With restaurants in both Sutherland (which is taking a brief hiatus due to staff shortages) and Cronulla, Alphabet Street is where to go for an upmarket Thai meal in the Shire. Its bubblegum-pink walls also make it a bit of an Instagram fixture. Leaning more towards the upper end of the spectrum than your standard Thai establishment, this venue specialises in flavoursome small bites designed to share. The contemporary and the traditional collide in dishes such as five-spice squid with lemon dipping sauce, tapioca dumplings with sweet pork and peanut, and enticingly soft and crispy bao with fried chicken and chilli mayo. There is also a range of dumplings available including chicken dumplings with prawn and sweet corn in a plum sauce, beef dumplings with soy and chilli oil or vegan mushrooms with shiitake dressing. The bao buns include crispy fried chicken and tofu with chilli mayo. If sharing isn't your thing, or if you're in the mood for something more substantial, Alphabet Street's selection of mains is equally irresistible. Try the choo chee curry with prawns, lychees and coconuts or the crispy pork belly with plum sauce and green apple. Alternatively, the jungle curry of beef, kaffir lime leaf and pea eggplant is criminally delicious. Can't decide what to get? Let the experts make the choice for you and order one of their banquet options. There is also a limited (but thoughtful) selection of vegetarian dishes to choose from, and one vegan curry. Images: Mel Koutchavlis
Ever found the prospect of finding a good inner city cafe where you can wile away the morning resoundingly quixotic? Copo Cafe and Diner offers the answer to this conundrum. And more. Unlike the revolving door 'feel' of a Crown Street cafe with queues of grumpy people waiting outside and awkward packed-in crowds, a beautiful bright-lit spacious cafe opens up before you, located only a short distance from the city. You can actually spread out multiple cumbersome newspapers across a heavy old-fashioned table, walk freely to the bathroom without tripping on a dog or a bag and in general take your time. The brunch menu offers generous tantalising meals at reasonable prices, ranging from exotic sweet dishes like citrus hotcakes with fresh mango, mascarpone and maple syrup ($13.90) or French toast with fresh ricotta, lemon curd and maple syrup ($14.90) to the rich and savoury, South American-style baked beans with chorizo and bacon on toast ($16.90), and original vegetarian options such as Moroccan eggplant baked eggs with labne, herbs and toast ($17.90). Copo's chef sources fresh produce from the markets daily so it's all bright, honest and juicy with a real home-cooked yet professional quality. I died and went to gourmet heaven over the house-smoked trout with fried egg, potato hash, herbs and toast ($17.90) and my breakfasting companion was mad keen tucking into the fried lentils and ham with poached egg, onion, parsley and cumin ($16.90). There was a perfect balance to the food; the lentils had a moreish smoked ham flavor without being too salty and the trout with hash browns was crispy and buttery yet far from greasy. You really couldn't fault any of it. Surrounded by the warm chatter of both youngsters and families, you can comfortably laze the hours away doing crosswords, sipping on hallmark Campos coffee so as to ease into the weekend. Perfect. If you're from these parts, it's the ideal local haunt. If you're not a local, it is well worth the effort to go there to relax, enjoy the amazing food and not feel squeezed like a breakfast juice.
Something delightful has been happening in cinemas in some parts of the country. After numerous periods spent empty during the pandemic, with projectors silent, theatres bare and the smell of popcorn fading, picture palaces in many Australian regions are back in business — including both big chains and smaller independent sites in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. During COVID-19 lockdowns, no one was short on things to watch, of course. In fact, you probably feel like you've streamed every movie ever made, including new releases, Studio Ghibli's animated fare and Nicolas Cage-starring flicks. But, even if you've spent all your time of late glued to your small screen, we're betting you just can't wait to sit in a darkened room and soak up the splendour of the bigger version. Thankfully, plenty of new films are hitting cinemas so that you can do just that — and we've rounded up, watched and reviewed everything on offer this week. DUNE A spice-war space opera about feuding houses on far-flung planets, Dune has long been a pop-culture building block. Before Frank Herbert's 1965 novel was adapted into a wrongly reviled David Lynch-directed film — a gloriously 80s epic led by Kyle MacLachlan and laced with surreal touches — it unmistakably inspired Star Wars, and also cast a shadow over Hayao Miyazaki's Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. Game of Thrones has since taken cues from it. The Riddick franchise owes it a debt, too. The list goes on and, thanks to the new version bringing its sandy deserts to cinemas, will only keep growing. As he did with Blade Runner 2049, writer/director Denis Villeneuve has once again grasped something already enormously influential, peered at it with astute eyes and built it anew — and created an instant sci-fi classic. This time, Villeneuve isn't asking viewers to ponder whether androids dream of electric sheep, but if humanity can ever overcome one of our worst urges and all that it brings. Dune tells of birthrights, prophesied messiahs, secret sisterhood sects that underpin the galaxy and phallic-looking giant sandworms, and of the primal lust for power that's as old as time — and, in Herbert's story, echoes well into the future's future. Blade Runner 2049 ruminated upon a similar idea in its own way, as many movies do. Indeed, Ridley Scott was hired to helm Dune before Lynch, then made the original Blade Runner instead, so Villeneuve is following him again here. Dune's unpacking of dominance and command piles on colonial oppression, authoritarianism, greed, ecological calamity and religious fervour, though, like it's building a sandcastle out of power's nastiest ramifications. And, amid that weightiness, it's also a tale of a moody teen with mind-control abilities struggling with what's expected versus what's right. That young man is Paul Atreides, as played by Timothée Chalamet in a stroke of genius casting that seems almost fated — as if returning Dune to the big screen had to wait for the Call Me By Your Name star. (The book also earned the TV miniseries treatment in 2000, and we should be thankful that a 90s iteration soundtracked by the Spice Girls' 'Spice Up Your Life' didn't ever eventuate.) When the narrative begins in Villeneuve and co-screenwriters Jon Spaihts (Prometheus) and Eric Roth's (A Star Is Born) retelling, Paul's life has been upended. House Atreides, led by his father Duke Leto (Oscar Isaac, Scenes From a Marriage), must leave its watery home planet of Caladan to take over the desert world of Arrakis. Previously run by their enemies in House Harkonnen, it's the source of the universe's melange stores, with the spice making interstellar travel possible. Spice also expands consciousness and extends lives — and, while forced by imperial decree, the monstrous Baron Vladimir Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgård, Chernobyl) isn't happy about handing Arrakis over. To say House Atreides' move doesn't go smoothly is like saying that its new home is a tad toasty, but the tricky transition is just one of Dune's concerns. Another: the plans for Paul. House Atreides' heir, he's being trained as such by the Duke, security expert Thufir Hawat (Stephen McKinley Henderson, Devs), swordmaster Duncan Idaho (Jason Momoa, Aquaman) and weaponry whiz Gurney Halleck (Josh Brolin, Avengers: Endgame). But Paul's mother Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson, Reminiscence) hails from the Bene Gesserit, an all-female group who pull the galaxy's strings, and she sees him as its fabled chosen one. Read our full review. THE CARD COUNTER Another Paul Schrader film, another lonely man thrust under a magnifying glass as he wrestles with the world, his place in it and his sense of morality. The acclaimed filmmaker has filled the screen with such characters and stories for more than half a century — intense tales of men who would not take it anymore — as evidenced in his screenplays for Martin Scorsese's brilliant Taxi Driver and Bringing Out the Dead, and also in his own directorial efforts such as Light Sleeper and First Reformed. You can't accuse Schrader of always making the same movie, however, as much as his work repeatedly bets on the same ideas. Instead, his films feel like cards from the same deck. Each time he deals one out, it becomes part of its own hand, as gambling drama The Card Counter demonstrates with potency, smarts and a gripping search for salvation. The film's title refers to William 'Tell' Tillich (Oscar Isaac, Dune), who didn't ever plan to spend his days in casinos and his nights in motels. But during an eight-year stint in military prison, he taught himself a new skill that he's been capitalising upon after his release. His gambit: winning modest scores from small-scale casinos. If he doesn't take the house, the house won't discipline his card-counting prowess. The money keeps him moving, but each gambling den could be the same for all that Tell cares. His motel-room routine, which involves removing all artwork from the walls, making the bed with his own linen, and covering every other surface and item with carefully tied cloth — making each space as identical as it can be, and resemble incarceration — lingers between fierce self-discipline and a stifled cry for help. Assistance arrives in two forms, not that Tell is looking or particularly receptive to having other people in his life. The regimented status quo he's carved out so meticulously is first punctured by fellow gambler-turned-agent La Linda (Tiffany Haddish, Like a Boss), who backs other punters and believes they should team up to profit big on the poker circuit. That'd bring Tell more visibility than he'd like, but it'd also increase his pay days, which would come in handy for his second new acquaintance. In Atlantic City, he meets the college-aged Cirk (Tye Sheridan, Voyagers), who has proposes a quest for revenge. Tell shares a grim past with Cirk's dad, and the twentysomething wants to punish the retired major-turned-security expert (William Dafoe, The Lighthouse) that he holds responsible — which Tell is eager to discourage. Isaac doesn't ask his reflection if it's looking in his direction. And, given that The Card Counter joins a filmography overflowing with exceptional performances — including Scenes From a Marriage already this year — it won't define his career as Taxi Driver did for a young Robert De Niro. Still, it's the highest compliment to mention the two in the same breath. At every moment, this blistering film is anchored by Isaac's phenomenal portrayal, which is quiet, slippery and weighty all at once. As conveyed with a calculating glare that's as slick as his brushed-back hair, here is a man who dons a calm facade to mask the storm brewing inside, revels in routine to avoid facing change, and anaesthetises his pain and past deeds with the repetition he's made his daily existence. Here is a man desperate to paper over his inner rot with time spent amid meaningless gloss, preferring to feel empty than to feel anything else, until he has an innocent to try to save and a clear-cut way to rally against the soulless world. Read our full review. ENCANTO Five years after Lin-Manuel Miranda and Disney first teamed up on an animated musical with the catchiest of tunes, aka Moana, they're back at it again with Encanto. To viewers eager for another colourful, thoughtful and engaging film — and another that embraces a particular culture with the heartiest of hugs, and is all the better for it — what can the past decade's most influential composer and biggest entertainment behemoth say except you're welcome? Both the Hamilton mastermind and the Mouse House do what they do best here. The songs are infectious, as well as diverse in style; the storyline follows a spirited heroine challenging the status quo; and the imagery sparkles. Miranda and Disney are both in comfortable territory, in fact — formulaic, sometimes — but Encanto never feels like they're monotonously beating the same old drum. Instruments are struck, shaken and otherwise played in the film's soundtrack, of course, which resounds with energetic earworms; the salsa beats of 'We Don't Talk About Bruno' are especially irresistible, and the Miranda-penned hip hop wordplay that peppers the movie's tunes is impossible to mentally let go. Spanning pop, ballads and more, all those songs help tell the tale of the Madrigals, a close-knit Colombian family who've turned generational trauma into magic. This is still an all-ages-friendly Disney flick, so there are limits to how dark it's willing to get; however, that Encanto fills its frames with a joyous celebration of Latin America and simultaneously recognises its setting's history of conflict is hugely significant. It also marks Walt Disney Animation Studios' 60th feature — dating back to 1937's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs — but its cultural specificity (depictions of Indigenous, Afro Latino and Colombian characters of other ethnicities included) is its bigger achievement. The focal point of their jungle-surrounded village, the Madrigals are the local version of superheroes. They live in an enchanted home, complete with a magical candle that's burned for three generations, and they each receive special powers when they come of age. The latter wasn't the case for Encanto's heroine Mirabel (Stephanie Beatriz, Brooklyn Nine-Nine), though, and that absence of exceptional abilities has left the bespectacled teen feeling like an outcast. Plus, with her young cousin Antonio (Ravi Cabot-Conyers, #BlackAF) now going through the ceremony, Mirabel's perceived failings linger afresh in everyone's minds. But then la casita, as their supernatural home is known, starts cracking — the flame begins to flicker as well, as everyone's powers waver with it — and it looks like only its most ordinary inhabitant can save the day. Encanto doesn't refer to the Madrigals by any term you'd hear in a Marvel movie, but the imprint of Disney's hit franchise remains evident. Thankfully, director Byron Howard (Tangled), and co-writers/co-helmers Charise Castro Smith (Sweetbitter) and Jared Bush (Zootopia) have sprinkled in a few fun abilities — because mixing up a template sits high among the feature's powers, even when those generic underlying pieces can still be gleaned. Accordingly, one of Mirabel's sisters, Luisa (Jessica Darrow, Feast of the Seven Fishes), is super strong, but the other, Isabela (Diane Guerrero, Doom Patrol), makes flowers blossom with her loveliness. Similarly, while their aunt Pepa (Carolina Gaitán, The Greatest Showman) controls the weather, their mother Julieta (Angie Cepeda, Jane the Virgin) heals through cooking. Read our full review. THE LOST LEONARDO Art of either great or dubious origins. Airport facilities where items can be stored — art masterpieces included — without their owners abiding by taxation rules. Both played parts in Christopher Nolan's Tenet; however, it's no longer the only recent thriller to include the two. The Lost Leonardo doesn't feature a phenomenal heist of a disputed piece from a freeport, but it is as tense and suspenseful as its 2020 predecessor. It also tells a 100-percent true tale about the artwork dubbed the 'male Mona Lisa'. Exploring the story of the Salvator Mundi, a painting of Jesus that may hail from Leonardo da Vinci, this documentary is filled with developments far wilder and stranger than fiction (sorry not sorry Dan Brown). And while there's little that's astonishing about the film's talking heads-meets-recreations approach, it still couldn't be more riveting. Although the Salvator Mundi itself is thought to date to the 15th century, The