The only white man in a Bougainville village, 'Popeye' Watts (Hugh Laurie) is viewed with something like bemusement by the locals. An enigmatic, world-weary figure, he becomes central to the community when he takes on the role of sole teacher at the community's tiny school. Warming to his task, he promises to teach the children his favourite book, Charles Dickens' Great Expectations. So foreign is the story to their life that they are initially confused by the teacher's reference to Dickens and turn up to school expecting to meet him. Soon, though, the class is falling under the spell of the evergreen novel, earning the ire of parents who feel the children should be learning from the Bible instead. One particularly bright student, Matilda (Xzannjah) becomes entranced by the story, starting to imagine herself into its scenes with a dashing 19th-century Pip. She bonds with her teacher over the work, coming to learn how the story's theme of reinvention has a particular resonance for the Englishman. The idyllic surrounds and gentle rhythms of the town are thrown into turmoil when rebel forces start recruiting young boys as soldiers. The military also view the new developments at the school with hostile incomprehension, and Matilda's escapist fantasies take a dark turn when the rebels think the word 'Pip' she has written on the beach is a message to a freedom fighter and round the community up for interrogation. An affecting meditation on the power of storytelling, Mr. Pip's secondary theme of the power vacuum that opened up after civil unrest ended the copper mining boom is painted with broad strokes at times. But this less satisfying strand of the story never overpowers the central storyline, which is anchored by a performance of great stillness from Laurie and sterling work from Xzannjah as the quietly intelligent Matilda. Written and directed by Andrew Adamson (Shrek, The Chronicles of Narnia), Mr. Pip is a satisfying adaptation of Lloyd Jones' Booker-nominated novel. The main challenge of the film version was always going to be finding a way to replicate Jones' precise, mellifluous prose, something achieved here largely through John Toon's stately cinematography. It's a sombre, thoughtful work likely to both please those familiar with the formidable source material as well as inspiring newcomers to read it. https://youtube.com/watch?v=tRn3gr8Pt_o
To celebrate a half century of immersive public artworks, Kaldor Public Art Projects is hosting a free retrospective at the Art Gallery of NSW, where each of its 34 previous projects has been reimagined and created by noted British artist Michael Landy. Add to this a range of artist talks and celebratory events covering 50 years of the Australian arts organisation and it sounds like a lot of Kaldor to take in, so here to help, we've picked out the must-see and must-do experiences you can have during Making Art Public: 50 Years of Kaldor Public Art Projects. The free events will run over the next five months and you have until February 2020 to catch the exhibition. [caption id="attachment_745139" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Agatha Gothe-Snape 'Lion's Honey', 2019. Commissioned by Kaldor Public Art Projects. Photo: Document Photography.[/caption] CHECK OUT THREE NEW WORKS THAT HAVE BEEN COMMISSIONED There are four brand new pieces that have been specifically created for Kaldor's significant anniversary — and you can still catch three of them. First up, Agatha Gothe-Snape's Lion's Honey sees performers — including Agatha herself — read a book of their choosing in the exhibition space. Conceptualist Ian Milliss presents Natural Parallels 2, looking back to the time when his work became more social and political. Finally, Sydney's Imants Tillers' A New World Rises revisits Wrapped Coast, the very first Kaldor project back in 1969, which Tillers himself worked on. [caption id="attachment_745490" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Allora & Calzadilla 'Stop, Repair, Prepare' at State Library of Victoria, Melbourne, 2012. Photo: Andrew Lloyd.[/caption] GET A(NOTHER) CHANCE TO WITNESS PAST PROJECTS You'll get the chance to see the reprisals of two previous Kaldor projects at the celebration too, so if you missed out the first time this is your chance. Project #29, better known as This is So Contemporary, showcased Tino Sehgal's love of "constructed situations," creating an experience through dance and music where the audience play just as important a part as the choreographed performers. Allora & Calzadilla's Stop, Repair, Prepare will be making its Sydney debut. Also a former Kaldor project that Melburnians might remember from its performance in 2012, this piece sees artists attempt Beethoven's 'Ode to Joy' on an adjusted piano that can be played from within and walked across the gallery floor. [caption id="attachment_726658" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Marina Abramović: In Residence, Pier 2/3 Walsh Bay, Sydney, 2015. Photo: Pedro Greig.[/caption] RELIVE THE PAST PROJECTS WITH THE ONLINE ARCHIVE Earlier in the year, Kaldor put a call out for the public to share their experiences of 50 years of Making Art Public. These recollections and personal stories now form part of the Living Archives, an ongoing project that shows the meaning and intimacy of art, and how we all connect with it in different ways. Contributions are still very much welcomed and, if you'd like to refresh your memory, on the second Thursday of each month there are study sessions with the Kaldor archivist to take another look through the artefacts. [caption id="attachment_744021" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Making Art Public: 50 Years of Kaldor Public Art Projects. Art Gallery of NSW. Photo: Daniel Boud.[/caption] LEARN ABOUT THE LEGACY OF PUBLIC ART As Kaldor's digital archive launches, a range of art experts will be offering their views on the cultural impact of Kaldor — and other public art initiatives — and explaining why public art matters. Featuring curators, artists and academics from Australia and beyond, this symposium is sure to offer a fascinating insight into how 50 years of Kaldor Art Projects have shaped the art world as we know it today, and why the digital archive is so important in protecting that legacy. It's a free event taking place on Wednesday, November 20 at the Art Gallery of NSW. [caption id="attachment_745160" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kaldor Public Art Project 10: Jeff Koons, Puppy, Dec 12, 1995–Mar 17, 1996. ©Jeff Koons. Photo: John Gollings.[/caption] CREATE YOUR OWN MASTERPIECE BASED ON YOUR FURRY FRIEND Do you need any further encouragement than the words "puppy picnic"? Artist David Capra and "art-dog" Teena — known for her signature fragrance Eau de Wet Dogge — will be in The Domain on Friday, October 11 to celebrate all things canine and explore the relationship between art and man's best sausage dog. Learn how to draw a pooch portrait, find out how to decipher the language of puppy love, and let your four-legged friend run wild with doggy treats inspired by the edible art of Kaldor's artist Miralda. Owners will have to bring their own human food though — sorry. [caption id="attachment_745173" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kaldor Public Art Project 24: Michael Landy, Acts of Kindness, Sept 23–Oct 23 2011. ©Michael Landy. Photo: Jenni Carter[/caption] VISIT THE STUDIO TO SEE THE ARTISTS AT WORK A key tenet of public art is engagement, and that's why Kaldor is inviting you to visit the studio and see some of their best artists at work. It's not just a sterile observation session though; you'll get to hear the artists explain their process, learn more about their work, and even have the chance to ask your own questions. We've all wondered about what makes artists tick and how they make the ideas in their head a reality, and Kaldor offers the opportunity to get closer to the creative process than ever before. 'Making Art Public: 50 Years of Kaldor Public Art Projects' runs until February 16, 2020 and can be found on Lower Level 2 at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Entry is free. To see the full exhibition program, visit the website. Top image: Daniel Boud/Art Gallery of NSW.
Do not rush to judge this blasphemous heathen, good believers; the last person to lie claim to being bigger than Jesus was John Lennon, and, well, he had a point. Bigger Than Jesus is a self-labelled 'multimedia mass' that uses one man and a high-tech toolbox to explore the role religion plays in our lives. Devised by performer Rick Miller and director Daniel Brooks, it is funny while thoughtful, challenging without giving total offence, and even has an eye on stirring interfaith dialogue, having already been performed in five countries and four languages. (You can catch two of these additional languages, French and German, during the Sydney Festival.) Regardless of the traditionally not-suitable-for-convivial-dinner material, you can trust Miller to keep the evening fun. Last seen here in MacHomer, the theatrical marriage of Shakespeare and The Simpsons, he has a singular talent for slipping from character to character and creating a high-octane atmosphere on an otherwise unpeopled stage. This time around, he'll be a sceptical New York Jew, a southern evangelist and, of course, Jesus Christ himself, while a supporting cast of action figures will come to his aid to re-create the Last Supper.
In Sundown's holiday porn-style opening scenes, a clearly wealthy British family enjoys the most indulgent kind of Acapulco getaway that anyone possibly can. Beneath the blazing blue Mexican sky, at a resort that visibly costs a pretty penny, Alice Bennett (Charlotte Gainsbourg, The Snowman), her brother Neil (Tim Roth, Bergman Island), and her teenage children Alexa (Albertine Kotting McMillan, A Very British Scandal) and Colin (Samuel Bottomley, Everybody's Talking About Jamie) swim and lounge and sip, with margaritas, massages and moneyed bliss flowing freely. For many, it'd be a dream vacation. For Alice and her kids, it's routine, but they're still enjoying themselves. The look on Neil's passive face says everything, however. It's the picture of apathy — even though, as the film soon shows, he flat-out refuses to be anywhere else. The last time that a Michel Franco-written and -directed movie reached screens, it came courtesy of the Mexican filmmaker's savage class warfare drama New Order, which didn't hold back in ripping into the vast chasm between the ridiculously rich and everyone else. Sundown is equally as brutal, but it isn't quite Franco's take on The White Lotus or Nine Perfect Strangers, either. Rather, it's primarily a slippery and sinewy character study about a man with everything as well as nothing. Much happens within the feature's brief 82-minute running time. Slowly, enough is unveiled about the Bennett family's background, and why their extravagant jaunt abroad couldn't be a more ordinary event in their lavish lives. Still, that indifferent expression adorning Neil's dial rarely falters, whether grief, violence, trauma, lust, love, wins or losses cast a shadow over or brighten up his poolside and seaside stints knocking back drinks in the sunshine. For anyone else, the first interruption that comes the Bennetts' way would change this trip forever; indeed, for Alice, Alexa and Colin, it does instantly. Thanks to one sudden phone call, Alice learns that her mother is gravely ill. Via another while the quartet is hightailing it to the airport, she discovers that the worst has occurred. Viewers can be forgiven for initially thinking that Neil is her cruelly uncaring husband in these moments — Franco doesn't spell out their relationship until later, and Neil doesn't act for a second like someone who might and then does lose his mum. Before boarding the plane home, he shows the faintest glimmer of emotion when he announces that he's forgotten his passport, though. That said, he isn't agitated about delaying his journey back, but about the possibility that his relatives mightn't jet off and leave him alone. Sundown is often a restrained film, intentionally so. It doles out the reasons behind Neil's behaviour, and even basic explanatory information, as miserly as its protagonist cracks a smile. The movie itself is eventually a tad more forthcoming than Neil, but it remains firmly steeped in Franco's usual mindset: life happens, contentedly and grimly alike, and we're all just weathering it. Neither the highs nor lows appear to bother Neil, who holes up at the first hotel his cab driver takes him to, then starts making excuses and simply ignoring Alice's worried calls and texts. He navigates an affair with the younger Berenice (Iazua Larios, Ricochet) as well, and carries on like he doesn't have a care in the world. His sister returns, frantic and angry, but even then he's nonplussed. The same proves true, too, when a gangland execution bloodies his leisurely days by the beach, and also when violence cuts far closer to home. Tranquility, bleakness, the ordinary and the extreme in-between: it all keeps coming throughout Sundown. Yes, life keeps happening, even amid the relaxed air that breezes through the movie's aforementioned introductory moments. When there's little on the Bennetts' minds except unwinding, their comfort literally comes at the hands of Acapulco's workers. In the streets, an incendiary mood bubbles well before bodies end up on the sand. The gap between the one percent and the rest of us always stays in plain sight. The fact that a getaway as luxe as this one relies upon not the kindness but the exhaustive labour of others never slinks away. Also, that Neil's family wealth springs from slaughter isn't subtle — animals, in the pork trade — but that's never been Franco's approach. Still, Sundown is a film to soak up, riding its twists and wading through its questions, including the plethora that keep springing about Neil's actions. The last time that Roth worked with Franco, in 2015's Chronic, he turned in a mesmerising performance. Here, he's magnetic and absorbing as a man adrift by choice, through entitlement and also due to the cards he's been dealt. Some shots play up that idea with the director's characteristic lack of understatement — floating in a pool, for instance — but the point would've been plain via the film's central performance alone. Roth isn't coasting, or bobbing, or doing anything aimlessly. Sundown's audience can see Neil's behaviour as comic, heartless, troubled or arrogant, or a combination of all four and more, but Roth makes the sense of detachment and entropy behind the character's every move echo from the screen. His efforts prove all the more stark against the also-wonderful Gainsbourg, in a far smaller part. Unsurprisingly, Alice is anything but dispassionate, with her brother's subterfuge, selfishness and utter lack of care for everyone he's affecting earning her increasing exasperation. For Franco, forgoing nuance means staring head-on at the tales he's telling, the people within them and the statements about humanity that are being made — and Belgian cinematographer Yves Cape, who has a number of the filmmaker's pictures to his name (plus entrancing 2019 French film Zombi Child as well), eagerly obliges. Roving your eyes over Sundown's patient frames is an exercise in careful observation, sometimes peering so closely that you can almost count Roth's pores, but usually with a sense of distance that mirrors the space that Neil cultivates around himself. Watching this ruminative feature also requires confronting existential woes — and pondering existence — both compellingly and unsettlingly so. Franco has never had any fondness for privilege, or much for human nature; with his latest penetrating film, he's as unforgiving as always, but also as committed to unpacking what it means to define your own path.
