the like, and as you've never heard them before. Wherever Synthony pops up, the venues that it temporarily call home take a few cues from the nightclub scene, with lights, lasers and mapped video all featured in the experience. And, as the orchestra busts out a selection of dance floor bangers note for note, vocalists also do their part — because this isn't just about instrumental versions of your favourite club tunes. The 2024 run first has a date with Sydney, playing Carriageworks for two nights during Vivid — complete with a 29-piece orchestra — before heading to Brisbane's Fortitude Music Hall, the Adelaide Entertainment Centre and Margaret Court Arena in Melbourne in September. After that, RAC Arena in Perth awaits in October. The lineup of talent for Sydney spans the Metropolitan Orchestra conducted by Sarah-Grace Williams, as joined by Ilan Kidron from The Potbelleez, Emily Williams, Cassie McIvor, Greg Gould, Matty O and Mobin Master. Elsewhere, Queensland Symphony Orchestra will play Brisbane, Southern Cross Symphony will pick up instruments in Adelaide, Australian Pops Orchestra is doing the honours in Melbourne and Perth Symphony Orchestra has its hometown covered. Sarah-Grace Williams is still conducting, and will have company from Ilan Kidron from The Potbelleez, Masha Mnjoyan, Emily Williams, Greg Gould, Matty O, Nate Dousand and Mobin Master — plus Example in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, then Set Mo in Brisbane. Synthony 2024 Australia Tour Dates Friday, June 7–Saturday, June 8 — Carriageworks, Sydney Friday, September 6 — The Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane Friday, September 13 — Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide Friday, September 20 — Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne Saturday, October 12 — RAC Arena, Perth Synthony is touring Australia across 2024 — head to the Carriageworks website for tickets and further information for its Sydney gigs; and to the Synthony website for Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide, with presales from Tuesday, May 28 and general sales from Thursday, May 30.
If you made your way through most of Netflix during iso and are now wondering how else to while away winter, never fear. Regional NSW town Orange is bringing a brand-spanking-new streaming service to your screens. An antidote to all the hours spent at home, it'll offer a bunch of locally produced shows that celebrate the region. With Orange recognised as one of Australia's finest culinary regions, you can expect food and drink content aplenty. Aptly dubbed Very Local, the subscription-style service will transport you to the depths of the Central West's winter. It's set to launch on Friday, July 31, coinciding with the annual Orange Winter Fire Festival, and will feature everything from A-class chefs and winemakers to artist studio sessions and stunning cinematography of the local landscape. You'll catch veteran winemaker Phillip Shaw in conversation with renowned wine critic Peter Bourne and, to really be a part of it, you can get a wine pack delivered. Be warned, though, it'll set you back a cool $477, but comes with four seriously good drops. Another highlight is Fire, Family and Friends, where former Rockpool chef Dom Aboud, who now runs The Union Bank restaurant and bar in Orange, and Michael Chiem of lauded Sydney bar PS40 prep a mean feast. There'll also be a stargazing session that focuses on First Nations peoples' knowledge and stories of the skies and a tasting with Pioneer Brewing's Pete Gerber. For the latter, you can get the brews delivered, too, so you can join in the fun from the comfort of your couch. There'll also be a dedicated Slow TV channel that'll showcase the likes of the traditional Japanese technique of making miso, scenes from local vineyards, scapes of mountainside forests and a 24-hour bonfire, which will bring the hygge vibes in spades. It'll run for a month and set you back $25 for a season pass, which will give you unlimited access to the program. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYTdsN7oyWU&feature=youtu.be The inaugural season of Very Local launches on Friday, July 31 and will run till Monday, August 31. To sign up, head here. Images: Orange360 and Destination NSW
Towards the end of Tokyo Vice's gripping eight-episode first-season run, its lanky American-in-Japan protagonist struts down an ordinary Tokyo street donning a suit and shades while smoking a cigarette. Jake Adelstein (Ansel Elgort, West Side Story) sports a post-coital glow, too, and looks as if he feels on top of the world. He also stands out awkwardly, no matter how cool he thinks he is, even before a high-school pal from home in Missouri spots him and bursts his bubble. This stride-of-pride scene sums up Tokyo Vice perfectly, because what's going on around Jake, and simply the complex city he's in, is always far more intriguing than he is. Don't go thinking that this HBO series doesn't know that, though. Available to stream in full in Australia via Paramount+ — and already renewed for a second season by HBO Max, the US network's streaming service — Tokyo Vice's first season uses an outsider as its entry point into the Japanese capital's neon-lit hustle, bustle and underworld. It uses two, in fact. Also making the city her base is fellow American expat Samantha Porter (Rachel Keller, Legion), a club hostess who spends her nights charming men who'll pay for her glamorous barside company, and also just generally being as far away from the USA as she can manage. But this series is about Tokyo happening around Jake and Sam, as it would regardless of whether they were there or not, as much as it's about the pair in Tokyo. It's a noir series about the bucket-list travel spot's shadows, and it knows that they'd linger no matter who was playing tourist. A smart and sleek crime-thriller? Tokyo Vice easily checks that box. A fish-out-of-water swim through yakuza territory? Yes, that one, too. A mostly after-dark trip through streets