Lost Leonardo only jumps back as far as 2005. That's when the High Renaissance-era piece was sold for US$1175, and when Alexander Parrish and Robert Simon, art dealers eager to dig up sleepers — works from renowned masters that've been mislabelled or misattributed — suspected there might be more to it. The pair tasked restorer Dianne Modestini with tending to the heavily overpainted and damaged work, which revealed otherwise unseen details in the process. Cue a now-prevailing theory: that the Salvator Mundi sprung from da Vinci's hands. That's a shattering revelation given that, despite the prominence that the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper enjoy, the list of surviving works attributed to da Vinci barely hits 20 — and that's with questions lingering over his involvement in quite a few. Uncovering one of his previously unknown paintings was always going to be huge as a result; locating it in such a way, and for so cheap, only bolsters the extraordinary tale. Debates over the painting's provenance have continued for the past 16 years, although that's not the only reason that The Lost Leonardo exists. The piece has increased in fame over the last decade thanks to two factors, including the Salvator Mundi's inclusion in a 2011–12 da Vinci exhibition at the National Gallery, London, placing it alongside the author's accepted works — and its sale for US$75 million in 2013, then for US$127.5 million, and finally again in 2017 for a whopping US$450.3 million. Its unglamorous discovery, the ongoing argument over authenticity, the legitimacy gained by exhibiting in one of the world's most influential galleries, that it's now the most expensive painting ever sold: these details are unpacked and analysed by writer/director Andreas Koefoed (At Home in the World) via his array of interviewees — and so is the fact that, when that mind-blowing sale occurred, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was the secretive buyer. It's little wonder that the filmmaker has chosen to unfurl the ins and outs of these remarkable events as if he's joining the dots and puzzling together the pieces right in front of viewers' eyes, making The Lost Leonardo a detective story of a doco. It isn't a new approach, let alone a unique or unusual one, but it savvily relies upon the combined force of a ripping yarn and rollicking storytelling. Read our full review. THE HAND OF GOD For anyone that's ever watched a Paolo Sorrentino film and noticed his fascination with breasts, The Hand of God has the answers. It explains why the director behind The Great Beauty, Youth and Loro — and TV's The Young Pope and The New Pope, too — took to his chosen career as well, and why his features frequently feel pinpoint-accurate when they're either at their most sorrowful or their funniest. And, if he was ever to make a Diego Maradona biopic, the reasons why are also laid out. Sorrentino's latest drama takes its name from the Argentinian soccer superstar's infamous move during a 1986 World Cup match, where he used his hand to score a goal, wasn't penalised and helped win the game. Based on the filmmaker's own adolescence, it also tells of a time when the player was a deity to the not-yet-film-obsessed future Italian cinema great. First, those boobs: they belong to Patrizia (Luisa Ranieri, La vita promessa), aunt of teenager Fabietto Schiesi (Filippo Scotti, Luna Nera), Sorrentino's on-screen surrogate. She isn't shy — sunbathing nude on family boat trips and calling him over to hand her a towel — and the boy is obsessed to the point of chatting about it with his wannabe-actor elder brother Marchino (Marlon Joubert, Romulus). He's also fixated on Maradona's possible move to SSC Napoli, his local team, although that's a family-wide passion. At home with his mother Maria (Teresa Saponangelo, Porcelain) and father Saveria (Sorrentino regular Toni Servillo), and at get-togethers with all of his relatives, it's a frequent topic of conversation. But then a summer takes a turn for the tragic and, thanks to his devotion to Maradona, he's spared — but also caught adrift. For a filmmaker who often lets his excesses guide his frames, The Hand of God sees Sorrentino in a softer mode. The naked female skin remains, the dips into lavish visual extravagance and the eye-catching use of dolly shots as well — plus his penchant for following in Federico Fellini's footsteps, which also manifests when Fabietto tags along with Marchino to audition for the iconic figure — but this is Sorrentino at his most reflective and poignant. Bringing your most painful memory to the screen and sifting through all the complicated feelings it evokes will do that, understandably. Indeed, when Fabietto meets another real-life filmmaker, Antonio Capuano (played by Veleno's Ciro Capano), and says he wants "an imaginary life, like the one I had before" rather than his curent sea of hurt, Sorrentino reveals exactly why The Hand of God and his whole cinema career exists. It may start with a striking flight of fantasy involving a limousine and a small monk, but this is an affectionate and intimate family portrait, as populated with a wonderfully detailed central quartet. It's also a tender and touching coming-of-age story that's equally about sexual awakenings, farewelling childhood and confronting the worst that a teen can face, too. And, it's a movie layered with details about the tidbits that shape us in moments big and small, be it sport or friends or family practical jokes, and it always feels personal. As always, Sorrentino guides wonderful performances out of his cast — along with his striking cinematic eye, its long been one of his best filmic traits — and The Hand of God is never better than when Scotti, Joubert, Saponangelo and Servillo light up the screen together. BACK TO THE OUTBACK Joining the lengthy list of all-ages-friendly animated flicks that preach the importance of being yourself and not judging others on appearance (see also: Encanto and Ron's Gone Wrong), Back to the Outback hits screens with two differences. This overly glossy film is set in Australia, and sports the Aussie voice cast to prove it — Eric Bana, Isla Fisher, Jacki Weaver, Miranda Tapsell, Tim Minchin, Guy Pearce and even Kylie Minogue — while focusing on our native critters. Here, no one should assume a koala is nice, for instance. Fearing spiky, snapping and slithering creatures is similarly frowned upon. That's an immensely well-worn life lesson for kids, and also echoes with cognitive dissonance. When the animals in question are crocodiles, snakes and spiders, wanting them to be your next Finding Nemo or Finding Dory-style pet is hardly the best choice. Misreading how children will likely respond to the movie — begging for their own creatures, rather than taking a message they've already heard countless times to heart yet again — is one of Back to the Outback's many missteps. It smacks of trying to give a by-the-numbers formula a local spin but not thinking it through, a feeling that's also evoked elsewhere in the movie. Take its Steve Irwin-esque zookeeper Chaz Hunt (Bana, The Dry), who plays like a mean-spirited parody, and is the villain of the piece. Again, it must've been a quick decision to caricature Irwin and, while that choice is eventually grounded in the script, it really just seems like the easiest shorthand to make the movie more stereotypically Aussie. In the same vein, Chaz also mentions Vegemite and budgy smugglers when he's not uttering "crikey", unsurprisingly. He dons khaki and hosts wildlife shows at his Sydney zoo, too, which is where taipan Maddie (Fisher, Godmothered), funnel web spider Frank (Pearce, Mare of Easttown), scorpion Nigel (Angus Imrie, Emma) and thorny devil Zoe (Tapsell, Top End Wedding) all live — but koala Pretty Boy (Minchin, Upright) is the star of the show. That truth hits home for the sensitive Maddie when she makes her public debut and is called a monster because of her venom, while the cute and cuddly PB is a viral sensation the world over. Maternal croc Jackie (Weaver, Penguin Bloom) counsels not to take it all personally, although that's obviously easier said than done. So is the escape plan to flee the zoo and head back to the outback in search of her family — and yes, the film does utter its title in dialogue. Directed by Clare Knight (The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part's editor) and Harry Cripps (screenwriter of The Dry and Penguin Bloom, and also this), Back to the Outback hails from the distraction-filled school of family-centric filmmaking. Think: expensive and overt needle drops that add nothing to the story, but will keep kids bopping ('Bad Guy' is one such choice here); and a need to pack in as many flimsy jokes as possible in the hope that some will stick and, even if they don't, that they'll all keep viewers moving onto the next thing split-seconds later. Also high among its grating traits is an evident lack of understanding that great stories rather than half-baked sight gags and onslaughts of colour and movement make all-ages filmmaking special. Oh, and Back to the Outback's overemphasis on celebrity voicework is just as testing, as is that aforementioned heavy-handed messaging. SIT. STAY. LOVE. As Netflix keeps reminding its subscribers each and every festive season, Christmas rom-coms aren't usually known for their style, substance or depth. Instead, the most stereotypical flicks in the genre tend to favour cheese and cliches decked out in seasonal trimmings, and are designed to be consumed as easily and undemandingly as possible. They're the brandy custard of the cinema world, or the candy canes used to stuff stockings. Filler is a great way to describe the Hallmark-style fare that keeps getting churned out, too. Releasing in cinemas but surely destined to settle into a streaming platform's end-of-year roster in the future, Sit. Stay. Love is one such movie. And, while it gleefully owns all of its tropes — and all that Christmas packaging — that isn't the same as giving viewers a present. Festive-themed romantic-comedy meets animal-centric heartstring-tugger: even with an Eat Pray Love-knockoff of a title, that's the recipe here. Christmas brings people together, cute critters do as well, and Sit. Stay. Love doesn't hide either the formula at work or how blatantly it's splicing together two well-worn templates. The Australian-made film is better at getting a Gold Coast studio to stand in for Vermont in the thick of winter — because that's how firmly the movie embraces cookie-cutter Christmas flick inclusions, requisite snowy backdrop and all. Director Tori Garrett (Don't Tell) has nowhere near the same success in presenting the Australian cast as American, though, adding unconvincing accents to the feature's sack of struggles. As paint-by-numbers as it is, there's still wholesome potential in Sit. Stay. Love's premise, as penned by veteran sitcom writer Holly Hester (Ellen, Grace Under Fire, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, The Drew Carey Show). Overachiever Annie (Georgia Flood, American Princess) has returned to New England after a stint building a school in Nepal, but the aid worker still needs to keep herself busy — lest she actually spend meaningful time with her dad (Anthony Phelan, The Nightingale) and come to terms with her mother's death in the process. When the local animal rescue charity looks set to go under, her solution is to help save it, and to try to find homes for three of its dogs. But that isn't enough of a feel-good setup, so Sit. Stay. Love also has Annie flirtatiously banter with her old debating nemesis, Dylan (Ezekiel Simat, Back to the Rafters), who's now the town vet. The schmaltz falls as thick as snow, the dialogue is trite and no one's putting in their best performance. They're all hallmarks of exactly this kind of Christmas movie, as is the complete absence of surprises served up by the plot. Still, simply adhering to a terrible pattern shouldn't be any feature's biggest strength, even in a genre as padded out and merrily content to always stick to the obvious as seasonal rom-coms. Festive flicks have a built-in recourse to criticism — if you don't like them, you must be a grinch, or so the accusation goes — but saying bah humbug to cloying movies shouldn't stop at any time of the year. The dogs are adorable, at least, but that was always going to be a given. If you're wondering what else is currently screening in Australian cinemas — or has been lately — check out our rundown of new films released in Australia on August 5, August 12, August 19 and August 26; September 2, September 9, September 16, September 23 and September 30; October 7, October 14, October 21 and October 28; and November 4, November 11, November 18 and November 25. For Sydney specifically, you can take a look at out our rundown of new films that released in Sydney cinemas when they reopened on October 11, and what opened on October 14, October 21 and October 28 as well. And for Melbourne, you can check out our top picks from when outdoor cinemas reopened on October 22 — and from when indoor cinemas did the same on October 29. You can also read our full reviews of a heap of recent movies, such as The Suicide Squad, Free Guy, Respect, The Night House, Candyman, Annette, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised), Streamline, Coming Home in the Dark, Pig, Big Deal, The Killing of Two Lovers, Nitram, Riders of Justice, The Alpinist, A Fire Inside, Lamb, The Last Duel, Malignant, The Harder They Fall, Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain, Halloween Kills, Passing, Eternals, The Many Saints of Newark, Julia, No Time to Die, The Power of the Dog, Tick, Tick... Boom!, Zola, Last Night in Soho, Blue Bayou, The Rescue, Titane, Venom: Let There Be Carnage and Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn.
Jaaks has entered a new era. The breezy Kyle Bay venue, perched on the edge of the Georges River, has traded its fine-dining roots for something far more casual: a Greek mezedopolio that channels the relaxed rhythm of an evening by the Aegean. Gone are the white tablecloths and formal degustations — in their place: light timbers, linen sails draped from the ceiling and a decidedly laidback feel that invites you to linger over small plates and a cold ouzo. The menu has been completely reimagined under new Executive Chef Arman Uz (ex-Efendy Group), who first worked at Jaaks after arriving in Sydney in 2017. The rotating selection of around 20 mezedes and mini souvlakia — cooked over charcoal on a hibachi — is heavily rooted in homestyle Greek and Cypriot classics, but with clever twists that draw on flavours from across the Med. Octopus, for example, sits on a bed of gigantes and chermoula, butterflied king prawn is glazed with an ouzo bisque and brussels sprouts are given a lift with eggplant, tahini and molasses. Souvlakia, meanwhile, range from the traditional — chicken thigh is brushed with lemon and oregano — to the more inventive — salmon belly replaces the usual pork in the classic Cypriot sheftalies, which are topped with smoked salt, mustard mayo and dill. Lesser-known cuts, like a date syrup-glazed ox tongue, reflect the kitchen's nose-to-tail ethos, while vegetarian options, like cabbage finished with gochujang, walnut and molasses, also feature. Rounding out the offering are daily house-baked breads, served simply with sea salt and oregano or topped with rotating combinations such as tomato and garlic or haloumi and honey, plus a drinks list designed for kicking back. Greek wines and cocktails lead the charge — try the ouzo-spiked martini or the bright Lemonada, a mix of gin, cucumber and homemade lemonade. There's also an impressive collection of ouzo and tsipouro for slower sipping. Owners and siblings George Christodoulou and Diana Valsamis say the shift from Jaaks' more formal offer reflects how Sydney diners want to eat today: it's social and spontaneous rather than structured, with an approachable, ever-evolving menu and dedicated space for walk-ins next to the 40-seat dining room. The result is a spot that feels equal parts local hangout and summer escape — and just right for its prime riverside location.