Time for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure? Don't settle for an experience that might better be described as "once-in-a-while." Fortunately, there's no such problem when it comes to Legendary Journeys – Ultimate Private Experience by Preferred Hotels & Resorts, the world's largest independent hotel brand. Delivered in partnership with Bucketlist Xperiences, this ultra-luxe 17-night itinerary spans Singapore, India, Rwanda, Kenya, Greece, Morocco and London, departing Tuesday, October 6, 2026, and shaped for those seeking a truly unparalleled escape. Flying on a private VIP airliner customised for luxury travel, up to 58 passengers will relish an epicurean experience, with an in-flight chef serving gourmet cuisine alongside curated wines and spirits. Meanwhile, the trip is taken to the next level with seamless transfers, private airport access, luggage concierge and personalised gifts. Throughout the itinerary, a 17-member service team will oversee every detail, no matter how small. Oh, and a professional photographer and videographer will be on hand to document every leg of the journey. With non-stop highlights over three weeks, this exclusive experience begins in Singapore with a two-night stay overlooking Marina Bay. Expect sunset cocktails on the roof and a welcome celebration perched above the waterfront. Then, this trip is bound for Jaipur, India, where guests will stay amid palatial splendour in Rajasthan before taking VIP excursions to iconic landmarks like the Taj Mahal, the Amber Fort and the City Palace. Africa awaits next, with guests headed to Kigali, Rwanda, for a two-night visit. Staying at the newly opened Mövenpick Kigali, guests are welcomed with a private reception hosted by President Kagame (yes, really). The following day, climb into a helicopter to soar above the Virunga Mountains, then trek through Volcanoes National Park to catch a glimpse of local gorilla populations. The wildlife experience continues in Kenya, where guests sleep in luxury safari tents as they embark on thrilling Big Five game drives between sunrise hot-air balloon flights and champagne breakfasts served deep in remote plains. Trading in dry and dusty conditions for Aegean coastal bliss, the journey soon touches down in Santorini, Greece, with guests relishing the Oia cliffside. Soak up a sunset sailing adventure, then sip on rare Assyrtiko vintages native to the region. Onwards to Marrakech, Morocco, guests will head into the medina for some local shopping, with time to spare unwinding in a traditional hammam. Rounding out this extravagant adventure is a final stop in London, with guests delighting in the world's first super boutique hotel — The Londoner. So, what does it cost to experience this genuinely once-in-a-lifetime holiday? Just a cool $133,500 USD per person. Sure, that's not the kind of money most of us can find down the back of the couch. But if you're a high-flying traveller with the means to make it happen, look no further for the vacation of your dreams. "Our mission has always been to connect travellers with the world's most remarkable independent hotels and destinations in ways that are both unforgettable and transformative," says Lindsey Ueberroth, CEO of Preferred Hotels & Resorts. Legendary Journeys – Ultimate Private Experience by Preferred Hotels & Resorts takes place from Tuesday, October 6—Friday, October 23, 2026. Head to the website for more information.
No, you're not having a stroke. Although you might be after a few dozen cheeseburgers. Everyone's favourite LA fast food powerhouse In-N-Out Burger has secretly popped up in Sydney today. Set up at Parramatta's Mixology Lounge this time, these total legends are pumping out hamburgers, regular cheeseburgers and double cheese until 3pm today. Get amongst the inevitable burger-crazed mosh. This is happening right now. This isn't the first time these sneaky sneaksters have done this either. Last year, In-N-Out popped up for a one-day appearance in Sydney and stock sold out in a frantic two hour free for all. All we can say is get to Parramatta immediately. There's a reason this joint is frequented by celebrities and regularly called "heaven on earth". Admittedly, it has a lot to do with cheese fries. The In-N-Out burger pop up runs from 11am until around 3pm — or until they sell out — at Parramatta Mixology Lounge, 25 Wentworth Street, Parramatta. Move. Now.
In the last 13 years, Black Star Pastry has expanded into five stores across two cities, created storybook dessert creations and had its Strawberry Watermelon Cake crowned the 'world's most Instagrammed cake'. Through all this, the bakery has stuck by its original Newtown store. That is, until this week. The beloved Sydney dessert specialist has finally outgrown its quaint Australia Street digs, with the original Black Star Pastry serving up its last slice of cake after more than a decade. While the cult-favourite dessert maker is no longer tucked away behind Beach Burrito, it hasn't abandoned its Newtown roots, opening a brand new store just down the road. The new store has opened in the heritage building at 325 King Street, just 100 metres from the old spot. This new-look Black Star Pastry has high ceilings, marble bench tops and an installation of rolling pins hanging above the counter. The spacious new front room is awash in sunlight from the arched storefront windows. Outside the fresh look, not much has changed at the new Black Star location. You can still find all your favourite cakes, alongside breakfast favourites and tasty snacks such as quiches, pies, croissants, egg and bacon rolls and coffee. Staying true to the brand's Newtown roots was important when moving on from the original store, according to Black Star's General Manager Josef Murray. "Newtown is incredibly special to us, as it's where Black Star Pastry's journey began all those years ago," Murray said in a statement. "Long before the strawberry watermelon cake and its legion of fans, it was Newtown's locals who first embraced this budding bakery." Find Black Star Pastry at 325 King Street, Newtown from 7.30am–5.30pm Monday–Sunday.
The Paper Mill is a relatively new gallery, studio and zine library specialising in emerging artists who work with paper, which seems almost retro in the current digital climate. Over the next few weeks, the gallery is playing host to a collection of four young and creative Sydney kids: Sean Batchelor, Del Lumanta, Isobel Parker Philip and Daryl Prondoso. Their work features photography, drawing and sculpture, all centering around the many meanings and associations you can make with the word 'incision' — entry points, cuts, meetings of the internal and external and sites of collapse. Like a murderer or a nervous anatomy student the idea is to expose things that are hidden and concealed under the flesh, literal and metaphorical. In their works the paper replaces the body on the operating table, and it's the material itself which becomes punctured, perforated and sliced apart — it's the paper, not the skin, which is wounded. Their world is one of jagged shapes and shadows, thin and unguarded as the paper itself.
This Sydney Festival favourite returns for another evening of gorgeous music by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra under the open night skies. Grab your friends, family, or current flame, pack a picnic basket and a blanket, and relax into the summery dusk for a night of music that will make you feel a bit like you're living in a film. No picnic? No problem: there will be food stalls aplenty on site. It's BYO so, if you're feelin' thirsty, remember to pack a bottle of something chilled. Image: Jamie Williams.
For the second September in a row, Sydney's venues won't be filled with independent theatre, music, comedy, dance and circus performances — or with visual arts, film, literature and poetry, either. Due to the city's ongoing lockdown, as well as the uncertainty around when stay-at-home conditions will end and what restrictions will be in place afterwards, the Sydney Fringe Festival has announced that it won't be going ahead in 2021. Back in May, the fest announced its plans for this year, revealing that it would return with a physical month-long event after 2020's digital edition. New hubs were set to be part of the festival, too; however, as every Sydneysider has experienced, quite a lot has changed over the past couple of months. Announcing the cancellation in a statement, festival organisers said that the decision was made "after the extension of the current Sydney lockdown into August made rehearsals impossible for the vast majority of the festival program, along with the uncertainty around when performance venues will be able to reopen." The fest team also noted that "with 78 percent of Sydney Fringe audiences under 48 years of age and over 80 percent of artists under the age of 40, the risk that these groups would have low vaccination rates by September made the risk of performing live untenable." Sydney Fringe Festival follows Bluesfest, Vivid Sydney and the Sydney Film Festival in being impacted by COVID-19 two years in a row; however, at least at the time of writing, those other three major events have postponed their 2021 dates, rather than scrapped their plans altogether. That said, with Sydney's lockdown now six weeks in, set to run until at least the end of August and also still garnering high case numbers — 291 were identified in the 24 hours to 8pm on Thursday, August 5 — it's beginning to look more likely that other big events might not happen this year either. Sydney Fringe Festival Director and CEO Kerri Glasscock said that "the impacts of this pandemic continue to wreak havoc on our sector. The resilience, passion, dedication, ingenuity and stoicism the independent arts community has shown over these past 18 months has been remarkable, and the quality of work they had produced for this year's festival was exceptional despite all they had gone through. It is an immense shame that Sydney will not get to see this program this year, and that the city will lose the vital cultural and economic impact the festival brings each year. Sydney Fringe has long been one of the leading advocacy voices for independent artists in New South Wales and this is where we will once again turn our attention." In light of its change of plans for 2021, Sydney Fringe will launch a new 'We'll Fringe Again' fundraising campaign tonight, from 6pm on Friday, August 6, via the Sydney Fringe website and Facebook page — asking the community to still buy a ticket to the cancelled festival to support local artists. The money raised will be put into a programming fund for the 2022 festival. Sydney Fringe Festival 2021 will no longer take place between Wednesday, September 1–Thursday, September 30. For further information, head to the fest's website. Top image: Seiya Taguchi.
Come future Friday nights, you're soon going to have another excuse to grab Emperor's Puffs from the Chinatown markets. The streets of Haymarket will be transformed into a pedestrian friendly, tree-lined space in a move to refurbish the area announced by the City of Sydney. The proposed new plaza in the heart of Chinatown promises to put pedestrians at the top of the priority list. Thomas Street will become a pedestrian-friendly walkway and public space, with more lighting, seats, wider footpaths and a no-car policy during busy periods — so you can finally enjoy your street food goodies distraction free. Road closures are planned between Ultimo Road and Thomas Lane, while Thomas Street will become one-way only between Thomas Lane and Quay Street to make things safer for pedestrians. "By making it easier to explore the area on foot and creating more lively public spaces, we will attract even more people to the area and further support business in and around Haymarket," says Lord Mayor Clover Moore. "The plan for Thomas Street will ensure Haymarket remains an attractive and enjoyable place for tourists and visitors, reinforcing our Chinatown's place as one of the best in the world." Visitors will also be able to enjoy public art from Australian contemporary artist Lindy Lee while walking through the streets of Chinatown. Lee's work is preoccupied with the idea of self in the world, as captured through her own negotiations with her divided Chinese-Australian heritage. "The heart of Chinatown is Sussex Street, Hay Street and Thomas Street where they intersect," says Lee. "I love the history of this area and the idea is to maintain the integrity of the street life to make Thomas Street pedestrian-friendly and strengthen the heart of Chinatown." This latest stage in the Chinatown overhaul comes after two years of the City of Sydney's previous work rejuvenating the area's back alleys — you may have noticed Jason Wing's murals on the walls of Little Hay Street, Factory Street or Kimber Lane. If not, well, I guess that's another solid reason to pay the area a visit.
