Michael Mu Sung has taken over lower-Bayswater Road. Not content with two beloved venues on the Potts Point thoroughfare, the Sydney restaurateur sprung forth with his third addition to the neighbourhood called Ken's Continental. This cafe and deli is located on a green leafy corner directly next to Mu Sung's Farmhouse and across the road from his second culinary child, Bones Ramen. Ken's Continental operates as a classic inner-city cafe in the morning with good coffee and a daily delivery of elite pastries from LouLou Boulangerie. If you're looking to nab a seat and get stuck into the day with something more substantial, you'll find a menu of brunch and lunch favourites centred around speciality deli meats. The short and sweet menu of all-day breakfast consists of sandwiches and highlights from the deli like the breakfast muffin which combines folded eggs, gruyere and chorizo from Whole Beast Butchery. Beyond breakfast, the signature sambo piles mortadella, rocket, pickled Turkish chillies and plum relish on a LouLou baguette. There's also yellow pea pancakes topped with soft-boiled eggs, herb salad, avocado and jamon; black pudding with fried eggs; and a charcuterie plate with the best meat, cheese, pickles and olives from the deli counter. Speaking of, this open glass counter is the first thing you'll notice as you walk into the Parisian-inspired space, accompanied by shelves of other take-home provisions on the walls. Here you can load up your home kitchen with all of the pancetta, sopressa, terrine, Pepe Saya butter and fresh baguettes you could wish for.
As a hulking hive of concrete chambers, 'kaleidoscopic' and 'colourful' are not words one generally has cause to use when describing Carriageworks. But in 2018 German artist Katharina Grosse will descend on Eveleigh to eradicate the industrial austerity of the precinct as she designs and creates an entirely new landscape. Think Houdini's disappearing elephant trick meets the Big Bang. Using the seemingly simple tools of a spray gun and fabric, Grosse has spent her career distorting or 'folding' conventional spaces, by painting over them and building layers of texture, leaving in their place vivid and beautiful outliers of architecture and design. Grosse's latest project The Horse Trotted Another Couple of Metres, Then it Stopped opens at Carriageworks on January 6, and is the most ambitious single-artist commission Carriageworks has undertaken. More than 8250 square metres of fabric (and God knows how much paint) will be used to create an environment of contradictions for the public to stroll through — for free. At once strange and familiar, you'll walk under folds, through holes and be enveloped by a kaleidoscope of colours. If you've ever wanted to spend ten minutes on another planet, Grosse has the keys to the spaceship. Image: Katharina Grosse, The Horse Trotted Another Couple of Metres, Then It Stopped at Carriageworks, 2017. Shot by Zan Wimberley.
"It was a rollercoaster, really," says Continental Deli Co-Owner and Manager Michael 'Mikey' Nicolian of COVID-19. "The unpredictability and fear of the uncertainty, of what was going to happen, was the scary part... You start doubting yourself and thinking about worst-case scenarios." But, swing by either of Continental Deli's locations, Newtown or the CBD, now and you won't notice too much of a difference. Much in line with the deli-cum-bar's 'Yes We Can' motto, the Continental crew — Porteño's Joe Valore and Elvis Abrahanowicz, Head Chef Jesse Warkentin and Nicolian — refused to fall on their swords. After the government announced the mass closure of indoor venues — and some subsequent sore heads the next morning — the boys closed up for 24 hours, threw whatever they had into a pot to make soups, got to work on canning and reopened as a sandwich and retail shop the very next day. [caption id="attachment_696516" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kitti Gould[/caption] With its canning setup already slinging a steady supply of cocktails, gelato and flan, and the Newtown store's status as a neighbourhood institution, the Sydney business was somewhat prepared for a global pandemic. Demand was steady almost as soon as the reimagined shop launched — and it's partially thanks to the panic-buying at supermarkets. When the canned goods' aisle at your local grocer was barren, Continental was there with tins of beef gochujang (made with A-grade dry-aged ribeye, no less), spiced cauliflower and fennel soup, curried lentils, baked borlotti beans in chipotle sauce and, for dessert, Flan in a Can. Not to mention the freshly baked sourdough, oils, sardines, LP's sausages, olives, eggs, merch, NY-style meatball subs, pastas, cheeses and charcuterie platters. Nicolian made sure everyone knew about it, too. "I don't do anything except work and then eat and drink out. That is literally my day-to-day life. And I don't have a clue who's open or what they're offering," he told CP. "So, I needed to keep pushing the message on Instagram." But, really, it was the super-popular canned cocktails which had us — Concrete Playground employees and Sydneysiders at large — coming back. Dropping the price down to $12 (from the usual $18 you'd pay at the bar), Continental made the drinks available for takeaway for the first-time ever as soon as the NSW Government deemed it legal. Back in BC (Before COVID) times, you might've popped into either outpost for a Mar-tinny. During lockdown, we were knocking back a Quaran-tinny (or few) on our couches. [caption id="attachment_696571" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kitti Gould[/caption] "I was really surprised with how quickly everyone jumped on it," says Nicolian. "[Demand] was as high as what we'd do in service week-to-week. Actually, we probably did a little more over lockdown." By keeping production going, Continental kept its main canning guy, who wasn't eligible for JobKeeper, in work. When asked if canned cocktails to-go will stick around, Nicolian told CP,"100 percent yes — as long as we're legally allowed to." While canned cocktails for those at home was a blessing, delivering them wasn't all smooth sailing. "It's cool being able to bring what we do to people wherever they are," says Nicolian. "But, fuck, it was a nightmare. With delivery, there is definitely that room for error. Maybe someone's going to get a couple of our Mar-tinnys and drink them warm." [caption id="attachment_640883" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kimberley Low[/caption] Now, the Newtown spot is much the same, but with fewer people at the bar and every second table in the upstairs bistro empty. "It's a slower pace with a smaller team and it's kind of nice." At Continental CBD, however, you'll notice a few changes. The once open-plan space is now divided by back-to-back leather banquettes, separating the bar area and dining room. Using the time during lockdown to tweak a few things, such as the CBD fit-out, dipping a toe into deliveries and canning more than ever before, the crew is "keeping things more lean". "We'll always adapt and always look to try and make it cooler, make it better," says Nicolian. "The place is still evolving." What's commendable is that Continental — and the crew behind it — never really wavered; it's backbone still intact. You'll still get some mighty fine (and stinky) cheeses, top-quality meats, tinned seafood, consistent cocktails and, of course, affable staff. "It might be corny or a bit cheesy, but we put love into everything we do and we do it because we love it and love being a part of a community. And that hasn't changed and it never will change," Nicolian says, wrapping things up as Continental Newtown is about to open, with a line already forming. "Thanks, really, to everyone who's supported us. And that's for the industry, not just Continental. A lot of places have been able to survive on the back of the support." Continental Newtown and Continental CBD are now open again for dine-in service every day — and, yes, you can still sip a Quaran-tinny at home, just be sure to drink it cold. Continental is part in Concrete Playground's series 52 Bars in 52 Weeks, exploring COVID-19's impact on the city's bars and encouraging Sydneysiders to pull up a seat, every week. Images: Kitti Gould
UPDATE, MARCH 18: Due to concerns around COVID-19, Spiral: From the Book of Saw will no longer release on its initially scheduled date of Thursday, May 14, 2020. At present, a new release date has not been announced — we'll update you when one has been revealed. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website. In 2003, James Wan and Leigh Whannell made a short film that completely changed the Australian duo's careers. These days Wan is known for directing everything from Fast and Furious 7 to Aquaman, while Whannell has jumped behind the lens on Upgrade and the upcoming The Invisible Man — but none of that might have happened if it wasn't for the Saw franchise. Running for just under ten minutes, the original Saw short was designed to help the Aussie filmmakers secure funding to make a feature — a horror flick of the same name, in fact. Not only did it achieve that aim, but it sparked a long-running big-screen series about the twisted Jigsaw Killer. And this unnerving saga just keeps spawning sequels. Spiral: From the Book of Saw is the latest Saw instalment, marking the franchise's ninth outing. Whenever a horror movie series starts approaching double digits, it can prove a case of diminishing returns; however Spiral has a few aces up its sleeves. Wan and Whannell have long since stepped back from leading the charge, instead taking on roles as executive producers — but the newest flick to spring from their gruesome short film stars Chris Rock and Samuel L Jackson. As the just-dropped first Spiral trailer shows, Rock plays Detective Ezekiel 'Zeke' Banks. With his rookie partner William Schenk (Max Minghella), he's soon investigating a spate of gory murders. For seasoned Saw fans, these killings should look more than a little familiar. Naturally, because that's how this series works, it doesn't take long for Banks to get caught up in a game with the perpetrator. The fact that Spiral is directed by Saw II, Saw III and Saw IV's Darren Lynn Bousman might temper your curiosity a little. Indeed, the last few Saw films mightn't inspire much confidence either — including 2017's Jigsaw, as directed by fellow Aussies Michael and Peter Spierig (Winchester). But seeing Rock and Jackson step into this franchise is intriguing at the very least. In case you were wondering, Jackson plays another police veteran with ties to the case, busting out his usual swaggering, swearing on-screen persona in the process. Check out the Spiral trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gaWj_c0-wM&feature=youtu.be Spiral was due to open in Australian cinemas on May 14, 2020; however it'll now release on a yet-to-be-revealed date — we'll update you when one is announced.
CBD dancefloor citadel Goodgood Small Club have announced Taiwanese street food aficionados Belly Bao as the next residents to take up their canteen space. Started by head chef Sylvia Tran in December 2013 as a market stall in Paddington and Glebe Markets, Belly Bao is geared up to take things four-walled for the very first time, opening for business on Wednesday, January 7. Following the hot dog lovin' team at Andrew Levins' original eatery The Dip and the Caribbean jerk chickeners of the most residency, Jonkanoo Jerk House, Belly Bao is set to follow the canteen-like stylings of its predecessors — but with more love for the Bao. A grassroots Taiwanese street food staple, a 'Gua Bao' is a handcrafted, taco-shaped steamed bun folded around braised pork belly, pickled mustard greens, crushed peanuts and coriander. But every GG canteen staple needs some creative interpretations, and Tran's restaurateur family background and years of eating her way through Asia have made some slight adjustments to tradition. Belly Bao have six-signature savoury Baos with fillings such as roast pork belly crackling, soft shell crab and Panko-crumbed chicken breast in mind, served with sweet potato fries and Asian slaw. Yep, perfect for noshing between epic dance sessions. Second round, there's more South East Asian tastiness where that came from. Belly Bao will also be serving up street food staple BBC Fried Chicken — served crunchy, sticky or spicy in wings, half or whole chicken. Sweet tooths have something to look forward to as well, with Belly Bao's own special creation: Baoana and Strawbelly Bao (brioche-like golden fried Baos, filled with ice cream, topped with condensed milk and fruit). With Tran and Belly Bao celebrating their very first permanent kitchen, and Goodgod raising a cocktail to its newfound housemates, 2015's looking pretty tasty for the CBD basement bar. Belly Bao opens Wednesday, January 7, 2015 at Goodgod Small Club, 53 – 55 Liverpool Street, Chinatown. Opening hours are Wednesday - Thursday 5 – 10pm, Saturday 6 – 10pm. To book a table email bookings@bellybao.com.au. Image credit: Fiona Vuong
Feeling a little anxious about saying farewell to Brooklyn Nine-Nine? Since it was announced earlier this year that the beloved sitcom would end after its next (and eighth) season, that's been an understandable reaction. Long-running shows become a comforting part of our routines, giving us something to look forward to with each new episode — and in the case of this supremely warm-hearted comedy, giving us all plenty of feel-good laughs as well. If you think that you're dreading B99 coming to an end, you might still want to spare a thought for Charles Boyle (Joe Lo Truglio). If the show comes to a conclusion and sees him spend less time with Jake Peralta (Andy Samberg), he obviously won't cope well. That's the angle the just-released full trailer for the series' final season takes, in fact. "No more stakeouts, or drinks after a long shift, or midnight calls when you've had a breakthrough in a case," Boyle laments — while wearing a big fluffy coat for some reason. Heart and laughs: that's been a noice, toit and cool cool cool formula for Brooklyn Nine-Nine over the years. "Title of your sex tape" jokes, Die Hard nods and Halloween heists have all worked well, too. Cross your fingers that's all in the pipeline during the last batch of ten episodes as well, which will start streaming on SBS On Demand and airing on SBS in Australia come Friday, August 13. Definitely on the bill: other districts' versions of Hitchcock (Dirk Blocker) and Scully (Joel McKinnon Miller), Raymond Holt (Andre Braugher) accidentally sending intimate pics, Peralta and Amy Santiago (Melissa Fumero) trying to handle parenthood, Rosa Diaz (Stephanie Beatriz) on edibles and Terry Jeffords (Terry Crews) popping his pecs. And, to answer an obvious question, it wouldn't be a last ride for Brooklyn's fictional 99th police precinct without Gina Linetti (Chelsea Peretti) making a final appearance. Check out the full trailer for Brooklyn Nine-Nine's final season below: The first two episodes of Brooklyn Nine-Nine's eighth and final season will be able to stream via SBS On Demand (and to view on SBS) on Friday, August 13, with new episodes dropping weekly afterwards.
