New panoramic sky bar, Henry Deane, will have you falling in love with Sydney all over again. We've all had our doubts from time to time. Perhaps you took a trip to Melbourne and chanced upon a warm, sunny day or maybe you just don't like the idea of being forced to rent (or live in sharehouses) your entire life. But when you're drinking champagne, slipping down creamy rock oysters and staring out across our city's magnificent waterfrontage — boats cruising below, twinkling city lights and a sunset so beautiful you'll have to fight back the tears — you'll remember all the reasons why you chose to make Sydney your home in the first place. Located on the top two levels of the historic Hotel Palisade in Millers Point, Henry Deane is one of the most beautiful bars Sydney has ever seen. Of course, much of that credit goes to interior design goddess Sibella Court, renowned for her work on Palmer & Co, Ms G's and Mr Wong. Flatly ignoring the trend for palm tree wallpaper and exposed brick walls, Sibella has chosen a new style to play with: 1920s Hollywood glamour. Drawing on a palette of dusty pink and dove grey, Sibella has filled the glass-walled salon with pink leather lounges, Malawi rattan chairs, opulent copper furnishings and colourful swirls of marble which stain the tabletops and walls. Now, just add a multi-million dollar view that puts the Sydney Tower Eye to shame. Hell, even a freak tornado makes for a charming view from here. Henry Deane's menu is dominated by boutique spirits — pages and pages worth. Whisky alone is divided into eleven subheadings; don't even get me started on the gin. But let's flip back to the first two pages: food and cocktails. Forego the beer, you can drink that anytime, and live it up like Rita Hayworth with a coconut and pandan daiquiri ($19) made with Coconut Havana 3-year-old rum, lime and salted sugar, infused with fresh pandan leaves (not the cheap paste) and served in fine crystal glassware with a precariously long stem. Like many of the cocktails here, it's not a loud, cheap drink — the flavours are subtle and sophisticated, mingling in perfect harmony. The second page of the menu is filled with sexy little share plates. The oysters with merlot vinegar ($4.50) and the scallops with vanilla miso butter served in the shell ($4.80) are an absolute treat — and proof that you don't need a black American Express card to enjoy the finer things in life. With chopsticks in hand, we pick our way through a plate of deftly-carved kingfish sashimi topped with pickled ribbons of cucumber and bok choy with wasabi and bonito dressing ($19), but the real showstopper is the horseradish spiced lamb tartare ($23). Pile it high on the house-made lavosh with a stem of watercress and you're in heaven. The mixed grains with confit potato, bell peppers, roman beans and soft egg ($24) marks a lull in the otherwise impressive lineup — it's the kind of healthy salad you probably should eat, but don't necessarily want to. However, we're soon back on track with a sweet pudding of coconut and vanilla sago sprinkled with macadamia nut crumble and astringent pearls of pomegranate and passionfruit ($12). Sure, Sydney's hectic housing market might mean you will never be able to afford that Darling Point apartment — but you can always go to Henry Deane's and pretend it's all yours.
Today, the NSW Government announced which festivals would be impacted by its strict new music festival licensing regime — and four of the 14 named are where young people died from suspected drug overdoses. As well as Defqon.1, Lost Paradise, FOMO and Knockout Games of Destiny — where five festivalgoers died during the past six months — the list includes Laneway, Electric Gardens, Subsonic and Rolling Loud. You can check out the full list below. While the regime will not be officially introduced until March 1, the 'interim guidelines' have already led to the cancellation of two NSW festivals: Mountain Sounds and Psyfari. The festivals highlighted the "newly imposed safety, licensing and security costs" and the inability to pull together an estimated $200,000 to cover 45 police working across a 24-hour period as reasons for the cancellations. Byron Bay's Bluesfest — whose festival director sent a scathing letter to Premier Gladys Berejiklian saying, "Will the last festival to leave NSW please turn out the light of culture in this soon to be barren state?" — was not included on the list. In the statement released today by the NSW Government, Minister for Racing Paul Toole said that only the 14 festivals listed would be impacted by the new licensing regime, but that the list would also be "regularly reviewed". "The NSW Government wants music festivals to thrive – but serious drug related illnesses and deaths have demonstrated that we need to help make a small number of them safer," Mr Toole said in the statement. The licensing regime has already been widely criticised for its lack of transparency and failure to consult with industry bodies, and this latest announcement has only heightened this. The Australian Festival Association said in a statement that the organisers of the 14 festivals were notified "by SMS last night" of their 'high risk' status, saying "the process has lacked integrity and transparency — and there are just as many questions left unanswered by the government's latest announcement". This latest move from the NSW Government follows, the Don't Kill Live Music rally on Thursday, Friday 21, when thousands of Sydneysiders — as well as bands and big-name members of the live music industry — descended on Hyde Park to defend the city's live music scene. Despite increasing calls for pill-testing the NSW Government has refused to consider it as a harm-minimisation technique at festivals. Canberra's Groovin' the Moo, however, has just been given the go-ahead to host Australia's second-ever pill-testing trial. LIST OF HIGHER RISK FESTIVALS Days Like This — Victoria Park, March 2019 Transmission — Sydney Olympic Park, March 2019 Up Down — Newcastle, March 2019 Defqon.1 — Castlereagh, September 2019 Subsonic — Monkerai, November 2019 This That — Newcastle, November 2019 Knockout Games of Destiny — Sydney Olympic Park, December 2019 Lost Paradise — Glenworth Valley, December 2019 FOMO — Parramatta Park, January 2020 Electric Gardens — Centennial Park, January 2020 HTID — Sydney Olympic Park, January 2020 Rolling Loud — Sydney Olympic Park, January 2020 Laneway — Callan Park, February 2020 Ultra — Parramatta Park, February 2020 Image: Laneway, Maclay Heriot
For Melburnians, this long weekend is a little different to most. Lockdown might be over, but a number of restrictions still remain. Heading to a big music festival isn't on the cards, for instance — but, because we now live in a time where virtual fests are becoming the norm, The Long Weekender is bringing six hours of Victorian music highlights straight to your couch. The latest event in the Victoria Together initiative — aka the online program that delivered plenty of things to watch during 2020's lengthy stay-at-home periods — The Long Weekender will stream a heap of past festival sets from plenty of the state's big events. Falls Festival, Meredith Music Festival, Queenscliff Music Festival, Golden Plains and Yirramboi Festival are all covered, as are Summersalt, Share The Spirit, Brunswick Music Festival, Roots Picnic and A Day On The Green. You'll just need to head to ACMI's streaming service, Cinema 3, between 12pm–12am on Monday, June 14, and turn your volume up loud. Myf Warhurst is on hosting duties and, if you're wondering who'll be belting out tunes, it's a hefty lineup. Everyone from Courtney Barnett and Archie Roach to You Am I and Frente! is on the bill — with no clashes, no queues and no worries about rushing between stages. THE LONG WEEKENDER LINEUP: Adalita Alex Lahey Alice Skye Allara feat. Culture Evolves Archie Roach Cable Ties Courtney Barnett Djirri Djirri Dancers The Black Sorrows The Cat Empire The Dirty Three Frente! Hachiku James Henry King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard Loose Tooth Magic Dirt The Meanies Mo'Ju Sampa The Great Spiderbait Simona Castricum Sleep D The Teskey Brothers Total Giovanni You Am I Top image: Falls Festival.
The Upstairs Beresford is certainly a world apart from the main bar downstairs, which on a Friday night you'll find jammed up with after-workers and glammed up 'somebodys' kicking off their weekend: a gaping maze of bars, plants, and food. Instead, pitch yourself down the alley to a discrete door. Winding dark stairs and neon orange arrows lead you up to a glowing amber pocket of glitz, the decadence of a bygone era. To the left, a sizeable stage meets the first of two bars, where sticky passionfruit cocktails are being taken up with earnest. A small dancefloor area gives way to an island of seats and tables that dominates the room. Groups huddle in close, shouting to be heard over the din. The scene is reminiscent of the Babylon Club in Scarface. Indeed, the walls are plastered with grainy black-and-whites of Mr John and the original Merivale, old '70s characters who eyeball from the photos: a homage to Hemmes' heritage. Further down the back is a cushy lounge area for wheelings, dealings and naughty nocturnal dalliances. The soulful tones of Mahalia Barnes give the sound system its first workout and it seems up to the task, the bass throbbing loud and strong throughout the room. However, most people barely even look up. Whether it's a symptom of the launch or the setup of the room, this will be Upstairs Beresford's biggest hurdle. While as a bar it looks set to be a success, its distinct glam cocktail hour atmosphere seems at odds with rough-and-tumble rock gigs and dirty dance nights. It'll be interesting to see how the Upstairs Beresford translates into a legitimate live music venue.
Here's what just might be the tastiest food challenge there is: hunting down Frankenstein's monster-style dessert mashups and tasting them all. Gelato Messina's various ice cream flavours and special treats often fall into this category, frequently turning another beloved dish into gelato. So do plenty of Lune Croissanterie's pastries. Often Krispy Kreme's doughnuts make the cut as well. Actually, right now you can grab a Krispy Kreme doughnut that owed a huge debt to another dessert: the Maxibon doughnut. After proving a hit in 2018, this collaboration with Peters Ice Cream is back for a limited — and tasty — time. And yes, it's a Maxibon in doughnut form. Back when Krispy Kreme joined forces with Reese's for a peanut butter-heavy doughnut earlier in 2023, there were multiple versions available. With the Maxibon doughnut, there's just one. You will still need to be able to eat nuts, though, because this one comes with a hazelnut and vanilla biscuit crumb. So, what makes up a Maxibon doughnut? A Krispy Kreme doughnut filled with Maxibon vanilla kreme, then covered in that crumb over chocolate, plus a chocolate Maxibon bikkie on top. You'll find the Maxibon doughnut on offer from Tuesday, August 1 at Krispy Kreme, 7-Eleven and selected Woolworths stores for a limited time. Trying to pick between ice cream and fried pastries just got a bit easier. We're betting that when Maxibons were first whipped up as a blend between a biscuit and everyone's favourite cold and creamy dessert, no one anticipated this happening as well. Krispy Kreme's Maxibon doughnut is available from Krispy Kreme, 7-Eleven and selected Woolworths stores for a limited time.
Forget everything you thought you knew about eating schnitzel. Forget whatever ideas you have about which other food items can sit atop them, too. Now isn't the time for plain old parmas/parmis/parmys (whichever you prefer), as great as they are — because The Bavarian has dropped a limited-time loaded schnitzel menu that's as OTT as schnitties come. On offer from Monday, March 7–Saturday, April 30, this chicken schnitty range takes the loaded concept super-seriously. There are six different varieties, and they all stack a whole heap of toppings and sauces upon a crumbed piece of chook. Plenty of them also turn this good schnit into another beloved meal — like the avo smash version, which comes slathered with smashed avocado, cherry tomatoes, feta and sesame seeds, plus fries. There's also a bangers and mash version with cheese kransky, creamy mash, caramelised onion and gravy; a pizza-style option with spicy salami, kalamata olives, roasted capsicum, mozzarella and fries; and a nachos option with corn chips, chilli con carne, salsa, jalapenos, cheese and sour cream. Or, go for schnitty topped with cheddar cheese, fries and lashings of gravy — a choice that's been dubbed a hangover cure — or a schnitty decked out with fried calamari, chorizo, roasted pumpkin, crispy potatoes and jalapeno sauce. Prices range from $26–28 for just one schnitty loaded with any of the above options, but you can also go for a one-kilogram schnitzel snack if you really do love this schnit. That'll set you back $80, and put you in the running to win either a $1000 if you finish it faster than anyone else — with winners announced on Monday, May 2 — or one of nine $100 dining vouchers for runners up. Hungry? You can head to any The Bavarian venue to tuck in. There are 16 in New South Wales — including everywhere from Entertainment Quarter and Green Hills to York Street and Chatswood — so you've got options.