Paul Gilding, former executive director of Greenpeace International, is set to arrive in Sydney with a difficult question: is a more equitable and sustainable world attainable? It's a query that he has posed to communities worldwide. Interested in what Sydneysiders have to say? Join Gilding and panel guests Clover Moore MP, Ross Gittins AM of the SMH, Sam Mclean of GetUp! , Ben Waters of GE, and author Rachel Botsman, in a thought-provoking discussion of the ecologically and economically damaged world we inhabit. Gilding will present the panel with the history and root causes of the world's precarious status; the panel will then explore the workings of the global economy and how to alleviate the pressing issues of an unsustainable economy. Tickets to the discussion are free, but essential.
For a long time, physicists have been trying to get t-shirts printed with a short, unified theory of everything on it. They just need to sort discovering it first. If you feel the need to add some catchy images to your tops while you wait for science to catch up with your wardrobe, Without Walls 2 is coming to the aMBUSH Gallery to help you flesh out your summer style. Without Walls matches wall-based art with cotton-based style, encouraging you to walk away wearing the treasures of the exhibition on a t-shirt of your very own. Two of the artists — Jumbo and Ben Toupein — at times seem like homunculi pulled from opposite sides of Jeffery Smart. Jumbo is usually seen in the company of the Kirby-loving Zap, but for this exhibition his dreamy urban images unfold alone. Toupein draws disquieted gentlemen with hard lines, half-finished moods and wrinkles. Brett Chan makes almost floral geometric art, while James Jirat Patradoon draws blokes and cites art from Akira and Battle of the Planets among his inspirations. Figure artist Aisling King-Macklin and versitile Jin Hien Lau also feature. No single theory unites these artists, but starting Thursday they'll all be printed on a common set of threads. Images by James Jirat Patradoon and Ben Toupein.
A black comedy about neighbours fighting over a tree. A harrowing recreation of the worst incident on Norwegian soil since World War II. A gothic interpretation of a well-known folk tale. A film about an infatuated college student who discovers she has unusual abilities. These are just some of the Nordic films headed to Australia as part of the 2018 Scandinavian Film Festival — and yes, it's shaping up to be a great year for movies hailing from the colder parts of Europe. All of the above titles — the opening night's Under the Tree, Berlinale hit U – July 22, the gorgeously shot Valley of Shadows and the empathetic thriller Thelma — head to the festival after amassing quite the buzz at overseas events, and they have plenty of company. Across the Scandinavian Film Festival's almost month-long tour of the country, between July 10 and August 5, 21 features will grace Australian screens, showcasing everything from the latest award-winners to the career output of one of the region's late master filmmakers. In the first camp falls Border, which is based on a short story by author John Ajvide Lindqvist and just won the top prize in the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes; high-school comedy Amateurs, the recipient of the best Nordic film award at this year's Goteburg Film Festival; and Winter Brothers, a flick about siblings living in a remote region that nabbed nine Danish Academy Awards. In the latter category, viewers can celebrate the life and career of renowned Swedish director Ingmar Bergman in the 100th anniversary of his birth, with six Swedish figures — including Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy's Tomas Alfredson — making shorts inspired by the influential filmmaker for compilation effort Bergman Revisited. Other highlights include a semi-scripted cross-cultural comedy about two Danish men trying to set up a dog breeding business in China, aka The Saint Bernard Syndicate, SXSW-standout Heavy Trip, a film about a heavy metal muso spearheading a music festival in a small Finnish town, and The Real Estate, which attacks the chasm between the rich and the not-so in an unflinching fashion. In short: if it hails from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Iceland and Finland and it popped up over the past year, it's probably on the lineup. The Scandinavian Film Festival tours the country between July 10 and August 5, screening at Sydney's Palace Norton Street, Palace Verona and Palace Central from July 10–29; Melbourne's Palace Cinema Como, Palace Brighton Bay and Palace Westgarth from July 12–29; and Brisbane's Palace Barracks from July 19 to August 5. For the full program, visit the festival website.
Texan rockers The Black Angels are bringing their psychedelic music Down Under, fresh off the back of releasing their fourth album, Indigo Meadow. The band that was instrumental in raising the profile of the genre along with heavyweights such as Black Rebel Motorcycle Club were here for Harvest Festival last year, and their fans have demanded a solo show, a cry The Black Angels somehow heard over their pulsating guitars and driving drums. The Velvet Underground-inspired band will be gracing The Enmore on June 15 with their cathartic style and will be supported by Australian rockers The Laurels and Zeahorse. If you are unfamiliar with the band, then take a listen to their most recent single, 'Don’t Play with Guns', which encapsulates their sound. It will be a kaleidoscopic evening that harks back to the much-hyped sound of a decade ago.
Prepare yourself, folks — this year, Australia's launching into summer with the help of a huge new music festival. The brainchild of industry big guns Onelove (Stereosonic), Live Nation (Splendour in the Grass, Falls Festival) and Hardware (Piknic Electronik, Babylon), Festival X will shoot onto the scene from Friday, November 29, touring Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. The large-scale music party is pulling no punches when it comes to its debut lineup, headlined by international heavyweights including Scottish DJ Calvin Harris, the Grammy-nominated Armin van Buuren, Steve Aoki and our own Alison Wonderland. Spanning multiple stages, it's set to deliver a world-class serve of hip hop, pop and electronica. US rapper Lil Pump will make his own Aussie debut, joined on the all-star bill by the likes of British DJ duo CamelPhat, Ohio-based rapper Trippie Redd, Denmark's Kölsch and German techno king Paul Kalkbrenner. Meanwhile, there'll be plenty flying the flag for the local scene, with sets from favourites including bass and dubstep star Godlands, Australian-raised trance DJ MaRLo, Sydney act Sunset Bros and singer-songwriter Thandi Phoenix. The inaugural Festival X tour is set to hit Brisbane Showgrounds on Friday, November 29, Sydney Showgrounds on Saturday, November 30, and Melbourne Showgrounds on Sunday, December 1. Presale tickets are up for grabs from 1pm on Wednesday, July 31, with general tickets on sale from noon on Thursday, August 1. Top image: Stereosonic
If you've been saving your money the last couple months and are wondering where to spend it, head down to the Makers and Shakers Market on Saturday, October 6. Making its return to Sydney, it'll feature 60 high-quality stalls, so you'll definitely find something you like. The market provides an open platform for local makers to sell their handmade wares, gourmet foods and lifestyle products. Start your shopping at 10am with a kombucha from Mailer McGuire then wander to Clay Canoe for stunning ceramics and to Cardigan Threads for chunky, colourful jewellery. Finish up with a visit to Tiny Paradise to add a little plant life to your home — and that's just a taste of the goodies on offer. While you're wandering the stalls, tackle your post-shop hunger with some toasted sandwiches from Mister Toast, doughnuts from Nutie and Shortstop, plus many more delicious foods. The market will run from 9am–3pm, and tickets are $2 and kids under 12 are free. Image: Alana Dimou.
Ben & Jerry’s Openair Cinema is returning to Bondi Beach. Screening a combination of new releases and retro classics, their giant inflatable screen flickers to life at dusk, six nights a week, until summer comes to an end. Of course, a big part of the reason to love this time of year is that you get to enjoy the sunshine. That’s why every film session will be preceded by one or more live music acts, giving you ample reason to head down to the water during daylight hours – as if the allure of Chunky Monkey ice-cream wasn’t already incentive enough. Gracing the stage will be a whole host of talent, including Melbourne’s Husky for the big Sundae Session launch party, alt rock band Saint Abbé, indie folk duo Ally & Hannah, harpist (that’s right, harpist) Jake Meadows and pianist and singer-songwriter Nic Cassey. There will also be sets by a selection of local DJs, including Josh Beagley, Dax Golding, President Bird and MK-1. You can find the full live music program, along with the film program, at the Openair Cinema website. Doors open at 5pm on Sundays and 6pm Tuesday to Saturday.
From the 1870s to the mid 1990s, the Colonial Sugar Refinery (CSR) in Pyrmont was a vital part of Sydney's economy. The expanding enterprise refined sugarcane, made building materials and at its height, distilled about a third of Australia's rum. Sold in 1995 to make way for residential development, all that remains of the refinery are three huge steel spheres mounted on pedestals in Pyrmont's Waterfront Park. But playwright Alana Valentine knew that wasn't entirely true. Dotted around Sydney are other remnants of the sugar factory – generations of workers who built their lives around CSR's industry. It's on this foundation that Valentine has crafted her latest work, The Sugar House, open Upstairs at Belvoir. The play focuses on three women who have either worked in the refinery or have seen their hometown change as a result of its boom and bust. Delving into their complex histories, Valentine also examines the changing face of Sydney and asks a few pointy questions about what it's become. As Belvoir's Artistic Director Eamon Flack notes, the play is a gift to the city, but it also details the true cost of prosperity. With Kris McQuade, Sacha Horler and Sheridan Harbridge heading up a cast of Belvoir stalwarts, The Sugar House promises a tough and winding account of family and the city. It might also provide a few answers about what exactly those giant balls in Waterfront Park were used for.
It's something you're hoping you only have to do once (more) in your life, you're probably not looking forward to it and your entire future is riding on the outcome. And yet this outing — the one where you first meet your partner's parents — might also be one you look back on fondly around shared dinner tables for years to come. To set your day or night on the right trajectory, the perfect backdrop is key. Nothing too fancy or cool; you want a place that will put everyone at ease, you included. We've partnered with American Express to scour Sydney for ten such spots, all of which will make a solid impression on any potential future in-laws. These restaurants are easy to enjoy, take bookings, accept Amex and give you the best chance of winning over the rentals. They have personality, charm and are serving up some great food and booze to help the sell. Got yourself in another dining situation and need some guidance? Whatever it is, we know a place. Visit The Shortlist and we'll sort you out.
At the end of a long day, there's something so alluring about indulging in a cool glass of champagne with some fancy canapés on the side. But as nice as it would be to live the Mad Men life on the regular, the old budget often makes it tricky to turn those luscious daydreams into reality. It's no secret that life in Sydney is often mighty hard on the bank balance but, luckily, there are a good number of places in the city where you can live the high life without maxing out your credit card limit. To guide you on your merry way, we've teamed up with our mates at American Express to bring you a list of top spots where you can enjoy your champagne tastes on a beer budget. From sophisticated aperitif hours with surprisingly low prices to totally reasonable set menus that let you dine at some the city's finest establishments without breaking into your savings account, indulging your elevated palate doesn't always have to mean a headache-inducing bill at the end of the night. Plus, these places all accept American Express so you can stock up on points for future splurges at the same time. Got yourself in another dining situation and need some guidance? Whatever it is, we know a place. Visit The Shortlist and we'll sort you out.
