He lived there. He spent his last moments there. In between, he recorded music, played small gigs, and based his studio and record label there, too. We're talking about Paisley Park, the house formerly known as Prince's private and creative sanctuary. Now, the compound that shares its name with one of his songs is opening to the public. Four months after his tragic passing, the multi-talented musician's siblings have announced their plans for the massive mansion 30 minutes outside of Minneapolis, Minnesota — and, given that the site will celebrate his life, musical output and legacy, Prince fans are going to want to schedule a trip to America's midwest from October 6. That's when the 65,000-square-foot complex will start offering daily tours of a place that, until now, only a few hundred people have had the privilege of entering. We know what you're thinking, and you're right; yes, Paisley Park is about to become the Prince-focused equivalent of Elvis Presley's Graceland. Visitors to the abode-turned-museum will be able to wander through the main floor of site, which was built in the mid '80s. There, they'll see the recording and mixing studios where Prince recorded, produced and mixed many of the iconic tracks we all know and love. Plus, they'll step inside his private NPG Music Club, and get a glimpse the massive soundstage and concert hall where he not only rehearsed for tours, but also held exclusive private events and concerts. Along the way, thousands of artifacts from Prince's personal archives will be on display. If you've ever wanted to feast your eyes on his concert outfits, awards, musical instruments and artwork — or rare music and video recordings, concert memorabilia, automobiles and motorcycles — you'll find them here. According to Prince's sister Tyka Nelson, "opening Paisley Park is something that Prince always wanted to do and was actively working on." While the lyrics of his 1985 song advised that "admission is easy, just say U believe and come 2 this place in your heart", early-bird ticketing — which is on sale now — costs either US$38.50 for a 70-minute self-guided tour, or US$100 for a longer, more extensive VIP experience within what we're hoping are purple-coloured walls.
Since Pixar first hit the big screen with 1995's Toy Story, the animation studio's films have all shared a few traits. They're each gorgeously animated, of course; however they also layer their eye-catching imagery over a shared existential question. Pondering toys, bugs, monsters, fish, superheroes, cars, rats, robots, dinosaurs and emotions with feelings, Pixar's flicks ask what it means to be alive — even the now Disney-owned outfit is spinning stories about traditionally inanimate objects. As you might've noticed, the animation powerhouse has been leaning into this idea with even more force of late. Inside Out focused its attention on the emotions warring inside the heart and mind of a young girl, guiding her every thought, feeling and decision, while Coco drew upon the Mexican Day of the Dead, following a young boy as he wandered through the world beyond the mortal coil. Now, with Soul, the studio looks to be borrowing from and combining parts of those two movies. It hones in on a school teacher who dreams of becoming a jazz musician, then falls down an open manhole and into a dark realm that looks rather like the afterlife. His titular essence is detached from his body, comes across a far more cynical counterpart and, in the process, starts wondering what it really means to have a soul. Jamie Foxx voices jazz-lover Joe Gardner, who is already musing on life's important questions — why is he here, what is he meant to be doing and what existence is all about — before his accident. Once he has tumbled down the manhole, he spends his time bantering with 22, voiced by Tina Fey. As well as whipping out a nifty cowboy dance, 22 doesn't think that life on earth is all that great. Soul's just-released first trailer sets the scene for Joe's metaphysical journey, and gives a glimpse of Foxx and Fey's comedic double act. The film also features the vocal talents of Questlove, Phylicia Rashad and Daveed Diggs, and will boast a score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. And if you're wondering where the movie's central idea comes from (other than Pixar's back catalogue), writer/director Pete Docter started thinking about the origin of our personalities when his son was born 23 years ago. Docter also helmed two of Pixar's big hits — and big emotional heavy hitters — in Up and Inside Out, nabbing Oscars for Best Animated Feature for both. Check out Soul's trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TojlZYqPUo Soul releases in Australian cinemas on June 18, 2020.
When global media giant Condé Nast Traveler releases its annual Readers' Choice Awards lineup, it's usually guaranteed to instantly have you dreaming of far-flung holiday destinations. But this year's award winners, which were unveiled yesterday, might just foster a newfound appreciation for what's in your own backyard, with both Melbourne and Sydney ranking among the world's top ten in the Best Cities in the World list. The awards are significant as they always pull a high number of votes — this year, 429,000 readers participated. n fact, they scored so much feedback that the Best Cities list has been split into two. For the first time, the list covers the top 20 small cities, as well as their top 20 'big city' counterparts. Chalking another win in the indulgent age-old Melbourne vs Sydney debate, the Victorian capital ranked third best big city in the world — coming in behind Tokyo and Kyoto (first and second, respectively). The Condé Nast team described Melbourne as having "all of the traits you'd want in a friend" (naww), praising its arts scene, giving a thumbs up to both Heide and Gertrude Contemporary, and advising a daily flat white to take advantage of its reputation for banging coffee. We just hope no one flies in especially for the Urban Scrawl street art tour mentioned in the article, as it's currently on hiatus. In the latter, Sydney took out the number six position, praised as "an ideal getaway no matter the season". The magazine suggests visitors hit the beach during summer and explore the arts scene in the cooler months, specifically giving a shout-out to Paddington, Manly and the "cool kid 'hood" of Surry Hills. In all, this probably won't make the two cities any more affordable — they both rank as some of the most expensive cities in the world — but this ranking might help ease Melbourne's insecurity about losing its top place as the most liveable city in the world.
Life-changing meals aren't just found in the hottest restaurants. Whether you're travelling on a budget or just want to find out what dishes locals actually hold nearest and dearest, looking beyond the standard menu ensures you encounter something a little more exciting. Luckily, taking your next culinary adventure off the beaten path is just a matter of opening yourself up to kaleidoscopic street food markets and tucked-away joints. Together with Intrepid, we've curated a list of epic food experiences that you can enjoy that aren't in a restaurant. Monjayaki You've probably heard of okonomiyaki, but what about its lesser-known cousin? Monjayaki sees fresh ingredients like cabbage, corn, kimchi and cod cooked on a piping-hot griddle, then shaped into a doughnut as rich dashi broth is poured into the middle. Once mixed and fried, it's similar to okonomiyaki, just with a runnier texture and more delicious caramelised bits fused to the bottom. Synonymous with Tokyo's Tsukishima district, monjayaki is the ideal Japanese street food to try on your next trip. Cao Lau Vietnamese staples like pho and banh mi are deservedly adored, but it's not every day you can enjoy a hot bowl of cao lau. The most beloved dish in Hoi An — a fascinating port city shaped by its merchant past — what makes this local meal so special is how its noodles are prepared. Soaked in wells where water is mixed with wood ash collected from the Cham Islands, this gives the noodles a smokey flavour and firm texture. Typically served with thinly sliced pork, greens and bean sprouts, plan your trip to Hoi An to experience the dish. Bindae-Tteok Travelling to South Korea means you're bound to encounter a myriad of mazey markets bursting with sumptuous dishes you won't likely find on any restaurant menu. In Seoul, the go-to destination is Gwangjang Market — a sprawling gastronomic haven made even more popular by Netflix's 'Street Food' series. Across 5,000 stalls, flavours that tantalise your tastebuds are around every corner, including the wonders of bindae-tteok. This street food favourite sees mung bean batter combined with cabbage, kimchi and pork, then deep-fried to perfection and served with condiments like soy sauce and vinegar. Chiles En Nogada Finding authentic Mexican cuisine in Australia can be tricky. So, if you're planning a real food adventure to experience the good stuff, setting your sights on the country's national dishes is a smart way to get your palate up to speed with what's what. Native to Puebla, chiles en nogada bursts with bright flavours, featuring stuffed chillies covered in creamy walnut sauce. Best eaten when pomegranates are freshest from August to October, the dish's patriotic red, white and green ingredients give every bite a little extra zeal. Medfouna Influenced by cultures from Europe to Asia, traditional Moroccan food is the amalgamation of countless flavours. Yet for a dish beloved for hundreds of years by the country's nomadic Amazigh people, medfouna ensures you discover the taste of High Atlas cuisine. Nicknamed 'Amazigh pizza', medfouna is a stuffed flatbread set atop hot stones and buried beneath the red sand to cook. Loaded with meats, nuts, vegetables, herbs and spices, it's soon dug up and cut into slices, resembling pizza as you've never seen before. Ambul Thiyal Every Sri Lankan food extravaganza needs an abundance of hoppers, sambal and lamprais. Yet being a tropical paradise, overlooking the region's seafood is a mistake. Ambul thiyal, a sour fish curry, is one dish that elegantly balances the cuisine's intense spices with tangy goodness. Commonly made with fresh tuna, a fragrant mix of aromatic spices brings this beloved curry to life with black pepper, cinnamon, pandan and turmeric adding more and more flavour. Served with rice, the secret ingredient is goraka — a tiny tropical fruit loved for its tartness. Baccala Mantecato Italian cuisine is found worldwide for good reason — it's fresh, fun and made to share. However, it's best not to lump the country's cuisine together as a monolith. When you're chasing the best Italian flavours, the region-to-region, town-to-town variations make all the difference. An essential Venetian dish, baccala mantecato, or salted cod, is a stellar example of this local heritage. Brought to Venice from Norway by 15th-century traders, the cod is soaked and whipped, then served on toasted bread or polenta — perfect when sipping on an aperitif. Malai Ki Sabzi It's hard to imagine food more flavourful than Mughlai cuisine. Renowned for its rich, colourful dishes, much of what you'll taste is packed with potent ingredients like saffron, cardamon, cream and butter. Malai ki sabzi is a traditional meal that captures the magic. Local vegetables are cooked with cream and given a pungent boost with the full-flavoured combination of garlic, turmeric, coriander and green chilli. Take a food adventure to India to learn how to make this incredible dish with help from a cook specialising in Mughlai cuisine. Pachamanca Based upon centuries of colonial rule and immigration, Peruvian cuisine is a melting pot of global influences. In fact, two of the country's most popular cuisines — 'nikkei' and 'chifa' — showcase how local flavours have merged with Japanese and Chinese culinary ideas. The cuisine emerging from atop the Andes mountains is just as special. Meaning 'earth pot', pachamanca is the ideal introduction, with scorching hot rocks used to cook pork, lamb or chicken seasoned with black mint and broad beans. Journey to Cusco to get a taste. Francesinha Toasties are still enjoying time in the culinary sun, so why not feast on the Portuguese version of a croque monsieur? Almost every cafe in Porto has its own version, but a tried-and-true francesinha sees layers of beef, ham and sausage stacked between two thick slices of toast. This decadent creation is next draped in melted cheese from top to bottom, then drenched in a traditional sauce made from tomato and beer. Served alongside a big portion of fries, a Portugal food tour will highlight how the 'little French sandwich' is really a fully-fledged meal. Get out, explore, dive into adventure and find your WOW with Intrepid Travel. Find out more on the website. Top Images: Gwangjang Market, Mike Swigunski
A harbourside meal by the Sydney Opera House might come with some pretty sensational views, but we all know it's also likely to score you a bit of unwanted attention. If you've ever had a wining and dining experience blighted by a thieving seagull, you'll be happy to know that someone's come up with a very cute way to keep the birds at bay. The Opera House has deployed a very cuddly crew of Seagull Patrol Dogs, which has been warding off winged visitors from both Opera Bar and Opera Kitchen as part of a month-long January trial. The seagull situation has proved a serious head-scratcher for the Opera House over the past decade, with everything from noise deterrents to wire food cloches being implemented — and the birds still coming out on top. Now, following the lead of the folks over at the Australian Maritime Museum, the harbourside venue has brought in the paw patrol. And the scheme's got success written all over it. Organised by dog training and walking service Mad Dogs and Englishmen, the newest Opera House recruits have been fending off seagulls like the very good boys and girls they are, saving stacks of diners (and their food) from sneak avian attacks. [caption id="attachment_705542" align="alignnone" width="1920"] A seagull outside the Sydney Opera House.[/caption] The Seagull Patrol Dogs will be running around the Opera House for all of January, for now, so head down this week for a pat and a seagull-free meal. Images: Jacquie Manning.