A perfectly made cocktail is one of life's simple pleasures, though the process of whipping up creative beverages is far from simple. A moment on the lips is the result of minutes of hard work at a minimum, not to mention the time spent concocting recipes, perfecting them and shopping for ingredients. In short, unless you're a professional mixologist, it's not always something you can replicate at home. Enter The Mixery, the new Australian service that knows we all like drinking cocktails, and that we all often have the plonk, but not the rest of the requirements or the know-how. Delivering everywhere across the country, the subscription-based outfit brings monthly boxes to your door, filled with almost everything you'll need to mix up 12 delicious beverages. We say almost, because they're stocking you up with the items you won't have — including three recipes, plus enough bits and pieces for four drinks of each — while relying upon you to provide your own alcohol. To make things simple, each delivery focuses on one type of tipple, with The Mixery's first box showering the love on gin. Cocktails such as the spicy Earl the Grey, herb-infused The Basilisk and refreshingly floral Rosed Up on the menu, aka stellar spring drinks. Those eager to imbibe can order boxes on a one-off basis, or sign up for an ongoing shipment for $40 per month plus a $5 monthly delivery fee. A party box is also on offer, with prices starting at $70. It features a big enough stash of ingredients to make either eight or 15 of each cocktail — as well as an 'easy mix' option, which means you can just throw everything into a jug, add booze and stir. For more information about The Mixery, visit their website.
Bickering and bantering. Battling all over space. Blasting retro tunes. That's Guardians of the Galaxy's holy trinity, no matter where its ragtag crew happens to be in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Since 2014's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1, Peter Quill aka Star-Lord (Chris Pratt, The Super Mario Bros Movie) and his pals have offered the MCU something shinier than the gold-hued Adam Warlock (Will Poulter, Dopesick): a reprieve from the ever-sprawling franchise's standard self-seriousness. Friends but really family, because Vin Diesel is involved, this superhero team got gleefully goofy in their initial big-screen outing, 2017 sequel Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and 2022's straight-to-streaming The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special. They've popped up elsewhere across the comic-book film saga plying a sense of silliness, too. Welcomely, even when they're slipping into Avengers and Thor flicks, they've always felt like their own distinctive group surfing their own humorous but heartfelt wavelength, a power that isn't generally shared across Marvel's output. Arriving to close out the Guardians' standalone trilogy, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 zooms into the movie series' fifth phase with a difference: it's still a quippy comedy, but it's as much a drama and a tragedy as well. Like most on-screen GotG storylines, it's also heist caper — and as plenty of caped-crusader flicks are, within the MCU or not, it's an origin story. The more that a James Gunn-written and -directed Guardians film gets cosy within the usual Marvel template, however, the more that his branch of Marvel's pop-culture behemoth embraces its own personality. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 couldn't cling tighter to its needle drops, of course, which leap to the 90s and 00s this time and hit with all the subtlety of a Zune player being thrown at the audience. It also stuffs out its duration and over-packs its plot. But, the obligatory post-credits sting aside, this farewell to part of the MCU always feels like a zippy, self-contained Guardians of the Galaxy movie — including when it's also a touching dive into Rocket's (Bradley Cooper, Nightmare Alley) history — rather than a placeholder for more and more future franchise instalments. That said, thanks to past MCU chapters, this third Guardians effort begins with Rocket feeling alone in the world, and Quill drunk and despondent. (The soundtrack: an acoustic version of Radiohead's 'Creep'.) The latter's beloved Gamora (Zoe Saldaña, Avatar: The Way of Water) is no longer the same woman he shared a galaxy-saving life with — instead, she's an alternate version who can't recall their romance — and he isn't coping. Demigod Warlock scorching his way through the Guardians' floating home of Knowhere snaps him into action, though, when their flying interloper tries to raccoon-nap Rocket. Only tracking down the High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji, Peacemaker) will save the gang's gravely injured furry friend, which means a face-off with the megalomaniac inventor who made the genetically engineered critter and is militant in his quest to create a utopia. As Quill and fellow Guardians OGs Drax the Destroyer (Dave Bautista, Knock at the Cabin) and Groot (Diesel, Fast and Furious 9) go a-rescuing — with the icier Gamora along for the ride for a payday, plus later crew additions Mantis (Pom Klementieff, Thunder Force), Nebula (Karen Gillan, Dual), Kraglin (Sean Gunn, The Marvelous Mrs Maisel) and Cosmo the Spacedog (Maria Bakalova, Bodies Bodies Bodies) doing their bits in various ways — it's impossible not to see art imitating life in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. A universe-creating overlord who is obsessed with dominance and perfection, and also intellectual property rights, being challenged by a thick-as-thieves troupe who'd rather be happy and scrappy? Yes, this is the movie that Gunn has whipped up for his brief trip back to Marvel following a controversy-sparked visit to the DC Extended Universe to direct The Suicide Squad and TV's Peacemaker, and before getting installed as that rival realm's new co-head honcho. Just as Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 doesn't ever scream "all that matters is setting up the next movies!", which is a relief after that's all Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania did, Gunn doesn't ever lay his real-life parallels on too thickly. He's busier ensuring that the Guardians' tussle with their all-controlling foe is as irreverent as it is emotional — bringing up those family bonds like Groot should be cracking a Corona, too — while pinballing between settings and setpieces. The gang's lively time on a base crafted out of organic matter is an eye-catchingly squidgy and fleshy standout; from the tactile production and costume design through to supporting parts by Gunn's The Suicide Squad star Daniela Melchior and his Slither lead Nathan Fillion, it's delightfully executed. And yet, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is at its best when it's jetting backwards to when a young Rocket was dreaming of being more than a mad scientist's test subject — of being more than the GotG version of Frankenstein's monster, that is. Spending a fair chunk of the film's hefty 150-minute running time in origin mode could've proven mere padding. Instead, in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3's present, it's the fight scenes that just keep coming that play that way. So does the Drax-and-Mantis double act after the movie's midway point, even with Bautista and Klementieff still firing in their comfortable comic pairing. When he's just a kit in a cage, having Rocket form a band of misfit toys with otter Lylla (Linda Cardellini, Dead to Me), walrus Teefs (Asim Chaudhry, What's Love Got to Do with It?) and rabbit Floor (Mikaela Hoover, The Suicide Squad) could've been too saccharine as well, but these unflinchingly bleak, earnest and empathetic flashbacks brim with soul and heart. The GotG flicks have always been about finding somewhere to belong and someone to belong with, after all, with this swansong thoughtfully explores how and why that need to connect is so deeply wired in through pain and trauma. A Guardians film that beams brightest when there's only one Guardian in focus — and not the 70s- and 80s-worshipping, Patrick Swayze name-dropping Quill? Perhaps that's why the trilogy is coming to an end. At their core, Rocket's Vol. 3 storyline and Quill's Vol. 2's daddy issues have more than a little in common, but shifting the GotG series' attention past the team's biggest Footloose fan is refreshing almost a decade in. (And while Pratt fits this big-name franchise better than Jurassic World, basically playing Burt Macklin: Space Protector, Cooper's excellent voice work makes him Vol. 3's MVP.) Knowing when something's time has come is a hard lesson to learn, of course. Among Gunn's many trademarks overseeing playful entries with a distinctive personality in an oft-formulaic broader saga, swinging big with difficult emotions, choices and realisations has always ranked up there with jokey patter and as anarchic a vibe as the MCU would let him get away with. Naturally, he signs off from Guardians in that exact fashion — and with a picture that relishes being its own thing, bloat, repetitive gags, well-worn dynamics, over-used music and all, over ticking franchise boxes.
"I'm a muddler freak," laughs mixologist Tomas Vikario. He's talking, of course, about the bartenders' tool which is used to muddle or mash ingredients together at the bottom of a cocktail glass. (Tomas has an unhealthy collection of 20 muddlers; one is even custom-made). Concrete Playground's favourite cheeky mixologist is showing us how to make a simple summer cocktail that's easy to recreate in the comfort of your very own herb garden. (Or kitchen. We just couldn't resist making ours in the sunshine.) For Tomas, a muddler is an essential tool for a good mojito. Tomas has been a mixologist ever since a graphic design course drove him to drink*, over eighteen years ago. Born in Croatia and now living in Sydney, he first shared his passion and experience with CP for our first DIY cocktail recipe 'A Perrier Tea Break'. Today, Tomas shows us his fresh, fruity twist on the classic Cuban mojito. "I like to put a twist on every classic drink," Tomas tells us. "The Perrier Summer Berry Mojito actually improves with every sip – the mint, rum, berry and lime flavours become more intense as the ingredients have time to mingle together." And mingling at home with friends and Ernest Hemingway's tipple of choice is exactly what we fancy doing this summer. Here's how you can too. *Half true. Tomas assures us that the end of his graphics design career and the beginning of his passion for mixology has no correlation. Ingredients: 30ml lime juiceWhite cane sugarBlueberriesStrawberriesMint50ml Havana Club rumPerrier sparkling mineral water STEP 1 It's just not a mojito without that fine balance between sweet and sour. So to start, add two spoons of white cane sugar to a tall glass; Tomas suggests using a highball or Collins glass. (Too many friends, not enough highballs? Tomas has the answer for that one too: old jam jars or tin cans. Be sure to clean them out first, obviously. Take a look at the final image for an example.) STEP 2 Add 30ml of freshly-squeezed lime juice (that's the juice of approximately one lime). STEP 3 Add two chopped strawberries and six blueberries, before gently pressing the sugar, berries and lime together using a muddler. This extracts the juice and aromas of the fruit. STEP 4 Now add two stalks of fresh mint (approximately 10-15 mint leaves). Tomas recommends tapping or scrunching the mint before adding it to the glass, this helps to release the flavour and aroma of the herb. Muddle the ingredients together and try not to break the leaves – 0r the glass! STEP 5 Add 50ml of rum. Tomas uses Havana Club rum for that authentic Cuban taste. STEP 6 Using a long-handled spoon, stir in a few cubes of ice. STEP 7 Top up with more ice and add chilled Perrier sparkling mineral water for 100% natural, long-lasting bubbles. STEP 8 Decorate with a sprig of mint. Place a straw next to the mint for extra minty aroma as you drink. MIX IT UP: FLAVOUR VARIATIONS "People have so many childhood memories of eating mangoes – so it's a great alternative flavour instead of the berries," says Tomas. If you like the sound of a Perrier Mango Mojito or a Perrier Watermelon Mojito, simply replace strawberries and blueberries with half a small mango, or four cubes of watermelon. Or, try all three. ¡Qué rico!