Butter just keeps giving Sydneysiders more reasons to go absolutely crazy for it. The cult favourite is already a palace of fried chicken, sneakers and champagne. And you can add limited-edition ramen to that list, too. Executive Chef Julian Cincotta has once again teamed up with Nick Smith of Newtown's super-popular Rising Sun Workshop for 2020. This year, the duo is taking it to the next level and creating two limited-edition tantanmen ramen (one for each venue). At Butter, noodle fans will see the return of the fried chicken tantanmen — the rich, spicy ramen features a sesame chicken broth, hot and numbing ground chicken, fermented bamboo shoots, noodles, pickled wasabi leaf and marinated egg. Oh, and it's topped with Butter's fried chicken tenders. Over at Rising Sun Workshop, you'll find the Glorious Flaming Pig tantanmen. Expect mix of aburi-flamed pork belly and rare-breed Berkshire pork mince (hot and numbing, of course) alongside a six-chilli rayu(Japanese chilli oil), pickled wasabi leaf and marinated egg — all in a pork bone broth. These two dishes will be available for two weeks only, starting on Sunday, September 6. You can find the fried chicken tantanmen at Butter's stores in Surry Hills and Parramatta and the Glorious Flaming Pig at Rising Sun Workshop in Newtown. Images: Sean Alcantara
Harry Seidler is the second most popular result when searching 'Harry S' on Google. Amongst a lifetime of achievements and accolades, his Google popularity would probably be of little concern to him if he were still alive today. Seidler was one of Australia’s most prolific architects, who throughout his career designed over 180 buildings embracing modernist methodology and fully expressing the principals of the Bauhaus. Take that Harry Styles! On Friday, November 7, the foyer spaces of three iconic Harry Seidler buildings in Sydney’s CBD will be transformed as part of the 2014 Sydney Architecture Festival. Expanded Architecture have curated an exclusive one-night only event called Temporal Formal at Seidler City. Guests are invited to join a guided tour through some of the city’s most identifiable buildings, exploring specially commissioned, site-specific installations that explore the intersections between art and architecture. The exhibition includes light, sound and performance art as well as installations made from "crushed glass, water-dissolving lace, liquid chalk, modulated furniture, fog, digital interactive projection, cross stitch and crochet.” That's no mild foyer art.
Too much smoke is never enough when you're a peaty whisky enthusiast. Peat is your middle name. And, when it comes to palate-smacking smoky drops, Ardbeg is a solid choice. Not only is it unbelievably smoky but it's also surprisingly sweet — fans call this 'the peaty paradox'. Well, whisky aficionados, as a way for you to test your capacity to handle this complex flavour, we've found four events where you can sip the smoky stuff to your heart's content. The Ardbeg Smokehouse is a series of venue takeovers featuring whisky tastings, cocktails, smoke-infused eats and live entertainment. You can sample the first ever Ardbeg-infused beer, tuck into a fiery three-course feast and swirl whisky like a distinguished aristocrat in a dapper CBD bar. Bottoms up, peaty pals.
World Chocolate Day (Wednesday, July 7) is on the horizon, so what better excuse for two of the country's top dessert masters to join forces? Aussie chocolate brand Koko Black and the ever-innovative, Sydney-born cake maestros Black Star Pastry have dreamed up some sweet-toothed magic, available for one day only this July. The Meteor Cake is the brainchild of Koko Black Head Chocolatier Remco Brigou and Black Star's Group Head Pastry Chef Arnaud Vodounou — some might say that this once-off dessert is 'out of this world'. It's here for a good time, but a very fleeting one, hitting stores for one day only on (you guessed it) Wednesday, July 7. The limited-edition cake is up there with some of the more extravagant treats you'll try this year. First up, there are the neat layers of dark chocolate financier, caramel-infused chocolate, muscovado sponge, dense hazelnut cremeux, choccy mousse and praline. Crowning that delicious tower is a flying 'meteor' — a hazelnut truffle coated in black cocoa nibs — trailing a blazing edible flame crafted from luxe Sao Thome chocolate. There's even a pile of meteor 'rubble', made of crumbled cocoa nibs. The Meteor Cake comes in at $15 a slice, available to purchase only from select Koko Black stores in Sydney (Strand Arcade) and Koko Black stores in Melbourne. You can also grab the takeaway treat from Black Star's Rosebery and Newtown outposts. Given the current lockdown and restrictions, Sydneysiders will also be able to pre-order here from July 2 to score a $55 four-pack that'll be delivered on World Chocolate Day. After the first half of this year, you bloody well deserve it. The Meteor Cake will be available from select Koko Black and Black Star stores, on Wednesday, July 7. Head to either website for further details.
Ever find yourself overwhelmed by Sydney's diverse array of booze haunts and wish you had your own personal bar guide? Yep, we feel you. Often we frequent the same bars out of comfort and forget to try new places for fear of missing out. With our city's current flurry of decent drinking holes, however, we think it's time you heard it from those truly in the know: the bartenders themselves. Concrete Playground's guide to where bartenders drink will set things straight. Listen to the experts. Aasha Sinha drinks at Low302 Aasha hails from Bondi originally and has been running the bar at Gazebo Wine Garden for just over one year. Prior to that Aasha was head bartender at Vinatta Project in New York City. She has also worked at local haunts Cafe Pacifico, Duke Bistro and The Winery. If I had the night off, I would go to ... "Low302 bar on Crown Street. There are so many reasons why I love this bar. The bartenders are some of Sydney's best and their banter is even better. The drinks list and back bar selection have never failed to impress me. They're open until 2am and serve amazing food all the way through. The buffalo wings are out of this world and make for a great late night grease fix. There's always a spot for you at the bar, where you're guaranteed to run into a fellow bartender (or 10) for a staffie." Luke Reddington drinks at Bulletin Place Luke was bar manager of Eau de Vie for over one year and currently bartends at Cockatoo Island. He is in the process of opening his own venue with his business partner, which should be ready by the middle of this year. One of my favourite drinking holes is ... "Bulletin Place. I like their concept of an ever-changing list of daily cocktail specials, which is based on whatever fruit is in stock that week. The Lord Nelson Pub in The Rocks is also in my top ten. It's one of the oldest and best pubs in Sydney, and always has an interesting selection of delicious locally-brewed beer on tap. I haven't been to 121BC in Surry Hills but it's next on my hit list. I love finding out about new wines and apparently that's the place to do it." Reece Griffiths drinks at Cafe Pacifico Reece has been a bartender at Low302 for one year and is the Brand Ambassador for Jose Cuervo Tequila. Reece has also been behind the stick at The Victoria Room and Emmilou Tapas Bar. When I'm not behind the bar, you can find me at ... "Cafe Pacifico. Being a Tequila and Mezcal lover, Pacifico is a no-brainer for me. One of the best collections of agave spirits going around, a great authentic cantina feel, not to mention 'Cat in the Hat' Phil Bayly to spin stories of Tequila. Low302 is also like a second home to me. It has great booze and has some of the most under-rated food in Sydney. The place is dangerous, but amazing. If I were taking my girlfriend out for a drink, Vasco would be my pick." Ben Blair drinks at Frankie's Ben is currently managing the bar at The Corner House in Bondi and has just been ranked one of Australia's top 10 bartenders. Ben has also been behind the bar at the Victoria Room and before that, various venues in London. The next bar on my go-to list is ... "Frankie's Pizza. The Swillhouse boys (Shady Pines Saloon and Baxter Inn) certainly know what it takes to open a cracking venue, and it would appear that most of my mates live at the bar so I'd never be short of company. For an excellent selection of agave based spirits, tasty popcorn and bartenders who know how to have a good time, Tio’s would be my pick. I also like the 'less is more' philosophy behind Bulletin Place. Their cocktail list is short and no-fuss, with a focus on fresh, seasonal produce." Jessica Arnott drinks at Eau de Vie Jessica's a born and bred Sydney girl, but London is where she made the transition from floor to bar. She worked at The Victoria Room for almost three years and has just left Gardel's Bar at Porteno to join the team at the Roosevelt. She's super excited about it. If there's one thing you should try, it's ... "the chicken liver parfait at Eau de Vie. I think it's made from unicorn breath, or fairy dust, or something. It's unbelievably good. Eau de Vie always has great staff manning the bar. I love that I can go and have a cider and a shot, or a top shelf whisky, or get my cocktail geek on with them anytime. Max and Luke from rock 'n' roll bar Vasco also pump out cracking cocktails. It's as loud as you'd expect from Max Greco with tasty food and great chat. Everything a bartender's bar should be. Charlie Ainsbury drinks at Tio's Charlie has been in bars since 2003. He's worked at the Bayswater Brasserie and a number of places in Canada and most notably, The Diamond. Charlie has worked at Duke Bistro, consulted on Izakaya Fujiyama and, for a bit of fun, spend a month's worth of weekends working at Shady Pines Saloon. The reason I drink at the bars I do is ... "for the people who work there. I like making my way down to Tio's, Low302 and The Baxter Inn whenever I can. Hinky Dinks in Darlinghurst is right next door to us so I find myself there more often than I care to admit! Being a bartender who works late into the night, it's also pretty difficult to avoid Frankie's Pizza. I’ve heard great things about Harlem in Manly, so that’s where I’ll be making my way to next – but not before taking my lady out on a date to Monopole (with our hours being polar opposites, I owe her quite a few of these date nights!). Robb Sloan drinks at The Corner House Robb tells us he's a payer of invoices, filler-inner of spreadsheets and wielder of mops at Bulletin Place. He also co-owns the place. Before his current post, Robb was behind the bar at The Black Pearl in Melbourne. My favourite place to drink in Sydney is ... "The Corner House upstairs bar. Guaranteed a warm welcome, a generously poured, beautifully made beverage and a cool vibe on Sundays. Plus bartender Ben Blair is such a dreamboat. The location is perfect too; perched atop Bondi Road hill so it's a gentle downhill stumble all the way home. Tio's also deserves a mention for positively contributing to people's understanding of how much tequila their body can physically process. I like their dedication. When (when!) I get a night off, I'm looking forward to checking out Bottleneck in Darlinghurst." Natalie Ng drinks at Foley Lane Natalie is venue manager and part owner of Mojo Record Bar. Previously, she was the venue manager at Hugos Pizza Bar and before that, the bar manager at Cafe Pacifico for nearly three and a half years. If you're after good drinks, great food and an awesome outdoor area, head to …. "Foley Lane. It feels more restaurant than bar with its laid-back vibe and rustic charm. Think negronis, jugs of sangria and tapas. It's understated, without being boring. Plus the staff are fantastic. I also have a soft spot for Bulletin Place. These guys show that bars don't need to compromise when it comes to ingredients or freshness. I love their 'simplicity equals quality' ethos. Another bar championing a similar idea (and which I've yet to visit) is Bar H in Surry Hills, where the focus is on seasonal local produce. Finally Low302 deserves a shout out for their quality margaritas and Manhattans, and for their eclectic taste in music. Header image courtesy of the Soda Factory.