When it comes to buzzy capital cities, Australia has no shortage of options — but Sydney really does have it all. From cutting-edge underground bars and classic pub fare to historic sights and iconic performances, Sydney is a rich tapestry of creativity, culture, and natural splendour. It's hard to go wrong here, but a little insider intel can help you get it just right. If you're planning a weekend in the Harbour City, Marriott Bonvoy is offering 10% off your stay across six hotels—all you need to do is sign up to become a member (for free). It's also the perfect excuse to extend your stay. To play the role of your well-informed mate on the ground, we've curated a short list of reasons why Sydney is always worth checking into. Descend Into Sydney's Awesome Subterranean Bars When it comes to vibey watering holes, Sydney's list just keeps growing. But when the lights dim and the city starts to wind down, the real magic begins underground. Scattered across the CBD and its surrounding boroughs, these hidden gems require a little insider knowledge — knowing which alley to turn down and which door to knock on. From Mucho Group's Herbs Taverne and Swillhouse's swanky new Caterpillar Club, to The Gidley and Double Deuce Lounge, Sydney's subterranean bar scene is constantly evolving. Check out our full guide here. Check Into a Cosy Hotel Choosing the right hotel can make or break your Sydney stay. While there are plenty of options, it's the city centre's stunning skyline, harbour backdrop, and expansive parklands that set it apart—so you'll want a base that captures all that charm. Marriott Bonvoy's collection of premium hotels promises a memorable stay, plus, with 10% off it's the perfect time to plan a quick trip or extended getaway. From luxury stays like The W Sydney, Pier One Sydney Harbour and the Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park to stylish, family-friendly options like the Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel Circular Quay and Four Points By Sheraton Sydney in Central Park, you're spoilt for choice. Watch a Performance at The Sydney Opera House Sure, visiting the Opera House for a quick picture is a Sydney bucket list moment for locals and travellers alike — but catching a show inside? That's when the magic really takes place. Beyond the grandeur of the Concert Hall, this cultural icon also houses intimate spaces that host everything from indie gigs and theatre to symphonies and ballet. Visit in the coming months and you can expect atmospheric sets by the likes of early-thousands throwback Bachelor Girl, Lime Cordiale with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, and The Australian Ballet — plus a post-show drink with a view that's hard to top. If you're looking to stay within walking distance of the Sydney Opera House, check into the Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel Circular Quay for a stylish slice of convenience. Devour an Award-Winning Steak at Bistecca When it comes to must-try meals, few live up to the hype — but Bistecca delivers. Tucked down a CBD laneway, this moody, Tuscan-inspired spot has earned international acclaim, and a place on our list of Sydney's best steaks, for its signature bistecca alla Fiorentina, a thick-cut T-bone, prepared over ironbark and charcoal. You'll surrender your phone at the door, leaving you to focus solely on your steak, vino, and conversation. Equal parts speakeasy and Italian fine dining steakhouse, it's a must for meat lovers and experiential diners. Catch a Film at Sydney's Revamped IMAX Theatre After a seven-year hiatus, Sydney's IMAX theatre has roared back to life — and it's bigger and bolder than ever. Now home to the world's third-largest screen (a jaw-dropping 693 square metres), the high-tech space is tucked beneath the W Sydney and reserved for only the biggest blockbusters. Whether you're seeing Superman, F1 The Movie, or Fantastic Four, expect next-level visuals via a 4K laser projection, crystal-clear surround sound, and custom-designed lenses that'll make every explosion, car chase and close-up feel massive. Tickets are limited, so get in quick. Oh, and be sure to grab a pre-blockbuster cocktail at the W Sydney's rooftop bar, 29/30. Hook Into a Sunday Roast at The Lord Dudley When it comes to winter pub fare, few places are as beloved as The Lord Dudley in Woollahra. Established in 1895, this old-school charmer channels the ambience of a British country manor, with its open fireplaces, dark wooden interiors, and traditional English ales. The main event? It's legendary Sunday roast — chicken or pork — served with crispy roast potatoes, steamed greens, rich gravy, and a golden Yorkshire pudding. Just be warned: if it's cold outside, or there's a good game on, you might be fighting for a patch of carpet, let alone a table. Wander The Halls Of Sydney's Art Institutions Art galleries say a lot about a city — and if Sydney's gallery walls could talk, they'd speak of multiculturalism, a complex past and an enduring thirst for artistic ingenuity. The city is home to a broad stroke of galleries, and wandering through them on a chilly winter's day is the perfect antidote to a deep chill. From intimate spaces like China Heights, Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, and White Rabbit Gallery to internationally revered institutions like the Art Gallery of NSW and the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, there's something to suit every creative appetite. Hot tip: The Art Gallery of NSW stays open late every Wednesday for Art After Hours, an enticing lineup of talks, art, and music, while White Rabbit Gallery is just a stone's throw from Four Points By Sheraton Central Park. Rug Up And Cheer On Your Team At Accor Stadium Another true Sydney bucket list moment? Watching your ride-or-die team go head-to-head at one of the country's largest and loudest stadiums. Whether you're into rugby league, rugby union, AFL, soccer or cricket, Accor Stadium creates an electrifying atmosphere—especially when 83,000 fellow fans surround you. This winter, the stadium will host a string of rugby league finals, plus the third and final State of Origin showdown. It's an easy trip by public transport, but if you're feeling fancy, split a limo with a few mates—it can cost about the same as a cab. Or better yet, check into the Moxy Sydney Airport Hotel and stay in style just a short drive from the action. Book your Sydney escape before September 30 to access 10% off your stay and dining with Marriott Bonvoy. All you have to do is sign up as a member—and it's completely free. Book 10% off your stay and rediscover Sydney. T&C's apply and vary by participating hotels including blackout dates, cancellation restrictions and more. Offer may not apply in properties not participating in the award and redemption of Marriott Bonvoy. By Elise Cullen
Following the success of its pop-up wine bar in July, ALDI is hosting another one-off hospitality event — this time slinging incredibly cheap dumplings. Last month, Sydneysiders got excited when ALDI announced it was launching a bar in the CBD for two nights, offering gin, wine and cheese for the low price of $4.41. Now, the supermarket chain is back with a dumpling truck that will arrive at the Bankstown Central ALDI store's car park for just two hours today, Friday, August 12. To promote the brand's affordable dumpling range, the ALDI dumpling truck will offer serves of six gyoza (three prawn and three chicken) for just $1.44. The price represents how much dumplings can cost from the ALDI Urban Eats range — $8.99 per 750-gram packet, which comes to 25 cents per prawn dumpling and 23 cents per chicken dumpling. Unlike ALDI's two-nights-only bar, which allocated spots via a ballot system, the food truck is popping up on Chapel Road from 5–7pm, or while stocks last, and will run on a first-come-first-served basis. There are two caveats, however: a limit of four servings per person, and card-only transactions. "At a time when consumers are feeling the pinch, it's rewarding to provide an option for people to still enjoy their Friday night rituals when they shop with us," ALDI's Frozen Food Buying Director Andrew King said. "The ALDI dumpling truck demonstrates how good food doesn't have to hurt your pocket. You can dish up quick, delicious and affordable Friday dinners at home for less than $1.50 a serve!" If you can't make it to Bankstown, you can, of course, recreate the experience at home by heading to your local ALDI and picking up a couple of bags of dumplings. All proceeds from the dumpling truck will also be going to a good cause, with ALDI promising to donate the money it earns from the promotion to its national charity partner, Camp Quality. The ALDI dumpling truck will pop-up at ALDI Bankstown Central, 440–450 Chapel Road, Bankstown from 5–7pm on Friday, August 12 — or until sold out.
It has been 21 years since The Offspring topped Triple J's Hottest 100 with 'Pretty Fly (For a White Guy)', a win that still ranks as the annual countdown's most controversial result to date. It has also been nearly four decades since the band first formed in the early 80s, and almost 30 years since it came to mainstream attention with hits like 'Come Out and Play' and 'Self Esteem' — but the Californian outfit isn't done belting out its catchy brand of punk just yet. Offering music fans their latest huge blast from the past, The Offspring is heading to Australia and New Zealand for a massive tour in 2020. No, it won't be doing that brand new thing, but rather playing all of its famous tracks — including 'Gotta Get Away', 'Why Don't You Get a Job?', 'The Kids Aren't Alright' and the song that's forever cemented in Australian radio history, obviously. Still led by frontman and guitarist Bryan "Dexter" Holland — the band's only remaining member from its initial 1984 lineup, so you can definitely call him the original prankster — The Offspring will hit up Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Auckland in April. And, because one old-school band isn't enough, it'll have company in the form of Canada's Sum 41. Basically, this big tour is your excuse to pretend its the late 90s and early 00s, bust out the appropriate attire — retro sneakers are a must — and get the words "gunter glieben glauchen globen" stuck in your head for another couple of decades. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AltMeuPkWRs THE OFFSPRING 2020 AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES Perth — Sunday, April 19, HBF Stadium Adelaide — Tuesday, April 21, Entertainment Centre Theatre Melbourne — Thursday, April 23, Margaret Court Arena Sydney — Friday, April 24, Horden Pavilion Brisbane — Saturday, April 25, Riverstage Auckland — Tuesday, April 28, Spark Arena Early bird tickets for The Offspring and Sum 41's Australian and New Zealand shows go on sale from 9am local time on Friday, January 31, with general tickets on sale at 9am local time on Monday, February 3. Visit the tour mailing list to sign up for further details. Top image: Sum 41 via Selbymay for Wiki Commons.
For the past eight years, juniper spirits have been flowing everywhere from London and Hamburg to Melbourne thanks to big gin festival Junipalooza. But if you're a Sydneysider with a fondness for the tipple in question, you've probably been more than a little envious — and wondering when the fest might make the trip to this part of the globe. Now, those requests have finally been answered. Come Saturday, August 27 and Sunday, August 28, Junipalooza will finally arrive on Sydney's shores for the first time. It was originally supposed to arrive in 2020 and then again in 2021, but the pandemic happened. Set to take over Carriageworks for two wintry days, the juniper-filled festival is run by the founders of the UK's Gin Foundry, Olivier and Emile Ward — so you know you're in good gin-pouring hands. The renowned brothers live, breathe and drink gin, compiling all their knowledge onto their comprehensive online gin directory. They've also been running the OG London version of Junipalooza since way back in 2013. The Sydney event will feature sampling stations, cocktails and gin masterclasses with some of the world's best distillers. Fifty distillers from around the globe will be sharing their gins, with over 100 different types set to feature. Renowned international distillers like the UK's Warner's Distillery and Sweden's Hernö will be in attendance side-by-side with local favourites like Archie Rose, Poor Toms, Manly Spirits Co and Four Pillars. If you're eager to sip your way through the fest, you can choose between three sessions, with tickets on sale now. On the Saturday, you can start the day with drinks from 11am–3pm, or spend your evening sampling gin between 5–8pm. On Sunday, an 11am–5pm session is on the cards.
Bringing a splash of greenery and some of the area's best eats to a Parramatta backstreet, Circa Espresso has carved out a name for itself as one of the best cafes in Western Sydney. Its sibling venue Lucien Baked Goods continues the team's hot streak but with an increased focus on the sweeter side of life. Lucien brings Circa's passion for top-notch flavours to the world of baked goods, swapping crab fettucini for decadent cheesecake, and trading the train station for the Parramatta ferry terminal. Located down by the river on Phillip Street, the part-bakery, part-cafe boasts a hefty sourdough sandwich menu and a range of snacky delights that are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. If you head in on the hunt for the baked good of your choice, you can expect the likes of croissants, brownies, pistachio scrolls and Persian love cake. As for the sambos, there are seven to choose from, including a loaded reuben, a smoked salmon and goats cheese combo, and a confit duck sandwich topped with pickled carrot, onion jam and salted zucchini — plus some classic breakfast faves like avocado toast, plus a bacon and egg roll. Head Pastry Chef Aeline Ribis and the Lucien team bake several times a day to ensure the goods are as fresh as possible. If you want to make sure you'll get your hands on something specific, including Lucien's range of next-level cakes, you can pre-order online. If you've got a birthday coming up and want to go above and beyond your standard Woolies mud cake, you'll find party-ready black forest cake, choux crown cake, and huge share sizes of tiramisu, custard tart and passionfruit meringue tart. Rounding out the offerings is a robust range of drinks. Whether you're a flat-white lover or a cold-brew fanatic, you'll find Circa's signature in-house coffee, alongside a range of tea from Ms Cattea (the coconut truffle white tea sounds particularly alluring) and other miscellaneous drinks like smoked cola, lemon myrtle kombucha, Egyptian iced tea and iced chai.
We've all had those days when it feels like nothing is going your way. You'll be sitting at your desk, starring helplessly at the screen, hoping inspiration or productivity will strike. For photographers and freelancers, getting out of a creative rut can feel like an impossible task. Working solo can have a ton of perks, but incidental collaboration certainly isn't one of them. As the largest photographic hub in the Southern Hemisphere, Alexandria's SUNSTUDIOS has seen its fair share of lonesome creatives walk through its doors. The creative space houses six professional studios, an extensive retail showroom, state of the art printing services plus an enormous rental department that has people dropping in regularly. But despite all this, General Manager Alan Brightman still felt something was missing. His solution to filling the void? The Treehouse, a co-working space of likeminded visual freelancers seeking to connect and collaborate with new faces. Assisted by Matt Whale (managing director of the innovative design and business consultancy group How To Impact), the space is set to welcome members into a one-of-a-kind creative community. "It's able to provide an environment in which emerging talent can be supported, assisted and guided by people who are already established in the business," says Alan. Based within SUNSTUDIOS' renovated 1930s woolshed, The Treehouse sports two levels of independent workspaces along with meeting rooms, lockable storage and on-site priority access to printing, rental equipment and studio hire. But these guys don't want The Treehouse to become just another communal working hub. When they were doing their first build, they'd invite photographers in and incorporate their feedback into the design of the space. And what resulted from 18 months of research and discussions with over 50 photographers is a space able to adapt to its occupants. Walls have been deliberately left blank and every inch of the space is carefully considered. Alan and Matt hope that members themselves will contribute to creating a thriving shared environment, perfect for inspiring the individual's own productivity. "We've arranged the desks and screens so that people feel like they're in an open area that has enough privacy without being in little shoeboxes," says Matt. With a dedicated community manager selecting each and every resident, the emphasis on community at The Treehouse's is clear. As Alan and Matt say, it's very important they have "the right people" in the space. And while nearly all of their upstairs six-month residency desks have already been snapped up, the drop-in desks downstairs remain open for those who just need a refreshing change of pace or help breaking out of a bout of creative block. The Treehouse at SUNSTUDIOS is located at 42 Maddox Street, Alexandria. For more information, visit their website. Images: Kimberley Low.
The Chauvel’s Cinematheque may be the closest thing we’ll ever come to an ideal world. Germany and France border the USA harmoniously. Black, white and colour receive equal treatment. Comedy follows horror; romance follows tragedy. November starts off with seminal zombie film Night of the Living Dead (Nov 2), followed by a bit of drama and a lot of moral confusion in Rainer Werner Fassbinder's Chinese Roulette (Nov 9). A German country home is the perfect setting for total manipulation of six adults at the hands of disabled, doll-obsessed teenager Angela (Andrew Schober). Yes, dark. However, Angela's ability to trick those around her begins to seem more like a necessary evil as the power structures between the guests shift, and the line between destructive and self-destructive becomes all the more blurred.Like any good universe, Cinematheque is diverse and ever-changing so be sure to check the program regularly for updates.Previously at Cinematheque:October in the curated utopia means an Andy Warhol triple (trust the man to do it in threes not twos). First up is1976’s Lonesome Cowboys, a parody of the Western genre, starring Joe Dallesandro and Viva Superstar. This Warhol-produced, Paul Morrissey-directed film is all transvestite sheriffs and suicide pacts, but if you don’t mind a bit of onscreen rape before dinner time (what?) then it’s all smooth sailing in Warhol’s West. Following that is a double-header of 1963’s The Kiss and 1965’s My Hustler. The Kiss was originally made as a series of shorts, and without spoiling the plot line we will say that if the title doesn’t appeal to you then the film itself definitely won’t. My Hustler is a little more high-concept and captures, in intimate detail, the psychological nuances of the seduction of a call-boy by an older man.What with the Doppelganger Festival also going on down the road, you’ll probably be all Andy-d out by at this point, so take the edge off with The Tin Drum. Based on Gunter Grass’s novel, which is recognized as a key work in German literature after WWII, the 1979 film follows young Oskar, living in the Free City of Danzig in 1925. Appalled by the behaviour of the adults around him, he decides to never grow up – opting instead to witness history from the perspective of a child.Image: Chinese Roulette
Being abducted by a giant psychedelic bird and falling through a tripped-out realm of giant saxophones is all in a day's work for Wagons. To celebrate the announcement of a pair of Victorian shows following Wagons' recent Acid Rain and Sugar Cane album tour, the Melbourne outfit's latest single 'Chase the Eclipse' comes with a trippy new video. Featuring the super '70s claymation work of Wagons band member Si the Philanthropist, the clip is just the ticket for a boring ol' weekday afternoon. "Inspired by Gumby and the movie Jason and the Argonauts, the story is like Greek mythology meets acid trip wonderland," says Si the Philanthropist "A strange creature kidnaps Henry, then the band are transformed by its powers while trying to rescue him, until the eclipse destroys the magic and releases them. I wanted to make a strange, and colourful video to match the technicolour nature of the song. "One month, 6500 shots, all made in a home studio with a skateboard for a dolly, ten packets of modelling clay, one jumbo packet of smarties, 180 coloured paper circles, some fern trees, two guitars, a keyboard, a saxophone and Henry." Here's the clip, see you on the other side of the rabbit hole: https://youtube.com/watch?v=Hlqf43YSP1g WAGONS EXTRA AUS TOUR DATES: Fri Aug 8 at Caravan Music Club. tickets here. Sat Aug 9 at The Substation, Newport, tickets here.