If you're a film buff, then you're also a travel buff. Even if you don't venture further than your nearest cinema, you're often journeying to other countries when you sit down to watch a movie. Thanks to the Cine Latino Film Festival, the sights and sounds of Latin America await Australian filmgoers in November, taking them on a trip to Argentina, Mexico, Uruguay, Cuba, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador and the Dominican Republic. Australia's second Spanish-language film festival (after the Europe-centric Spanish Film Festival), the Cine Latino Film Festival will bring 26 titles from Central and South America to Aussie screens from November 14 to 29. The fun kicks off with You're Killing Me Susana, a marital comedy featuring Mexican star Gael García Bernal. Other highlights span a variety of genres and nations. Audiences can check out Inseparables, the Argentinian remake of French film The Intouchables, or get an authentic glimpse into prison romance in the Dominican Republic with Woodpeckers – about inmates from neighbouring jails communicating via their own form of sign language. Elsewhere, Cannes Critics' Week hit Gabriel and the Mountain combines documentary and drama to tell the true tale of a Brazilian traveller; Tales of Mexico asks eight filmmakers to spin stories about Mexican history; and Lost North tracks a man trying to find his girlfriend across the 900 miles between Santiago and the Bolivian border. Other notable titles include Peruvian musical-comedy Crazy in Love, Colombian paramilitary thriller Guilty Men, and Ecuador's submission to next year's foreign-language Oscar category Such is Life in the Tropics, about a battle between a land owner and squatters. The festival will also shine a particular spotlight on Argentinian and Mexican filmmaking in two specific program strands. The latter is a collaboration with the Hola Mexico Film Festival, while the former will thrill fans of familiar faces, with The Secret in Their Eyes star Ricardo Darín playing an Argentinian president in The Summit, and Gloria's Paulina García going soul searching in The Desert Bride. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gALX8_SHP68 The 2017 Cine Latino Film Festival will screen at Sydney's Palace Norton Street and Palace Verona from November 14 to 29, Melbourne's Palace Cinema Como and Palace Westgarth from November 16 to 29, and Brisbane's Palace Centro from November 16 to 29. For more information and to buy tickets, visit the festival website.
Your home bar game is about to level up a few notches, regardless of wherever your own mixology skills are at. Maybe Sammy —aka the Sydney bar that took out 11th spot in last year's World's 50 Best Bars list — has just dropped a new line of premium signature bottled cocktails that'll basically turn your living room into a world-class drinking destination. Two years in the making, and created by Maybe Sammy's crack team of shakers and stirrers, each of the three new releases comes pre-batched, ready to chill and pour. There's the tequila-based eucalyptus gimlet jazzed up with grapefruit bitters and mango, and a chic take on the negroni that's infused with jasmine. Or, opt for the floral notes — and pepper and cedar, too — of the chamomile martini. Each comes with tailored serving instructions so you can enjoy the drink exactly as the experts intended, whether that's in a frozen martini glass garnished with a lemon twist, or tumbled into a rocks glass with a wedge of orange. The Maybe Sammy crew has taken care of all the hard work for you, experimenting with various plant infusions and testing and fine-tuning its way to some premium top-shelf cocktails. Which, as anyone with a kitchen cupboard full of random, almost-full spirits and liqueurs can agree, is a very handy thing. The new cocktails are all available as 100-millilitre solo serves, as well as by the 500-millilitre bottle. You can also snap up a gift pack featuring small serves of all three drinks. Maybe Sammy's new eucalyptus gimlet, jasmine negroni and chamomile martini cocktails are each available by the single-serve 100-millilitre bottle ($18) or the 500-millilitre share bottle ($69). Head over to the bar's website to order, with home delivery available Australia-wide.
If you're after great cocktails matched with fiery Asian fare on your next visit to the Central Coast, you'll want to park yourself up at The Lucky Bee. It's run by Matty Bennett and Rupert Noffs, who closed their acclaimed NYC eatery of the same name, swapped the city for the beach and opened on the Central Coast. Located at Hardys Bay, The Lucky Bee is right on the water, so you'll cop some stellar views while you're there. The share-style Southeast Asian menu is influenced by a combination of Thai, Vietnamese and Chinese flavours — think pork-stuffed bao, dumplings, curries, green papaya salad, bánh xèo (crispy Vietnamese pancake) and salt and Sichuan pepper fish. Expect good levels of heat, too. The drinks are extravagant and the atmosphere is always buzzing — so make a reservation. Images: Lisa Haymes
Sydney Festival is, above all, a means to get the most appealing, innovative and agenda-setting international performing arts works to visit our town. This year the showpiece of the program is 60-person 'underwater opera' spectacle Dido & Aeneas. But the one-woman La Voix Humaine ('The Human Voice') promises to floor with conversely little. This Dutch production based on the monologue by famous poet and film director Jean Cocteau features actor Halina Reijn as a woman pleading with her lover down the phone line after a break-up. The actor has few props to call on, but in a device that's been used a few times in Sydney theatre, we watch the action unfold behind a glass wall. It's a chance to peer in to someone else's world, at perhaps its most tense moment. Amsterdam's Toneelgroep are world renowned for their creative reworkings of classic texts, and La Voix Humaine is directed by the company's artistic director, Ivo van Hove. If you like it, you can see six hours more of their work at the Adelaide Festival. La Voix Humaine is performed in Dutch with English surtitles. Image by Jan Versweyveld. https://youtube.com/watch?v=MW6ljgrmSA8
One of Japan's most visionary mixologists is making a rare appearance in Sydney. For one night only on Wednesday, October 8, Shuzo Nagumo will be crafting cocktails during a special appearance at Suntory Bar. Shuzo Nagumo is the founder of the acclaimed Folklore, the Tokyo bar that defines what Japanese cocktails are on a cultural level. The name is inspired not just by traditional Japanese stories but also by the inheritance of customs, beliefs, and techniques. This ethos drives the bar's mission: to define what a Japanese cocktail truly means. [caption id="attachment_1026022" align="alignleft" width="1920"] Folklore Bar[/caption] Renowned for his futuristic cocktail techniques, Shuzo is heading to Suntory Bar's takeover of Whisky Thief in Sydney's Prefecture 48. Shuzo will unveil his bespoke menu, which reimagines the highball and other iconic beverages into avant-garde cocktails. The menu represents Shuzo's signature blend of precision, creativity, and artistry as well as Folklore's fresh vision for the future of Japanese mixology. Expect creations like the Marble Lactic Highball, which layers caramelised yoghurt-washed Suntory Toki Whisky with Chablis, pimento dram and elderflower. Or the Genmai and Eucalyptus Shandy, a refreshing fusion of genma tea-infused Roku Gin, eucalyptus and pale ale, plus many more. Shuzo's cocktails blend centuries-old Japanese ingredients with cutting-edge technique to create a boundary-pushing menu. All cocktails on the menu are $28. [caption id="attachment_1017291" align="alignleft" width="1800"] Suntory Bar[/caption] It's one of Suntory Bar's takeovers you won't want to miss. Shuzo's career spans time at Tokyo's most cutting-edge bars, Nobu London, and across Europe, making him a truly global influence on the bartending industry. Whether you're a cocktail connoisseur or are looking to try something new for your midweek date night, Shuzo Nagumo's one-night-only takeover at Suntory Bar is one to add to your diary. Walk-ins are available; however, this one is expected to be busy, so make a booking now to experience one of Japan's most influential bartenders in the flesh. Suntory Bar runs from Friday, August 8–Saturday, November 8 at Whisky Thief in Prefecture 48, 230 Sussex Street, Sydney. Shuzo Nagumo's takeover is on Wednesday, October 8. For more details and bookings head to the website.
Sydney's getting another alcohol-fuelled brunch, and this one has a dress code — of leotards, lycra, spandex, leg warmers, and anything glittery, sparkly, shiny and neon. While you're channelling a thoroughly 80s vibe, teased hair won't go astray. Perhaps it'll even make you more aerodynamic on the roller rink. On Saturday, August 31, it's time to dress up in all of the above and strap on a pair of roller skates. You can't dance around a Roller Disco Brunch without them. The rink will pop up on the Cruise Bar rooftop, meaning you'll get to bust some moves while taking in views of Sydney Harbour. When you're not busting out your smooth retro moves to plenty of the era's hits — yes, Cyndi Lauper songs will be given a spin by the DJ — you'll be tucking into bottomless mimosas and pizza slices. There will be three 90-minute brunch sessions: at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. These will set you back $75.23 and include your food, booze and skate hire. If you just want to get your skate on, there'll be three more sessions — at 5pm, 7pm and 9pm — that just include a turn on the skates. These tickets are $39.55 each. Peachy keen, jelly bean? You can buy tickets now. UPDATE: MAY 28, 2019 — This article previously stated that the Roller Disco Brunch would be held on June 22, 2019. This has now been changed to August 31, and the above has been edited to reflect the new date.
It has been 12 years since RuPaul's Drag Race first premiered in the US, and its mission to unearth the next drag superstars shows no signs of stopping. Currently, the original series is reaching the pointy end of its thirteenth season, while international versions also exist in the UK — also hosted by RuPaul — plus Thailand, Holland, Chile and Canada. Next, it's finally making the leap to Australia and New Zealand. RuPaul's Drag Race already airs locally, but now it's being made here as well. The eight-part RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under will focus on Aussie and NZ drag queens battling for supremacy, and will air on Stan in Australia and TVNZ OnDemand in New Zealand. That was announced back in January; however, now you can mark your calendars for the show's debut on Saturday, May 1. While not all overseas iterations of Drag Race are hosted by RuPaul, RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under definitely is. RuPaul is also taking on judging duties, alongside show veteran Michelle Visage and Australian comedian Rhys Nicholson. If you're wondering just who'll be competing, too, that was unveiled back in March during the 2021 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. Ten contenders will strut their stuff for drag supremacy, spanning seven Australians and three New Zealanders. So, prepare to see plenty of Art Simone from Geelong, Melbourne's Karen from Finance, and Sydney's Coco Jumbo, Etecetera Etcetera and Maxi Shield. Newcastle's Jojo Zaho and Perth's Scarlet Adams round out the Aussie queens, while Auckland's Kita Mean, Anita Wigl'it and Elektra Shock comprise the NZ contingent. Fans already know the format, which features fashion challenges, workroom dramas and lip sync battles aplenty. If you're a newcomer to all things Drag Race, you'll watch these Australian and NZ competitors work through a series of contests to emerge victorious, and join the likes of US contenders Jinkx Monsoon, Sasha Velour and Sharon Needles in being crowned the series' winner. Until next month hits, you can check about the RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under cast reveal video below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSLPdMi0b8U&feature=youtu.be RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under will start streaming via Stan and TVNZ from Saturday, May 1, with new episodes airing weekly. Top image: RuPaul's Drag Race.
Following the successful opening of their new all-day eatery Manly Underground (which sits underneath their brewpub on East Esplanade), beloved northern beaches brewery 4 Pines has launched yet another new venue. It's called Public House and you'll find it further north, in the hilly, beachside suburb of Newport. Where Manly Underground's focus is on brunch, Public House's big drawcard is barrel-aged beers. Anytime you wander through, you'll notice at least 20 barrels hanging around, each of which is devoted to storing the good stuff — thereby making it tastier by the time it gets to your tastebuds. So far, two drops have hit the taps. The first is Vlad, a Russian (you guessed it!) Imperial Stout, which has spent six months in whisky barrels provided by Lark and Black Gate distilleries. The second is King Dong, a tart and dry, yet spicy and aromatic, wheat beer that hid away in Muscat barrels for an entire year. On top of those two, there's also one available in a bottle. Known as Jean Claude Van Lambic, it's a golden ale that was aged in Muscat barrels and comes with hints of cherry and orange leaves, topped with buttery overtones. You can't get it anywhere else in the world. For traditionalists who prefer to stick to 4 Pines's more familiar beers, there are 12 on tap. And non-beer drinkers are catered to, too, thanks to a bunch of 4 Pines- and Brookvale Union-infused cocktails, Aussie craft spirits and local wines. Whatever your beverage of choice, you'll find a match among the food menu, which offers a mix of classic dishes from the brewery's Manly Brewpub and new standouts from Underground Manly, taken care of by chefs Rob de Paulo and Adam Rust. Go for the black and white fettuccini (fresh fish, scallops, prawns, asparagus and tossed in a mint and lemon sauce) or the Tree Hugger salad, which comes with hefeweizen-soaked quinoa, chickpeas, avocado and feta. As usual, 4 Pines's design expert Sheree Mitchell has sorted out the interior, so you can expect the familiar, handcrafted-meets-industrial aesthetic. Think lighting made of re-purposed shackles, pulleys and barrel staves, complementing exposed brickwork, recycled timbers, leather and black steel. The walls are covered in a brand new artwork by Murray Fraser, commissioned by 4 Pines and featuring extraordinary photos of the northern beaches' numerous rock pools, framed in timber. As good as the beer is — you won't be forgetting that the water isn't far away. Public House is the fourth venue in the 4 Pines family, joining the Manly Brewpub, Manly Underground and their Brookvale Truck Bar. They're also gearing up to open a brand new beer and bread concept in Belrose's Glen Street Theatre. It will offer beer and freshly baked bread, including the stout bread which has been baked in the Manly BrewPub since 2010, when it opens next year. 4 Pines Public House Newport is located at 313 Barrenjoey Road, Newport. It's open 11.30am till late, seven days a week. For more information, visit their website.