Fantastic wine bars and where to find them: that's another way of describing Australia's annual Wineslinger Awards. Each year, industry experts vote on the top spots to enjoy a drop, with 2023's list now here for your drinking pleasure. It's called a top 50, but there's 55 places on the latest rundown because the votes couldn't be split. Created in 2018 by Rory Kent, who also founded the Young Gun of Wine Awards, the Wineslinger gongs draw upon the picks of more than 100 folks — think: sommeliers, winemakers, hospitality tastemakers and journalists — to point you in the right vino-sipping direction. Where Kent's other prize aims to recognise stellar up-and-comers, this one is about the best places to enjoy a glass or several of stellar tipples. [caption id="attachment_623524" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nikki To.[/caption] "In the sixth year of these annual awards, it's such a thrill to once again discover so many great new wine haunts around the country," said Kent. 2023's 55 chosen venues are spread across the nation, with New South Wales accounting for the most with 15 spots. From there, 12 of Wineslinger's favourites hailed from Victoria, then nine from South Australia and seven from Queensland. Western Australia boasts six places in the ranking and Tasmania has three, while there's two from the Australian Capital Territory and one from the Northern Territory. Don't go expecting just the usual names, either. Familiar go-tos such as Dear Sainte Eloise in Potts Point, Carlton Wine Room in Carlton (where else?) and Snack Man in Fortitude Valley have gotten the nod, as have Canberra's Bar Rochford, Launceston's Havilah, Hellbound in Adelaide, Lalla Rookh in Perth and Stone House in Darwin; however, 19 venues have also been named for the first time. They include Bar Heather in Byron Bay, Commis in Collingwood and The End in West End — and also Alt. Wine Bar in Unley, Molto Bar and Cellar in Hobart and The Corner Dairy in Perth. [caption id="attachment_789259" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Snack Man[/caption] For folks looking for your next watering hole, you have plenty of places to add to your must-visit list. Some are located in popular hotspots, others have been plying their trades for decades and others still have only just opened. From the top 55, Wineslinger singles out a number of venues for trophies, which'll be awarded on Monday, December 5. The top gong is simply called Wineslinger, naturally, while other prizes span the self-explanatory Best New Haunt, as well as the Maverick award for a venue that pushes the limits. And, for vino aficionados at home, there's also the People's Choice prize — which is open for online votes right now, closing at midday on the day of the ceremony. [caption id="attachment_789257" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Carlton Wine Room[/caption] WINESLINGER AWARDS 2023 TOP 50: ACT Bar Rochford, Canberra Rizla, Braddon NSW 10 William Street, Paddington Bar Copains, Surry Hills Bar Heather, Byron Bay Bar Superette, Merimbula Beau, Surry Hills Bentley Restaurant & Bar, Sydney Caravin, Potts Point Dear Sainte Eloise, Potts Point Fix Wine, Sydney Le Foote, The Rocks Lil Sis, Chippendale P&V Merchants, Paddington The Sir George Hotel, Jugiong The Wine Library, Woollahra Where's Nick, Marrickville [caption id="attachment_637744" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bentley Restaurant & Wine Bar[/caption] NT Stone House, Darwin QLD Agnes, Fortitude Valley Alba Bar + Deli, Brisbane Cru Bar + Cellar, Fortitude Valley Paloma Wine Bar, Burleigh Heads Snack Man, Fortitude Valley The End, West End Zero Fox, Teneriffe SA Alt. Wine Bar, Unley Good Gilbert, Goodwood Hellbound, Adelaide Jennie Wine Bar, Adelaide Loc Bottle Shop, Adelaide Silver Sands Beach Club, Aldinga Stanley Bridge Tavern, Verdun Stem Bar & Restaurant, Adelaide The Salopian Inn, McLaren Vale [caption id="attachment_778181" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Hellbound[/caption] TAS Havilah, Launceston Lucinda, Hobart Molto Bar and Cellar, Hobart VIC Bar Marenda, Daylesford Carlton Wine Room, Carlton City Wine Shop, Melbourne Commis, Collingwood Geralds Bar, Carlton North Gimlet, Melbourne Marion, Fitzroy Osteria Illaria, Melbourne Public Wine Shop, Fitzroy North Torquay Wine Store, Torquay Union Street Wine, Geelong Winespeake, Daylesford WA Besk, West Leederville Lalla Rookh, Perth Mayfair Lane, West Perth Mummucc', Wembley The Corner Dairy, Perth Wines of While, Perth To vote in Wineslinger's People's Choice Award before 12pm on Monday, December 5, visit the awards' website. Top images: Agnes; Beau; City Wine Shop, Tess Kelly.
Late on a midwinter night in St Petersburg, Rhys returns to his freezing apartment to find his brother-in-law, Ben, unconscious and a naked woman about to jump out the window. This is the tantilising teaser from the upcoming play One Scientific Mystery or Why Did the Aborigines Eat Captain Cook?, a title adapted from a song by Russian musician Vladimir Vysotsky. The emotionally explorative play relocates midwinter Russia into the Upstairs Theatre of TAP Gallery and sees renowned director Iain Sinclair take the reins directing Russian-born Victoria Haralabidou's playwriting debut. Her deep and controlled depiction of romance, personal loss and the intense intricacies of intimacy is being produced by VHS Productions, a new theatre company promoting work by a diverse cultural range of female artists. Two-time Logie Award-winning actor Aaron Jeffery and debutant Dallas Bigelow join Haralabidou herself as two Australians, and all captivate their audience with their tale of translation from within the confines of a freezing St Petersburg apartment for six nights only, from Tuesday, April 9, until Sunday, April 14.
After seven years in their Devonshire Street digs, the team at The Book Kitchen will be switching gears in response to the South East Light Rail construction happening right outside their front door. Rather than take this long-term disruption lying down, owners Amelia and David Birch have decided to stand up and make lemonade of the situation — or something to that effect. They officially closed their kitchen over the weekend and today — Tuesday, March 28 — they've relaunched as a local hub and co-working space. "We started feeling the pinch of the light rail works already, but I figured we can just sit here and drown or we can do something about it," says Amelia Birch. "The disruptions were triggers for me to do something different and utilise the venture in a way that maximises the space." The venue will continue to serve coffee and tea, but their hot breakfast and lunch offering is no more. Instead, they will offer a takeaway window of grab-and-go breakfasts and, from 10.30am daily, will become Vini & Panini. "We spent time in Italy and love the way their culture embraces ordering through the window, standing at the bar and enjoying a glass of wine with some beautiful food before heading back to work," says Birch. The Vini & Panini window will work the same way — think traditional Italian paninis (like prosciutto with truffled cream cheese, and porchetta with roast capsicum) for $10, as well as a daily salad, $5 organic wines and Murray's beers and Aperol spritzes ($10). The rest of the venue will now operate as a co-working space for small businesses, freelancers, startups and entrepreneurs. They're currently taking bookings from their website for those interested in joining the space. "We have people come in to work and have meetings here every day, so I thought let's use the space to build a community for like-minded professionals, offering the chance for these little players to be able to network and have this collaborative hub," says Birch. Apart from meeting spaces, members will receive 20 percent off the cafe fare, as well as discounts at Surry Hills printers and other local businesses. With their existing, fully fitted commercial kitchen, they're also inviting chefs and caterers to hire the space out on an hourly basis through Sprout Kitchens. Luckily, The Grocer section is not changing and will still sell fresh produce from 8am through 5pm, seven days a week. The Book Kitchen is not the first in the area to be affected by the light rail construction; adjacent furniture shop MCM House has already relocated to Oxford Street and fashion boutique Kit and Ace closed in anticipation of the works as well. Bourke Street Bakery seems to still be going all guns blazing though (some things never change). The Book Kitchen is located at 255 Devonshire Street, Surry Hills. For more info or to book a working space visit thebookkitchen.com.au. Image: The Book Kitchen via Instagram.
A genuine cultural phenomenon in Japan and a growing influence on animation worldwide, anime enjoys a strong cult following in Australia. Fans will lap up the films on offer at this year's Reel Anime festival, which includes two reboots of legendary anime series. Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not Redo) is part three of the reinvention of the legendary Neon Genesis Evangelion series, while Ghost in the Shell: Arise is the first instalment of the mega-popular Ghost in the Shell's new series and takes place in the near future as the world recovers from World War IV. Ghost in the Shell screens with writer director Makoto Shinkai's The Garden of Words, a melancholy story of a teen who dreams of becoming a shoemaker and an unlikely friendship he forms with an older woman. Then there's A Letter to Momo, which was seven years in the making and has drawn comparisons to the phenomenal Studio Ghibli, producers of masterpieces like Princess Monokone and Arriety. https://youtube.com/watch?v=Ie6T0tk5Vvc
No matter what season it is, we're a cheese-loving society. We'll eat, breathe and live all things cheese, because it really does go with almost anything. And now that comfort food season is upon us, it's time for cheese at its warm and gooey best — including at Darlinghurst's Black Bottle. As first launched last year, the Mediterranean-style wine bar is serving up fromage in a box every Wednesday. Cold weather calls for hot cheese, obviously. The dish is similar to raclette, but smaller and better. Plus, it comes ready-made for date nights, with each oven-baked portion perfect for two. Not only do you get a glorious parcel of melted cheese, but you'll be able to pour it on potatoes, dip cured meats into it, and also feast on salad. And sip wine, if you like, although that'll cost you extra. The fromage in a box special is $39 per person, with a two-person, $78 minimum — so grab your dairy-loving partner or bestie and get sharing.
California-based DJ, producer and Stones Throw Records founder Chris Manak, aka Peanut Butter Wolf, is having a killer year so far. The legendary spinner has played to audiences in New York, Atlanta, Bangkok and Tokyo while his beloved label, Stones Throw Records, is the subject of a new documentary. He seems like a pretty nice dude all-round too, having just announced a free (yes, free) show at Goodgod next month, celebrating the first anniversary of Red Bull Music Academy's club night series. Manak founded the prolific Stones Throw Records with MC Charizma (RIP) in 1996, and since then he's gained a cult following, uncovering and introducing you to the best underground hip hop around. He'll be joined at Goodgod by Melbourne producer Kirkis and Sydney's Mako. Fans of progressive hip-hop, funk and general left-of-centre goodness had better act quick, because we predict these tickets will disappear faster than you can wrap your head around what a peanut butter wolf would actually look like. https://youtube.com/watch?v=rwZVV_77MhM
For Sydneysiders who look at a jacket potato and think, that looks a little too healthy — relax, Lord of the Fries is coming! The Melbourne-based fast-food sensation that thought 'we can fry that' is expanding from its Victorian stronghold and migrating north with its sights set firmly on the boozy, the bored and the lazy who populate fair Sydney. The announcement, which went live on Twitter, gave little specifications past a George Street location and September launch date, so get yourself on a strict diet of all things grease in preparation for LOTF (that’s what Melbournites call it, or so I am told). Oh, and they do burgers and hot dogs, too. Win.