The hospo-geniuses behind two of Sydney's cosiest bars (The Duke of Clarence, The Barber Shop) are bringing you a brand new watering hole by the harbour: Hickson House. The newest hybrid venue featuring a distillery, bar and dining room is now open. Part working distillery and part destination cocktail bar, Hickson House is set in the soaring brickwork and girders of the former Saatchi & Saatchi garage (the location of many infamous warehouse parties). The towering space boasts an extensive back bar with over 600 spirits and a menu crafted with locally-sourced ingredients. Founders Mikey Enright and Julian Train are no strangers to the Sydney bar scene either, with over eight years of experience as co-directors of the Barrelhouse Group. "Weaving the needs of a full production distillery and significant bar space into what is a unique heritage warehouse has been a challenge that we have embraced wholeheartedly," says Train. The boys aren't holding back any punches and have brought ex-Manly Spirits legend Tim Stones on board. The bespoke range of Hickson Road Gin is the star of the show, but Stones will also be slinging out vats of housemade whisky, aperitifs, brandies and other speciality spirits. To sample the creations, take a seat at the main bar — the interior is lined with dark polished timber and dotted with French blue bar stools, a reflection of the venue's harbour location. For a more intimate experience, the mezzanine High & Dry Bar overlooks the entire dining space and is the perfect spot for a cocktail and bite to eat. Intimate distillery experiences, tours and private dining experiences are also all on the cards, so keep an eye on Hickson House's socials for any upcoming events. Highlights of the botanically-inspired menu include slow-roasted lamb porchetta with juniper jus and mint gremolata ($75). For dessert, indulge in a decadent piece of gin and mango pavlova ($15). After you've found a drop you like following dinner, you can also shop at the off-license spirits store and bring a bottle (or two) home to enjoy.
It's the huge exhibition that took the world by storm, sending David Bowie's lightning bolt-adorned face everywhere from London and Berlin to Tokyo and Melbourne. His Ziggy Stardust costumes, various handwritten lyrics, an assortment of album artwork, rare photographs and even the magic orb he fondled as Jareth in Labyrinth, too. Organised by London's Victoria and Albert Museum, David Bowie is showcased a stunning range of around 400 objects from the David Bowie Archive, visiting 12 cities over six years and attracting more than two million visitors — and while it just finished its final run in Brooklyn, it's coming back in a new virtual format. In the coming months — autumn in the northern hemisphere, so expect it from September onwards — David Bowie is will exist as a digital recreation that you can access on your phone, as well as via virtual reality platforms. Fans can expect to tour the Bowie bonanza as an augmented reality experience, which will feature a sequence of audio-visual spaces highlighting the work and artifacts from Bowie's life. It won't just involve looking at 2D representations, either, with 3D scans used to preserve and present the artist's costumes and objects in detail. And while the final details are yet to be revealed, Bowie obsessives might even be able to virtually step into one of his out-of-sight outfits and see themselves in it. If you've ever wanted to become Aladdin Sane, the Jean Genie or just look like a real cool cat, this might be your chance to turn and face the strange — and experience some ch-ch-changes. A collaboration between Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc, the David Bowie Archive and the V&A, "these new digital versions of David Bowie is will add unprecedented depth and intimacy to the exhibition experience, allowing the viewer to engage with the work of one of the world's most popular and influential artists as never before," according to the exhibition website. How much it will cost is yet to be announced, but a portion of the profits will be donated the V&A and Brooklyn Museum. For further information — and to sign up for future updates, head to davidbowieisreal.com.
As lockout laws push weekend revellers further outside the CBD, Newtown's King Street has long offered an alternative to areas like Kings Cross. Drinks are served until the pub shuts and the music is… well, the music is still pretty strictly policed. But the times, they are a-changing, according to Bourke St boss and new owner of the newly revamped Botany View Hotel, Paddy Coughlan, and we should be looking to the south. South King Street, that is. The Sydney Park-end of Newtown's main drag hosts a slew of pubs that have carried the 'Keep Newtown Weird' flag for years, keeping the music loud and frequent, and punters happy with a good brew, great company, and especially live music. "I think that south end of King Street represents all that used to be good about Newtown in general, and a big part of that was live music," says Coughlan. "We need to support and foster music venues." Under his ownership, the Botany View Hotel — which has undergone a low-key revamp, including a relaunch of the dining room — hosts live music every Friday and Saturday night to keep up the area's gig scene. Reviving the old vibe, for Coughlan, means maintaining the authentic edge of a pub's pub. "I like to think people come to our pubs for the authenticity of what we're doing, not because we've overthought every piece of furniture," he said. The Botany View also aims to rehash the grub at the pub, looking to nail down a menu that the everyday punter can get behind with good quality produce and reasonably priced food. Though, with two of his other venues — The Lord Gladstone and The Lady Hampshire — serving their fair share of tacos and burgers, Coughlan has made this menu more "considered". The menu is less snacky, and leans towards knife-and-fork dining with dishes like the cauliflower tagine, a soft-shell crab spaghettini and a 'fancy' schnitzel with parsnip puree and chicken jus. They also do platters, including a vego one with zucchini fritters, haloumi, falafel and babaghanoush, and a $10 lunch menu Monday to Friday. The revival of King Street's south end is already underway, with Coughlan pointing out stalwarts like the Union Hotel and the Sydney Park Hotel, as well as the Botany View Hotel, as part of "our own little community" — although we're sad to see the Newtown Social Club gone, which has reopened as a mini golf bar. With pubs like these continuing to support live music, good feeds, and cheap beers, Coughlan is confident the "that old Newtown vibe" is on its way back. "The already strong sense of community will get stronger," he says, which is something we can all raise our lighters to. Images: Kimberley Low.
Flocking to the markets is how we'd all love to spend our Sunday morning. Handpicking fresh ingredients with coffee in-hand is about as close to ideal as grocery shopping can get. But if you're staring at an empty fridge mid-week, we've got just the place to send you to. Balmain's Papa Joe & Co is a family-owned and -run food market delivering all your fresh produce needs. In-store you'll find all your everyday staples alongside quality deli meats, artisan cheeses plus a selection of house-made pastas, soups, and condiments to solve any dinner dilemma.
It's a fact that some architectural firms use Lego to privately demonstrate building layout ideas. How adorable it is to imagine a room of dashing young architects tinkering with the colourful plastic blocks of their childhoods. But now Lego has launched a sophisticated, minimalist, all-white set of bricks that can help make you an architect yourself. Maybe you could you be the next Harry Seidler. This is no children's toy; part of the adults' mini-architecture line, the Lego Architecture Studio is for ages 16+. It's a great example of how the accoutrements of playtime can become a lifelong educational tool, aimed at aspiring architects, designers and construction enthusiasts. Apart from its 1210 bricks, in lieu of an instruction booklet it comes with the true bargain of the set — a 272-page illustrated book that puts forth the fundamentals of architectural design. Christopher Turner edited the book, which was written with architecture firms including KRADS, MAD, REX, SOM, Sou Fujimoto, Winy Maas, Safdie and Tham & Videgaard. There are exercises included that will help you, poised on your living room floor with plastic blocks in hand, grasp the notions of scale, surface, texture, density, modules, voids, repetition and more. Online reviews of the Studio are packed with squeals of delight from architecture students the world over. The set even comes with sorting trays for your bricks — how advanced is that? — so invest and let your dreams of yore live anew. A world of speculative Lego layouts in tasteful Modernist white awaits. Via Hyperallergic.
Know what's never not funny? Funny stuff. It's pretty hard to go wrong if your aim is to get people laughing. It's only robots and Bob Katter who don't like laughing at things. Working on this premise, the good people at the Standard are preparing to host their inaugural monthly alternative comedy night. And they've called it Never Not Funny, because who doesn't enjoy a double negative? Never Not Funny is the brainchild of Campfire Collective, who've organised comedy for Harvest and Peats Ridge Festivals as well as Late Night Library at Surry Hills Library. Promising to feature stand-up, theatre, sketch, music, performance art and anything else to make you giggle, the Standard is making an effort to muscle in as a serious contender on Sydney's comedy scene. And they swear never to stage bad impro, which is a blessed relief. The first people to take the comedic stage at the Standard include Applespiel, Cameron Knight, Dave Jory, Ben Ellwood, Nick Capper, Ben Jenkins and more. The lineup will be different every month, so check in with the Standard website.
Each year the same thing happens: you return to work after Anzac Day, not really able to explain to your friends and colleagues how you managed to pass the time. You're pretty sure there was gambling, you think you remembered to remember, and you're definitely hungover. This time around, do all of that and a little more with Concrete Playground's round up of the ten best things to do in Sydney this April 25. You might just surprise yourself. 1. ANZAC Day Dawn Service Australians have been rising early since 1916 to commemorate military servicemen in the Navy's Day Dawn Service. Arrive at the Cenotaph in Martin Place before the ceremony's start at 4.15am to greet the ANZAC Day sun. 2. ANZAC Day Parade Veterans, serving personnel and descendants of veterans will march in the ANZAC Day Parade, commencing at 9am in Sydney's CBD. The parade will proceed along Pitt Street and Martin Place and then through George, Bathurst, Elizabeth and Liverpool Streets, finishing at the ANZAC War Memorial in Hyde Park ahead of the Commemorative Service at 12.30pm. 3. Treat yourself to a biscuit or two Many cafes will be closed on Anzac Day, but fear not, at least three of our favourites will be open. We’re hoping for a creative take on the famous biscuit of the day from Adriano Zumbo (open from 11am at The Star; 8am to 1pm at the Balmain patisserie), for the rain to hold off for the line outside Bourke Street Bakery (8am to 5pm in Surry Hills and Potts Point), and for space in our bellies to carb-load at Iggy's Bread (8am to 4pm, Bronte). 4. Play a national sport: Two-up Legal only on Anzac Day and Armistice Day (November 11), two-up is synonymous with the national holiday. Played in a number of pubs and bars across the city, our recommendation is to hit one of Sydney's best pubs in the Rocks, Paddington or the inner-west for a lively crowd, tradition and good beers. Go to The Australian or The Hero of Waterloo in the Rocks; Bellevue Hotel or the Royal in Paddington; Dick's and The Exchange in Balmain or Newtown's Bank Hotel. 5. Play an underground sport: Ghetto Handball BYO booze, coins to flip, and a damn strong wrist for a game of ghetto handball at 12 noon on a street corner in Chippendale. 6. Sunset Service If you missed the early start, or want to mark the end of the day the way you watch it begin, there's a sunset service at the Cenotaph in Martin Place. Get there in time for the 5pm start. 7. Chopper's Big F**ken Anzac Day Show Back to help us all remember what it truly means to be Australian... or something like that, Chopper brings his annual show of Aussie-bred humour to the Enmore Theatre in Newtown. Last year's show was a sell out, so get tickets today for the 8pm 0ne-off show. 8. Take your pick of the Sydney Comedy Festival If Chopper doesn't tickle your funny bone, check out the many international and homegrown talents performing on April 25, as part of the Sydney Comedy Festival. Saturday Night Live veteran Jim Breuer is making his Australian debut at The Metro, the UK’s Mark Watson and Ireland’s David O’Doherty will be at the Seymour Centre, and Canadians DeAnne Smith (The Factory Theatre, Marrickville) and Jon Dore (Enmore Theatre, Newtown), plus many others ready to make you cry with laughter. 9. Watch a free movie at the AGNSW Sneak away from the hustle and bustle of the big two-up gatherings to catch a free screening at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, as part of their Postcards from LA series. Steve Martin and Eddie Murphy star in the satirical comedy Bowfinger (1999), showing at 2pm and 7.15pm. Tickets are free and available an hour beforehand at the Domain Theatre. 10. Catch Van She at the Beach Road Summer may be over, but that doesn't mean you should leave your smile and good vibes in the sand. Words by Anya Krenicki and Emma Joyce
Sydney's new cinema with an old-world air, The Golden Age Cinema and Bar, has been confirmed to open on September 6. It's taking over the old Heritage-listed Paramount Pictures Building on Commonwealth Street in Surry Hills with a revamped screening room and atmospheric small bar that takes advantage of the original art deco fittings from 1940. If some of the best films of the last few years have taught us anything, it's that audiences miss the good ol' days of cinema. Whether it's the splendour and decadence of an opening night in The Artist or Hugo's love song to the early years of film, the movies themselves seem to be filled with a deep longing for an era when films didn't live and die by their opening weekend and the 'megaplex' did not yet exist. The Golden Age Cinema and Bar, from the Brothers Barton and Right Angle Studio, recaptures some of that old-world movie magic, that picture-palace romanticism, right here in Sydney. It is set to feature a bar, a fascinating film program and an atmosphere more hearty than Hoytsy. The first program is anchored by festival-hit new releases (Behind the Candelabra, Before Midnight) that screen once a day Tuesday to Saturday, mixed in with cool films that haven't been released in Australian cinemas (Lena Dunham's Tiny Furniture, Michel Gondry's The We and the I), classics both cult and mainstream (Suspiria, Singin' in the Rain) and even a weekly pick for kids with cred (My Neighbour Totoro). The 60 person-capacity bar is accessible whether you're seeing a film or not, and will serve wines, beers, cocktails and food (including film-inspired specials) from interesting producers. It's also the place to get your cinema snacks before heading into a session. Golden Age Cinema and Bar runs Tuesday to Sunday, while the space is available for private hire on Mondays. See more of their beautiful renovation images, by Don Cameron, at the Golden Age website. Top image: Golden Age artist's impression by Robert Barton.