Your trip finally made it out of the group chat, but now the struggle is on to keep the friendships intact after the trip. It's almost impossible to imagine anyone having a bad time on the Sunshine Coast, but where you choose to call home while you're there can make all the difference. In partnership with Visit Noosa, we've compiled a guide to some of the top-notch accommodation options around the region — from one-bedroom studios on Noosa's main strip and luxe hotels with ocean views to easygoing resorts with kid-friendly activities and multi-bedroom homes. [caption id="attachment_965601" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Netanya[/caption] For Style Savants Stay in the heart of the action at Netanya Noosa. The sophisticated resort is sandwiched between the bustle of Hastings Street and the tranquillity of Main Beach, so you'll be in a prime position to experience the best of the area. There are serviced apartments to suit all types of groups, ranging from poolside studios for solo travellers and couples to two-bedroom beachfront rooms with a rooftop terrace and even a three-bedroom penthouse villa with views across Main Beach and Laguna Bay. Each self-contained apartment features king beds, a kitchenette and flexible housekeeping options, while the resort offers concierge services, laundry facilities, on-site parking, Tesla airport transfers and a heated beachfront pool. [caption id="attachment_965595" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Noosa Springs Golf Resort[/caption] For Wellness Fanatics If shopping or lounging by the beach doesn't quite cut it for you, book in at the Noosa Springs Golf and Spa Resort for wellness activities galore. Spend your days working on your handicap at the 18-hole golf course, playing tennis, doing laps in the heated pool or taking part in one of the many daily exercise classes at the fitness centre before unwinding at the spa. Alongside classic treatments such as massages, facials, body scrubs and wraps, there's also a flotation pool and thermal suite with a hydromassage pool, infrared sauna, steam room and blitz shower. [caption id="attachment_965597" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sofitel Noosa[/caption] For Luxury Lovers Level up your stay at the five-star Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort, conveniently located on Hastings Street. Sofitel combines attentive service with luxe rooms and stellar facilities, including a day spa, the hatted Noosa Beach House Restaurant, a swim-up pool bar and the Riviera Bar. If you can tear yourself away from the resort, Main Beach is only a two-minute walk away, while Noosa National Park and Sunshine Beach are just five minutes by car. [caption id="attachment_965596" align="alignnone" width="1920"] RACV[/caption] For Families If you're travelling with the whole family, RACV Noosa Resort has you covered. It offers everything from one-bedroom apartments to multi-storey, three-bedroom villas that sleep up to eight people. Keep the kids entertained (and maintain your sanity) with the resort's wide range of facilities, which include heated pools with water slides, a games room, playground, spa, tennis court, restaurant, bar and free shuttle service to Noosa Junction, Hastings Street and Main Beach. During the school holidays, you can even entrust your kids to the qualified professionals at the Kids Club Care service, who will host games and activities for your little ones between 5.30–8.30pm, so you can enjoy a romantic dinner without the little ones. [caption id="attachment_965600" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Clubb Coolum[/caption] For Surf Buffs Go straight from rolling out of bed to rolling into some of the Sunshine Coast's legendary waves at Clubb Coolum Beach Resort. The relaxed resort has a range of two- to three-bedroom apartments with views of the water and is located right by Coolum Beach. The lesser-known beach is only a 30-minute drive from Noosa Heads and boasts various wave types for all skill levels. If you're starting out, Coolum Surf School is a five-minute walk from the hotel. After hitting the surf, you can keep your heart rate up at the outdoor pool, gym, games room or tennis court before kicking back in the sauna or whipping up a feast at the barbecue. [caption id="attachment_965598" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tingirana[/caption] For Cosy Couples It's all about embracing the coastal aesthetic at Tingirana Noosa, where you can don your best sun hat while cosying up with a mystery novel on a blue-and-white striped recliner at the beachfront pool. Choose from one-bedroom studios overlooking Hastings Street or one- to two-bedroom apartments and penthouses facing Noosa Beach. Each comes equipped with a kitchen, a private balcony overlooking the water and a barbecue. Guests also get direct beach access and can use the resort's infinity pool, gym, restaurant (which offers room service) and parking. [caption id="attachment_965599" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Zinc[/caption] For Long-Term Stays If you're planning to enjoy the Sunny Coast for a longer stretch (because why wouldn't you?), opt to rent a holiday unit from Zinc Properties. The company has a range of two-bedroom apartments available in Noosa Heads, complete with parking, kitchens, private balconies and extras like an outdoor barbecue, a pool, hot tub and water or hinterland views. And if you decide to extend your stay indefinitely, there are even apartments and houses for rent or sale on the Zinc Properties site. [caption id="attachment_965602" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Niche[/caption] For Bigger Groups Prefer the privacy of your own place? Niche Holidays has you covered with over 80 stylish properties around Noosa. From two-bedroom apartments with direct access to Main Beach to a five-bedroom Mediterranean-style villa with a pool and a sprawling eight-bedroom home with a private jetty, Niche Holidays has a property for every type of group — with enough bedrooms and private breakaway spaces for when group tensions start to rise and your social battery runs low. Start planning your Noosa getaway and find out more at the Visit Noosa website. Images: Tourism Noosa
Ridiculous as it may sound, some of the most compelling on-screen moments of the past decade have been found in the simple 30-second commercial spots for Apple products. Think back, for example, to the excitement on the face of the deaf girl as she's finally able to use sign language on her mobile phone, or the hypnotic dancing silhouettes cutting loose to Jet's ridiculously catchy 'Are You Gonna Be My Girl'. Best of all, picture that deployed soldier on the distant battlefront, tearfully touching the screen just as his newborn son gently does the same from all the way back home. Like the products they were marketing, Apple ads tapped into the notion of selling ideas and emotions — not items — and $500 billion later it was pretty clear we liked what we saw. Because of that, though, one of the biggest challenges facing the Steve Jobs biopic Jobs was to simply be better than the ads for the products he invented, and on most fronts it was, unfortunately, unsuccessful. Not unlike 2010's The Social Network, the Jobs film tracks its protagonist's story from his college days through to his stewardship over what is now, economically, the largest company in the world. We're presented with an unflattering portrayal of the man whose extraordinary vision sat alongside his infamous temper, ego and capacity for cruelty, particularly in matters concerning close friends and family. Steve is played by Ashton Kutcher in a performance that impressively captures the tech legend's mannerisms and cadence. The problem, however, is that Jobs feels more like a movie about Apple than the man who founded it. Whilst we're presented with at least some of his highs and lows (the movie is at its best during those low points, most notably his dismissal by the Apple board), whenever the products rate a mention, they're given almost comical reverence; messianic machines bathed in ethereal light. There's no denying the Cult of Apple exists, but this film wasn't the place to indulge it, and when coupled with some serious omissions, such as Jobs's founding of Pixar, it's hard to not consider this biopic more Performa than performer. https://youtube.com/watch?v=FrvkCS0ZGPU
Imagine a fully immersive theatre experience with a choose-your-own-adventure twist and lots of macabre nods to Edgar Allan Poe, and you'll have some idea of what to expect when A Midnight Visit takes over an abandoned Sydney warehouse later this year. Unlike any theatre offering the city has seen before, this captivating experience is part performance, part playground and part film set. And it's being brought to life across 30 rooms of an eerie, two-storey, 3500-square-metre Newtown warehouse before it's demolished to make way for apartments. Audiences will find themselves transported into a dream world that takes its cues from those notoriously macabre works of Edgar Allan Poe, as imagined by a team of local actors and a crew of innovative sound, film-set and costume designers. Expect an air of David Lynch and some Stanley Kubrick vibes, with a spot of steam-punk thrown in for good measure. "The experience explores themes of madness, guilt, death, impermanence and memory — just the small things in life," explains director and co-creator Danielle Harvey. "It's sometimes funny, sometimes sexy, sometimes wistful, and yes, sometimes a bit scary." It won't be for the faint-hearted, with hints to uneven floors, suffocatingly small spaced and many 'troubled characters'. If you're thinking you might need some sort of tipple to calm your nerves before all of that, or after, you'll find yourself in good hands at The Ravens Rest pop-up bar, curated by Studio Neon. A Midnight Visit will run from October 3 until December 9, at 655 King Street Newtown. Tickets are $45, available here. Preview performances from September 19 will also be available for $25.
Australia's longest running exhibition and art prize of its kind, the Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (NATSIAA) was established in the early 1980s when the commercial popularity of Aboriginal art was just starting to develop. The coveted award not only offers one of the biggest prizes for First Nations artists in the country, but it also aims to highlight the diversity and evolution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and its various forms. This year, there are 65 artists who have been selected as finalists for the seven awards, which have a total prize value of $80,000. So we've partnered with Telstra to give you a rundown on seven impressive artists that we think you should get to know better — and support — as they share their artistry with the world. Make sure you visit the NATSIAA website on Friday August 7, from 6pm, to watch the Awards presented live by host Brooke Boney. VICTORIA'S MULTI-TALENTED ARTIST CASSIE LEATHAM Inspired by walking the country near her two-acre property in Central Gippsland, Taungurung woman Cassie Leatham, from the Kulin Nation, is a true slashie. She's an artist, designer, weaver, dancer and educator. Leatham is hoping her second entry in the Telstra NATSIAA — a woven artwork that tells the creation stories passed to her by her elders — connects with the Award's judging panel. 'Nugal-ik Liwik Bundjil (My Ancestors Creation Story)' features a mix of pipe clay, emu fat, wattle sap, stringy bark, mud, ochre, sand crystals and wedge-tailed eagle feathers. The artist says her goal is to maintain cultural practices, with her dream being to create a teaching centre on her property to keep her culture alive. WESTERN AUSTRALIA'S KNIFE WELDING ILLIAM NARGOODAH Emerging artist Illiam Nargoodah is gaining acclaim for continuing an ancient tradition. Based out of Fitzroy Crossing in the Kimberley region, the 23 year old uses his skills to create knives by hand from found objects, crafting every part of the knife from handle to blade. Upholding knowledge that runs in the family, the young artist has been learning alongside his father — a leatherworker — since he was a young boy. The artist's first Telstra NATSIAA entry consists of several special knives that were crafted out of metal objects and artefacts collected on community station properties near his home. QUEENSLAND'S VISUAL ARTIST RYAN PRESLEY Using the iconographic traditions of Christian art as his launchpad, Marri Ngarr man Ryan Presley has his second entry in the Telstra NATSIAA this year. It's a political work that depicts the "beauty, resistance and everyday heroism of Aboriginal people today", he says. 'Crown Land (till the ends of the earth)' mixes oil, synthetic polymer and 23 karat gold on canvas. Presley, who was born in Alice Springs and now lives in Brisbane, is known for creating works that reference the impacts of colonisation on First Nations people, and the devastation of country and wellbeing from industries such as mining. CANBERRA-BASED SHELL ARTIST KRYSTAL HURST Proud Worimi woman Krystal Hurst brings the strength of the women in her family, and her ancestors before her, to her art. Working with banded kelp shells, bitjagang (pipis), fishing line and seaweed, Hurst has created a layered necklace for this year's Telstra NATSIAA. This is her second time entering the Awards, and the jewellery maker's artwork references an enduring connection to the sea and the continuation of knowledge passed on through generations. Hurst grew up on the Mid-North Coast and she continues to tell the stories of her people through her jewellery, and via weaving workshops that she runs at the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra. SOUTH AUSTRALIA MOTHER-DAUGHTER PAINTERS BETTY AND MARINA PUMANI Winner of the Telstra NATSIAA 2016 Telstra General Painting of the Year, Betty Kuntiwa Pumani enters the awards again this year — but this time in collaboration with her daughter Marina Pumani. Based in Mimili, a remote community in the APY Lands of South Australia, the mother-daughter duo has made two paintings that celebrate matriarchal knowledge. Painting Antara, a special site for the women in their community, Marina adds her knowledge to this particular diptych, referencing Maku Tjukurpa (the witchetty grub songline), which is central to all of Betty's paintings, marked by her signature use of vibrant reds. NEW SOUTH WALES DISRUPTOR AMALA GROOM Mixed media artist Amala Groom is the only New South Wales-based artist to make the finalist list of this year's Awards. Based out of Bathurst, the Wiradjuri artist has re-appropriated a beaten up print of a famed painting by Frederick McCubbin — a prominent member of the Heidelberg School movement — found discarded in a parking lot during the bushfire crisis, earlier this year. Groom's piece 'The Fifth Element' is a "conceptual intervention into the Australian canon of art history", she says. It comments on the uncertainty of our current times and remind us of ngumbaay-dyil — that 'all are one'. ARNHEM LAND TEXTILE ARTIST DEBORAH WURRKIDJ A previous Telstra NATSIAA finalist, Maningrida-based artist Deborah Wurrkidj has this year created a woven sculpture that reflects a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Paris taken in 2019. Alongside four other artists from the Bábbarra Women's Centre, Wurrkidj was asked to exhibit her artwork at the Australian Embassy in Paris, which was then profiled in Vogue. This new work, woven from memory, is inspired by the Eiffel Tower. Wurrkidj says, "I saw that tower and I thought I'll go back to Maningrida and I'll make her. Yes, I can weave that tower in our way, our Aboriginal way, not balanda [a white/European] way. And I did it." Find out more about the upcoming Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards. Top image: Krystal Hurst
Not only is The Rocks Sydney's oldest part of town — with some of the oldest watering holes — but it's also got some classic Sydney views to boot. Directly across the water from Bennelong Point, the area is perfectly positioned for uninterrupted vistas of the Opera House, Circular Quay and the harbour. So now that Vivid Sydney is officially in full swing, it's time to take advantage of those sprawling views. What's even better, you can take in these sights at some primo dining spots. Here are five eateries in The Rocks where you can catch some significant doses of Vivid light shows — pre-, post- or during dinner. SAKE Wearing its prestigious chef's hat for six years running, this restaurant is the perfect pause from the Vivid hubbub with its inventive sushi and over 40 sakes. Through the faux traditional Japanese entrance and down the long walk into the main room, you're removed from the bustle and guided to a cavern-like space divided between tables, booths and shoes-off and bum-on-floor tatami dining. Kick off your shoes, dig into some house specialties like the nori crips with tuna, kingfish green onion, togarashi and sesame dressing, and the Glacier 51 toothfish with miso butter, cooked in bamboo leaves, then head back out onto the illuminated streets refreshed and ready yourself for a game of LED hopscotch through The Rocks. THE ROCKS NIGHT MARKETS If you'd rather have a stroll through the Vivid sights with some tasty takeaway, instead of committing to a sit down meal, The Rocks Night Markets on Fridays and Saturdays (plus the Sunday of the Queen's Birthday long weekend) have you sorted. Before you set out through the lighted laneways, take some time to wander the stalls now set up on Playfair and Atherden Streets. Sample handmade, dried, baked, whipped and roasted products from all over the city and further afield. You name it, you'll get your hands on it — from BBQ skewers to cupcakes, gozleme and handmade chocolates. You'll also find new comers like Saké Jr serving up Japanese fried rice, and Fratelli Fresh dishing out authentic Italian eats from their pasta and gelato bar. And as a bonus, there'll also be live music. Sights, eats and tunes, sorted. The Rocks Night Markets are held Fridays and Saturdays, plus the Sunday of the Queen's Birthday long weekend during Vivid from 6–10.30pm. ALTITUDE RESTAURANT The Shangri-La's Altitude Restaurant offers the epitome of dazzling views. That's because it's on the 36th floor of the hotel, and it's fitted with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the harbour, all the way out to the heads. While you're working through your tempura soft shell crab with saffron risotto, foie gras brûlée with squid ink puree, cocoa nib and hazelnuts, Macleay Valley pork loin, and white chocolate and pear sorbet to finish, gaze out over the city's panoramas flickering and flashing with Vivid colours below. THE DINING ROOM AT PARK HYATT What Altitude offers in dizzying heights, The Dining Room at Park Hyatt offers in its spectacular proximity to the water and juxtaposition to the Opera House — a table here is about as close to the harbour as you can get without jumping on a ferry. Plus, the four-metre, floor-to-ceiling windows make for unreal views of Vivid right from your table and away from the crowds. Like Altitude, The Dining Room is for fine dining, but for tighter budgets — the tasting menu presents a reasonably-priced four courses of Sydney rock oysters, albacore tuna crudo, Tassie salmon with carrot declination, kaffir lime and coconut foam, slow-cooked, 'Bourguignon-style' wagyu beef cheek, plus a decadent chocolate bar with popcorn ice cream and salty caramel sauce. Pair it all with wines presented by the sommelier, and you're still paying less than $150 per person, for top-notch cuisine with a million dollar view. FINE FOOD STORE If there's one cafe in The Rocks that locals have frequented for over a decade, it's this one. The Fine Food Store pours Sydney's legendary Coffee Alchemy — plus blends up the famed Golden Gaytime shake — from its clandestine location on the corner of Mill and Kendall Lanes. And during Vivid this local favourite is keeping the lights on late on Fridays and Saturdays with homestyle Northern Italian eats served from their pasta pop-up. The regular cafe menu will also be on offer until 9pm — which includes some pretty tasty cocktails. So, dig into some fresh pasta, wash it down with a barrel aged negroni or deconstructed old fashioned, then check out the many light installations just around the corner. Top Image: Destination NSW
Every year, one of the most unmissable events on the Mardi Gras calendar is the Sissy Ball. Taking over Sydney Town Hall on Saturday, February 24, the shindig will transport you to a dance floor inspired by NYC's legendary ballroom scenes. Spend the night making shapes to a 'disco-house-bounce-pop' soundtrack and watching an epic vogue championship, which will see entrants compete across nine categories, including Sex Siren, Hands, Face, Realness and Trans Man Best Dressed. Godmother of Australian Ballroom, Kilia, is returning this year as curator, with a lineup of beloved ballroom figures coming together to judge, alongside Jack Mizrahi and Jamaica Moana who will be delivering high voltage rapid-fire commentary. In charge of the tunes for the night will be MikeQ, a legendary producer and DJ within the ballroom community who was even sampled on Beyonce's Renaissance, plus Brisbane-based superstar Neesha Alexander. You can check out the full lineup Sissy Ball via the Mardi Gras Instagram. First and second release dance floor tickets are sold out, so act quick if you want to secure your spot.