Now that summer has dropped its anchor, it's time to fancy up your cocktail making and shaking skills. And, as many a pro mixologist would tell you, this doesn't mean manufacturing a whole new wheel. Your best bet is to rehabilitate a classic, but give it a subtle modification or two. After all, if a beverage has made its way through the years better than Billy Joel's 'We Didn't Start the Fire', then surely we owe it our utmost respect. Here are three renovated cocktails to whip up at pool parties, languid beachy gatherings and festivals before January has slipped away. BEACHY DAYS: THE JAMAICAN STORMY The spicy, refreshing Jamaican Stormy is made for long evenings on – or near – the sand, whether you're camping or kicking back in a beachfront house. It's an evolution of the Moscow Mule, a vodka-ginger beer-lime combo that was invented in Hollywood in the early '40s and soon became the go-to drink at L.A. beach parties. In this concoction, the vodka is replaced with rum for a deeper flavour profile. Line up 1 part Appleton Estate V/X, 2 parts spicy ginger beer, 3 lime wedges and 1 dash Angostura bitters (optional). Squeeze the limes into a highball glass, pressing them with a muddler. Add ice, build in the remaining ingredients and give it a gentle stir. The more fiery the ginger beer, the better. POOL PARTIES: THE ESTATE DAIQUIRI Ernest Hemingway had one named after him. John F. Kennedy drank a few on the night he was elected president. The daiquiri, which, as far as we know, was first incarnated in Cuba in the 1890s, is one of the world's most-ordered drinks. Its sweet-and-sour easy drinkability makes it perfect for summer pool parties. In this recipe, the addition of Appleton's versatile Estate Reserve creates an especially smooth version. Take 1½ parts Appleton Estate Reserve, 1 part fresh lime juice and 1/6 part simple syrup. Pop them in a cocktail shaker with ice, give it a good shake and strain into a chilled Coupette glass. Add a twist of orange peel for garnish. POST-FESTIVAL NIGHT CAP: THE ESTATE OLD FASHIONED The Old Fashioned's unique combination of class and comfort makes it the ideal post-festival night cap. According to Slate gentleman and scholar Tory Patterson, the Old Fashioned is at once "the manliest cocktail order" and "something your grandmother drank." Having been around since 1806, it's one of the oldest cocktails on record, which means all kinds of wondrous variations have emerged. Here, the Old Fashioned is served premium-style, with the inclusion of Appleton's indulgent rare blend 12-year-old. You'll need 2½ parts Appleton Estate Extra 12 Year Old, 1/2 part sugar syrup, 2 dash Angostura bitters and 2 dash orange bitters. Put all ingredients in a mixing glass with a large cube of ice. Stir quickly until the glass frosts, then strain into an Old Fashioned glass, over a large block of ice or an ice sphere. Add orange peel for garnish.
In time to come, we may well look back on the 21st century as the 'Age of the Bicycle'. We've run music festivals on pedal power, attempted to crowdfund the world's first flying bicycle, designed fashion for two-wheeling commuters, built cycle super highways and proposed the construction of sky-high bike paths. Nearly every week, it seems, someone, somewhere finds a way to extend the scope, relevance and fun factor of the humble bicycle. Now, a maverick composer by the name of Johnny Random has demonstrated its capacity as a musical instrument. Actually, not just an instrument, but an entire orchestra. He's written and recorded a song titled 'Bespoken' in which every single sound is generated via bicycle parts. As difficult as it is to believe when you hear it, no traditional instruments, synthesisers, samplers or drum machines are used. Instead, the spokes are tuned to various pitches, then plucked, picked and bowed to create melody, with other components employed percussively. "I remember my first time riding a bicycle," Johnny Random says. "It felt like freedom. I associate the sounds of a bike with this feeling. As a composer, I wanted to capture this through music, specifically by using the sounds of bikes and their components ... Through music, I want to change the way that people perceive their surroundings and I hope that this will inspire others to look at every day objects with more curiosity and wonder". Via PSFK.
Kevin Macdonald (The Last King of Scotland) directs How I Live Now, a film adapted from Meg Rosoff's 2004 novel of the same name by a team of writers including talented British playwright Penelope Skinner. Startlingly mature Irish actress Saoirse Ronan (Atonement, The Way Back) stars as Daisy, a strong-willed New York teenager sent to stay with English relatives one summer. Just as she's settling in and falling in love with her cousin Edmond (George MacKay), a nuclear bomb is detonated in London by an anarchist group and all hell breaks loose. The boys are conscripted into the army; the girls are taken to an evacuation camp, which is soon attacked by "the enemy". Forced to flee, Daisy faces an arduous journey to survive, get home and be reunited with Edmond. Featuring a largely young cast of up-and-comers, How I Live Now sounds a little bit like John Marsden's Tomorrow, When the War Began series, albeit set in England and with a much bigger budget. If you like your films on the adventurous side with a splash of romance and an impressively resilient heroine, then this could be right up your alley. How I Live Now is in cinemas on November 28, and thanks to Madman Films, we have ten double in-season passes to give away. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email us with your name and address. Sydney: win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au Melbourne: win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au Brisbane: win.brisbane@concreteplayground.com.au
A scroll through your social media feeds can often leave you feeling like you're the only one not on holidays. While you're doing the same old nine-to-five slog, there are your peers inconsiderately boasting about all of the worldly arts and culture (and food) they're consuming. But, as it happens, you don't need to fork out the big bucks for a plane ticket to see some of the world's most important artworks. Come October, the Art Gallery of NSW will launch its next major exhibition Masters of Modern Art from the Hermitage. It'll see 65 artworks from some of the early 20th century's most revered artists — think Cézanne, Matisse, Picasso and Gauguin, plus their celebrated Russian contemporaries Malevich and Kandinsky — drawn extensively from St Petersburg's State Hermitage Museum. This landmark exhibition focuses on a revolutionary era in art history when these now legendary artists "freed themselves from tradition" and began to imagine art in previously untold vibrant, innovative and abstract ways. The collection acts a self-contained timeline tracking this defining period, with highlights including Monet's Poppy Field (1890), Picasso's Table in a Café (1912) and Kandinsky's Landscape near Dünaberg (1913). The exhibition also delves into the lives of visionary Russian art collectors Sergei Shchukin and Ivan Morozov — more than two-thirds of the exhibition has been drawn from their art collections. Realising the potential of the French modern masters, from the beginning of the 20th century, both Shchukin and Morozov acquired many of today's most acclaimed artworks. The Masters of Modern Art from the Hermitage is half of the 2018/19 Sydney International Art Series, with the Museum of Contemporary Art's David Goldblatt making up the other half. Master of Modern Art from the Hermitage will run from Saturday, October 13, 2018 to Sunday, March 3, 2019. You can purchase tickets now from the Art Gallery of NSW website. We also have double passes to the exhibition to give away. To enter, see below. [competition]687134[/competition] Images: Paul Cézanne 'Fruit' 1879-1880. Courtesy of The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg. Claude Monet France 1840–1926 'Poppy field' 1890/91. Courtesy of The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg, Pavel Demidov and Konstantin Sinyavsky; Henri Matisse 'Game of bowls' 1908. Courtesy of The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg, Vladimir Terebenin and H Matisse/Copyright Agency; Wassily Kandinsky 'Landscape: Dünaberg near Murnau' 1913. Courtesy The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg and Vladimir Terebenin.
Our humble harbour city is putting in a play for international dumpling glory, as it gears up to host one very impressive Guinness World Record attempt: a bid for the title of the World's Largest Yum Cha Meal. At 11am on Tuesday, February 5, 1000 keen Sydneysiders will descend on Darling Harbour's Tumbalong Park to eat their way into the history books. They'll be aiming to dethrone southern rival and current title-holder Melbourne, which hosted its record-breaking 750-person yum cha feast back in 2013. For Sydney's event to be in with a shot of smashing that earlier effort, participants will be served four dumplings each and need to polish off at least two. A whopping 4000 dumplings will be whipped up, to feed 100 tables full of dumpling aficionados, with dipping sauces available, too. If you're still hungry after your four dumplings (we suspect you might be), you can head around the corner to Sydney's new dumpling and beer 'stadium'. [caption id="attachment_625905" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kimberley Low.[/caption] Fittingly, the record-attempt, which is hosted by City of Sydney, WSFM and My Kitchen Rules, will be taking place during Sydney's Lunar New Year celebrations. The local festivities run from February 1–10 and include everything from a night market in The Rocks to a culinary celebration at the Sydney Fish Market. If you'd like the chance to be involved in a record-smashing yum cha feast (and to score a free dumpling lunch), you'll need to register via the WSFM website before 3pm on Monday, February 4. The Guinness World Record attempt will take place at 11am on Tuesday, February 5 at Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour. You can register for the event here. Images: Kimberley Low.
If going big on New Year's Eve isn't your style and you'd rather relish in the sunlight over a boozy lunch as the rest of the world is sheepishly rolling out of bed, head down to Bondi Beach — Icebergs is bringing back its annual New Years Day party. The collaboration between restaurateur Maurice Terzini and Sneaky Sound System sees the beachside venue offering up a decedent lunch, free-flowing cocktails, a cabaret show and stunning ocean views for a luxurious start to 2021. Access to the event doesn't come cheap though, with bookings starting at $1000 a head and tables available for groups of six and above. The indulgent menu includes Oscietra caviar, coral trout tartare, local lobster spaghetti and fresh fruit with strawberry gum syrup. Accompanying the food will be Perrier-Jouët champagne, a selection of two fruity Kettle One cocktails, Tanqueray gin, Don Julio tequila and beer. "It's not a VIP experience it's a luxurious experience open for everyone ... once you're in the door everyone is special regardless of who you are and where you come from," Terzini said of the $1000 event. Reservations are available via Icebergs.
Every December, the Geminids meteor shower lights up our skies. Considered to be the most spectacular meteor shower of the year, it's caused by a stream of debris, left by an asteroid dubbed the 3200 Phaethon, burning up in Earth's atmosphere. The 2021 shower kicked off on Saturday, December 4, but it really is just getting started. While the Geminids runs through until Monday, December 20 this year, it's expected to be at its peak in Australia overnight between Tuesday, December 14–Wednesday, December 15. Christmas lights aren't the only spectacle worth peering at this month, clearly. If you fancy a stint of stargazing, you'll want to look up on Tuesday, December 14 from around 9pm in Brisbane, 10pm in Perth, 11pm in Sydney, 11.30pm in Adelaide and 12am in Melbourne. The best time to catch an eyeful will be after midnight, when the moon has set and its light will not interfere, but before sunrise. Australia is also expected to get a great vantage on the on the evening of Monday, December 13, if you'd like to double your viewing. Some years, you can catch as many as 150 meteors every 60 minutes, so this definitely isn't just any old meteor shower. [caption id="attachment_699423" align="alignnone" width="1920"] NASA, Marshall Space Flight Center, Jeff Dai.[/caption] For your best chances, it's worth getting as far away from bright lights as possible. This could be a good excuse to head out of the city to a clear-skied camping spot — and pray for no clouds. To see the meteors, you'll need to give your eyes around 15–30 minutes to adapt to the dark (so try to avoid checking your phone) and look to the northeast. The shower's name comes from the constellation from which they appear to come, Gemini. So that's what you'll be looking for in the sky. To locate Gemini, we recommend downloading the Sky Map app — it's the easiest way to navigate the night sky (and is a lot of fun to use even on a non-meteor shower night). If you're more into specifics, Time and Date also has a table that shows the direction and altitude of the Geminids. The Geminids meteor shower runs from Saturday, December 4–Monday, December 20, and will be at its peak during the night on Tuesday, December 14–Wednesday, December 15. For further details, head to Time and Date. Top image: A composite of 163 photos taken over 90 minutes during the Geminids by Jeff Smallwood for Flickr.