Now showing after a successful run at Melbourne's Malthouse Theatre, Stay Woke is the latest acclaimed comedy to grace the hallowed stage of Darlighurst Theatre Company. The play follows two brothers with a lifelong rivalry on a weekend away accompanied by their partners. Written by Aran Thangaratnam and directed by Bridget Balodis, the stage-show explores how wokeness is weaponised, as the conversation on the trip away becomes political. "In rehearsals, I kept thinking about comedians like Alok Vaid-Menon and Hannah Gadsby — it's a knife's edge comedy, and even though the play has a big heart, no one is safe from scrutiny," directer Bridget Balodis says. While the play reflects on society and the prevalence of things like bare-minimum activism, it's also an exploration of the two protagonists (Niv and Sai) and their relationship with Australia. "To me Niv and Sai's perspective on Sri Lanka would be a conflicted one, feeling a reactive allegiance to Sri Lanka growing up, due to the other-ism of growing up in Australia, but also knowing that it's a country that has historically rejected people like them through the civil war," says writer Aran Thangaratnam. Darlinghurst Theatre Company's Artistic Director Amylia Harris added: "This comedy will hopefully not only make people laugh, but also challenge audiences to self-reflect on their own progressive politics and intersectional identities."
When Federation Square opened in 2002, its supporters were few and far between. But look at it now. Fifteen years later it's not only a sorta-widely acceptable piece of architecture, but it's also managed to lure in the world's biggest tech company, Apple. The Victorian Government announced today that Federation Square will soon be home to Apple's first Australian global flagship store. This two-level outpost will be bigger than its other Melbourne stores like Chadstone and Highpoint and, like its few other global flagships, will undoubtedly be architecturally significant. Apple has been extremely selective about the locations of its global flagships and there are only four others in the world, including Fifth Avenue in NYC and Regent Street in London. There isn't room for the building in Fed Square at the moment though, so the Victorian Government has agreed to knock down the Yarra Building to make way for it. This will displace the Koorie Heritage Trust, which will have to relocate to the Alfred Deakin Building across the way. Apparently the build of the Apple store will free up 500 square metres of public space. The Victorian Government's tourism body is evidently quite happy with the win, with the Minister for Trade and Investment Philip Dalidakis saying that this "reinforces Melbourne's reputation as the undisputed tech capital of Australia". Construction will start in 2019 with the build expected to be finished in 2020.
If you like things that slither, slide and go bump in the night, you'll feel right at home with a visit to the soon-to-launch Sydney Zoo, which has just announced its grandest addition: the Reptile and Nocturnal House. The largest of its kind in the country, it'll be home to over 40 species of reptiles and another 20 species of nocturnal animals. The collection's set to feature creatures like ghost bats, endangered spotted-tailed quolls, giant grasshoppers and the world's two most venomous snakes: the inland taipan and eastern brown snake. What's more, these guys will be living it up in environmentally sustainable luxury. As one of Australia's first green roof habitats, the building and surrounds have been designed to blend in with the natural landscape, decked out with a carefully chosen collection of native grasses. The green roof also helps to keep a stable climate for the animals, and the interior of each exhibit has been created to mirror what they'd be used to in the wild. Opening in the city's west in Bungarribee, near the Great Western Highway, Sydney Zoo is set to be the first new major zoo to open in Sydney in over 100 years. First announced back in 2015, it's slated to finally launch to the public in the coming weeks with raised boardwalks and over 2000 animals. While it's exact opening date hasn't been announced just yet, we're told it'll be swinging open its doors before the end of the year. Sydney Zoo is slated to open at 700 Great Western Highway, Bungarribee before the end of the year. We'll let you know when an exact date is announced.
Sydney has just gained a major addition to its hospitality scene as internationally acclaimed bartender Cedric Mendoza joins Grain Bar — the award-winning CBD cocktail bar located within the Four Seasons Hotel Sydney. Mendoza hails from Singapore, where he most recently ran Manhattan in the Four Seasons Hotel Regent Singapore. The bar was awarded the third top spot on the prestigious 2018 World's Best Bars list, making it the number one bar in Asia. So, the man's a big deal. After collaborating with the Grain team back in 2018, Mendoza loved his Sydney experience so much that he's now signing on full time. Under his reign, Grain will be serving up creative yet balanced drinks that champion native Australian ingredients and some rare drops — including kangaroo-soaked mezcal, rye vodkas and gins, plus some of Mendoza's favourite whiskys. To celebrate Mendoza's arrival, we've teamed up with Grain Bar to award one lucky winner a whopping $500 bar tab, including a complimentary cocktail on arrival — personalised to your taste by Mendoza, naturally. Mendoza has just created a new Rye July cocktail list — a menu entirely dedicated to rye whisky — which is available throughout July and August. With the list including concoctions like the Red Lady (Wild Turkey rye, Lairds applejack, St. George raspberry liqueur, house-made grenadine, lemon juice and egg white) and the Southern Sour (High West double rye, house-made spiced syrup, lemon juice and Australian shiraz), we can only imagine what Mendoza will bring on this decadent night out. If you're keen to treat your best mates to a decadent night out — which obviously you are — enter your details below to be in the running. [competition]729512[/competition]
Some like it fancy. Their dining, their threads, their lifestyle. Quality craft, premium ingredients, considered processes — all key elements when producing the finer things that make life delicious and wonderful. Come Sunday, September 4, dads, father figures or your favourite leading legend can bask in a whole day set aside to celebrate all that they are. And, if that person likes to lean fancy, we've got your back with a top-notch roundup of luxe presents they're sure to love. First up? A smooth sip. DELICIOUS AND WONDERFUL WHISKY A terrific bottle of booze is a reliable winner when it comes to gifting for the 18+ crowd. And if a timeless Scotch whisky is their thing, Glenmorangie's full range should be your first port of call. The award-winning distillery produces a stunning range of whiskies in the Scottish Highlands (and the country's tallest copper stills). So, if your father figure is after a smooth sip, reap the goods of our legwork. Keeping it classic? You want The Original, the elevated yet mellow drop that's aged for 10 years in bourbon casks. Opting for something out-there? You're looking for The Lasanta, the attempt at bottling the "magic of a sunset" according to Glenmorangie's director of whisky creation, Dr Bill Lumsden. And if your dad deserves the top of the shelf, you're after the extremely rare — and extremely good — 18 Years Old. The lauded drop spends 15 years in American oak casks, then another three in Olorosso sherry. Good things take time, so trust this is brilliant. Glenmorangie, price varies FRESH KICKS Sneaker cred is important in the world of dads. So, regardless of how fashion-forward he seems, a little refresh to the wardrobe will never go astray. Playing into the luxe-streetwear trend is this green and white pair of Golden Goose Ball Stars. Paying homage to the eighties — and delivering a healthy dose of nostalgia — these Italian-made premium kicks are cool, effortless and set to be on regular rotation. Golden Goose, $830 LUSH LOUNGING Whether he gets his laps in or regularly enjoys a dip in the salty sea, having a luxurious towel around you really heightens the aquatic experience. Baina's Roman Pool Towel — made from 100% organic cotton in Portugal — hits the mark in both quality and style. A checkerboard of tabac and noir is both timeless and timely as far as trends go, making it a piece Dad'll use for years. Verdict: a truly solid gift. Slowe, $110 STAND-OUT SKIN SAVIOURS The largest organ in the body needs to be cared for with utmost importance. And when it comes to gifting-appropriate grooming options, you can't do much better than Aesop. The Parsley Seed Extended Anti-Oxidant Skin Care Kit is ideal for self-care novices and aficionados alike. Open this up and you discover six hardworking products: cleansing oil and toner, instantly hydrating serum and treatment, an eye cream and a masque — all tastefully packaged in Aesop's signature apothecary style. If your dad is always in the sun, out and about in city air or looking to brighten their face, present them with this — gold star guaranteed. Aesop, $360 HEIGHTENED HIGHBALLS Any drop that's worth drinking is worth pouring straight into a fancy — and deliciously different — glass. The sparkle of a highball housed in calm waves of viridescent glass will take happy hour up a notch, and Fazeek's designs are the ultimate way to get there. Specifically, The Wave Highballs in green (though, there's clear and pink, too). These stylish vessels are all hand-blown and come in sets of two — perfect for cheers-ing your pa. Fazeek, $99 for set of two FLASHY FURNITURE Your dad is a design-head who likes to make a statement? The Arnold Circus Stool — or side table or giant vase (if flipped on its head) — in red/orange is big, bright and will be a magnet for decor-related compliments. Expertly crafted from 100% recycled polythene plastic by the stand-out design talent Martino Gamper, each piece is wonderfully unique. Just imagine those green glass Fazeek highballs resting on top. Makers' Mrkt, $230 LUXE THREADS You can't go wrong with linen, and there'll be no shade thrown if you decided to nab this wardrobe essential for yourself instead. Rag & Bone do what they do so well: easy-breezy style, classic tailoring, designs that last. This Long-Sleeve Beach Shirt is a winner no matter who you're shopping for — regardless of personal style. Incu, $330 SMOKY SCENTS A hard-hitting present is a piece that someone covets but is reluctant to purchase themselves. Fragrance often finds itself in this category, though once you've made a scent your signature, there's no turning back. Cue the scentsmiths over at Roemy. Designed and made in Australia, cruelty free and long-wearing, they've got a stellar lineup of fragrances ready and waiting. Our rec? Forest. Crisp yet warm and reminiscent of sun after a sudden downpour. Plus, each bottle comes with a sample, so you can test drive an option for next year. Roemy, $239 Happy gifting this Father's Day, and if you're still scratching your head, you can't go past a bottle of Glenmorangie's delicious and wonderful whisky. Top image: Mark Babin, Unsplash
From Hobbit house-inspired pop-ups to opulent themed feasts, The Grounds of Alexandria never does anything by halves. And their recent extension is yet another example. In one fell swoop, the eatery has added a a soda barn, a pizza silo and a barbecue to its premises. Slam dunk. Executive Chef Paul McGrath has taken care of all three new menus. At the pizza silo, you'll be tucking into traditional, home-style Italian pies, with a splash of contemporary creativity. Headlining the list is the house-made sausage and garden thyme pizza, which is sprinkled with crusted thyme, sesame seeds and mixed herbs. Meanwhile, meat eaters will be latching onto the BBQ, where they'll be getting stuck into "flamin' awesome" burgers. Offerings include the Big Cheese — featuring a house-ground beef patty, three cheeses and secret sauce — and the Captain Chook with buttermilk chicken, fennel slaw and jalapeño aioli. They'll also be serving up bacon brekkie rolls and sausage sangas for breakfast. But what we're most excited about is the soda barn. Here you'll be able to get back to your childhood with the Unicorn Soda, a kind of soda freakshake that comes with a mountain of whipped cream, melted chocolate, sprinkles, cotton candy, meringue and a lollipop. I'll be competing for the most Instagram-friendly drink in Sydney in no time. For those with more classic tastes, there are passionfruit, strawberry and coco-lime daiquiris, as well as a handpicked selection of wine, craft beer, smoothies and juices. Stuck at your work desk reading about all this deliciousness? Let the Grounds' new Express-O shuttle bus rescue you from drudgery. Call anytime between 10.30am and 3.30pm, and it'll pick up you – along with up to seven mates. The only catch is, its run is limited to Rosebery, Mascot and Alexandria for now.
Keen to combine romance and gambling? Sadly an overnight getaway to Vegas is probably off the cards for a while yet, so if you're looking for an over-the-top way to celebrate Valentine's Day this year, this might be the next best thing. QT Hotels around New Zealand and Australia are offering loved-up couples the chance to win big when they book a Valentine's stay at any of their hotels in February, and we mean really big. Live in the hotel for the rest of the month, big. Yup, that's right Chuck Bass. For the price of one night's stay, you could be living it up in a hotel for weeks, ordering breakfast to your bed and dialling into Zoom calls poolside. View this post on Instagram A post shared by QT Auckland (@qtauckland) It's all part of the new Love Is Blind promotion run by QT, inviting guests to roll the dice in a low-risk, high-reward game of romantic roulette. Book a stay with your beau (or bestie, or even your mum) between Friday, February 11 and Tuesday, February and you'll be surprised with either an upgrade or downgrade on check-in. The upgrades are all looking pretty sweet. You might get your champagne bottle levelled up to a magnum, or even your room upgraded to a suite. The best prize on offer is having your stay extended until Monday, February 28 — that's 17 nights for the price of one. And that offer is on at every QT Hotel in Australia and New Zealand, so you're in with a decent shot at winning. Of course, the flipside is risking a downgrade — that's gambling for you. QT promises that downgrades are "rare" but they're there: you might get a mere chocolate on the pillow (still sounds yum tbh) or have your King-sized bed downgraded to two twin beds. Sexy! The novel promotion is not out of character for the hotel chain, which is known for its quirky campaigns. Back in 2020, it ran a Rock Star package encouraging you to book out an entire floor to party with your mates. Upon opening in Auckland, the hotel hid 150 room keys around the city in a giant treasure hunt. In this case, you're relying on a fair bit of luck to be on your side — but if you're already lucky in love, this will just be the icing on the cake. The Love Is Blind package is available at QT Sydney, QT Bondi, QT Canberra, QT Melbourne, QT Gold Coast, QT Perth, QT Auckland, QT Wellington and QT Queenstown between Friday 11 February to Tuesday 15 February 2022. Bookings are available now, with February 14 the last available day to book.