and spots that've largely been off limits to travellers for more than two years now? Naturally, the series ticks that one as well. It's also a 90s throwback, taking place in 1999 with Faithless and ATB bangers helping to rick gleaming nightclub dance floors, featuring references to The Matrix, and offering one of pop culture's great 'I Want It That Way' sing-alongs (and discussions about its true meaning). And, Tokyo Vice is the latest release from one of America's best directors, who is finally back behind the lens seven years after making his most recent movie. Indeed, this must-see series is many things — and the fact that it's Michael Mann project is among the reasons that it's essential. The filmmaker's last stint in the director's chair, the Chris Hemsworth (Thor: Love and Thunder)-starring 2015 film Blackhat, also followed a determined and ambitious American, and used every visual and audio trick it had to immerse its audiences in his mindset and his world. That's not the only parallel from the Thief, Heat, The Insider and Collateral helmer's resume that makes its presence known here, either. Mann only directs Tokyo Vice's pilot, but what a tone-setting debut episode it is — as stylish and gritty a piece of television as you're likely to stream any time soon, and one brimming with the filmmaker's usual look and mood. He also serves as the book-to-screen series' executive producer, which explains why its slice of Japanese-set thrills always feels like it bears his fingerprints. Of course, Tokyo Vice isn't shy about its links to Mann, who also executive produced the original 1980s TV series Miami Vice, and wrote and directed the 2006 big-screen remake. Attaching any other filmmaker's name would've simply felt incongruous. That said, the show's moniker actually stems from the IRL Jake Adelstein's memoir Tokyo Vice: An American Reporter on the Police Beat in Japan, about his years writing for Yomiuri Shimbun as a non-Japanese journalist. Adapted for the screen by playwright JT Rogers (Oslo), what a twisty, gritty, fast-paced narrative it spins, too. Still, everything about the HBO-backed program feels as if it was always fated to end up in Mann's hands. Adelstein was Yomiuri Shimbun's first foreign staff writer, with Tokyo Vice exploring his quest to cement himself inside the publication from the bottom up. Just like in that aforementioned stroll down the street, the on-screen version of Jake always sticks out, as does his dogged enthusiasm to chase the stories he's explicitly instructed to ignore. He aces the strict and gruelling Japanese-language test needed to even get his job. He makes history by earning his post. But murders don't happen in Japan, he's told. He's advised of plenty more, sometimes yelled at him insultingly by his boss Baku (Kosuke Toyohara, Deliver Us From Evil), sometimes offered as cautious words of wisdom by his immediate supervisor Emi Maruyama (Rinko Kikuchi, Pacific Rim: Uprising). The deaths he's witnessing on Tokyo's streets scream otherwise, though. So, Jake starts spending his own time investigating, befriending two Tokyo detectives for guidance and tips: the vice squad's Jin Miyamoto (Hideaki Itô, Memoirs of a Murderer), plus organised crime division veteran Hiroto Katagiri (Ken Watanabe, Godzilla: King of the Monsters). Both know that their new pal is desperate to make a name for himself, and that he's potentially playing a dangerous game; both are just as involved in charting the yakuza's actions, including the war between faction heads Hitoshi Ishida (Shun Sugata, Tomorrow's Dinner Table) and Shinzo Tozawa (Ayumi Tanida, Killing for the Prosecution), in their own ways. Jake's pursuit of the truth also involves getting close to Sam, who knows the lay of the land and has dreams of starting her own club. And, it sees him cross paths with jaded yakuza enforcer Sato (Shô Kasamatsu, Love You as the World Ends), an underling to Ishida and Sam's best-paying customer. Noting that Elgort is the weakest part of the series isn't quite the criticism it would be in any other show. The Baby Driver and The Goldfinch actor is well cast for precisely that reason, because making Jake the least interesting aspect of Tokyo Vice wholeheartedly suits the overall narrative, its focus on the city's underworld, and its embrace of the layers of complication that thrive and thrum beneath its must-visit exterior. Also, everything around Elgort, especially the performances by Watanabe, Kasamatsu, Kikuchi and Itô, proves stellar — both demanding and deserving attention. Getting drawn into this supremely well-made turn-of-the-millennium-set jaunt through Tokyo's underbelly is easy; instantly wanting more, especially from its exceptional Japanese talent, is as well. Check out the trailer for Tokyo Vice below: Tokyo Vice is available to stream via Paramount+.
Dear Concrete Playground Readers, With the growing concerns surrounding COVID-19, we wanted to take a moment to check in. Going out might not be at the top of your to-do list right now, but you can continue to support small, local businesses without leaving your apartment. These businesses have had a tough run of late — battling through the lockout laws in Sydney, the bushfires in regional areas and, now, coronavirus fears — and they need our support now more than ever. Buy from artists who've had their shows cancelled, order gift cards and merch from venues that are struggling or just book in a dinner for that birthday a few months away. Then, when we come out the other side — which we will — we'll be raring to get out there and hit up concerts, food festivals, comedy galas and charity raves once again. And we'll be there with you every step of the way. In the meantime, keep washing your hands — to the chorus of Lizzo's 'Truth Hurts', of course — and get in touch if you have any questions, concerns or just want to chat. Love, CP To stay up-to-date with the events postponed and cancelled in your city, head over here. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website.