Here's something to be thankful for: Thanksgiving isn't an Australian occasion, but Black Friday has made the jump Down Under, bringing sales upon sales with it. Maybe you're getting your Christmas shopping done early, and cheap. Perhaps you're treating yo'self to a major purchase at a discounted price. Or, you could be excited about making travel plans for the year ahead, which is where Virgin Australia's 2024 Black Friday sale comes in. A huge one-million-plus fares are currently up for grabs from the airline, covering both Aussie and international destinations. If somewhere beyond these shores beckons, Bali, Fiji, Samoa, Vanuatu and Queenstown are among your options. Within Australia, so does The Whitsundays, Byron Bay, the Gold Coast, Cairns, Darwin, Uluru, Hobart and more. Internationally, return deals are on offer. From Sydney, you can get to and from Queenstown from $435, Nadi from $569 and Denpasar from $609. Melburnians can holiday in the same spots from $405, $599 and $589, respectively, while the prices from Brisbane are $515, $589 and $599. Cheap fares from the Sunshine State capital also include hitting up Port Vila from $499 and Apia from $689. One-way domestic fares start at $49, which'll get you from Sydney to Byron Bay. As always, that's cheapest route. Other discounted flights include Melbourne to the Sunshine Coast from $109, Brisbane to The Whitsundays from $79, Sydney to Hamilton Island from $115, Melbourne to Darwin from $205, Brisbane to Uluru from $129 and Sydney to Perth from $209. Are you yearning to kick off 2025 with a holiday? Perhaps you're planning an autumn, winter or spring vacation instead? Travel dates span Monday, January 6–Thursday, September 18, 2025, all varying depending on the flights and prices. As normal when it comes to flight sales, you'll need to get in quick. Virgin's discounted fares are available until 11.59pm AEST on Wednesday, December 4, 2024 or sold out, whichever arrives first. Virgin's 2024 Black Friday sale runs until 11.59pm AEST on Wednesday, December 4 — or until sold out. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
We Australians love our cheese. We have everything from fromageries and festivals dedicated to the dairy foodstuff to cheese wheels filled with pasta and bottomless raclette sessions to prove it. Our stomachs are working overtime to digest all the lactose and, honestly, we've never been happier. The love affair only continues with this cheesy annual event. Bon Fromage — a festival specifically celebrating European cheese — is returning for a 2024 run, popping back up with a full in-person festival following a couple of disrupted years. The whole thing will be taking place from Friday, May 31 until Sunday, June 2, coinciding with the city's favourite light and arts festival, Vivid. With the festival taking over the Overseas Passenger Terminal's Cargo Hall, you'll be able to enjoy samples of cheese and wine as you take in the view of the lit-up Sydney Opera House during Vivid. Across the weekend, one tonne of cheese will be given out, with a huge cheese buffet of brie, camembert, triple-crème, Fourme d'Ambert, Langres and mimolette being set up as the centrepiece of the festival. Plus, it'll be taking inspiration from the four seasons as part of its 2024 edition, so expect to be met with cheese spreads themed around summer, autumn, winter and spring. There will also be a market where ten of the country's top cheesemongers and chefs will be exhibiting and selling cheeses; pop-up culinary experiences from the likes of Masterchef alumni Jimmy Wong and Marani Deli's Alex Grenouillier; craft beer and spirits; live music gigs from violinist Daniele Montarulo, Anna Waving Collective, and DJ Frans; and cheese-based masterclasses. Best of all, entry to the festival, all of the cheese tastings and the masterclasses are all free.
What started as a lockdown pop-up is now getting a permanent home in the Inner West, with the team behind Ragazzi, Fabbrica and Love, Tilly Devine announcing a brand new bricks-and-mortar bakery is bound for Rozelle this August. Back in 2021, Sydneysiders were pining after any treat they could get their hands on as they stuck out a four-month lockdown. During this time the Love, Tilly Group was one of many Sydney favourites that made a pivot to something a little different and more takeaway-friendly, utilising its King Street pasta and wine shop as a bakery on weekends which they coined Fabbrica Bread Shop. Following the success of this limited-time venture, the crew is setting up a permanent shop for takeaway and dine-in feeds inside an expansive new Maloneys Grocer on the Rozelle end of Darling Street later this winter. [caption id="attachment_825864" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Trent van der Jagt[/caption] The sunlit 24-seat venue will be headed up by a pair of bread, pastry and dessert experts — Love Tilly Group's Head Baker Aniruddha Bhosekar and Fabbrica Pasta Shop's Alyce Bennett (formerly Humble Bakery). Raised in Thane, Bhosekar was trained at Mumbai's oldest hospitality institute, bringing this wealth of hospitality experience to create a one-of-a-kind slate of bakery items. Carry-over champions from the pop-up including pork and fennel sausage rolls, chocolate-filled bomboloni and banoffee tarts will be joined by exciting new additions. The masala croissants will be loaded with spiced dosa potatoes, and vindaloo pies will be on offer filled with goat direct from the Gourmet Goat Lady. Further down the Fabbrica Bread Shop menu you can expect fluffy focaccia, a daily lineup of sandwiches, pillowy maritozzi, chocolate and custard tarts and sticky buns — alongside a drinks list made up of The Little Marionette coffee for your morning caffeine fix as well as beer, wine and spritzes for lunchtime catch-ups. Keeping loyal to its name, there will also be plenty of loaves of freshly baked bread on offer including a signature sourdough that uses three different flours from Wholegrain Milling in Gunnedah and requires over 24 hours of proofing. This will mark the third addition to the Fabbrica family, joining the CBD provisions store and wine bar, and the recently opened Fabbrica Pasta Bar Balmain. "Fabbrica Bread Shop takes the Fabbrica experience into the suburban sunshine," says Love Tilly Group co-owner Matthew Swieboda. "It's everything you want in a great local bakery, whether you're picking up a bag full of still-warm pastries to enjoy in the park on a relaxed weekend morning, nabbing a spot by the window for a light lunch with mates or just swinging by to pick up another loaf of excellent sourdough for home." Fabbrica Bread Shop will open at Maloneys Grocer, 733 Darling Street, Rozelle in August.
Surry Hills pub The Dolphin is a food and wine favourite at the best of times, but on June 10, it's taking things to the next level, joining forces with Drnks to host its own mini food and booze festival. Dubbed Wet Dreams, the event's set to dish up a smorgasbord of great eats and boozy treats, with a pumping soundtrack to match. Over 30 winemakers, brewers and importers will be there showing off their finest wares, including a strong South Australian contingent (Ochota Barrels, Jauma and Commune of Buttons), Sydney's Wildflower Brewing, California-based wine stars Forlorn Hope, WA natural winemakers Brave New Wine and Canberra's Mallaluka. Expect lots of natural and skin contact drops. Meanwhile, a curation of drinking snacks will come courtesy of Momofuku Seiōbo's Paul Carmichael, Acme's Mitch Orr, Luke Shannon from LP's Quality Meats and the brains behind Pub Life Kitchen and Superior Burger, Jovan Curic. Spend the afternoon chatting with top Aussie producers, while tasting some of their finest creations. The event will kick off at 1pm and run until 4pm, after which you can slide into The Dolphin's wine bar for a few more glasses.
Plenty of sun. A little shade. Icy, refreshing beverages. Proximity to a body of water. On a hot summer's day, that's exactly what you want from a bar. Thankfully, Sydney currently has six bars that tick all of those boxes — and, they're only around for a short time. Yep, they've only popped up for the hotter months. You'll find a beach-themed oasis in Darlinghurst, a vodka-fuelled pop-up in Bondi, one hidden in The Rocks serving up $6 espresso martinis and even a bar with a pour-your-own frosé station. Check BOM, round up your mates, head out for an arvo at one of these extremely summery pop-up bars before they disappear
New year, new chance for Hollywood to pat itself on the back. That's how every January starts, even if things are a little different in 2022. After multiple controversies surrounding the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the organisation behind Golden Globes, the first batch of film and TV awards for the new year weren't given out at a star-studded event — but a long list of worthy movies and shows still won glittering trophies. When the Globes announced its nominees back in December 2021, it went big on plenty of the year's best. The Power of the Dog, Succession, West Side Story, Ted Lasso, Hacks, Squid Game — they all earned nods, and deservedly so. Today, Monday, January 10, they all just scored a spot on the winners' list as well. In fact, most of them nabbed more than one accolade. Highlights include The Power of the Dog's three wins, and particularly Jane Campion taking out the Best Director field. Her directing gong really can't be underestimated — it's just the third time that a female filmmaker has won the award, and the second in a row after Chloé Zhao won last year for Nomadland. Also for The Power of the Dog, Aussie actor Kodi Smit-McPhee nabbed the Best Supporting Actor award, while the exceptional film itself won Best Drama. And, still skewing local, Succession's Sarah Snook scored a Best Supporting Actress award in the TV categories — and Nicole Kidman is a Best Actress winner, in the Motion Picture — Drama camp, for playing Lucille Ball in Being the Ricardos. Obviously, the list goes on, spanning more big-screen and small-screen highlights. If you're wondering what else emerged victorious, the full rundown is below — and you can also check out our picks for the 12 winners you can watch right now. GOLDEN GLOBE NOMINEES AND WINNERS: BEST MOTION PICTURE — DRAMA Belfast CODA Dune King Richard The Power of the Dog — WINNER BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE — DRAMA Jessica Chastain, The Eyes of Tammy Faye Olivia Colman, The Lost Daughter Nicole Kidman, Being the Ricardos — WINNER Lady Gaga, House of Gucci Kristen Stewart, Spencer BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE — DRAMA Mahershala Ali, Swan Song Javier Bardem, Being the Ricardos Benedict Cumberbatch, The Power of the Dog Will Smith, King Richard — WINNER Denzel Washington, The Tragedy of Macbeth BEST MOTION PICTURE — MUSICAL OR COMEDY Cyrano Don't Look Up Licorice Pizza Tick, Tick … Boom! West Side Story — WINNER BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE — MUSICAL OR COMEDY Marion Cotillard, Annette Alana Haim, Licorice Pizza Jennifer Lawrence, Don't Look Up Emma Stone, Cruella Rachel Zegler, West Side Story — WINNER BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE — MUSICAL OR COMEDY Leonardo DiCaprio, Don't Look Up Peter Dinklage, Cyrano Andrew Garfield, Tick, Tick … Boom! — WINNER Cooper Hoffman, Licorice Pizza Anthony Ramos, In the Heights BEST MOTION PICTURE — ANIMATED Encanto — WINNER Flee Luca My Sunny Maad Raya and the Last Dragon BEST MOTION PICTURE — FOREIGN LANGUAGE Compartment No. 6 Drive My Car — WINNER The Hand of God A Hero Parallel Mothers BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN ANY MOTION PICTURE Caitríona Balfe, Belfast Ariana DeBose, West Side Story — WINNER Kirsten Dunst, The Power of the Dog Aunjanue Ellis, King Richard Ruth Negga, Passing BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN ANY MOTION PICTURE Ben Affleck, The Tender Bar Jamie Dornan, Belfast Ciarán Hinds, Belfast Troy Kotsur, CODA Kodi Smit-McPhee, The Power of the Dog — WINNER BEST DIRECTOR — MOTION PICTURE Kenneth Branagh, Belfast Jane Campion, The Power of the Dog — WINNER Maggie Gyllenhaal, The Lost Daughter Steven Spielberg, West Side Story Denis Villeneuve, Dune BEST SCREENPLAY — MOTION PICTURE Paul Thomas Anderson, Licorice Pizza Kenneth Branagh, Belfast — WINNER Jane Campion, The Power of the Dog Adam McKay, Don't Look Up Aaron Sorkin, Being the Ricardos BEST ORIGINAL SCORE — MOTION PICTURE Dune — WINNER Encanto The French Dispatch Parallel Mothers The Power of the Dog BEST ORIGINAL SONG — MOTION PICTURE 'Be Alive', King Richard 'Dos Orugitas', Encanto 'Down to Joy', Belfast 'Here I Am (Singing My Way Home)', Respect 'No Time to Die', No Time to Die — WINNER BEST TELEVISION SERIES — DRAMA Lupin The Morning Show Pose Squid Game Succession — WINNER BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES — DRAMA Uzo Aduba, In Treatment Jennifer Aniston, The Morning Show Christine Baranski, The Good Fight Elisabeth Moss, The Handmaid's Tale MJ Rodriguez, Pose — WINNER BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES — DRAMA Brian Cox, Succession Lee Jung-jae, Squid Game Billy Porter, Pose Jeremy Strong, Succession — WINNER Omar Sy, Lupin BEST TELEVISION SERIES — MUSICAL OR COMEDY The Great Hacks — WINNER Ted Lasso Reservation Dogs Only Murders in the Building BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES — MUSICAL OR COMEDY Hannah Einbinder, Hacks Elle Fanning, The Great Issa Rae, Insecure Tracee Ellis Ross, Black-ish Jean Smart, Hacks — WINNER BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES — MUSICAL OR COMEDY Anthony Anderson, Black-ish Nicholas Hoult, The Great Steve Martin, Only Murders in the Building Martin Short, Only Murders in the Building Jason Sudeikis, Ted Lasso — WINNER BEST TELEVISION LIMITED SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION Dopesick Impeachment: American Crime Story Maid Mare of Easttown The Underground Railroad — WINNER BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A LIMITED SERIES OR A MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION Jessica Chastain, Scenes From a Marriage Cynthia Erivo, Genius: Aretha Elizabeth Olsen, WandaVision Margaret Qualley, Maid Kate Winslet, Mare of Easttown — WINNER BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LIMITED SERIES OR A MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION Paul Bettany, WandaVision Oscar Isaac, Scenes From a Marriage Michael Keaton, Dopesick — WINNER Ewan McGregor, Halston Tahar Rahim, The Serpent BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, LIMITED SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION Jennifer Coolidge, The White Lotus Kaitlyn Dever, Dopesick Andie MacDowell, Maid Sarah Snook, Succession — WINNER Hannah Waddingham, Ted Lasso BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, LIMITED SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TV Billy Crudup, The Morning Show Kieran Culkin, Succession Mark Duplass, The Morning Show Brett Goldstein, Ted Lasso Oh Yeong-su, Squid Game — WINNER For further details, head to the awards' website. Top image: The Crown, Des Willie/Netflix.
Redfern's hidden retro bar Misfits is adding yet another tasty element to its offering — by throwing its hat into the ever-expanding ring of bottomless brunches and lunches in Sydney. The newly launched Misfits Lunch Club runs on the last Saturday of each month. The lunch is hosted in the upstairs powder pink dining room from noon–4pm each Saturday. Expect shared starters like zucchini and fontina croquettes, haloumi with burnt honey and thyme, and bread with caramelised onion butter. For mains, you can choose from barramundi with broccoli purée and pine nuts, duck breast with beetroot and amaranth or vegetarian ravioli. The mains are also served with shared sides, like fried potato with dill and white anchovies, brussels sprouts with wagyu fat and roasted cauliflower with burnt butter milk. You can nab all that food for $45, but we know you're really after the bottomless bit. That'll cost you an additional $20, a price well worth it for three straight hours of unlimited cocktails. The drinks offering will change each month. While you indulge, the venue's resident DJ will spin beats all arvo, and we reckon there'll be more than a few nineties and noughties bangers thrown in there. You can book your spot via the website. Updated: July 31, 2019.