It’s time to stop fishing behind couch cushions and shaking piggy banks; the boutique hotel-hunters at Mr & Mrs Smith have unearthed 10 budget-conscious escapes that won’t need a second mortgage. These ten wallet-friendly stays made the shortlist for ‘Best Budget Hotel’ in the inaugural Smith Hotel Awards, which just took place in London. Want to know the winner? You’ll have to keep reading. Best for bona fide bohemia: Brody House, Budapest, Hungary Smith’s ‘Best Budget Hotel’ is more like the private designer digs of a swish friend than a hotel. Brody House is bursting with creative inspiration and can add sometime-host to film and fashion shoots to its artistically inclined resume. Each room has its own unique style — some feature freestanding gold bath tubs — and is named after the artists whose works adorn the walls. The Brody House Bar is open to the public and keeps pouring as long as guests keep sipping; there’s also an honesty bar, so you can tap into your inner mixologist. An in-house chef prepares simple and seasonal Hungarian fare that changes daily and is best enjoyed in the picturesque courtyard. Best for pool-side hedonism: Ace Hotel & Swim Club, Palm Springs, United States Escape the desert heat and hop into the cool cocktail that is Ace Hotel & Swim Club: a reinvented hotel haven, luring in pleasure-seekers, bohemian-beauties and the hipster-chic. Designed with an organic, laidback ethos, some rooms have garden patios and fireplaces, record players and old vinyl. Brave the heat by renting a candy-coloured Vespa or booking a horse-riding lesson. Those reluctant to venture away from the cool comfort of air-conditioning may prefer languidly lying in a hammock and working through the bar’s cocktail menu. The King’s Highway restaurant (formerly a roadside Denny’s diner) dishes up classic American fare with dashes of the unexpected, such as kurobuta pork chops and roasted halibut cheeks. Best for culture vultures: Home Hotel, Buenos Aires, Argentina Click your heels and escape to Home Hotel, a green dream hidden away in an ivy-entwined structure in residential Buenos Aires. The eco-design and open-air pleasures – an outdoor passageway leads to the restaurant overlooking the gorgeous grounds – extend through to the rooms, which are tricked out with retro Scandinavian furnishings and vibrant vintage wallpaper in pretty florals. Take in an obligatory tango performance and a Lloyd Webber-inspired stroll to the grave of Eva Perón, before succumbing to the nimble-knuckles of Home’s in-house masseur, Luis. Don’t go back to your actual home without sampling delicious tapas and a Bloody Mary at the bar. Best for a romantic rendezvous: The Reading Rooms, Kent, United Kingdom Tucked behind a classic Georgian facade, The Reading Rooms is dotted with antique furnishings, preserved features and nooks for rekindling romance or igniting a new flame. Each of the three rooms occupies a floor of the restored townhouse and has antique wooden floors fit for a foxtrot, high ceilings and views over a peaceful tree-lined square. Begin days by dining on the in-room breakfast spread — bacon and sausage sandwiches, just-baked croissants and fresh fruits — before exploring Margate’s vintage boutiques and the picturesque Kent coast. Best for a rural romance: Borgo della Marmotta, Umbria, Italy Peer over the high stone walls at Borgo della Marmotta to find clusters of beautifully converted 17th-century farmhouses and stables, olive trees and views of Spoleto Valley. There’s no flash and pomp here; instead, expect a simple spin on luxury: rustic cobblestoned passaged leading to charming rooms and pockets of lush garden, pots of lemon trees casting shadows on the terrace and vibrant bunches of wisteria hanging from pergolas. Rise early to snag a table outside for a breakfast feast of sweet croissants, conserves, cheeses and cold cuts, before whiling away Umbrian sun-soaked days by the glittering blue pool. Best for artistic inspiration: The Cullen, Melbourne, Australia One for art aficionados and the creative coterie, The Cullen is inspired by the eye-catching and contemporary works of Adam Cullen — the hotel even has its own dedicated art curator, who has the lowdown on the top exhibitions around town. The gallery-worthy aesthetic continues to the rooms, where cartoonish prints adorn the walls and glass showers are engraved with Ned Kelly-esque horses and bushrangers — the views of Melbourne’s skyline aren’t half bad either. After a day of pedalling between Prahan’s fashionable boutiques — bespoke red Swedish Kronan two-wheelers are available to rent — don your newest designer duds and head downstairs to one of the eateries off the hotel’s ground floor. Gramercy Bistro brings a taste of New York to Melbourne, serving Reuben sandwiches, buttermilk pancakes and six cuts of steak to knock your oversized sunglasses off; Hutong dishes up dumplings and delectable duck. Best for a weekend wind-down: The Wheatsheaf Inn, the Cotswolds, United Kingdom Having played host to Kate Moss, The Wheatsheaf Inn has gone from traditional British coaching inn to bang-on designer den. Paintings of historic British tobacco barons keep a watchful eye over the Inn’s dining room, an inviting and lively eatery where seasonal produce is the star in a daily-changing menu and the all-day weekend brunch is best washed down with a Buck’s fizz. Between feasts, shooting — of the real and clay-pigeon variety — is up for grabs near this rustic retreat or, if you prefer something with fewer bangs, meander around the wallet-tempting boutiques of Northleach. Best for beach bliss: Mia Resort, Nha Trang, Vietnam A sojourn at Mia Resort — once a sugarcane plantation — will certainly leave a sweet taste in your mouth. This sandy getaway is neighboured by imposing mountains, lush greenery and beyond-blue waters, where days are spent moseying barefoot between the turquoise pool, sun loungers and Xanh Spa. Sea-frolicking is thirsty work and Mojitos bar serves at least eight varieties (if we miscounted, blame the rum); sip your way through ginger, whatijo (watermelon), lemon and lychee libations. Nab a spot on the sugar-sand beach for a sunset picnic, complete with a hamper groaning with sandwiches, cupcakes, a cheeseboard and carafe of fruit juice — just make sure to book ahead. Best for palatial paradise: Baudon de Mauny, Languedoc-Roussillon, France Walk through the heavy, centuries-old wooden front door at Baudon de Mauny and into the quiet cobbled courtyard to feel instantly at ease. Sprawling rooms are coupled with vintage-inspired furnishings and contemporary cool to create an escape with style so sophisticated, it could only be French. After exploring the local markets and brocantes, recline on the antique scarlet sofas in the first-floor salon, a glass of Faugeres in hand. Best for coastal calm: Chapman House, Nantucket, United States Forget ships in glass bottles and cliched beach-themed interiors: at Chapman House, nautical stripes have been replaced with pops of teal, coral and ikat prints. A kingly Continental breakfast is served each morning — fresh-baked breads and croissants, homemade muffins, fruits, cheese and granola parfaits — the perfect preface to a stroll around the harbour town or a series of aquatic adventures, including sailing lessons, whale watching, fishing excursions and sea kayaking. You don’t need a reason to return to boutique base-camp but Chapman House gives you one anyway: freshly baked cookies are your afternoon treat here. For more Mr & Mrs Smith boutique hotels, visit www.mrandmrssmith.com or call the expert Travel Team on 1300 896 627. Smith guests enjoy exclusive extras at all stays.
2018 came and went without new episodes of two of television's most popular series. Thankfully, the same won't prove true of 2019. Game of Thrones' final season is coming in April — before winter — and Stranger Things will return mid-year. Mark your calendars accordingly. In the case of everyone's favourite 80s-set sci-fi/horror series, Stranger Things will drop its third season on Thursday, July 4. Prepare to return to Hawkins and face the demogorgon once more — and to find out what 1985 has in store for Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), Will (Noah Schnapp), Mike (Finn Wolfhard), Dustin (Galen Matarazzo), Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin) and the gang. Netflix unveiled the date as part of a brief teaser, which doesn't feature any new footage from the forthcoming eight-episode season, but does interrupt a New Year's Eve broadcast with cryptic government messages. It also reveals that the series will be set around the July 4 American holiday, continuing a trend of releasing new episodes to coincide with special occasions. The show's second season dropped in October 2017, with Halloween weaved into its storyline. While the streaming platform is yet to launch a proper trailer for season three of Stranger Things, it did reveal the season's episode titles in another teaser back in December. Feel free to ponder the meaning of names such as 'Suzie, Do You Copy?', 'The Mall Rats', 'The Case of the Missing Lifeguard' and 'The Battle of Starcourt' until July 4 rolls around. https://www.facebook.com/NetflixANZ/videos/366266914175965/?__xts__[0]=68.ARB6tA30GHZBliVxnjVfAQxVNsz_44Zuezt6075kSgJQk1NDr6kHK5hQSmwE2gCZIba35AqA010k8OC9d1oImVX3qqzIh89nRh4BIPIfRfFeZlosAB31BFi-mC6se4R0ibCnvdo3R9RSi4Ip36BjZ_j_UmOpbYQdZdlUPAYsg4kQhBxseS4PgzCL3nYHlLTru5XVDn1GV5dzbtMsMGjQmlmRqzND6gm9xeqit_zmru8SrmgqXGSOJhoL42UFS5cUGT45wf_7vlSdE0PcfB5WK0OfczrE8pUODXnX0KNVzBvIzICi_tw-Klap4ZgIDKKInsCSUU-lGzAkgFZMt42oackL8lqMKpVaedzLZA&__tn__=-R Stranger Things season eight will arrive on Netflix on Thursday, July 4.
Over the past seven years, Sydney's population has grown by an average of 4.95 percent annually. Given that further urban sprawl will likely mean more traffic, more pollution and more encroachment on our wild places, the so-called Australian Dream — the idea that everyone should own a roomy house, with a backyard — is in question. Which is why developers seem to be trying lots of new things. Sydney's latest comes from Frasers Property Australia, the same group that built the Central Park precinct in Chippendale. The group's new masterplanned community is Edmondson Square — or, as it will be known, Ed Square — which is set on 24 hectares in Sydney's far southwest, between Liverpool and Campbelltown. Essentially, it will create a new town centre, with a whole heap of new residents moving into 893 terraces and 920 apartments, which will all be clustered around Edmondson Park train station as well as shops, services and recreational spaces. Fraser worked on the design alongside Hassell Architects, HDR and GroupGSA. Last month, Frasers Property also announced that a Event Cinema complex will join the retail offerings. This will complement a planned market and 'Eat Street' that, given the group's history, will no doubt be similar to Spice Alley at Central Park. The actual retailers haven't been announced yet, but are said to include a fishmonger, a sushi place, a burger joint and a few cafes, among others. Frasers is evidently hoping that the entertainment offerings are a pull for any potential home owners looking to buy off the plan— even though Event currently have locations in both Liverpool and Campbelltown. The first stage of the development, which will include the cinema and a residential tower, is expected to open in late 2020.
Throw a stone in any Australian city, and it's likely to land near a burger joint. We're a country of meat-and-bread lovers, and we have the eateries upon eateries to prove it. When you're a burg-slinging place among many, and you've already expanded from your Gold Coast beginnings to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane offshoots in just two years, what comes next? In Brooklyn Depot's case, they've given their American-themed menu a non-burger makeover. Known for their stacked towers of beef and cheese, alcohol-infused shakes and hefty list of wings, rings, strings and things, Brooklyn Depot has upped their game when it comes to other types of US-style food, thinking beyond the tried-and-tested burgs that have served them so well. Hungry customers can now munch their way through plates of lobster mac and cheese, homemade cheeseburger empanadas, shrimp and grits tacos, loaded pastrami on rye sandwiches and more. Other new inclusions range from French toast grilled cheese to corn beef hash egg rolls to chilli cheddar biscuits with chorizo sausage gravy, giving your use of American food terms a workout as well as your tastebuds. There's also the strange and wonderful combo that is chicken and waffles, made bubble-style with red velvet batter, plus French dip sandwiches (if you've ever wanted one of 30 Rock's sandwich day sangas with dipping sauce, this is the next best thing). The new menu came about after a number of research trips to the US, aka the job we'd all like to have. "We visited over 100 venues including rooftop bars, food trucks, fine dining restaurants and old classic diners," explains Brooklyn Depot co-owner Michael Rose. "It was the ultimate research mission to explore the best of Brooklyn and bring it home." With a fresh range also comes a fresh name, although it's a case of tweaking rather than changing their full moniker — from Brooklyn Depot Burgers & Brew to Brooklyn Depot Kitchen & Brew. Find Brooklyn Depot Sydney store at 65 Holt Street, Surry Hills; Melbourne digs at 399 Lonsdale Street; and Brisbane eatery at 168 Grey Street, South Bank. For more information, head to their website.
UNSW Galleries has finally reopened to the public, and it has done so in a big way — by unveiling a major LGBTQIA+ exhibition. Running until Saturday, November 21, Friendship as a Way of Life celebrates LGBTQIA+ visibility, intimacy, collaboration, sex and knowledge. Curated by the UNSW Galleries Director José Da Silva and Deputy Director Kelly Doley, the exhibition features more than 20 artists — including ALOK, Camilo Godoy, and Gavin Kirkness and the Australian AIDS Memorial Quilt project, along with material from the Australian Lesbian and Gay Archives. A highlight: the re-staging of a major work by American artist Macon Reed, titled Eulogy for the Dyke Bar 2016. The installation recreates the interior of a lesbian bar and acts as a community space for performances, conversations and socialising. This 'bar' will host a full program of events come October and November, including a performance by Australian musician June Jones. [caption id="attachment_776611" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Macon Reed, Eulogy for the Dyke Bar 2016. Installation and programming series. Installation view: UNSW Galleries, Sydney. Courtesy of the artist[/caption] Several new works are also featured, like the photographs by Helen Grace, which document Amazon Acres, an all-female community in northern NSW. Then there's Ella Sutherland's new prints, which pay tribute to Australia's lesbian erotic magazine Wicked Women. And collaborative duo Parallel Park will present a a new performance video that explores interpersonal relationships. International works by Scandinavian duo Elmgreen & Dragset's The Incidental Self 2007 will be on display too — with this installation spanning hundreds of photos that are making their Australian premiere. Alongside the physical exhibition is the online series Forms of Being Together, which will share weekly talks, conversations and digital projects from the exhibiting artists and other local creatives. New content will be shared each week, with highlights including live talks on the history of Australia's gay motorcycle groups with leather historian Timothy Robert, the importance of QPOC (Queer People of Colour) party spaces by DJ Sezzo, and a discussion on queer parenting and surrogacy with First Nations writer and activist Nayuka Gorrie. Also, an online video commission by Nikos Pantazopoulos will explore the history of Sydney's Oxford Street — by focusing on two homoerotic paintings salvaged from Midnight Shift prior to its closure in 2017. And DJ Gemma has curated a special mix of music that captures Sydney's underground queer dance scene. Friendship as a Way of Life runs until Saturday, November 21. The exhibition is open to the public free-of-charge every Tuesday–Saturday from 10am–5pm. Images: UNSW Galleries. Installation views: Friendship as a Way of Life. Photography: Zan Wimberley.
Is dessert your love language? Does nothing say romance to you like sharing something sweet with someone that you're sweet on? Do you just like treating your significant other — or yourself — to gelato specials? It's that time again, ice cream fiends: time to kick off 2025 with Messina's first decadent special for the year, and time to start thinking about Valentine's Day as well. The cult-favourite dessert brand is taking care of both with The Love Tub, which comes topped with hearts — and features a red hue prominently — to stress the romantic point. Inside, you'll find a layered creation featuring salted caramel gelato with dark choc chips, plus baked cheesecake chunks and passionfruit curd, and also crème brûlée mousse and caramel swirls as well. This is the latest dessert in Messina's hot-tub range, aka the chain's extra-special, always limited-edition, online-order-only dishes. And no, the word 'hot' doesn't reflect the required temperature; this is firmly a frosty affair. While the dessert is timed for the supposedly most-romantic day of the year, who you share it and your Messina love with is up to you. Grab a spoon with your significant other, go all in for Galentine's Day instead, or treat yo'self to multiple days of red-topped gelato — the choice is obviously yours. Tubs cost $48 each, and you'll need to place your order online on Tuesday, January 28. Because Messina's specials always prove popular, the brand usually staggers its on-sale times — which tends to mean different slots depending on whether you're in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, the ACT, Western Australia and South Australia, where the brand has shops. Wherever you live, you can then pick up The Love Tub in-store between Thursday, February 13–Saturday, February 15. Gelato Messina's The Love Tub will be available to order from Tuesday, January 28, 2025, with times usually varying per state and store — to pick up between Thursday, February 13–Saturday, February 15, 2025. Head to the Messina website for more information, and to sign up to be notified about on-sale details.