Anyone who's been in Sydney over the last few weeks will have noticed that it's been unseasonably warm. Winter's usual chill has been swapped for mild temperatures and, instead of regular downpours, the city has seen a stream of clear sunny days — during the day, you barely even need a light jacket. And this weird weather all came to a head this weekend, with Sydney copping one of the hottest winter days it's ever had. Earlier in the week, Weatherzone has predicted that yesterday — Sunday, July 30 — would come pretty close to topping the highest temperature on record for July: 25.9 degrees (which was set back in 1990). And they were right. At 2.10pm, the mercury hit 26.5 degrees — making it Sydney's warmest July day ever. #Sydney sets new July heat record, 26.0 degrees. Last year it took until October to get this warm https://t.co/sbzHtvvHzG — Weatherzone (@weatherzone) July 30, 2017 It's pretty insane. But while Sydneysiders reaped the benefits of the warm day — and all the warm weather has been undeniably delightful — it doesn't bode well for us in the long run. In fact, if only adds to our ever-present anxiety about global warming, an increase in extreme El Niño events and what that might mean for Australia and the world.
Wall to wall books. Books from ceiling to floor, interspersed with communal tables. Gertrude & Alice is what Shakespeare's is to Paris, and provides a welcome haven amongst the surfers and backpackers of Bondi Beach. The food served is fresh and universally excellent, and it's one of the best places to go if you're feeling a bit lonesome, because the welcoming communal tables ensure that you'll always feel at home. Named after Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas, the famous expat American couple who encouraged the careers of Hemingway and Henry Miller, amongst others, there's a lot of heart to this place, as well as lovely velvet sofas and delicious chai. They also boast a Hemingway room, quieter and lined with reference books and the perfect place to woo another attractive bookworm. Guzzle down on a honey infused chair and sink into one of the snug sofas. With over 25,000 books at your disposal Gertrude and Alice is the unchallenged coffice for workers with research heavy projects, people addicted to the smell of ancient books or those seeking solace from the cold pinch of traditional libraries. A coffice for readers.
Seek, it's said, and you shall find. While the meaning of this phrase is scriptural in origin, it's accurate in the case of The Corner Shop. A new bricks-and-mortar site opened by the duo behind popular market stall and online retailer The Crown Street Project, you'll be handsomely rewarded for your efforts in getting there. The inviting, airy and newly refurbished space is housed on the ground level of a bright yellow late-1800s corner terrace, along the leafy residential stretch of Henderson Road in Alexandria. It's a location that might usually require a reason to head there, but you'll find plenty in this gallery-style space that showcases a thoughtful edit of vintage designer fashion alongside artist-made studio ceramics and sculptures, handmade jewellery by local designers, vintage homewares, pottery and gift items. Unlike many other vintage stores, the racks here are not cluttered — each has been curated to tell a story through colour and texture. Pieces also come with modern-day measurements where appropriate, ensuring you can find your correct size with ease. As well as issues around sizing that can give false hope to many a vintage shopper, gone too are notions around pre-loved items being less-than: pieces here, which are selected by founders Gavin Dee and Addison Marshall, are restored by hand and treated like you might expect a new item to be handled in a brand-name boutique. The spectacularly bearded gents, who both have fashion and design backgrounds, are also expert stylists and are happy to offer guidance where you might require it. As for what's on the custom-made fixtures, at any given time you can find high-end streetwear next to pre-loved high-fashion pieces from houses including Gucci, Comme des Garçons, Issey Miyake, Kenzo and more. The real gems though are pieces by obscure Australian designers from the 1970s and 80s, an era that delivered some truly iconic looks and about which Dee and Marshall are truly passionate (and knowledgeable to an encyclopaedic degree). The boys will also be collaborating with stylist Joanne Gambale, founder of Slogue, to run sustainable styling workshops — keep an eye out on Instagram to find out more about these.
Doing the environment a solid, British MPs have called for a compulsory fee on disposable takeaway coffee cups. Proposed by the UK parliament's Environmental Audit Committee, the suggested 'latte levy' would charge customers an extra 25 pence, as part of a bid to reduce waste and encourage caffeine fiends to switch to reusable containers. More than 2.5 billion cups are used in the UK every year, with half a million becoming litter each and every day. While they're difficult and expensive to recycle thanks to the plastic lining, it's not impossible. With less than one percent of cups being recycled, at present most are incinerated, exported or end up in landfill. "The UK's coffee shop market is expanding rapidly, so we need to kickstart a revolution in recycling," said committee chair Mary Creagh. "We're calling for action to reduce the number of single use cups, promote reusable cups over disposable cups and to recycle all coffee cups by 2023." Fees collected would be invested into recycling facilities, and as the recycling rate for coffee cups improves, it's anticipated that the charge could be lowered. The proposal also suggests increasing the price of the cups for producers, if they're made from materials that are hard to recycle; improving labelling so that customers know if their one-off cup will be recycled by the store, stating "not widely recycled" and "recyclable in store only"; and banning disposable cups outright if the 2023 target isn't reached. In Australia, the move towards reusable cups is growing. A Sydney cafe stopped using single-use cups last August, while two Melbourne cafes gave away free coffee to anyone with their own container. Throw in creatives making adorable ceramic keep cups and the company recycling coffee waste into environmentally friendly cups, and there's a definite push to minimise waste in the local coffee scene, where an estimated one billion disposable cups are used annually.
YCK Laneways, a new cultural precinct that launched in 2021 encompassing the CBD laneways in York Street, Clarence Street and Kent Street, is currently in the swing of six week cultural festival titled YCK Intersections. The festival's lineup of live music, workshops and pop-ups is taking over venues across the three CBD streets, including Since I Left You, Esteban, PS40, The Duke of Clarence, Stitch Bar, Uncle Ming's, Prince of York and many more. Alongside these activations, the YCK team is throwing a three-day party stretching over the ANZAC Day long week at Barrack Street, which features a stacked lineup of live sets and cooking masterclasses. Heading up the music bill over the three days from Friday, April 22–Sunday, April 24 are Wafia, Sneaky Sound System and Day1, with support from the likes of Ula, Kota Banks, A.Girl, B Wise and East Av3, just to name a few. As for the food and drink masterclasses, you'll find Sydney favourites like Maybe Sammy, Cantina OK!, Hickson House and Sydney Oyster Farm Tours running you through skills ranging from crafting the perfect margarita to upping your oyster game. Tickets to each night of the gigs and each masterclass are available for $60 a pop — with masterclasses available in discounted bundles. You can hit up two consecutive classes for $100, or a full day of enhancing your culinary game on the Saturday for $140. Check out the lineup for the Barrack Street party and YCK Intersection's full program at the YCK Laneways website.
Much has happened on Sydney's Cockatoo Island/Wareamah, which has housed a prison, ship-building facilities, a reform school and a wartime boat repair port in its time. In recent years, the patch of land in the middle of Sydney Harbour has also hosted a film festival and haunted history tours — and now Haus of Horror is combining elements of both for its next immersive cinema screenings. The movie-loving outfit has been popping up around the Harbour City for over a year, screening The Exorcist and the OG Scream in a haunted prison with sessions at Parramatta Gaol, taking Beetlejuice to Camperdown Cemetery in Newtown and more. Next comes two evenings of A Nightmare on Elm Street on Cockatoo Island on Friday, February 16 and Saturday, February 17, with attendees catching a themed ferry over, then exploring the site. When sunset hits, Freddy Krueger will start stalking. If you believe the stories about Cockatoo Island's ghosts, you'll be in a particularly eerie place for this date with the horror-movie villain created by the late, great Wes Craven. You'll also be watching the film in its 40th-anniversary year. And, as is Haus of Horror's custom, pressing play on the film in a notable — and notably disquieting — spot is only the start of it. These folks take the immersive part of the setup extremely seriously. Whether or not you choose to don a striped jumper for the occasion, your ticket includes the chartered ferry to over and back, departing from Barangaroo; moseying around not only the island but the unsettling installations that the Haus of Horror crew sets up around the Turbine Hall and Bolt Wharf; listening to a live DJ as part of the pre-show entertainment; and special guests roaming around, and also a photobooth to immortalise your memories. A bar will be serving drinks, and there'll be snacks on offer — but you'll be paying for those separately.
An all-day diner and aperitivo bar has just opened in Bondi from the team behind The Shire's beloved eatery Blackwood Pantry. Blackwood Bondi is the second outpost from the team and is open for breakfast through to dinner seven days a week, just a short walk from Bondi Beach and a few doors down from Beach Road Hotel. The venue welcomes you in with a gentle green and grey fit-out. The food and drink menu will change throughout the day, and has been created by co-owner and Executive Chef Rob Lechowicz. Lechowicz completed his apprenticeship under Tony Bilson who is often called a 'godfather of Australian cuisine', and has honed his skills at Michelin-starred establishments in London and Paris. The brunch menu is available from 7am until 4pm each day and spans from breakfast classics to more hearty options for the lunchtime crowd. Blackwood's version of a big brekkie features scrambled eggs, chorizo, sweet potato, kale, pickled onion, goats cheese, avocado and sourdough; while the spicy bacon and egg roll is topped with sriracha and lime mayo as well as crispy shallots. If you had your morning Weet-Bix hours ago and you're looking for more of a midday spread, there's a curry roasted cauliflower bowl, and a chicken schnitzel sandwich featuring truffle ranch and pickled zucchini, a Moreton Bay bug roll with truffle casarecce. Once the weekend rolls in, dinner is served until late. The curried cauliflower, casarecce and Moreton Bay bug rolls make the cut for the nighttime menu, placed alongside seared snapper fillet, pecorino-crumbed veal cotoletta and chargrilled spatchcock coated in a sage and garlic beurre noisette. There's also a host of snacks for those looking to dip in and for a drink and a nibble. Oysters, warm olives, San Daniele prosciutto, truffle salami and a chef's selection of cheese are all on-hand to accompany the drink menu headlined by an array of signature cocktails curated by award-winning bar Maybe Sammy. Aperol features heavily across the drinks list. For exmaple, the Sebastian Spritz combines peach liqueur, Aperol, prosecco and yuzu soda. You can also opt for a Croissant Martini with almond croissant-soaked vodka, Mr Black and espresso, or the Blackwood Margarita which introduces watermelon and Tio Pepe to the classic combination of tequila and agave. Reservations can be made via the Blackwood Bondi website, or you can swing past the 90-seat venue and nab a table day and night. [caption id="attachment_848562" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Co-owners Paul Pisani, Daniel Sorridimi and Rob Lechowicz[/caption] Blackwood Bondi is now open at 3/87–89 Glenayr Avenue, Bondi, 7am–4pm daily and 5pm–11pm Friday–Sunday. Images: Felix Forest
This homewares shop prides itself on its use of raw materials and contemporary design. Born from a quest to create sustainable materials, Papaya combines ethical production with timeless and innovative designs — and the result is a beautiful (and popular) range of sofas, dining tables and other furniture that'll spruce up your home. Not here for the big house purchases? The store also sells beautifully designed soap dispensers, scented candles, and other, modern lighting, decor and home-building gifts.