You wouldn't guess it from the outside, but Highfield Caringbah is one of the most picturesque locations for a sunset drink in The Shire. It houses four venues all up — including a public house, a pizza shop and a sports bar — but our pick of the bunch is a seat up on The Botanical rooftop. The openair space lets in natural light while greenery weaves around the exposed beams, framing views of the city skyline. To top it all off, there's an extensive cocktail list and a seasonal menu to boot. On the menu there's something for everyone — from the barbecue wagyu beef skewers served with sesame flatbread and kimchi cucumber salad ($37) to the coconut pumpkin curry with chickpeas, kale and raita ($24).
Since 1987, if you've wanted to hit up South by Southwest, then you've needed to visit Austin in Texas. Come October this year, however, that'll no longer be the case. Across eight days, the acclaimed tech, innovation, music, gaming, screen and culture festival and conference will embark on its first-ever non-US event — and more details about its massive four-day music festival have just dropped. Unlike your standard music fest in The Domain or Centennial Park, SXSW will be creating a bustling precinct spanning Ultimo, Darling Harbour, Chippendale and Surry Hills, with over 300 performances popping up across 25 different venues. As with the Austin iteration, the festival is all about discovery and catching the next big thing before they're headlining other festivals, so you'll find a lineup stacked with local and international talent doing interesting, boundary-pushing things. Up until this point, you've only been able to purchase the festival's next-level all-access badges. But now, SXSW has unveiled more financially accessible options with the introduction of the music wristband. These passes start from $280 and grant you access to all 300 performances between Wednesday, October 18–Saturday, October 21. [caption id="attachment_903438" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Alana Dimou[/caption] You'll also be able to pop into the showcases and parties being presented by brands like Laneway Festival, Dr Martens, Vans and Warner Music. And, you'll be able to hit up the country houses that've become synonymous with the Austin festival, including pop-ups from the British Music Embassy and Korean Spotlight. Some of the notable artist inclusions include frantic Japanese punk group Otoboke Beaver; Denzel Curry and JPEGMAFIA collaborator Redveil; First Nations trailblazers Barkaa, Kobie Dee, Jem Cassar-Daley and Dobby; TikTok sensations Ula and Flyana Boss; Indonesian jazz trio Batavia Collective; plus Dylan Atlantis and Friday*, both of who are members of the Western Sydney music collective Full Circle that were spotlighted in the SBS short film We Just Live Here. If you've been to see the new Australian horror movie that's taking the world by storm, aka Talk to Me, you would have caught the vocals of one of SXSW Sydney's artists IJALE opening the film with his song 'Ducks In a Row'. And, you can also catch a heap of beloved stalwarts of the Sydney and Australian live music scene as well, like Andy Golledge Band, These New South Whales, Andrew Gurruwiwi Band, Caitlin Harnett and the Pony Boys, and The Terrys. Expect more artists to be added to the lineup as the fest gets closer. Over in Austin, musicians big and small will often join the program all the way up until the week of the festival. All of these musicians will be popping up across Sydney venues like The Lansdowne, The Lord Gladstone, Hollywood Hotel, The Civic Underground, The Abercrombie, Phoenix Central Park, The Soda Factory, The Chippo Hotel, the Powerhouse Museum, Sneaky Possum, UTS Underground and Tumbalong Park. Plus, SXSW Sydney has partnered with the festival Someday Soon, which will be popping up at the University of Sydney on Saturday, October 21 with a stacked program featuring Peach PRC, What So Not, 1300, Northeast Party House, Royal Otis and Sly Withers. Platinum and music badgeholders will be able to attend the affiliate event as part of the week's festivities. [caption id="attachment_848402" align="alignnone" width="1916"] Barkaa, Luke Currie Richardson[/caption] Basically, you'll get access to a citywide party, at which established and emerging bands will be filling every stage across four different suburbs for four whole days — all for the price of a standard music festival. Of course, SXSW isn't all about the music. There will also be a film festival featuring the world premiere of the documentary Hot Potato: The Story of The Wiggles; a gaming strand with a massive esport competition and indie game showcase; and a conference with talks from Queer Eye star Tan France, the CEO of Coachella, Osher Günsberg and Layne Beachley. Each section of the festival has its own wristband system — with the music, screen and games tickets going on sale this Friday, August 25. You can get a full breakdown of the difference between badges and wristbands at the SXSW Sydney website. [caption id="attachment_889033" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Maria Boyadgis[/caption] SXSW Sydney will run from Sunday, October 15–Sunday, October 22 at various Sydney venues, with the SXSW Sydney Music Festival running from Wednesday, October 18–Saturday, October 21. Music wristbands go on sale this Friday, August 25, with early bird prices starting at $280. Top image: Jordan Munns. If you're keen to make the most of Australia's first SXSW, take advantage of our special reader offer. Purchase your SXSW Sydney 2023 Official Badge via Concrete Playground Trips and you'll score a $150 credit to use on your choice of Sydney accommodation. Book now via the website.
Keen to transform your outdoor area into your own dreamy oasis? Breathe new life into your garden, patio, balcony or courtyard with a bespoke piece from Osier Belle. The custom-designed outdoor furniture specialists are located in Neutral Bay and are sure to create stunning furnishings that'll stand the test of time. Book a consultation and speak to the team about creating unique pieces tailored to suit your needs — think daybeds, outdoor dining sets and hanging pods. Once you land on a design, it's outsourced to a small-scale, ethical workshop in West Java. Whatever you've ordered, you can bet the furniture will withstand the elements — rain, hail or shine — as all Osier Belle pieces are specifically designed for the Australian climate. Images: Cassandra Hannagan
Some say good things come in small packages, which is true of both Tuckerbox and the range of grab-and-go bites it sells. The tiny cafe opened in Paddington in October 2019 and is a go-to for locals — like CP reader @isyrouslstone, who recommended it to us — for its range of takeaway salads, sandwiches and hot meals, which are prepared daily in an off-site commercial kitchen. Pair your feed with a coffee — a Mecca roast is the bean of choice — or a cold-pressed juice from nearby Simon Says Juice. [caption id="attachment_798468" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cassandra Hannagan[/caption] Images: Cassandra Hannagan
Sometimes holidays are all about kicking back and relaxing — think leisurely swims, afternoon naps and finally finishing that book you've been trying to read since Christmas. But when you spend most days stuck at the same desk, counter or job site, you may be seeking something a little more exhilarating. You already know Port Stephens can deliver on your R&R quota, thanks to its luxury resorts and stunning patches of sand that you can lay on all day. But the region offers plenty in the adventure department, too. Whether it's riding your very own camel down the beach or sailing over the largest sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere on a quad bike, Port Stephens is the place to go for left-of-centre, blood-pumping experiences. Here are our picks of the bunch. Please stay up to date with the latest NSW Government health advice regarding COVID-19.
Food. Wine. Art. If any of these words pique your interest, Sydney's four-day celebration is for you. Uniting people in the spirit of Bastille Day, the event is back for a seventh year with another killer lineup. This year's street fest will take over Circular Quay and The Rocks with everything form fire twirlers and magicians to opera singers and salsa dancers, live concerts, DJ sets, cabaret and street performances — all day and all night. Plus, because all that wandering and watching is hungry (and thirsty work), a delicious assortment of specialty food, beer and wine offerings will keep guests fed and watered. Tuck into fresh raclette, settle in for a few brews at the returning Electro Beer Garden, grab a glass of sparkling from the Champagne bar — or a mulled wine from a pop-up chalet — and, as the sun sets, head to the openair cinema to watch a flick. You can also head over to the Cheese Dome and Christmas in July Markets in the Rocks, for more indulging (and mulled wine and snow). If previous years are anything to go by, Bastille Festival will be an epic showcase of food, wine and art. And, for the first time in the event's history, it will be environmentally friendly. There'll be no plastic, no non-recyclable packaging and a heap more recycling bins. Are you ready to join the revolution? Bastille Festival will run from 9am–11pm Thursday–Saturday and 9am–9pm on Sunday.
While your newsfeeds have been inundated with restaurant closures, travel bans, and many event cancellations, there has been some uplifting news, too. One of them is Cream Town: an online art shop showcasing works by Australian artists financially impacted by COVID-19. The initiative was sparked by the need to support local creatives in a time where a lot of exhibitions, freelance gigs and general work have dried up. So, if you're in the market for some new art, you can now invest for a good cause. Started by photographer Isaebella Doherty, Cream Town has already sold roughly $4000 worth of prints since launching last week on Thursday, March 19. The project has a very egalitarian ethos, with any out-of-work artist — emerging or well-known — able to put their works up for sale. "We're all in the same situation at the moment," Doherty told Concrete Playground. You won't find the usual art-world elitism here. What you will find is a diverse selection of eye-catching prints, from photography to collage and illustration. Each work is priced at $100, which is a whole let less than what you'd usually spend to adorn your walls. And, seeing as you're spending so much time at home currently, you may as well do a little redecoration and buy yourself one (or a few). If you can't splash that cash right now (or want to contribute more), you can make a donation, which will be evenly distributed between all artists. Works are currently being printed by Melbourne studio Hound & Bone, have a limited run of ten and can be shipped around Australia for a flat postage fee of $12.95. [caption id="attachment_766131" align="alignnone" width="1920"] 'Maree Downs' by Madi Whyte[/caption] Even though Cream Town came to fruition in these uncertain times, it hopes to continue supporting the arts community — even when the world is back to normal. Head to Cream Town to check it out and buy yourself a piece of $100 art. If you're an artist and would like to get involved, you can express interest via Instagram or the website. Top mages: Brodie Clark, 'Shlurp'; Ella Fitzgerald, 'Gaia'; Quince Frances. 'Riparian ecosystems'; Dani Marano, 'Roman Holiday'; Isaebella Doherty, 'Pretty Things #2'.
Whether you love spicy food for the taste or the thrill, Betty's Burgers is ready to reveal a limited-time offering that sits at the extreme end of the spectrum. Topped with hot sauce made from Carolina Reapers — one of the world's hottest chillis, estimated to pack 200 times more punch than your average jalapeno — the experience is so extreme, customers must first sign a waiver to bite into The Madman. But with ego-boosting food challenges no new thing, Betty's Burgers are serving up this range without the bravado. That means your order, all 1.6 million Scoville, can also come with a glass of milk and refreshing cucumbers, so you can quickly extinguish your taste buds if the heat becomes too much. "The Scoville rating speaks for itself. The waiver speaks for itself. But this isn't about proving you're the toughest person in the room. If you need milk, grab it. If you want to tap out, tap out. It's about bringing your mates and making it fun," says Betty's Burgers Head of Culinary, Jonathan Alston. Yet this hot new range is balanced by The Hot Shot, which delivers a more manageable heat. Dialling back the insane spice, this stacked burger is a more flavour-forward option that still offers a solid burn. While Betty's rates The Madman at maximum heat, featuring crispy chicken breast layered with fiery gochujang sauce and a Carolina Reaper chilli infusion, The Hot Shot skips the most fiery ingredients for a more pleasant experience, depending on your spice tolerance, of course. While people have been eating chillis since around 7000BC, extreme food challenges are a more recent invention. But new research shows that over a quarter of people now avoid food experiences designed to make people prove something. With its cooling sides, The Madman is made for fun, not a test of toughness. "Australians still crave bold flavour — they just don't want gatekeeping," says Alston. "People want to opt in, not be dared." Available at Betty's Burgers locations nationwide from Thursday, March 12–Wednesday, April 22, the Burners' range is made for experiencing with all your pals, spice-lovers or not. Just head along and sign the waiver, and trust that the built-in culinary safety net will offer up some much-needed protection from one of the world's hottest chillis. The Burners' range is available at Betty's Burgers locations nationwide from Thursday, March 12–Wednesday, April 22. Head to the website for more information. Like what you see? Subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter to get stories just like these straight to your inbox.