When a musician announces a big Australian and New Zealand leg of their world tour, then postpones just two weeks out, then doesn't set new dates, you can be forgiven for wondering if they'll be making it Down Under at all. In the case of Abel 'The Weeknd' Tesfaye, the answer is no for now. His Aussie and NZ trip has been cancelled for the moment, with ticketholders to receive refunds. The artist was due to hit the stage across both countries in November and December 2023, but rescheduled at the beginning of November without revealing when he'd arrive instead. Since then, there's been no news until now. If you have a ticket, you'll get your funds back in full automatically via whichever method you used to pay. "The Weeknd After Hours Til Dawn Tour for Australia and New Zealand is still in process of being rescheduled," says the statement on the Ticketek website, leaving hope that the tour might be announced again in the future. "Whilst we continue to work through the rescheduling process with the artist, tickets for the existing 2023 tour will be cancelled. All purchased tickets will receive a full refund," the message continues. Back in November, Australia and Aotearoa was advised that the postponement was "due to unforeseen circumstances", in an announcement credited as a statement from The Weeknd to his fans. "New dates will be announced next year and current tickets will be valid for the new shows," said the message at the time. "Refunds will be available for those unable to attend the new dates. Deeply disappointed but can't wait to be there with you!" it went on. The Canadian singer-songwriter and The Idol star was due to play two shows at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium, then head to Sydney for three gigs at Accor Stadium. After that, he had four shows locked in for Marvel Stadium in Melbourne — and then it was meant to Eden Park in Auckland's turn. An arena spectacular, The Weeknd's global tour has notched up soldout shows far and wide when it has been taking place. In the UK, The Weekend saw 160,000 folks head to London Stadium across two nights, smashing the venue's attendance record. And in Milan, he became the first artist to sell out the Ippodromo La Maura for two nights. Those feats are just the beginning. In Paris, the 'Starboy', 'I Feel It Coming', 'Can't Feel My Face', 'The Hills' and 'Blinding Lights' artist scored Stade de France's biggest sales this year — and in Nice, the 70,000 tickets sold across his two shows are the most in the city's history. The reason for the whole tour, other than just because, was to celebrate The Weeknd's 2020 record After Hours and its 2022 followup Dawn FM. Obviously, he has been playing tracks from 2013's Kiss Land, 2015's Beauty Behind the Madness and 2016's Starboy as well. The Weeknd's 'After Hours Til Dawn Tour' 2023 — Cancelled Dates: Monday, November 20–Tuesday, November 21 — Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Friday, November 24–Saturday, November 25 + Monday, November 27 — Accor Stadium, Sydney Friday, December 1–Saturday, December 2 + Monday, December 4–Tuesday, December 5 — Marvel Stadium, Melbourne Friday, December 8–Saturday, December 9 — Eden Park, Auckland The Weeknd is no longer touring Australia and New Zealand. The shows have been cancelled, with refunds set to be issued — head to the tour ticketing website for more information.
After such a long wait, it's only fitting that Australia's first batch of legalised same-sex marriages be celebrated with a healthy dose of fanfare. So on January 9 — the first day that Aussie same-sex couples can formally tie the knot — Sydney Festival will play host to a massive communal wedding reception, celebrating a huge moment in Australian history. And, it's free. Setting up in the Meriton Festival Village in Hyde Park from 6-8pm, the Love Is Love Wedding Reception will be a far cry from your average wedding, featuring the likes of karaoke carousel, JOF's 10-minute dance parties and even a hot pink swimming pool. After you take a dip and belt out some of your own tunes, Sydney DJ Charlie Villas will have guests breaking a sweat on the dance floor as he spins classic wedding bangers well into the night. Of course, you can't have a wedding without some celebratory cake, so some of Sydney's best-loved dessert maestros have been busy creating their own bespoke wedding cake designs for the event. While supplies last, there'll be a five-tier rainbow pavlova from Black Star, a limited-edition salted caramel and fior di latte creation from Messina, and an epic vegan cake from My Little Panda Kitchen's Annabelle McMillan. Those rocking fabulous wedding get-ups can enjoy free glasses of Piper-Heidsieck Champagne to match, though it's first in, best dressed for both the cake and the bubbly. Celebrate the Love Is Love Wedding Reception at Hyde Park North (entry via Central Ave Walkway) from 6-8pm on Tuesday, January 9.
If you're sick of bringing crackers and dip to the party, but get cheese blind when faced with a fridge full of fromage, then read on. There's no need to taste everything in the deli (although that isn't ever a bad idea), and we've a little something for you to ensure cheese no longer becomes such a pandemonium requiring social etiquette. Soon you'll be able to tell everyone how nutty but sweet the prima donna is.The Dutch-style gouda, that is. So, fromage fans, listen up: here's Concrete Playground's bluffer's guide to cheese. 1. Cheese 101: How is Cheese made? Apparently, the process of cheese making was an accident. The story goes that milk overheated in a storage container of some sort, soured and created curd. Now don't squirm, but rumour has it that the said 'container' was either an animal's internal organ or an inflated animal skin. Nowadays, it's more of a civilised process. The milk (from a cow, sheep, goat or buffalo) is pasteurised (heated then cooled to remove harmful pathogens) then starter cultures and rennet are added. This causes the milk to coagulate into an attractive custard-like mess. Miss Muffet then separates the curds and whey (milk serum) and appropriately ripens to enhance the variety of textures and flavours. 2. Varieties Stefano De Blasi of Salt Meats Cheese providores in Alexandria, advises that varieties of cheese are distinguished according to a range of criteria. "The age, texture, fat content, country of origin and animal milk all makes a difference," he says. So how can one identify all those cheeses at the deli? It is possible to judge a cheese's character by its rind; the texture, taste, strength of flavour, and even maturity. However, for us cheese novices, it's best to just remember these types to get the mozzarella ball rolling. Fresh cheese: feta, cottage, ricotta and cream cheese Soft white cheese: brie and camembert Washed rind (warning: stinky): tallegio and langres Blue: roquefort, gorgonzola, stilton Semi-hard: cheddar, manchego and gruyere; and Hard (robust flavour): parmesan. And lest we remind you that there's always the 'try before you buy' option. 3. Storing cheese The common rule of storing cheese is to store in its original wrapping. Failing that, plastic wrap is fine. If left unwrapped, the cheese will dry out and lose flavour. Harder cheeses have a longer shelf life than fresher types, such as a cream cheese or feta. These should be kept in their container with the lid on so no air can get in. If you start to smell something funkier than the cheese should, toss it. Make sure blue cheese and rind cheeses are kept tightly wrapped and separate to other food as their odour is quite strong. Again, you don't want your housemates to think something died in the fridge every time they open it up to get their milk. Mozzarella and bocconcini should be kept in their water, and don't get turned off if the water starts to get mirky coloured. It's just the milk in the water as the cheese releases its salt. But, as Stefano says, "to be honest, I never store. I always open and finish what I eat!" So shame on you if there are leftovers. 4. The perfect cheese board When preparing a cheese board, Stefano suggests not having more than three cheeses on offer and only one or two accompaniments per cheese. It's also best to bring the cheeses to room temperature in order to appreciate their full flavour. As a guide, you generally want a soft white cheese (such as brie), a blue (Ra Roquefort from France) and a firmer type (such as vintage cheddar). But don’t be afraid to ask your cheesemonger for recommendations. Encourage guests to cut wedges 'nose to tail' and cheese with rinds from centre to the edge. And don't forget to allow a few knives for cutting. You can't have the Stinking Bishop on the Jean de Brie. In terms of accompaniments, "definitely sliced pear, fig jam, quince paste or even orange marmalade, muscatel grapes and honey. And olives of course!" says Stefano. 5. Matching cheese with wine Cheese and wine. They're a perfect match. Complimenting the two requires a bit of time and experiment, but lest we forget to remind you that one without the other is a social faux pas. You can't go too wrong, however, if you follow the golden rule: the whiter and fresher the cheese, the whiter and crisper the wine; the darker and stronger the wine, the darker and stronger the cheese. For instance, brie is best matched with a dry sparkling or chardonnay; edam is great with a shiraz, grenache or pinot noir; and camembert's delicate 'mushroomy' character would be nicely offset with a sparkling white. Stefano highly recommends manchego for a dry white, and a simple cheddar for any red. He also emphasises that "any cheese will be good!" Cheese to that, we say. 6. Best melting cheese for pizza Mozzarella is originally from Italy, so it goes without saying that it would be the most ideal cheese for a pizza. "I love the buffalo mozzarella, just because of its white colour", says Stefano, "my pizza is just red and white. The tomato and the mozzarella." Bocconcini (any type is good) goes down a treat on pizzas too; its semi-soft elastic texture is mild, yet a little sweet. Stefano recommends cherry bocconcini. "The small balls are easy to slice and melt beautifully," he says. 7. European vs Australian ... similarities and differences With over 45 countries producing their own varieties of different cheeses, how on earth are we meant to decipher the difference ourselves? Basically, the flavour is affected by its origin. So essentially this comes down to what grass the cows or sheep are grazing on. For example, all blue cheeses are named so because of the mould Penicillin that is added, however, each has their own flavour and characteristic. A Bleu de Gex from Germany may be richer than a gorgonzola from Italy. The Greek's tend to add more salt to their varieties too. Think haloumi and feta (compared to a creamier Danish type). Most cheeses are named so after their place of origin. Fine examples include Gruyere, (Switzerland), Brie (region in France), Cheddar (England), Fontina (Italy), Havarti (named after a Danish farm called Havarthigaard) and Jarlsberg (Norway). 8. Cheese on a budget This can be done. Visit your local deli and suss out what's on special. Don't be shy to ask for a taste too. if you're going to be spending your pennies on cheese, it has to please. Stefano says that camembert, manchego, local vintage and smoked cheddar are generally going to be the more affordable varieties and "will always go down a treat no matter what". Pricier cheeses don't necessarily indicate that they will knock your socks off either, as it is a matter of preference. The price is just an indication that it's from a smaller farm and/or imported. Artisan cheeses are often more expensive as they are made by hand using traditional methods. 9. Talk like a pro Before you go forth and preach the gospel of cheese to your friends, brush up on these decorative phrases to raise a few brows ... "Wow, the camembert has a very pronounced, 'mushroomy' flavour." "This pecorino grated on the pasta is quite piquant and not too acidic. It’s not as strong as Parmesan Reggiano and seems to add a strong dimension to the dish." "I like semi-soft cheeses such as Monterey Jack, for its mild and buttery flavour. It goes perfectly with a good lager." "Epoisses is quite voluptuous with a well-rounded flavour." "I'm after something a little nutty, yet mild and pleasant. Nothing too earthy and pungent please." 10. Sydney's best cheese stores Salt Meats CheeseThis wholesale warehouse is open to the public and packed full of gourmet items that are imported from top suppliers around the world. There is an entire cold room dedicated to cheese and a mozzarella lab where you can watch them (and soon learn) make the goods. 41 Bourke Street, Alexandria; 02 9690 2406. Formaggi OcelloSpecialising in Italian cheese, they also hold cheese and wine pairing nights and also sell a wide selection of olives, antipastos and cold meats. Shop 16/425 Bourke Street, Surry Hills; 02 9357 7878. Gourmet Grocer BalmainA food lover's emporium stocking cheese and charcuterie delicacies. Many a cheese award under the belt. 332 Darling Street, Balmain; 02 9818 3354. Blackwattle DeliWith a huge amount of cheese on display, it can get very overwhelming, but they’re all lovely enough behind the counter to offer up good advice and tastings. Shop 8A, Bank Street, Sydney Fish Market; 02 9660 6998. Simon Johnson PyrmontCheese, homewares, recipes, you name it. Simon Johnson is a stalwart gourmet grocer here to service our every need when it comes to home entertaining. The on-site cheese room at Simon Johnson Pyrmont is definitely work checking out. 181 Harris Street Pyrmont; 02 8244 8240. Smelly Cheese ShopIf you're out and about in the Hunter Valley, The Smelly Cheese Shop has an impressive selection of local, imported and Smelly's own cheeses, as well as gourmet deli goods. 3/188 Broke Rd, Pokolbin; 02 4998 6960.