It's all well and good to lock in a destination and start booking your itinerary, but when was the last time you thought about the devices and accessories that'll keep your trip running smoothly? Travelling is stressful enough, so make the journey as easy as possible with practical tech gadgets that'll help you deal with the noise of fellow passengers, having to re-wear dishevelled clothes or running out of charge at the worst possible time. From odour-reducing clothing steamers to powerful portable chargers, we partnered with Philips to put together a list of handy tools that'll take some of the hassle out of your next adventure. Philips Handheld Garment Steamer This portable tool will keep you looking (and smelling) your best throughout your holiday, so you can pack light and have plenty of room in your suitcase for shopping and souvenirs. At an affordable $79.95, the Philips Handheld Steamer 3000 Series is compact enough to throw in your luggage and safe to use on all types of iron-safe fabrics, including delicates like silk. As well as getting rid of wrinkles, the nifty gadget also removes odours and eliminates bacteria, which is ideal when you don't have easy access to a washing machine on your travels. Noise-Cancelling Headphones Ditch the tinny audio and discomfort of those complimentary airline headphones and upgrade to a pair of noise-cancelling headphones for your next flight. You might not think it makes a difference, but eliminating the background roar of the plane means that you don't have to crank up the volume and overstimulate your ears, and it also helps your chances of getting some sleep. There are a wide variety of options available, from the fancy Apple AirPods Max ($899) and Bose QuietComfort Ultra ($645.95) or the more affordable Space One by Soundcore ($135.99). And with the incredibly handy Airfly device ($54.99), you can connect to the in-flight entertainment using your own Bluetooth headphones. Portable Power Bank Imagine trying to navigate an unfamiliar city with only a 2% charge. Or arriving at a spectacular view but not having enough battery to take a photo. Don't let your phone add stress to your trip — throw a portable power bank in your bag so you can be out and about for the whole day. With wireless charging, two built-in cables, interchangeable power adaptors and additional cable outlets, the 5-in-1 Universal Travel Power Bank by Snap is worth the splurge ($169.95). You can also go for a cheaper option, like this power bank by Charmast ($47.99). It offers built-in cables and outputs to charge up to five devices at once and can charge your phone multiple times. E-Reader You don't want to waste precious suitcase space by packing multiple books for your holiday, but that doesn't mean your reading goals need to be put on hold. Both the Amazon Kindle and Rakuten Kobo are able to store more than 10,000 books and last over a month with a single charge. You can take notes, highlight important passages, adjust the font size and brightness, and even rent certain titles. At less than 170 grams, you won't even notice you're carrying it around, but it'll be on hand for those quiet moments when you're sipping coffee in a local cafe, lounging in a park or stuck in a long queue. Portable Fan If you're chasing summer in the northern hemisphere, you'll need an easy way to keep the temperature (and tempers) as cool as possible. Keep a handheld fan in your pocket for long days in the sun, like this water-spraying fan from Big W ($29.99) for a chilly boost or this multi-functional gadget from Amazon ($23.99), which includes a flashlight and power bank. There are also wearable options that keep your hands free, like this rechargeable neck fan ($50.99). The convenient tool disguises as a pair of headphones while circulating cool air across your face and back. With no danger of spinning blades, it is a great option for kids. Shop the Philips Handheld Steamer 3000 Series and other products on the website.
Ten venues in Wollongong and surrounding areas, as well as one cafe in southeast Sydney, have been named as potential COVID-19 transmission sites by NSW Health after a returned overseas traveller tested positive to COVID-19 two days after leaving hotel quarantine. The returned traveller tested positive on day 16 of their return to Australia after testing negative twice during their 14-day hotel quarantine. They did not present any symptoms, but were tested again as part of a new precautionary day-16 testing measure introduced by the NSW Government. The test results indicate the person has a low level of infection and their household contacts have all returned negative results, Those who attended Headlands Hotel in Austinmer between 1–3pm on Tuesday, February 2 or Bulli Beach Cafe between 1.30–4pm on Saturday, February 6 are required to get tested and self-isolate until provided with further advice from NSW Health. Visitors to Mootch & Me in Brighton Le Sands between 10.54am–12pm on Tuesday, February 2, the Optus store in North Wollongong between 1–1.15pm on Thursday, February 4 or Officeworks in Fairy Meadow between 3.45–4.05pm on Thursday, February 4 or 2.10–3pm on Friday, February 5 are required to get tested immediately and self-isolate until they receive a negative test result. https://twitter.com/NSWHealth/status/1358362726481817601 Six other venues have been listed as potential venues of concern, with those who visited Bulli Woolworths, Corrimal Memorial Park, Thirroul Beach, Sublime Point Walking Track, Fedora Pasta Factory or Figtree Grove Shopping Centre being asked to closely monitor for symptoms. NSW Health will continue to update the full list of venues that you can find online if more possible exposure sites are revealed. Anyone in NSW that presents symptoms including coughs, fever, sore or scratchy throat, shortness of breath, or loss of smell or taste is urged to get tested and self-isolate until a negative test result is returned. You can find a rundown of testing clinic locations online as well. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in NSW, head to the NSW Health website. Top image: Bulli Beach Cafe via Google Maps.
Sydneysiders love a market — especially one that specialises in top-notch pre-loved clothing. There's nothing like finding a quality item at a clothing market. There's the thrill of searching through the racks to stumble upon the piece, plus shopping second-hand and upcycled clothing is more sustainable than buying your clothes new. If this all sounds entirely relatable to you, head to the Second Life Markets, when the popular pop-up returns to Darlinghurst on Sunday, December 4. The event will host 100 pop-up stores boasting vintage, second-hand and upcycled clothing. Nab a Prada purse, vintage Carhartts or a pre-loved 90s tee. The stores will span all ranges of clothing with masculine, feminine and unisex pieces. The Second Life Markets run successful quarterly events across Sydney, Perth and, as of October, Melbourne. The seasonal events bring together local sellers and independent designers, as well as a heavy dose of good vibes. Check out all the exciting stallholders over at the Second Life Instagram. The market will run from 10am–3pm. Entry is $10 and in the sustainable spirit of the market, it's asked that you bring your own reusable shopping bag(s) with you on the day.
When the first and second seasons of Sex and the City spinoff And Just Like That... started streaming, a famous setting made an appearance Down Under. If you'd always wanted to hang out on Carrie Bradshaw's (Sarah Jessica Parker, Hocus Pocus 2), stoop, that became a temporary reality in Sydney and Melbourne. For season three, which is currently working through its episodes on HBO Max, a different spot from the show is on its way to Australia. We hope you're hungry, be it for something sweet or savoury, because Hot Fellas Bakery is about to hit Sydney. Yes, this purveyor of baked goods is usually fictional. The brainchild of character Anthony Marentino (Mario Cantone, Better Things), it lives up to its name in the series. It'll also exist IRL at Darlinghurst's Taylor Square in the Harbour City, but only for one weekend: from Friday, June 27–Sunday, June 29, 2025. Hot Fellas Bakery first made the leap from the screen in New York — where else? — and will do the same in Australia just two weeks after its Big Apple debut. The pastries on offer won't cost you a thing. Neither will the coffee. There'll be limited-edition merchandise up for grabs as well. Equally doing its moniker proud is set to be part of the pop-up, too. On the menu: Vegemite babka, Golden Gaytime cream puffs and AP buttermilk croissants. While Hot Fellas Bakery has locked in a three-day Sydney run, you do only have a brief window of time each day to head by, however. It's operating from 10am–12pm on Friday, June 27, then from 8am–12pm on Saturday–June 28–Sunday, June 29, 2025 — and will close earlier each day if everything is already sold out. [caption id="attachment_1009739" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Craig Blankenhorn/Max[/caption] And if you haven't kept up with the Sex and the City world, And Just Like That... debuted in 2021 to continue Carrie, Miranda Hobbes' (Cynthia Nixon, The Gilded Age) and Charlotte York Goldenblatt's (Kristin Davis, Deadly Illusions) stories — with Samantha Jones (Kim Cattrall, How I Met Your Father) largely sitting it out, except for a brief cameo in season two. Other familiar faces abound, including John Corbett (To All the Boys: Always and Forever) reprising his role as Aidan Shaw from season two onwards, plus David Eigenberg (Chicago Fire) and Evan Handler (Power) also returning. Check out the trailer for Just Like That... season three below: Hot Fellas Bakery is popping up at Taylor Square, 191–195 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst, Sydney from 10am–12pm on Friday, June 27, plus 8am–12pm on Saturday–June 28–Sunday, June 29, 2025 (or until sold out). And Just Like That... streams in Australia via HBO Max. Head to the platform's website for more details.
When Eric Bana (Dirty John) stepped into Aaron Falk's shoes in The Dry, more was always bound to follow. On the screen, the film became a massive Australian box-office hit in 2021 thanks to its twisty mystery, determined detective, stunning Aussie scenery and spectacular cast. It was capitalising, of course, on the story's proven success on the page. And, to the delight of movie producers and audiences, the beloved novel by author Jane Harper was just Falk's first appearance. Accordingly, throw that formula together again and you now have Force of Nature: The Dry 2, the big-screen sequel that hits cinemas in Australia and New Zealand on August 24. This follow-up sees the core duo of Bana and writer/director Robert Connolly (Blueback) return, with the latter again investigating a case. This time, as both the movie's initial teaser and just-dropped full trailer explore, he's looking into the disappearance of a hiker from a corporate retreat attended by five women. Alongside fellow federal agent Carmen Cooper (Jacqueline McKenzie, Ruby's Choice), Falk heads deep into Victoria's mountain ranges to try to find the missing traveller — who also happens to be a whistle-blowing informant — alive. Also featuring in Force of Nature, which has a powerhouse list of Aussie talent just like its predecessor: Anna Torv (The Last of Us) as missing hiker Alice Russell, plus Deborra-Lee Furness (Jindabyne), Robin McLeavy (Homeland), Sisi Stringer (Mortal Kombat) and Lucy Ansell (Utopia). Richard Roxburgh (Aunty Donna's Coffee Cafe), Tony Briggs (Preppers) and Kenneth Radley (The Power of the Dog) pop up, too, while Jeremy Lindsay-Taylor (Heartbreak High) is back in the role of Erik Falk. Touting its connection to The Dry right there in its name, Force of Nature: The Dry 2 comes after its predecessor did massive ticket-selling business. Not only did it notch up more than $20 million in Australian ticket sales, but it sat in sixth at the annual Aussie box office two years back after Hollywood franchise titles Spider-Man: No Way Home, No Time to Die, Godzilla vs Kong, Peter Rabbit 2 and Fast and Furious 9. Yes, greenlighting this sequel must've been the easiest decision ever. Yes, you can probably expect Harper's Exiles to get the movie treatment next. Reteaming not just after The Dry, but also fellow 2023 release Blueback, Connolly and Bana make quite the pair when it comes to Aussie crime cinema — with Connolly the producer of one of the best local crime movies ever made, aka 1998's unnerving The Boys, and Bana famously the star of the similarly excellent Chopper. Check out the full trailer for Force of Nature: The Dry 2 below: Force of Nature: The Dry 2 releases in Australian and New Zealand cinemas on August 24, 2023. Read our full review of The Dry. Images: Narelle Portanier.