They're taking the hobbits to Amazon — and, later this year, fans of Lord of the Rings will be able to see the end result. You should already have Friday, September 2, 2022 marked in your diary, as the premiere date for Amazon Prime Video's new LOTR show was announced last year. But if you've been wondering exactly what you'll be watching, the streaming platform has just provided a few new details. While the series has just been referred to as The Lord of the Rings since it was first announced it back in 2017 — including when it was given the official go-ahead in mid-2018 and confirmed that it wouldn't just remake Peter Jackson's movies, and also when a few other concrete details regarding what it's about were revealed, its full title is officially The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. And if you're wondering why, Amazon has dropped a title release video (yes, we now live in a world where there are trailers for announcing what a show will be called) which includes some of JRR Tolkien's most famous lines. If you're a big LOTR fan — on the page and thanks to the films — you should be familiar with Tolkien's Ring Verse, which outlines who was intended to receive the rings of power. Elven-kings, dwarf-lords, mortal men and the Dark Lord all get a mention, and you can hear the key lines in the video below: "This is a title that we imagine could live on the spine of a book next to JRR Tolkien's other classics. The Rings of Power unites all the major stories of Middle-earth's Second Age: the forging of the rings, the rise of the Dark Lord Sauron, the epic tale of Númenor, and the Last Alliance of Elves and Men," said showrunners JD Payne and Patrick McKay, announcing the news. "Until now, audiences have only seen on-screen the story of the One Ring – but before there was one, there were many… and we're excited to share the epic story of them all." In a series that'll make ample use of New Zealand's scenic landscape in its first season — and so greenery abounds, naturally, as the first image from the show illustrates — The Rings of Power will spend time in Middle-earth's Second Age as Payne and McKay explained, bringing that era from the LOTR realm to the screen for the very first time. According to show's official synopsis, it'll follow "the heroic legends of the fabled Second Age of Middle-earth's history," with the action set thousands of years before the novels and movies we've all read and watched. The series will also "take viewers back to an era in which great powers were forged, kingdoms rose to glory and fell to ruin, unlikely heroes were tested, hope hung by the finest of threads, and the greatest villain that ever flowed from Tolkien's pen threatened to cover all the world in darkness." If you're a little rusty on your LOTR lore, the Second Age lasted for 3441 years, and saw the initial rise and fall of Sauron, as well as a spate of wars over the coveted rings. Elves feature prominently, and there's plenty to cover, even if Tolkien's works didn't spend that much time on the period — largely outlining the main events in an appendix to the popular trilogy. Naturally, you can expect Sauron to feature in the new show, and to give its main figures some trouble. "Beginning in a time of relative peace, the series follows an ensemble cast of characters, both familiar and new, as they confront the long-feared re-emergence of evil to Middle-earth," the official synopsis continues. "From the darkest depths of the Misty Mountains, to the majestic forests of the elf-capital of Lindon, to the breathtaking island kingdom of Númenor, to the furthest reaches of the map, these kingdoms and characters will carve out legacies that live on long after they are gone," it also advises. In terms of stars, The Rings of Power will feature an unsurprisingly large cast — and some impressive talent behind the scenes. Among the actors traversing Middle-earth are Tom Budge (Judy & Punch), Morfydd Clark (Saint Maud), Ismael Cruz Córdova (The Undoing), Joseph Mawle (Game of Thrones), Cynthia Addai-Robinson (The Accountant), Maxim Baldry (Years and Years), Peter Mullan (Westworld), Benjamin Walker (The Underground Railroad) and comedian Lenny Henry. And, the series is being overseen by showrunners and executive producers JD Payne and Patrick McKay, while filmmaker JA Bayona (A Monster Calls, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom) directs the first two episodes. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power will be available to stream via Amazon Prime Video from Friday, September 2, 2022.
The CBD is undergoing a bit of sprucing with a collection of contemporary Australian artists adding some design to the streets as they brighten up construction sites across the city. The Site Works initiative saw the City of Sydney hold a nationwide call-out with more than 520 artists submitting considered, colourful and eccentric designs. From the hundreds of artists, just ten Aussie talents were selected to kick off the program and create the arty hoardings currently decorating our streets. What is a hoarding you ask? They're those imposing fences placed around construction sites to hide the demolition, drilling and excavating from the street. With this initiative, the chosen artists have transformed these featureless facades into vibrant, creative spaces, and have pushed the initiative to a much larger scale than what's similarly popped up in cities like New York and Toronto. Both established and emerging Australian artists were the focus of Site Works, with the diverse contingent chosen from across the country, each getting the opportunity to have their work viewed by thousands of passers-by daily. These colourful hoardings will bring to life areas of Sydney undergoing transformation and, on the whole, make the city a more evocative and engaging place to live and work. The lively hoardings are now mandatory on all high-visibility construction sites in the CBD, so you can say goodbye to boring building site coverings for good. To delve a bit further into the initiative, we had a chat with some of the selected artists to take a look at the eye-catching hoardings you'll see springing up across Sydney. [caption id="attachment_632104" align="alignnone" width="1620"] Katje Ford.[/caption] OBSTACLE COURSE BY ELLIOTT BRYCE FOULKES Sydney-based designer Elliot Bryce Foulkes applied all his hometown expertise to produce his hoarding design. With the imaginative designs featured on the hoarding representing various existing and in-development Sydney architectural sites, the work is fittingly located at Wynyard Station, which is currently an obstacle course of development with the construction of the light rail. Foulkes' work typically employs strong typography, language, graphics and space to explore ideas around identity, publication, art direction and design — with Obstacle Course symbolically expressing the individual experience of wandering throughout the city. Find Obstacle Course at Wynyard Station. [caption id="attachment_632113" align="alignnone" width="1620"] Katje Ford.[/caption] BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA BY EGGPICNIC Bird-lovers Camila De Gregorio and Christopher Macaluso, aka Eggpicnic, merge spirited design with wildlife conservation to kickstart conversation around preventing animal extinction. Currently situated near the intersection of Kent and King Streets (and Bay Street in Glebe), Birds of Australia features an eclectic mix of iconic and endangered Australian birdlife species, serving to highlight the "uniqueness and ecological power of Australian birds". "The aim of our work is to open hearts and minds," explains De Gregorio. With their work already receiving a great reaction from city dwellers, De Gregorio says Eggpicnic hope their art can continue to "reconnect an increasingly disconnected human population with the environment we not only come from, but also rely on." Find Birds of Australia near the intersection of Kent and King Streets, also on Bay Street in Glebe. [caption id="attachment_632111" align="alignnone" width="1620"] Katje Ford.[/caption] POLY UBIQUITOUS BY CYNTHIA SCHWERTSIK Finding the seemingly "endless trail of plastic pollution" was getting her down, Adelaide-based artist Cynthia Schwertsik went in search of beauty within the humble plastic bag. Located at 201 Kent Street, Schwertsik's Poly Ubiquitous appears at first glance to feature effervescent and abstract forms, but on closer inspection images of submerged plastic bags surface. "I am quite excited that this work is up and around in Sydney, and I really hope that it brightens up the streets," says Schwertsik. "But I do hope people discover the origins of the work and how there are landscapes full of plastic bags. In a way, this work is a recognition of a possible future — so we want to make more conscious decisions today." Find Poly Ubiquitous at 201 Kent Street. [caption id="attachment_632107" align="alignnone" width="1620"] Katje Ford.[/caption] REAL MYTH BY CAPTAIN PIPE Inspired by the "bonkers shenanigans" of 15th century Dutch painter Hieronymus Bosch, Neil McCann, aka Captain Pipe, presents his offbeat party scene at 71–79 Macquarie Street. Having recently been exploring how "our ideas shape the way we view the world around us" and how these stories can create meaning in our lives, McCann says he created his hoarding "in a style that was accessible and riotous to look at." "It was so weird seeing the work so tall — taller than me! The original drawings are only three-to-five centimetres high, so seeing them over two metres tall was confronting. I feel really proud to be part of the street." Find Real Myth at 71–79 Macquarie Street. [caption id="attachment_632100" align="alignnone" width="1620"] Katje Ford.[/caption] DOUBLE-TAKE BY RACHEL HARRIS To create Double-take, South Australian designer Rachel Harris worked closely with the folks at the City of Sydney Archives, sourcing historical imagery of Sydney before photoshopping present-day objects into the frame. As her work currently occupies the busy corner of Bathurst and Sussex Streets, Harris explains how the brief was to create an artwork that would be viewed repeatedly, so it was really important to her that the audience uncover something new each time they view the work. "To me it was really important I created works that would engage viewers multiple times, and to offer them something new every time they saw it. Most importantly I wanted people to have some fun with the work and give them a game to play during their daily commute." Find Double-take at the corner of Bathurst and Sussex Streets. [caption id="attachment_632099" align="alignnone" width="1620"] Katje Ford.[/caption] STONE JEWELS BY FIONA CURREY-BILLYARD Fiona Currey-Billyard is an emerging artist, whose films, photography and paintings utilise new media and experiment with the viewer's experience. Having long held an interest in Indigenous art and culture, Currey-Billyard illustrated Stone Jewels to showcase the vivid stone cutting tools that were made from materials quarried and shaped by various Indigenous populations and have been unearthed all throughout New South Wales. Crafted from materials like glass, basalt and greenstone, the luminous stone cutting tools are almost like precious jewels. So, Currey-Billyard depicted these tools as the jewels they are in their many striking colours. Find Stone Jewels on the corner of Bathurst and Sussex Streets. [caption id="attachment_634050" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Katherine Griffiths.[/caption] A SONG FROM NATURE BY DANLING XIAO Best known for her daily food-art creations on Instagram, Danling Xiao's work focuses on sustainability, ethical eating and leaving minimal waste. Through her Mundane Matters moniker, Danling hopes to use creativity as a means to reflect on how we interact and affect the natural environment. "I have complex feelings about construction. On the bright-side it is about progression and making our city more vibrant and accessible for our growing population. On the downside it creates noises, pollution and disruption," describes Xiao. "Through my design I am hoping to remind people of the bright side of our city life." Find A Song For Nature at 24-30 Springfield Avenue, Potts Point. [caption id="attachment_634768" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Katherine Griffiths.[/caption] SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE AT NIGHT BY EMILY CROCKFORD Capturing one of Sydney's most unmistakable icons, Sydney-based painter and visual artist Emily Crockford depicts the Sydney Opera House at midnight on New Year's Eve as glowing fireworks light up its famous sails. The use of colour is central to Crockford's paintings, sculpture and plush works, boldly combining delicate patterns with solid blocks of bright colours. Describing the Site Works project as "awesome and really exciting," Crockford is supported by Studio A — a local social enterprise dedicated to "providing creative programs with whole-life outcomes for adults with disability". Emily Crockford has previously worked as part of UNSW Art & Design's Cicada Press initiative, held a residency with prominent furniture and design brand Koskela and exhibited at the Underbelly Arts Festival. Find Sydney Opera House at Night 21 Bent Street. Top Image: Katje Ford.
Shake up your Sunday routine with a bushwalk around Georges Heights in Mosman, from Chowder Bay through the former military barracks and on to Obelisk Beach. Along the way, stop off at Georges Heights Lookout for sweeping views of Sydney from Manly to Vaucluse to the CBD. This is also the site of a former WWI military lookout and hospital, so you'll be able to explore the remaining historic structures. Continue along the path and head up to Frenchy's Cafe to refuel with some French-Aussie fare like quiche and goat's cheese salad. Finish your trek at the nearby Obelisk Beach — one of the only legal nude beaches in the city — for some swimming and sunning. Despite its cult status, this secluded spot is usually rather tranquil, so it's the ideal spot for a post-walk skinny dip with more stunning views over Sydney Harbour. By Yelena Bidé and Quinn Connors.
Sparkadia talk like they're falling down stairs, stand firm in the fickle indie-rock world, and are playing two all-ages shows at the Metro to celebrate the release of The Great Impression by Ivy League Records. Having toured Britain with Irish indie band The Thrills, been lauded as the "first alternative-pop heavyweights of the new century" by Aussie music mag Mess + Noise, said auf wiedersehen to Australia to find a richer and deeper sound in Berlin only to split four ways and jam out a sophomore opus in London, this is Sparkadia's biggest Australian tour to date. Come acquaint yourself with Alexander Burnett and co., as this album easily surpasses anything Burnett has achieved in the past, with Sparkadia sounding no less sweeping or expansive for being a one-man effort than when they were a four-piece band. The sound of The Great Impression is epic, crashing and emotive; a clutch of instruments coalesce with the clamorous use of random objects to create sexy, heartrending melodies. The lyrics are poignant, tender reminiscences written by Burnett in the back of cabs, during transit through clouds, and in seedy hotel rooms thousands of miles from anywhere called home. The Great Impression is a joyous contribution to the overloaded indie-rock music scene and effortlessly evokes seminal bands like The Police and Doves. It offers a sense of respite in a strange world and reverberates warmly into that thoracic space under the clavicle where the heart hums. Set out for a sublime sundown flight this weekend and see Sparkadia light up the Metro, supported by extremely special guests Operator Please and fellow Ivy League luminaries, Melbourne's Alpine.
