Gone are the days of sidling into bottle shops and covertly trying to identify the second cheapest wine on the shelf. The brainchild of The Iconic founder and former managing director Cameron Votan, Spokewine is the brand new online wine store that may well revolutionise the way you think about your drinking — with a unique customer rating system. The online equivalent of a well-stocked cellar door, Spokewine features wine options from more than 70 different Australian wineries, many of which have never before been available to buy on the web. With a focus on boutique producers, customers can browse by wine type, region or individual winery, or simply take a look at what's trending with their fellow oenophiles — which, let's face it, is basically just a fancy word for knowledgeable alcoholic. Once you've found the wine that suits your palate, you can order by the case and have it delivered to you absolutely free. Shipping should take between 4-10 days, and you'll need someone over 18 to sign for it on arrival. Sorry kids, there's no gaming the system. What makes Spokewine unique is their democratic review process, which takes the power away from snooty wine critics and puts it back into the hands of the people. Basically, it's like IMDb, but for your liver. After logging in through Facebook, you can choose between 'love', 'like' and 'not for me', or get more in depth feedback through tasting notes and written reviews. After you've rated the vino, your score and everyone else's get aggregated into two separate rankings — the 'approval' rating counts the percentage of positive votes, while the 'passion' rating calculates the number of 'love' votes as a percentage of people who ranked it positively. The Spokewine venture may prove a new mode of doing business for the former Iconic head and his partners Nicholas Turner, Michael Larsen and Victor Garcia. Votan told BRW the move was a "real partnership" with winemakers, as opposed to the set-up with labels: arguing over rebates, charging fees for lost custom. Looks like Votan is going to do things a little differently this time. "Not just The Iconic but any retailer I’ve ever been involved with, whether through consulting or an operational role, is that merchants are by nature in an adversarial relationship [with suppliers],” Votan told BRW. "It would be impossible to do that with the set of vendors that we’re working with now. They just don’t work like that. They’re up for partnerships for life. They want you to come and look them in the eye, walk through their vineyard with them, understand their story and at the end shake hands and say let’s do business." Now if you'll excuse us, we've got some user-reviewed wine to order.
If any baked delight deserves a day to be celebrated, it's Australia's national treat, the lamington. And as Sydney's undisputed ambassadors for those delicious chocolate-dipped cubes of sponge cake and jam, the good folks at Tokyo Lamington are the obvious choice to lead those festivities on World Lamington Day. "[World Lamington Day] is a fantastic opportunity to share our passion for lamingtons with our community and celebrate this special day," said Eddie Stewart, the co-founder of Tokyo Lamington. On the day in question — Sunday, July 21 — Tokyo Lamington will join forces with ONA Coffee to give away 2000 free lamingtons and 2000 free lamington lattes. What's a lamington latte, you cry? It's a creamy brew made with ONA Coffee's sweet, biscuity maple blend and supercharged with vanilla, raspberry and coconut flavouring, delivering the unmistakable taste of a lamington with all the caffeinated goodness of your morning joe. Customers will be entitled to either one free OG lamington — Tokyo Lamington's signature bake, filled with raspberry jam and vanilla cream, dipped in a dark chocolate sauce and coated in shredded coconut — or a lamington latte with every purchase at any of the duo's locations. However, it'll pay to be the early bird as this giveaway will be available only while supplies last. World Lamington Day is not the only thing the Tokyo Lamington crew have to celebrate at present. The innovative bakehouse recently opened their second Sydney outpost which, in addition to their range of lamingtons, is also baking a whole range of baked goods, including quiches, pies, sausage rolls and cakes. You can find Tokyo Lamington & The Bakery at 140 Marrickville Road, Marrickville.
Burgers, hip-hop and ethically-sourced produce collide at Alexandria's newest eatery. 4 Ounces is the creation of head chef Rory Donnelley (ex-Cafe del Mar) and his childhood friend Mitch Coleman, who have combined their passions for music and local produce with Sydney's never-ending burger love affair. "We've both been in the graffiti and hip hop scenes for ages, plus I've been working in fine dining for 13 years," says Donnelley. "I wanted to bring the values of those kitchens into fast food." That means mondo burgers made with premium produce and out-of-the-ordinary flavour combos, all named after hip-hop legends. Take The Ol' Dirty, for example, which is a glazed donut bun stuffed with two special blend patties, American cheese, Westmont pickle, maple bacon and house sauce. For veggos, there's The ASAP: smoked tofu, deep-fried truffle mac and cheese, wild mushrooms, Westmont pickle, liquid cheese and house sauce on a milk bun. They've got burgers on bagels, southern fried chicken burgers and loaded fries, all piled high in that over-the-top, sloppy comfort food way. And this comfort food even comes guilt free. "80% of the produce comes from within a 300 kilometre radius of Sydney," says Donnelley. The buns are from Marrickville's Bread and Butter Project; the organic, free-range chicken from Feather and Bone; and the beef from Hereford Red, Orange. The drinks menu similarly keeps it local — think wines from Phillip Shaw, beers from Philter and Grifter and spirits from Archie Rose and Poor Tom's. There's seating for about 20 inside and 30 outside, with the casual fitout featuring simple white tiles and timber. This puts the focus on the street art covering one wall: a mural by James Jirat Patradoon. "We wanted to open a place that represented our friends and family, where we knew they could come and have a good time," Donnelley said. Whether Sydney needs another burger joint, or another hip-hop joint, is certainly up for discussion, but we can appreciate the ethical slant to this one. 4 Ounces is now open at 38 Mitchell Rd, Alexandria. Open Sunday through Thursday from noon to 10pm Friday through Saturday from noon until midnight.
UNDR ctrl has powered through its first year. And you're invited to join the party on August 1 at Oxford Art Factory. Sydney's partystarting crew is teaming up with OXJAM for a huge night, not only featuring some of their favourite artists, but an assortment of miscellaneous activities — including haircuts from Razorhurst Barbershop, free tote bags to the first 100 arrivals and visuals by UNDR ctrl's art director Purely Mental in collaboration with EGO. The theme is 'It'll be ALL WHITE on the night' and UNDR ctrl is asking that you dress 'white and wild'. As far as music goes, there'll be something for everyone at this party. Live outfits Tear Council and World Champion will kick things off things early, while Adi Toohey, Ariane and Ara Koufax will be on the decks. If house is your thing, you can count on Set Mo, Parkside DJs and Olympic Ayres DJs, or for techno, there's Motorik Vibe Council and Jensen Interceptor. All proceeds from ticket sales go to OXJAM, which works with musicians and music lovers around the world to fight against poverty.
Don't let anyone ever tell you that art and sport don't mix. Awards season, when the past year's films and TV shows battle it out for shiny trophies? That's as competitive as it gets. Guessing who'll become the next Bond? Given how seriously people take it, that fits, too. And, so does speculating every few years about who'll take over that other beloved, long-running British franchise: Doctor Who. The latest round of wondering who'll be stepping into the TARDIS has just come to an end, though — and there is indeed a fantastic winner. After proving such a hit in Netflix's Sex Education, Rwanda-born Scottish actor Ncuti Gatwa has been named as the 14th time lord. And, for the second time in a row, Doctor Who is making history. When the police box-loving, time-travelling, Dalek-fighting character next regenerates into a new incarnation — which is how the series writes in its casting swaps — Gatwa will become Doctor Who's first Black lead. He takes over from Jodie Whittaker, whose run comes to an end this year, after becoming the first-ever female lead back in 2017. The future is here! Ncuti Gatwa is the Doctor. ❤️❤️➕🟦 #DoctorWho Read more here ➡️ https://t.co/KoxPmoNAdL pic.twitter.com/peKsH6gCjI — Doctor Who (@bbcdoctorwho) May 8, 2022 As well as following on from Whittaker, Gatwa joins a long list of other British actors who've stepped into the part — 12 prior to Whittaker, obviously — including OG Doctor William Hartnell back in 1963; 70s favourite Tom Baker; and Christoper Eccelston (The Leftovers), David Tenant (Mary Queen of Scots), Matt Smith (Morbius) and Peter Capaldi (The Suicide Squad) since the show made a big comeback in 2005. And yes, the fact that it took 54 years for the character to become a woman and six decades for a Black actor to play the part is clearly far too long. Announcing the news in a BBC statement, Gatwa said "there aren't quite the words to describe how I'm feeling. A mix of deeply honoured, beyond excited and of course a little bit scared. This role and show means so much to so many around the world, including myself, and each one of my incredibly talented predecessors has handled that unique responsibility and privilege with the utmost care. I will endeavour my utmost to do the same." "Russell T Davies is almost as iconic as the Doctor himself and being able to work with him is a dream come true," Gatwa continued. "His writing is dynamic, exciting, incredibly intelligent and fizzing with danger. An actor's metaphorical playground. The entire team has been so welcoming and truly give their hearts to the show. And so as much as it's daunting, I'm aware I'm joining a really supportive family. Unlike the Doctor, I may only have one heart but I am giving it all to this show." Davies himself, Doctor Who's showrunner, was just as excited. "The future is here and it's Ncuti! Sometimes talent walks through the door and it's so bright and bold and brilliant, I just stand back in awe and thank my lucky stars. Ncuti dazzled us, seized hold of the Doctor and owned those TARDIS keys in seconds." Gatwa's stint as Doctor Who is slated to start in 2o23 — but exactly when it'll drop hasn't yet been revealed. In the interim, you have two ways to celebrate: watch old Doctor Who episodes, naturally, and re-binge your way through Sex Education again. Ncuti Gatwa will start playing Doctor Who in 2o23 — we'll update you with a release date when one is announced. Images: Sex Education, Sam Taylor/Netflix.
It started with everyday awkwardness. It plunged straight into a memorable meet-cute, too. And, it pondered what might happen if a medical student and a microbrewery owner crossed paths in Sydney, ended up with an injured dog between them, then went from strangers to pet co-owners almost instantly. Also, it's the latest collaboration between real-life couple and No Activity stars Harriet Dyer (The Invisible Man) and Patrick Brammall (Evil). From the moment that Colin From Accounts hit screens late in 2022, it clearly wasn't short on highlights. Among last year's best new TV shows, this Aussie gem stood out for its charm, relatability, smarts and fleshed-out characters — plus its ace two- and four-legged cast. Thankfully, there'll be more where all of the above came from, with Australian streaming service Binge confirming that a second season of Colin From Accounts is officially on the way. "We're thrilled that Binge is finally giving in and letting us do another one. Turns out the border terrier community is extremely powerful," said Dyer and Brammall in a statement announcing the homegrown hit's impending return. "Thank you to everybody around the world who has enjoyed the show — we can't wait to bring you all a second season. Stay tuned for more shenanigans." So far, there's no exact timing set for a second date with Dyer as Ashley and Brammall as Gordon; however, the renewal news comes after Colin From Accounts nabbed itself a trio of 2023 Logies. The series picked up Most Outstanding Comedy Program, Most Outstanding Actor and Most Outstanding Actress — all industry voted, rather than by audiences. Story-wise, the first season of Colin From Accounts followed Ashley and Gordon after the latter was distracted by the former one otherwise ordinary morning, then accidentally hit a stray dog with his car. The pair took the pooch to receive veterinary treatment, then committed to look after him — and, yes, named him Colin From Accounts — causing their already-chaotic lives to intertwine. "The funniest couple on TV (and their dog) are coming back. Binge is thrilled to confirm a second season of the award-winning Colin from Accounts," Alison Hurbert-Burns, the streaming service's Executive Director. "We left season one unsure if Ashley and Gordon could get Colin back, so of course we need to see what's next for these loveable characters that audiences in Australia, and the world, have fallen in love with." Check out the trailer for season one of Colin From Accounts below: Colin From Accounts season two doesn't yet have a release date, but will stream via Binge. Read our review of season one. Images: Lisa Tomasetti / Tony Mott.