Packing is no one's favourite part of going on holidays. If you're the kind of traveller who needs to cater for every occasion, stuffing your baggage is a massive task. If you like going light, whittling your outfits down but still ensuring that you've got the basics isn't as easy as it sounds. But, why not ditch all of that, and your suitcase? That's Japan Airlines' new solution thanks to its just-launched clothing rental service. Instead of tourists agonising over what to take to Japan with you — or stressing over what not to take — the carrier is offering a clothing sharing service with Sumitomo Corporation called Any Wear, Anywhere. You reserve a range of clothes, including choosing according to the season, and whether you're after a casual or smarter look. Then, that attire gets delivered to your hotel. When you're heading home, the rental clothes will be collected from wherever you're staying, too. And no, you don't have to do any laundry before handing them back over. The aim: not only to make travelling easier for tourists, but to do the environment a solid as well. If you're hiring clothes, less luggage needs to transported internationally. Japan Airlines will be monitoring the change in checked-in baggage weight thanks to the service, to see how it reduces the carrier's carbon emissions. Also, heroing the circular economy, the outfits on offer will be sourced from pre-owned clothing and excess stock from fashion stores. And, the airline is promoting the service as a way for tourists to support local options — not just for accommodation and food, but also for clothing. At this stage, Japan Airlines is trialling Any Wear, Anywhere from Wednesday, July 5, 2023 to Saturday, August 31, 2024 — and the service is only available for customers travelling to Japan via Japan Airlines. Price-wise, costs start at AU$42 / NZ$45 (¥4000) for a set of summer threads, which covers three tops and two bottoms. The most you'll pay is AU$73 / NZ $79 (¥4000), which gets you a winter range of six tops and three bottoms. You can keep the threads for up to two weeks, and bookings are available from a month before you travel. Wouldn't dream of travelling without a suitcase? Coming home, you can now fill it with souvenirs instead of dirty clothes. Japan Airlines and and Sumitomo Corporation's Any Wear, Anywhere clothing sharing service is being trialled until Saturday, August 31, 2024 — head to the Any Wear, Anywhere website for further details and bookings. 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.
If you didn't manage to snag tickets to one of The Cure's four Sydney shows this May, we have some good news: the legendary band has announced a fifth show. On Thursday, May 30, the post-punk luminaries, headed by the Robert Smith (with his teased hair, eyeliner and lipstick), will take to the Sydney Opera House stage for another Vivid Live headline performance. The catch? You had to have signed up for the original The Cure ticket ballot back in February to be eligible. If you didn't? There is a pretty decent consolation prize. The Opera House has announced that it'll be streaming the fifth performance live on Facebook and YouTube (below). So, we suggest you start planning your The Cure watching party stat — and stocking up on hairspray. The Cure will be performing their 1989 album Disintegration in its entirety in a world-premiere, and Australian-exclusive, performance celebrating the 30th anniversary of the landmark album. The gothic rock-style record contains hits such as 'Lovesong' and 'Pictures of You', and, according to Smith, is meant to be played at max volume. "This album was mixed to be played loud... so turn it up!", Smith said in a statement about the live stream. Maybe this a good excuse to invest in a new set of speakers. The British band is just one of the big-name performances heading to Sydney for the 2019 Vivid festival. Others include FKA Twigs, Rüfüs Du Soul, folk rock singer Sharon Van Etten and Perth up-and-comer Stella Donnelly. You can check out the full lineup and snag tickets to more shows over here. Check back here to watch the livestream — and Robert Smith in all his eyelinered glory — from 8pm on Thursday, May 30. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9uSPf9WDbw The Cure will perform its fifth show in the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall on Thursday, May 30. The concert will be live streamed from 8pm via the SOH's Facebook page and YouTube channel (above). For more information about The Cure ballot and live stream, head here. Images: Andy Vella. Updated: May 30, 2019.
At the heart of 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art's new exhibition is a contradiction. The green glass of the sculptures in Ken + Julia Yonetani's What the Birds Knew is radioactive. Alongside the artist text, you are advised that the uranium glass in this show "is not sufficiently radioactive to pose a health hazard to those viewing the glass." But it's the thought of being so close to such a feared substance that is the thrill of this exhibition. What sets your hair on end, and makes you wonder if the exhibit is safe to visit. If the show is safe— which, no doubt, it is — then what happens to the adventure? And if it isn't, then why are you still standing there? USA from Crystal Palace: The Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nuclear Nations is a ghostly chandelier, reminiscent of the pale holographic ghosts of Disney World's haunted mansion, turning from ghostly bone to a more snot green when it's hit by light from the street as you open the door. It's one of a series of chandeliers made in the Crystal Palace series representing each of the nuclear nations, proportionate to size. The one at 4A, representing the States, is pretty big. The uranium glass beads are illuminated by UV bulbs, stealing the chandelier's thunder with a brilliant fuzzy glow whose border extends well beyond the bulbs' actual edges. Upstairs, a giant green glowing ant is outlined with the beads. The wireframe textures of the ant hover in mid-air, outlining an underlying black chickenwire body. The ant is on a scale that makes you think of B grade film, and its rear gaster is raised dramatically as if to strike, with its cinematic lineage pushing you meditate on the perils of radioactivity. But, if the exhibition has a flaw, it's that its intended subjects (Australia's own uranium mining, and Fukushima) don't spring immediately to mind.
It's not every festival feels like a country weekend fete that just happens to be headlined by say, Courtney Barnett. Fairgrounds, Australia's country boutique camping festival descends on the small NSW town of Berry each December. Taking over the local Berry Showgrounds, Fairgrounds boasts all the trimmings of a major music festival with the essence of a local fair. And this December, it's back for another two-day round. Running over November 30 and December 1, the two-day festival is making a triumphant return. In a huge coup for the small festival in its third year, they've secured big time festival favourites Courtney Barnett and Vance Joy to headline, alongside local legends Pond, Winston Surfshirt and more. Oh, and British punk poet Billy Bragg, US alternative rock band The Breeders and Zambian hip hop singer Sampa the Great will also join the lineup from across the globe. With a strong focus on the local NSW South Coast area, Fairgrounds isn't just about the tunes. Last year local nosh, market stalls and the local swimming pool played equally starring roles at this multifaceted festival — something we're sure made Berry residents pretty happy. Between dips in Berry's local pool (within the festival grounds), punters feasted on local delights, including fresh rock oysters harvested less than half an hour from the festival site. The festival's super-popular long-table dinners will return, too, which take place overlooking the live music. But we know what you're here for. Here's the full lineup. FAIRGROUNDS 2018 LINEUP: Vance Joy Pond Rolling Blackouts C.F. Saba Body Type Oh Pep! Tia Gostelow Courtney Barnett Billy Bragg Winston Surfshirt The Breeders Sampa the Great The Teskey Brothers Waxahatchee Kevin Morby Maddy Jane Carla Geneve Fairgrounds runs November 30–December 1 at Berry Showgrounds, NSW. Tickets on sale from Moshtix at 10am, Monday, August 13. Festival entry starts at $110, with camping $230. Image: Ian Laidlaw and Gabriel Vallido
When mid-February rolls around each year, a specific feeling starts to sink in: the yearning for these sunny, summery days to keep on stretching on. But autumn will soon be upon us, and cooler weather, too — unless you decide to chase an endless summer by spending time anywhere from the Gold Coast up to Cairns while it gets frosty down south. After a chaotic couple of years due to the pandemic, Queensland holidays have been back on the agenda since late 2021. Just last month, the Sunshine State also ditched all of its remaining domestic border restrictions. And, if you're keen to make an autumn date with plenty of sun, surf and sand — or even to book in a winter getaway, too — Virgin Australia has just dropped a huge Queensland flight sale. Running until midnight AEST on Sunday, February 20 or sold out, whichever arrives first, this sale is solely about trips to and from the Sunshine State — with more than a 1.5 million fares on offer. It might be focused on one part of the country, but you still have options in terms of departure points and destinations. Within Queensland, you can leave or arrive in Brisbane, Cairns, Townsville, Rockhampton, Hamilton Island, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Mt Isa and Proserpine. And, around the rest of the country, flights to and from Adelaide, Alice Springs, Canberra, Darwin, Hobart, Launceston, Melbourne, Newcastle, Perth and Sydney are all covered. One-way fares start at $59 — which'll get you from Sydney to the Gold Coast, Launceston to Brisbane, Newcastle to Brisbane and Brisbane to Prosperine (and vice versa). Other sale flights include Sydney–Sunshine Coast from $65, Melbourne–Gold Coast from $69, Melbourne–Townsville from $99 and Sydney–Hamilton Island from $109. If you're wondering when you'll need to travel, the travel periods depend on the leg — but some span up till spring. Only some fares cover seat selection and checked baggage, however, with the airline announcing back in August that it is now splitting its economy flights into three types. Economy Lite doesn't include checking any baggage or picking your seat, but Economy Choice does — and Economy Flex gives you extra flexibility (hence the name) if you have to change your plans later. As we are still in the middle of a pandemic, flying is little different to normal. Virgin has introduced a range of safety measures, including hand sanitisation stations, contactless check-in and face masks provided to all passengers. Wearing masks on flights also became mandatory in Australia in January. Virgin's Great Queensland Getaway sale runs from today, Monday, February 14–midnight AEST on Sunday, February 20 — or until sold out.
For Sydneysiders living in the city's Local Government Areas of concern — aka areas that have experienced higher locally acquired COVID-19 case numbers during this Delta outbreak — tighter rules have been in place for much of this ongoing lockdown. Folks in these spots are currently under an overnight curfew between 9pm–5am, are only permitted to travel five kilometres from their homes unless there are exceptional circumstances, and must wear masks whenever they leave the house. For the past few weeks, residents in hotspot LGAs have only been able to go out of their houses to exercise for one hour per day, too; however, New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian has just announced that that rule is about to be lifted. Today, Thursday, September 2, the Premier Gladys revealed that LGAs of concern will no longer have a one-hour cap on daily exercise from 5am on Friday, September 3. Instead, residents in these areas will be permitted to go out for as long as they like to work up a sweat — albeit still under the five-kilometre rule, and only between 5am–9pm given that the curfew is still in effect. When it kicks in, the change will apply to people who live in the Bayside, Blacktown, Burwood, Campbelltown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Georges River, Liverpool, Parramatta and Strathfield LGAs, as well as 12 suburbs in the Penrith. So, if that's you, you'll be able to spend more time outdoors this weekend — and moving forward. From 5am tomorrow (Friday) morning, exercise will no longer be limited to one hour in the local government areas of concern. The curfew will still apply, but exercise is unlimited outside of those hours. — NSW Health (@NSWHealth) September 2, 2021 The rule does still only cover exercising. Outdoor recreation — so, "sitting for relaxation, or to eat, drink or read outdoors", as defined by the NSW Government rules — isn't yet allowed in hotspot LGAs. But it'll be back on the cards from 12.01am Monday, September 13, as part of the state's slight easing of outdoor gathering rules. From that point onwards, families with fully vaccinated adults in LGAs of concern will be able to go out together for an hour of outdoor recreation, in addition to your exercise time each day, while still abiding by the curfew and the five-kilometre rule. The change to exercise restrictions in hotspot LGAs was announced as NSW reported 1288 new cases in the 24 hours to 8pm on Wednesday, September 1. The NSW Government intends to loosen more rules for fully vaccinated people across the state once 70 percent of residents have had two jabs, which is likely to include being able to go to hospitality venues and outdoor events — and is expected to happen around mid-October. That said, the exact details of those relaxed settings hasn't been revealed yet, and neither has how they'll apply in LGAs of concern. Residents in Sydney's LGAs of concern will be able to enjoy unlimited exercise — as long as they abide by the five-kilometre rule and the curfew — from 5am on Friday, September 3. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in NSW, head to the NSW Health website.