Over the past seven years, Hamilton has become a cultural phenomenon — and, thanks to its fame and acclaim, so has the hip hop musical's creator Lin-Manuel Miranda. But that's not the only stellar stage show to the multi-talented composer, actor, singer and playwright's name. Before he took on US history (and before he helped bring Bring It On to the theatre, too), Miranda turned life in Manhattan's Washington Heights into four-time Tony-winner In the Heights. While every Hamilton fan dreams of the day that it gets adapted for the big screen, his debut musical is actually making the leap to cinemas first — this year, finally, after its original 2020 release date was postponed due to the pandemic. Yes, the recorded version of Hamilton hit streaming last year, and was as phenomenal as everyone hoped, but In the Heights hasn't just filmed a stage performance. When it releases Down Under on June 24, In the Heights will do so with a stacked cast, with Crazy Rich Asians director Jon M Chu behind the lens, and via a movie primarily shot on location in its titular spot. Quiara Alegría Hudes, who wrote the text for the stage version, has also written the feature's screenplay. And Lin-Manuel Miranda is involved, naturally, producing the movie, overseeing the music and popping up on-screen as well. On Broadway from 2008–11, Miranda played the lead role of bodega owner Usnavi de la Vega. In the film, that honour goes to Anthony Ramos — an alumnus of the original production of Hamilton who has also featured in Patti Cake$, A Star Is Born and Godzilla: King of the Monsters. Usnavi works hard, saves everything he earns and strives for a better life. He also sits at the centre of a vibrant community just beyond the 181st Street subway stop, with In the Heights charting the lives, loves and dreams of the Latinx neighbourhood through colourful, energetic and — as seen in both 2019's first trailer for the movie and the latest, just-dropped sneak peek — exquisitely choreographed song and dance numbers. Joining Ramos and Miranda (who plays Piragua Guy, the owner of a shaved ice dessert stand) are Corey Hawkins (Straight Outta Compton), singer Leslie Grace, Melissa Barrera (Vida), Dascha Polanco (Orange is the New Black), Marc Anthony and Jimmy Smits — plus original In the Heights stage star Olga Merediz, Rent's Daphne Rubin-Vega and Matilda the Musical's Gregory Diaz IV. Brooklyn Nine-Nine's Stephanie Beatriz also features, after Miranda made an appearance on the hit sitcom in 2019. Check out the latest trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4CRPvel2Vc In the Heights will release in cinemas Down Under on June 24.
This Australia Day, the Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel, in conjunction with WATTSUP Stand Up Paddling, present an event both your pooch and you will be pumped for: The Every Man and His Dog stand-up paddle race. Also open to those without a paddleboard (it can be hired on the day) or a four-legged friend (can't hire, go without), the race offers something for everyone, with different categories including long distance, sprint and kids' races. Kicking off at 7.30am, The Every Man and His Dog stand-up paddle race will leave your tummy grumbling. Luckily, the Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel have your back (or stomach) with their public holiday-only, all-you-can-eat buffet brunch. But what would Aus Day be without a little oomph? Stick around for DJ Dirty Sandshoes and a beach barbecue, or get your dance on early with Euphoria Australia Day Eve Party.
The Great Australasian Beer SpecTAPular, better known as GABS, returns to Sydney for the third year running on Saturday, May 27. After humble beginnings in Melbourne seven years ago, it has now expanded to cover three cities, two countries, and is rightfully considered by most as the best craft beer and cider festival in the Asia Pacific region. Creators Steve Jeffares and Guy Greenstone (The Local Taphouse, Stomping Ground Brewing Co.) are making 2017 the biggest year yet, upping the offering to a whopping 180 festival beers and ciders by introducing a third festival bar. These exclusive and often wacky specialty brews are created just for the event and are generally the festival's main draw, giving attendees the rare chance to try brand-spanking new beers while meeting the brewers behind them. This year's festival brews include, strangely enough, three Thai-inspired beers, a mango lassi IPA by 3 Ravens Brewery, a Pinot Grigio wild ale by Yulli's Brews and — possibly the most jarring — a 'mother's milk' beer from Brisbane Brewing Co. GABS Sydney will also boast the Yenda Wheel of Beer for the first time, an 18-metre-high Ferris wheel in the middle of the festival. Add this to wandering performances and food stalls from some of the best producers in the city and you've got yourself one hell of a party. The single day event is categorised in two sessions, with session one from noon till 5pm and session two from 6.30–11.30pm. If you're a super keen craft drinker, you can purchase tickets to both sessions — we wish those ticket holders the best of luck.
It has been three years since Scottish craft beer giant BrewDog launched its first Australian brewery and taproom in Brisbane, and two since the brewery promised that more bars in more Aussie cities were on the way. Now, thanks to a new partnership with Australian Venue Co (AVC) — the group behind spots such as Cargo, Kingsleys and The Winery in Sydney; Fargo and Co, State of Grace and The Smith in Melbourne; and Riverland, The Regatta and The Crown Hotel in Brisbane — that plan is finally starting to come to life. BrewDog and AVC have announced that they're teaming up to open beer bars across Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and beyond in the coming years, starting with a first new site in Victoria. Come spring this year, Melbourne's historic Pentridge Prison precinct will welcome a hefty new venue: a two-level pub complete with an indoor dining room and lounge bar, plus a sprawling beer garden sporting its own BrewDog container bar, big screens and dedicated games area. The partnership sees the world's largest craft beer bar operator join forces with one of Australia's big pub operators, and will span multiple sites — but exactly where and when any venues beyond Pentridge will open hasn't yet been revealed. Still, if you're a fan of the Scottish brewery in Sydney, you'll finally score your own local. And, in Brisbane, you'll have somewhere else to head beyond its 28-tap original Australian outpost in Murarrie. That OG Brisbane craft beer destination pours both house creations and guest brews, and also serves up a menu that's known for its burgers, pizza and wings — if you're wondering what might be in store at the new BrewDog and AVC bars. BrewDog currently operates 102 beer bars worldwide, having recently launched outposts in Mumbai and New Albany (USA), and with huge flagship bars coming soon to Las Vegas and Waterloo (London). BrewDog Pentridge will open in E Division building at Pentridge Prison, 1 Champ Street, Coburg, from spring 2022. For more information about BrewDog's Australian expansion plans, keep an eye on its website — and we'll update you with further details when they're announced. Top image: BrewDog DogTap Brisbane.
Regular balloons might be considered a choking hazard, but the ones you'll find floating around at The Galeries next week are anything but — these ones are 100 percent edible and don't taste like rubber at all. Instead, the balloons come in a range of much more appealing fruity flavours like coconut, raspberry, passionfruit and orange. The whimsical desserts have been created by Sydney's legendary pastry artists Black Star exclusively for the retail precinct's SpringVention celebrations, which run from September 7-10. The floating treats will be on offer for free from midday each day, from the ground floor's pop-up Edible Balloon Bar. SpringVention is an initiative that sees CBD shopping precinct ring in the new season with a range of events. Across the four days, there'll be food specials, live music and special installations by acclaimed Sydney artist Dina Broadhurst. While you're there, take it as an opportunity to check out The Grounds of the City. SpringVention runs from Thursday, September 7, until Sunday, September 10, taking over The Galeries, at 500 George Street, Sydney. Get your hands on those free edible balloons from midday each day, at the Edible Balloon Bar on the ground floor.
This little piggy went to market (crack of a knuckle), This little piggy stayed at home (that goes crunch under teeth), This little piggy had roast beef (with the rip of tendons), This little piggy had none (and a scream in vain). And this little piggy... (rivulets of blood drain from a grinning mouth). The lights go out. Kip Williams' Fallout, written by Maree Freeman, is replete with gore and psychologically disturbing human interaction contained in a disoriented and anchorless location. Intensity skyrockets as three teenagers — Alpha (Lizzie Schebesta), Bravo (Gabriel Fancourt), and Charlie (Amanda McGregor) — head full-throttle on a mission to "get better" by striking out violently at the fourth character, Delta (Michele Durman). By focusing on anger and physical expression of such emotions on her as a human punch-bag, they suppress any form of human emotion, in particular, empathy and sadness. This hideous denial of humanity seems to be well appreciated by the thousands of faceless aliens peering down through a central shaft of light above the stage. The teenagers believe that their abhorrent behaviour might well afford them escape from this underground dirt-box. When they are not roaming in a constant daze of boredom — skipping ropes, drawing animals in the soil, dreaming of the sky, and reciting nonsensical riddles — they are plotting to win the appreciation of the aliens and be granted exit. Fancourt and McGregor each perform chilling monologues for their captive audience with verisimilitude. As comic relief, McGregor exudes an infectious raw energy as she immerses herself in the character of a trapped and confused young girl, full of naive hope and premature sexuality. Pitted against this, Durman carries herself with cool calm and a natural self-possession, while Schebesta is the ultimate harsh alpha female who pulls all the puppet strings. The sharp swings between the banal and the shocking are punctuated by powerful spells of darkness, like chapters in a book. You can feel time passing them by; their youth, their memories, their pasts — all drifting away from them like clouds in the sky. What they'll do to try to escape will break some hearts or cause others to faint from the sheer violence.
Whether hustling those last-minute party beers, or scouting a bottle of vino for that after-hours couch session, getting booze to your doorstep just got even easier. Alcohol delivery service Jimmy Brings, who'll deliver drinks to your door in thirty minutes until 10.30pm, has expanded its offering, this week adding a swag of new areas to its coverage. In an era of harsh lock-out laws, the platform has been embraced launching in Sydney back in 2012. But for all the buzz, its popularity's been limited by the stable of suburbs it services. Now, having entered the Melbourne market earlier this year, Jimmy Brings has again stepped things up a notch, expanding to 49 new suburbs in Sydney and an extra 31 in Melbourne; conveniently enough, just in time for the party season. In NSW, places like Collaroy, North Ryde, Mona Vale and Newport can now enjoy a slice of the Jimmy Brings action, while the likes of Thornbury, Essendon, Brighton East and the generally dry suburb of Surrey Hills have joined the party in Melbourne. To celebrate the new and improved lineup, all first-time Jimmy Brings customers can score themselves a $10 discount by downloading the free app and plugging in the code LAUNCH10 at the checkout.
2023 marks five decades since one of the scariest movies ever made first hit screens, with The Exorcist never losing its eerie power since. But whether you first got creeped out by it at home, have caught retro big-screen showings — including the director's-cut version — or somehow have never been spooked by the William Friedkin-helmed flick's unnerving wonders, seeing it in an old jail is set to be a whole new viewing experience. Where's the best venue to host a special session of such a horror-movie giant? To put on a night of cinema that'll make heads spin? That location: Parramatta Gaol, which is turning into a picture palace just for one evening for the occasion, with horror event fiends Haus of Horror behind it all. Clearly, the idea is for the night — which has been dubbed 'The Exorcist in a Haunted Gaol' — is to be as immersive as possible. Dating back to the 19th century and operational until 2011, Parramatta Gaol already hosts ghost tours, and is reportedly haunted by its former inmates if you believe in that kind of thing. So, if you dare, that's where you'll be watching The Exorcist — aka the story of a young girl (Linda Blair, Landfill) possessed by a demon, and the efforts of two priests (Rudy's Jason Miller and Game of Thrones' Max von Sydow) to save her at the urging of her mother (Ellen Burstyn, Pieces of a Woman). Held in conjunction with Deerubbin Local Aboriginal Land Council, Haus of Horror's screening takes place at 6pm on Saturday, March 11, and includes two hours for attendees to explore Parramatta Gaol's morgue, cell blocks and showers. Also on the agenda: a bar serving beer and wine, vegan and non-vegan bites to eat, a live DJ spinning tunes while the sun sets, and an interactive photo booth that'll be set up like a scene from the film. The movie will play at 8pm on a grassy field inside the site, showing outdoors under the stars — and picnics are welcome. Tickets cost $39, or $59 if you'd like to book a large bean bag to sit on.