Kicking off a new side hustle or small biz idea can be a challenging quest, but with the right connections and resources it doesn't have to be. In partnership with Fiverr, we're spotlighting budding entrepreneurs who are getting their businesses off the ground in style. Ask most beer drinkers what they love about their favourite brew, and few would say it's the complex molecular structure that gets them craving a cold one. But Daniel Rojas, Gina Pacheco and Shivam Tandon aren't your run-of-the-mill beer enthusiasts. While the trio of chemical engineers are, like the rest of us, partial to knocking back a few brews at their local, they took things up a notch by making their own tipples. Together, they created The Zythologist, a new, science-based Aussie brewery founded at Monash University, where the three met. "We just love to learn how things work. We also love beer," Rojas told Concrete Playground. "For us, it's about understanding what's happening at a molecular level, [along with] how to bring [out] flavours and unique aromas." So, how do three chemical engineers end up making A-class brews? The three co-founders set out to understand the science of brewing and got hooked on the challenging process of making beer. It began with Rojas and Pacheco, who founded Monash Brewlab, Australia's first student-led nano-brewery, with Tandon joining shortly after. It has since become an educational lab, where students can apply the scientific principles learned in lectures and tutorials to create a product loved by uni students the world over: beer. Riding on the success of the uni-based brewery, the trio launched a commercial spin-off. Initially, they created Scholars Ink (a nod to the mates' tertiary achievements), which produced two debut brews — a mango lassi sour and a sessionable 4.2-percent dark ale. Both sold out in less than two months. Fast-forward to 2021 and they now have The Zythologist — and it's got big plans. [caption id="attachment_818393" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Melanie Desa[/caption] Not prepared to rest on their laurels, Rojas, Pacheco and Tandon brought The Zythologist back to where it all began. Their entrepreneurial idea was validated through the Monash University's central startup hub, The Generator, where they won a $5000 grant from Fiverr to help evolve their unique business proposition. For the uninitiated, Fiverr is a freelance marketplace that connects small business owners — or anyone with a burgeoning side hustle — with freelancers across a range of disciplines, including social media marketing, SEO services, illustration, and video and animation. Its easy-to-use design and global database of freelance experts makes it simple-as to get started and give your side hustle a leg up. So, what does all this have to do with The Zythologist? Well, first on the three mates' to-do list is to put some of that cash towards rebranding from Scholars Ink to the new-and-improved The Zythologist — with the help of Fiverr freelancers, naturally. "'Zythologist' comes from [the term] 'zythology', which is the study of beer and brewing, Rojas told CP. "We want to create this persona of The Zythologist [as] the connoisseur of everything related to beer." It goes without saying that their plans for The Zythologist don't stop at a new brand identity and shiny website. Rojas says he and his co-founders are keen to leverage their expertise to launch a consultancy and analytics service, while also making new brews and ensuring their product and production processes are kinder to the planet. The ultimate goal? To move the brewing industry in a more sustainable and efficient direction, with better beer across the board as a result. [caption id="attachment_818388" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Melanie Desa[/caption] If you weren't lucky enough to snap up a six-pack of the trio's maiden brews, don't worry — there are more on the boil (yes, pun intended). First up, The Zythologist is working on a big, dessert-like imperial pastry stout, brewed in collaboration with Burnley Brewing. And, not ones to do things by halves, Rojas, Pacheco and Tandon are also working on a non-alcoholic beer to tap into the growing no- and low- alcohol trend. "The science behind brewing can be quite complex, and every time you add another ingredient or treat it differently, the dimensions increase by an order of magnitude," Rojas told CP. "For non-alcoholic [beer], I think it's even more difficult, because what we want to do is emulate the [same] sensation you would have from a normal beer. Accomplishing that — and having [an ABV of] less than 0.5 percent, which is the threshold for a non-alcoholic beer — is actually quite hard." While Rojas, Pacheco and Tandon will likely dabble in more traditional brews like pale ales and IPAs eventually, it's pretty clear that these three mates are enjoying pushing the boundaries and making unconventional brews. As for the rest of us, there's really no better motivation to crack a cold one — alcoholic or otherwise — than knowing it's for science. Bottoms up. Have your own booming side hustle — or need a hand getting it off the ground? Check out the Fiverr website and connect with freelancers around the world, all just a click away. Lead image: Shivam Tandon, Gina Pacheco and Daniel Rojas. All photography by Melanie Desa.
Sitting in Penrith, Luddenham Raceway is more than a motorsport complex for cars and motorcycles — it also has a world-class go-kart track. Book in for an Arrive and Drive session and tackle 600 metres of pro-circuit track with 12 flowing corners and varied elevation (basically, you'll zoom up, down and all around, giving you a taste of the racing life). Each session is ten minutes, but if one hasn't quite scratched the speedster itch, you can always book a few more. Got a group of ten? Reserve for exclusive use of the track, complete with a private race and even a medal ceremony. Or, come for a night session and speed around a bright illuminated track. There's no prior experience needed, and your special 'Luddenham track licence' — which you'll need to purchase for $10 prior to hopping behind the wheel — is valid for 12 months, so you can come back again and again.
Last time I went down to Wollongong the driver announced that the last carriage of the train would be a quiet zone. No loud conversations, no chatting on the phone, no music without headphones. This was followed by a loud, automated announcement saying the same thing again, but louder. While a quiet carriage would have to be pretty appealing for the weary reader struggling to beat Game of Thrones to the end of voluminous original A Storm of Swords, you also have to wonder what else you could mandate the end of a train carriage be used for, if only the power was at your command. In places like India and Japan, there are women-only carriages (and there were some calls for that here not long ago) and in Sydney, a group is already taking this idea into its own hands with on-train, flash mob-style music sessions. In the Czech Republic, though, they’re putting space aside for flirting. According to the ABC, commuters in Prague will soon have the option of riding in a dedicated singles carriage. Flirting on the subway in Prague is nothing new — the Prague Frommers guide even has a dedicated guide to the best lines for kissing on — but a dedicated hooking-up space still makes for a first. The planned carriage is part of a drive to convince more locals to abandon their cars for public transport. People whose hooking up is already done won't be asked to leave, nor forced do sit-ups, but it does raise the prospect of Ashley Madison-ing some already committed commuters. Or maybe making for some really awkward rides with home with colleagues during those crowded peak hours. Via ABC / Reuters. Image by Brad Hammonds.
If you're familiar with sunglasses brand Colab, then you know they put out some pretty amazing designs. As suggested by its name, the company collaborates with independent artists, musicians, filmmakers and designers to create limited edition lines. In the past they've created killer shades with the likes of Toro Y Moi, Elke Kramer, and Kill Pixie. Their latest project with Sydney-based artist, Beastman is no exception. Beastman, personally known as Brad Eastman, is best known for his amazing street art murals in Australia and around the world. Eastman has since expanded to include gallery work, apparel design and skateboard graphics. His partnership with Colab was not his first artistic merger, but certainly proved to be new challenge. When Eastman was approached by Colab to do the collection two years back, he admits that he "didn't know anything about making sunglasses". But with a background in graphic design and a fully capable team of Colab engineers, Beastman set about bringing his vision from paper to plastic. "I drew everything," said Eastman. "I redesigned [the shape] and Colab helped with the whole process." Working closely with the Colab's (now ex) creative director, Carl Tindall, Eastman went through an 18-month process of forwards and backwards steps. He described the process as, "do something, send it to Carl, and then hear nothing for three months. Then he'd ring me, show me some sample and I'd say 'no that's shit, let's try this' and then another six months would go by." Seems like an exorbitant amount of time, but making the perfect frames proved to be quite challenging. "I gave him an idea and said 'I want get these three different colour waves of patterns,'" said Eastman. Carl would travel to factories in China, Italy and Japan searching for acetate colours that hadn't been used before. Then came the endless amounts of tweaking, shaving and adjusting to create the ideal shape. If you're familiar with Beastman's art, then you know it's pretty loud. Intricate patterns, swirling lines, and bright colours make up his dreamlike designs of mythical gods and creatures. Now you're wondering 'how that could possibly translate onto a pair of plastic frames?' Beastman's trio of wayfarer-shaped sunnies are comfortably subdued. "I wanted to make something that was unisex and subtle," said Eastman- and he succeeded in accomplishing just that. Made in brown, blue, and green, the swirly-printed acetate frames show an organic side to Beastman's art. He explained, "all my work is about patterns in nature; and how different natural elements combine and work together." The symbols of these elements, which vary by frame colour, are slyly marked on the arms. Notice a tiny leaf on a green pair or dainty orange triangles on the brown. Beastman's iconic prints weren't all lost in this project. His famous bright, geometric patterns were incorporated onto the sleeve and poster that come with every pair. Maintaining his signature style, Eastman said, "I wanted to include something for people to see the relation between the sunglasses and my work." Only 1000 people will be able to get their hands on this sweet deal. "I like doing limited edition things," said Eastman, "I don't like doing super mass-produced products." Functional products seem to be the direction Beastman's art is moving towards. Prior to his project with Colab, he's done apparel design and skate deck graphics for labels like Element. Now, he and his wife are working on a limited-edition line of furniture and homewares. Designing for everyday products is important to Eastman because, "It's not something you hang on your wall and look at; It's something you can use and wear ... that's (the theme) of all of the stuff I'm doing." We can agree with that, because who wouldn't want a coffee table or a pair of sunnies designed by a baller artist? The new Colab + Beastman sunglasses will be launched at the exhibition and end-of-year bash on Wednesday, December 11, from 6-8pm at Somedays store/gallery, 72B Fitzroy Street, Surry Hills, NSW. It will feature a limited edition print release. Join the party by RSVPing to media@somedays.com.au. Thanks to Colab + Beastman, we have one pair of their new sunglasses 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
The Murray River is already looking forward to welcoming a luminous new addition, with Field of Light artist Bruce Munro set to descend upon the border region near Lake Cullulleraine with his new two-part installation Light/State. But before that, the river will play host to a different kind of dazzling showcase, lighting up the night around 450 kilometres further east. Award-winning arts festival Moama Lights will make its return from Friday, June 30–Sunday, July 23, blazing brightly across the Murray region that's home to both New South Wales' Moama and its Victorian neighbour Echuca. And when it comes time to plan your visit, you'll find a swag of deals on accomodation and experiences for the Murray and surrounds over on Concrete Playground Trips. Back for its third instalment, the event's showpiece is a luminous trail of light and sound that'll envelop Moama's Horseshoe Lagoon with a brand-new serve of large-scale projections and striking installations, all sharing stories from across the region. After dark from Thursday–Sunday each week, you'll be able to rug up and immerse yourself in the multi-sensory display, which is once again the work of renowned design studio Mandylights. But that's not all — this year's festivities will be even grander than usual, with an ice-skating rink popping up at the nearby Kerrabee Soundshell from Saturday, June 24 and running for the duration of Moama Lights. You can take a spin from $17 per person. What's more, the legendary beer garden at Echuca's American Hotel will be going off with a bang each night with festival programming of its own, and there'll be plenty of entertainment and food trucks to round out the winter fun. Moama Lights will return to Moama and surrounds from Friday, June 30–Sunday, July 23. Hit the website to see the program and buy tickets. Images: Murray River Council.
Back in 1950s Australia, The Blake Prize was established in order to encourage a higher calibre of religious art. As our society has grown more culturally diverse, so has the prize. It has come to mirror multiculturalism and its many strains of spirituality. That said, if The Blake Prize does not secure a major sponsor, this may be the last year it is held. The works of 52 finalist are on display at the UNSW Galleries, loosely organised according to theme. Moving away from traditional ideas of religiosity, this year’s artists are more concerned with the rituals of everyday life and the nature of mortality. The winners, in particular, draw on very personal stories. Among the first lot of works, Warwick Thornton and Bindi Cole reflect on the intersection between Aboriginal spirituality and Western Christianity. While Thornton’s dramatic photograph is fiery and hellish — a response to mission settlements in central Australia — Cole’s crucifix is blazing with bold text and communicates a more personal predicament. Both are powerful and compromised; they each illustrate a tension between two belief systems and their histories. Other artists engage with contemporary human rights issues, namely Australia’s treatment of asylum seekers. Both Tim Gregory and Mike Barnard look (or attempt to look) beyond sovereign borders, each responding to dehumanising photographs. Looking like luminous green night vision, Barnard’s small painting reproduces rare footage from the sinking of the SIEV 69 in 2009, which killed 13 Sri Lankan asylum seekers. The barely discernible vessel speaks volumes about the onshore blindness to lives lost at sea. There are a number of satirical works upending the cynical preconceptions that circulate around particular cultures. For instance, Cigdem Aydemir's endurance performance is a series of films showing a Muslim woman in stereotypically Australian settings and poses, wearing a smile for as long as she can. Humorous in its artificiality, the work reflects on the media’s incessant politicisation of Muslim women. And Megan Cope's work is an amusing take on the idea of genuine Aboriginality, concocting a ‘blaktism’ ceremony that involves literally painting oneself brown and culminating in a contemporary rave party. The Blake Prize itself has been awarded to Richard Lewer for his low-fi animation Worse Luck, I’m Still Here — a worthy winner. This moving work revolves around a Perth pensioner, struggling with the mental deterioration of his wife. There is a raw honesty to Lewer’s simple materials – complimenting the tone of the narrative perfectly. Emotive and visually innovative, it anticipates a conversation that needs to happen. Straddling secular and religious, The Blake Prize has come to encompass a broad understanding of what it means to be human, to have aspirations and relationships — the fundamental starting point of any religion. Featuring a host of some of our best contemporary artists, there are many thoughtful and inventive works I have not mentioned. In spite of current funding difficulties, we can only hope the prize returns next year.
"Nobody likes you when you're 23," blink-182 once told the world, but that sentiment doesn't apply to long-running music events that take over Brisbane every year. When BIGSOUND reaches that very number in 2024, there'll be plenty to like and downright love. The festival has already dropped a heap of names on its conference lineup, including Kelis and Amyl and The Sniffers frontwoman Amy Taylor, and now it has revealed a batch of 70 acts that'll be getting the River City's venues echoing. Between Tuesday, September 3–Friday, September 6 in Fortitude Valley, attendees are in for not one but two Peking Duk experiences, with Adam Hyde and Reuben Styles — the former as Keli Holiday, the latter as Y.O.G.A. — making their solo BIGSOUND debuts. Alex the Astronaut, Gretta Ray and Sly Withers are also on the bill, as are dust, Dear Seattle, Stand Atlantic, PEPTALK, total tommy and Noah Dillon. The list goes on from there, including Australian First Nations talent Maanyung, Ray Dimakarri Dixon and Kiwat Kennell, plus New Zealand's NO CIGAR, Dick Move, Paige, Park RD, Reiki Ruawai and DARTZ. [caption id="attachment_907796" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dave Kan[/caption] BIGSOUND Music Programmers Casey O'Shaughnessy and Katie Rynne have had the job of whittled down their picks from more than 1200 applicants. "We are blown away by the calibre of artists that applied this year, and we've discovered so many amazing new artists in the process," they advised. If you're keen to see the results of the pair's curatorial efforts but can't stretch your budget, BIGSOUND is offering two cost-of-living crisis-friendly ticketing options this year: $25 one-night Music Festival tickets if you're under 25 years of age, and also $75 three-night Music Festival tickets if you purchase before Wednesday, July 31. [caption id="attachment_851424" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lachlan Douglas[/caption] BIGSOUND's latest 2024 announcement adds to a roster of names that also spans London-based DJ, artist manager and Butterz co-founder Elijah among the speakers — and Korda Marshall, who started his record label career in 1983 making coffee and scouting talent at RCA. Casper Mills from independent record label 4AD will also share wisdom and experiences, as will Naomie Abergel, fka Mark Johns, plus AEG/Goldenvoice Concerts Vice President Elliott Lefko. Performance-wise, the event's commitment to showcasing impressive acts, artists and bands usually sees more than 150 talents hit its stages at 20-plus River City venues. If you're a BIGSOUND regular, you'll know that this entails filling as many Brisbane spaces as possible with musos, industry folks and music-loving punters, all enjoying the latest and greatest tunes and talent the country has to offer. [caption id="attachment_861894" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lachlan Douglas[/caption] [caption id="attachment_907800" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Simone Gorman-Clark[/caption] BIGSOUND 2024 Artist Lineup: AKA Lui Alex the Astronaut Austin Mackay Belle Haven breathe. Cap Carter Charlie Pittman Charlotte Le Lievre Cooper Smith DARTZ Dear Seattle Dick Move DoloRRes dust Erik Sanders Flow Kobra Fool Nelson FRIDAY* Front Row Garage Sale Georgia Mooney Gretta Ray Hellcat Speedracer Homegrown Trio Hudson Rose ISHAN Jerome Blazé Juice Webster Julian Munyard JUNO Keli Holiday Kiwat Kennell Lotte Gallagher LUPO.THEBOY Maanyung Mac The Knife MARVELL Matahara Matt Joe Gow & Kerryn Fields Mau Power Medhanit MUDRAT NO CIGAR Noah Dillon Paige Park RD PEPTALK Playlunch Prink R.em.edy Ray Dimakarri Dixon Reiki Ruawai Rowena Wise SAME PAINS Sesame Girl Sex Mask Sly Withers Sonic Reducer Squid the Kid Stand Atlantic Stocker sunbleached The Belair Lip Bombs The Velvet club This New Light total tommy Vetta Borne Vinnie Brigante Wade Forster Y.O.G.A BIGSOUND 2024 will take place between Tuesday, September 3–Friday, September 6 in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane. For more information and tickets, visit the event's website. Top image: Dave Kan.