The Killers are taking a shot at the night, Satellite Stories are letting the lights go low and Cruiser want you to kidnap them. So kick off those work-week blues and listen to these five tracks to soundtrack your weekend. 1. 'SHOT AT THE NIGHT' - THE KILLERS This is a new direction for The Killers. It retains the anthem attributes fans love, but it presents a new element to their sound, courtesy of production by Anthony Gonzalez of M83 fame. It is like the two bands had a sonic love child, and this is it. It is a wonderful way to celebrate the Las Vegas quartet's tenth anniversary and is one of two new tracks to be featured on a greatest hits (so far) album, with 'Just Another Girl' also due to drop soon. The album Direct Hits will be released globally on November 11 so let this tide you over in the meantime. 2. 'BED PEACE' - JHENE AIKO FEAT. CHILDISH GAMBINO This is the smoothest song I have ever heard. Jhene Aiko's gentle vocals perfectly compliment Childish Gambino — otherwise known as Donald Glover — and his playful voice. When layered over the top of the simple R&B vibe it creates a song that is both graceful and sexy. You can play it to fall asleep, when you bring someone home or just on a lazy Sunday. This is an angelic song for all occasions. 3. 'LIGHTS GO LOW' - SATELLITE STORIES Satellite Stories have been receiving a lot of deserved hype lately. The Finnish band's sound has drawn a number of comparisons to Two Door Cinema Club, but there is one difference — they sound like they could be even better. Now that is saying something, as Two Door Cinema Club is this writer's favourite band. However, they just have an excellent understanding of the music they are trying to make, resulting in tracks like this that your ears will love you for offering to them. 4. 'KIDNAP ME' - CRUISER Cruiser is Philadelphia native Andy Stykes and he could not have dropped this summer-sounding track at a better time. So as the sun begins to heat things up, soak up this track's resplendent musical rays and please do not kidnap Cruiser. We need him to continue making music and his ransom would be far too high given how good this new track is. 5. 'DAWN' - CLOUD BEHIND Cloud Behind are a band from Thailand that make truly beautiful music. 'Dawn' is an excellent showcasing of their talent and has perfect timing, starting slowly before building momentum into a heartwarming ending. This is the type of music that accompanies life-changing decisions in indie movies so pop it on and see what epiphanies come your way.
John Pilger's steadfast commitment to Indigenous affairs over the past 30 years has won him international recognition as an investigative journalist and filmmaker. Passionate about communicating the plight of Aboriginal Australians and rallying for change, he returns with new documentary Utopia, which he describes as "one of the most urgent films I have made". Utopia takes its name from the vast region in Northern Australia that is home to the oldest continuous human culture. The film traces the theft of a continent and the subsequent atrocities of the colonial regime. Extreme poverty, death in police custody and concentration camps are just some of the atrocities highlighted. In presenting two clashing portraits of Australia — one of Gold Coast resorts and mining wealth, the other of abject poverty in rural Aboriginal communities — Pilger is out to expose Australia's own secret apartheid, a 'lucky country' stained by human rights violations. With the desperate state of Indigenous affairs, this important film promises an enlightening and moving experience. To get the film seen and spread, there will be a free, open-air screening on Friday, January 17 at The Block in Redfern, a site loaded with Indigenous significance. A series of public screenings will also take place at the MCA, concluding with a special event on Australia Day, otherwise known as 'Invasion Day'.
Word around film circles is that a sequel to Tim Burton's 80s hit Beetlejuice is on its way, and that Wednesday favourite Jenna Ortega is in line for a key role. That's great news for future filmgoers; however, if you're looking for an eerie (and amusing) night at the movies now, horror event fiends Haus of Horror have a solution: a screening of the OG Beetlejuice in a cemetery. Already in March, Haus of Horror has unleashed The Exorcist in a haunted prison with a session at Parramatta Gaol. But that's just one event on the crew's list for 2023. The next jumps forward a decade with its picture choice, gets silly and goes all in on Burton doing what Burton became a famous filmmaker for doing — loving all things spooky and strange — this time at Camperdown Cemetery in Newtown. You don't need a Handbook for the Recently Deceased in your ghostly hands to head along, but you will spend time with a couple with one: Barbara and Adam Maitland (GLOW's Geena Davis and Dr Death's Alec Baldwin). And, you'll see what happens when they start to suspect that they're no longer alive, a new family moves into their house (including Schitt's Creek's Catherine O'Hara and Stranger Things' Winona Ryder) and they decide they need a 'bio-exorcist' (Michael Keaton, Morbius). There's obviously no better place to show this flick, and Haus of Horror are leaning in for the first instalment in their new Graveyard Nights series. There are no prizes for guessing where it'll be screening movies each time this event pops up, starting at 6pm on Saturday, March 25. Also on the agenda: a cemetery tour to kick things off, plus a DJ spinning tunes over sunset, and spots for a bite and a drink. Also, there'll be a photobooth for snaps with Beetlejuice, the usual movie snack range including popcorn, and The Betelspritz Bar pouring non-boozy beverages such as The Miss Argentina (made with green apple sweet syrup, lemonade, grenadine and fresh cherries), The Lydia (grenadine, lemonade, black tea sweet syrup and fresh strawberries) and The Ghost with the Most (black tea sweet syrup again, lemonade, grenadine, green apple sweet syrup and strawberries). Come 8pm, the film will play — and if you'd prefer to pack a picnic, that's also encouraged. You'll also want to bring blankets, pillows and lawn chairs (low ones so you don't block out the view for whoever sits behind you) for getting comfy. Tickets cost $39, or $59 if you'd like to book a large bean bag to sit on. One caveat: attendees are asked to be respectful of the site, including its headstones, trees and buildings. Check out the trailer for Beetlejuice below: Graveyard Nights: Beetlejuice takes place at Camperdown Memorial Rest Park, Federation Road, Lennox and Church streets, Newtown from 6pm on Saturday, March 25 — head to the Haus of Horror website for tickets and further details.
As it continues in a push to produce more inclusive exercise gear, Lululemon has this week launched a new range of workout hijabs across selected international stores. The performance and lifestyle hijabs come in two styles available to buy now across New Zealand and Australia, with a third set to launch later this year. Each hijab is made using the buttery soft, sweat-wicking fabric Lululemon is famous for and offers a series of adjustable fits suited to the gym, a home workout or just those humid days of summer. The pin-free Performance Hijab ($55 AUD/$65 NZD) comes in both black and blue, and features an adjustable drawstring so it stays fitted into place while the user is working out — perfect for runners and HIIT lovers. The more traditional Scarf-Style Hijab ($49 AUD/$55 NZD) comes in soft jersey fabric and can be worn tied, twisted or tucked depending on preference. This one might be more suited to lower intensity styles, like pilates and walks. Lastly, the OTM Pull On Hijab ($49 AUD/$55 NZD) which is set to launch later this year, also has an over the head design and can be worn wrapped around the shoulders or tucked into the front of the shirt. Luluelmon certainly isn't the first activewear company to produce a hijab suited to exercise: Adidas has an option available to purchase online with its famous three stripe logo and Nike also has a monochromatic range. Under Armour also has an option with built-in headphone access. It would be great to see more brands follow suit, including locally made and designed options. The Lululemon performance hijab range launched Monday, June 6 and can be found now in select stores across Australia and New Zealand. For more information, head to the website.
Thirty years' worth of PCBs, as well as heavy metals, sewage and urban runoff, have made the Hudson River a hazard for would-be swimmers for nearly a century. Clean-ups, initiated in the 1960s by Pete Seeger's Hudson River Sloop Clearwater organisation, and enforced since the 1980s by the US Environmental Protection Agency, have improved conditions significantly. Now, a new Kickstarter project, titled + POOL, promises to create a swimming basin in the Hudson's brother, the East River, right on the liquid doorstep of New York City. Fitted with an enormous layered filtration system, the pool will purify as much as half a million gallons of water daily. Consequently, New Yorkers will be able to swim in that part of the river, enjoying a level of cleanliness similar to 19th-century standards. Plus, of course, they’ll have the benefit of a 21st-century view. According to the project's creators, "+ POOL started with a simple goal: instead of trying to clean the entire river, what if you started by just cleaning a small piece of it? And what if you could change how New Yorkers see their rivers, just by giving them a chance to swim in it?" With 17 days of campaigning left to go, + POOL has raised US$120,360 of its initial US$250,000 goal, which will enable the construction of a 35' x 35' ‘Float Lab’ in August 2013. The final project is set to be completed in summer 2016, just before the Olympic Games. Donors receive rewards in the form of pool tiles and, so far, 1,328 people have pledged support. For US$25, you’ll see your name alongside seven others on a 'group tile'. For US$2500, you’ll earn yourself a 'graphic tile', featuring your logo, signature or any single-colour image of your choice, as well as 20 tickets to 'First Dips'. This means that you and 19 friends will be among the first individuals to jump into the pool, in the week leading up to its public opening.
Australia might be working through a few issues, but delivering top-shelf world-class cocktail bars sure ain't one of them, as again proved at last night's World's 50 Best Bars awards in London. Now in its ninth year, the prestigious awards ranked Sydney bar The Baxter Inn at number 45 in the world. Melbourne's Black Pearl came in at number 22, the same spot it claimed in 2016's list. This year, however, the bar backed it up with a few extra accolades, scooping the gong for Best Bar in Australasia and honoured with the title of Legend of the List, for its efforts in making the cut each year the awards have been held. Taking out top spot, along with the title of Best Bar in Europe, was The American Bar at London's Savoy Hotel. This is a win for us Aussies also — the international cocktail icon just announced it'll take over The Black Pearl and Sydney's Eau De Vie for a series of pop-ups later this month. London again proved the most represented city in the list, honoured with eight top 50 placings. The World's 50 Best Bars awards is voted by a group of over 500 industry experts from across 55 countries.