For the past decade, spy films have been Matthew Vaughn's caper, thanks to Kingsman: The Secret Service, Kingsman: The Golden Circle and The King's Man until now. With Argylle, he's still being playful with a genre that he clearly loves but isn't precious about, and he's also approaching espionage antics from another angle. 80s action-adventure comedy Romancing the Stone, which isn't about secret intelligence operatives, is one of this page-to-screen effort's blatant inspirations. Something that both do have at their centres: writers caught up in scenarios that would usually only happen on paper. 2022's The Lost City took the same route — but Argylle throws in a touch of North by Northwest, and also gets meta about its own origins. And no, Taylor Swift didn't write the source material. For his eighth feature, which hits 20 years after he made his directorial debut with the Daniel Craig (Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery)-starring Layer Cake, Vaughn adapts the novel that gives Argylle its name; however, the specifics aren't quite that simple. The IRL title is only being published as the flick hits cinemas, starting a franchise on the shelf. That said, the film — which is similarly aiming to begin a series — jumps to a later as-yet-unreleased book. Those tomes are credited to Elly Conway, which is the name of the movie version of Argylle's protagonist. In the feature, Elly is also an author who has written a saga about spies. Back in reality, who she really is has sparked a frenzy, hence the theories that she could be one of the world's biggest pop stars amid a massive world tour and a huge concert film. Again, despite Swifties' dreams, that speculation needs to be shaken off. To recap, this is the spiel: Vaughn directs a picture from a book saga that's just reaching shelves, doesn't kick off with the initial tome and works in an iteration of its mystery author. Within the movie, Elly (Bryce Dallas Howard, Jurassic World Dominion) isn't an unknown but she is happiest out of the limelight, as turning down a date for an evening at home writing with her Scottish Fold cat Alfie illustrates early. Her in-film novels are already smashes, with just one problem. As she discovers after penning the draft of her fifth book just after readers get their hands on the fourth, and much to her surprise, her plots bear more than a little resemblance to reality. So informs actual agent Aidan Wilde (Sam Rockwell, See How They Run), who also advises that a villainous espionage outfit called The Division is after her because her texts are so prophetic. To add another layer to the Argylle trifle, Elly sees her fictional agent — the eponymous Argylle (Henry Cavill, The Witcher) — beyond her imagination. He's a Bond-type right down to the bar altercation with a femme fatale (Dua Lipa, Barbie). He's also a Mission: Impossible-style sort thanks to the team around him, including a trusty offsider (John Cena, Freelance) and tech guru (Ariana DeBose, Wish). With towering flat-topped hair, Argylle is a knowing spoof in a self-aware comedy, too. He's the stereotypical dashing vision of the undercover world, as juxtaposed with Aidan, who is introduced all scruffy and beardy on a train, blending in and earning Elly's incredulity when he says that spying is his gambit. The more that she gets pulled into the covert world, Argylle is also a blatant contrast to the writer herself; that there's more than one type of hero thrums within screenwriter Jason Fuchs' (Wonder Woman) script. More twists, more reveals, more zigzagging here and there (and, of course, everywhere) slip into a narrative that's unique in a way that's rare of late, especially when it comes to spies, action and big-budget big-screen fare. Argylle might be reaching screens with that did-Swift sheen and seemingly everyone that Vaughn knows in the cast — Cavill was in Stardust, Howard in the Vaughn-produced Rocketman, and Sofia Boutella (Rebel Moon — Part One: A Child of Fire) and Samuel L Jackson (The Marvels) both have a place in the Kingsman realm — but it isn't an already-known property. That said, there's a game of connect the dots at work for anyone who has seen any action flicks this century, spotting familiar parts. Still, with the visual flair that he's been known for since making the switch from solely producing (including Guy Ritchie's Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch), Vaughn leans into the fun and spectacle of it all. This strives to be a just-go-with-it affair, putting its audience in the same situation as Elly as she tries to stay alive, outwit The Division, and work out what's going on and why. Howard, Rockwell, Catherine O'Hara (Pain Hustlers) as Elly's mother and Bryan Cranston (Asteroid City) as the head honcho overseeing the quest to capture the author: they all help make Argylle easy to spend time with. Rockwell, though, is the feature's mood ring. He's having a ball with the looseness that made him such a captivating performer long before he had a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, and he nails Argylle's aimed-for vibe. His Confessions of a Dangerous Mind casting two decades back also comes to mind. Yes, he dances as he adores to, multiple times. He's always giddily entertaining. That Argylle doesn't earn the same label consistently is partly down to its running time: it might've more often if there wasn't 139 minutes of it. If the whole film all seems gleefully OTT, with its winks, nods, parodies, nesting-doll setup, more-is-more embrace of extravagant fights and frays — and kinetic chases and confrontations as well — and unconvincing CGI around the cat, Vaughn and his wife Claudia Schiffer's own, that's also been Vaughn's caper for even longer than he's been playing with spooks. In bringing Kick-Ass to the screen from Mark Millar's comic, then the latter's Kingsman afterwards, plus helming X-Men: First Class in the middle, the filmmaker hasn't been one for the grounded approach. It doesn't always pay off for him. The first Kingsman was undone by its ending, the second a subpar carbon copy and the two pictures' prequel thoroughly superfluous. But the energy of the cast, the Romancing the Stone throwback, plus standout setpieces involving skating through oil on knives and pirouetting through a gunfight amid rainbow-hued smoke grenades, prove both a lot and mostly enough to start off Vaughn's latest espionage franchise.
Cherry blossom season in Japan is the stuff of dreams. From late March to early April, the air begins to warm, the cities transform into dreamy pink landscapes, and wherever you look, you'll feel like you've stepped right into a Studio Ghibli film. If you've ever dreamed of strolling under a canopy of cherry blossoms, Japan in cherry blossom season is a must. But with them only lasting a fleeting couple of weeks, making the most of your trip is all about good timing, great spots, and knowing what to do beyond just taking a few pretty photos. We've done the legwork and have found some ideas of how to do it right, from the best viewing locations to the ultimate cherry blossom-themed experiences, plus the perfect stays and special deals to top it all off. [caption id="attachment_997052" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Mauro Repossini via Getty Images[/caption] Hanami Viewing at Ueno Park One of Tokyo's most famous hanami (flower viewing) spots, Ueno Park is the heavyweight champion of cherry blossom season. With over 1,000 trees lining its wide paths, it's where locals and travellers alike gather to lay down their picnic blankets, crack open some sake and soak in the beauty of the season. If you're travelling with the family, it's got plenty of space for the kids to run around, with food stalls and even Ueno Zoo to keep everyone fed and entertained. For an overnight stay close to the action, MIMARU Tokyo Ueno East is just around the corner, offering modern apartment-style accommodation that's ideal for groups and families to unwind after a day of cherry blossom sightseeing. [caption id="attachment_997548" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] MIMARU SUITES Tokyo Asakusa[/caption] Cherry Blossom Scenery on Sumida River Prefer your blossoms with a view in the backdrop? The Sumida River is where you'll want to start exploring. Running right through the heart of Tokyo, it's lined with pink cherry blossom trees that contrast beautifully against the Tokyo skyline. Spend your day taking a leisurely riverside walk, hop on an hourly departing water bus, or take the scenic route back to your hotel to see the trees at night. Just minutes away, MIMARU SUITES Tokyo Asakusa puts you right in the thick of the riverside action, with spacious rooms and a prime location to explore the best of Tokyo's cherry blossoms. [caption id="attachment_997053" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Robert Holmes via Getty Images[/caption] Cherry Blossom Keepsakes From Tokyo Disney If you're travelling with kids (or just love a touch of nostalgia) then Tokyo Disney's cherry blossom experience is an ideal way to experience the serenity, but not compromise on excitement. Each year, Disney also releases a special cherry blossom-themed collection that makes the perfect keepsake for your trip. Think pastel pink plush toys of all your favourite Disney characters, merch, accessories and collectible figurines. [caption id="attachment_997055" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Flavia Morchetti via Getty Images[/caption] Cherry Blossom-Themed Treats at Various Visiting Japan in spring means one thing: cherry blossom everything. Our advice? Lean into it fully. Start your morning with a blossom-infused latte at MOSCA by Ginger Garden, grab some cherry blossom mochi from Muji, and if you're feeling indulgent, treat yourself to the stunning floral dessert collection at Haute Couture Cafe. Sweet, pink, and Instagram gold. Immersive Cherry Blossom Art at TeamLab Planets For something that feels straight out of a dream, check out TeamLab Planets and their popular 'Floating in the Falling Universe of Flowers' exhibit. You'll find yourself completely immersed in a surreal world of cherry blossoms, creating the ultimate immersive hanami experience, one that you can't find anywhere else in the country. [caption id="attachment_997058" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Showkaku Sano via Getty Images[/caption] Explore Cherry Blossom-Coated Landscapes Around Tokyo If you're up for a little adventure beyond Tokyo, Mount Yoshino is the perfect change of pace. Home to over 30,000 cherry trees covering the slopes in every shade of pink, it's one of Japan's most breathtaking destinations year-round, but especially during the blossom season. Pair it with a day trip to Nara Park via a 90-minute express train ride from Mount Yoshino, where you can stroll among freely roaming deer under the trees. After a day of exploring, head back to MIMARU SUITES Kyoto Shijo. Smack bang in central Kyoto, it's a comfy base with easy rail access to both Nara Park (about an hour) and Mount Yoshino (around 90 minutes). Plus, you're within walking distance of Gion's many shopping and dining options. Where to Stay to Support Your Trip Cherry Blossom season is busy, and finding the right place to stay makes all the difference. Designed with families and groups in mind, MIMARU offers apartment-style stays with the space you need to relax after a long day of exploring. Tokyo's cherry trees typically bloom from late March to early April, but if you miss the peak, don't stress. MIMARU staff all speak English and are on hand to recommend alternative sightseeing spots so you can still get your fill of springtime magic no matter the month. Visit the APARTMENT HOTEL MIMARU website for more information and book your stay using the code mimaru_cp for an extra 5% off your stay. *Reservation period: Until May 31, 2025 *For stay period: until December 31, 2025 *Applicable to reservations for 2-6 nights *Pokémon rooms are excluded *Discounts other than the MIMARU Member Program discount will not be applied. By Jacque Kennedy
Essentially a fancy caravan, Whispers Tiny House holds two people and everything you and your travel buddy will need for a weekend in luxurious seclusion (yes, even the kitchen sink). Although teeny tiny, the space is well-designed and highly functional, set with a bed, power, a bathroom and heating as well as outdoor amenities like a barbecue, an outdoor firepit (available upon request) and chairs so you can sit under the night sky. Plus, it's got 360-degree views of the countryside. You can sleep snug, knowing that you really are right in the middle of nowhere. Well, kind of. You'll actually be just on the outskirts of the Blue Mountains in small-town Marrangaroo, among some spectacular New South Wales national parkland.
It's that time again, Sydneysiders: time for movies to compete with Mrs Macquaries Point's stunning view of Sydney Harbour. Every summer, the scenic spot's vista over the water, city, Opera House and Harbour Bridge gets a 350-square-metre screen showing the latest and greatest flicks — all thanks to Westpac OpenAir. There are plenty of outdoor cinema options in Sydney come summertime, but none can hold a candle to the scenery and luxe experience of Westpac OpenAir. Plus, it's a hell of a lot more than just a cinema. Forget popcorn and choc-tops; Westpac OpenAir boasts four equally luxe culinary options for all attendees. Options include The Point with Luke Nguyen, which brings fresh and vibrant Vietnamese flavours to anyone with a general admission ticket. Summer House Dining by acclaimed Sydney chef Danielle Alvarez takes things up a notch with fine Mediterranean feeds for premium ticket holders — and Chandon Garden guests will have exclusive access to a seafood menu and a dedicated oyster bar. No matter the seating and menu, you'll be able to enjoy your feed with live music from top Sydney DJs and one of the best views in Sydney. Then, as dusk settles, the hydraulics whir into action and raise the famous OpenAir screen three stories high for the movie of the evening. But what's on the program? As always, there are choices from every genre. Fancy a full-on big theatre blockbuster? You can grab tickets for F1, Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning, Wicked: For Good, One Battle After Another and Avatar: Fire and Ash. Some of this year's hit indie additions include Marty Supreme, How to Make a Killing, Hamnet, Song Sung Blue, Is This Thing On?, Bugonia and Wuthering Heights. There's also a promise of nostalgic favourites like Dirty Dancing, Mamma Mia, The Devil Wears Prada, How To Lose A Guy in 10 Days and Ten Things I Hate About You. For all that and more, check out the full program here. Westpac OpenAir runs from Friday, January 9 to Tuesday, February 24, 2026. Tickets go on sale from Monday, December 8. For more information or to book tickets, visit the website.
Paddington's Italian eatery Barbetta wears many hats, including daytime cafe, gourmet smallgoods store and workshop space. The venue on Elizabeth Street is the casual sister venue to nearby Cipri Italian and the owners are, not surprisingly, focusing on classic Italian food. Open for breakfast, lunch and afternoon coffee, the all-day cafe is designed by ACME & Co. — that is, the team who brought you a long list of successful Sydney favourites including The Grounds of Alexandria (and The Grounds of the City), Archie Rose, Fred's and Happy as Larry. The contemporary, bright interior adds nostalgic elements that are reminiscent of classic Italian cars and 1950s movies. For breakfast, think deconstructed Sicilian buckwheat pancake with fresh ricotta, figs and crushed cannoli ($16) and Italian sausage with baked free-range eggs, Tuscan cabbage, baked ricotta and toasted sourdough ($20). Lunch will focus on heartier dishes, like house-made lasagne and spinach ricotta ravioli ($22 each), porchetta paninis ($18) and spicy meatball burgers ($21), along with salads and snacks. The cafe's Neapolitan pastry-chef is also turning out a daily selection of Italian desserts, cakes and gelato to accompany your afternoon coffee break. On the drinks side of things, the requisite coffee and juice is paired with milkshakes and Italian soft drinks. The venue doesn't have a liquor licence just yet, so at present there's a sweet no-corkage BYO deal. Plans for an Italian snack bar are also on the horizon. In the smallgoods deli, takeaway meals like lasagne, gnocchi and slow-cooked lamb shanks will be on offer, along with fresh pastas, sauces, cheeses and meats. The store's selection of packed Italian products include coffee, condiments and biscuits, and pre-packed picnic sets are ready for Centennial Park lazing. If you're looking for your next date idea or just want to learn a new skill, Barbetta is also hosting twice weekly pasta making workshops on Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings. Classes include a hands-on cooking demo with antipasti and BYO wine, followed by dinner/lunch and the pasta you made to take home. Images: Nikki To Appears in: The Best Italian Restaurants in Sydney for 2023
Even if it's just for a night, and no matter if you're only travelling as far as the CBD in your own city, spending an evening in a hotel instantly changes your mindset. There's something about walking through the lobby, then getting cosy in fuzzy robes and with a minibar right there, that switches your brain to relaxation mode. That effect is why we all love staycations when we can't head away for a vacation. Of course, the feeling is temporary — but if you took the bed, sheets, TV, towels, bar fridge and more home with you, maybe it wouldn't be? That's the bet that QT Hotels & Resorts is making in February by giving away almost the entire contents of two of its rooms. Sure, you might've taken a hotel notepad and pencil with you after your stay before, or the tiny toiletries and shower cap, but this giveaway goes much, much further. From cushions, the kettle, the Nespresso machine, glasses, crockery and the bathmat through to a Dyson hair dryer, the minibar contents, the in-room safe, the iron and ironing board, and the alarm clock, you'll nab them all — so you'll get a room, then you'll basically be able to recreate that room at your own abode. You'll also receive the tissues, an umbrella, pillows, Kevin Murphy toiletries, a cocktail shaker, coat hangers, a shoe horn, coasters, playing cards, a bin and slippers — and the list from there still goes on. Everything you get will be new, too. The promotion has been dubbed 'Get a Room!', in fact, and does indeed require you to book in at a QT hotel or buy a gift card for at least $100 for a stay via the chain's website. It's also timed around Valentine's Day, so you'll have to slumber at QT between Thursday, February 1–Thursday, February 29, 2024, or purchase that gift card in the same window. Wondering where to check in? The campaign is running across the entire QT Hotels & Resorts chain in Australia and New Zealand for the month of February, which includes in Sydney, Bondi, Canberra, Melbourne, the Gold Coast, Newcastle, Perth, Auckland, Wellington and Queenstown. Regardless of where you pick, you'll be in the draw once you go to the promo's website and submit your booking confirmation or the order number from buying your gift card. Winners will be announced once early March rolls around, and there's two prizes up for grabs: the contents of a whole room in both Australia and Aotearoa. Now, to start planning where you'll put everything — or, if you'll be staying at QT with a date or mate, who gets what. QT Hotels & Resorts' 'Get a Room!' campaign covers stays between and gift cards purchased during Thursday, February 1–Thursday, February 29, 2024 — head to the company's website for further information.