Who hasn't wanted to care less about all the things that really don't matter? Since long before self-help was even a book genre — since before there were books — humanity has been desperate to devote less of its attention to matters that simply aren't worth it. That's easier said than done, though, which is why there's so many texts about living your best life and forgetting pointless strife, including Mark Manson's 2016 hit The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck. If giving less fucks is your ultimate goal — and it should be everyone's — then you've probably read The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck. Or, you've heard at it at least. It was absolutely everywhere back when it first hit bookshelves, with people glued to it on buses, everyone's mates spouting its advice and more than 15-million copes sold. In early 2023, it's also going to be hitting screens. The tome dedicated to living more contented and grounded lives has been turned into a doco, with Manson himself featuring to lead the way. As the just-dropped sneak peek at the movie shows, he's on-hand to chat viewers through his brutally honest and raw but refreshing philosophy — and help you learn, if you haven't already, that it's wise to choose where to direct our fucks, what to give a crap about and what genuinely bloody matters. Couldn't be arsed reading the book? Clearly, this is the quicker way to soak in its contents, as shot in New Zealand during the pandemic. When NZ-based producer Matthew Metcalfe (Dawn Raid) came across the text — drawn to its bright cover, like plenty of folks have been — he was fascinated by its anti-self-help-book vibe, as well as its take on life's difficulties. Manson had been approached about adapting The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck for the screen before, but Metcalfe got him interested in giving a fuck about his offer. If you're new to Manson's brand of advice, the book's chapter titles are as telling as its overall moniker, boasting names such as 'Don't Try', 'Happiness is a problem', 'You are not special', 'You are wrong about everything (But so am I)', 'The importance of saying no' and 'And then you die'. The appropriate mood comes through in the film version's trailer, with experienced commercials director Nathan Price behind the lens. No doubt timed for New Year's resolutions — especially if not giving a fuck is one of yours — the film debuts in Australia via digital and in New Zealand in cinemas on Wednesday, January 11, 2023. Check out the trailer for The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck below: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck will be available to watch via digital download from Wednesday, January 11, 2023 in Australia, and in NZ cinemas on the same date — head to the film's website for further details.
While you may have been spoilt these holidays, with a scented candle or an adult colouring book, you may not have gotten what you really wanted for Christmas. As the festive season comes to a close and we head into the new year, you can treat yourself to some new makeup that's cruelty-free and affordable. After being crowded Best International Makeup Brand of 2020 by the Beauty Shortlist Awards, Byron Bay's Eye of Horus is offering its vegan-friendly makeup range for up to 50 percent off. The beauty brand offers everything you need for your brows, cheeks, eyes and lips and has been worn by the likes of Isabel Lucas and Dannii Minogue. You'll find a warm summer solstice eyeshadow, metallic bronze eyeliner or aurora peach lipstick. The promotion is running from Boxing Day until Wednesday, December 30, so you have just five days to look through the the website and decide what colour palette you'll be taking into 2021. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy.
Ali Barter knows all too well that tapping into your most creative self doesn't always come easy. "I used to experiment a lot more," says Barter. "I'd play different instruments, I'd get on the keyboard, or I'd try and write to a concept. I was trying to find my pattern." Along the way, she's discovered her ideal approach is a more organic one, gathering inspiration as she goes. "It starts off with words, maybe from watching a movie or having an interaction with somebody," explains Barter. "I'll jot them down, and then when it gets to the songwriting part, I'll sit down with an instrument, make up a melody and use these words that I've saved. Or new words come along." We sit down with Barter to discuss her approach to the creative process and staying true to herself in music and in fashion. Some will tell you that routine and structure are creativity's best mates, but for this artist, it's the opposite. Between touring, songwriting, time spent in her Collingwood studio and all the other life stuff, Barter's day-to-day schedule is always changing, which means there's no chance of relying on a specific place or time of day to ignite that creative spark. "My routine's all over the shop," she muses. "So it's more just about showing up, getting my notebook and guitar and being there. And something might happen, or nothing might happen." The artist, who writes a lot with husband and producer Oscar Dawson, says she also draws plenty of inspiration from just being around someone she trusts creatively. "If Oscar's there and we're together, it doesn't really matter where we are," she says. "A creative space is really dependent on your attitude and who you're with." "It's like when I go to band practice — we're just in an empty, sterile room, but because I'm there with three other musicians that I love to play music with, we'll end up being creative." And, just as Barter's best work has come from sticking to her own guns in the creative process, the artist's discovered along the way that staying true to her own sense of style also inspires her most authentic work. "I'm just really a jeans and t-shirt girl," she explains. "Sometimes I've tried to be a little bit more out there, but I never feel like myself. And I think it's the same with my music. Musically, if I've tried to be a bit more cool or fancy, I end up not sounding like myself. And with fashion, when I try and be something that I'm not, I don't feel like me." In Barter's wardrobe, denim has always been a staple. "I wear denim every day, it's like my work gear," says the singer-songwriter. "It's just such a functional but honest piece of clothing, you know?" "I've started wearing these Wrangler jeans called Birkins, and I just wear them every day," Barter says. "They're high-waisted, cropped, not too tight and they look good with everything." Listen to Ali Barter's music here, and find the denim that brings out the creative, innovator and gamechanger in you at The Iconic. Images: Kate Shanasy.
It may be freezing outside, but Olympic Ayres are pretty firmly committed to the sounds of warmer days. The Sydney producer/DJ duo make the kind of super synthy beats that will transport you to palm-tree'd beach parties of summers past. Rejecting the seasonal chill, they're playing a toasty live showcase of their upcoming EP Leisureplex at Goodgod next week. Priding themselves on genre-spanning dance pop, the Olympic Ayres guys have just dropped the second single from the EP, 'Control'. It's a feel-good electro-romp, and predictions for the rest of the release are happiness and youth encapsulated in endless warm day festival vibes that just make you need to move. Leisureplex isn't actually due for release until September 18, so this gig is the first chance to hear what the band have been working on — perfect escapism for those in denial about the less-than-balmy weather conditions. https://youtube.com/watch?v=1S2RyZxlssU
The lower north shore has welcomed another cafe revamp with the opening of Pasture of Balmoral (previously La Repubblica). The two-storey harbourside cafe is set within Mosman's The Esplanade and offers views across Balmoral Beach, an ex-Vue de Monde chef, cocktails and, most importantly, house-made crumpets. Designed by Guru Projects (Nel., White Rabbit and Harry's Bondi to name a few), patrons can expect relaxed beach vibes with rattan detailing, white-washed timber panelling and potted plants. The naturally lit, open space lets in the sea breeze with large bay windows and high ceilings, too. An all-day menu has been carefully pulled together by chef Justin Naudi (Vue de Monde), whose resumé also boasts Goma and Chez Dre. Like many of Sydney's cafes and restaurants, Pasture focuses on sustainably grown, native ingredients that are sourced directly from local producers. Apart from those spelt crumpets — which come with citrus ricotta, honey, berries and lemon myrtle toppings — Naudi has created a seasonal menu with a fine dining touch. Think truffled organic eggs with prosciutto and pecorino shavings for brekkie and five-spiced squid with lemon tartare and rocket for lunch. Apart from breakfast and lunch, dinner is also served three days a week and includes snacks, small plates and mains like the pan-roasted snapper with roast fennel and black olive tapenade; confit pork belly with apple puree and herb salad; and lamb with leeks and yoghurt. For drinks, there's Will & Co coffees served throughout the day, along with an extensive wine list that focuses on Aussie drops and a ten-strong list of classic cocktails — both served from lunchtime onward. Pasture of Balmoral is now open at 51 The Esplanade, Mosman. Opening hours are seven days a week from 6:30am–4pm and for dinner on Thursday through Saturday from 6pm–10pm.
It's only February but already it might be possible to name both the worst film and least funny comedy of the year. Fist Fight, starring Charlie Day and Ice Cube, is a monument to stupidity. Its characters are amongst the thinnest and most derivative ever constructed, its plot is simultaneously ludicrous and entirely dull, and its capacity for comedy exists almost solely as outtakes in the final credits. The film's first-time screenwriters rely exclusively on a three-tiered approach of dick jokes, incessant swearing, and a female teacher's desire to have sex with a minor, forever backed by Day's high-pitched stammering whine. Story wise, Fist Fight takes place on muck up day in a US public school, where the students run riot, the teachers are powerless (or apathetic, or both), and the school board is laying off staff to meet budgetary requirements. When Day and Cube's characters clash over an incident in which Cube takes to a student's desk with a fire axe, Cube challenges the diminutive Day to a fist fight in the school yard after class to settle things once and for all. That none of the faculty, campus security or police department demonstrate any interest in properly addressing either the axe-on-student incident OR the imminent crimes of: assault and battery, disturbing the peace, affray or disorderly conduct, somehow represents the least implausible part of this entire abysmal experience. Alongside Day and Cube are various actors of note in roles that are completely beneath them. Tracy Morgan plays an incompetent sports coach, Christine Hendricks plays a butterfly-knife wielding French teacher, and Jillian Bell plays a meth-addicted guidance counsellor determined to get herself some 'teenis' (teenage penis). The whole conceit is so laughably unlaughable that it's astounding the script ever caught a studio's attention. That actors willingly signed on, well...let's just hope the money was worth it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aIzXYo6VCE
Caress/Ache, directed by Anthony Skuse for Griffin Theatre, feels like the moment immediately after you bust a piñata — there’s a whole heap of stuff spilling out in all different directions, fragmented chaos of varying quality. The play tells a number of stories that loosely connect under the theme of touch, although with a heavy-handed projection containing germane biological facts preceding each scene, it tends to feel rather forced. Mark (Ian Stenlake), is a surgeon who has lost a patient and can no longer stand physical contact with Libby (Helen Christinson), his wife. Cameron (Gary Clementson) comes clean to his partner about a great deal of touching he did with another woman, and Alice (Zoe Carides) is a mother whose son is on death row, her fear being that he will be executed before she can embrace him again. A thread which follows Cate (Sabryna Te’o), a girl training to be a phone sex operator, is easily the funniest and probably the best executed of these. Structurally, it is a play full of contradictions and sudden gear changes. Suzie Miller’s writing contains more than the odd cliche and careens rather wildly in tone from poetic to melodramatic to conversational and back again. The actors are staunch in their efforts to realise each scene truthfully, but titters from the audience during one particularly emotional scene were proof of the significant challenge posed by the dialogue. This disunity persists at the design level. Sound design by Nate Edmondson contains a great deal of momentum and wonder; the problem is it belongs to a different show. It’s strange and disappointing to watch a man brood in a bath when the music dictates that Brian Cox come on and inform the audience about the birth of the universe. The bareness and sterility of the set does focus attention on the small moments of human contact, but at the same time it made many of the scenes feel as though they were being performed in a void. The introduction of a bath in the latter half exacerbated this problem — it is referenced by a couple of the performers while the rest of the cast were forced to act around it. There are some genuinely nice moments in Caress/Ache; the difficulty is sorting them from story threads which strain furiously against each other, denying the piece cohesion. Caress/Ache is no papier-mache shell, but, like anything that’s been hit by a bat a couple of times, it doesn’t quite hold together.