It's the fun side of Wednesday, you've settled in at your favourite bar, and a couple more whisky sours wouldn't hurt. But when the lights come on at midnight you've got limited options this side of Elizabeth Street. Until Saturday, when a new neighbourhood bar and boutique music venue opens for business. The Soda Factory, located in the old home of Tone nightclub, is the latest venture from Graham Cordery of Experience Entertainment and his partner Michael Chase. They've stripped the place back to its industrial bones and, armed with a late-night trading licence, are aiming to bring something different to the 2010 postcode. "I'll go to a bar and what I really enjoy about it is the quirky features of the decor, or the really great service where they'll make me a cocktail customised to my taste," says Graham, "but what I don't enjoy is having to walk out the door at midnight." His solution has been to combine high-end cocktails, restaurant-quality food, and great entertainment under the exposed beams of one lofty roof. As for quirky features, you get that before you're even technically inside. To get in you first walk through Bobby's Boss Dogs, a fully legit fast food joint with neon sign, checkerboard floors, and a shiny chrome bar top. Pull up a stool and eat in, or pull on the handle of the coke machine to reveal the grungier Soda Factory. All the furnishings precede the year 1960, from comfy booths and mid-century furniture to tin chairs and wooden crates that can be moved out the back when things necessitate a dance floor. To have a fully functioning business with a secret door is, as Graham says, "absolutely a first" in the area. So what will you be drinking once you're in? The boys have brought Mitchell Warters over from London, where he spent the last two years mixing drinks at Richard Branson's members-only Roof Gardens to curate a cocktail menu in keeping with the old-school factory theme. Groups can go for share siphons like The Seabreeze Spritz ($35), a mix of cranberry, ruby red grapefruit, and fresh lemon with Ketel One Vodka served sparkling from a real '50s seltzer bottle. There are also ice cream-topped floats ($14) and a 12-strong list of specialty cocktails, including Graham's personal favourite, the Chocolate Passion Martini ($17) with Mozart dark chocolate liqueur, passionfruit, Tuaca liqueur, and Kettle One. Michael is also a trained chef and the guys are planning to make use of the full restaurant kitchen by rolling out a 1950s-inspired Italian share plate menu in April. It's "the kind of place where you can get a feed and a cocktail, as opposed to a purely music venue where you’ve got your standard fare of a VB lager or a vodka soda". Until then, nine gourmet dogs are on offer for $10 each, including the Frank Sinatra (a classic New York street dog with frankfurter, American mustard, pickles, and onion rings) and the Johnny Drama (beef sausage, bacon, sour cream, avocado, and tomato salsa). The entertainment has a slightly more contemporary flavour. Graham has spent over two years curating line-ups at Ivy and has a wealth of electronic music knowledge. He's already locked in Brooklyn's DJ Spinna, influential Manchester producer Greg Wilson, and hip-hop DJ pioneer Grandmaster Flash, but don't expect to only see stuff that requires turntables or softsynths. Michael used to scout talent for MGM Distribution and has already roped in a couple of exciting live acts including Australia's own Electric Empire, and during the week it might be local DJs or up-and-coming indies. "Anything that we feel to be cool [is going to get some airtime], whether it's Grandmaster Flash or a nu-disco DJ or a live band or an indie set," says Graham. "It could be jazz, could be blues, could be soul." But The Soda Factory is "first and foremost a bar", meaning there's only a cover charge when something really exceptional is on. Grandmaster Flash is only $20 and Greg Wilson just $15 on the door. Settle in early and you don't have to pay a thing. And on school nights there's plenty of low-key and free stuff to keep the locals satisfied. "Every Monday is movie Mondays. We're starting off with Ferris Bueller's Day Off on the twenty-fifth, so that should be pretty cool. Tuesday is Dollar Dogs, so just one dollar for a hot dog every Tuesday. Wednesday we're going to do a night with local talent; anything and everything that's on the more relaxed side of things. It could be an acoustic session or soul, but it will be definitely live. After that things get a little more upbeat." Says Graeme, "Anyone's welcome to drop by at any time, but we also have great gigs." Sounds good, guys. We'll see you Saturday. Mon - Wed 5pm - late, Thurs 5pm - 2am, Friday 5pm - 5am, Saturday 5pm - 5am; 16 Wentworth Ave, Surry Hills 2010. Update: The Soda Factory has finished its fit-out. Check out the pictures below.
Sydney is on a hot streak with new swimming spots right now. Fresh areas for a dip have been popping up all across the city, whether it's Barangaroo's new city beach, the restoration and reopening of the historic Dawn Fraser Baths, or zones dotted along the Parramatta River. And, things aren't slowing down, with the Inner West's Callan Park the next location bookmarked to host summer swims. Located along the Bay Run in Lilyfield, the 61-hectare heritage park sits alongside the Parramatta River. Following two years of exhaustive water testing, swimming at the park has just been given the tick of approval, with the Inner West Council announcing plans to transform the waterfront into a swimmer's paradise. Following the approval, a new 50-metre tidal pool will now be built at the site. Significant features of the pool include swimming lanes, an expansive jetty, and two moored pontoons for sunbathing and diving. "With its position at the heart of the Bay Run, the Callan Park tidal pool can become a Sydney icon," Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne said. "With our location finalised and all approvals now granted, we are ready to partner with the New South Wales Government to fund the construction of this beautiful new swim site." Alongside the water testing, environmental impact research, river-depth analysis and floor quality testing were all undertaken in order to gain approval. Swimming at Callan Park has been five years in the making, with a plan to clean up the waterways and get the go-ahead first announced back in 2018. The popular Lilyfiled park is set to become the sixth swim spot to land along Parramatta River, joining Bayview Park, Dawn Fraser Baths, Cabarita Park Beach, Chiswick Baths and Lake Parramatta. The Parramatta River Catchment Group (PRCG) is also enquiring into reintroducing swimming to the likes of Bedlam Bay, McIlwaine Park and Putney Park in the future. Callan Park is located on Balmain Road, Lilyfield.
As you're probably aware, the night owls of Sydney are seriously unhappy with the NSW government for a few reasons — the most prominent being the citywide strict and stifling lockout laws. Imposed almost two years ago, the laws have had an unmistakably massive effect on the city's nightlife and its dependants alike. Needless to say, the tension is palpable. And this Saturday, December 12, activist group Reclaim The Streets are planning a multi-stage mobile protest festival in Newtown to take a stand against the restrictive laws that threaten the livelihood of young people, artists and many businesses. The protest project is named ‘A liveable city for all’. They say it's not fair to be locked out of your own city by excessive rents — it's no secret that Sydney is renowned for having insane rent prices — and suffocating curfew laws, which include a 1.30am lockout and 3am last drinks. In their words, the city is "not just an investment portfolio for the super-rich". Damn right. The lockout laws, in particular, have hit young people hard — and it's not just the closure of venues. After all, it's almost exclusively young adults who work tough shifts as bar staff, glassies and DJs. And while statistics say the incident rate of violence has dropped in hotspot areas like the CBD and Kings Cross since the laws were introduced, it seems the same kind of violence has risen in inner-city areas such as Newtown and Surry Hills. Reclaim the Streets says that the government has cost them a dancefloor, so, with a preliminary lineup of a buttload of quality local acts, they’ll be making one themselves. See you on Saturday gang, where we will literally fight for our right to party. The Reclaim The Streets protest will start from Camperdown Memorial Park on Saturday, December 12 at 2pm. For information, see their event page.
Drinking sessions with your mates are a cornerstone of the weekend. But, for those fur baby parents out there, there's nothing worse than getting stuck in and then realising you have to rush out to take care of your pup. For you, the best session is one when your best two-legged and four-legged mates are all there. We've teamed up with American Express to show Sydney dog owners that you don't need to choose between seeing your friends or hanging out with your pup. These American Express-accepting spots offer some of the best food and bevs in the city, all while catering to your doggo with special menus, play areas and outdoor seating. Looking for a spot where your dog is welcomed as much as your, er, human friends? These venues are here for you. Got yourself in another dining situation and need some guidance? Whatever it is, we know a place. Visit The Shortlist and we'll sort you out.
There are a million ways to meet someone in 2023. The options range across physical and digital, making it easier than ever to find the right someone. One of the fastest ways to find the right person is the classic choice of speed dating. It's a great way to speed up the process if you want to cut out the endless swiping and waiting for a match. That's what Cheeky Events Australia is here for with its weekly speed dating series. Running in Sydney and Melbourne and about to launch in Brisbane, the events cater to anyone aged 25-35, 30-45 or 35-49 — Cheeky Events Australia aims to open it up to more age groups and cater to LGBTQIA+ customers in 2024. [caption id="attachment_922332" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] millann via iStock[/caption] How does it work? Simply book your spot for one of the many regular events via Eventbrite or the Cheeky Events Australia app (and use code PLAYGROUND15 to get 15% off ). Once you arrive, your hosts (who are also former speed dating guests) will greet you and supply you with a complimentary beverage to enjoy while mingling with fellow daters before the action begins. Women will stay seated while the men rotate around, with a brief mingling break at the halfway point of the night. Once the time is up, participants will open the app to input their likes, and matches will be finalised via the app later that night. Any matches will be able to find each other's contact details in the app. The odds are in your favour — on average, everyone has one or two matches per night, with many finding a long-term partner by their third event. Keep an eye out for more than just the weekly series — there could be themed boat parties on your dating horizon. To get started with Cheeky Events Australia, follow them on Instagram, download the app or find the next event on Eventbrite. For more information, visit the website.
In Stay of the Week, we explore some of the world's best and most unique accommodations, giving you inspiration for your next trip. In this instalment, we set the compass to Tropical North Queensland and take a trip to Cairns for a special stay at Crystalbrook Riley. We love this place so much that we teamed up with the resort to offer an exclusive four-night travel deal — including in-room entertainment, aquarium access and accommodation in an ultra-refined Urban Room. WHAT'S SO SPECIAL? Queenslanders have had a good few reasons to celebrate of late: State of Origin wins. A low-intensity heatwave that makes it feel they're never going to break up with summer. First place in a new survey that asked Aussies to rank their favourite local travel destination. And while anyone who's not a Maroons fan probably doesn't want to hear them gloat about their footballing victories, we can certainly support a destination that grants us access to sunny days and balmy nights right now without the need to renew our passports. Pitching itself for consideration is Crystalbrook Riley, a five-star stay that's strategically situated along Cairns' iconic coastal boardwalk. It has some of the best beaches of the world literally at your doorstep. Luxe location aside, Crystalbrook Riley's outstanding amenities are equally impressive. They include a 1000-square-metre swimming lagoon, a private man-made beach, bustling bars and restaurants and some seriously stylish rooms and suites. THE ROOMS The Crystalbrook Riley team is proud to proclaim that its 311 rooms and suites most certainly do not feel like a home away from home. But before you think that's a typo allow us to explain its rationale. Basically, it's because the team believes that leaving your teeny one-bedroom with views over the main road to spend your time away in the same sort of set-up defeats the purpose. Instead, it delivers all of the good things you love about your own house (big beds, comfy couches, steaming hot showers) and adds some oomph by making the design a little more sophisticated, the furnishings a touch more elegant and the kind of contemporary cool accessories you'd find at a boutique homeware store. FOOD AND DRINK If you're in Cairns, you're probably going dedicate a couple of days to super-early-start excursions like the Daintree National Park or the Great Barrier Reef. On those occasions, when you come home exhausted and don't have the physical energy to untangle your salty hair let alone order an Uber, Crystalbrook Riley's own in-hotel restaurants are on hand. The highest rooftop bar in Cairns, Rocco, is all about generous serves, share-style dining and fresh dishes that take inspiration from the Middle East and the Mediterranean and recreate them with fresh regional produce. Highlights include mezza plates featuring freshly shucked oysters, house-made labneh cheese, Far North Queensland grilled tiger prawns, confit chicken and grilled lamb cutlets. Pair them with a smart selection of sweet and savoury cocktails, like the Moroccan-inspired Message in a Bottle, for an experience that is truly unmissable. On the other hand, if you're all about an Asian epicurean experience, then Paper Crane offers a modern menu that makes the most of Tropical North Queensland's fresh ingredients while highlighting the best of Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Thai, and Vietnamese fare. Signature dishes such as the citrus soy-marinated Tableland rib-eye steak on the bone pair perfectly with Paper Crane's custom cocktails. Just be sure to pace yourself if you have another long day trip planned for the next morning. THE LOCAL AREA Know as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns is the place to base yourself if swimming and snorkelling among world-heritage-listed marine life is on your bucket list. Ditto those seeking easy access to the iconic Daintree Rainforest and its soaring green canopies. But beyond its beaches and bushland, Cairns is also a dream holiday destination for those who like to pack their itinerary with drinking, dining and days spent doing a little retail damage. Our suggestions include the tropical treats at Charley's Chocolate Factory, sunset cocktails at seaside bar Salt House, the small boutiques in Oceania Walk or Galleria for high-end designer stores. THE EXTRAS Did you even go on a holiday if you didn't treat yourself to a fancy facial and meditative massage? Although Crystalbrook Riley's Eleme Spa is temporarily closed, guests can still enjoy access to the equally fabulous Eleme Day Spa Crystalbrook Flynn just down the road, where treatments such as couples therapy and detox packages are all available. Additionally, those who take advantage of this exclusive Concrete Playground Trips promotion can enjoy two complimentary tickets to the famed Cairns Aquarium. It's home to the Southern Hemisphere's only two-storey Deep Reef Tank, the 360-degree Oceanarium and Underwater Viewing Tunnel. Guests can spot rare species of sharks, sting rays, crocodiles and more, as they attempt to find Nemo. Feeling inspired to book a truly unique getaway? Head to Concrete Playground Trips to explore a range of holidays curated by our editorial team. We've teamed up with all the best providers of flights, stays and experiences to bring you a series of unforgettable trips in destinations all over the world.