Standing in a bar, being forced to make small talk with a stranger: we've all been there. Hearing from your parents more frequently than you have time for, despite your best intentions: many of us have experienced that as well. In Toni Erdmann, both scenarios combine in a way that might well give you nightmares. Just imagine if the person accosting you while you try to enjoy a drink turned out to be your dad in a bad wig and false teeth. At its simplest, that's the idea behind writer-director Maren Ade's 162-minute comedy, which has been garnering acclaim since it premiered at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival, and remains the favourite to win his year's Oscar for best foreign-language film. A German consultant living in Bucharest, Ines (Sandra Hüller) is irritated when her practical joke-loving, divorced and lonely father Winfried (Peter Simonischek) arrives for an unexpected visit. But that soon gives way to unbridled horror when his alter ego Toni starts following her around. Once is odd, twice is annoying, and three times… well, that's something else. Then again, one of the basic elements of life is repetition, which Toni Erdmann demonstrates disarmingly well. First, you'll cringe. Then you'll laugh. Before long, you may find yourself crying. Those are the stages audiences cycle through while watching Ade's film, and it's no accident. The mastery evident in ensuring that every detail of the movie imitates life can't be underestimated. The naturalistic camerawork and astute commentary on the importance of humour is not unlike Toni's ridiculous headpiece: it's just what's visible on the surface. With all the buzz around the film in the lead up to the Oscars, it's hardly surprising to learn that we'll soon be getting an American remake (starring Jack Nicholson and Kristen Wiig). Why the world needs an English-language version is a question Hollywood is happily ignoring, but its high-profile cast certainly have huge shoes (and wigs, and false teeth) to fill. As Toni keeps ramping up his antics and Ines keeps struggling to contain her reactions, Hüller and Simonischek prove the film's most important pieces, ensuring their characters are not just likeable, but thoroughly believable as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0uwi5EPnpA
The Sydney Theatre Company has announced its 2013 season, the final one from Sydney's favourite theatre couple, Cate Blanchett and Andrew Upton, as co-artistic directors. It's a season of weighty productions, but one stands out for sheer fun, and that's Tom Stoppard's Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead with Tim Minchin and Toby Schmitz in the title roles. Minchin's been away for ages selling out stadiums and racking up successes like Matilda, and we're too charmed by Schmitz to give him leave from Sydney stages at all, so this is an exciting pairing of wits. That other absurd duo, Vladimir and Estragon of Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot, will be played in 2013 by Hugo Weaving and Richard Roxburgh, whom it was decided were destined for the parts during their turn in 2011's Uncle Vanya. They'll be joined by that play's director, Tamas Ascher, having together earned a whole year's worth of acclaim for the internationally touring production. Cate and Andrew, meanwhile, will team up for Jean Genet's The Maids, in a new translation by Upton and director Benedict Andrews. They're embracing the Frenchness of the play, apparently, as they'll be welcoming French actor Isabelle Huppert to the stage to be a murderous sister alongside Blanchett. Otherwise, the season is characterised by its engagement with the greats of Australian writing, featuring new plays by John Doyle and Joanna Murray-Smith as well as adaptations of Colin Thiele by Tom Holloway and of Kate Grenville by Andrew Bovell. Cult-statured Melbourne collective Sisters Grimm will inject some anarchy into proceedings with their Little Mercy (not their only show in Sydney in 2013), while the National Theatre of Great Britain's One Man, Two Guvnors, which had seven Tony nominations and one win in 2011-12, fills this year's (always must-see) international slot. It's an elegant and ambitious 2013 on the cards at STC, a fitting mark to be left by the departing Blanchett. Upton will continue on solo for the next three-year term, so we'll see a continuity of their long-term goals for the company. Full details of the 2013 season can be seen at the STC's website. Tickets are on sale from Friday, September 7, at 9am. Image: Richard Roxburgh and Hugo Weaving for Waiting for Godot. Photo by Ingvar Kenne.
It's spring, which means rosé season is in full swing. To celebrate, Coogee Bay Hotel is hosting Rosember — a rosé-fuelled weekend that's sure to help cool you down as we launch into a long, hot summer. If you're a passionate rosé drinker you'll be happy to hear the pink drink will be taking on many forms at this fest, from frosé to rosé cocktails and rosé straight from the tap. Coogee Bay Hotel will also be serving up a limited-edition rosé-inspired menu from it's restaurant, which will feature loads of pink food (of course). There'll be a bunch of entertainment, too, including live music by the Samba Brazil Drummers and Beat the Streets to keep festival buzzing all weekend. And, if one weekend of rosé isn't quite enough, a Hunter Valley winery getaway will also be up for grabs. Entry to Rosember is free, but you'll need to purchase drink tokens and snacks once inside. Rosember Fest runs from 12–7pm.
With photographer Nan Goldin at its centre, the latest documentary by Citizenfour Oscar-winner Laura Poitras is a film about many things, to deeply stunning and moving effect. In this movie's compilation of Goldin's acclaimed snaps, archival footage, current interviews, and past and present activism, a world of stories flicker — all linked to Goldin, but all also linking universally. The artist's bold work, especially chronicling LGBTQIA+ subcultures and the 80s HIV/AIDS crisis, frequently and naturally gets the spotlight. Her complicated family history, which spans heartbreaking loss, haunts the doco as it haunts its subject. The rollercoaster ride that Goldin's life has taken, including in forging her career, supporting her photos, understanding who she is and navigating an array of personal relationships, cascades through, too. And, so do her efforts to counter the opioid epidemic by bringing one of the forces behind it to public justice. Revealing state secrets doesn't sit at the core of the tale here, unlike Citizenfour and Poitras' 2016 film Risk — one about Edward Snowden, the other Julian Assange — but everything leads to the documentary's titular six words: All the Beauty and the Bloodshed. They gain meaning in a report spied late about the mental health of Goldin's older sister Barbara, who committed suicide at the age of 18 when Goldin was 11, and who Goldin contends was just an "angry and sexual" young woman in the 60s with repressed parents. A psychiatrist uses the eponymous phrase to describe what Barbara sees and, tellingly, it could be used to do the same with anyone. All the Beauty and the Bloodshed is, in part, a rebuke of the idea that a teenager with desires and emotions is a problem, and also a statement that that's who we all are, just to varying levels of societal acceptance. The film is also a testament that, for better and for worse, all the beauty and the bloodshed we all witness and endure is what shapes us. Life is all the beauty and the bloodshed, inescapably — and in the film's most recent footage, Goldin fights against the latter. In an essay penned in 2017, published in 2018 in Artforum and given voice now, she reveals her addiction. "I survived the opioid crisis. I narrowly escaped," she says of her time taking OxyContin, which was originally prescribed to her as it is for many: for surgery. "Though I took it as directed, I got addicted overnight. It was the cleanest drug I'd ever met," Goldin continues. The damage that this prescription substance has caused is well-documented, in docos and dramas such as The Crime of the Century and Dopesick alike. All the Beauty and the Bloodshed isn't just another popped from the packet, but a feature that inserts Goldin's battle against the wealthy Sackler family, founders and owners of OxyContin-making pharmaceutical company Purdue Pharma, into a bigger slideshow. This is a personal fray, again for many reasons; All the Beauty and the Bloodshed's nesting layers exceed any set of matryoshka dolls. The conflict between autonomy and dependence has long been one of Goldin's sources of fascination — given how her sister was treated, how could it not? — and her seminal work The Ballad of Sexual Dependency filters through the film, as well as acts as inspiration. Goldin crusades against the reliance that so-called "miracle drug" OxyContin has sparked, and the rising death toll the opioid epidemic keeps notching up. Co-founding advocacy group PAIN (Prescription Addiction Intervention Now), she literally rallies against the Sacklers, whose fortune is enormous off the back of the OxyContin's carnage. She directs particular focus to the Sacklers' artwashing, thanks to their hefty donations to galleries and museums, which is where PAIN stages its protests. Many of the cultural institutions accepting the Sacklers' money — many of them bearing the family's name on their buildings, in fact, because that's how much funds such spaces have received— are also intertwined with Goldin's career. An artist's work has to display somewhere, and hers has garnered berths in prestigious spots. PAIN targets them all and more, at considerable risk to Goldin's professional standing, and in a case of an artist firmly putting her principles first. All the Beauty and the Bloodshed begins with action at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and with a "die-in" in its largest gallery space, which is named for the Sacklers. It's a powerful sight, not just filled with prone protestors on the ground but with orange prescription pill bottles scattered around, and bobbing in the room's moat. More such scenes appear throughout the movie, travelling to the Guggenheim Museum and the Louvre — their famous spiral ramp and pyramid, respectively, taken over to make a statement. Poitras could've simply filled a documentary with Goldin's photography or her efforts with PAIN; either way, a gripping film would've eventuated. If she'd just gone with the second option, it could've been another like fellow 2023 Oscar-nominee Navalny that ripples with the tension of a spy thriller, as such scenes do within All the Beauty and the Bloodshed anyway — complete with actual espionage. PAIN's protests are potent to visually behold, Goldin ensuring that they stand out aesthetically and, as the doco sees, photograph well. The passion and piercing emotion of All the Beauty and the Bloodshed wouldn't be what it is without everything around its OxyContin-combating quest, however, because no one action, decision, movement or person is just one thing. This chronicle of the political must also be personal, detailing how Goldin's childhood brought her to life on the fringes, then to photographing it to preserve it, and then to fighting for it. It has to examine how her work is a response to society's marginalisation of women and the queer community, and also crucially a portrait of her own ups and downs, too, showing where her empathy and activism bloomed and why. All the Beauty and the Bloodshed isn't dutifully connecting dots, though, but observing all that makes someone who they are — and makes their deeds, such as Goldin's crusade against the Sacklers, what they are at the same time. It flits backwards and forwards in an act of structural mastery, recreating the feeling of slipping and sliding through memories. Along the way, it gives its marvellous cavalcade of its subject's imagery room to resonate, as it does with her commentary on it, her recollections of her fallen friends like Pink Flamingos star Cookie Mueller and artist/activist David Wojnarowicz, and her constant unpacking of her childhood. It lets court-ordered victim statements to the Sacklers in Purdue's bankruptcy deal echo and linger. Winning the Golden Lion at the 2022 Venice International Film Festival as well, this is a remarkable doco about an individual, and the others who've cast their shadows upon her, as well as a stirring account of the clash between individuals and power — Poitras' frequent topic of interest, after all.
Festival FOMO is real, and festival sideshows are one solution: the gigs you go to when you're not going to the main gig. Can't make it to Adelaide for two music-filled October days at Harvest Rock II? Loving the South Australia-only fest's lineup? Some of the event's highlights have announced dates along Australia's east coast — and one of them is Sparks. The iconic duo, aka brothers Ron and Russell Mael, will draw upon a whopping 57 years of making ridiculously catchy and smartly funny tunes on their first tour of Australia since 2001. In Sydney, they'll be unleashing highlights from their enormous back catalogue at none other than the Sydney Opera House. Thanks to 2021's double of Edgar Wright-directed documentary The Sparks Brothers and Cannes Film Festival opener Annette, the Maels have been everywhere of late — and, when that includes the Harbour City on Tuesday, October 31, they'll be busting out tracks like 'The Number One Song in Heaven', 'This Town Ain't Big Enough for the Both of Us' and latest single 'The Girl Is Crying in Her Latte'. In a glorious move, Sparks have been beginning their recent sets with 'So May We Start' from Annette, too, which won them the Best Composer award at Cannes.