Skiing and snowboarding aren't the only things to do at Thredbo, but they're the main reason that most folks head to the snowy resort in Kosciuszko National Park in winter. The spot in New South Wales' Snowy Mountains also prides itself on its unique attractions, however, including Australia's only alpine gondola, plus the country's only lift-accessed mountain bike park with more than 40 kilometres of trails — and, soon, the first alpine coaster in the southern hemisphere as well. What's an alpine coaster? It is indeed a rollercoaster-like attraction, but features individual sleds on a track. Get zooming on the Thredbo Alpine Coaster, then, and you'll travel along a 1.5-kilometre expanse while controlling your own pace. The maximum is 40 kilometres per hour, but whether you feel the need for that speed or you're keen on something cruisier is completely up to you. Whichever you pick — fast, slow, in-between — you'll traverse both uphill and downhill tracks. You'll also go through a tunnel and over a bridge. And while this new addition to Thredbo is called an alpine coaster and is set to open for winter 2024, it will operate all year round. So, it'll be a drawcard in summer, too. Construction started in October 2023, with bulk civil excavation works and concreting already finished, and the track currently being installed. In autumn, independent third-party engineers will undertake safety testing. Then, come the coldest season of the year — with an exact launch date not yet announced — it'll be open to everyone. Thredbo General Manager Stuart Diver said that the Thredbo Alpine Coaster "will build upon our wide range of outdoor adventures in summer as a drawcard for new tourists to the village in the shoulder seasons". "This new development is a testament to Thredbo's commitment to provide a premium experience for our guests 365 days a year," he continued. The Thredbo Alpine Coaster is set to be operational by winter 2024 — we'll update you with an exact date when one is announced. Head to the Thredbo website for further details in the interim.
Australian superhero fans, your must-see movies over the next few years are going to look very familiar. You won't just spot parts of the Gold Coast and Brisbane in Marvel's Thor: Ragnarok, which is due in cinemas in October 2017 — come 2018, DC Comics' Aquaman will also boast plenty of Queensland scenery. What's good for a a hammer-wielding god is good for a water-dwelling hero, it seems (and, given that the Gold Coast has plenty of water parks, it certainly appears to be a great fit). Aquaman will start shooting in early 2017 at Village Roadshow Studios on the Gold Coast and on location in south-east Queensland. As well as starring Game of Thrones' star and Port Adelaide AFL supporter Jason Momoa, Amber Heard (who we're guessing won't bring any pet pooches with her), Patrick Wilson and Willem Dafoe, it'll mark the homecoming of Saw, Insidious, The Conjuring and Fast & Furious 7 director James Wan. "This is another huge win for our local industry and testament to the international reputation of our people," said Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. The Federal Government pledged to provide $22 million in tax breaks to entice the production to come to Australia. Indeed, it's shaping up to be a busy time for the local industry, with the just-renamed Pacific Rim: Uprising also resuming filming early in 2017, and the likes of Kong: Skull Island, The Shallows and San Andreas shooting on the Gold Coast in recent years. It's also a great time to be a comic book movie lover in Queensland. After trying to spot Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston running around Brisbane in 2016, superhero aficionados can explore all things Marvel at the Gallery of Modern Art's upcoming Marvel: Creating the Cinematic Universe exhibition come April, and then attempt to catch a glimpse of the next effort in the DC realm.
Marrickville may be renowned for its culture, brimming with music venues, theatres, restaurants and bars, but a few of its residents are not on-board with one of the suburb's beloved concert halls. Livingstone Road's The Great Club is under fire from a handful of its neighbours, who have been filing repeated noise complaints which the venue says have put it under immense financial pressure. The Great Club opened in 2021, taking over a building that previously housed a longstanding Greek club for decades. Since adopting the space, the venue has hosted a diverse genre-spanning program of gigs and carpark parties — and has also opened a Greek-inspired front bar and restaurant serving up pub classics and Greek staples under the name Yia Yai's Dive Bar. According to The Great Club's Event Boss Cassie Benco, following the aforementioned carpark parties — a community music festival run in collaboration with non-alcoholic beer brand Heaps Normal, plus a Hottest 100 day party — the small group of neighbours really started to kick up a fuss. While they had previously lodged complaints, the issues became more significant following these outdoor gatherings. "Basically, we have three neighbours that have been filing complaints against us about the noise," says Benco. "We have a lot of neighbours that are very supportive of us, obviously, but these ones have just been causing a lot of problems — complaining to Council and to Liquor and Gaming." [caption id="attachment_886011" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dexter Kim[/caption] Despite continuous contact with the Inner West City Council about the events the venue had planned, as well as a continued commitment to conclude all live music events by 11pm, Benco says the council has now intervened — leading to The Great Club reducing capacity on gigs, working with sound engineers to manage sound levels, cancelling plans for any future outdoor events and hiring lawyers to deal with the complaints. "[Not running outdoor events] really sucks 'cause it's such a good space and most of the community love it. And the Hottest 100 was such a good day. We had kids here and everyone with their dogs." The Inner West City Council has organised mediation with the neighbours in order to hopefully resolve the issues but, during an already tough time for live music, these added financial costs have put the venue under pressure of closing. In response, The Great Club has launched a fundraising campaign via the website Chuffed in the hope of raising $50,000 to keep the venue alive and vibrant. "[The Great Club's Owner] Ali did a callout to get people to send in letters of support, and a lot of people suggested 'you should do crowdfunding'." The campaign has already raised over $10,000 at the time of writing, with perks on offer to those that donate. On top of knowing you're helping save the bar, those who donate $50 will be sent a Great Club tote bag — or if you donate $100, you'll get your name on the door of an upcoming gig of your choice with a plus one. If you want to really go big with your donation, there are even heftier prizes like your name on the guest list for a full year, or a Great Club party for you and nine mates with free food and drinks. "We just feel very lucky to be so loved by so many, even though a very small ratio are causing issues. It's still so great to see so much support," says Benco. Following The Great Club's public campaign about the noise complaints, the Inner West Council released a statement. "The Inner West is working actively to resolve the issues between The Great Club and its neighbours. Following a couple of events held at the club in late 2022 that were not compliant with the club's license, complaints were received by neighbours. All events since have been compliant," reads the statement. "Our Good Neighbour policy was developed specifically to find solutions to issues like this through mediation not litigation, and we're hopeful that we can work with both parties to find a solution that works for The Great Club and its neighbours." If you want to head in and check out the venue, The Great Club has the likes of Urthboy, The Terrys, Candy and a massive Ireland Rocks showcase on its upcoming program, while Yia Yia's is open 6pm–late Wednesday–Saturday. The Great Club is located at 160–164 Livingstone Road, Marrickville. Find out more about its issues with noise complaints and its fundraising project via Chuffed. Top image: Georgia Griffiths.
We've compiled a list of delicious Greek food in Sydney for you, and we've done it at great risk to ourselves — the last guy who swiped secrets about Greek dishes wound up trapped in a puddle for eternity. It's said that Tantalus was invited for dinner with Zeus on Mount Olympus and liked the gods' ambrosia and nectar so much he pocketed some to take home and share with friends. Zeus was so mad, he made Tantalus stand forever in a still pool of water, just unable to reach a branch laden with fruit drooping down overhead. So if we do get busted for bringing you this list, at least come visit and bring a souvlaki, okay koukla mou? The Corinthian The skeletal lamb heads, glaring sightless out from the lit-up window bain-marie, are the first things you'll see and the last thing I want to think about. This place has presided over Marrickville since the '80s and has all the old wood-panelling, plastic tablecloths, faded photos and over-it attitude to prove it. The staff are actually from ancient Greece. Go here for the chill, old-school charm and hearty, veteran versions of all the classics. Lunch Tues - Sun, Dinner Tues - Sun; 283 Marrickville Road, Marrickville; (02) 9569 7084 Anatoli This new kid, by contrast, is brimming with imagination and energy. Really — I could not, in good conscience, send you to The Eastern otherwise. Anatoli is one of a swag of new spots recently opened in the Bondi Junction club and has convinced now-me to revisit what teenage-me left behind. The whole place has been reinvented and the Anatoli fit-out is totally glam; there are no sheep skulls oozing up this marble bar top. There's a mouthwatering range of meat and fish, and the vegetarian options not only exist but look delicious; a whole roast artichoke comes sitting on lemon butter, while charred okra holds up against ballsy garlic and anchovies. Lunch Fri - Sun; Dinner Tues - Sun; 500 Oxford Street, Bondi; (02) 9387 7828; anatolirestaurant.com.au The Animal If Dionysus was propping up any bar in Sydney, it'd probably be this one at Keystone's tricked-up Newtown Hotel. They actually serve wine on tap here, and I imagine the god of that grape juice would be pulling up a chair. If you don't eat no meat, the coal roast suckling lamb is literally the best thing ever. There's a different meat roast every day (goat on Thursdays!) and they go all-out for Sunday with all the trimmings. The dessert list stretches a bit beyond baklava, too. I'd pop in for a wine and a cheese plate with fig jam and pickled carrots. Lunch Sat - Sun; Dinner Mon - Sun; 174 King St, Newtown; (02) 9557 6399; newtownhotel.com.au Steki Taverna This low-lit charmer has been tucked down a Newtown side street for around three decades now, and it's earned its regulars. Those who go, go often. There are no surprises on the menu; it's full of usual suspects, and they're usually done damn well. There's live, loud Greek music on Friday and Saturday nights and lots of dancing, which is the sort of thing I would not want anything to do with if everyone didn't look like they were having just so much fun. Dinner Wed - Sun; 2 O'Connell St, Newtown; (02) 9516 2191; www.stekitaverna.com.au The Apollo The Apollo is tucked away down in Potts Point, and it's nice to stroll down Macleay Street to get there considering you'll be ordering two of everything on the menu (you shouldn't order that much, I'm kidding) (but you should). Jonathan Barthelmess (Manly Pavilion) and Sam Christie (Longrain) have teamed up to deliver a bright little neighbourhood favourite with food that feels both classic and contemporary. Go the saganaki cheese with honey and oregano, the taramasalata dip sprinkled with fresh mullet roe, the rich moussaka (and everything else) (twice). Finish up with fresh chunks of watermelon marinated in ouzo and topped with lemon granita and make plans to return. Lunch Fri - Sun; Dinner Mon - Sun; 44 Macleay Street, Potts Point; (02) 8354 0888; www.theapollo.com.au Xanthi They had me at 'ouzo trolley'. The aniseed spirit is actually way too strong for me, but I am all about unusual alcohol delivery methods (see: wine on tap; my enthusiasm for, above). There are 20 varieties available on the pimped-out little cart if you are ready for that jelly. Xanthi owner David Tsirekas earned a lot of fans in Petersham with Perama before setting up shop above all the heels and handbags in Westfield Sydney. Say yiasou to the peppered figs in warm honey, the pork belly baklava and the rabbit stifado — flaky strips of meat spiked with red wine and cinnamon, wrapped up in crinkly house-made filo pastry. Lunch and dinner Mon - Sun; Level 6, Westfield Sydney, cnr Pitt Street Mall and Market Street, CBD; (02) 9232 8535; www.xanthi.com.au Parea This place, more than any other on this list, nails the atmosphere I've experienced at big, fat gatherings of Greek family friends: fun, friendly and loud. Your parea is your extended family — old friends you round up with whom to laugh, argue, unwind and, most importantly, eat yourself stupid. This suburban favourite gets so packed later in the week they've extended into a takeaway joint over the road. Back in the original you can watch through a big window as the cooks carve the juicy meat up over hot coals, and shout as loud as you want to your friends; you won’t hear them otherwise, in here. You know what you'll find on the menu, and I know it's really good. Lunch Sat - Sun; Dinner Tues - Sun; 46 Rocky Point Road, Kogarah; (02) 9588 7887; www.parea.com.au The Yeeros Shop Don't be fooled by the shop's name, or the ostensible topic of this article: this place is just about the hot chips. Maybe they do some Greek food, I don't know, juicy, fresh kebabs with chilli and tangy tzatziki and whatever. You can order that if you still have room after eating all the chips. I like them salty and a bit squishy, but you can ask the guys behind the counter to fry them to a crisp if you want. I can understand Zeus not wanting to share. Lunch Tues - Sun, Dinner Tues - Sun; 431 Illawarra Road, Marrickville; (02) 9559 1167 Top image: Anatoli. By Jacqueline Breen and Roslyn Helper.