COVID-19 restrictions across New South Wales have been easing over the past few months, including loosened rules for restaurants, bars, cafes and eateries, and on caps for-home gatherings. But if you're the type of person who not only likes hanging out with your mates at bars and pubs, but standing up while you're knocking back cold ones, sipping wine or enjoying a cocktail, you'll be particularly pleased with the latest announcement. Today, Wednesday, March 17, NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro and Treasurer Dominic Perrottet have revealed that the state's residents can now drink while vertical indoors, with the change already in effect. Accordingly, your days of only being seated while you're having a few beverages have finally come to an end. If you feel like saying cheers to that, it's understandable. The news wasn't unexpected. Back in February, Premier Gladys Berejiklian had noted that standing up while you drink inside at a pub or bar would be back on March 17 "if everything goes well". And even though NSW has reported two locally acquired cases in the past few days — including one overnight — the rule about only sipping while you're sitting has still been scrapped. [caption id="attachment_779825" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Cassandra Hannagan[/caption] Nothing else is changing at present. If you're hanging out to hit the dance floor, that's still off limits — unless you're at a wedding, where 30 people can make shapes at once. But loosening the dancing rules, and letting more people attend weddings funerals, are under consideration for future rule changes. As always, NSW residents are asked to continue to get tested immediately if you experience even the mildest of COVID-19 symptoms — and to keep an eye on the list of locations linked to the current locations linked to cases, and monitor for symptoms, get tested and/or self-isolate if you've visited any of the named spots. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in NSW, head to the NSW Health website. Images: Cassandra Hannagan.
Everybody loves condiments, but it's hard to imagine sitting down to a 33-minute documentary about one. Until, perhaps, we reveal that the condiment of choice is Sriracha, the punchy hot sauce that inspires cult-like levels of devotion the globe over. Sriracha is a Kickstarter-funded documentary by Griffin Hammond that follows the rise of the ubiquitous 'rooster sauce' in America after a Vietnamese refugee named David Tran decided to make his own version of the sauce, which originated in Thailand but is also popular in Vietnam as a condiment for pho. Tran founded Huy Fong Foods in 1980, and since then the company's revenues have grown by at least 20 percent every year — amazingly, without advertising. The documentary mainly consists of interviews with Tran, as well as several die-hard Sriracha fans. According to reviews, there's some interesting trivia in there and it does give you an insight into the company and its founder. But it's also been described as "one long Sriracha commercial" due to its lack of non-Sriracha-loving subjects. There's some anxiety among Sriracha lovers following the recent partial shutdown of the main Huy Fong factory in California. Combined with a new 30-day freeze on shipment, it's looking like a short-term shortage may be a reality. Have fortitude, heat fiends. You can watch the trailer for Sriracha below. The full documentary is available on Vimeo for $5. Via the NPR blog.
Sydneysiders will soon farewell some of its oldest commuter trains, with the NSW Government revealing it's set to fast-track the delivery of 17 additional air-conditioned models for use on our busy rail network. The Waratah Series 2 trains will beef up an existing order of 24 vehicles, some of which were rolled out onto the tracks last September. You might have spied them cruising around with their bright orange driver cabins. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the new haul of trains won't come cheap, clocking in at around $900 million, taking into account ongoing maintenance. Most of that money won't be headed to local pockets, either, with the vehicles being built over in China — though upkeep will take place in Auburn, NSW. Once rolled out, the full collection of Series 2 models should make for more pleasant journeys across Sydney's rail network, as they eventually replace the remaining S-Set trains — a group of 40-year-old carriages nicknamed 'sweat sets' for their lack of air-conditioning. By comparison, these newer counterparts boast double decker carriages, HD information screens, priority seating, wheelchair spaces, hearing aid loops and full air-conditioning with temperature control. [caption id="attachment_707370" align="alignnone" width="1920"] A 40-year-old S-Set train.[/caption] As well as the dire need to replace the old sweatboxes, the new trains are being fast tracked because of a boom in demand. Sydney's rail network has had a serious workout of late — it clocked 413 million journeys last year, a 38 percent increase from 2013. As to which lines the new trains will be landing on, Transport for NSW has said it will be prioritising T2 Inner West and Leppington, T3 Bankstown and T8 Airport and South Lines. The latest orders should hit the tracks from 2020, which is unfortunately a little too late to save you from this summer's sweaty commutes. But, when they do drop, the additional trains will also mean more trains on the tracks and — hopefully — less time waiting at the station. All 41 Waratah Series 2 trains are expected to hit the tracks by mid-2020.
This weekend, Mardi Gras is rounding out its 41st year with a downright epic finale and nothing's going to rain on its parade. Least of all, some pesky lockout laws. That's right — the NSW Government has again agreed to ditch Oxford Street's usual lockout restrictions on Saturday, March 2, as the famed strip plays host to the annual Mardi Gras Parade and the massive crowds of revellers it pulls. For this one night only, venues in the area will be allowed to let punters through the door beyond the usual 1.30am or 2am cut-off, though they can only serve alcohol according to their usual time restrictions — for most, that's 3am. Some venues, with half-an-hour live entertainment extensions, will be pouring and shaking till 3.30, including Stonewall, Oxford Art Factory and the Cliff Dive. The lockout exemption zone, highlighted below, will stretch from the Burdekin Hotel — on the corner of Oxford and Liverpool streets — up to Victoria Street and across to the corner of Flinders and South Dowling streets, where the Taphouse is. [caption id="attachment_709775" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Courtesy of the NSW Government.[/caption] The lockout laws were first relaxed last year after a request by Liberal City of Sydney councillor Christine Forster. She wrote to Premier Gladys Berejiklian saying the move would "be a particularly poignant gesture of reconciliation given the historic passing of Australia's same-sex marriage legislation on 7 December 2017." This year, Cr Forster took to Facebook again to call for the lockouts to be relaxed for the full week leading up to the parade, but was unsuccessful. Mardi Gras 2019 celebrations runs from February 15–March 3, with the parade taking place on Saturday, March 2. Image: Jeffrey Feng.
This small nursery is absolute magic. What it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in charm — and a finely curated selection of plants, which includes everything from orchids to cacti. The staff are great and always ready to help when you can't figure out what you've done to make your indoor rubber tree look so sad. They understand that shoppers come from all levels of green experience, offering hard-to-kill Zanzibar Gems (the magic plant that thrives on neglect and only needs watering once every three months) to those with black thumbs, as well as being able to talk through the intricacies of garden layouts with the pros. Possibly the most welcoming feature, the Newtown Garden Market also has great standing deals meaning you can build your own flower bed or herb garden in one cheap trip.
UPDATE, August 3, 2020: Pet Sematary is available to stream via Amazon Prime Video, Foxtel Now, Google Play, YouTube and iTunes. It's true of beloved family pets who've returned from the grave, and it's true of horror novels turned into movies yet again: sometimes dead is better. Stephen King might've penned that sentiment himself, but Hollywood was never going to take the popular author's advice. As the second film adaptation of Pet Sematary shows, perhaps they should've listened. With King's work frequently flickering across screens big and small, exhuming this creepfest must've seemed like an easy win. This is the ninth movie or TV series based on his writing in the past three years alone, with four more due in 2019 as well. There's plenty to claw into in Pet Sematary, including the many shadows that death and grief cast over the living. There's ample room for unsettling tension, spanning both bumps and jumps and existential unease. But Pet Sematary largely feels like the most standard possible take on its supernatural narrative. Given how standard its predecessor felt 30 years ago (and the original film's 1992 sequel, too), the new version basically re-digs the same grave and fills it with slightly updated corpses. Initially, those bodies belong to dearly departed pets in the town of Ludlow. When doctor Louis Creed (Jason Clarke) moves to the quiet Maine spot with his wife Rachel (Amy Seimetz), eight-year-old daughter Ellie (Jeté Laurence) and toddler Gage (Hugo Lavoie and Lucas Lavoie), they quickly discover that their sprawling new house is adjacent to the local animal graveyard. The burial ground's misspelled sign marks it as a place for kids to farewell their furry and feathered friends, but neighbour Jud Crandall (John Lithgow) knows that something else is afoot. After the Creed family cat meets an unfortunate end, Jud initiates Louis into the cemetery's secrets. On the page and in its previous big-screen version, this story always required a leap in logic — not regarding its overall concept, but some of the minutiae. Only realising that your new home borders a graveyard once you've moved in? Letting your kids play by a highway favoured by speeding trucks, especially after your beloved feline is mowed down? If you can buy that, then you can definitely buy the idea of zombified pets scratching away at their owners' nerves. An engaging tale told well could easily breeze past the aforementioned contrivances, and so could a scary tale told with disquieting precision. Alas, as directed by Kevin Kölsch and Dennis Widmyer (Starry Eyes) and scripted by Jeff Buhler (The Midnight Meat Train), that's rarely the case here. Content to plough along the surface of its familiar narrative, Pet Sematary remains as straightforward as its many horror cliches: the spooky woods, the sacred Native American site, the several layers of sad backstories and the reality that raising the dead never, ever turns out well. King might've invented or at least solidified many of these tropes, however here every single one feels routine. So does the film's by-the-numbers execution. It's the latter that grates more than the former — not the obvious, sometimes egregious plot elements, but the squandered potential. If there's anything worse than a flat-out bad movie, it's an average flick that unearths glimmers of something more yet ultimately leaves them buried. Kölsch and Widmyer know how to make individual moments land, even when the overall beats and simple jump-scares are easy to spot. While the film is shot with the usual dread-inducing look, the directing duo also know how to make individual images stand out. And when they give Clarke, Seimetz and Lithgow room to breathe — and push a young talent like Laurence into the spotlight, too — they know how to ensure that their themes and performances run deep. They just can't sustain any of the above. Certainly not for the movie's 101-minute running time, and not long enough to justify Pet Sematary's resurrection. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7Eq9rYsqnM
Victoria's Hot Chocolate Festival is back again this August. And, like last year, it's also bringing the decadence to you. Whether you're a Melburnian who can't make it to one of the three venues outside of town, or you're located elsewhere and you really love hot chocolate, Yarra Valley Chocolaterie is churning out boxes filled with creative hot choccie flavours. Like this year's physical fest, the flavour range is being released weekly — so you have an excuse to order more than a few boxes. To kick things off, there's the Tim Tam caramel bomb, which turns caramel Tim Tams into a ball and serves it with a caramel hot chocolate. Also tempting: the Devonshire kronut version features a berry hot chocolate topped with — you guessed it — a kronut. And, the Snickertini includes shots of Baileys and vodka, while the Dreamtime hot chocolate features lemon myrtle. Fingers crossed that fan favourite flavours like Tim Tam Slam and Golden Nutella Spoon will pop up throughout the month, along with the more adventurous likes of If You Like Piña Colada, Zingy Chilli and Cherry Matcha. All limited-edition hot chocolates come with an extra shot of hot couverture chocolate and handcrafted marshmallow, too. Plus, in previous years, some of the highlights arrived with exploding marshmallows, melting chocolate discs and truffle balls. If the eight-flavour pack each week is a little much — it'll set you back $49.95 — you can also order individual varieties for $6.50 a pop. The boxes are available to order until the end of August, and there's a flat-rate shipping fee of $15 to anywhere in Australia.