The opening moments of For Sama aren't easily forgotten. As journalist Waad Al-Kateab sings to infant Sama in their Aleppo home — a room in the city's only remaining volunteer hospital — in 2016, the sound of tank shells puncture her soothing tones. With her doctor husband Hamza, Waad and her daughter soon start to flee. As they rush hurriedly downstairs, a flash appears at the end of the hallway, filling the corridor with smoke. The trio make it to safety, huddling with others in the same situation. To keep Sama distracted as they wait out the attack, they play a game of peek-a-boo with the baby using their air-filtration face masks. Shot by Waad herself — For Sama's narrator, producer, cinematographer, co-director with Edward Watts and one of its subjects — this sequence kicks off this Oscar-nominated, Cannes-awarded, BAFTA-winning documentary as it means to go on. That said, in a film that doesn't shy away from the blood spilled, lives lost and bodies piled up during the ongoing Syrian Civil War, this introductory scene actually provides some of the movie's least confronting sights. Given how tough, fraught and tense the feature's first moments are, that speaks volumes about everything that follows. But difficult images and emotions are to be expected when peering into the lives of ordinary Syrians caught up in the country's seemingly ceaseless conflict, especially when detailed in such an intimate fashion. As the film's simple, personal and expressive title suggests, Waad has fashioned her documentary as a visual letter to her firstborn. A chronicle of Sama's time in the crumbling Aleppo, it's also an explanation, a time capsule and a portrait of a place that the Al-Kateabs passionately fought for. Using footage recorded since 2012 — when the Arab Spring initially sparked protests in Syria — Waad captures the war from her own viewpoint. Her skills as an activist and journalist are essential, but her role as a mother and the fact that she's a passionate, empathetic person prove even more important. Waad doesn't capture soldiers in battle, bombs being fired or buildings turning to ruins, instead focusing on her own efforts to simultaneously fight for her home, maintain a life and help many others in need. Piecing it all together via a poignant video diary, she also depicts the many others trying to do the same, as well as the casualties and consequences. Accordingly, this is a doco where children arrive at the hospital covered in blood, muck and dust from artillery fire, then leave crying as their siblings join the growing body count. It's a film where mothers scream with pain and fury, inconsolable about their losses but adamant that everything must be recorded in order to show the world what's happening. And, it's a movie where Waad is committed to battling for freedom however she can — by documenting the war, assisting at the hospital and, crucially, by refusing to run away — but still agonises over the choice to bring Sama into the world. Every second is heartwrenching. Every moment is devastating. Every frame stares into the on-the-ground nightmare, as relayed by someone experiencing it as it happens. While the conflict in Syria has understandably become a frequent cinematic topic — For Sama is just one of two films on the subject that were nominated for this year's Academy Award for Best Documentary — Waad's personal approach makes an enormously powerful impact. We watch as she evolves from economics student to married filmmaker and mother. We hear her thoughts, prayers and regrets. We feel her initial hope that Bashar al-Assad's Russian-backed dictatorship will come to an end, her fear when the shells and bombs keep raining down, and her seemingly impossible quest to balance her love of her country with her love for her fledgling family. And, we also watch as she records intimate, life-changing events around her, giving them the benefit of her eyewitness insight. In the latter category, footage of doctors working on a baby born via emergency caesarian ranks among the movie's many inclusions that audiences will want to both stare deeply at and instantly look away from. Jerky and jittery both emotionally and visually, there are no easy images here — even when Waad's handheld cinematography simply gazes at Sama's smiling face. There are no easy answers either, even though the utter horror of targeting civilians like Waad and her compatriots in war is never in doubt. A dedicated, distraught and despairing act of bearing witness, For Sama channels all of its energy into presenting a vital perspective — and one that's so routinely overlooked in tales of conflict. War is waged not just on nations, leaders and soldiers, but on ordinary people, mothers, children and babies, as this shattering film never lets slip out of view. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04BVhwx1RpA
Back in 2018, Australia scored the kind of festival we were always bound to, and to love: The Drop, a music fest that sets up its song-filled stages beside the country's iconic surfing spots. And if that still sounds like your idea of quite the big — and sandy — day out, you'd best get ready to surf the festival wave again, with the event returning in 2022 and 2023. In 2022, The Drop will stage a two-date run in New South Wales, hitting up Bondi Beach and Coffs Harbour in October. This marks the first time that the fest has made its way to Bondi, so expect it to be huge. On the bill at both 2022 shows: Tones and I, Matt Corby and Dune Rats, as well as Cub Sport, Gretta Ray, Shag Rock, TOWNS and Hallie. They'll head to Sydney's most famous beach on Saturday, October 15, then back it up the following week, on Saturday, October 22, at Park Beach Reserve in Coffs Harbour. [caption id="attachment_753215" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Walk Wild Studio[/caption] Fans in Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia, where The Drop has played before, will need to wait until next year to get their sun, surf, sand and song fix. The 2023 lineup hasn't been revealed, but dates have announced. Whether the event will do what it usually does and follow the Aussie leg of the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour hasn't been confirmed yet either, but fingers crossed. Stops are locked in for Coolangatta, Torquay and Busselton, though, plus a return to NSW thanks to the Newcastle show. And pairing music not only with sandy settings, but with surfing contests, has always been a big part of The Drop. If you have tickets to previous The Drop fest that didn't go ahead due to the pandemic, you now have a few options — to either roll them over to the new festivals in each location (where they're returning), switch to Bondi or Coffs Harbour instead, or obtain a refund. [caption id="attachment_753214" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Ian Laidlaw[/caption] THE DROP FESTIVAL 2022 DATES Saturday, October 15 — Bondi Beach, Bondi, New South Wales Saturday, October 22 — Park Beach Reserve, Coffs Harbour, New South Wales THE DROP FESTIVAL 2022 LINEUP Tones And I Matt Corby Dune Rats Cub Sport Gretta Ray Shag Rock TOWNS Hallie THE DROP FESTIVAL 2023 DATES Saturday, January 21_Sunday, January 22 — Queen Elizabeth Park, Coolangatta, Queensland Tuesday, March 28 — Empire Park, Newcastle, New South Wales Saturday, April 8 — Torquay Common, Torquay, Victoria Saturday, April 15 — TBC, Busselton, Western Australia Saturday, May 13 — Queen Elizabeth Park, Coolangatta, Queensland The Drop will return for two 2022 festivals in New South Wales in October. Ticket pre-sales start at 9am on Tuesday, August 9, with general sales from 9am on Wednesday, August 10. For more information, visit the festival's website. The Drop's 2023 lineup will be announced closer to its 2023 dates — we'll update you when details come to hand. Images: Ian Laidlaw / Miranda Stokkel.
Maleficent has a perception problem. Traditionally blamed for Sleeping Beauty's snoozing state, the evil fairy gained an on-screen backstory in 2014, which softened out her edges (but not her razor-sharp cheekbones, naturally). That leaves inevitable sequel Maleficent: Mistress of Evil in a tricky predicament. The movie's title dials up the character's supposedly unsociable ways; however, if Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) is now happily playing godmother to Princess Aurora (Elle Fanning), how nefarious can she really be? And if she's facing off against a seemingly kindly queen (Michelle Pfeiffer) who actually wants to start a genocidal war against all magical folk, well, she's hardly the most wicked creature in this film. You could say that Disney just chose the wrong name for this follow-up, but the movie's moniker is symptomatic of its generally muddled state of affairs. It's easy to see why this sequel exists — the first film made a quarter-billion dollars at the box office, and Jolie's casting as Maleficent is a dark fairytale dream — yet that doesn't explain why such little thought appears to have gone into it otherwise. Perhaps the powers-that-be assumed that audiences just want Maleficent to be somewhat evil, so they'll overlook the fact that the last flick (and the beginning of this one) establishes otherwise. Or, perhaps it was a case of trying to use the same formula by giving it the slightest of twists. Where Maleficent proved that its eponymous antiheroine wasn't really bad because she has a soft spot for Aurora, Mistress of Evil does the same by saying "hey, someone else is worse!" That someone, Pfeiffer's Queen Ingrith, comes into Maleficent's life when Aurora accepts Prince Phillip's (Harris Dickinson) marriage proposal. While Maleficent is wary at first, she's heatedly flapping her wings with disapproval after an awkward meet-the-in-laws dinner, where she's accused of working her wicked magic on King John (Robert Lindsay). Although Aurora is left distraught and confused, original screenwriter Linda Woolverton and newcomers Noah Harpster and Micah Fitzerman-Blue (TV's Transparent) ensure that viewers don't feel the same, spelling out exactly who's responsible for the sinister turn of events. After a run-in with a colony of fellow dark fairies (led by a wasted Chiwetel Ejiofor), the scene is set for Maleficent to do her worst against Ingrith — for the absolute best possible reasons. With its feuding royals, controversial nuptials and ill-motivated blonde queen, Mistress of Evil takes a leaf or several out of Game of Thrones' book — all while tasking its antagonist with trying to wipe out an entire race. Throwing homicidal xenophobia into the mix is designed to reflect today's times, rebuke toxic political structures and promote a message of harmony, but it's both bluntly and clumsily handled. This is a family-friendly flick, after all, so Disney doesn't seem to want to delve too deeply into such tricky terrain. It's still happy to use holocaust parallels to up the dramatic stakes, though. Under the direction of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales' co-helmer Joachim Rønning, the movie's visuals also prove dull and lumbering, unless you like overblown CGI onslaughts. Of course, Mistress of Evil isn't the first big fantasy blockbuster that's forgone subtlety and ramped up its battle scenes, but it never escapes attention that the film didn't need to turn out this way. Jolie is once again a commanding delight as Maleficent, a role she relishes even if it barely stretches her Oscar-winning acting skills. Pfeiffer is equally as mesmerising as her increasingly deranged adversary — and, as she did the first time around, Fanning wears innocence well. After fleshing out its titular figure's tragic past in the initial movie, this sequel could've just let its three main talents go head-to-head. Indeed, Mistress of Evil is at its strongest when Jolie and Pfeiffer are trading withering barbs and glares, or when Jolie and Fanning are exploring their characters' complex mother-daughter dynamic. Cast-wise, it helps that they're in fine company, with Lesley Manville, Imelda Staunton and Juno Temple returning as pithy pixies devoted to Aurora, and Sam Riley popping up again as Maleficent's shape-shifting offsider; however the film's three main ladies steal the show when they're just talking to each other. But, then the screensaver-like special effects start screaming for attention. The movie's swooping cinematography keeps repetitively flying over forests and castles, too. And, especially from its mid-point, Rønning repeatedly hits audiences over the head with the film's clunky themes. Instead of enchanting, it all just makes for average-at-best fairytale drama. Mistress of Evil is hardly cursed, but it won't send anyone leaping from their slumber. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MU9zRfcTI-k
Back in 1940, when Alfred Hitchcock brought gothic mystery novel Rebecca to the screen, he nabbed an Oscar for Best Picture for his troubles. While the story has popped up in both film and TV form over the eight decades since, it's now returning with another exciting British filmmaker at the helm: Ben Wheatley, the director behind High-Rise and Free Fire. Wheatley's work is always cause for excitement, and has been since his 2009 debut Down Terrace. Also on his resume: 2011's particularly sinister Kill List, 2012 dark comedy Sightseers, 2013's trippy A Field in England and 2018's Happy New Year, Colin Burstead. But, starring Lily James, Armie Hammer and Kristin Scott Thomas — and looking rather luxe, as the just-released first trailer shows — Rebecca might just be his biggest project yet. In his version of Daphne du Maurier's 1938 tale, Wheatley steps into a new marriage between widower Maxim de Winter (Hammer) and his fresh-faced bride (James). Once they've tied the knot, the couple endeavour to settle into the de Winter family's coastal estate, Manderley; however, the resident housekeeper Mrs Danvers (Scott Thomas) is hardly welcoming, and the memory of Maxim's first wife Rebecca lingers noticeably. When Rebecca hits Netflix on October 21, viewers can expect a gothic mystery filled with psychological thrills, as well as plenty of gorgeous sets, costumes and imagery in general — befitting the classic tale. Case-wise, Rebecca also features The Handmaid's Tale's Ann Dowd, and reunites Wheatley with High-Rise's Keeley Hawes and Free Fire and Happy New Year, Colin Burstead's Sam Riley. Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFVhB54UqvQ Rebecca hits Netflix on Wednesday, October 21. Top image: Kerry Brown/Netflix.