To celebrate its 15th year, Spice Temple has launched a special, Sydney-exclusive menu starring dishes that have defined the fine diner over its journey. Throughout June, you'll be able to indulge in the long-standing institution's most celebrated dishes of past and present with this 10-course banquet. In true Spice Temple fashion, the menu, curated by Executive Chef Andy Evans, draws upon an array of flavours and cooking methods from Chinese provinces spanning Sichuan, Yunnan, Hunan, Xinjiang and more. You can expect the likes of Sichuan-style poached chicken, which is dressed in a green chilli dressing for an additional kick; Evans' spin on the restaurant's original lamb and fennel dumplings in spring roll form; Hong Kong-inspired squid coated in tapioca starch, fried and topped with a roasted five-spice mixture; and Hunan-style silken tofu paired with preserved eggs. For mains, you'll tuck into your choice of one of three OG Spice Temple dishes, all of which have become menu mainstays due to popular demand. Take your pick from the stir-fried Sichuan prawns, steamed Jiangxi-style flathead or fish drowned in heaven-facing chilli, which packs a flavourful punch. A sweet and dry Hunan-style pork dish, stir-fried cumin beef fillet and fermented chilli creation originating from Shaanxi and greens tossed in ginger and garlic round out the savoury offer. As for the final sweet treat, the incredibly light three milk cake finished with dried raspberries, roasted pistachios and roasted almonds — the brainchild of Spice Temple's original pastry chef, Catherine Adams — will end the feast. This is one trip down memory lane you'll want to book in ASAP — spots for the limited-time dinner series are filling up quickly. Image credit: Kitti Gould.
Joining the ranks of North Sydney's flourishing food and beverage scene is Bar Lettera, a lavish new venue sporting a modern Australian and Italian fusion menu. As of this month, North Sydney has officially established itself as a new dining precinct with the launch of UpTown — the CBD's up-and-coming district set to revitalise the area — and restaurant launches like Bar Lettera to expand the district's dining options. Opening its doors on Saturday, April 27, the North Sydney newcomer will boast an all-day food and drink offering from inside the lavish Citadines Walker North Sydney hotel. Led by Head Chef Ryan Perry (ex-The Bridge Room and Momofuku Seiobo), the aim is to celebrate the best of Australian produce. "North Sydney is a brilliant place to do an opening as there's a real opportunity to elevate the local dining scene," said Perry. "Bar Lettera is all about honest ingredients, there's no hiding." The concept behind Bar Lettera's menu is to revamp Italian classics, curating inventive dishes where local produce shines. Perry's take on a caprese salad features heirloom tomato with kombu oil and Geraldton wax, while the fritto misto is a deep-fried bay bug paired with a semolina crust and XO sauce. The Head Chef's personal favourite is a Wollemi duck rag rigatoni accompanied by a Davidson plum gin sauce. The drinks selection offers sips that also reimagine the classics using native Australian ingredients and art-fuelled inspiration, while the wine list consists of local drops honouring their European heritage. Expect the likes of a Granjoux Chardonnay from Beechworth and a Joshua Cooper Cabernet Sauvignon. As for the fitout, Sophie Jordan, the director of Jordan Design Studio, has brought the chic 90-seat space to life. Also drawing from North Sydney's local artistic heritage, the restaurant takes inspiration from Australia's first female sculpturist, Theodora Cowan, and the apartment of a modern-day artist. Bar Lettera dons an inviting light pink hue, taking reference from the Aussie landscape, paired with smooth marble, raw hardwood and ceramic sculptures. "We use pendants within the canopy to throw a welcoming warm glow in tandem with inviting table lamps," said Jordan. "Intricate lighting fixtures illuminate the travertine stone bar to infuse a sense of warmth, inviting guests to linger and savour every moment." You'll find Bar Lettera on the mezzanine floor (level 5) of the Citadines Walker North Sydney at 88 Walker Street, open daily from 7–10.30am for breakfast, 12–2.30pm for lunch and 5–8.30pm for dinner. Image credit: Born Social.
Mobile phone technology follows a pretty straight path - get smaller and get smarter. Over the past year we've seen the newest incarnations of the iPhone and Blackberry, with producers playing to the strengths of their models; Blackberries got more business-focused and iPhones got more fun. But what is the next progression? Can a phone really get any more compact? The answer, apparently, is an enthusiastic yes. Introducing the PaperPhone: an extremely light weight and, as the name suggests, paper-thin smart phone. Its creators are taking inspiration from its pliable form and running with it. When taking a call you can bend it into a cell phone, turn the pages on your e-book by flipping the corner, and write on it with a pen and have your words translated into text. The inventor, Dr. Roel Vertegaal, the director of Queen's University Human Media Lab in Ontario, Canada, states "The computer looks, feels and operates like a small sheet of interactive paper, meaning that when users are reading they don't feel like they're holding a sheet of glass or metal." This has ramifications for office set-ups, with Dr. Vertegaal predicting "everything can now be stored digitally...you can place these computers on top of each other just like a stack of paper." https://youtube.com/watch?v=Rl-qygUEE2c [via DailyMail]
When it was published in 2005, Dead Europe, the novel by Christos Tsiolkas, was pronounced both brilliant and completely unfilmable. Tony Krawitz, whose previous films include Jewboy and The Tall Man, took on the challenge and has produced what is at once a deeply beautiful and also one of the most viscerally disturbing films to have emerged from Australia in recent years. The film follows Isaac, played by Ewen Leslie, who returns to Greece after the death of his father to scatter his ashes. Isaac is gradually drawn deeper into the horror of the diseased underbelly of Europe, all the while pursued by the ghosts of family history. Very kindly, Tony Krawitz sat down one lovely afternoon to have a chat about what is a truly remarkable film with a girl who'd spent the past month writing on the novel. What was it that made you want to make Dead Europe into a film? Because some said it was unfilmable. Well, obviously I never felt that. The book, as it is, is unfilmable because it's so dense and beautiful and goes in so many directions. But it felt like the contemporary story had a road movie type of structure. I always knew it would be challenging but I didn't think it would be unfilmable. Did Tsiolkas have a lot of input or did he let you just run free with it? He was really free with us. He said, "I saw Jewboy, and I really like it, and I trust you. Go for it," which is freeing and also terrifying. I think he read the last two drafts, and was really encouraging, and then helped us through pre-production and acted almost as a consultant. And he's seen the finished film and he's really happy with it. I think it's because he loves film so much and he understands how different the adaptation needed to be. They're like companion pieces. The way he described it to me is that he kind of got lost in the film and forgot about the book, which is really nice to hear from the author. The film takes the curse of the book and gives it to the father's side of the family instead of the mother's, which reminded me of the connection between the absent father and the son in Jewboy. Why was it that you decided to place the family story at the centre of the film? The family curse is central to the book, and that's the main narrative. Folding them together helped to make it more streamlined. What it also did, which I really liked, is it made it more biblical — the sins of the father. The father was someone who said he was a rationalist, who didn't believe in religion, but felt that he was cursed, and Isaac is a rationalist who goes "I don't believe in any of that shit" but finds out that he does. Would I be right in saying that the protest scenes in the film were the real ones happening in Athens? Was that part of you wanting to try and engage with the reality of Europe, as a sort of documentary? Yes, that's what I loved about the book. It was such a prescient title. The stuff Christos was seeing seven years ago in the book have come to fruition now in difficult and unexpected ways. With the protests we were looking to update the book and ask, what are the issues now? The response some readers had to the book was almost one of possession, and I think the film has a similar effect. You feel possessed by it. It makes you feel before you can intellectualise anything. Was that your intention? Exactly. What we were trying to do as filmmakers was to get the audience past their intellect, to make it visceral. Some people will love that, some people will really hate that and come out going "but that isn't how I think about that, how dare you put that on screen." The reason we were doing that is because that's what happens to Isaac. He's saying, "I am in my intellect, I understand the world, I know what Europe is, I know what suffering is, I know what war is," but he's a sheltered boy from Melbourne. Did having to deal with such intense themes have an effect on the cast? Yeah it did. We filmed mostly in sequence, so especially for Ewen, as we got more tired and more run down we were getting to the more intense scenes. I think it was great for him as an actor to be able to go on that journey. What were your motivations in changing the ending? It's hard to talk about for people who haven't seen the film yet; I don't want to spoil it. But it changed. It took a lot of conversations to get to that hotel room scene. It does end with more hope than the book, and I like that because the story, for me, is about the forgotten people of Europe. It's about the victims of the past, whether they're Holocaust victims or victims in Yugoslavia or victims today in Syria. Christos is so passionate about human rights and it's like the book was a primal scream about those issues. The way it seemed to me was that there's this official version of history, which we're constantly curating, but the film is interested in exposing these other histories that we don't acknowledge, but which still exist and still haunt us. And what's so powerful about the film is it's putting up a mirror and saying, "you're implicated in this." Yes, because we're actually taught that it's other people who do that, and we have no agency or responsibility. And I think that's what's uncomfortable for people, because they want to go watch a film which says "everything's fine", while this is much more unsettling, which people will either really love, or hate. https://youtube.com/watch?v=XrNnofw8CQw Read our review of Dead Europe here. Image 1: Ewen Leslie as Isaac in Dead Europe. Image 2: Tony Krawitz with producer Liz Watts.
With the hustle of a 9-to-5 and the fast pace of modern life, each week can fly by in a way that leaves you feeling exhausted but, paradoxically, as though you haven't achieved anything of substance. Well, enough of that. Each day you can elevate your life by aiming for just one easy win — even small changes to your routine will help boost your week and leave you feeling accomplished. To get you started, we've teamed up with our friends at Coopers to bring you a list of 'easy wins' — small things that will enrich your week and help you balance that delicate trifecta of health, career and social life with greater aplomb than ever before. MONDAY: GET COFFEE WITH A COLLEAGUE You can go for months — years, even — only knowing your colleagues on a superficial level. So, why not take some time out of your Monday to get to know someone from the office a bit better. It's an easy win from both a social and career perspective. If you're shy or not too sure of what to talk about, the best place to start is to simply ask what path your colleague took to reach their current job. If that fails, Netflix chat is always a good back up — people love spruiking their favourite new series. Who knows, you could find a new work bestie. And, once the relationship progresses, you can swap coffee dates for after-work beers. TUESDAY: SPEND YOUR LUNCH BREAK AT A GALLERY Every day we are bombarded with images via our screens — but seeing things IRL is an altogether different, much more impactful, experience. Switch off your phone, head to an art gallery and stimulate your senses the old-fashioned way. It doesn't have to be a full-blown art affair where you spend your entire Sunday traversing one of the major galleries; it can be as easy as popping into a local gallery on your lunch break and doing a quick walkthrough. Add a bit of culture to your work week, and check out Kyle Montgomery's crystal Virgin Mary sculptures at China Heights in Sydney, Honey Long and Prue Stent's divine photography at Arc One in Melbourne or the young artistic talent at the Edwina Corlette Gallery in Brisbane. WEDNESDAY: DO A DIGITAL DETOX Sure, technology has its many benefits, but it can also have some pretty nasty side-effects. Constant connection can be stressful, distracting or, at worst, damaging to our mental health. While a full-on digital detox is off the cards for most of us — y'know work and stuff — design ethicist Tristan Harris has a number of tricks to help us reduce our reliance on smartphones and form more intentional relationships with technology. For starters, download Flux onto your computer (it cuts out the blue light from your screen at night so your melatonin levels are less disrupted), change your iPhone display to black and white (grayscale is less appealing to regularly check than colour) and turn off push notifications on your phone. Now that scrolling is no longer sucking up your time, you can bury your head in a book, catch up with friends, take a walk... the opportunities are endless. THURSDAY: EXPAND YOUR MIND WITH A TALK You know the importance of integrating physical exercise into our weekly routines, but it's easy to forget the need to keep our minds active, too. On any given night you can find a number of scintillating talks across your city on diverse topics like politics, media, art, sexuality and business. Many of these events — held at bookshops like Gleebooks in Sydney, Avid Reader in Brisbane or Readings in Melbourne — are free to attend. You can also check out our Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne event pages to find upcoming talks and classes in your city. FRIDAY: SAVOUR A BOWL OF PHO Wind down the work week with a Friday night pho from the best in the business. The most delicious meals often hail from the most humble looking places — a good noodle-soup discovery will attest to this adage like nothing else. Pho Tau Bay in Sydney's Cabramatta, Pho Hung Vuong 2 in Melbourne's Richmond and The Vietnamese in Brissie's Fortitude Valley all pack a punch with bountiful bowls of pure flavour. To take this easy win a step further, treat yourself to an ice cold beer — beer and pho are bros, trust us. SATURDAY: READ AN ACTUAL NEWSPAPER Yes, they still exist. Head to your local cafe, grabbing a paper on the way, order a flat white and catch up on the news in a slow, laidback way — rather than that frenzied, panicked newsfeed way. Kick leisure goals and expand your mind simultaneously. The Saturday Paper is prime for longer reads, The Australian Financial Review is perfect for the latest in business and politics, while The Age (Melbourne), The Sydney Morning Herald (Sydney) or The Courier-Mail (Brisbane) cover the news of your city. SUNDAY: TUCK INTO SOME TACOS You heard it here first, shrimp tacos are the at-home dish of choice for summer 2019 — fresh, zesty, and perfect for warm weather. Close out your week with the biggest of littlest wins, find your preferred recipe on the interwebs and put on a feast for your loved ones. Just add beers and sangria, and you have the perfect Saturday evening made. Kick off your 'easy wins' by enjoying a Coopers Dry, or two, with your mates.