Today the Sydney Opera House has launched its Own Our House campaign, inviting Australians and international admirers of the World Heritage-listed building to support its renewal by purchasing one of 125,000 tiles from its tallest sail. If you're looking for a unique Christmas present idea, this might be for you. Just $100 buys you the shiny 'Ice' tile, or if you’re feeling flush, $400 gets you the apparently rare 'Snow' tile, which has a matte finish. Choose your tile and then it's yours to play with online. You can visit your tile, check out the view, personalise it with a photo and short message, and share it on social media with your friends and family. The money raised by the campaign will go towards the renewal of the 40-year-old building, while also aiming to increase public access to the Opera House in the future with new education initiatives and more free events. Sydney Opera House CEO Louise Herron AM says, "The Opera House belongs to everyone. This campaign gives people a really tangible, practical way of showing how much they care."
Pyrmont's Terminus Hotel is transforming into a burger-slinging, beer-pouring, beats-playing festival of hops and carbs for three days this June long weekend. Aptly dubbed Brews, Beats and Burgers, the event will play host to some of the finest brewers from across Sydney and regional NSW, who'll be pouring their weird, wonderful and damn tasty drops. You'll be able to pair these cold ones with something off the extended burger menu, which'll have vegan and gluten-free options to boot. There'll be live music, too, and, if you need any more convincing, it's completely free. [caption id="attachment_659299" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kitti Gould[/caption] Images: Kitti Gould
Sydneysiders, if you were looking forward to leaving your house a little more often from the end of August, New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian has bad but completely unsurprising news. Greater Sydney's now two-month-long lockdown will not be ending on Saturday, August 28 as previously announced the last time stay-at-home orders were extended, but will instead now continue until the end of September. Again, this isn't unexpected. The Premier has been talking up the possibility of eased restrictions for vaccinated people once the state hits the six million jabs mark, and is set to provide more information on what that means in practical terms sometime next week; however, new locally acquired COVID-19 case numbers have hovered above 600 for several days now. The announcement today, Friday, August 20, that lockdown will be extended for another month comes as NSW reported 644 new cases in the 24 hours to 8pm on Thursday, August 19. Revealing the extension, the Premier said that "clearly, two fundamental things shifted this week in New South Wales. The first was the sudden escalation of cases, and secondly the feedback from police about a handful of people flagrantly disregarding the rules." She continued: "for that reason, I tasked health and police to work together, to give me a final list of what we can throw at this, to leave no shadow of doubt as to how serious we are about getting the rate of growth down, the case numbers down". Accordingly, while you're probably sick of the sight of your furniture, and you've likely had your fill of TV press conferences and social media doomscrolling, you'll now need to remain at home for another month. That applies in the Greater Sydney, Blue Mountains and Wollongong Local Government Areas. In the Central Coast and Shellharbour LGAs, those regions will actually revert to being deemed part of regional NSW — which is currently under lockdown until Saturday, August 28 — and will follow regional rules and stay-at-home orders moving forward. In response to the evolving Delta outbreak, NSW will extend the current lockdown in Greater Sydney until the end of September, and introduce new rules targeting the local government areas of concern, where the vast majority of new cases are emerging. pic.twitter.com/KoKwl0GCin — NSW Health (@NSWHealth) August 20, 2021 While the bulk of the current conditions will remain in place again in Greater Sydney for the next month, there are some changes. From 12.01am on Monday, August 23, wearing masks outdoors will be compulsory unless you're exercising — and that'll apply statewide. Also coming into effect on Monday: new rules for people who live in Sydney's LGAs of concern — which spans the Bayside, Blacktown, Burwood, Campbelltown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Georges River, Liverpool, Parramatta and Strathfield LGAs, as well as 12 suburbs in the Penrith. In these areas, there'll be a 9pm–5am curfew, so residents won't be able to leave their homes during those times except for authorised work or for emergencies. And, exercising will be limited to one hour per day in these hotspot LGAs as well. Plus, more businesses in these areas will also need to move to click-and-collect shopping, including garden centres, plant nurseries, office supplies, hardware and building supplies, rural supplies and pet supplies. Also, the NSW police have been given extra powers to direct anyone who isn't from a LGA of concern that's found inside one of the hotspot areas to self-quarantine for 14 days. It's also now an offence to leave Greater Sydney to travel to regional NSW without a reasonable excuse. If you do need to travel for an allowed reason, you'll need to get a permit. Otherwise, for another month, the rest of the existing lockdown conditions will remain in effect throughout Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains and Wollongong. As has been the case since late June, everyone can still only leave the house for four specific essential reasons: to work and study if you can't do it from home; for essential shopping; for exercise outdoors; and for compassionate reasons, which includes medical treatment, getting a COVID-19 test and getting vaccinated. Also, only businesses deemed "critical retail" are permitted to remain open. All other retail premises are closed to physical customers, but they can do takeaways, home deliveries, and click and collect orders. If you need supplies, only one person from each household can go out shopping each day to buy essential items — and browsing is prohibited, too. Carpooling is still off the cards, unless you're in a vehicle with members of your own household. You can also only get sweaty or go shopping within your local government area, or within five kilometres of where you live. NSW recorded 644 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm. Of these locally acquired cases, 134 are linked to a known case or cluster – 107 are household contacts and 27 are close contacts – and the source of infection for 508 cases is under investigation. pic.twitter.com/cdIcVbmw2p — NSW Health (@NSWHealth) August 20, 2021 As always, Sydneysiders are also asked to continue to frequently check NSW Health's long list of locations and venues that positive coronavirus cases have visited. If you've been to anywhere listed on the specific dates and times, you'll need to get tested immediately and follow NSW Health's self-isolation instructions. In terms of symptoms, you should be looking out for coughs, fever, sore or scratchy throat, shortness of breath, or loss of smell or taste — and getting tested at a clinic if you have any. Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains and Wollongong will remain in lockdown until at least the end of September. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in NSW, head to the NSW Health website.
UPDATE: Friday, August 6 2021 — In light of Greater Sydney's current COVID-19 situation, Vivid Sydney has been cancelled for 2021 and plans to return next winter instead. For more information, visit the event's website. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in NSW, head to the NSW Health website. Now in its twelfth year, Vivid Sydney has undeniably become one of the biggest cultural events in the country and, from August 6–28, the blockbuster festival will once again transform the harbour city. Make the most of the last weeks of winter by exploring the epic program of luminous light, live tunes and thought-provoking talks. There's so much to do and see this year, that you're going to have to get organised so as to not miss out on any of the action. To help you create your shortlist, we've teamed up with Vivid Sydney to round up eight picks that'll make you think, dance and gaze in wonder — and get you falling in love with the harbour city all over again.
Shen Shaomin's Summit brought world leaders together at last year's Biennale to ponder the global financial crisis. Each was preserved motionless under glass. In 4A's The Day After Tomorrow he offers some similar sensibilities. I head the sound of distance is twelve sculpted bells, which can be played as you enter: painted porcelain rings, while another is resonant brass. There is a deep, thumpy plastic bell, a steel hammer almost impossible to lift, and two small wooden bells that tap out orchestral hoofbeats. They don't prepare you for the centrepieces upstairs. I want to know what infinity is, invites you to put blue covers over your footwear and stride out into a desert of salt. This black room smells of glue, the salt crunches. In the corner, a naked old woman sits on a white deckchair. Wrinkled and sleeping, she looks like the salt has withered her in death, like a too-intimate Guanajuato mommia. But she breathes, only sleeping and serene, with shoulders cuddled along the deck chair and her feet adrift among sheets of salt. Opposite, in I sleep on top of myself, infants and adult animals lie on white mounds. Three piglets together, a dog, a mildly nodding chicken, a sheep with its young. Their hair or feathers lie stripped around them, as pillows. Soft pneumatic breathing and hot-house spotlights make them seem to live. Throughout, they slip around your perception. They flick back and forth, seeming to be incubated embryos then appearing like plucked meats awaiting the oven. In this exhibition, with these animal forms laid out opposite the old woman at rest, Shaomin's suggestion seems to lie more in sympathy for the animals, but he makes nothing implicit. Leaving, the humidity of the spotlights falls away and the crunch of the salt brings you back to yourself. Image: I heard the sound of distance, Shen Shaomin
Forget simply relaxing in hot tubs. You can watch movies in them, sing in them — and now, thanks to Japan's newest amusement park, you can take rides in them too. After originally floating the idea late last year, the city of Beppu in Oita Prefecture has made every spa-lover's dreams come true, opening a theme park dedicated to sitting in steaming water. Yes, an onsen merry-go-round, a hot tub-themed rollercoaster that spurts bubbles and foam dance parties are on offer at Beppu Rakutenchi, all coming to fruition after the concept proved such a hit. When Beppu Mayor Yasuhiro Nagano pledged his support in a video that understandably went viral, more than AU$900,000 was raised by eager, would-be hot tub theme park goers to turn the kind of concept you'd expect to see in a sci-fi comedy into a reality. If you're wondering why this spa-tastic park has come really about — other than the obvious response: why not? — the city's geography has the answer. Located on the island of Kyushu, Beppu is known for its eight hot springs and 2900 vents, so making a fun attraction out of the natural feature was always going to happen at some point. The park's initial run lasted three days, with no word yet on how and when it might continue. Via Japan Today. Image: Fredrik Rubensson via Flickr.