The Sydney Opera House's contemporary music program is all about breaking down barriers. Once upon a time the Concert Hall was pretty much exclusively dedicated to the classical genre, but these days the likes of Paul Kelly, Sharon Jones and Nick Cave can be found gracing the stage. Later this month, Sarah Blasko will make her Opera House debut when she and the Sydney International Orchestra perform her boundary-obliterating fourth album, I Awake. Blasko has never been one to rest on her creative laurels and her new LP is no exception. Last year, she travelled to Sweden and Bulgaria, where she hooked up with the Bulgarian Symphony Orchestra to record twelve tracks. Featuring rich string arrangements and a vocal performance that producer/musician Robert Cranny has described as her recorded "best", I Awake has been inspiring four and five star reviews from the critics. If you're under twenty or hold a Healthcare card, you can book a standing room ticket for just $20 (Note: these tickets are only available in person at the Sydney Opera House Box Office – you can't buy them online). https://youtube.com/watch?v=LD137cd7Cw0
If you're on the hunt for an elevated dining experience but the cost of living crisis has you counting your pennies, venues like ŌRA Omakase restaurant in Waterloo are delivering delicious eats without the usual price tag. Crafted by executive chef Nobuyuki Ura, ŌRA is serving its limited-edition tasting menu inspired by Haku Vodka, a craft spirit from the House of Suntory, during the month of August for only $110. Where's This Special Offer Available? The special menu is being served at ŌRA, an expansive omakase restaurant in a refurbished warehouse in the suburb of Waterloo. The usual omakase experience is $250, but this special Haku Vodka-inspired menu will get you in the door for less than half of that and it includes a bespoke Haku martini. ŌRA's culinary offerings are spearheaded by executive chef Nobuyuki Ura. Omakase, which means "leave it up to you," is one part theatre, one part culinary masterpiece and all parts delicious. At ŌRA, Chef Ura serves up his epicurean performance at the 10-seater marble Chef's Counter. We previously sat down with Chef Ura to discuss his processes and philosophies. "The most important thing is to execute each dish without compromise," says Ura. "I make each item with all my heart. I avoid talking too much unless the customer asks me a question so I can focus. I believe in allowing them to be immersed in the food but I have spent many years cooking for different types of people across all walks of life so I am comfortable entertaining when necessary. Some are nervous at first but, by the time they leave, everyone is smiling." What's on the Special Menu? The special set menu includes five courses. Starting off strong with the zensai (appetiser) course, which includes charcoal-grilled koji ocean trout, spanner crab chawanmushi (a Japanese egg custard) with ginko nuts, mitsuba, ikura (salmon roe) and truffle and a fresh oyster topped with shiso granita. The second course features a pan-fried WA lobster with luscious Haku Vodka-infused kombu butter served with a micro mixed leaf salad for a touch of freshness. Following this is the sushi course with the chef's selection of nigiri and sushi rolls. The main dish is wagyu steak, sweet truffle sauce and bok choy, then the meal finishes strong with a palate-refreshing zesty yuzu cheesecake and sakura mochi ice cream — equal parts sweet and floral but always in balance. What's the Special Martini? It wouldn't be a Haku Vodka-inspired menu without an elevated cocktail. The signature serve for Haku Vodka is a martini. As part of this brand collaboration, ŌRA's bar manager, Basile Jourdan, has crafted a bespoke martini that complements the special tasting menu and celebrates the Japanese spirit. It is a delicate blend of Haku Vodka, White Lillet, clarified citrus and Tantakatan soshu-infused Italicus. It brings together elements from Jourdan's French sensibilities and Japanese ingredients, such as the shiso herb from the Hokkaido prefecture. The resulting martini has a floral and citrus aroma and clean, crisp flavour with a touch of sweetness thanks to the white wine-infused fruits and herbs in the White Lillet. It cuts through the richness of the Haku Vodka-infused kombu butter and wagyu steak dishes without overpowering the more delicate Zensai and sushi courses. What's Haku Vodka? Haku Vodka is a Japanese craft spirit made entirely from Japanese white rice. It boasts a soft, rounded and subtly sweet flavour profile. Named 'Haku', which translates to white' and brilliant' in Japanese, this vodka exemplifies the artistry involved in creating a clear, clean-tasting spirit. Filtered through bamboo charcoal, Haku Vodka serves as the ideal foundation for ŌRA's team to explore a symphony of flavours, textures, and aromas. How to Nab a Spot? In order to sample this delectable menu at ŌRA, you must make a reservation on the website. The menu is only available until the end of August. Each reservation includes the five dishes plus a complimentary martini and will set you back $110. The ŌRA x Haku Vodka set menu is available until the end of August. Make your reservation on the website. Haku Vodka's signature serve is the Haku martini — a drink that showcases the craftsmanship, nuanced flavour and exceptional quality of the premium Japanese liquid. To learn more, head to the House of Suntory website. Image Credit: Brooke Zotti
When Twin Peaks wrapped up its original two-season run back in 1991, it left audiences with a damn huge cliffhanger. David Lynch revisited the series' distinctive world on the big screen the following year; however Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me was a prequel rather than a sequel, so the show's mysteries remained just that for more than a quarter-century. Then, in 2017, came Twin Peaks: The Return. The long-awaited 18-episode third season of the show continued the tale of FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan) and murdered Twin Peaks homecoming queen Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee) — but, with Lynch directing every episode and co-writing the whole thing with fellow series creator Mark Frost, it did so in a very Lynchian way. In the words of Coop himself, it took you to a place both wonderful and strange, exceeding what even the most feverish Peaks fans expected. Eighteen hours of Lynch and Frost's unfiltered weirdness will do that. Indeed, Twin Peaks: The Return felt like stepping straight into Lynch's brain. That said, the next Twin Peaks project just might have that beat. While it's unlikely to deliver anything as mind-blowing as the third season's acclaimed eighth episode, Twin Peaks VR will let you wander around the show's famous settings — and solve puzzles while you're there. Created by Collider Games and Showtime, and available now — via Steam and Oculus for Oculus Rift, Oculus Rift-S, HTC Vive and HTC Vive Cosmos, with versions for Oculus Quest and PlayStationVR coming at a yet-to-be-revealed date — Twin Peaks VR takes players on a first-person journey through everywhere from the Red Room and Glastonbury Grove to the Sheriff's Department and the Glass Box Observation. Yes, that means that you can virtually walk past the iconic crimson curtains and along the zigzagging floors, rifle through Sheriff Truman's desk and watch out for Bob. Based on the trailer, you can also see the kettle-like machine that David Bowie's Fire Walk With Me character became in The Return as well. While escape room-type puzzles keep the game moving forward, it's really an excuse to hang out in the Twin Peaks realm in the most immersive way yet. And, if you've watched and rewatched the show's 48 episodes (and the movie) more times than you can count — and read the various books related to it, too — it's your next chance to scratch your Twin Peaks itch. Best grab yourself some coffee, cherry pie and doughnuts to enjoy while you're playing, obviously. Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHRXHvPRrJY Twin Peaks VR is now available via Steam and Oculus. For further information, visit the game's website.
Across the past nine years, Sydney's All About Women festival has featured sessions on everything from hip hop and toxic masculinity to the post-#MeToo era — and, for its tenth iteration in 2021, it's once again presenting an exciting and eclectic program. When the event returns across two days on Saturday, March 12 and Sunday, March 13, it'll feature talks, panels, workshops and films about the future of women in Afghanistan, sexual entitlement, and pushing beyond the gender binary — as well as design, art and love. Once again, the fest will take place around International Women's Day. While last year's festival of ideas focused on power structures that limit the female experience, 2022's edition pulls together an all-star cast to discuss a wide and far-reaching collection of topics surrounding gender, justice and equality. Leading the lineup of speakers is advocate and former political staffer Brittany Higgins who will be joining British slam poet Joelle Taylor and beloved presenter Julia Zemiro for the Opening Night Gala. Debbie Millman — designer consultant for the likes of Maria Abramovic, Ai Weiwei and David Byrne, and host of the Design Matters podcast — will be discussing the importance of design in our lives and the merits of living creatively with Yumi Stynes. Elsewhere on the lineup, Clementine Ford will be delivering a sermon on love; Laura Tingle and Anne Summers are deconstructing our always outlandish political landscape; a host of LGBTQIA+ storytellers will be taking to the stage for Queerstories; and Debra Keenahan, Elly-May Barnes and Eliza Hull will lead a discussion on parenting with a disability. As for workshops, head in person and you'll have the chance to vent and seek council from Wiradjuri women Aunty Glendra Stubbs, Aunty Norma Ingram, Aunty Millie Ingram, and Aunty Bronwyn Penrith about problems in your life; learn to dye fabrics or seek advice on being successful from Flex Mami. Returning this year is the option to livestream the talks and panels online if you can make it in person. Head to the Sydney Opera House's website to see what's on offer both in-person and online. [caption id="attachment_844646" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jacquie Manning[/caption] Top image: Prudence Upton
"Fan art" comes in a bizarre array of forms. Couch-dwelling admirers of films and television series have brought us such timeless works of art as Elvis murals made from burnt toast, life-size stormtrooper costumes and the burgeoning industry of "fan fiction". While this sort of fandom, at times bordering on obsession, tends to be fairly laughable, Spanish artist Iñaki Aliste Lizarralde has transformed her TV fixation into something truly fascinating, creating hand-drawn, blueprints of some of television's most beloved apartments. With these intricate aerial views fans can now take a virtual tour through the apartments of Sex and the City, The Big Bang Theory and Friends, while forever wondering how a bunch of characters that seem to divide their time fairly evenly between coffee houses and trendy bars manage to afford these fab pads. Friends - Chandler & Joey and Monica & Rachel's Apartments The Big Bang Theory - Sheldon & Leonard and Penny's Apartments Frasier - Frasier Crane's Apartment Sex and the City - Carrie Bradshaw's Apartment Original Batman TV series - Wayne Manor
If you thought Sydney's Tramsheds had squeezed in all the foodie goodness it could possibly fit, then you'd better think again. The folks behind the huge new Harold Park development have big plans for Artisan Lane, a new flexi-space at the heart of the recently-opened foodie precinct, that's playing host to a mix of markets, workshops, master classes, and innovative food pop-ups — including a new European-inspired market. Boasting two fully functional kitchens, and room for 76 people, Artisan Lane will be serving up knowledge feasts, as well as the edible kind, with a lineup of classes set to cover everything from butchery and fish filleting, to brewing beer. But if you're more of the market-minded foodie type, Artisan Lane is also the setting for a new European-inspired Sunday market, showcasing seven local traders each weekend. Discerning foodies will be able to get their hot little hands on a grand array of nosh, like Pepe Saya's handmade butter, Sri Lankan dishes from Hopper Sadé, and stunning floral works by Thorny Roses Florists. Tramsheds' weekly food market runs every Sunday at 1 Dalgal Way, Forest Lodge. Find out what else you can feast upon with our handy guide to Tramsheds' culinary offerings. Image: Steven Woodburn.
Sydney sneakerheads, get ready to geek out over some of the rarest sneakers, streetwear pieces and apparel on the market — because Australia's largest sneaker convention, Sneakerland, is coming to town. On Saturday, December 2, Carriageworks will host a huge space for all collectors, resellers, content creators and anyone who just loves sneakers, to get together with likeminded kicks freaks to buy, sell, trade and just breathe in the heady fragrance of all that leather, Nubuck and canvas. A horde of hardcore sneaker lovers will be at Sneakerland Sydney and, if you count yourself among them, come ready to fight over ultra exclusive shoes and apparel. But this event isn't only for cashed-up collectors. First off, there are stacks of more affordable sneakers available from both local and international sellers. And, the sneaker museum will be a huge drawcard no matter your budget. Sneakerland will also feature a heap of entertainment, setting the vibe as you peruse — and maybe purchase — all that footwear. As well as live sneaker auctions, a sneaker verification station and sneaker cleaning services, attendees will be able to get around basketball comps, try to win their share in $35,000 worth of prizes, hit up the tattoo station, nab a free haircut, fuel up at the food trucks, go head-to-head at the gaming station, and listen to DJs and a live podcast recording. While general tickets cost $30, if you nab a VIP ticket for $100 you're in for some extra swag. You'll score early access to the event, food and drinks, and a private lounge to relax in. There'll also be special live auctions featuring the most sought-after items — so if you're looking to beat all others on the trading floor, this is for you.