We adore our sport here in Oz, perhaps more than any other nation. Some of the biggest events of the year and we're all in the mood for some good old fashioned sporting excitement, there's really nothing that beats the primal, up close and personal thrill of live competition. Happily, there are a bunch of world-class events making their way to NSW over the next few months that you'll definitely want to attend. From statewide NRL rivalries to monumental city marathons to the all-out automobile action, there's truly something for everyone. Get ready to laugh, cry, lose your voice, and, hopefully, revel in the unparalleled joy of victory.
For the month of March, Sydney will be sprinkled with fun and informative events to bulk up your knowledge of contemporary art. Curated by Glenn Barkley and happening throughout March, Art Month Sydney is now in its sixth year and has been refreshed with the theme 'Where Art Happens'. It’s all about testing the boundaries between public and private, local and global, and emerging and established. While there's nothing too new or revolutionary from previous years' programs, this year does see the return of favourites like Art at Night and ARTcycle, alongside some provocative talks and intriguing exhibitions. To save you trawling through the extensive list of events, we’ve picked out the best ones — many of which won’t cost you a cent.
How did Charlton Kenneth Jeffrey Howard become one of the biggest Australian musicians around the world right now? Attend SXSW Sydney in 2024 and you'll find out. The singer-songwriter better known as The Kid LAROI is the latest addition to the event's constantly growing lineup, in a key spot: the 'Stay', 'Without You', 'Thousand Miles', 'Love Again' and 'Girls' talent has been revealed as the fest's music keynote speaker for this year. In 2023, Chance The Rapper did the honours. SXSW Sydney isn't skimping on big names, clearly. On Saturday, October 19, 2024 at the ICC Sydney Theatre, expect The Kid LAROI to step through his career journey so far, from Redfern to streaming superstardom — and also what his future holds. The Kid LAROI postponing his Australian tour to this spring from February 2024 has worked out well for SXSW Sydney, then. As part of the event, he'll also help develop professional development workshops and performance opportunities for Waterloo and Redfern's First Nations communities. After he's chatted about his career to SXSW Sydney's patrons, The Kid LAROI will embark upon a seven-city Australian tour in support of his debut studio album The First Time. On the itinerary: HOTA, Home of the Arts on the Gold Coast, Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Commbank Stadium in Sydney, Perth's RAC Arena, Adelaide Entertainment Centre, MyState Bank Arena in Hobart and Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena. Migos frontman Quavo and Sydney's own ONEFOUR are also on the bill everywhere except the Gold Coast and Hobart. [caption id="attachment_926206" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Adam Kargenian[/caption] SXSW Sydney's 2024 lineup just keeps expanding, after Lucy Lawless, Grace Tame and Tim Minchin — plus sports stars Nick Kyrgios and Noémie Fox, playwright Suzie Miller, former Bangarra Dance Theatre Artistic Director Stephen Page and more — also joined the program to round out August. Set to take place across Monday, October 14–Sunday, October 20 dates, the event began revealing its program back in May, which was just the beginning. Another announcement arrived in June, then not one, not two, but three more in July — and also another, focusing on the free hub at Tumbalong Park, at the beginning of August. Then came more music acts and speakers, still in August. SXSW Sydney 2024 will run from Monday, October 14–Sunday, October 20 at various Sydney venues. Head to the SXSW Sydney website for further details.
Love the energy of Middle Eastern cuisine and crave the laidback charm of tapas? Paddington newcomer CANESS unites these worlds to create a dining experience with more than a few surprises. Guided by Desert Ship Hospitality Group – the team behind Shaffa, an upbeat Surry Hills spot – this latest venture brings even more ambiance while showcasing the powerful combination of simple but bold flavours. In the kitchen, renowned chef Ido Zarmi explores the boundaries of Mediterranean cuisine with a carefully crafted selection of tapas-style plates. With each dish bringing earthy and aromatic flavours to the fore, these highly shareable plates celebrate quality and simplicity in equal measure. Many dishes have a short ingredient list, but their attractive colours and mouthwatering flavours capture how you often don't need much to produce the most tantalising bite. For instance, the traditional prawns saganaki sees succulent prawns bathed in a rich, homemade tomato and feta sauce, while the grilled octopus delicately balances a herb and capers salsa against smokey, charred undertones. Then, you've got lamb kebab served with yoghurt, harissa oil and chopped salad salsa, beef sirloin with Med-style chimichurri, and desserts like basbousa bel ashta – a classic Egyptian semolina cake made with citrus and saffron. This minimalist approach extends to CANESS' interior design. Here, clean lines and artisanal accents keep the 60-seat restaurant simple but comfortable, as the murmur of activity carries softly from an open kitchen. Conceived by hospitality entrepreneur Erez Nahum and co-owner Juan Colmenares, this approach intends to bring people together in an engaging yet intimate atmosphere. Likewise, the restaurant's drinks list spans 80 wines, with 20 available by the glass or carafe, striking a cosy middle ground between unpretentious and quality. There are also 10 signature cocktails to consider, each featuring varied Spanish and Italian influences. Think the Clear Gazpacho, inspired by Spain's iconic chilled soup, or the Figroni, a Middle Eastern twist on the classic negroni. "Our menu is all about celebrating authentic Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavours with a minimalist approach. It's about stripping things back to the essentials and letting the ingredients speak for themselves," says Zarmi. "Our vision was to create a home-like dining experience. With its casual, communal vibe, CANESS feels less like a restaurant dining room and we hope it's a place where people can connect, enjoy themselves and feel at home – even in shorts and thongs," adds Colmenares. CANESS is open Tuesday–Thursday from 3pm–late, Friday from 12pm–late, Saturday from 11am–late and Sunday from 11am–10pm at 348 Oxford Street, Paddington. Head to the website for more information.
Sydney's Inner West is brimming with breweries. From well-known watering holes like Young Henrys in Newtown to newer brewers like Marrickville's MixTape, there's no shortage of places to sample excellent drinks in this buzzy neighbourhood. Choosing a brewery is one thing, but actually knowing what to order once you get there is a whole other challenge — and that's where we come in. To help make the daunting decision of what to sip a little easier, we've done the thinking (and the drinking) for you. Read on to find out our favourites before you hit the hops on your next DIY brewery crawl.
On Wednesday, August 21, the front page of The Sydney Morning Herald led with an explosive exposé revealing a culture of on-the-clock drug use, sexual abuse and unsafe work environments for female employees across the Swillhouse Group's collection of Sydney venues, including Shady Pines, Restaurant Hubert, Alberto's Lounge, the Caterpillar Club and the now-closed Frankie's Pizza. The bombshell report by Sydney Morning Herald's investigative reporter Eryk Bagshaw and Good Food reporter Bianca Hrovat contained shocking allegations including experiences of sexual assault, sexually inappropriate behaviour from male staff, and staff being pressured into drug and alcohol use. The report, which was compiled from a months-long investigation, also found failures in management with complaints from staff minimised or improperly resolved. Swillhouse Group CEO Anton Forte was aware of this misconduct and made various attempts to curtail certain behaviours amongst his staff, including hiring an HR specialist and introducing specific sexual harassment policies. In 2023, Forte went as far as prohibiting 50 percent discounts and free knock-off drinks for staff in an attempt to "prioritise and promote a culture of safety and wellbeing". The report stressed that Forte himself has never been accused of misconduct by his staff. The backlash against Swillhouse Group in the wake of the report has been searing. Hundreds of comments from customers have appeared on the Swillhouse Group's various Instagram accounts. One comment posted to Restaurant Hubert's feed read: "So disappointed and sickened to read the article in the SMH about sexual abuse. Abusing women like that for your fun has a detrimental affect on them that has lifelong consequences. The worst thing is that you'll say something to the media and that will be it, nothing will change." Another added, "So disappointed. You were my favourite place in Sydney, but I'm so sad for all the women who have had to endure such horrible things - and that's just the stuff we know about from the ones who have been brave enough to speak out!" [caption id="attachment_932655" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Andrea Veltom[/caption] Industry backlash has been just as swift. Swillhouse Group's debut culinary and music festival, Swillfest, which was due to take place on September 21 with tickets already sold out, was cancelled after major sponsors, artists and masterclass chefs pulled out en masse. The respected hospitality magazine Gourmet Traveller also announced that it would be removing Restaurant Hubert from the digital iteration of its prestigious annual Restaurant Guide, although the venue will still appear in the already-produced print edition. Editor Joanna Hunkin said in a statement relating to the removal of Restaurant Hubert: "While these allegations are not isolated, I cannot stress enough, it is not the prevailing norm. We cannot let this tarnish an entire industry, which is full of decent, hard-working and conscientious humans." Revered chef Neil Perry — one of the nation's most respected restaurateurs and the chair of the Australian Restaurant and Cafe Association — confirmed to The Herald that Forte would be stepping down from his position on the board of the Association with immediate effect. On the evening of Thursday, August 22, Swillhouse issued an apology via its social media channels, emphasising that the reports of abuse were historical and also announcing the cancellation of its upcoming Swillfest. "This week, our business has faced scrutiny with distressing claims about how Swillhouse used to operate in the past. We sincerely apologise to anyone who has felt hurt, unsafe, unprotected, triggered, or unheard. We particularly extend this apology to our female staff, guests, friends and family," the statement reads. It continues: "We acknowledge that Swillhouse was not always perfect and that we got things wrong in the past. We sincerely regret that any of our former staff have felt let down or unsafe. Questions about workplace safety and inclusiveness have been an industry-wide issue, and we are committed to being part of the solution, not the problem. Several years ago we began the process of building a better workplace where our people feel protected and where those poor behaviours are not tolerated. No one should feel unsafe in their workplace. That's not OK. "While we cannot right the wrongs of the past, we acknowledge them and apologise for any hurt caused. We assure our people, our customers, our friends and our patrons that we currently have best practice policies and processes in place to ensure our people work in the safest possible environment today and tomorrow. "We understand and respect community expectations and, today, are proud to have a workplace that is inclusive and diverse, where our people have a voice and we listen and support them. We recognise we can always be better and are making our workplace systems and support even stronger. "Our responsibility and focus right now is to our people and their wellbeing and for this reason, we don't feel it's appropriate to go ahead with plans for Swillfest on 21 September." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Swillhouse (@swillhouse.hospitality) A follow-up article published by The Herald and Good Food on Thursday, August 22, written by journalist Dani Valent, alleged systemic failures across Australia's hospitality sector, representing "endemic" levels of widespread gender-based violence and sexual danger in the workplace. If you need to speak to someone about an experience you have had or are seeking information, please contact 1800Respect on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800respect.org.au. Top image: Kristoffer Paulsen
Yabun Festival is held annually on January 26 at Victoria Park in Camperdown, Sydney, on Gadigal Land. Yabun — which means "music to a beat" in the Gadigal language — features a wide range of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander talent. Each year, Yabun consists of Corroboree, performances from First Nations musicians, a marketplace, discussions and speeches. This year, for the festival's 20th anniversary, the festival is running little differently, with three different ways for you to experience all the action — including from anywhere you like. The first is in-person at both Victoria Park and the Seymour Centre. Over at its usual home in Victoria Park, attendees can watch Indigenous cultural performances, wander through the marketplace and grab a bit to eat at the food stalls. Across the road at the Seymour Centre, the Yabun Stage will host musicians including rapper Kobie Dee, indie-pop group Pirra, the Gomeroi Dance Company and the Sounds of Freedom musical group which features survivors of the Stolen Generation and descendants including Vic Simms, Nadeena Dixon & Johnny Huckle. If you want to attend the 500-capacity Seymour Centre event, you'll need to apply for your free tickets online. If you can't make it to the city, don't feel comfortable attending in person or you live in regional NSW or interstate, you can also watch via a live stream on the festival's website or tune into the yearly broadcast of the festival on Koori Radio 93.7fm. It all kicks off at midday and will run until 10pm.
As temperatures soared across Australia this week, one of Sydney's chilliest spots received bad news, with the Macquarie Ice Rink slated for demolition to make way for multimillion-dollar upgrades to the Macquarie Centre. An unhappy turn of events for the generations of Sydneysiders who've flocked to the facility over the past 39 years, the move has been met with community backlash — and now the shopping centre's owner, AMP Capital, is reconsidering its plans. In a statement, the company announced that it "has asked City of Ryde Council to put on hold the centre's development application while there is further community consultation about the proposal". The pause comes as a Change.org petition to save the site has garnered 22,363 signatures. Macquarie Ice Rink has been the training ground for Olympians and a cool escape from the summer heat for many little (and big) Sydneysiders since 1980. As part of AMP Capital's original plans, the facility was set to be torn down in January 2020. According to News Corp, the shopping centre's $195 million redevelopment would include improved links from the shopping centre to the train station and bus interchange as well as a public plaza, which would impact the space where the ice rink is currently located. After first revealing the rink's demolition in a press release earlier this week — which revealed its lease would finish at the end of January next year — the ice rink's owners have welcomed AMP Capital's announcement, but note that the site hasn't been rescued yet. "This is the first step in what could be a very long battle to save Macquarie Ice Rink," said Dr Frank Gregg in a statement. "It shows what people power can do and I would like to thank the community for their overwhelming support. I would urge everyone to now contact AMP and tell them that an Olympic-size ice rink at the Macquarie Centre is a must now and into the future." https://www.facebook.com/macquarieicerink/posts/2513306518686394 The initial news of Macquarie Ice Rink's demolition was a case of particularly bad timing, with the ice rink given a considerable upgrade just last year. "We recently spent millions of dollars refurbishing the ice rink and laying new ice for the athletes and the public," Dr Gregg originally revealed. In his latest statement, he explained that "there is no way I would have spent $3.5 million dollars upgrading the rink if I expected it to close on January 31, 2020". For those eager to provide their thoughts on the potential revamp, Macquarie Centre will display plans on level three of the shopping centre during the development application process — and will make staff available to discuss the proposal from 10am–1pm on Saturday, January 19, 11am–2pm on Monday, January 21 and 5–8pm on Thursday, January 24 as part of AMP Capital's feedback process. While the situation plays out, you still have at least 12 months to visit the Macquarie Ice Rink, which is open to the public at various times throughout the week and all-day on Sunday, as well as for disco sessions on Friday nights. While Macquarie Ice Rink was originally slated for closure on January 31, 2020, we'll keep you updated with changes as the situation progresses.
Each January, as we recover from the chaotic buzz of the holiday season and the temperatures hit record highs, the city comes into its most vibrant, colourful form with the three-week carnival that is Sydney Festival. The country's biggest annual arts fest transforms our city into a creative playground, filling the summer days and nights with a generous helping of culture — from innovative dance shows to mind-blowing circus and thought-provoking theatre. The best bit? Getting your culture on at Sydney Festival doesn't have to put a dent in the old wallet. With a panoply of offerings that are absolutely gratis, there's bound to be a free event that's right up your alley. To help you make the most of what's on offer, we've highlighted ten of the best free events — from talks and workshops to art exhibitions — on the 2018 program. While all of these events are delightfully cost-free, some require online registration, so hurry on over to the festival website to guarantee your spot. If you can only squeeze in a few shows this summer, make sure at least one of these is on your list.