What's better that seeing world-famous operas on a regular stage? Watching one iconic production performed on Cockatoo Island, then sleeping over afterwards — and seeing another come to life on a floating theatre right on top of Sydney Harbour. While the latter is usually a standard part of Opera Australia's annual program, the organisation has just announced that it's doubling the openair fun in its 2022 lineup. If witnessing Cockatoo Island get turned into an opera venue sounds like your idea of an unforgettable night out, that's exactly what's happening from November 25–December 18, 2022. The production: Georges Bizet's Carmen. It's been staged in Opera Australia's harbour program before, but now it's getting its own island. And, you'll have a few options when it comes to watching — including booking seats on Cockatoo Island, or mooring a boat and viewing the performance projected onto a big screen. Keen for a sleepover? You can choose between the waterfront campsite, a holiday house or an apartment with a harbour view. For those eager to see the latest iteration of Opera Australia's regular Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour series, that'll take place from March as usual — from March 25–April 24, 2022. While previous shows have spanned everything from West Side Story to La Traviata, next year's season will involve the music of the night and someone who was wearing a mask long before the rest of us. Yes, Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera will take to the floating stage. The show planned to debut locally (and on land) in 2021, but that was postponed until 2022 due to the pandemic. Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour is usually extremely popular, with more than 400,000 people attending between its 2012 premiere and 2019 — when, in one year alone, it sold 62,000 tickets. If you're keen to head along to either Carmen on Cockatoo Island or The Phantom of the Opera as part of Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour — and to see two of opera's biggest titles staged in stunning surroundings — the waitlists are now open before tickets go on sale in November. The Phantom of the Opera as part of Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour will take place from March 25–April 24, 2022, while Carmen on Cockatoo Island will be held from November 25–December 18, 2022. For further details, or to join the ticket waitlist, visit the Opera Australia website. Images: Opera Australia / Hamilton Lund.
If Neil Buchanan taught us anything on Art Attack it was that a toilet paper roll can be used to design an array of artistic works. Whilst the word 'intricate' may never be used to describe the toilet roll castles he helped us build, it perfectly describes the artworks created by artist Anastassia Elias using only toilet rolls and a scalpel. Since 2009, the French artist has sculpted 67 works from these rolls, with each as spectacular and beautiful as the next. She carves the detail of each scene from other rolls and then delicately inserts them through a slit cut into the roll that frames each individual piece. Her works include dancing ballerinas, a busy construction site, an incredibly detailed science laboratory and an amusement park spanning two toilet rolls. Rouleaux, the title of the series and the accompanying book, is available here. In the meantime, you can check out our favourites below. Via Huffington Post.
When the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras arrives each year, picking your parties becomes everyone's new pastime as the LGBTQIA+ celebrations take over the city. Is going all-out both at the parade and afterwards your kind of shindig? Do you want to hit up a vogue ball? Dance on a beach? Get glittery in a laneway? Well, they're all up for grabs between Friday, February 16–Sunday, March 3. To help you decide what to do, we've pulled together our eight essential picks that you need to place straight at the top of your list. We've included something for every budget, from free DJ sets and after-hours art to all-out waterfront music festivals. Take a peek at the eight best events for 2024's Mardi Gras festivities.
Eating takeaway fish and chips from Bondi's Best on the grassy knoll of North Bondi is one of the best things you can do in Sydney — hands down. Fish and chips make winter taste like summer and summer taste like some kind of Coke ad for summer that's too good to be an actual thing that you get to live through. But the real magic here is the view back to one of the most postcard-perfect views in Sydney. North Bondi's little grassy knoll at the end of the beach has become a bit of a local go-to for picnics, solid book-reading sessions and all-round social get-togethers. Over the last few years, the local police have become a bit ancy with the whole drinking in public thing, so watch the BYO. Locals bring sound systems, cook up barbecues and parade their tiny dogs on the promenade. The perfect spot for long summery Sunday afternoons — if you can get a spot. By Rima Sabina Aouf with Shannon Connellan. Image: J Bar.
In his creative exploration of sleep and lightness, David Nemcsik has placed his friends in sleeping positions in the location of their most recent dreams...levitating in mid-air. His ingenious levitation photography is unlike the many of this sort we've seen before. Not only do his pictures appear as a wonder of unfathomable manipulation, but they are also meaningful and attempt to do much more than just confuse and amaze. Nemcsik travelled around his home country, Hungary, asking his friends where they were in their last dream and then proceeded to depict them in each particular location. He wanted to "show that people can levitate. It's magical and mysterious. They are levitating in a lying position just as if you'd be if you were lying in your bed while you were sleeping." The project was conducted as an entrance exam to art university and aimed to demonstrate to his friends that magic does really exist out there in the world. He's certainly convinced us so take a look at Nemsciks magnificent levitation photographs and renew your faith in magic.
Last year's inaugural Antidote, Sydney Opera House's new festival of ideas, action and change, saw an impressive lineup of LBGTQI+, Indigenous and feminist rights activists — and 20,000 balloons — fill the iconic building last year. For its second weekend-long run on September 1 and 2, the festival is bringing in a host of international heavyweights to inspire and incite positive change in this crazy messed-up world. Leading the list is investigative journalist Ronan Farrow, whose exposé on Harvey Weinstein in The New Yorker — along with The New York Times' piece — won him a Pulitzer Prize and triggered the start of last year's global #MeToo movement. He'll speak alongside WikiLeaks whistleblower, trans activist and US Senate candidate Chelsea Manning and Black Panther comic writer Ta-Nehisi Coates. These high-profile American voices will be joined by a pretty diverse list of thought-provokers, including Syrian urban planner Marwa Al-Sabouni, South African storyteller Sisonke Msimang and Liz Jackson, the founder of disability self-advocacy organisation, the Disabled List. You'll also be able to settle in for a night of queer stories with Maeve Marsden and get Benjamin Law and his mum to answer some of your most embarrassing questions. Extending its practical positioning, the festival will also feature a few workshops this time around — you'll be able to learn how to fillet a fish with Saint Peter's sustainable fishmonger Josh Niland and Kirsty Mootz will show you how to make your own organic skincare with things you find in your house. Antidote comes at a time when a lot of us are angry and anxious about what's happening in the world. Hopefully you can take away some action points — and if you don't, well, talking it out should at least prove cathartic.
Along a 500-metre stretch of disused rail line formerly used to transport meat, wheat and wool to and from the city for well over a century, the $15 million Goods Line running parallel to Harris Street in Ultimo is now a pedestrian walkway connecting Central Station to Darling Harbour. But there's a lot more to it than that — the area boasts full wifi connectivity, public entertainment spaces, table tennis tables and study pods. Additional features include an amphitheatre, a bike path and a children's water playground, as well as grassed areas and elevated platforms designed for public performances and events.
Spend a cruisy summer Saturday evening listening to acoustic songs and staring at Sydney Harbour thanks to Cockatoo Island's sunset sessions. Most Saturdays until March 28, you'll be able to listen to music from local and international acoustic musicians. Venue 505 — which is sadly closing its Surry Hills spot in December — has curated the lineup, so you know you're in for an ace run of talent. The series will kick off with folk jazz singer Alice Terry, and will be followed by 20-year-old Woorabinda artist Miiesha and Sydney rapper Taj Ralph. There'll also be a special First Nations event on November 30 with performances from Bow and Arrow, Evie J Willie and Indigenous Enterprise. Sets start at 5pm, but we recommend heading over to the island early to soak up as much sun as possible. And, because the combination of great music and gorgeous views begets some refreshments, there will be beer and wine, as well as cheese and charcuterie boxes available to purchase. Tickets are $30 each.