The place: earth in the near future. The situation: a frozen planet chilling at a frosty -119 degrees celsius, as caused by humanity's attempts to combat climate change. The only solution: a constantly hurtling 1001-car train that plays host to the world's only remaining people. But, instead of banding together on the speeding locomotive, the residents of Snowpiercer have transported society's class structure into the carriages of their new home. That's the story that drives Snowpiercer — on both the big screen and on TV. First came Bong Joon-ho's 2013 film, which marked the acclaimed South Korean writer/director's first English-language film, and one of the movies that brought him to broader fame before Netflix's Okja and 2019's Cannes Palme d'Or-winning and Oscar-winning Parasite. Then, unsurprisingly, came a US-made television series, which was first announced back in 2016, and then finally started speeding across screens — including Down Under, where it's available via Netflix — from May 2020. In both forms, Snowpiercer boasts a smart, immersive and all-too-timely concept — and unpacks its underlying idea in a thrilling and involving manner. While the TV version isn't as stellar as Bong's film (because, honestly, how could it be?), it takes the same dystopian concept, heightens the suspense and drama, and serves up both a class warfare-fuelled survivalist thriller and a murder-mystery. Think constant twists, reveals and reversals, cliffhangers at the end of almost every scene, and a 'Murder on the Snowpiercer Express' kind of vibe. Indeed, it's very addictive — and, ahead of its season two premiere on Tuesday, January 26 on Netflix, the streaming platform has dropped the full trailer for the show's next batch of episodes Once again, Hamilton's Tony Award-winning Daveed Diggs leads the charge, playing an ex-detective who has spent seven years in the tail end of the train and is dedicated to overthrowing the status quo to achieve equality for all. Also aboard is Jennifer Connelly as the engine's all-seeing, ever-present head of hospitality, with the likes of Frances Ha's Mickey Sumner, Slender Man's Annalise Basso and The Americans' Alison Wright all part of Snowpiercer's new world order as well. And, as first teased last year, Snowpiercer's existing cast are all facing a significant change in the second season. They're about to meet a new adversary, as played by none other than Game of Thrones' Sean Bean. Just how long he'll survive in his latest role is something you can start pondering right now. Watch the full Snowpiercer season two trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yZatBxIqVk Snowpiercer's second season will hit Netflix Down Under from Tuesday, January 26 — dropping new episodes weekly. Top image: David Bukach.
Anyone who has spent time in London will know of Brick Lane. Located in east London, the cobblestone stretch of road is home to vintage stores, street art and the best subcontinental food you'll find in the city. So when Kiran Bains and Alistair French were developing their new Sydney venue, which would offer a contemporary twist on traditional Indian flavours, they knew where to look for inspiration. The finished product is their Darlinghurst eatery, which emulates the trendy London area in both name and vibe. The decor shies away from the stuffy curry houses of yore; exposed brick runs the length of the narrow venue and splashes of graffiti and pendant lighting give the space a trendy feel to match the modern menu. The kitchen presents traditional Indian flavours in unconventional ways and takes cues from culinary neighbours. Take, for example, tandoori chicken burger spring-rolls, bhaji baos and the naan-mi — Brick Lane's take on a banh-mi featuring pork belly and spiced pate wrapped in roti. Chai and chocolate mousse with fried roti and watermelon granita are among your sweeter choices. And just like its London cousin, you're able to snag a good food-and-drink deal here, too. We've sung the praises of the epic $55 banquet in the past. By parting with a pineapple (and a little), you will enjoy an eight-course feed with bottomless wine and beer. The deal proved so popular that the restaurant has decided to launch an even cheaper Friday and Saturday lunch version. For $20, you get two loaded roti tacos plus a glass of wine or beer. What a way to welcome the weekend.
Need another excuse to round up the crew for a boozy brunch? Kick-starting the brunch party this year and bringing the good times in spades is Mrs Sippy with a month-long brunch series. Every Saturday and Sunday in February, the Double Bay spot is hosting a feast. Just book a table between 12–3pm and you and your friends will be treated to a Mediterranean-inspired meal and two hours of unlimited drinks for $89. Food-wise, you'll be tucking into the likes of oysters, dips, pita, falafels, pulled lamb and salads. Better yet, Mrs Sippy has teamed up with French vodka distiller Grey Goose — so expect plenty of summery cocktails, too. You'll score a vodka, watermelon, cucumber and mint cocktail on arrival for no extra cost. Then, as you settle in for an indulgent spread, you'll get cocktail pitchers of Grey Goose vodka, strawberries, mint, orange, pomegranate, bitters and ginger beer. Want to take things up a notch? Get a cocktail of your choice for an additional $15 — think espresso martinis and watermelon spritzes — with all profits being donated to WIRES. Alternatively, if you're just after the food, you can opt for a booze-free brunch for $55 a pop. Plus, as you kick back with your crew, DJs will be spinning some tunes. To book your spot, head here. UPDATE: FEBRUARY 12, 2020 — Mrs Sippy is now offering a 15 percent discount on all Sunday bookings for this brunch series.
UPDATE, December 23, 2021: Last Christmas is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies and iTunes. At the end of each year, when 'Last Christmas' gets stuck in your head for months, you probably don't spend too long thinking about it. George Michael's soft tones echo through your brain, his romantic lyrics roll off your tongue and the song's gentle beat becomes the rhythm of your life — but we're guessing you've never added a backstory to the classic 80s festive track, pondered its words in-depth or taken it literally. Clearly, you're not Emma Thompson. Asked to turn the tune into a screenplay, the Oscar-winning actor and writer has expended her brain cells on this task — and the film that results clearly states that it's "inspired by the song 'Last Christmas'". Given that movies based on games, toys and amusement park rides are now commonplace, a Wham! track is as good a starting point as any. Plus, with Bridesmaids, Ghostbusters and A Simple Favour director Paul Feig at the helm, Last Christmas comes with a solid comedy pedigree. It's highly contrived, as plenty of end-of-year movies are. It's also schmaltzy, as is the song. But, splashed across the screen with a sea of red, green and tinsel, the Christmas flick boasts enough warm-hearted charm to light up this sweetly engaging seasonal affair. Feig, Thompson and co-writer Bryony Kimmings (the performance artist behind I'm a Phoenix, Bitch) have another trick up their sleeves, with Last Christmas taking its entire soundtrack from George Michael's back catalogue. On paper, a Christmas rom-com based on a beloved pop song, featuring a jukebox worth of tracks by the same artist and unfurling its Yuletide hijinks in London sounds like the work of an algorithm in overdrive. If the world's December playlists joined forces with everyone's Love Actually-heavy festive streaming queues, this premise would be the end result. The film's casting, letting a post-Game of Thrones Emilia Clarke channel her inner Fleabag and deploying a post-Crazy Rich Asians Henry Golding as a tender dreamboat, seems like it has sprung straight from social media posts, too. In short, Last Christmas feels engineered to incite as cosy a feel-good glow as it can — and, in-between evoking a few eye rolls, it manages that feat. On the subject of eye rolls, the plot details might as well spring from a rom-com handbook. Kate (Clarke) is a down-on-her-luck aspiring singer who works as an elf in a year-round Christmas store, Tom (Golding) is an unrelentingly optimistic bicycle courier who doesn't have a phone and devotes his spare time to helping the homeless, and, despite ostensibly having nothing in common, they're drawn to each other. One of their early run-ins involves a bird shitting on Kate, lest viewers forget that her boozy life moving between various friends' couches and spare rooms is a mess. Befitting this incident, Tom's wisdom-laced catchphrase — because, yes, he has one — is "look up". As Last Christmas' chalk-and-cheese duo get closer, with Tom's kindness rubbing off on the cynical Kate as she tries to figure out her life, nothing unexpected happens. That's especially true if you do actually spend a few seconds thinking about the song behind the movie's moniker, but Thompson and Kimmings' script has such a heartfelt tone — and an awareness of the tropes it's gleefully adopting — that the film mostly works. It's the cinematic equivalent of drinking eggnog; it might not be your beverage of choice, but, when it's in front of you, you'll genuinely enjoy it all the same. Two weightier aspects of Last Christmas' narrative also help it go down smoothly, the first involving Kate's recovery from a major health scare and the impact it has had on her life, and the second stemming from her family heritage. With the picture set in 2017, and with Kate and her relatives (including Thompson as her broad-accented mother) immigrating from the former Yugoslavia two decades earlier, this is very much a Brexit-era festive romantic comedy. The film's other key elements — Feig, Clarke and Golding — all hit their marks. Feig's penchant for odd-couple comedy, Clarke's bubbliness behind her usual Mother of Dragons on-screen persona and Golding's innate charisma each sparkle, particularly when the movie begins to lean on its formula (and when the predictable twist, which viewers have been guessing since the trailer first dropped, pops up). Elsewhere, the latter's Crazy Rich Asians mother, Michelle Yeoh, steals her scenes as Kate's boss Santa (yep, that's her name). Naturally, Thompson does the same in the picture's most overtly comic role. Consider them the extra ingredients in this Christmas pudding of a picture — a film that's designed to complement the full meal that 'tis the season, and proves sweetly satisfying enough. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=co5jWMYsr34
There are many works of fiction set in a future metropolis, but what about a school-scape specifically? Keeping with the fascination for dystopian futures, Out Of Line proposes a hellish schoolyard setting where rules are enforced rigorously and self-expression is unheard of. Imagine a world where sameness is not just common, but normal. Young people, both with and without disability, from the Shopfront Bodylines Ensemble, Autism Spectrum Australia and Kogarah High School will come to together to present this full-length live performance work at the Australian Theatre for Young People. Directed by Flinders University Drama Centre alum Margot Politis, the work promises to be a provoking exploration of the overriding themes of rules, bullying and resilience through movement.
For a long time, it's felt like the city's nightlife has been in limbo. After stricter liquor and lockout laws were implemented by the State Government back in 2014, forcing a 1.30am lockout on venues in the CBD and its surrounds, many have felt the pumping soundtrack of the city dwindle — or at least heard it move out of areas like Kings Cross and the CBD and subsequently relegated to a few concentrated areas, like King Street in Newtown. But a new push to end the lockouts from the Shooters, Farmers and Fishers Party last month has reignited some hope that maybe the city won't be stuck in this limbo forever. And now, the City of Sydney has released an extensive new plan for Sydney's nightlife that will update and somewhat loosen the council's planning controls for the first time in ten years. Many of the proposed new changes would allow businesses in the CBD and surrounding villages — that includes bars, restaurants, shops, galleries and cultural institutions — to extend their opening hours through a process of application and proven good behaviour. These would be in line with how the city has grown and changed both geographically and culturally over the last decade. The plan is a result of feedback submitted by over 10,000 Sydneysiders the recommendations of the Nightlife and Creative Sector Advisory Panel, a 16-member panel that was put together by the city last year. Here are a few things Lord Mayor Clover Moore and the City of Sydney are proposing. Businesses in the CBD would be able to operate 24 hours a day (currently most can trade until 5am). This would ideally spread out the number of 24-hour businesses as, at the moment, they're all crowded around George Street and The Rocks. Outside of the CBD, small 'low impact' business along main drags — like Glebe Point Road, Crown Street and Redfern Street — would have their opening hours extended from midnight till 2am. Some live music venues and theatres would score an extra hour of trading on the nights they have a gig or performance on. Even non-licensed venues like shops and hairdressers would be encouraged to stay open later to create a more diverse late-night economy. Note that these proposals wouldn't change the venue's liquor licensing restrictions — bars that fall under the lockout laws will still have to abide by the State Government's licensing and lockout laws. In addition to this, the City is also hoping to establish a brand new 24-hour cultural precinct in the industrial part of Alexandria on the corner of McEvoy and Wyndham streets. This would house creatives and host exhibitions, parties and gigs, and service the growing population around Alexandria and Green Square. Of course, the City of Sydney can't change the lockout laws — that's the job of the NSW Government — but these proposed control changes will allow businesses to gain at least a few more freedoms within the state's restrictions. The city hopes that, with these proposals, it can safeguard Sydney's nightlife culture for the future, whether the lockout laws stay in place or not, but it's hard to see real change coming about without the State Government willing to step down on the lockouts or introduce other late-night infrastructure, like 24-hour transport on weekends. The proposals will go to council on Monday, November 19. If they're approved, they'll then go on public display until February where you can submit your thoughts and concerns. We'll let you know what happens next.