Art exhibitions are fleeting, gracing walls and halls for just days, weeks or months at a time, then moving elsewhere or never being seen again. The Lume, Melbourne's multi-sensory digital art gallery, is also set to be a brief addition to Australia's cultural scene. The venue opened in 2021, and has now announced that it will shut its doors in 2026, after deciding not to extend its lease at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Whether you're an art lover based in the Victorian capital or elsewhere around the country, you've now got just over a year — before January 2026 — to head by. Until early December 2024, Leonardo da Vinci — 500 Years of Genius is filling The Lume with a tribute to the iconic artist. Then, come Boxing Day 2024, the site is bringing back its Vincent van Gogh exhibition, complete with The Starry Night projected large, taking over an entire room; the immersive Sunflower room, where golden petals stretch as far as the eye can see; an immersive cafe inspired by the artist's Café Terrace at Night; and more. "The Lume Melbourne's lease at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre was up for renewal in January 2026, and we have made the decision to not extend the lease beyond that time. This decision, made in alignment with our parent company Grande Experiences, reflects our ambition to explore new directions and technologies that build on our success here in Melbourne," said the team behind the gallery in a statement. "Since opening in November 2021, The Lume Melbourne has become a beloved cultural destination, inviting audiences to experience art in an inclusive, accessible and engaging way. We are incredibly proud of what's been achieved over the past three years." "Looking forward, The Lume is excited to embrace new technologies that deepen connections with our audiences and will transform the way visitors engage with art and culture. This evolution will guide us toward opportunities best suited to support these creative possibilities," the crew continued. "We look forward to an unforgettable final year at MCEC and to sharing this exciting new chapter of The Lume as we continue to push the boundaries of how technology can bring art and culture to life." When it initially opened, The Lume launched with its immersive van Gogh showcase — making the exhibition's return a full-circle moment. Also wowing audiences at the gallery: a celebration of Monet and his contemporaries, a huge showcase dedicated to First Nations artists and, since early 2024, all things da Vinci. The Lume Melbourne is set to close at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, 5 Convention Centre Place, South Wharf, Melbourne, in January 2026. Leonardo da Vinci — 500 Years of Genius displays until Sunday, December 8, 2024. Van Gogh at The Lume opens on Thursday, December 26, 2024. Head to the venue's website for tickets and further information. Images: Morgan Sette / Miles Noel Photography / Grande Experiences.
Behold a rainbow of finely crafted ceramics in a rainbow of colourful finishes at this Mosman store for Mud Australia. Mud's designs are clean and simple with a Scandinavian influence, which results in bowls, cups and carafes that are like trophies for your minimalist interior design dream home. Every item is made in the Sydney studio using porcelain clay sourced directly from France, so careful how you handle that precious porcelain when you're excitedly browsing the collection.
Since late March, Australians haven't been permitted to leave the country. For much of the past few months, we haven't been allowed to travel much further than our own homes, either. But, while one of those situations won't be changing anytime soon — other than the possible implementation of a travel bubble with New Zealand — the other is starting to ease in many Aussie states and territories. Despite the political rhetoric of recent months, opening Australia back up to Australian residents isn't as easy as it sounds. Indeed, with Victoria's COVID-19 case numbers increasing drastically in late June and early July, resulting in the reimplementation of stay-at-home requirements for all of metropolitan Melbourne for at least six weeks, relaxing interstate borders is proving particularly complex. Just where you can travel to depends on where you normally live and where you'd like to head — and if you're wondering what it means for your next road trip or local holiday, we've broken down the current restrictions for you state by state. Details in this article are correct as at Friday, July 17, and will be updated as new information is announced. [caption id="attachment_775040" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Port Stephens by Destination NSW[/caption] NEW SOUTH WALES Throughout Australia's response to the COVID-19 pandemic to-date, New South Wales was one of only two states that didn't impose any border restrictions upon domestic travellers — until now. Due to the rising case numbers in Victoria, NSW has closed the border between the two states for the first time in more than 100 years (the last time was in 1919 during the Spanish Flu). Effective since midnight on Tuesday, July 7, NSW has only closed its border with Victoria. Its borders remain open with all other Australian states and territories. Victorians wishing to enter NSW must apply for a border permit to travel from Victoria to NSW. To obtain a permit — which is valid for 14 days — you need to fall into a number of set categories, such as cross-border residents, students or those employed to provide critical services. Also, permits are not available to Victorian residents who are prevented from travelling due to public health restrictions, which means everyone living in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire. Even with a permit, anyone who has been in Victoria in the 14 days before entering NSW will need to self-isolate for 14 days. You can do so at home — and the quarantine requirements apply not only to Victorians, but to NSW residents returning home. [caption id="attachment_751687" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lean Timms for Visit Canberra[/caption] AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY In the Australian Capital Territory, the border has also been closed to anyone travelling to the ACT from Victoria — unless you have an exemption. The closure came into effect at the same time as NSW's similar border restrictions. ACT residents can return home from Victoria, and must quarantine for 14 days; however, for everyone else, exemptions only apply in select circumstances: visiting a immediate family member who is critically ill or in palliative care, undertaking essential services work, attending a funeral of an immediate family member, providing urgent care to an immediate family member, receiving urgent medical care, and if you've left Victoria by air after transiting from another jurisdiction, but you did not leave the airport. The ACT does not have any restrictions in place for travellers from other Australian states and territories. VICTORIA Like NSW, Victorian has not closed its borders throughout Australia's response to the COVID-19 pandemic to-date. And, while other states and territories are closing off from Victoria, the state's borders are actually still open. That said, leaders of Australia's other states and territories have strongly advised that no one should be travelling to Victoria at present — and if you do, you may be required to quarantine on return to your home state. For Victorians looking to venture interstate, you aren't just restricted by the rules of whichever state or territory you'd like to travel to, but — if you live in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire — by Victoria's public health restrictions. As part of the reintroduced stay-at-home limits in place from 11.59pm on Wednesday, July 8, Victorians in these areas are only allowed to leave home for one of four reasons: for work or school (if you can't do this from home), for care or care giving, for daily exercise or for food and other essentials. Going on a holiday anywhere — locally, regionally in Victoria or interstate — is definitely not permitted. [caption id="attachment_743607" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Whitehaven Beach by Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] QUEENSLAND From Friday, July 10, after much debate and discussion over the past few months, Queensland officially reopened its borders to interstate visitors from all states and territories — except Victoria, which is considered a COVID-19 hotspot. On Tuesday, July 14, the state added the Campbelltown City and Liverpool City local government areas in New South Wales to its hotspot list, too, which means anyone who has been in Victoria or those two NSW areas in the past 14 days cannot enter Queensland. People visiting from South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, the Northern Territory, the Australian Capital Territory and other parts of NSW need to complete a border declaration form to obtain a Queensland border declaration pass. On it, you need to certify that you haven't travelled to Victoria or the aforementioned NSW spots in past 14 days — and the government has advised it'll be checking these statements, and that making a false statement will be an offence. And, you will need to agree to get tested for COVID-19 if you develop any symptoms within 14 days of arriving in Queensland. With the Queensland border closing back in March, the state has had a permit in place for some time for those wishing to cross the border; however previous permits issued before noon on Friday, July 3 are now invalid. Instead, everyone wanting to enter the state must apply for the aforementioned Queensland border declaration pass. If you have been in Victoria or the Campbelltown City and Liverpool City local government areas in New South Wales in the past 14 days, the state government advises that you should not come to Queensland. In general, you are not allowed to access or quarantine in the state, and you will be turned away at the border. Whether you live in the above areas or have visited them in the last fortnight, you'll only be allowed into Queensland if you receive an exemption "for essential specialist workers, as well as for health, legal or compassionate grounds", but Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk advises that "very few exemptions will be granted". If you do receive an exemption, you will be required to go into forced quarantine for 14 days, in a hotel, at your own expense. Queenslanders returning from Victoria, or the Campbelltown City and Liverpool City local government areas, will still be able to come home, but will also be required to go into forced quarantine for 14 days, in a hotel, at your own expense. [caption id="attachment_743719" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism WA[/caption] WESTERN AUSTRALIA At the height of Western Australia's COVID-19 restrictions, WA not only implemented a statewide border lockdown with the rest of the country, but internal travel restrictions within the state, barring travel from region to region. The latter have now largely been lifted for WA residents, who can mostly travel freely within the state — other than entering remote Aboriginal regions. Western Australia's statewide border lockdown is still in effect, however, with residents of all other states and territories banned from entering WA unless they fall into an exemption category, apply for a G2G Pass and, if approved, then self-isolate for 14 days. WA's roadmap to ease COVID-19 restrictions is currently in phase four — and, while removing the state's hard border was originally under consideration for phase six, which doesn't yet have a date, that plan was scrapped due to the situation in Victoria. At present, WA advises that "when an indicative date [for ending the border lockdown] is set in the future, it will be contingent on locally acquired infection rates in the eastern states. The WA hard border will only be removed when the WA Chief Health Officer is confident the spread of infection is controlled in the eastern states". [caption id="attachment_679107" align="alignnone" width="1920"] SATC[/caption] SOUTH AUSTRALIA After initially announcing in mid-June that it'd allow travellers from all interstate locations back in from Monday, July 20, South Australia has amended its plans in response to the situation in Victoria. As of midnight on Wednesday, July 8, it implemented a hard border with Victoria — only allowing Victorian residents to enter SA if they fall into the "essential traveller" category and agree to quarantine for 14 days. SA residents returning home from Victoria are still be permitted to enter the state, but also need to self-isolate for 14 days. Travel to SA from four Australian states and territories — Queensland, the Northern Territory, Tasmania and Western Australia — is already unrestricted and doesn't require a period of quarantine, although all visitors must receive pre-approval by completing the online Cross Border Travel Registration form. Travel to SA from New South Wales and the ACT is currently permitted, but only if travellers quarantine for a mandatory 14 days of self-isolation. All visitors must receive pre-approval by completing the online Cross Border Travel Registration form, too. [caption id="attachment_722075" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Thalia Haven for Tourism Tasmania.[/caption] TASMANIA All non-essential visitors to Tasmania are already required to quarantine for 14 days at a Tasmanian government accommodation facility — and, before travel, to complete a Tasmanian Arrivals Form. Exemptions are available on compassionate or medical grounds. Tasmania has not advised when these restrictions will come to an end. New rules also came into effect from 12am, Thursday, July 9, for people travelling from Victoria. A hard border has been implemented, and "any visitors who have spent time in Victoria in the 14 days prior to travel are not permitted to travel to Tasmania. If visitors come from Victoria to Tasmania, they will be turned back". Exemptions apply for essential travellers and for compassionate reasons. Tasmanian residents who have spent time in Victoria in the 14 days prior returning to the state will also be required to quarantine in government-provided accommodation for 14 days, too. [caption id="attachment_769946" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Australia[/caption] NORTHERN TERRITORY In mid-June, the Northern Territory announced that it would end all mandatory quarantine arrangements for travellers from interstate from Friday, July 17; however, as has proven the case in other states, the NT has adapted its plans in response to the situation in Victoria and some areas of NSW. Anyone travelling to the territory from an identified COVID-19 hotspot — if you live in one, or have been to or travelled through one in the past 14 days — must still undertake 14 days mandatory supervised quarantine at your own cost. All Australians from other states, and other areas in NSW, can visit without going into mandatory quarantine for 14 days. All travellers must complete a pre-arrival border crossing application form up to 72 hours before you arrive, regardless of where you're visiting from. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website. Top image: Great Barrier Reef by Tourism and Events Queensland
If you're a dweller of the lower north shore, don't mind some Vivid lights in your life but also struggle to bring yourself over the bridge, this year's festival of light, music and ideas has a few spectaculars for you. But really, even if you aren't lower north shore-based, you should listen up, too. For the first time, Luna Park has joined the festival program, expanding the LNS offering. Along with this new light precinct (which includes projecting your face onto the Luna Park face), Chatswood returns with a Brazil-inspired light market and Taronga Zoo's animals are immortalised in glowing larger-than-life installations. Every night of Vivid from 6pm, the waterfront amusement park transforms into an otherworldly kingdom of dazzling images. And entry, as always, is free. To help you get out and explore the new (and returning) Vivid sights, we've created a guide of some top installations and things to do at the autumnal light fest. EXPLORE A NEW VIVID PRECINCT In all of Vivid, there's only one installation you can ride and that's Phantasos. This artwork, which engulfs the Ferris wheel in light, colour and music, gets its name from the Ancient Greek god of surreal dreams. Meanwhile, Coney Island will provide the setting for the Spirit of Fun, a massive projection exploring Luna Park's history and possible future. As you wander around, keep an eye out for street performers, who'll be twirling and whirling about in illuminated costumes. Bus, train or ferry is the easiest way to travel, but, if you need to drive, then parking's available for a $10 flat rate, from 6pm, Sunday to Thursday. DANCE IT OUT AT A SILENT DISCO Add a little boogie to your Vivid adventures with an evening at the Quiet Riot Neon Boombox Truck, which you'll find on the midway at Luna Park. Every night from 6pm, a silent disco will kick off, organised by Playground Sounds and hosted by Luna Park's resident DJs. Prepare your shapes, pop on a set of noise-cancelling headphones and get ready for a deluge of singalong and dancefloor classics. Whatever your tastes, you should find tunes to suit them — there are several channels to choose from. The Silent Disco is free with an Unlimited Rides Pass. SATE YOUR HUNGER WITH EATS AND VIEWS When all the Vivid excitement starts to make you peckish, refuel at Luna Park's various eateries. For old-school carny fast food, head to Helter Skelter to feast on hot dogs, dagwood dog and American-style burgers. Or, for fresh seafood, salads and pizza, take a seat in the Hungry Horse Diner. If you've got cash to splash, then treat yourself to a fancy feed — and dramatic Sydney Harbour views — at The Deck. Up the ante even more, and combine your meal and views with a ride on Phantasos with this Dine 'n' Ride package. [caption id="attachment_671534" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW.[/caption] LIGHT-SEE AWAY FROM THE CROWDS Right next to Luna Park, there's a lovely, roomy stretch of grass known as Bradfield Park. It's an excellent place to park yourself for an evening and spend a few hours gazing across the water at Vivid's installations — rather than racing from one to another, battling crowds. The Harbour Bridge is visible, up-close, from both its eastern and western sides. Further in the distance, you'll see Metamathemagical projected on the Opera House sails and backdropped by some more vibrant Circular Quay lights. Don't forget your picnic blanket, snacks and even your pooch, who's just as welcome to light-see from the park as you are. WANDER A LIGHT MARKET Chatswood Mall has been taken over by the Light Market, a complex of stalls made with recycled materials and inspired by both shanty towns and Star Wars. Over 20 vendors are peddling an array of international foods, including Sydney staples Black Star Pastry and Mary's. Along with the glowing market, Chatswood is host to light installations including Crank Zappa, a jellyfish made entirely of single-use plastic items that electrify when touched, and Future Scape, which has transformed The Concourse into an immersive solar system. Whether you're lower north shore-based or not, head to the area for a different view of Vivid. Check out all that's going on at Luna Park here.