Sharing ideas and stories is at the bedrock of all human cultural existence. Whether it is news of distant lands, or the excitement of a recent discovery in one's bathtub, we all want to get together and listen up. Now the internet has done a fantastic job of providing a globe-spanning eavesdrop, but every once in a while, it is refreshing to get amongst the flesh of fellow humans and revel in a batch of great ideas. TED - Technology, Entertainment, Design - has become an international sensation, summoning illustrious speakers from all fields of human achievement to each deliver 18 minutes worth of inspiration. Now in its second year, TEDxSydney (the x stands for "independently organised") brings the ideas exchange to our very own Carriageworks. 2011 promises a broad range of thought-provokers. Percussionist dynamo Ben Walsh will share a stage with geneticist Richard Cotton, who will be hi-fiving historian Grace Karskens, who will be nodding her head to FourPlay, who will all be scribbling down notes from Veena Sahajwalla's speech on the science of sustainability. And that's not even a fifth of the brains trust that'll be in attendance on the day. Great speeches are not the only drawcard for TEDxSydney 2011. Carriageworks have arranged for the TEDx Forum, an absolutely brilliant idea for promoting the rapid spread of ideas and good cheer. Throughout the entirety of TEDxSydney, the public are welcome to come and set up camp in the foyer of Carriageworks. Here everyone will have the opportunity to watch live projections of the speakers (who will be hidden away in Bay 17) and take part in activities such as Q&As, music presentations and good old discussions about the topics raised throughout the day. For those TED addicts out there, now's the time to get out of the closet and experience the real thing in good company. Bring a blanket and cushion to get cosy, and bliss out on shared human brilliance for the day. Image by Daniel Boud https://youtube.com/watch?v=zpv6aGTcCl8
Quick show of hands: growing up, how many of us would have loved to commit our lives (and tastebuds) to chocolate? While our Willy Wonka-inspired dreams might have only been just that, for Koko Black chocolatier Remco Brigou, it has been a dream come true. The Belgian native holds the envy-inducing title of head chocolatier and product innovator at the artisan chocolate brand. Brigou's latest creation is an incredibly luxe range of ice creams in collaboration with Connoisseur. It's a surprising first for Koko Black, which has never ventured into ice-cold desserts despite delighting chocolate lovers around the nation for nearly 20 years. While two flavours — a classic vanilla and an indulgent honeycomb — are available at supermarkets around the country, Brigou's three exclusive creations for Koko Black lounges in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth are dressed up with ingredients including melted chocolate, pistachio and chocolate pearls. To celebrate the new Koko Black x Connoisseur ice cream range, we sat down with Brigou to talk about the new collaboration and what he loves about chocolate. [caption id="attachment_833239" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Julia Sansone[/caption] Hi Remco! Tell us a little about your journey. How did you become Koko Black's head chocolatier and product innovator? I started in hospitality at the age of 15, working and studying in Belgium, and by the age of 18 I had decided to specialise in chocolate and pastry. My love for chocolate and baking started when I was very little and has been my passion for as long as I can remember. From here, I worked with Marcolini in Brussels as their chocolatier and at 25 I moved to Australia for adventure, travel and a new challenge. I started working with Koko Black as the head chocolatier leading the development of our full retail and lounge menus with new owner Simon Crowe — together we formed a vision to bring an Australian edge to artisanal chocolate and build the Koko Black brand as we know it today. [caption id="attachment_833240" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Julia Sansone[/caption] What is your favourite thing about what you do? What keeps you inspired? I love chocolate and the possibilities are endless — from flavours within various [types of] chocolate to the flavours you can add and create. The discovery of new things, flavours and tastes is what inspires me. A lot of people might think that making chocolate is a dream job. Are there less glamorous things in the job that people might be surprised to find out? Not really, it truly is a dream job for me. I still love it as much as I did as a young boy. What is your favourite type of chocolate and why? Dark chocolate is definitely my favourite for its variation in flavour, depending on the origin of chocolate. It's versatile and can pair beautifully with so many different flavours. I'm often asked which is my favourite Koko Black chocolate, [but that's] like choosing a favourite child as they all have things to love. However, I think the dark hazelnut cluster might be the frontrunner. [caption id="attachment_833027" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Julia Sansone[/caption] Tell us about the Connoisseur collaboration. How did this come to life and what excited you about it? We are always teaming up with fellow Australian artisans to make, create and have fun together. So when we were thinking of ice cream, Connoisseur [was] the top pick. Like us, they are premium, artisan and Australian-made, and they also love to create new flavours and combinations. It's been really fun to work with them. For the new flavours, we took the best of both brands — their vanilla ice cream and our dark 54-percent dark chocolate — for an elevated classic. The other flavour was created to reflect one of our best-selling items, Tasmanian leatherwood honeycomb. This required a delicate balancing of flavours to capture the true taste of the leatherwood honey, with our dark chocolate and honeycomb coating. [caption id="attachment_833238" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Julia Sansone[/caption] Were there any challenges you had to overcome to create Koko Black's first ice cream? How did you get past these? The balancing of flavours always takes some work, but it's the part I enjoy most. For more information on the luxe new collaboration, head to the Connoisseur and Koko Black websites. Images: Julia Sansone
At two of the world's most-prestigious film festivals, prizes are awarded to the best queer movies on the lineup. Not all cinephiles can attend Cannes and Berlinale, so Australia's Mardi Gras Film Festival is bringing LGBTQIA+ flicks from both 2024 fests Down Under in 2025. Romania's Three Kilometres to the End of the World won the Queer Palm. The Istanbul-set Crossing took home the Teddy Jury Prize in Berlin. They're both highlights of this year's MGFF program, which has a date with Sydney cinemas in February — and boasts a roster of almost 150 flicks. The movie-loving component of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, MGFF wants audiences to enjoy its feast of LGBTQIA+ films on the big screen if they can. The bulk of the lineup will hit picture palaces across Thursday, February 13–Thursday, February 27, at venues including Event Cinemas George Street and Hurstville, Dendy Newtown, Ritz Cinemas Randwick, the State Library of NSW and The Rocks Laneway Cinema. For those who can't make it in-person, there's also a small-screen component, streaming a selection of titles on-demand nationwide from Friday, February 28–Monday, March 10. If you're hitting up movie theatres, award-winners aren't Mardi Gras Film Festival's only drawcards. On opening night, coming-of-age tale Young Hearts will start the proceedings with a story of romance in rural Belgium, while French standout Somewhere in Love is doing the honours to close out the physical event. In-between, viewers have 72 sessions to choose from, complete with the world premiere of In Ashes from Denmark-based filmmaker Ludvig C Poulsen; South Korea's Love in the Big City; the Alan Cumming (Schmigadoon!)-starring Drive Back Home; and Ponyboi, which features Australian actor and The White Lotus favourite Murray Bartlett (The Last of Us). Or, catch Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane Story, which tells of its namesake's tale from her 50s Nashville success through to disappearing from the public for four decades; Aussie effort Heart of a Man, about a closeted Indigenous boxer; period drama Lilies Not for Me with Fionn O'Shea (Masters of the Air) and Robert Aramayo (The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power; Duino, a semi-autobiographical effort about an Argentinian filmmaker working on a movie about his first love; and the Venus Xtravaganza-focused I'm Your Venus, which is a must for fans of Paris Is Burning. That's just a taste of the program, which spans Aussie festive slasher Carnage for Christmas, Nina Hoss (Tár) in Foreign Language, a documentary about Ani De Franco, Brazilian drama Streets of Gloria and more, too. Blasts from the past come courtesy of a free screening of The Birdcage, plus a 20th-anniversary session of Imagine Me & You (featuring Lena Headey long before Game of Thrones), with both showing under the stars. If you'd like to don a habit, croon tunes in a cinema or both, Sister Act is getting the sing-along treatment. And from the 70s, Scarecrow in a Garden of Cucumbers — which is one of the first-ever trans-led feature films — is making its Sydney premiere. Cabaret is also on the bill, a fitting choice given that documentary Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story is on the lineup as well — gifting Liza Minnelli obsessives a double feature.
Single and need something to do on Halloween? Then CitySwoon's Halloween Speed Dating Party may just offer the perfect night out. Taking place on October 31 at Club Parramatta, you'll join up to 250 singles for a night of speed dating, dancing and prizes. Each ticket on the night includes a few matched dates, two drinks and an afterparty with a live DJ. You'll be able to date and message anyone within your age group, which includes: 28–38, 39–49 and 49–59. Of course, you'll also be able to mingle with anyone once speed dating rounds are over and the party begins. Each single will fill out a short five-minute survey before the quick-fire dating rounds, with everything done on your phone, so you don't have to worry about losing match cards or writing things down. And if you're a returning single, you can rest assured that you won't be matched with the same person twice. For those hoping to go low-effort for Halloween this year, you'll want to rethink that approach. At CitySwoon's Halloween event, prizes will be awarded to the best-dressed guy and girl, scariest costume and wackiest outfit. Plus, who knows, the right outfit might impress one of your dates for the night. With over 11 years of experience in the speed dating realm, CitySwoon knows how to match you with people you'll connect with. Using an intelligent algorithm live at the event, you'll experience a series of relaxed mini-dates with matches that align with who you are. Tickets for the general public are $59, and $29 for members. To find out more about this ghoulish Halloween speed dating experience, head to the CitySwoon website. Images: Supplied
UPDATE, January 8, 2021: Color Out of Space is available to stream via Shudder, Google Play, YouTube Movies and iTunes. He's the king of the unhinged, the master of on-screen mania and perhaps the only person that can make pouring vodka all over themselves while howling look perfectly natural. He is, of course, the one and only Nicolas Cage. While his resume boasts more ups and downs than a rollercoaster — an Oscar for Leaving Las Vegas on one side, his oh-so-many forgettable straight-to-video flicks on the other — he's also the ideal person to lead Lovecraftian horror adaptation Color Out of Space. Whenever Cage keeps things quiet and normal, he evokes the unnerving sensation that perhaps everything is too quiet and normal. When he's letting loose, there's really no telling what could happen next. A film about a glowing meteor that crashes on an alpaca farm and not only forever changes a family's existence, but their entire grasp on reality, Color Out of Space needs both Cage's unsettlingly calm and brain-bogglingly over-the-top sides. More than that, it thrives on them. Six months after his wife Theresa's (Joely Richardson) mastectomy, Nathan Gardner's (Cage) life is settling back into a routine. With their three kids — stoner Benny (Brendan Meyer), wannabe wicca Lavinia (Madeleine Arthur) and primary school-aged Jack (Julian Hillard) — the couple has taken over Nathan's late father's remote New England property, lapping up its tree-lined surroundings and the slower pace that comes with it. The oddest thing they have to deal with: Nathan's certainty that alpacas are the future. Well, that and the grin on his face when he's milking the woolly animals. Then, just as a hydrologist (Elliot Knight) arrives to survey the farm's water, a blazing rock plummets from the heavens — turning the sky an otherworldly shade of fuchsia, unleashing both radiation and shape-shifting aliens, and sparking quite the wave of strange events. 'Strange' is a relative term in any given situation; what's unusual to one person mightn't seem all that out of the ordinary to someone else. But by combining a HP Lovecraft short story, the beacon of weird that is Cage, and a director known for making vivid and distinctive movies, Color Out of Space is emphatically, undeniably strange — regardless of your individual threshold for the bizarre. That filmmaker is Richard Stanley, who gained attention with a couple of sci-fi and horror flicks in the early 90s. Since 1996, he's been best known for being fired from the big Marlon Brando-starring flop The Island of Doctor Moreau. Stanley hasn't actually directed a fictional feature since, sticking to a few documentaries until now — and based on the hallucinatory imagery splashed across Color Out of Space's pink and purple-hued frames, he has decades of strangeness stored up. When Cage begins yelling maniacally, the farm's water turns sinister, grotesque critters start scuttling around and mutated flesh begins to feature heavily, Color Out of Space unleashes all of its absurd and peculiar wonders. When Cheech & Chong's Tommy Chong plays one of the most sensible characters — a hermit squatting on the Gardners' land, and the first person to verbalise his suspicions about the luminous boulder and its effects — this head trip of a film demonstrates that it's definitely not on any standard wavelength. It actually takes 40 slow-burning minutes until Color Out of Space dazzles viewers with its batshit antics, just like its incandescent rock gradually overpowers everyone in its vicinity, but the feature's first act is anything but subdued. Festering with unease, as aided by Steve Annis' (I Am Mother) vibrant cinematography and Colin Stetson's (Hereditary) psychedelic score, this movie is just waiting to explode with mind-bending havoc. Considering that it's also a film about the mess that follows a disease like cancer, simmering with distress then breaking out in chaos always feels supremely fitting. Still, much like Cage at his most Cage-esque — running around the streets claiming he's undead in 80s curio Vampire's Kiss springs to mind, as does every second of 90s action blockbuster Face/Off — Colour Out of Space is a movie that sometimes approaches its limits. It means to push them. In fact, given its source material and Lovecraft's renowned fondness for all things monstrous, it has to. When an otherwise ordinary family is being driven mad by a colourful meteor in visually, emotionally and physically disturbing ways, a mood of relentlessness and ridiculousness is wholly appropriate. But, as glorious as the movie's gleefully bonkers sights, sounds and story developments all are, they can threaten to weigh the feature down. The Gardners are no longer experiencing time in a normal way, and audiences can be forgiven for feeling like they're going through the same process. Stanley turns Lovecraft's wild, weird tale into an off-kilter kaleidoscopic spectacle — and another suitably strange entry on Cage's lengthy resume, naturally — but occasionally lets it get a little too lost in its own delirium. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLmvs9Wrem0
Since Samson & Delilah arrived in 2009, earned the Cannes Film Festival's prestigious Caméra d'Or for Best First Feature and proved an instant great of Australian cinema, every project from filmmaker Warwick Thornton has been a must-see. He got spooky with ghost-story anthology The Darkside, pondered the nation's relationship with the Southern Cross in documentary We Don't Need a Map and explored the country's race relations in blistering historical drama Sweet Country. Then, he co-directed the second season of the Mystery Road TV series, turned the camera on himself in meditative small-screen doco The Beach and was also behind vampires-in-the-outback show Firebite. Thornton is an Aussie icon. With his latest project, he has also joined forces with a fellow Aussie icon: Cate Blanchett. The Oscar-winning actor is following up her award-nominated role in Tár earlier in 2023 with Thornton's new film The New Boy — and playing a renegade nun in 1940s Australia, no less. As the just-dropped trailer shows, The New Boy heads to a remote monastery with a mission for Indigenous children, where Sister Eileen (Blanchett) is in charge. In a sneak peek filled with golden hues and bubbling with a thoughtful mood, her faith is tested when the titular child (newcomer Aswan Reid), a nine-year-old orphan, arrives and has his own experience with religion, which clashes with the mission's take on Christianity. Thornton writes and directs The New Boy, as he did with with Samson and Delilah and We Don't Need a Map. He also does triple duty as his own cinematographer, as he also has with the bulk of his filmography. And, on-screen, Deborah Mailman (Total Control) and Wayne Blair (Seriously Red) feature alongside Blanchett and Reid. Unsurprisingly given its helmer, star and the former's Cannes history, The New Boy premiered at the prestigious French film festival in May, and enjoys its first Aussie screening as the opening-night film at the Sydney Film Festival. After that, audiences Australia-wide will be able to check out the dream pairing of Thornton and Blanchett — and the movie debut of Reid — when The New Boy hits cinemas in general release on Thursday, July 6. Check out the trailer for The New Boy below: The New Boy opens in Australian cinemas on July 6.