I’ll be honest: earlier this year, Belvoir put a wild duck on stage and a small part of me hoped there would be a repeat of the bird scenario in The Seagull. However, given that the eponymous seagull of Chekhov’s play is shot early on and inescapably symbolic, it’s just as well that director Benedict Andrews doesn’t give the audience one to coo over. Instead, Andrews lives up to his reputation as one of Sydney’s most confronting and challenging directors by raising the curtain on the resentful, miserable, and resolutely alienated Masha smoking a bucket bong. In one fell swoop, Chekhov’s nineteenth century Russian country estate is transformed into a dinky fibro shack on the Australian coast where people have very little to do other than get wrapped up in the intricate narratives of their own lives. The flat, grey lake in the distance is, quite often, all they have to focus on. Although the setting is distinctly Australian, Andrews’ maintains simplified Russian character names and places. The ingénue Nina, the diva Irina, the angsty Konstantin, and the middlebrow writer Trigorin all ask questions about what constitutes real happiness, freedom and love; tragically, they seem innately incapable of answering them. Konstantin aspires to write plays that will overpower the artificial constraints of traditional theatre and stages an experimental piece set “200,000 years from now.” When his mother patronisingly dismisses it as “a tantrum disguised as theatre”, her beau’s smiling superciliousness only serves to stoke her son’s simmering Hamlet aspirations. Heart-sick with addled ambition, Konstantin shoots a seagull and offers it to his lover, Nina, but she is “too ordinary” to figure out whether it symbolises his frustrated creativity or her own fragile idealism. The Seagull was described by Chekhov as a comedy; and it is – in a generally bitter and twisted kind of way. Occasional moments of comic relief are provided by Sorin, who wanted to be a writer and never got around to it, but for much of the play Andrews’ cages his performers in a featureless glass box — a placeless place, with no discernible way in or out. In the face of the irrevocable nature of time, Chekhov's characters cling to momentary symbols in a vain effort to define themselves and each other. The Seagull is a meditation on how art produces life and life produces art, and the casualties of the process.
The last time that Vince Gilligan created a series around an actor that he'd already worked with, television gained one of the best shows of the 21st century, one of its finest-ever tragedies and a spinoff on par with its inspiration: the Breaking Bad-connected Better Call Saul. Next up on his resume comes another project based around a star that he's already made exceptional TV with, and that should be just as keenly anticipated, with Pluribus led by Rhea Seehorn (Win or Lose). As Kim Wexler in Better Call Saul, Seehorn was nominated for two well-deserved Emmys, but missed out to Ozark's Julia Garner in 2022 and The White Lotus' Jennifer Coolidge in 2023. Here's hoping that she earns accolades for her next effort with Gilligan. This time, the duo reunite for an Apple TV+ sci-fi drama, which has just dropped its first teaser trailer and announced its premiere date. [caption id="attachment_864124" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Better Call Saul, Greg Lewis/AMC/Sony Pictures Television[/caption] From Friday, November 7, you can watch what occurs when Seehorn plays the planet's most-miserable person, who needs to save the world from happiness. That's all of the plot details that have been revealed so far. The first-look clip doesn't expand on the narrative, but does feature a woman licking doughnuts and placing them back in a box for others to help themselves to. If you're keen for anything that The X-Files alum Gilligan whips up — especially with the stellar Seehorn involved — then you'll be pleased to know that the nine-episode first season of Pluribus isn't all that's on the way. Already, the show has been renewed for a second season. [caption id="attachment_757257" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Better Call Saul[/caption] On-screen, Seehorn is joined by Karolina Wydra (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), Carlos-Manuel Vesga (The Luckiest Man in America), Miriam Shor (Magic Hour) and Samba Schutte (Parallel). Behind the scenes, Gilligan has fellow Better Call Saul veterans Gordon Smith, Alison Tatlock and Diane Mercer for company among the series' executive producers, as well as Allyce Ozarski (I Love That for You) and Jeff Frost. Also, if you're wondering right now if Gilligan isn't all that fond of pastries given the role of a particular chain in Better Call Saul, that's understandable. Check out the date announcement video for Pluribus below: Pluribus starts streaming via Apple TV+ on Friday, November 7, 2025.
A day out from December 25, the experts are forecasting some hot weather. And it looks like you'd better be prepared to embrace the sweats, with Australia's weather set to gift us with some very balmy Christmas Day temperatures across the board. According to the Bureau of Meteorology, Melbourne will be turning on some pretty primo beach weather, with mostly sunny skies and a top of 26 degrees, shooting it past the monthly average of 24.2. With today set to hit 34 degrees, the temp will only get to a low of 17 — so you're probably going to want to make sure those Christmas beers are cold and a swimmable body of water isn't too far away. Sydney is slated to enjoy a similar situation, facing a maximum of 29 degrees, a whole stack of sunshine and lows of just 18 degrees. However, if you're going to be out west, you'll have to withstand a heatwave — Penrith will reach a top of 35 degrees Happily enough, it seems the city will have got the current sogginess out of its system, with a solid week of showers and storms drying up in time for Christmas Eve. As in Melbourne, Sydney's looking at a mere five percent chance of rain for December 25 — if that's not perfect barbecue weather, we don't know what is. Further north, Brisbane's Christmas Day forecast is surprisingly similar, despite the slew of sweaty mid-30s the city's copped in the lead-up. If you're up there for the big day, you can expect to unwrap those presents to a balmy top of 29 degrees — pretty much bang on the Queensland capital's December maximum average. Across the country, Perth punters are in for steamier festivities, with Christmas Day maxing out at 35 degrees and dipping to just 20. It's a little warmer than the city's December averages, but shouldn't come as too much of a shock to locals — December 25 runs off the back of five relentless days of mid-to-high 30s, scorching sunshine and pretty much zero rain. Best find yourself some air-con for the big day. Adelaide-bound folk are in for the same max of 35 degrees, following a string of mid-20s in the lead-up. Canberra's maxing out at a sunny, slightly breezy 33 degrees, while Darwin folk can prepare themselves for a dramatic combination of 34-degree maximums, a medium chance of showers and possible thunderstorms. If you're after a cool Christmas, it seems you'll have to venture down to good ol' Tassie to find it — Hobart's dishing up a partly cloudy day, with a manageable maximum of just 22 degrees. Updated: December 24, 2018.
Free stuff might not fix everything, but the organisers of Wine Machine are hoping it'll help cool a fraction of the heat they've copped in the past three days. They're offering two free gigs to disgruntled patrons of the musical festival's NSW leg. The Hunter Valley festival was dealt a big blow over the weekend, when a freak electrical storm put an early end to the event, shutting things down just before DJ and co-founder Hot Dub Time Machine made it on to the stage. And those in charge have copped some slack for the way the situation was handled, with festivalgoers complaining about shoddy evacuation processes, as well as lengthy bar lines and wait times during the festival. In now-deleted social media comments published in Tone Deaf, festivalgoers slammed organisers for their lack of concern for patrons' safety, apparently more focused on getting people out quickly than on the dangerous lightning. Attendee Samuel Brady labelled it the "worst event ever", saying, "a tree came down in front of us and a guy broke his leg. So much for duty of care". A heavy police presence caused more complaints, while stacks of patrons called out Wine Machine's hefty food and drink queues, with some saying they waited in line in the sun for over 45 minutes. In an updated statement released yesterday, Wine Machine Hunter Valley event organisers said the evacuation was initiated in consultation with medical, safety, police and emergency services officers, saying, "the safety of all patrons, artists, and staff is of absolute priority". They also called for feedback on the day's police and security methods, which can be submitted here. The statement also addressed bar queues, blaming lengthy wait times on NSW's strict new festival licensing restrictions, management by external operators and an incident between two staff mini-buses. In the wake of this, Hot Dub Time Machine has promised to make up for his missed performance, with two free shows for Wine Machine attendees. "We wanted to make it up to you with this small token of our appreciation," the DJ said in a statement, announcing a full-length show at the Enmore Theatre on April 11, followed by Newcastle's Exhibition Centre on April 12. The gigs are exclusively for Wine Machine ticket holders, who'll each receive an email with registration details for the coming shows. Read Wine Machine's full statement below. Statement from the organisers of Wine Machine Hunter Valley Over the weekend 11,000 patrons attended the Wine Machine event at Roche Estate in the Hunter Valley. Toward the end of the event, personnel in the Event Control Centre who had been monitoring weather all day were made aware of an extreme storm cell rapidly approaching the event. The decision to evacuate was made in consultation with event medical, safety, police and emergency services officers and evacuation procedures were initiated circa 2130, 90 minutes prior to the scheduled end of the event after The Presets performance but prior to Hot Dub Time Machine's performance. The extreme weather system included torrential rain and a high multitude of lightning strikes within close proximity. The safety of all patrons, artists, and staff is of absolute priority. Evacuations of this nature in such extreme conditions are never pleasant. If you have feedback on the method by which police and or security managed this please email the WM team at cellarmaster@wine-machine.com and we will come back to you personally. We take reports of over aggressive behaviour very seriously and will investigate accordingly. We must also address bar lines earlier in the day. It must be noted the venue Roche Estate was a dry hire and not responsible for the bars. There were a number of external operators managing the event. Due to the current climate in NSW, severe licensing conditions were placed upon the event limiting drinks to two per person causing unacceptable congestion at the bars. Adding to this were staffing issues from our external bar operators Prime Collective who've issued the following statement: "Whilst licensing restrictions played a significant role in bar congestion at the Wine Machine NSW event, we must unreservedly apologise for our role in this and take full responsibility. Two of our staffing mini-buses carrying 32 staff were reportedly involved in an incident whilst en route from Sydney resulting in bars being under staffed. We are currently investigating the circumstances of this and following up on the conditions of those staff involved. If you would like further information on this or the licensing restrictions please email us: info@primecollective.com.au and we will come back to you." Event medical, police and safety officers have commended the attendees of the event for an otherwise very well behaved crowd with minimal presentations and detections for an event of this size. Lastly, stay tuned for an announcement from Hot Dub Time Machine who is planning to throw a complimentary make-up show for those disappointed he didn't get to play.
Billboards are traditionally known for their advertising, but in a world first, Peruvians prove they can offer an alternative function: producing water out of thin air. The University of Engineering and Technology in Lima, the second largest capital city in the world set on a desert, has developed this incredible billboard, which could improve the health of hundreds of citizens. The contraption contains generators that capture the air's humidity, which due to the lack of rain in the region is usually at 98 percent. This is then treated through air and carbon filters, condensed into purified water, and stored in tanks to be accessed by taps at the base of the billboard. Because so many people in the area source their (often polluted) water from wells, this potable water is a real help to the millions of residents of the city. The billboard produces 9450L water over a period of three months, which is enough clean water to cover the consumption of hundreds of families each month. The multifunction billboard does also advertise for the University that developed it — but then, this innovative, life-saving creation does warrant the right to brag just a little bit. Take a look at this video to find out more about how the billboard works and the effects it's had on the people of Lima. Via PSFK.