Fulfil your food and cinema cravings in one go with this Moroccan-themed Good Food Month event from Surry Hills favourites Nomad and Golden Age Cinema. The two venues are coming together to offer a night packed with tasty food and a classic film. An Evening in Morocco will involve a next-level multi-course meal from the team behind Nomad and a showing of iconic Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman-starring drama Casablanca. Popping up at Nomad on Thursday, January 20, it will take place across two sessions, each of which will feature dinner and a screening of the movie. Highlights of the night's menu include barbecue prawns, baked chilli and honeycomb feta, lamb neck b'stilla and smoked eggplant. Classic starters like woodfired bread and olive tapenade will be on hand to ease you into the night, and a mille feuille with caramelised milk, dates and orange will round things out for dessert. The cherry on top of the evening will be a themed cocktail created by the Golden Age team for you to sip while you enjoy Casablanca. Top image: Nikki To
These days Twitter is known as two things: a medium on which to stalk Katy Perry and Justin Bieber, and a platform for #QandA Twitterati to descend into madness. With all the white noise out there it's easy to forget its true function — Twitter is a place for discussion. Thankfully this is a notion not lost on those fine folks at The Wheeler Centre. In their most recent project #discuss they're dragging Twitter philosophy into the real world, printing it on our city walls and starting important conversations nationwide. Thankfully it goes a lot deeper than catty #QandA tweets about Christopher Pyne's lizard face. The week-long project — which comes to an end tomorrow — has been launched in an effort to reignite a quality public discussion. From June 2, participants on Twitter were urged to put forward opinions or interesting thoughts on whatever topic they please. Paired with the hashtag #discuss, the initial thought was then open for exploration, disagreement, or extrapolation from the wider Twitter community. The best ten thoughts from each day have been printed on plaques and placed in fitting locations around Melbourne's CBD and inner suburbs. Right now Estelle Tang's culturally-weighted declaration that "Australians don't know how lucky they really are" lies knowingly outside Crown Casino. In what must be another blow for employees at The Age, a bleak assertion from writer Clementine Ford is currently plastered right out front of their city offices: "The old guard can fight as much as they like, but they can't stop the youth from one day taking over." Within a week of opening, Chris Lucas' latest venture Kong has already been hit with some Twitter truth: "Thanks to social media, place-dropping has become worse than name-dropping." It's a powerful concept, and one which gives abstract notions or debates an all-important physical weight. Arguments about boat people are no longer throwaway comments in cyberspace; they're staring you in the face on your way past the Immigration Department. An unsettling philosophical statement gives you some mind fodder on your way into Coles. Once again, this valued cultural institution is proving its intellectual importance. Disagree? Discuss! The project ends Sunday, June 8 so there's still a chance to get your words plastered on a city street. Even if you miss the deadline, don't worry, the discussion never really stops. @waouwwaouw at Crown Casino, Southbank. @clementine_ford at The Age offices on Spencer Street. @mattfitzy at Chris Lucas' new restaurant Kong on Church Street, Richmond. @uptosquat at Hosier Lane. @SophieMcAulay at Hungry Jacks on Russell Street. @MIFFofficial at The Classic Cinema in Elsternwick. @hamlwat at the Immigration Department. @Melbfoodandwine at Cumulus Inc. @tesslawley at Coles Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn. @AsherTreleaven at The Melbourne Club. Lead photo: @elissebaitz at Northside Records. All photos via The Wheeler Centre.
One Australian film festival has been delivering weird, wild and wonderful movies for 16 years now: the Sydney Underground Film Festival. Dedicated to strange and surreal cinema, it screens the kinds of flicks that don't usually turn up at your local multiplex — although, this year, the event itself is making the move to one such venue. 2022 marks a huge milestone for SUFF in two ways. Firstly, it's the fest's return to a physical event for the first time since 2019, thanks to a couple of pandemic-affected years. Secondly, SUFF is shifting to a new location. Accordingly, come Thursday, September 8–Sunday, September 11, Sydneysiders will want to flock to Event Cinemas George Street to watch everything from hilarious Pete Davidson-featuring horror satires through to the latest and greatest genre shorts. I Love My Dad will open SUFF 2022, telling a tale about an estranged father (played by Patton Oswalt, Gaslit) who catfishes his own son in an effort to reconnect. From there, highlights include new releases by a few mighty impressive filmmakers: closing night's Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon, the latest from A Girl Walks Home at Night's Ana Lily Amirpour, and Something in the Dirt, by The Endless and Synchronic's Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead. And, of course, there's the aforementioned Bodies Bodies Bodies — which not only features The King of Staten Island's Davidson, but also Dear Evan Hansen's Amandla Stenberg and Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan Oscar-nominee Maria Bakalova. They star in a film that turns a party game into a slasher onslaught, and tears into not only its characters, but Gen Z and today's always-online world. Also on the in-cinema bill: Dual, the Aaron Paul (Westworld) and Karen Gillan (Avengers: Endgame)-starring new deadpan comedy by The Art of Self-Defense's Riley Stearns; On the Count of Three, Jerrod Carmichael's (Rothaniel) feature film debut as a director; and documentary I Get Knocked Down, about Chumbawamba singer Dunstan Bruce. Or, you can see the world premiere of horror flick Pig Killer, which is inspired by a true story; catch Norway's Sick of Myself, which also screened at this year's Cannes Film Festival; and check out a charity screening of Rhino by Ukrainian filmmaker Oleg Sentsov. Can't make it along in-person? Keen for SUFF to continue at home? The fest's online program will return from Monday, September 12–Sunday, September 25 as well.
It won't surprise you to learn that Australians love their wine. In fact, the National Wine Show is now celebrating its 50th anniversary, with each edition seeing an esteemed panel hand out trophies to vino deemed the best in the land. However, the same organisation is taking the opportunity to step up its offering, launching the inaugural National Wine Festival of Australia in Canberra. Held from Thursday, June 12–Sunday, June 15, this four-day event will toast Australian viticulture, with a stacked program featuring expert-led wine tastings, masterclasses, themed dinners and special events. Dedicated wine-lovers will relish the chance to sip on more than 900 award-winning wines under one roof, as the festival presents the best bottles from across the Canberra District wine region and the broader local dining scene. Though the name recognition of this wine region might not be as strong as others around the country, it's certainly on the up and up, as it's now home to 140 vineyards and 50 wineries. Set just a 35-minute drive from Canberra CBD, this easy-to-reach expanse of rolling hills specialises in cool-climate varieties, like reisling, pinot noir, shiraz and tempranillo. Some of the recommended spots for a sip include Clonakilla, Helm Wines, Mount Majura and Eden Road. As for the National Wine Festival of Australia, much of the program revolves around fascinating masterclasses held at the Hyatt Hotel Canberra. For example, beginners can join renowned wine educator Jenny Polack to learn the basics of wine styles and tasting techniques. You can also discover the wines of the future alongside expert Mark O'Callaghan, who'll explore the climatic challenges facing the industry, as well as evolving consumer tastes. For those who appreciate the depth of Mediterranean wines, Perth-based wine reviewer Erin Larkin takes visitors on a journey to the continent without leaving town, featuring sun-drenched reds and crisp coastal whites from France, Italy, Spain and Greece. There are also specific masterclasses for chardonnay lovers and Australian sparkling fans, helping you become an expert in blending, texture and aroma. With the festival's headline event remaining the National Wine Show, Thursday night sees trophies handed out at Parliament House. There are strictly limited tickets available, so if you can't snag a spot, you'll have the chance to sip on this year's best drops the following day. National Wine Show of Australia Chair of Judges Matt Harrop will reveal what earned each wine its trophy, while giving guests the chance to sample. The National Wine Festival of Australia runs Thursday, June 12–Sunday, June 15 at the Hyatt Hotel Canberra, 120 Commonwealth Avenue, Yarralumla. Head to the website for more information.
Coveted New York label Rag & Bone continues its foray into the Aussie fashion scene, opening the doors to its first Sydney store at Westfield Bondi Junction. The much-hyped launch marks the brand's third local outpost, following the Melbourne store openings in the last two years — one in the CBD and the other within Chadstone Shopping Centre. Sydneysiders now have an easy task getting their hands on Rag & Bone's celebrated threads, from ready-to-wear collections and those legendary denim pieces to its sought-after range of footwear, accessories and fragrances. The new store boasts over 130 square metres of space complete with floor-to-ceiling windows, the label's signature minimalist aesthetic is played against Versailles-style parquetry floorboards and a healthy dose of neon signage. The latest of Rag & Bone's film and photography works are displayed on screens throughout the store, art graces the walls and bespoke fixtures nod to the label's strong denim game. See also the customised phone charging stations, for shoppers on the go. First launched in New York in 2002, Rag & Bone now has 42 stores across the world, and is best known for its edgy, yet understated aesthetic and supremely wearable designs. Find Rag & Bone's new store at Shop 4077, Westfield Bondi Junction, 500 Oxford Street, Bondi Junction, Sydney.
The northern beaches has long been associated with sand, surf and sun. After all, this stretch of Sydney coastline is home to some of the country's most picturesque beaches. And, in buzzing Avalon, you can also track down fun-loving bars, boutique shops and ideal date-night spots. Yes, the locals may be known to rarely leave, but with so much on offer, it's easy to see why. You could happily spend a few days — or weeks — in Avalon going for leisurely walks, catching up with friends over coffee and forgetting about your worries by diving into the ocean. With the help of American Express, we've picked some of the top spots to visit around this neck of the woods — from lively Mexican restaurants to go-to florists and small shops stocking unique gifts. Whatever the occasion, Avalon has you sorted.
3D printing technology is a lot to get your head around, especially in regards to the science fiction-esque breakthroughs of the medical world. But in regards to improving your herb garden, 3D printing can lend a hand here as well. Like a family tree for plants, the new 3D Printed Aqueduct Planters have a built in trickle down irrigation system so you only need to soak the top plant in water and the rest will follow. The planter utilizes the connections between each planter as a method of transferring water and saturating the soil from the top planter to the lower plants. This is especially useful for air plants or plants that don’t need a lot of soil. The planter system can be set up in an array of configurations so you can construct your living wall to complement your living space. [via inhabit]
How do you like your crime stories? Podcasts? Audiobooks? Good ol' fashioned paperback novels? Or maybe do you prefer to hear about humanity's evils in person over a drink? That's the premise of Cocktails & Crime Stories, an in-person retelling of Sydney's historic crimes served with drinks and food at Paddo Inn for one night only. Hosted by Sydney Crime Historian Max Burns-McRuvie, who has hosted several crime retellings across Sydney, you'll step into 19th century Sydney with three cocktails inspired by the stories of the evening: the Bloody Berry Spritz, Eye-chee Martini and The Missing Cherry. While you sip, listen as your host tells you all about figures like the Pyrmont Bridge Stalker, the homicidal housewife of Botany Bay and the bigamist butcher of Sussex Street, from their evil deeds to their destination at the hangman's noose. No good story should be heard on an empty stomach, and you'll be able to snack on Italian canapés from Il Baretto, including homemade focaccia al rosmarino, fennel salami with seasonal fruit compote and rigatoni alla norma. It's all taking place on Monday, November 24, with arrivals from 6.30pm for a 7pm start. Tickets are $60 per person and include all food, drinks and ghoulish goosebumps you'll experience throughout the evening. For more information or to book tickets, visit the website.
Fancy infusing your usual Aussie Christmas with a touch of enchantment? Well, you'll find magic aplenty at The Grounds of Alexandria over the coming weeks, as it's transformed into an winter wonderland inspired by the just-released Disney flick, Frozen II. The already gorgeous setting now plays host to an other-worldly oasis, made up of a series of realms referencing those in the film. There's the wintery Crystal Lane, where you'll find dazzling white trees, and the autumnal Enchanted Forest with falling orange leaves. You'll also find plenty of snow, with flurries every day at 9am, 11am, 1pm and 3pm until December 24. Once you've finished exploring, you can head for plenty of sugary edible treats, including limited-edition Ice Queen cakes, snowflake cookies, rhubarb and plum tarts and gelato smoothies. Less sweet, but no less entertaining is the iced tea served in a pot with smoke. These treats will be available until January 29, 2020, when the Frozen II pop-up will disappear. The Grounds of Alexandria will also be functioning as normal during the pop-up, and the Garden Bar, Potting Shed and cafe will all be open.
If you remember UNKLE's debut album Psyence Fiction (1996), then chances are that like me, you could be thinking about hanging up those dancing shoes. It's almost 20 years since the release of the seminal debut and I know my joints are getting a bit creaky. Well fear not, UNKLE are bringing their new live show to the comfortably adult confines of the Sydney Opera House. The full band (in its latest incarnation anyway) replete with string section, will be taking over the Concert Hall with an array of LED screens, video projections and lights. They'll be performing both new and old material, in what will be a truly spectacular sensory and auditory experience. Founding member James Lavelle was a pioneer of the fusion of hip hop with classic breaks back in the mid-90s. As owner of the former Mo'Wax Records, he helped launch the careers of DJ Shadow, DJ Krush and Money Mark. His innovative approach to music has kept the UNKLE sound continually evolving and has led to many artist collaborations with the likes of Richard Ashcroft, Ian Brown, Thom Yorke, Mike D from the Beastie Boys, Badly Drawn Boy, both Mark Lanegan and Josh Homme from Queens of the Stone Age, and 3D from Massive Attack to name but a few, all lending their creative talents over the years. Last year's release of the acclaimed Where Did the Night Fall (2010) marked yet another change in direction for the group and displays influences as diverse as krautrock, psychedelia, techno, afrobeat, alongside their grass roots sample sound.
There's always something going on in Sydney's nightlife labyrinth, YCK Laneways. This September, the buzzing venues around York, Clarence and Kent streets are painting the town negroni red. To mark Negroni Week's 13th global celebration, the CBD precinct is teaming up with Italian aperitif, Campari, to bring Sydneysiders a month-long negroni festival. Across the month, participating venues throughout YCK Laneways will be slinging three creative spins on the world's best-selling classic cocktail, including a signature negroni, a non-alc take, and the bartender's choice. Wondering which bar to head to first? At PS40, they're known for unexpected cocktail concoctions that include their own house-made sodas. Around the corner at Since I Left You, hang out under the fairy lights in the bar's atmospheric courtyard, while soaking up live music on the Garden Stage. Or at Jolene's, you can enjoy a Nashville-style take on a bar, with live country and western gigs throughout the week. While you're exploring the bars and sipping your way through each cocktail variation, you'll also stumble across live jazz music, roving performers, a a chance to win prizes with every negroni purchase. Plus, the laneways will be lit up with Lightstream, a new public lighting artwork that transforms the area into an immersive playgrounds. It all leads up to the official Negroni Week — running Monday, September 22 to Sunday, September 28 — which raises proceeds for Campari's charity partner, the Slow Food Negroni Week Fund. This fund supports a range of scholarships, awards and grants, so you'll know every sip goes towards something greater. We've all seen the Italian aperitif on cocktail menus. But did you know the negroni — made with equal parts gin, sweet vermouth and Campari, stirred over ice and served with an orange slice — dates back to 1919? The cocktail was named after Count Camillo Negroni, who asked a bartender to strengthen his Americano by swapping soda water for gin. Over a century later, the negroni remains a global favourite, loved for its bitter, sweet and botanical flavours. So, if you're going to raise a glass this spring, make sure it's red — because there's no Negroni without Campari. YCK Laneways' Negroni Month runs throughout September 2025 at Burrow Bar, Cash Only Diner, Esteban, Kahii Kissaten, Button Bar, Kuro, Next Door, Papa Gedes, Roast Republic, Since I Left You, Stitch Bar, The Barber Shop, The Duke of Clarence, Vinabar, Jolene's, Little National Hotel, PS40, Uncle Ming's. Head to the website for venue maps and drink menus. Please remember to drinkwise.