There isn't anything particularly funny about Mondays. From waking up knowing that the weekend is over, to coming home after work and knowing that there are still four more days to go, there aren't many reasons to smile. So that's where the Comedy Lounge comes in. With no more than a crisp ten dollar note, you can find yourself admitted to one of Sydney's premier comedy venues for an evening of chortling. While it's not exactly the star-studded Just For Laughs Gala in Montreal, the Comedy Lounge hosts some of the best up-and-coming comedians in Sydney, as well as those who swing by while on tour. It's a great way to laugh those Monday blues away.
If you yearn for the good ol' days, when sandwiches were more packed than David Jones on Boxing Day and burgers fell apart if you weren't holding them between two Superman-strong fists, Bennett St Dairy should be your Bondi go-to. Not only do these guys deliver dishes shaped by an old-school sense of abundance and generosity, they source ingredients in an old-fashioned way too: straight from the farm. Bennett Street Dairy is a new kid on the block, having opened in November 2015 — but locals are already treating it like a staple. After all, following a long morning in the surf, it's hard to knock back a rye bread sandwich with house-made hot corned beef, jack cheddar, house relish, pickles and Bennett St mustard. It's one of the oldest recipes in the British recipe book — in Old Blighty, you'll hear it referred to as a Ploughman's Lunch — and that's for good reason. Especially when the relishing and curing is done on site. There's also a bunch of salads, bagels, bruschettas, breakfast bowls and so on. And the coffee comes from Pablo and Rusty, brewed and frothed in a cutting-edge machine known as 'The Black Eagle'. Rather than going for a themed or 'eclectic' approach, the interior keeps things simple. Think wooden floorboards, wood and metal stools and massive windows, letting in bucketloads of sunshine.
The Murray River flows right through the heart of Tocumwal, and 24 riverside beaches within close proximity to town ensure you can make the most of every sunny day. With this stretch of Australia's longest river lined with shady red gums and native bushland, there's a quiet patch of shoreline with your name on it. Just a short drive from other stellar river beaches — like Tocumwal Beach, Apex Beach and Finley Beach — sits Smithers Beach. It's the perfect spot for swimming, kayaking and camping. Image: Emily Godfrey, Visit Victoria
If you're a Nutella tragic, we have an event you won't be able to resist. This April, Sailmaker is hosting a high tea where nearly every dish is infused with the moreish choc-hazelnut spread. Charged with the task of creating this feast, executive head chef Steven Ullrich took a range of classics and transformed them into Nutella-fuelled delights. You'll be sinking into the likes of velvety Nutella & Go mousse, lingering over the creamy Nutella B-Ready cheesecake, and savouring every bite of the orange-chocolate scones. Every high tea comes with a complimentary glass of sparkling (for grown-ups) and a juice or mocktails (for kids). Also on the menu is a range of Rabbit Hole teas, as well as hot chocolates and babycinos. You'll find Sailmaker Restaurant in lobby level of the Hyatt Regency, on Sussex St, just a stone's throw from Darling Harbour. There are only three seatings for the Nutella-centred high tea, so if you're tempted, book your spot before you miss out.
Get psychled! It's a new word that means "get excited about bicycles". Because between Clover Moore tirelessly championing her epic bike lane plan and Lance Armstrong inspiring kids all over the world to get "pumped", it's no wonder Sydney is enjoying a bicycle renaissance. We've sussed out seven of Sydney's best bicycle shops and found that whether you just want to get your brakes tightened or you're out to pimp your ride, there's something in store for everyone. 1 & 2. Omafiets and Glow Worm Bicycles 117B Addison Rd, Marrickville (on Agar St); omafiets.com.au 'Omafiets; literally means 'grandma bike' in Dutch, and the shop is run by three dashing young bike enthusiasts named Ollie, Maurice and Chris. They sell exquisite second-hand Dutch bicycles because the Dutch "produce bicycles for people who understand that cycling isn't a sport — it's the best way to get around town", and because they are excellent value. They also run Chain Lynx, a queer-friendly bike club that happens in-store every odd Wednesday at 6pm. Super. Whilst Omafiets only performs repairs on bikes originally from their store, their sister shop Glow Worm Bicycles (just around the corner) is run by Maurice and specialises in electric bikes. General servicing and repairs of non-Omafiets bikes can be done here and both stores boast a team of highly skilled, super-helpful bike experts. Image courtesy of Saskia Howard and CycleChic. 3. Clarence St Cyclery 4 Clarence St, Sydney; www.cyclery.com.au Established in 1975, Clarence St Cyclery is an institution amongst bicycle lovers. Run by a team of veteran mechanics, the store offers over 200 models in store and feels a bit like an art gallery for bicycles. As of June 2010, they have also opened up a store next door exclusively for women — the first of its kind in the country. What's more, a percentage of every bicycle sale purchased form Clarence St Cyclery is donated to the Cycling Promotion Fund to promote cycling and improve cycling facilities around Australia. 4. Wooleys Wheels 82 Oxford St, Paddington; www.woolyswheels.com Located amongst a stretch of boutique retail and fashion stores on Oxford Street, Woolys Wheels is a three-level bicycle haven. They stock the full line of Giant and Specialized bikes and a wide range of gear to suit all riding levels (including kids). It's a little on the pricey side, but a crew of helpful staff and baller mechanics make it their business to see you’re saddled up and ready to roll no matter the query. 5. Hell on Wheels 463 King Street, Newtown; www.hellonwheels.com.au This is the place to go for everything BMX and feels more like your friend's living room than a shop (if your friend is a bit nuts and crams every conceivable space in their living room with bike and skate gear). They stock all your BMX needs, including fixies, frames, accessories and protection gear as well as skate decks, shoes, hoodies, magazines and DVDs. If it's raining and you're not riding, then check out the epic bike videos on their homepage to make you feel invariably uncool and in awe. 6. tokyobike 1 Marys Pl, Surry Hills; www.tokyobike.com.au This store opened in Sydney in 2010 as the first permanent tokyobike outside the old suburb of Yanaka in Japan. Based on an ethos of the simplicity, comfort and enjoyment that comes with cycling, tokyobikes weigh between just 9 and 11 kilos. There are four different urban commuter models to suit both cruisers and speedsters, which you can take for a test ride at their sunny Surry Hills store. They also stock parts imported from Japan and a range of local accessories and provide bike maintenance and mechanics services. 7. Stallion Cycles Shop 2, 115 Lawson St, Redfern; www.stallionbikes.com The store is about the size of a peanut, but it's crammed with a range of beautiful hand-built vintage cycles, which spill out onto the sidewalk. Priding themselves on their craftsmanship, Stallion is the place to head if you're after custom design, made to order, rebuilt bikes and vintage accessories. They boast an extensive restoration and servicing list, and a Stallion Bikes full bicycle restoration comes with a one-year workmanship guarantee and a free first service. Tallyho! Honourable Mentions Cheeky Transport Bondi Bikes Cycle Re-Cycle (aka The Nunnery) Omafiets image courtesy of Saskia Howard and CycleChic. All other images courtesy of the stores.
Grab your plant-based pals for a final send-off. Sydney's long-running vegan institution Bodhi has announced its closing its doors after 34 years. Known for creating delicious yum cha creating dishes out of organic, locally-sourced ingredients, Bodhi paved much of the way for fresh, seasonal vegan dining — as well as promoting the first female head chef in the yum cha industry. Notable diners through its doors include Keanu Reeves, Hugo Weaving, Toby McGuire and Novak Djokovic. Its last day of service will be Sunday, August 7. Bodhi owner Heaven Leigh said in a statement the decision was "bittersweet", but she wanted to end on a high. She thanked all the ardent fans of the eatery who had supported her family's business over the years. "My family opened the first Bodhi Vegetarian Restaurant at a time when no-one really knew much about vegetarianism or veganism. No one thought - including ourselves - that we would make it past three years in this industry, let alone survive and thrive three generations and 34 years later," said Leigh. View this post on Instagram A post shared by BODHI RESTAURANT BAR (@bodhirestaurantbar) But she hinted at exciting future endeavours, iterating it was "not the end". "I am incredibly passionate about the plant-based space and the community we have built. Thank you to everyone who has visited us, supported us and made our Bodhi dream a reality for more than three decades." To enjoy Bodhi's famous vegan yum cha one last time, we'd recommend booking a table now. If the reaction on the restaurant's social media is anything to go by, spaces will be tight right up until that final service. Bodhi's last day of service will be Sunday, August 7. To find out more about the closure, head to the eatery's Instagram.
The Sydney Opera House has had no shortage of high-profile visitors, but perhaps one of its most loved is Benny. He's the long-nosed fur seal who likes to hang out on the Opera House's northern VIP steps, and today he's getting the ultimate tribute, with a giant, eight-metre-long inflatable likeness of the creature popping up on Sydney Harbour. The Benny floaty will be kicking around for one day only to help launch the Opera House's new meme-loving chat bot, which'll share everything from random facts and insider stories, to ideas for your next date night. It'll also have a wealth of knowledge about the Bennelong Point marine environment, including plenty of fun facts about his fellow seals. "Speaking with a seal about the Opera House is probably the last thing people would expect," said Sydney Opera House General Manager of Marketing, Christina Erskine. "By creating an affable, informed and frankly adorable seal we want Sydneysiders to discover a completely different side to the Opera House and realise there's something for everyone to enjoy here." If you'd like to check out the inflatable seal in the flesh, he'll be floating around the Opera House for most of the day, but if you're stuck at your desk, you can watch the live stream of him at the Sydney Opera House Facebook page. Images: Daniel Boud
Smash-hit musical Once has garnered an impressive array of awards. First, it picked them up as an indie film by John Carney. Then, it nabbed them as a Broadway production adapted by Enda Walsh — and its quirky guy-meets-girl tale, along with its otherworldly lyricism, has seen Once captivate audiences worldwide. Thanks to Darlinghurst Theatre Company, Sydneysiders can enjoy the show for themselves this winter, with the production returning to the city's stages. Director Richard Carroll's rendition boasts a star-studded local cast, including an appearance from Jay Laga'aia — plus Once's peerless musical score, which has seen it nab a Grammy, a Tony and an Academy Award. A brief synopsis: Once opens in a charming and grungy Dublin pub. There, we meet Guy, who plays gigs at this sort of locale while pining over his unfaithful ex-girlfriend (a backstory wonderfully evoked in the song 'Broken Hearted Hoover Fixer Sucker Guy'). Guy is packing up his guitar when Girl, a young Czech woman enchanted by his music, approaches him. We soon discover that Girl is also a musician. And, perhaps more importantly — for Once's narrative at least — Girl is the owner of a broken 'hoover'. The rest of the show charts the transient but intense intimacy that Guy and Girl form through their shared love of creating music. To borrow the reviewer's now well-worn catchphrase: a show like this only comes around Once. Images: Robert Catto.
It was set to open in late November, but due to unforeseen issues with electricity, Taco Bell's first NSW store was delayed. Now, it's finally here. From 11am today, Tuesday, December 3, you'll be able to waltz into Newcastle's Jesmond Central and grab a Cheesy Chipotle Burrito, Crunchy Taco or a big ol' frozen margarita. While it is Taco Bell's third attempted foray into the Australian market — the chain tried to launch here in 1981 (and was then taken to court by Sydney store Taco Bell's Casa) and again in 1997, but both attempts were unsuccessful and the brand withdrew — this time, the US chain seems to be doing things seriously. It's already opened seven Queensland locations in the past two years, is opening two in Victoria before the end of 2019 and a second NSW store in Blacktown is also set to open this summer. It doesn't stop there, either, with Taco Bell saying it'll open a minimum of 40 stores across NSW and the ACT in the next five years. We'll let you know when anymore locations are announced. For now, though, we've got Taco Bell Newcastle — and we know what's on its menu. Quesadillas, burritos, Crunchwraps, nachos, power bowls and, of course, tacos (including the Gordita Crunch with both a crunchy and soft tortilla) are all on the lineup. You can get a lot for pocket change, too, with $2.50 tacos, $3.50 mini quesadillas, $3 churros, $4 burritos and $3 cinnamon twists. And there's booze, including frozen margs and Coronas and a bit of local flavour thanks to Coopers Light and Young Henrys pale ale. If you manage to make it to Jesmond Central for opening day, you can snag yourself some limited-edition merch and one person will score free tacos for a year. Keep an eye on the Taco Bell Facebook page for upcoming freebies and limited-edition menus, too. Find Taco Bell at Jesmond Central, 28 Blue Gum Road, Jesmond from 11am today, Tuesday, December 3. It's open from 10am–10pm daily. Top image: Taco Bell Robina by Hugo Nobay
Yes, we do like to poke fun at our younger brother Newcastle now and then. He's quieter than us, he thinks he has better beaches... Plus, he smells funny. But next week we have to admit he's winning big time. We were already a little bit jealous of This Is Not Art, but now he plays host to not one but two full blown festivals over the October long weekend. This Is Not Art Despite an intense lead-up, including an unexpected funding crisis, the show must go on. And what a show it is! Five days of performances, workshops, parties, panels and much much more. Our picks include the Word-Hurl Anti-Slam, an epic battle of Novocastrian poets, the Human Drum Machine, including a take-home starter pack, and Cy*Bent*Ity, which promises to be the latest Facebook-spread party gone wrong (or right). Haven't really prepared? Never fret, we've got you covered. Accommodation is a breeze in Aunty Jenny's Tent City, and thanks to Newcastle's geography, it's easy to ride your way around town on a bicycle hired from the Community Bike Library (for a refundable deposit). Almost all events are free, so a limited budget is no problem. For preview and full details, click here. Sound Summit So, you haunt record stores and like to buy cassettes? You prefer your music a little more noisy than most? Some of it might even be classed as a little experimental? You're not a hipster but, really, they probably wouldn't have heard of this band before? If you haven't been already, I'd say Sound Summit is the festival for you. Held annually in Newcastle over the October long weekend, it's an innovative music extravaganza of epic proportions. This marks the first year that Sound Summit breaks away from the umbrella festival TiNA, big enough to stand on its own two feet. Luckily, the two still run at the same time so, if you're quick, you can catch events from both. For preview and full details, click here.
When Reservation Dogs first breezed into streaming queues in 2021 — including via Binge in Australia and Disney+ in New Zealand — it did so with heart, style and purpose, delivering a rarity in the current TV landscape. Authentic depictions of life for Indigenous North Americans are scarce on the small screen, or any screen. Such shows that riff on a Quentin Tarantino movie with their moniker, start with a brazen and entertaining heist, unfurl their stories through creative cinematography, serve up a stunningly thoughtful coming-of-age tale and survey an entire community obviously are, too. And a series that does the above with Taika Waititi's (Thor: Love and Thunder) brand of deadpan humour, befitting his role as co-creator and executive producer, as well as co-writing the very first episode — doing so alongside showrunner and Seminole Nation filmmaker Sterlin Harjo (Mekko) — is genuinely unclaimed territory. In Reservation Dogs' first season, the end result was one of the best new TV shows of 2021. This year, its second season is one of the best and most moving returning shows of 2022. This gloriously heartfelt and perceptive series is dedicated to diving deep into the Indigenous North American experience today — as a teenager, primarily, but constantly broadening its focus to the parents, elders and spirits so instrumental and influential in its central foursome's life in Oklahoma's Muscogee Nation. It's no wonder that season one earned a Peabody Award, which celebrates US media's most powerful, enlightening and invigorating stories. It's no wonder, either, that the show has been picked up for a third run as well. Bear (D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Beans), Elora (Devery Jacobs, Rutherford Falls), Willie Jack (Paulina Alexis, Ghostbusters: Afterlife) and Cheese (debutant Lane Factor) are those restless adolescents at the heart of Reservation Dogs, and they've shared a California dream since the series' very first episode. But when the debut season wrapped up with a tornado, plus a figurative storm of hard truths and buried feelings, the gang's relocation fantasy didn't play out as expected. The lure of family and culture remained strong, as did holding onto a past that's brought happiness as well as hurt. While losing one of their best friends, Daniel (first-timer Dalton Cramer), to suicide was big motivation for wanting to head away — it was also his plan, too — actually following through proved a far trickier prospect when it became tangible. In season two, the more things change, the more they stay the same — until they don't. Elora still attempted to go west anyway to close out season one, but being on the road with enemy-turned-travelling companion Jackie (Elva Guerra, Dark Winds) gets tumultuous. For Bear, Willie Jack and Cheese, staying on the reservation requires facing life on the reservation and all that it entails, including the pain that no one wants to shoulder and plotting out a future that no one ever thought would exist without Daniel. Bear tries by getting a job in roofing, which ends up being beside Daniel's dad (Michael Spears, 1883). Willie Jack and Cheese feel like the group is cursed, and turn to town elder Uncle Brownie (Gary Farmer, First Cow) for assistance. Elora is called back, confronting loss, tradition and the friends she left behind. Reservation Dogs can be a series of side-splitting comedy. The lines that the writers find for Spirit aka William Knifeman (Dallas Goldtooth, Rutherford Falls), the warrior who died at (but not in) the Battle of Little Big Horn and is quick to dispense advice Bear's way, are comic gold every time he's on-screen. (Wanting him to get his own spinoff comes easily.) It's also a show filled with goofy capers, from the opening Flaming Flamers chip-truck heist through to a hilarious late season-two episode where lighthorseman Officer Big (Zahn McClarnon, Westworld) unwittingly takes acid, then stumbles upon a racist land-grabbing conspiracy that's fuelled a local myth, all with salvage yard owner Kenny Boy (Kirk Fox, Parks and Recreation) by his side. This is and always has been a sitcom about home, though, a term that's oh-so-loaded in a First Nations context. What does it mean to want to flee land that's been taken from Indigenous communities from centuries? That was one of the first season's key questions. What does it mean to rediscover that homeland, even knowing how much heartache lingers? That's a pivotal consideration in the second season. California — the oasis it represents, including fresh scenery, leaving everyday troubles behind and seeing the ocean for the first time — still can't be shaken, however. Sometimes, the only way to weather life's ups and downs is to realise how much you'd miss what you already have if it was gone, too. Made with such an evident commitment to minutiae, and to feeling lived-in at every moment, Reservation Dogs spins both its episodic stories and its long-running arcs, themes and emotions into something wonderful and insightful again and again. One season-two episode departs to the yearly Indian Health Summit with the Aunties, including Bear's mother Rita (Sarah Podemski, Resident Alien), who get their own time away. Another follows Cheese to a group home run by the misguided Gene (Marc Maron, Respect), where he's sent through no fault of his own — while yet another goes to prison, where Willie Jack visits Hokti (Lily Gladstone, Certain Women), her aunt and Daniel's mother. From the engaging cast and complex narrative to the incisive examination of everything it means to be an Indigenous North American right now, plus the crucial commitment to telling Indigenous stories with Indigenous on- and off-screen talent (every writer, director and series regular is Indigenous), Harjo deserves all the kudos that can be showered his way for this gem of a show. Seeing where each episode heads, what surprises are in store, and how it keeps giving the USA's First Nations people on-screen representation and a voice, is a continual and rewarding delight. Seeing how Reservation Dogs values both personal tales and fleshing out a community portrait, and excels equally in realistic and magical storytelling, is as much of a highlight. As for Waititi, his way with sitcoms shouldn't be astonishing. The Eagle vs Shark, Boy and Hunt for the Wilderpeople helmer is three for three in America — including not only this, but also Our Flag Means Death, which will return for a second season after 2022's debut run; and the What We Do in the Shadows TV spinoff, which just aired its fourth season and has a fifth and sixth on the way. Indeed, while there are many reasons to be thankful for the New Zealand filmmaker as his resume keeps attesting, using his fame to help bring the gift that is Reservation Dogs into the world is firmly one of them. Check out the trailer for Reservation Dogs season two below: Reservation Dogs streams via Binge in Australia and Disney+ in New Zealand. Images: Shane Brown / FX.
Snorkelling expeditions are part and parcel with coastal holidays, and Port Stephens delivers the goods year-round (if you can brave the chillier temps in winter, that is). One of the most accessible spots is Fly Point Aquatic Reserve, an idyllic inlet positioned between Nelson Bay and Little Beach that extends 500 metres off-shore. This area is completely protected — no fishing allowed — making it a popular spot for snorkelling and shore scuba diving. You can expect sponge and kelp gardens that wobbegong sharks, nudibranchs, blue gropers, pineapple fish and the occasional seahorse call home. If you're lucky, you may even spy a turtle. Keep an eye out for butterfly fish, butterfly cod and damselfish during the warmer months, too. Don't have snorkelling gear with you? You can hire some from Let's Go Adventures in Nelson Bay. Image: John Turnbull via Flickr
